Free Illyrian Summer by Iris Danbury Page A

humor between herself and Daniel, she thought. How much more difficult to fathom the mysteries of Adam ’ s swift changes?
    Radmilla ’ s family was grouped on top of a grass bank close to the river. Other groups of friends and neighbors huddled together in the sunshine as though out on a forlorn picnic.
    Sarah was introduced to Radmilla ’ s parents, who acknowledged her with vague smiles and murmurs.
    “ My mother is very shocked, ” Radmilla explained. “ Yesterday she insisted that I take her back to our house, although we could not go in, of course. While we were there, a neighbor ’ s house fell in ruins, and my mother cried. She wanted to go inside ours and bring out clothes and furniture and many possessions she has treasured ail her life, but the soldiers would not let us enter and I had to bring her away. ”
    Sarah sighed. “ Oh, it ’ s so tragic! But I must find some way of helping. Of course, Edmund needs me, too, but I have spare time. What can I do, Radmilla? ”
    “ There are many ways and we will find out, but first you must eat with us. ”
    Sarah hesitated and Radmilla assured her, “ Edmund made me bring some food with me, so there is plenty to eat at present. ”
    At the finish of the meal, Sarah and Radmilla left the small party on the grass.
    “ I am sure they need help at the health center ,” Radmilla suggested. “ We will go there first. ”
    “ If not, they can send me elsewhere, ” Sarah agreed, “ although today I must return by seven to start on Edmund ’ s work. ”
    Outside the hospital many of the injured were lying on stretchers or mattresses in the shade of trees or awnings.
    “ Some have had first aid, ” explained Radmilla, “ and are waiting to see a doctor. Others are waiting for transport to take them to another town. Even here in this new and modern hospital, it is not safe to be inside. ”
    The health center was in a separate block and in the same grounds, and part of the building had cracked and fallen away, exposing twisted girders and torn walls. Immediately after the earthquake, tables and chairs, desks and mattresses had been hastily retrieved from inside and were now ranged in orderly rows on the lawns.
    Radmilla spoke to an official and soon Sarah was conducted to a vacant table, with typewriter. Her immediate job was to type out medical cards with details of where each person had been transferred and the nature of injuries.
    Radmilla waved goodbye, explaining that she had to visit the transport depot to arrange something for her family.
    Sarah concentrated with furious attention on her typing; as fast as she finished one pile, fresh stacks of papers were delivered by a dark-eyed lad of about twelve who dashed about from table to desk, happy to be anybody ’ s messenger boy.
    The more senior or important officials had been given awnings or colored umbrellas to shade them from the scorching midafte rn oon sun, but the rest had to manage as best they could, and Sarah was glad she had brought with her the wide-brimmed straw hat she had bought when the unit first went to Opatija.
    Soon after six o ’ clock she decided that she must return to Edmund. She tidied the table and took all the completed cards to an official at the far end, where she explained in halting Serbo-Croatian that she would return tomorrow, prepared to work again.
    “ Hvla ,” he said with a dazzling smile, then added in equally halting English, “ you are most kind. ”
    She smiled in return and walked toward the exit gates. Someone came behind her, turned as he passed to look at her, and said, “ Ah, Sarah! I thought I recognized the hat. ”
    “ Adam! ” She was so pleased that he had called her “ Sarah ” again after the cold, dismissive “ Miss Catherall ” that she could not keep the delight out of her voice. “ The hat? ” she queried. “ Is it so distinctive? ”
    “ I remembered the wide green ribbon on it. You wore it at Pula—when you were climbing the