Exhausted and traumatised after a long days work as a VAD nurse, sixteen-year-old Anna flopped onto the bed in her room to snatch a few moments respite before a meagre meal and evening duty. She would have only five hours sleep tonight, and be working from 6:30a.m. But she could not begrudge this effort, which seemed small compared to the conditions and experiences of the men fighting in the trenches. Almost as soon as war had broken out, Anna had ceased her involvement in the suffragist movement and trained as a VAD nurse, even though at fifteen she was three years younger than was required. But, determined to contribute to the war in whatever small way she could, and mature for her age, Anna was accepted as eighteen and, by the spring of her seventeenth year, she was working in France, to be where nurses were most needed, and her elder brother James was in the trenches, having been training since the previous summer. They saw each other as often as they could, and went home to their village in Norfolk whenever they had leave. This week, Anna had Saturday off, but James did not, and she and her friend Charlotte were going to go into town together before Charlotte went to meet her beau and Anna shopped alone.
As a VAD nurse, Anna's days were filled with treating injuries of varying degrees of seriousness. Sometimes, when an injury was particularly gory or painful, it was all she could do not to cry out. Walking along a corridor of the hospital, masculine cries of pain filled her head and haunted her dreams. The only sources of optimism were the recoveries, which she concentrated on rather than the endless deaths.
There was a knock at the door. Charlotte walked in without waiting for a response. 'Are you coming? It's time for dinner,' she said cheerfully. Charlotte had never wavered in her optimistic frivolousness, despite the horrors she had seen along with Anna. She was not unmoved by them, but refused to be lastingly upset by them. Anna and Charlotte had been friends for as long as either could remember, and were exceedingly glad to be posted together when they applied to work overseas. Cheered by Charlotte's manner, Anna was laughing as they left her room for the canteen.
*****
Thierry sat at his desk, trying to concentrate on the figures he was working on rather than brooding. But barely a moment passed without his thoughts turning to Hana. The last time they had met, she was working as a governess during the early Victorian era. He had earned her trust and her love before Maya murdered her two days before her seventeenth birthday. Thierry, who had disassociated himself from Maya and gone into hiding years before, had not anticipated this, and was shocked enough to seek Maya out to kill her. But the promise he had made to Hana was one he would never break, not even to end this vicious never-ending cycle. It was this promise that had kept him from the joining the army when war broke out (that and his serious lack of pulse). He had a job in an ammunitions factory; as a senior member of staff he worked in an office and was in charge of some of the many girls and few men who worked there. He had not seen Maya for over half a century, or for that matter, Hana. But he would find her again and, this time, protect her. Maya would never think to look for him in France.
Anna woke early on the morning of her day off, relishing the prospect of a day's break. She washed and dressed quickly, making her way down to breakfast just as the canteen opened. Charlotte joined her soon after, and once they had hurried down some toast, they set off for the town, walking a picturesque route and taking their time.
'What time are you meeting Andrew?' Anna asked Charlotte.
'Around two.'
Anna sighed happily. 'That gives us seven hours. We could even see a play.'
'Yes, let's. And then we can have lunch.'
'Sounds good to me.'
*****
Seven hours later, Anna emerged alone from a little café and wondered what to do first. She visited the grocery store, chemist and newsstand before allowing herself the real pleasure of her day. A few hours at the bookshop. Carol, the kindly owner who loaned books as well as selling them, would not object if she sat for a time reading. She chose a book by Charlotte Bronte, 'Jane Eyre', and settled in one of the comfy chairs scattered about to read. She was soon absorbed.
*****
Thierry wondered what to do. His days off were almost as empty as his working days, for almost nothing occupied him enough to distract his thoughts from Hana. Pausing as he passed it, he decided that at least the bookshop would be quiet, and walked up to the door. Just outside it, he froze. Sat in a chair clearly within his view, deeply engrossed in a book, was a girl who had to be Hana. She looked uncannily like her original self: strawberry blond hair tumbled to her shoulders, her face was gentle and wise, with deep blue-grey eyes, and she was slim and pretty. He spotted the birthmark, a pale rose petal of pink along her cheek, and realised that she was wearing the blue uniform of a VAD nurse. He sent a fervent prayer of thanks to the Goddess Isis, and pushed the door open. The girl did not look up, obviously too deeply immersed in the world of her book. He went over to her, and said cautiously 'Hana?' She looked up, uncertain at first, and then smiled good-naturedly.
'No, my name is Anna. Do I remind you of someone?' Anna, he thought, absorbing the name and cherishing it, as he had cherished her many others. Last time it was Anya, but had never wandered far from Hana, which was how he always thought of her. Realising that she was waiting expectantly for an answer, and acknowledging that she was as open and forthcoming as she had been that fateful night she tried so desperately to help him for the first time, he spoke.
