Read Online The Furies by Irving McCabe - Free Book Online Page B

Honourable, her wealthy family were aghast when she had announced that she’d been inspired by Florence Nightingale to devote herself to a career in nursing. Currently the sister on the female surgical ward at St Mary’s Hospital, the blonde, green-eyed beauty was a magnet for many of the younger doctors. But they vied for her charms without success, because Sylvia just didn’t seem interested in any of them, using her professional manner and wit to disarm them with ease. Most of the beautiful women that Elspeth knew relied solely on their looks to succeed in life. But Sylvia had also been blessed with intelligence and a lightness of spirit that had quickly caught Elspeth’s attention. They had quickly become firm friends and Sylvia was now Elspeth’s closest companion.
    Vera, however, was big-boned and well fleshed, and a good head taller than Sylvia. With her square face, red cheeks, and wavy dark brown hair cut boyishly short, she looked every inch the farmer’s daughter she was. ‘There’s nobody more loyal,’ Sylvia had said of Vera, before introducing her to Elspeth at a WSPU meeting. ‘And she’s very practical-minded.’
    Vera did indeed seem very down-to-earth, thought Elspeth, who had not been surprised to learn that she was the leader of an arson squad. However Elspeth had been most surprised when Sylvia told her that she was also a member of the squad, and then had invited Elspeth to join them as well.
    As if she knew Elspeth was thinking about her, Sylvia now came and sat on the bed next to her. Vera stood on a Turkish rug in the middle of the bedroom, smiling down at them both.
    â€˜Well done, girls,’ she said. ‘The Pankhursts are thrilled at your achievement. I saw Emmeline in Holloway yesterday and she sends her personal greetings, while Christabel has sent a letter of congratulations from Paris. All the sisters are proud of what you did.’
    Elspeth felt Sylvia’s arm slip inside the crook of her elbow and turned to see the smile of satisfaction on her friend’s face. Then she looked back at Vera and gave a shy grin.
    â€˜Well it was your and Anya’s bomb that did it, Vee, even though it nearly blew us up.’
    Vera laughed. ‘Well, next time we’ll use a longer fuse.’
    Elspeth swallowed and her grin disappeared. ‘Yes. Well. Anyway where’s Anya?’ she asked, quickly changing the subject.
    Vera’s smile faded. ‘Oh…’ She hesitated. ‘She should be here in a minute.’ She turned away from Elspeth and walked back to the open window to peer into the street below.
    â€˜But I thought you both took the train back from Oxford?’
    â€˜We did,’ Vera said, still looking out of the window. ‘But…’
    â€˜But what?’
    Vera sighed; then pulled her head back into the room and looked at Elspeth. There was a strange expression on her face. ‘Well…’ she hesitated as she glanced at Sylvia and then back at Elspeth again. ‘Anya thinks…’ she hesitated again ‘…Anya thinks our squad is being followed.’
    For a moment Elspeth felt nothing. And then her eyes widened as a queasy sensation rose in her belly. She quickly pulled away from Sylvia and stood up from the bed, but Vera was already by her side, palms up in reassurance.
    â€˜No, don’t worry, Ellie. I’m sure she’s mistaken. Sylvie and I haven’t seen anything to concern us.’
    â€˜But who does Anya think might be following us?’ Elspeth demanded.
    â€˜Well…’ Vera grimaced, then ran her fingers through her tousled hair, ‘…she’s mentioned several possible groups.’
    â€˜Several?’ Elspeth felt bile rise into the back of her throat. ‘Like who?
    â€˜Well…’ Another grimace, another beat of hesitation. ‘Special Branch, for one.’
    The words Elspeth did not want to hear: her mouth felt as dry