She opened the door and took the tray from the waiting girl and put it on the bureau. Her freshly washed and ironed shirt and her sponged and pressed jacket had been hanging on the doorknob. She collected these before attending to the tea. Only then did her friend stir.
‘Wonderful, a hot cup of tea is exactly what I want. I don’t suppose you’ve got any aspirin?’
‘I haven’t, but you can have one of my painkillers if you want, as I don’t need any more.’
Elizabeth sat up, her hair mussed, her eyes a bit bloodshot and groaned. ‘I’ve got a stinking hangover. I really shouldn’t have had a G&T, three glasses of wine and a large brandy last night.’
‘No, you really shouldn’t. Shall I bring you a pill?’
‘Yes. Be an angel and fetch my tea. I don’t want a biscuit.’
Fussing about with the teapot, tea strainer and sugar tongs meant Jane didn’t have to reply. If she had, she might have told bossy boots she wasn’t there to wait on her. Although they spent a lot of time together she didn’t really know Elizabeth that well.
She thought longingly of Charlotte and Nancy who were genuine friends. There was writing paper, pen, ink and envelopes stacked neatly in the stationery tray. She would write to both her friends after breakfast and tell them what had happened. She would write to her mother and put it in a quick note to Mrs Jackson, the vicar’s wife.
There was no kind enquiry about her head injury from her companion. It was as if nothing untoward had happened last night. She drank her tea quickly and then pulled the lacquered screen, provided for privacy, around the washbasin.
There was still no movement from the other bed and she peeked round to see that Elizabeth had drunk the tea and had apparently fallen asleep again. This would give her time to write her letters before she went down for breakfast.
After sponging the blood from her head she was ready to attempt to put her hair up in such a way that the stitches wouldn’t show. She’d removed the dressing to wash her hair and decided not to put the compress and white dressing back as there was nothing oozing from the wound.
She deftly twisted her hair into a French pleat and pushed in the pins to hold it in place, relieved that this hadn’t hurt her one jot and now nobody could see anything unpleasant.
A plaintive voice came from the body in the bed. ‘Can you pour me another cup of tea?’
‘I should think it’s cold by now. I’m going down for breakfast. I’ll leave the key on the inside of the door so you can lock it after me if you want.’ Her letters could wait.
She was out of the door before Elizabeth could answer and closed it firmly behind her. She glanced at her watch. Eight o’clock – perfect time to have breakfast. It would be an unnerving experience going into the dining room on her own but she was certain she could manage it.
She wasn’t exactly sure which room Oscar and Roy occupied, but she could hardly knock on their door and ask if they were coming down. If Elizabeth had a rotten hangover then it was quite possible Roy was similarly afflicted. Was Oscar sufficiently recovered to eat or would he have to stick to drinking through a straw?
The concierge greeted her with a friendly smile. ‘Good morning, Miss Hadley, I’m glad to see you looking well.’
‘Thank you, it was so kind of you to have my uniform cleaned and pressed. Is it all right for me to go into the dining room on my own?’
Oscar spoke from behind her – he was remarkably soft-footed and she hadn’t heard him approaching. ‘Good morning, Jane, I’m glad to see you down here. How’s the head?’ His voice sounded normal and she turned to look at him.
‘I can’t believe that the swelling has gone down so quickly. Apart from the stitches one wouldn’t know you’d had such a horrible accident.’
‘What’s happened to your dressing? I’m certain you shouldn’t have taken it off so soon. The doctor gave me some spare; I really think you need to let me reapply one.’
‘I had to take it off to clean my head and hair. I couldn’t put my hair up with the dressing on.’
He frowned. ‘You could leave it loose – we don’t have to go anywhere today – we can stay in the hotel and play dominoes or cards. It’s raining outside…’
‘Well, it’s hardly going to be raining inside, is it?’
His smile made him look even more attractive. ‘Very true. I’m ravenous – shall we go in to eat before I collapse at your feet from starvation?’
They were escorted to a table in the centre of the dining room, which meant they had no privacy and a constant to-ing and fro-ing of waiters on either side. Not ideal – but hopefully after breakfast they could retreat to the coffee lounge again.
He ordered porridge, which she loathed, having been forced to eat it when at boarding school. She pulled a face when it was put in front of him as even the look and smell of it turned her stomach. Her choice was poached eggs on toast.
He grinned between mouthfuls. ‘I take it from your expression you’re not keen on this. To be honest, it wouldn’t be my first choice but I thought it the only thing I could eat safely.’
‘You could have had scrambled eggs. I’m sorry, but it reminds me of school, something I’d rather forget.’ She quickly changed the subject. ‘Is Roy in bed with a hangover too? I’d have thought a hard-drinking RAF officer would have a stronger constitution.’
‘I take it that Elizabeth isn’t feeling well this morning?’