'Yes. Someone I used to know. She was almost as beautiful as you,' he said quietly. She blushed, averting her eyes uncertainly. 'I'm sorry,' he said at once. 'I was simply being truthful, I did not mean to offend you.'
'No, I'm flattered. It's just that I have never really received a compliment like that before. I'm not sure how to react appropriately.' Thierry laughed, and thought how, each life that he had found her, she had been completely innocent and unaccustomed to men. It was as if the soulmate principle saved her for him every time.
'I don't think there is really a procedure to follow,' he smiled, and she smiled back, that familiar smile that lit up her eyes and livened her face. Encouraged, he sat in the chair next to hers, unwilling to leave his contact with her at that. 'What are you reading?' he asked, and she responded enthusiastically and pleasantly, obviously glad that he was not leaving.
In truth, Anna was very taken with this strange man who had wandered into her life and seemed eager to stay there. Hansom, pleasant, and, it became increasingly clear, intelligent, he had captured her heart within the first few moments of their meeting. A strange stirring within her was almost like recognition, and she finally felt bold enough to ask his name. Thierry Descoudres. It sounded French, but if he had an accent at all, it was more American than anything else. She found herself pouring her heart out to this new acquaintance, telling him about life as a VAD nurse, her memories of growing up in the village, her fears for James, even admitting that she was two years underage as a nurse: all her deepest thoughts and feelings. Although she asked him several questions, unwilling to dominate the conversation, he was vague, and by the time he stood up to go, apologising that he had to be back at work soon, she knew little more than his name and job. Too shy to initiate anything herself, she was desperately disappointed that he did not mention seeing her again, and was on the verge of breaking all rules of decorum to do so herself, when he turned back and said uncertainly, 'I don't suppose you would want to see each other again?' Unable to stop the relieved and joyful smile that spread across her face, Anna replied naturally, 'I would love to!', before realising what she had said and clapping a hand to her mouth. 'I hope that wasn't too forward,' she said, abashed. But he smiled.
'Not at all, it sums up my feelings perfectly. Do you always have Saturday s off?' At her nod, he said with increased confidence, 'It would be wonderful if you would meet me for lunch at the café over the road.' She agreed whole-heartedly, and, having arranged a time and place, they parted. Anna, bursting to tell Charlotte her news, and Thierry, overwhelmed by the turn the day had taken. Anna. The name ran through his mind repeatedly. Picturing the newest embodiment of the spirit he knew so well, he was gripped by her beauty, and, remembering their conversation, struck by her intelligence, openness and friendliness. Hardly able to believe that she so obviously wanted to see him again, he set off to seek out the few people he trusted to know his full history, and ask for their help in protecting Hana, or Anna as he must now start thinking of her.
As a VAD nurse, Anna's days were filled with treating injuries of varying degrees of seriousness. Sometimes, when an injury was particularly gory or painful, it was all she could do not to cry out. Walking along a corridor of the hospital, masculine cries of pain filled her head and haunted her dreams. The only sources of optimism were the recoveries, which she concentrated on rather than the endless deaths.
There was a knock at the door. Charlotte walked in without waiting for a response. 'Are you coming? It's time for dinner,' she said cheerfully. Charlotte had never wavered in her optimistic frivolousness, despite the horrors she had seen along with Anna. She was not unmoved by them, but refused to be lastingly upset by them. Anna and Charlotte had been friends for as long as either could remember, and were exceedingly glad to be posted together when they applied to work overseas. Cheered by Charlotte's manner, Anna was laughing as they left her room for the canteen.
*****
Thierry sat at his desk, trying to concentrate on the figures he was working on rather than brooding. But barely a moment passed without his thoughts turning to Hana. The last time they had met, she was working as a governess during the early Victorian era. He had earned her trust and her love before Maya murdered her two days before her seventeenth birthday. Thierry, who had disassociated himself from Maya and gone into hiding years before, had not anticipated this, and was shocked enough to seek Maya out to kill her. But the promise he had made to Hana was one he would never break, not even to end this vicious never-ending cycle. It was this promise that had kept him from the joining the army when war broke out (that and his serious lack of pulse). He had a job in an ammunitions factory; as a senior member of staff he worked in an office and was in charge of some of the many girls and few men who worked there. He had not seen Maya for over half a century, or for that matter, Hana. But he would find her again and, this time, protect her. Maya would never think to look for him in France.
Anna woke early on the morning of her day off, relishing the prospect of a day's break. She washed and dressed quickly, making her way down to breakfast just as the canteen opened. Charlotte joined her soon after, and once they had hurried down some toast, they set off for the town, walking a picturesque route and taking their time.
