Beyond the Red Horizon Read online

  Elena fought the sobs that were constricting her throat. “While you were gone, my father invited a guest to our home.”

  “A guest?” Lyle said, trying to grasp why she was telling him this.

  “Yes, it was a man.”

  “A man?” Lyle still didn’t understand the significance.

  “Lyle, my father wants me to marry this man,” Elena sobbed. She didn’t want to cry, but she couldn’t help it.

  “What?” Lyle had a mental flash of what his father had said about Italian fathers arranging marriages for their daughters. He panicked at the thought of Elena marrying another man. “Perhaps I should talk to your father and make him understand how much I love you, and that I can give you a good life.”

  “He wouldn’t listen because you’re neither Italian nor Catholic.”

  “I can change my faith if that’s all that stands between us.”

  Elena’s heart swelled with love. “You would do that?”

  “I’d do anything for you, Elena.”

  “I cannot see my father changing his mind. He would rather send me to Italy than see me marry you. But I cannot marry this man, Lyle. I love you,” Elena choked out.

  Lyle’s arms wound around her, and he held her tight. “Your parents will never accept me, will they, Elena?”

  She shook her head. “We’ll have to run away together, Lyle,” Elena sobbed.

  “You wouldn’t be happy if we did something like that, Elena,” Lyle said.

  “I won’t live my life without you. I love Mama and Papa, but I won’t marry another man for them. I love you. I will only ever love you. I know this in my heart.”

  “And I love you, Elena, with all my heart. I couldn’t live without you, either.” He whispered. He pulled her close and kissed her hungrily. Their pent-up emotions poured out, heightening their physical closeness. Lyle rained kisses over Elena’s lips, her face, her throat, her ears, and the tops of her breasts.

  “Love me, Lyle,” Elena whispered, her lips brushing his ear. “Make love to me,” she begged.

  “Are you sure?” Lyle asked. He wanted to so badly, but he didn’t want her to have any regrets.

  “As sure as I’m breathing. I know we’re destined to be together. Nothing and no one will ever stand between us. I love you so much, Lyle, and that will never change.”

  Lyle felt the same way. Nothing mattered at that moment more than being with Elena. She was the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.

  In Dumfries, Tom Macallister went to the local hospital to see Jock Evans. He was suffering from pneumonia in both lungs, but he’d been cleared of tuberculosis. Millie and her mother were also there visiting her father.

  “Tom, how good to see you,” Bonnie said, appreciative that he’d stopped by Jock’s ward. She was much happier now that she knew that her father didn’t have the Spanish flu or worse. She’d been shocked to find out that he’d been tested for tuberculosis.

  “How are you, Bonnie? Hello, Millie,” Tom said. “Before he left for Blackpool, Lyle told me that Jock had been admitted to the hospital, so I thought I’d stop by and see how he was. Mina sends her love and good wishes, too.” Tom had asked his son if he’d broken off his relationship with Millie. He’d told him that he had wanted to, but that it would have to wait until her father was better. Tom believed in his heart that Lyle’s relationship with the nurse at the Victoria Hospital would cool down and that he’d come home and marry Millie.

  Tom looked closely at the patient, who appeared to have lost a lot of weight and aged twenty years in a matter of days. “How are you feeling, Jock?”

  “Like I’ve just climbed Ben Nevis Mountain and rolled down the far side,” Jock replied breathlessly. He had a terrible pain in his side.

  Tom felt for Jock. He’d had pneumonia once, and he remembered how rotten he’d felt. The analogy was quite accurate. “You’ll be weak for a long time to come, Jock, but you’ll get yer strength back,” he promised.

  “I hope so. I can’t lie around all the time. I need to work and feed my family. I’ll not accept charity.”

  “If you don’t take the time to get better, you’ll end up six feet under,” Tom chastened his friend. Jock was not a man he needed to tread carefully around. He had to be blunt.

  Jock rolled his eyes. “Right now, I can’t do much else but rest. This has knocked me for six.”

  Tom looked at Millie. “Did you write to Lyle yet? I’m sure he’s eager to learn how yer father is.”

