"You feel dizzy or sick still?"
Noelle slowly shook her head.
God, how embarrassing.
She was still on the ground; the fainting spell only lasted a few seconds.
Winters leg was only half bandaged, he was knelt beside her, while Roe sat her up.
Without saying anything, Roe took off her helmet.
He sighed, "you have quite the cut, Nelly".
Noelle frowned, "is that how a fainted?"
"I think so". Roe mumbled, "I'll put a bandage on it, it'll be fine".
"Mind and do Lieutenant Winters first".
Winters cleared his throat, "trooper, I think we should get this done now, alright?"
She was reluctant but had to agree.
"'Awright, sir".
Soon, with their help, she was sitting on the table.
Roe gave her a kind smile, while he brought out another bandage, a cloth and sulphur powder.
"This won't take long". He said, "I bet your friends are missing you".
Noelle's eyes widened, "oh, shit". She whispered, "Joe's 'gonna be so mad".
Winters smiled, "I'm sure he'll understand, Nelly".
Roe gently dabbed the cut with a cloth, "when's your birthday?"
She frowned, "how?"
"It's a routine question, you fainted".
"Eh – February 25th".
"How old are you?"
"Eighteen". Noelle's eyes widened again, "'a meant – 'am actually twenty".
Roe smiled a little, "alright".
Winters cleared his throat, "you're twenty".
They didn't want to give her more stress, they knew she was lying.
"How old are you?" Noelle asked Roe.
He snorted softly, "I didn't faint".
She shrugged, "'am curious".
"Twenty". He said, "I'll be twenty-one in October".
Noelle touched the bandage, once it was on.
"Is it really bad?"
"No, it's fine". Winters assured her, "it's not a huge gash".
Noelle was quiet for a few moments.
"Maybe 'a was scared or something, sir".
"Maybe". He said, "you did great out there, all of you did". Winters said, "it's only been one hour. Look what you all did in an hour, huh?"
Her lips twitched, "we did good, sir, eh?"
"You bet, trooper".
When she was given the all-clear, Noelle and Blithe walked out of the aid station.
He was quiet, though seemed a bit brighter than before.
The pair of them found a quiet place to sit down, Blithe lay down on a flat surface, while Noelle sat on the bottom step, bringing out her canteen for a drink. She took off her helmet, placing it to the side. Noelle then reached into her jacket and brought out a cracker. She hadn't eaten much since coming to Normandy, must have been the nerves. Taking a couple of bites, Noelle swallowed it down with water after. Her stomach was still in knots.
Noelle took in a few deep breaths.
Blithe opened his eyes, "are you okay?"
She gave a tiny nod, "fine – you?"
He continued to squint up at the sun. "Better".
Noelle sat on the top step and looked over at him, "'a was scared too".
Blithe remained quiet.
She cleared her throat, "that's why 'a fainted and got sick".
He sat up and leaned against his elbows, staring at her.
Noelle shrugged, "'a don't think we let anyone down, Alby".
Blithe frowned, "I might have".
"How would you-"
"Nelly!"
Noelle turned back around, Blithe lay down again.
Malarkey, Muck, Penkala and More were walking over to them.
"We've been looking for you-"
"what the hell did you do to your head?!"
Noelle shook her head, "it's fine – you's 'awright?"
The four of them took a seat on the steps.
"We're fine". Malarkey gave her a smile, "you look a little pale, you okay?"
She snorted, "ask the floor".
Muck pulled a face, "why would I do that?"
"I puked on it".
"Nice one, Nelly".
Malarkey chuckled quietly, "you're good though, right?"
She looked up, smiling at him a little. "Aye, 'am good".
"Nelly!"
It was Toye, the guy looked a little mad.
Sighing, Noelle got up. "Best go now".
"Good luck". Penkala grinned.
Noelle started to walk slowly over to him.
Toye set her a firm look, "you're not walking with urgency!"
"Right". She whispered to herself, picking up the pace.
When she was standing before him, Toye's features softened.
"Glad you're safe, kid". He said, "I thought I lost two guys".
"Smitty will be 'awright". Noelle told him, "is Earl okay?"
"Yeah, he was with me". Toye told her, "we're down two guys. You two better stay the fuck out of trouble, or I'll kill you".
"Aye, no bother. I'll-"
"what the hell is this?"
Toye took off her helmet, revealing the bandage.
"Fucking Christ, Nelly". He said, "I leave you for an hour and you get wounded?"
"It's 'no a wound". She mumbled, taking her helmet back. "It's a cut".
Noelle put her helmet back on.
"And it's fine". She added.
Toye raised an eyebrow, "doc tell you that?"
"And Lieutenant Winters".
