Ruth: 21 September, Janakpuri
"Corporal Arthur Norris," Major Harry Pearce barked, looking from the cowering young solider to his wife, who was blushing like a schoolgirl. "What is the meaning of this insult?"
"I, er, I did not mean…" he began. Major Pearce's face had turned dark red and the soldier looked both overawed and terrified by his outraged expression.
"Harry," his wife began. "Please, I think you're overreacting. Can we talk about this alone?"
Harry glared at first Corporal Norris and then his wife. "Very well," he snapped. "But the explanation better be good. Very good."
Ruth waited until Corporal Norris had left the room, and then turned to her husband.
"Corporal Norris is a good solider-" she began.
"Whose duties do not extend to kissing my wife," Harry added, glowering.
"A very good soldier and a very young one," Ruth continued evenly. "Who has seen most of his friends cut down these past weeks."
"Harry you know most of all know what it's been like out here," Ruth stepped forward to hold her husband's hand. "Every Englishman, woman and child left alive, of which there are precious few, has been terrified, terrorised, outnumbered and in fear of their life every day for the past five months."
Harry's temper was beginning to dissipate as he looked at his wife. He could see in her eyes what these past months of worry must have been like for her.
"I know," he said heavily. "I know it's been hard Ruth, and I'm sorry. If I could take you away from here and put you somewhere safe I would do it in a second," he replied. "But I can't."
Ruth shook her head, "I wouldn't go Harry. I would never leave you. Wherever you are is the only place I can be happy, even if there's danger."
"The kiss was a mistake Harry," Ruth started, fidgeting with her gloves. "Corporal Norris is a child. He's 19 and frightened out of his mind and damaged from this terrible fighting. I was kind to him when he was vulnerable and I think he confused that with love. He kissed me and I let him because I felt sorry for him. I was going to tell him it could never happen again when you walked in."
"Can you forgive me Harry?" Ruth asked, her blue eyes large and luminous, "Please say you forgive me."
Harry pulled her into him and kissed her firmly. "I must be smitten Ruth, because I find that I can forgive you anything so long as you're mine. Though I will be having words with Corporal Norris."
Ruth leaned into her husband's broad chest, nodding. "Thank you Harry. And please try to temper your words with an understanding of his age and our situation."
"I shall ponder how to tell him politely but effectively how to keep his hands off my wife tomorrow morning. But tonight belongs to us," Harry finished, drawing Ruth towards the door.