  “I’m going to do it tonight, Doctor Macallister,” Millie said. “It was sure good to see him.”

  “Aye, it was. His mother and I have missed him at home.”

  “Do you have any idea when he’ll be home again?”

  “None, lassie. From what I gather, they’re very busy at the hospital where he is.”

  “I wanted to talk to you about that, Doctor Macallister,” Millie said, stepping out into the corridor and beckoning Tom to follow.

  “What is it, lassie?” Tom asked.

  “I’m worried about Lyle, sir. I think having to deal with so many terrible injuries might be affecting his mind. He told me as much, but I think his trauma is worse than what he’s letting on. Do you agree?”

  “I agree he’s been affected, but I’m sure all the doctors at the Victoria Hospital are similarly disturbed by what they see every day. He’ll get over it when he comes home. Hopefully, that time won’t be too far away now.” Tom sensed that Lyle had been distant with Millie, and that she’d picked up on the fact that his feelings had changed.

  “He doesn’t seem himself,” Millie said. The more she thought about it, the more worried she became.

  “He’ll come right in time. You’ll just have to be patient, lassie.”

  While Elena dressed for work, Lyle went downstairs to check that no one was in the house.

  “All clear,” he called upstairs.

  Elena descended the stairway, and Lyle took her in his arms and kissed her again.

  “I’d better go,” she said, blushing, but happier than she’d ever been in her entire life.

  “I’ll see you at the hospital,” Lyle said. As he opened the front door, he heard cheering in the streets.

  “What’s all this about?” he said aloud.

  He and Elena stepped outside. People were coming out of their homes and others were running down the streets, shouting with joy.

  “What’s going on?” Lyle called to a woman who was whooping with delight.

  “The war has ended,” she shouted delightedly.

  “Are you serious?” Lyle called back.

  “Yes, haven’t you been listening to the radio?”

  “No,” Lyle said, almost afraid to believe what she was saying. “What happened?”

  “An armistice has been signed between the Allies and the Germans at Compiegne in France. The fighting on the Western Front has stopped. The war is over!” The woman ran on, spreading the word and her joy.

  “Do you hear that, Elena?” Lyle said, picking her up and twirling her around. “The war is over!”

  Elena was thrilled, but part of her was afraid. She knew her father would now move his plans to go to Australia into action. But it also meant that she and Lyle could move forward with their own plans. Lyle kissed her cheek.

  “I’m going to get dressed,” he said. “I’ll see you at the hospital.”

  The next few days were heady ones for Lyle and Elena. They seized every spare minute they could be together. No one took any notice of their euphoric mood, because everyone felt the same way. The war was over. It was time to celebrate. The atmosphere at the hospital was far more relaxed, although there was still so much work to do. The staff were put on notice that thousands of men needing treatment would be coming back from the front. The holiday resorts in Blackpool, as well as other resorts across England, were opened to men needing well-earned rest and recuperation. Buildings at the Squire’s Gate, a former racecourse, had been converted to accept some of the hug
e influx of men coming back from the war with relatively minor wounds. Doctors and nurses were generally put under more stress than ever.

  When Lyle came home one evening, exhausted, there was a letter from Millie. He’d been expecting one, and he was eager to hear news of Jock.

  Dear Lyle,

  Dad is much better now. He had double pneumonia. He’s not been the best patient, as you can imagine, and has been giving the nurses a hell of a time. He’s still very weak, but Doctor McKintyre said he’s going to make a good recovery. Between you and me, I think he’ll be glad to see Dad go home. We have you to thank for getting him to hospital, Lyle. If you hadn’t come home and talked him into going, who knows what might happened.

  It was a wonderful surprise to have you home for a couple of days. But I am worried about you. I know what you’re dealing with is taking a toll on you. Please look after yourself. I can’t wait until you are home again. I miss you so much.

  I have school papers to mark and lessons to prepare, but I’ll write again in the next few days and give you news of Dad’s recovery. Oh, before I go, your father stopped by the hospital to see Dad. Mum and I were there with him at the time. Dad hadn’t much to say, as he felt so ill, but I know he was very grateful for your dad’s visit.

