Free Day Will Come by Beryl Matthews

around, having thoroughly enjoyed the sight of a girl trying to tackle their course.
    She finally found enough breath to talk, and said, ‘Thank you, sir. I couldn’t have done it without you and the sergeant. You both practically carried me over some obstacles.’
    Steve waded in and took hold of Grace’s arm. ‘All right, men, you’ve had your fun. You come with me, young lady.’
    ‘I’ll see you when we’ve both cleaned up.’
    As Steve led her away, he shook his head. ‘That was crazy, Grace.’
    ‘I know, and I’m sure I’ll regret it tomorrow.’
    ‘You did it for Dan, didn’t you?’
    ‘I couldn’t refuse. He is so happy, and it felt right to finish off with some light-hearted fun. He’ll be returning to his regiment soon, won’t he?’
    ‘He’s going for a full medical in two days, and there’s no doubt he is now fully fit. They will have to declare him fit for active duty. Will you be transferred to another office?’
    ‘I really don’t know. That’s a bridge I will have to cross when I reach it.’
    ‘You get on well together. It will probably be a wrench to watch him walk away.’
    ‘I expect so but, for me, the last few months have consisted of one loss after another. I’m getting used to it.’ Her smile was tinged with sadness. ‘I didn’t want to work for him, you know. I only went to the War Office because my boss had arranged the interview for me when he joined the air force. Now, I’m sorry my time there has been so short.’
     
    An hour later, both scrubbed clean and dressed for business, they were on their way back to London.
    ‘I’ve invited everyone who has helped us to an evening at the Savoy,’ Dan told Grace. ‘It’s next Saturday, so get out your party dress. We’ll have a celebration.’

Chapter Eight
    For the next three days Dan was out of the office most of the time. Grace knew he must have taken the medical, but he hadn’t mentioned it. She would have known if he hadn’t passed, though, because his volatile nature would have erupted. He was sweeping around like a man with a purpose, and whatever he was doing it was personal because he hadn’t asked for her help.
    The door opened and the colonel looked in. ‘Do you know where Dan is, Grace?’
    ‘No, sir. I haven’t seen much of him this week.’
    Colonel Askew shook his head. ‘He should let you know where he’s going. Tell him I want to see him when he shows his face.’
    ‘I will, sir. If he doesn’t come back this afternoon, I’ll leave a message for him. I’m afraid he’s in and out, and prowling around like a tiger.’
    The colonel laughed. ‘That’s very apt. The Royal Hampshire Regiment are nicknamed “The Hampshire Tigers”.’
    ‘Ah, well,’ Grace smiled, ‘he’s in the right outfit.’
    ‘Now he’s passed the medical he can’t wait to rejoin them. He won’t suffer any delays, either. He’s probably out making sure his return is immediate.’
    Now she knew, Grace thought, as the officer left. She could be out of a job after tomorrow. One thing was for sure; she wasn’t going to rush into anything this time. She hadn’t been thinking straight after Brian’s death, but she would take time with her next move.
    It was late in the afternoon when Dan swept back in to the office. ‘Make some tea, Grace, and is there anything to eat in this place?’
    She nodded. ‘I’ll find you something, sir. What would you like?’
    ‘Anything.’
    Grace soon returned with a plate of cheese sandwiches. ‘This was all I could get.’
    ‘That’s fine.’ He smiled as he took one from the plate. ‘Thanks Grace. You’re a treasure.’
    By the time she had made the tea, the plate was empty. ‘Would you like some more?’
    He shook his head as she handed him a cup of tea.
    ‘Colonel Askew would like to see you.’
    ‘Right.’ Dan drank the tea, and held the cup out for a refill. That disappeared just as quickly. ‘I’ll go and see him now.’
    He swept out of the office, and Grace