"Alright". The matter was dropped, "help me round up our guys with Bill. We'll be heading out soon".
"Aye, 'a know". Noelle said, "we're heading east to higher ground".
"How did you know?"
"Cause Buck asked Winters and 'a was there".
Toye smirked, "our little spy".
"'A wasn't meaning it, like". She said, "'a was just there".
"Well, Buck told me and Bill-"
"aye, 'a guessed".
They both walked over to Buck, who was talking with Guarnere.
If they were to take the higher ground, it would be easy to defend the outskirts of Carentan.
And they'd have Fox and Dog on their flank the whole time.
It should be fine.
But like always, nothing ever went to plan.
They walked for two miles, with no resistance.
And then, they came under heavy fire.
Everyone got behind hedgerows, the Germans were firing from higher ground, behind their hedgerows. This was an awful position to be under for Easy. They were now stuck on the right side of the flank. Their mission was to anchor the rail-road tracks that ran along the edge of the flooded area, southwest of town.
The fire died down by dark, where Winters got them into position, and they dug in for the night. They were resupplied with food, water and ammunition. Noelle put all her magazines into her webbing and pockets, before she had a small bite to eat and drank some water. She was with Buck and Guarnere that night, Toye was hunkering down with McClung.
"Tomorrow, 0530 hours". Buck said, "that's the plan of attack".
"We hold this line?"
"That's right".
Guarnere nodded, "F is at our left, D's our right".
Noelle frowned, "we're in the middle?"
"Something like that".
"They can't take back that town". Buck told them, "if they do, then we're really screwed".
"It's funny how they lied, eh?" Noelle mumbled, "three days and three nights".
Guarnere huffed, "yeah? Well, no use in complaining, Nelly. We're here until they tell us otherwise".
Between the hours of eleven and twelve, Noelle was sent to relieve some of the guys on OP.
Guarnere was going but she offered to go instead.
While making her way quietly down the line, Noelle ended up tripping and falling into the field.
Between their hedgerows and the Germans, lay a field.
Noelle's trousers ripped, the fabric got caught on a few jagged branched and she ended up skinning her knees in the process. Sighing, she sat up and gave her knees a rub, wanting to get rid of any mud or other germy-things on the ground. And while she was doing this, she heard German voices coming towards her. Eyes widening, she hid behind a hedgerow.
They were shouting, obviously drunk and started to fire out their machine pistols.
Noelle covered her head, even if her helmet was still on.
There were a couple of squads, if they saw her, she was dead.
From a few feet behind her, Malarkey was staring at her.
"Stay low". He mouthed.
Noelle gave him a tiny nod, she didn't intend on moving.
Malarkey's eyes went from hers to the Germans.
She tried to get even lower, but her boot ended up snapping a twig.
The Germans started to shoot, right at the hedgerow she was hiding behind.
Noelle's heart might have stopped from fright, she wanted more than anything to become invisible, just for that moment. She curled up in on herself, body still and frozen with fear. The bullets knocked against the hedge, never breaking through but Noelle could smell each bullet and feel it vibrate against her back.
Noelle couldn't do anything but sit there and wait.
When the Germans would re-load, the squads would yell at them, and then shoot again.
She looked back over at Malarkey, while they re-loaded.
He gave her the nod and she got up and started to run.
"Halt!"
Bang!
Noelle fell down.
Malarkey's eyes widened in horror.
"Nelly!"
The Germans started to shoot again, Malarkey couldn't reach her.
Guys from 2nd started to fire back then, once they heard Malarkey's scream.
And while the guys were busy shooting, Malarkey got up and ran over to her.
He was sitting beside her, eyes searching for a sign of life.
Noelle slowly pushed herself up, looking at him. "'A tripped".
Malarkey choked out a tiny laugh, "Christ, I thought they shot you".
She shook her head, "'am alright".
When she sat up fully, he pulled her into a tight hug.
"Don't fucking scare me like that again, Nelly". He whispered.
Noelle frowned and wrapped her arms around him.
She soon melted into his hold, having not been hugged quite as tightly for a long time.
Closing her eyes, Noelle held onto him for dear life.
There was something so familiar and safe about the way he held her, almost like Jimmy was back again but she wasn't quite sure. And when they pulled back, the feeling stayed warm with in her. Noelle gave him the smallest of smiles.
"It's stopped now, Don".
Malarkey sighed, "come on, let's get you back".
She got back into her foxhole with Buck and Guarnere, who were glad to see her alive.
It was scary, Noelle thought she was a goner.
Leaning against Guarnere's arm, Noelle closed her eyes and dosed off.
…
"I'll get it-"
"no!" Jimmy rushed to his feet, "no, get in the living room".
Noelle pulled a face, "why-"
"just do it, Noelle".