  Love you lots, Millie.

  Lyle felt more than a tinge of guilt. He knew he had to go home again and speak to Millie. He wanted to write back and he tried, but every word he wrote felt like a lie. He was planning a future with Elena.

  A couple of days later, another letter arrived from Millie.

  My beloved Lyle,

  Isn’t it wonderful that this dreadful war is over? Everyone in Dumfries is celebrating, except for those who’ve lost loved ones, of course. I thought I might have heard from you by now. When are you coming home? I have some news for you, but I want to see you in person to tell you.

  Love you lots, Millie

  Lyle assumed that Jock Evans was being released from hospital. He knew Millie and her mother would be happy about that. He also knew that he had to go home and tell Millie in person that they must end things. He couldn’t put it off any more. It would be the hardest thing he’d ever done, but the longer he left it, the more of a louse he felt.

  CHAPTER 4

  On the day that Millie posted her second letter to Lyle, she bumped into Alain McKenzie on High Street in Dumfries.

  “Alain!” Millie exclaimed delightedly. Her thoughts shifted to Lyle, as she knew the two were lodging together. “Did Lyle come home, too?”

  “No. The hospital is still quite busy, so we have to take turns for our time off. But I’m sure he’ll have a few days soon.”

  “I can’t wait to see him again,” Millie said, her cheeks flushed with excitement. “I miss him so much.”

  Alain had always liked Millie, which was why he hated what Lyle was doing.

  “You look well, Alain,” Millie said, noting that there was something different about him. He looked more self-assured than she’d ever seen him. She thought that his work at the hospital in Blackpool had brought the best out in him, but she couldn’t say that out loud.

  “I feel fine, Millie,” Alain said, thinking of Shirley. She was never far from his thoughts. He couldn’t speak to anyone about their relationship, but somehow the secrecy of it made it even more appealing. “We’ve been working long hours, but the work is rewarding.”

  “I wish I could say that Lyle felt the same way,” Millie said. “The last time he was home, he seemed to be under a terrible strain. He admitted that the shocking injuries you have to deal with at the hospital were affecting him. To be honest, I’ve been worried about him, Alain.”

  “I’ve not noticed that he’s affected at work. He does a good job with his patients, and he seems to be relaxed when he’s not at work,” Alain said. He wanted to say that Lyle seemed very happy, but that would have been inappropriate.

  “Really?” Millie was perplexed. “Could it be that he’s hiding his true feelings while he’s at work?” This seemed the only plausible explanation.

  Alain didn’t know what to say, so he looked down at the pavement. An awkward moment passed between them. “No, I don’t think so, Millie,” he finally said.

  “You must have noticed something, Alain. The Lyle you’re describing is not the Lyle that I saw last time he came home. Is there something you’re not telling me, Alain McKenzie?” Millie demanded.

  “Of course not, Millie. How’ve you been?” Alain asked, changing the subject.

  “I’ve had a cold, but I guess you don’t want to hear about that,” Millie said, observing that he suddenly looked uncomfortable. “Dad’s had pneumonia, but he’s getting better.”

  “I’m glad,” Alain said, intending to walk on.

  “I’m sorry to go on about this, Alain, but I’m worried about Lyle. He said he feels differently about a lot of things, and I want to know why. I’m hoping you can give me a clue.” Millie felt sure that Alain wasn’t telling her the truth.

  “I think you should talk to him about that, Millie,” Alain said. Lyle’s hypocritical attitude towards him made him feel resentful, but he wasn’t sure he should go so far as telling Millie the truth.

  “We’ll probably get married as soon as Lyle gets back to Dumfries,” Millie said. “So, I need to know the truth. I want to be sensitive to what he’s suffered, but it’s hard if I don’t know what I’m up against.”

  “Married! I didn’t know,” Alain said. He suddenly felt very sorry for Millie. It wasn’t right that Lyle was carrying on with Elena Fabrizia behind her back if Millie was expecting him to come home and marry her. “Have you got time for a cup of tea, Millie?” Alain asked, consulting his watch. He had an hour to spare before he caught the train back to Blackpool.

