This is the first time I have ever written anything like this. But please enjoy :)
It had been a long day. The train from London was groaning with its brimming capacity of passengers, all of whom were sticky with the July Heat. Whether you liked the person next to you or not, you were face-to-face with them. Each time the train's horned sounded, it was like a cry of pain. Henry pulled a handkerchief from his top pocket, removed his round glasses and wiped his brow. It would be a long day. He attempted to reach one of the small windows lining the corridor, but thy were already taken three to a window, and most of them have been given to women, with flushed pink faces. He moved along the corridor further, hoping to find one of the doors out of the train open to sit at. Before he could reach one he heard shrieks, a small thud to the floor of the train and then a loud bellow "DOCTOR, we need a doctor!". Henry turned abruptly in the direction of the mumbling chaos, rolling up his sleeves in preparation.
"I'm a doctor, sir" he said calmly to the large sweating man in front of him, he looked fragile "take a seat, otherwise you will be the next patient." with that the large man, turned and stumbled away. Henry pushed his arms out into the crowd to give the young woman lying on the floor some space. They moved. She was pale and she needed some fresh air. He picked her up and pushed his way effortlessly through the crowd in the corridor, toward the front of the train.
"We need an empty compartment" he said when he approached the conductor who was sat leisurely next to a front window, all to himself.
"Are none" he chimed dismissively, he didn't even look up.
"I am a doctor, she is my patient. Now, if you want me to go to the papers with how cruelly and uncaringly the British Rail treats their passengers, it will be on the front page tomorrow. Would you deny one of the soldiers fighting for your country? I'll report your name back to my superior, he reports back to Mr Churchill himself. What's your name, Sir?" He asked, calmly and coyly.
"The cabin behind me is free sir" and with that he saluted and threw the door open.
"Much appreciated" Henry replied with a smug smile.
The woman in his arms didn't move, her eyes were still shut as if in a peaceful sleep. He entered the cabin which had a row of seats either side and an open window blowing in cool air. He placed her on the seat to the right, allowing her head the perfect position for the breeze to cool her. He then took the water decanted from around his waist and dripped some water onto rouge her lips. He then took his handkerchief back out of his pocket and wiped her forehead. She was young, she could be no older than 20. The mousy hair was clipped back into curls off her face and her outfit was prim, on fashion and hugging her figure. She was slight, with a small waist, her legs long. He wondered where she was going, what she was doing on the train, what her role was on the home front. He felt her head, it was still sticky and hot. He didn't like to, but he pulled her up to him and removed her outer jacket, taking him a while to undo all the small pearl buttons down the front.
She stirred. He placed her back down, took off his own jacket and with it folded neatly, placed it under her head. Her eyes opened and she sat up, pulling herself to the back of the cabin in shock.
"Who are you? Who undressed me?"
"I just took your jacket off" he smirked, "you fainted" she looked at him in horror, "you can thank me later" he said in his strong raspy voice as he stood up, and turned to walk out of the cabin.
"Wait" she moved forward to grab the back of his uniform, "you forgot your jacket" she threw him a light smile, with his jacket, "thank you".
Her smile was beautiful, he felt like he had never seen any one smile before her. All the others seemed so fake. She blushed, turned round for dignity and replaced her jacket too, as he did. When every button was fastened she turned around.
"Are you a doctor?" She asked with reservations.
"I am indeed, Miss" he held out his hand, "and soldier of her Majesty... Dr fields." she gave him her hand, to shake, which he ignored and kissed it instead, "call me Henry" he smiled cheekily.
"I'm Miss Varney" she tried to keep her mouth stern, "you can call me Miss Varney".
"Well Miss Varney, I shall be on my way. Now that you're fine and all. You need no further examination" He turned again to leave the cabin. The lovely, breezy, spacious cabin. He turned back,
"If you don't mind, I think I will stay. You can leave if you like, Miss Varney" He tried to keep his face smooth and serious.
"Oh, Thank God" she said with a sigh of relief, "I haven't spoken to any one properly in days!"
She eyed the soldier sat across from her. He looked like a gentleman, with a good reputation. His hair was short but curly the back and sides had been shaved short, but the loose curls on top remained. The sun was shining through the window on to its chocolate curls, making them shimmer golden. His round glasses helped his look, smart both in attire and in mental capacity. He smiled over at her. She blushed. Now she had him here, she had no idea what to say. His strong straight features were full of humour. They both burst out laughing.
"You can call me Meredith, by the way. Since you saved my life and all." She held out her hand for a proper introduction. "I could never deny a soldier of her Majesty." this time he actually shook her hand, his grip light. She felt a slight flutter of disappointment. As he sat back he stretched his legs out, his feet slid across the cabin and touched hers. Her eyes widened. She looked out of the window to avoid his gaze. She wasn't used to talking to men, certainly not older men, her father claimed she was too young, but she was nineteen soon. She didn't move her feet from his. His foot began to move slightly, rubbing hers. She could feel its touch through her red shoes. He began humming, moving his feet to the melody. He was not shy. He didn't seem so, anyway.
There was something about this man she could not understand. It was like she was drawn to him, he took all her sensibilities from her, she was like cured meat. It was not a romantic analogy but it was true, it was like the water was her sensibilities and he was the salt, drawing it out. She put her hand onto the chair next to her and felt a piece of fabric, she looked down to find a handkerchief, slightly moist from wiping her head. His initials were embroidered on, 'HF'. She held it out to him,
"Sir, this is yours I believe" it moved delicately in the breeze, he had to manoeuvre his hand to take it. As he removed it gently from her hand, he grazed her fingers with his.
"Thank you, Meredith".