Sighing, the girl wondered into the living room.
Jimmy hesitated.
"Mr Stewart, we will break this door down!"
Noelle felt her heart hammer against her chest.
Who was at the door?
Jimmy eventually opened the front door.
Noelle poked her head around the open-door frame.
"Good evening, officers".
One of the officers stepped inside and he grabbed Jimmy's wrists.
"Jimmy Stewart, you are under arrest and will be held until this investigation clears up".
"Can you tell me my crime, officer?"
The officer grunted, while he handcuffed him. "You know fine well".
Noelle swallowed, eyes shining with tears.
"Your sister?"
Jimmy shook his head, "not here. She's with our Uncle".
"Take him away, men".
Noelle wanted to get to him but if the officers saw her, she'd get sent away.
She slid down on the floor instead, while tears ran down her face.
What was she going to do now?
Picking herself up, Noelle ran towards the window and looked outside.
Half the street stood outside their houses, throwing eggs and vegetables at Jimmy, while the police officers escorted him into the van. Noelle ran out of the room and outside. The van was pulling away from the house, she got onto the road and chased after it.
"Jimmy!" She screamed, "come back! Jimmy!"
…
Noelle's eyes snapped open.
Breathing a little heavily, she pulled herself away from Guarnere's arm.
"Can you believe it? They're singing".
"What?" She whispered, rubbing her eyes.
Buck nodded behind him, "those damn Krauts".
Noelle sighed quietly, wiping some wetness off her cheek.
The Lieutenant look down at her, "okay, Thumper?"
Biting her lip, Noelle gave a tiny nod. "Aye, sir". She whispered.
"Been raining for the past hour". Guarnere mumbled, "you didn't sleep long, Nelly".
She cleared her throat, "singing woke me up, 'a think".
"Joe would give them a run for their money, huh?"
Noelle choked out a tiny laugh, pressing her fingers over her eyes.
"'A bet".
Taking in a few deep breaths, she uncovered her eyes.
God, she was a mess.
"We've been here a week". Buck said, "one weeks passed".
Guarnere shook his head, "that's crazy, Buck".
"Yeah…I can't remember being this tired during training".
He snorted, "I can". Guarnere said, "back in Toccoa. But not like this".
Noelle leaned back against the side of the foxhole, looking at her rifle.
She couldn't look up, it was raining. It was always raining in Normandy.
Everywhere they went, it seemed to rain.
"Well, a lot of the Krauts are pretty drunk". Buck pointed out, "maybe that'll work out better for us".
"They don't have to be drunk". Guarnere said, "we're 'gonna give them all kinds of hell".
The Lieutenant smiled, "you're damn right, Gurno".
"Huh, Nelly?" He said, giving her arm a gentle nudge.
Noelle nodded, "you bet, Bill".
She rubbed the back of her neck.
"We attacking first?"
"That's the plan". Buck said, "but we'll just have to wait and see".
"You nervous?" Guarnere asked her.
She tilted her head to the side, "'a don't know…'a think they're pissed off at us. Like we're just poking at an old wound after Carentan, you know?"
"That's about it, Nelly". He said, "but we've 'gotta strike when the irons hot. They can't take back that town".
Noelle shook her head, "they won't". She said, "cause we're here".
"That's the spirit". Buck grinned, "I thought we lost you there, Thumper".
She bit the inside of her cheek, "think 'am doing alright?"
"Yeah, I do". He said.
"What do 'a need to work on?"
Guarnere cleared his throat, "I think you should have more confidence. But it's up to you if you ever 'wanna be a squad leader, Nelly". He then added, "you're good at following orders, always have been. I'm glad you took that MG42, Nelly". Guarnere smirked, "that must have felt weird, huh?"
Noelle snorted, "it was Smitty who fired it…but aye, was strange".
"I need to get my hands on one of those". Buck said, "show those Krauts how it's done".
She was quiet for a few moments.
And then smiled, "'a rode a horse".
They both pulled a face.
"In Carentan. This Sargent wanted to find Lieutenant Winters. 'A got on the horse with him".
Guarnere chuckled, "that's mad, Nelly".
"It were this white horse". Noelle went on, "called Bad Boy, 'a think".
Buck snorted at the name, "Bad Boy".
Then, there came painful moans.
The three of them frowned, moving towards the edge of the foxhole.
"Medic!"
"That's Tab". Buck mumbled.
Guarnere looked at Noelle, "you 'wanna go help?"
She was already getting out of the foxhole.
Her rifle was slung across her shoulder, while she ran towards the distressed noises.
When Noelle reached the scene, Liebgott was with him, while Smith continued to apologise.
Frowning, she knelt down next to Floyd.
