When war erupted across Europe in 1939, sixteen year old Katherine Montague had known what she wanted to do - what she had to do. Now, five years later and a trained nurse in the British army, she finds herself thrust into the thick of that same war...
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Happy Wednesday!! Here's a lengthier update for you guys, as promised!! I had so much fun writing this chapter, and I hope y'all enjoy reading it! Let me know whatcha think! :)
Brushing back the hair that had come loose from her braid, Katherine made her way across the grounds. Not bothering to take the proper path along the sidewalks, her boots thudded against the dusty footpath that had been carved out in the green space that separated the hospital and residence hall.
Change of shift had come and gone long ago. But, with the transfer of nearly a dozen patients to the Evacuation Ward in order to make room for new admits downstairs, it had been all hands on deck. She'd spent the better part of two hours working along side the night shift, settling the new patients in, and rearranging bed assignments to allot for acuity level. It had been an exhausting end to an already tediously long day. All she wanted was a hot meal of something, and then it would be off to bed.
Climbing the front steps that led to the dining hall, she grasped the door knob and pulled - locked. She glanced down at her watch. It was nearly eight-thirty ... well past dinnertime.
Pulling on the door again, as though it might magically open this time, she sighed. She was starving. Crossing her arms over her chest, she began to think. Maybe the back entrance was still unlocked ... it had been the night she'd arrived, when Annie was been giving her a tour. And if it was unlocked, maybe there was a chance she could still find something to eat. Descending the front steps, she rounded the building and entered through the side entrance. Approaching the swinging wooden door that led to the men's quarters, she hesitated.
"Nurse!" She called out, announcing herself just as Annie had before. Pushing the door open fully, she peered down the hallway - empty. She looking over her shoulder, feeling as though she was breaking some unwritten rule. She'd never been told explicitly that women weren't allowed in the men's quarters, or vise versa - and Annie had certainly waltzed in without a second thought - but still, something about it felt wrong.
Blowing out a breath, she shook her head. She was being ridiculous. The door to the dining hall was mere feet away - she could see it from where she stood. Casting her eyes to the floor, she started down the hallway, making it only a few steps before she hit something akin to a brick wall.
"Easy," A hand grasped her arm, steadying her as she staggered backwards. Looking up, her breath caught in her throat as she saw - not what, but who - she'd ran into.
"Captain Hughes," She said, meeting the blue eyes staring down at her. His hair was wet, the dark locks sticking up in several different directions from being jostled with a towel.
"We've gotta stop meeting like this," He said, his lips curving up into a smirk. "Though, I must say, I'm glad you're not carrying a stack of bedpans this time," He added, releasing her arm.
Her eyes swept over his bare chest, tracing the tattoo inked onto his left peck. It was a Maltese Cross with words she didn't recognize scrolled across it - Latin, she guessed. A laurel wreath encircled the cross and an imperial crown sat atop it. Her eyes traced over the contour of his chest to his right arm, where a skull and crossbones was etched onto his bicep. A dagger was plunged through the top of the skull, a banner with more Latin intertwined around the hilt of the blade. Her eyes traveled lower, to the towel wrapped around his waist. Her cheeks heated, her mouth going dry as her eyes darted back up, focusing instead on the wall behind Captain Hughes.
