The Very Thought of You Read Online Free Page A

like a cup of tea in the mess before you start. I’ll lead the way.’
    â€˜Thank you, Corporal. We’ll be with you in a sec.’ Beau turned to the group. ‘Listen,’ he said, ‘there’s some people from the Ministry coming to see us tonight. If we impress, they’ll keep us funded and, after we’ve done this tour, might … possibly … send us overseas. Which is what we want, isn’t it?’
    There was a murmur of agreement and Beau nodded. ‘Good,’ he said. ‘You’re all professionals, so I know you’ll be fine.’ He jerked his head to Frances and she shepherded the rest of the company to follow the corporal into the wooden mess hall. Catherine walked with Della and was just about to go inside when she heard her name being called.
    â€˜Mrs Fletcher?’ It was Beau. ‘Can I have a moment?’
    Della raised her eyebrows and said under her breath, ‘What’s this about?’
    â€˜I don’t know,’ Catherine said. ‘Perhaps I’m getting the sack.’
    â€˜Not you,’ Della laughed, but she looked back over her shoulder as she followed the corporal into the mess hall.
    Catherine walked back to where Beau was standing beside the truck. ‘Please call me “Catherine”,’ she said, ‘and drop the “Mrs Fletcher”. If we’re going to be in close proximity for the next few months, it would be silly to be so formal.’
    â€˜I agree,’ he smiled, ‘and I’m Beau. I’ll tell the others too.’ A spasm of pain washed over his face and he leant heavily on his stick for a moment. ‘Damn!’ he gasped. ‘This bloody leg gives me gyp sometimes.’
    She gently put a hand on his arm. ‘Can I do something?’
    â€˜No, thanks.’ He bit his lip and stood up straighter. ‘I’m alright. Now, Catherine, someone from the War Office wants to speak to you. He’s here tonight, so before you go on, can you have a word with him?’
    Catherine felt her stomach rising into her chest and for a moment thought she might faint. ‘Is it about my husband?’ she whispered.
    Beau immediately looked embarrassed. ‘Oh God, sorry. I forgot about your husband, and I didn’t mean to upset you. Honestly, I don’t know what he wants, but … if you could see him?’
    She nodded, in control of herself now. ‘Where is he?’
    â€˜In the Wing Co.’s office. I’ll get Frances to go with you.’
    Frances and Catherine waited in an outer office while a sergeant knocked on the Wing Commander’s door and announced who they were. When they were shown in, Catherine was surprised to see only one man, not an RAF officer, as they’d expected, but a man in civilian clothes.
    â€˜Good evening,’ he said, looking from one to the other. ‘I’m Robert Lennox, and one of you two ladies must be Mrs Catherine Fletcher?’
    â€˜That’s me,’ said Catherine, looking up at him. He was tall, with brown eyes and reddish-brown hair. He wore tortoiseshell-rimmed glasses that made him look middle-aged, but glancing at him again, Catherine decided that he was, in fact, quite young, perhaps thirty but not much more. There was a snort and a giggle from beside her and Frances stepped forward.
    â€˜Robbie?’ She stuck out her hand. ‘Don’t you remember me? Fran Parnell. Hugo’s sister. You used to come to our house during the holidays.’
    â€˜Good God, yes.’ He smiled and grasped her hand. ‘You’ve grown up. But what are you doing here? Don’t tell me that Beau’s got you working for him?’
    â€˜Yes,’ she laughed. ‘Needs must, I’m afraid. The old pile is falling down, and what with Hugo—’
    â€˜I heard,’ he said quickly. ‘It’s tough.’
    â€˜But what about you?’ she asked. ‘I thought you’d joined