  “I’ll make time,” Millie said.

  Lyle was owed two days of leave from the hospital after working twelve-hour shifts for nine days straight, so he caught the evening train home on a Friday. Alain had returned, but he hadn’t had much to say about his trip home. Lyle told Elena that a family friend was very ill and that he had to go, but that he’d be back as soon as he could. It was hard to leave her, and he felt dreadful for deceiving her, but he consoled himself with the fact that it would be the last time. They’d been discussing at length the life they would share, and Elena was so happy. Lyle knew he had to focus on their future together; it was the only way he’d be able to put Millie and the past behind him. His future with Elena was the most important thing to him.

  On the journey home, Lyle tried to think only about Elena and how much he loved her. It kept his spirits up. He was dreading telling Millie that he wanted to break it off with her, and he’d firmly decided that he wouldn’t tell her about Elena. He thought that would be too cruel.

  Instead of going to his parents’ house, Lyle went straight to Millie’s from the train station. He wasn’t sure that Millie would still be up, so he was comforted when he saw a light on in the front window of her home. Taking a deep breath, he knocked on the door.

  “I’m sorry to call so late,” Lyle told her when she opened the door.

  “Don’t be silly, Lyle, you’re welcome any time,” Millie said, ushering him in out of the cold. As she took his coat and hung it up, she thought that the old Lyle wouldn’t have worried about calling late. He had considered himself part of their family.

  Millie and her mother had been to the hospital that evening. After eating some dinner, Bonnie had gone to bed, but Millie had been sitting by the fire, thinking about Lyle. She was overjoyed to see him, but she felt uneasy about his reason for visiting her. After giving him the news about her father, who was due home the following day, she sat him down on the sofa and took hold of his hands. She told him that she had some exciting news of her own, something that concerned both of them. Lyle was disheartened to hear this, but resolute about what he had to do.

  “Millie, I have something to tell you first,” he said. He had to get it over and done with.

  Mil
lie’s heart was hammering. She knew what he was going to say, but she couldn’t let him say it. Not when her news would change everything.

  “Can I share first, Lyle?” she asked breathlessly.

  “All right,” Lyle said. After finally finding the courage, it was agony to have to wait.

  “Lyle,” Millie said carefully. “You will be home for good soon, won’t you?” she asked.

  “I … won’t be,” Lyle said, beginning the speech he’d prepared, but Millie interrupted him.

  “I know the troops are coming home, and you’ll be needed for a while, but hopefully it won’t be long, Lyle, because …” Her blue eyes danced with excitement. “We’re having a baby,” she blurted out. “We’re going to be parents!”

  Lyle’s mouth dropped open, and he felt dizzy in the head. He stared at Millie in disbelief, hoping he’d misunderstood, or at least had misheard what she’d said. Finally, a single word passed his lips. “What?”

  Millie’s smile faded. “We’re having a baby. I just found out a few days ago. I’ve been feeling poorly for a few weeks, but I never suspected I was pregnant because I had a cold, and my cycle has never been regular. While I was visiting Dad at the hospital, I saw one of the doctors. It’s been agony not being able to share my news with you, but I didn’t want to do it in a letter or a telegram. I wanted to see your face.” She had to admit that Lyle didn’t seem very joyful, but she was sure it would pass in a few moments when the good news sank in. “Are you as happy as I am? I know we’re not yet married, but Mum’s already planning our wedding. She was a bit upset at first, because you’re in Blackpool, and I’m here, and we’re not yet wed, but she’s over the shock now, and she’s delighted at the prospect of becoming a grandmother. We’re not telling Dad until he’s home and settled, and we’ve set a wedding date.”

  Lyle stared at Millie blankly. He couldn’t get his mind around what she saying. All he could think about was Elena waiting in Blackpool for him.

  “I saw your mother on High Street the other day. I wanted to tell her so badly, but I thought you should hear the news before your family.” Millie stopped when she realised that Lyle hadn’t said anything. It broke her heart. But she couldn’t lose him. He needed time to think, to get his priorities straight. Then he’d be thrilled. “Lyle, you haven’t said anything,” Millie said quietly.