'What time are you meeting Andrew?' Anna asked Charlotte.
'Around two.'
Anna sighed happily. 'That gives us seven hours. We could even see a play.'
'Yes, let's. And then we can have lunch.'
'Sounds good to me.'
*****
Seven hours later, Anna emerged alone from a little café and wondered what to do first. She visited the grocery store, chemist and newsstand before allowing herself the real pleasure of her day. A few hours at the bookshop. Carol, the kindly owner who loaned books as well as selling them, would not object if she sat for a time reading. She chose a book by Charlotte Bronte, 'Jane Eyre', and settled in one of the comfy chairs scattered about to read. She was soon absorbed.
*****
Thierry wondered what to do. His days off were almost as empty as his working days, for almost nothing occupied him enough to distract his thoughts from Hana. Pausing as he passed it, he decided that at least the bookshop would be quiet, and walked up to the door. Just outside it, he froze. Sat in a chair clearly within his view, deeply engrossed in a book, was a girl who had to be Hana. She looked uncannily like her original self: strawberry blond hair tumbled to her shoulders, her face was gentle and wise, with deep blue-grey eyes, and she was slim and pretty. He spotted the birthmark, a pale rose petal of pink along her cheek, and realised that she was wearing the blue uniform of a VAD nurse. He sent a fervent prayer of thanks to the Goddess Isis, and pushed the door open. The girl did not look up, obviously too deeply immersed in the world of her book. He went over to her, and said cautiously 'Hana?' She looked up, uncertain at first, and then smiled good-naturedly.
'No, my name is Anna. Do I remind you of someone?' Anna, he thought, absorbing the name and cherishing it, as he had cherished her many others. Last time it was Anya, but had never wandered far from Hana, which was how he always thought of her. Realising that she was waiting expectantly for an answer, and acknowledging that she was as open and forthcoming as she had been that fateful night she tried so desperately to help him for the first time, he spoke.
'Yes. Someone I used to know. She was almost as beautiful as you,' he said quietly. She blushed, averting her eyes uncertainly. 'I'm sorry,' he said at once. 'I was simply being truthful, I did not mean to offend you.'
'No, I'm flattered. It's just that I have never really received a compliment like that before. I'm not sure how to react appropriately.' Thierry laughed, and thought how, each life that he had found her, she had been completely innocent and unaccustomed to men. It was as if the soulmate principle saved her for him every time.
'I don't think there is really a procedure to follow,' he smiled, and she smiled back, that familiar smile that lit up her eyes and livened her face. Encouraged, he sat in the chair next to hers, unwilling to leave his contact with her at that. 'What are you reading?' he asked, and she responded enthusiastically and pleasantly, obviously glad that he was not leaving.
In truth, Anna was very taken with this strange man who had wandered into her life and seemed eager to stay there. Hansom, pleasant, and, it became increasingly clear, intelligent, he had captured her heart within the first few moments of their meeting. A strange stirring within her was almost like recognition, and she finally felt bold enough to ask his name. Thierry Descoudres. It sounded French, but if he had an accent at all, it was more American than anything else. She found herself pouring her heart out to this new acquaintance, telling him about life as a VAD nurse, her memories of growing up in the village, her fears for James, even admitting that she was two years underage as a nurse: all her deepest thoughts and feelings. Although she asked him several questions, unwilling to dominate the conversation, he was vague, and by the time he stood up to go, apologising that he had to be back at work soon, she knew little more than his name and job. Too shy to initiate anything herself, she was desperately disappointed that he did not mention seeing her again, and was on the verge of breaking all rules of decorum to do so herself, when he turned back and said uncertainly, 'I don't suppose you would want to see each other again?' Unable to stop the relieved and joyful smile that spread across her face, Anna replied naturally, 'I would love to!', before realising what she had said and clapping a hand to her mouth. 'I hope that wasn't too forward,' she said, abashed. But he smiled.
'Not at all, it sums up my feelings perfectly. Do you always have Saturday s off?' At her nod, he said with increased confidence, 'It would be wonderful if you would meet me for lunch at the café over the road.' She agreed whole-heartedly, and, having arranged a time and place, they parted. Anna, bursting to tell Charlotte her news, and Thierry, overwhelmed by the turn the day had taken. Anna. The name ran through his mind repeatedly. Picturing the newest embodiment of the spirit he knew so well, he was gripped by her beauty, and, remembering their conversation, struck by her intelligence, openness and friendliness. Hardly able to believe that she so obviously wanted to see him again, he set off to seek out the few people he trusted to know his full history, and ask for their help in protecting Hana, or Anna as he must now start thinking of her.