There was something about the way he said this that rang warning bells. ‘She said she’d had too much to drink but now I come to think of it I couldn’t smell alcohol on her breath. Mind you, her eyes were bloodshot and she looked very pale. I gave her one of the strong painkillers I was given last night.’
‘I’d better tell you what Roy told me when he got up this morning.’
‘Got up? If he’s up, why isn’t he having breakfast with us?’
17
Oscar shook his head. ‘Maybe it would be better for this to wait until after breakfast.’
Most girls would have insisted on knowing but she nodded and returned to her poached eggs. A silver rack of hot toast was brought to them but she hesitated to take any.
‘Have some, please. I can’t eat it but there’s no reason why you shouldn’t.’
‘It doesn’t seem fair to gobble down delicious, hot toast dripping with butter and marmalade…’ Her eyes were dancing as she reached for the first slice. The more time he spent with her the more certain he was that he’d met the girl he would eventually marry.
A young waitress approached with a plate of freshly scrambled eggs and put it down in front of him with a smile. This hadn’t been ordered but was very welcome as the porridge had hardly touched the sides.
‘The head waiter overheard my comment about scrambled eggs and raised an eyebrow. All I had to do was nod and hey presto – they’ve appeared.’
The coffee jug was empty, the toast on both plates clean and he couldn’t postpone taking her to the coffee lounge and giving her the unpalatable news.
The lounge was empty and he led her to the deep-seated, leather Chesterfield in front of the cheery fire. He was dreading having to explain to her why Roy had gone and her friend was hiding upstairs.
‘Come on, I’m all agog. What can be so bad that you’re so reluctant to tell me?’
‘Roy’s gone back to base. I think it very likely you’ll find that Elizabeth has taken off as well.’
Her eyes widened. ‘What? Did they have a dreadful row?’
He paused, hoping she might pick up on his body language and understand why they’d been abandoned so abruptly.
‘No, not a row exactly. I hate to tell you this, sweetheart, but your companion behaved badly and put Roy in a difficult position.’
She still looked puzzled but then he saw dawning comprehension. Her cheeks flushed and she looked away unable to meet his eyes. ‘Oh dear! I didn’t think she was like that – it must have been the alcohol. Excuse me, Oscar, I’m going up at once to see if she’s all
right.’
He reached out and grabbed her hand as she stood. ‘She’s gone, Jane. I saw her leave as we came out of the dining room.’
She looked pointedly at his hand and instantly he released her. ‘Nevertheless, I need to collect the key from behind the desk and check if she left me a letter or note or something.’
‘Please don’t feel you’ve got to go. As I said before, we can stay here and get to know each other better.’
‘I’m not sure. I won’t leave without telling you first. I need to think about this.’
He was on his feet and moved swiftly in front of her to block her exit. ‘Jane, Roy and I talked about this and he decided he didn’t want to embarrass you, which is why he left. Don’t waste your pass. We can footle around together when it stops raining. We don’t have to go to the Ritz for the tea dance if you don’t want to.’
Mentioning the Ritz did the trick. She smiled and nodded. ‘Actually, I’d absolutely love to go to a tea dance. We had such fun dancing together last time. I do want to go upstairs though; I’ve got three letters to write. Might as well use the free stationery whilst I can.’
‘Righto. I’ll nip out and see if I can find a newspaper somewhere. Shall we meet back here in an hour?’
She dashed off to get her key and he waited by the stairs so he could walk up with her. Belatedly he remembered the dressings the doctor had given him and his suggestion that she allow him to reapply one.
After collecting his outdoor garments he bounded back to the foyer but didn’t hand in his key. As he was only going to be a few minutes it didn’t seem worth the inconvenience.
There was a steady freezing drizzle and no break in the clouds. He would order a taxi to take them out this afternoon – that’s if there was one available. It wasn’t that far to Piccadilly but he didn’t want her to get wet walking there.
On his return he spoke to the concierge. He was reassured that a taxi would be waiting for them at two thirty and would return to collect them at six o’clock. Two places would also be reserved for the dance.
‘I doubt that we’ll want a full dinner tonight, but could you arrange for coffee and sandwiches to be served in the coffee lounge at eight o’clock?’
He hoped he had enough money to pay for everything as he had no intention of letting Jane contribute. She might be in the same uniform as him but that didn’t mean it wasn’t his responsibility to pick up the bills and expenses.
Exactly an hour later she strolled in looking more composed. ‘Did you know that I didn’t have to pay for the stamps?’
‘I’m sorry to tell you that the cost will appear on your bill – probably inflated by a considerable amount.’
‘Goodness! I’ll know better next time. Was there anything interesting in the News Chronicle?’
‘Not much. The BEF lads are having a miserable time of it in France. Not from the Jerries, but the weather is even worse there.’
‘Are we actually going this afternoon?’
