It was the first patient of the day for Mary. The number of soldiers had diminished at an alarming rate. They told Mary that it was because the war was coming to a close, but she was tired of hearing that. She was constantly told the war was almost over, but it's been a year of those words and she's seen nothing of the sort.
"Miss," Mary turned, seeing the paperboy in the doorway. "Morning paper." He held out the paper and Mary took it, thanking him, and started to walk towards the head doctor's office. She knew it was for him, no one else would get a newspaper to their workplace. Mary glanced down, stopping short when she read the headline.
THE GREAT WAR WON, GERMANY SIGNS AN ARMISTICE AGREEMENT WITH THE ALLIES
Earlier this morning, the allies met with German leaders to sign an agreement that would mark the end of the war. The American troops helped severely, bringing more men and supplies that the allied forces needed to survive. The soldiers will be brought home soon according to Prime Minister George. He said this morning: "The men have seen horrors that none of us will ever know, but they're coming home to us now. We're bringing them home as quickly as possible, but with the trenches being so far away from England, it may take days."
The minister would not give us the exact location of the docks that any of the soldiers would be coming in to, but we are assuming the families whose soldiers are still active will be notified as soon as possible. More updates as soon as we hear.
Mary read no more. She knew that she could get in serious trouble for reading the paper she was supposed to be delivered, but the headline caught her eye. She never thought this day would come, as stupid as it sounded, she was constantly told that the war would be over 'soon' but was never ever given any hope.
She rushed down the corridor to the head doctor, knocking twice before entering. He was sitting at his desk, reading a paper, probably a patient file, but he looked up as Mary entered, seeing the newspaper in her hand, smiling and reaching out for it. As Mary passed him the paper, she stood back, waiting for him to read the headline.
"Sir-"
"Don't you have a soldier to get home to?" Mary smiled, needing no more motivation to take off running down the halls of the hospitals, ignoring the yells of the nurses and doctors telling her to slow down before she hurt someone. Her mind was on the man that was at home. The one person that needed this war over more than anyone else. It was still early, William had the day off, the army telling him that he wasn't needed today. The war was slowing, that's all William would say when Mary asked. But now, the war was over. William wouldn't be nervous about Mary leaving for work every morning, he wouldn't kiss her goodbye like it may be the last time he saw her alive.
Mary had taken a position at a local hospital in town. It was less busy than the one she worked at in London, but she didn't mind. There were more children with scraped knees and broken bones than soldiers in their last moments and for that she was glad. She had seen enough suffering. She wanted patients that she'd be able to send home to their families. She wanted to go home and not feel like she was doing nothing to help, just to make them comfortable. Here, she was doing exactly that. She didn't mind that it was mostly children, she was still helping.
"Mrs. Schofield, did you hear the news?" Mrs. Barly had come out of her cafe to greet Mary, stepping in front of the nurse's path.
"Yes, I've heard just now from the papers. I've got to get home, William and I will see you tomorrow at mass, is that alright with you? I really have to get home."
"Of course! Go celebrate with your husband!" Mary smiled, resuming her way home.
~~
Because William hadn't had the need to go to work, he stayed in bed a little later than he probably should have. He had gotten up to make Mary a cup of coffee, before laying back down. He knew he could have been doing yard work or fixing the front gate that had broken when William opened it a bit too harshly after a bad day at work. He did none of that though, he did nothing actually, for the first time in a while he just lay in bed and read a book.