"What happened?"
"Smith stabbed him-"
"he was dressed as a Kraut". Smith argued weakly.
Noelle frowned, looking at Floyd. "Can you breathe?"
He looked back at her, giving her a nod. "I'm fine".
Liebgott snorted, "you weren't two minutes ago".
Noelle ripped open his jacket and shirt, exposing his chest. "'A think he missed your heart and that, Tab. 'A reckon you'll be 'awright". She placed one hand directly onto the wound.
Floyd looked slightly less concerned, though still a little pale.
She took his hand with her free hand, "it's 'gonna be okay, Tab. 'A promise".
Liebgott smiled, "yeah, I think it will be".
Roe soon took over. "I'll put some sulphur on the wound, Floyd. You're 'gonna be fine".
Floyd looked over at Noelle, "yeah, it will be".
The medic smiled, "should have been a medic, Nelly".
Noelle huffed, "'haud 'yer 'weesht".
"What?" Floyd mumbled.
"It means be quiet". Noelle chuckled quietly, "funny, eh?"
He smiled a little, through his pain. "It's great, Nelly". He said, "should say it more often".
Floyd was dragged away and carried the three-km to the aid station.
Noelle wiped the blood off her hands and onto her trousers, before she got back up.
She walked a few feet away from Liebgott and almost crashed right into someone.
"Sorry-"
"Private".
Noelle looked up, her face paled.
It was Speirs.
She swallowed, "sir".
He looked at her, "what are you doing out of your hole, Private?"
"Uh – 'a was helping with Tab, sir".
Speirs nodded, "okay, I'll walk you back".
Noelle felt her hands grow sweaty.
After what she saw before Brecourt, Noelle felt a little nervous.
However, another noise soon caught their attention.
Speirs gave her a nod, they walked out of some trees.
"Flash".
"Thunder – thunder!"
It was Blithe.
"Lieutenant Speirs, sir". He lowered his rifle.
"Where're you going, Private?"
"To check out the noise, sir".
"I just came from there. Everything's under control".
The three of them started to walk.
Noelle looked up at Blithe, "Tab got stabbed, he's 'gonna be fine".
Blithe swallowed, "Kraut?"
She shook her head, "no, Smith. He thought he were a Kraut".
Speirs cleared his throat, "got some nervous Privates in your Company".
Noelle pulled a face, looking at her boots.
Am I one of them?
"We do, sir". Blithe stated, "I can vouch for that".
"They just don't see how simple it is".
Blithe got into his foxhole, Martin was asleep.
"How simple what is, sir?"
Speirs sighed, "just do what you have to do".
He looked up at him, "like what you did on D-Day, sir?"
Noelle's eyes widened, while she looked up at Spiers.
Even Martin opened one eye.
"Lieutenant…sir, when I landed on D-Day, I found myself in a ditch all by myself". Blithe said to him quietly, "I fell asleep. I think it was the airsickness tablets they gave us. When I woke up, I didn't really try to find my unit…to fight".
Noelle's stomach twisted again, like back in the aid station.
"I just – I just kind of stayed put".
Speirs looked at him, "what's your name, trooper?"
"I'm Blithe, sir". He whispered, "Albert Blithe".
"You know why you hid in that ditch, Blithe?"
He swallowed, a tear rolling down his cheek. "I was scared".
"We're all scared". Speirs mumbled, "you hid in that ditch because you think there's still hope. But, Blithe, the only hope you have is to accept the fact that you're already dead".
Noelle's face formed into a frown.
"And the sooner you accept that, the sooner you'll be able to function as a soldier supposed to function". He said, "without mercy, without compassion. Without remorse". Speirs got back up, giving Blithe a nod. "All war depends on it".
Noelle felt her bottom lip quiver, while she looked at the look on Blithe's face.
She didn't think that helped him much, hearing the harsh truth of war.
Not even Noelle was ready to hear that.
"Private". Speirs addressed Noelle, "I'll walk you back, come on".
"Bye, Alby". Noelle croaked.
"Night, Nelly". He whispered.
They both turned around and walked away from Blithe and Martin.
"Where about in Scotland are you from, Private?"
Noelle bit down on her lip, "Fife, sir".
Speirs's lips twitched, "right over from Edinburgh". He mumbled, "I was born there".
She looked up at him.
"Immigrated with my family when I was four". He went on, "I don't remember much, just very old buildings and cobbled streets".
Noelle looked back down at her boots, "'a've never been to Edinburgh, sir".
"Well, it's a city to visit, Private".
"If 'a get back". Noelle whispered.
Speirs looked down at her.
She shrugged, "'a might get shot or something".
He huffed out a tiny laugh, "well, you haven't so far. You might get lucky, Private".