Free After the War is Over by Maureen Lee

slipping out of Tom’s arms. ‘Will you please see to the drinks?’
    In the kitchen, Nell was stirring the soup. She looked up, eyes shining. ‘I know it’s only for six people, but it’s a bit like being back in the camp.’
    Nell had insisted on waiting on them. ‘I can be getting the next course ready while you eat,’ she said.
    She turned out to be the perfect waitress, and Iris knew already that she was a perfect cook. She served the food with smiling politeness, wearing a plain brown dress and a little white apron that she’d made especially for the occasion out of an old pillowslip. Her hair had grown a little since leaving the army and had acquired a suggestion of a wave in front. Iris noticed Frank, her brother-in-law, regarding Nell with interest. Frank was a notorious ladies’ man, and his relationships with other women were the source of much bitterness between him and Constance. Iris was never sure if they were genuine affairs or merely flirtations, and had never liked to ask. She must make sure that Frank didn’t get his hands on Nell. The poor girl wouldn’t know how to cope.
    ‘How on earth does she do it?’ Adele asked when the meal was over and they were seated around the table lazily finishing off the wine. The men smoked. Iris was actually enjoying herself for once. At this point of a meal, she was usually longing for the guests to go home so she could go to bed, where she would lie and think what a disaster the meal had been. ‘Such basic food, but she made it taste delicious.’
    Cyril agreed, but Constance looked suspicious, as if she’d been tricked in some way and the meal had contained secret ingredients that had made it exceptionally nice.
    ‘Perhaps Nell could come and cook for us next time we have guests for dinner,’ Frank suggested.
    Constance glared at him. ‘I can make my own dinners, thank you,’ she snapped.
    ‘I shall definitely ask her to make mine in future,’ Adele enthused, while her husband nodded his approval. ‘She’s such a lovely young woman. Not so much in looks, but gentle and ladylike. Do you think she would agree, Iris?’
    ‘I should imagine she’d be only too pleased,’ Iris confirmed. ‘She loves cooking. I’ll ask her, shall I?’
    In the kitchen, Nell had removed her apron and was wearing Iris’s old green pinafore while she dried the dishes.
    ‘There’s no need to do that,’ Iris protested. ‘I know I’m a hopeless cook, but I can manage to wash and dry dishes.’
    ‘I thought I may as well.’ She dried the final plate and put it on the dresser shelf. ‘I’ll be off now. I hope everyone enjoyed their meal.’
    ‘They did indeed. In fact my mother-in-law would like it if you’d do the same for her next time she has a dinner party. She’ll pay, of course.’
    Nell confirmed that she’d love to. ‘I’ll save the money up for when I go to London. I’m bound to get there one of these days.’
    ‘I hope you do, Nell.’ Iris squeezed her arm. ‘Oh, but what will I do without you!’ It wasn’t just the cooking, but the friendship too. In a curious sort of way, she needed Nell more than she did Tom.
    Maggie hadn’t meant for them to go all the way, but she couldn’t help it. Their kissing had become more heated and abandoned, his hands touching her in the most intimate places, making her body quiver with delight. She couldn’t remember taking off her clothes and was amazed when she realised that Chris was undressed too. It didn’t seem possible that the feelings she had could become even more passionate, but they did, because by then Chris had slipped inside her and it didn’t hurt a bit, when all along she’d been told the first time was really painful. She screamed with pleasure and delight. What seemed like ages later, though turned out to only be minutes, ended like an orchestra building up to a grand, overwhelming climax. She lay back on the bed, exhausted, while Chris collapsed beside her.
    ‘Whew,’ he gasped.