‘We are indeed. Tickets and taxi all booked and paid for.’
She didn’t carry a handbag – no WAAF did – but she immediately reached into the inside pocket of her jacket. ‘I think it likely you will run out of cash before this weekend’s over. I’ve got more than I need to pay my bill.’
He was about to protest but she stopped him.
‘I’m not suggesting I give it to you. Allow me to lend you what I’ve got so you won’t be in the embarrassing position of not having enough.’
A loan was perfect as it meant they would have to meet again so he could repay it. Any future dates would be just the two of them as obviously Roy wouldn’t be seeing Elizabeth again.
‘Okay, thanks a lot.’
She counted the money into his hand. ‘Exactly three pounds. I don’t suppose we can offer to do the washing-up if we can’t pay the bill at the Ritz.’
He chuckled. ‘A pound will be more than enough for that excursion, but I’ll take it all just in case. Are you quite certain you’ve left yourself sufficient?’
‘I have. I know because I just asked what my bill will be.’ Her expression changed to one of alarm. ‘I do hope Elizabeth paid her share before she left. If she didn’t then I certainly won’t have enough.’
‘You don’t have to pay her bill, Jane, they’ve already got her name and address. It won’t go down too well with the powers that be if she has bailed out without paying.’
‘I wouldn’t feel comfortable not settling the account for both of us. You’re right; I don’t have to pay it but I’d rather do so and then ask Elizabeth to reimburse me.’
He handed her back the three pounds. ‘You’d better check. We’ll have to cancel the Ritz excursion if she hasn’t paid.’
She walked gracefully to the reception desk. After a brief conversation she passed over some money. He was disappointed the tea dance was no longer possible. Hopefully, between them they still had enough for a decent meal in the restaurant tonight.
He quickly buried his nose in the newspaper so she wouldn’t know he’d been watching the transaction.
‘I had to pay for her. I’m really sorry, Oscar, I was so looking forward to going to the Ritz with you.’
‘If we pool our resources we could still eat here in style.’ He pulled out his battered leather wallet from his jacket and put it on the table, then dipped into his trousers and removed the handful of change he carried there. She did the same.
‘Obviously my bill will be higher than hers as I’m staying an extra night and having two extra breakfasts.’ She pushed aside two one-pound notes and a ten-shilling note. ‘That will cover it.’
He pushed three notes aside – fortunately Roy had paid his bill before he left, including the dinner he’d shared with Elizabeth. ‘I need to keep this ten-bob note and the change. I didn’t have a travel warrant and might well have to pay for my train ticket on the way back.’
She stacked the coins and put them beside the remaining paper money. ‘We’ve got the grand sum of two pounds, five shillings and sixpence halfpenny. I’m not counting the farthings.’
‘Going out this afternoon is going to cost about thirty bob. That leaves ample over for sandwiches and coffee tonight and a little for emergencies.’
Her smile took his breath away. ‘Then we can go after all?’
‘Hang on, have you put anything aside for your travel tomorrow?’
‘I bought a return ticket and only have to pay for the underground. I won’t need more than a shilling or two to get back safely.’
‘Then I’ll let the arrangement stand.’
*
‘You never told me why yesterday was a dismal day and that was before I injured you and… well you know what happened.’ She didn’t even want to talk about her erstwhile friend’s behaviour.
She listened in horror as he regaled her with the story of the dreadful bus crash. ‘I’m so sorry. That was an absolutely awful thing to happen to those poor women. I know innocent civilians might be killed by bombs at some point, but for that woman to die like that on the way to do her shopping is just so sad.’
‘Let’s change the subject. Do you prefer to play cards or dominoes?’
‘Actually, I’ve never played either. Any sort of frivolity was banned at my boarding school.’ Her stomach clenched in case he questioned her about her home, but he just smiled.
‘In which case I shall begin your education. There will be times when you’re hanging about waiting for things to happen and you’ll need to know how to play both.’
‘I can read; I can also do exquisite embroidery.’
He raised an eyebrow which made her giggle. ‘What, no knitting skills?’
‘Absolutely not. My school assumed that every girl would marry well. Therefore, nothing useful was taught at all. I’ve no idea how to do anything practical like make a frock. I can’t see being able to embroider is going to be of any use to anyone.’
‘You can always embroider initials on handkerchiefs and give them as pres
ents at Christmas.’
For a moment she thought he was serious and then saw his lips twitch. ‘Even better, I could embroider you a beautiful cushion cover to keep you comfortable in your Hurricane.’
‘I’d be the envy of the squadron if you did. Now – shall we start with dominoes or cards?’
The remainder of the morning flew past and when it was time to go upstairs and freshen up before the taxi arrived she considered herself an expert in Cribbage, Whist, Brag and dominoes.
*
The taxi rumbled up. Oscar opened the passenger door and handed her in as if she was royalty. She rather liked being treated like a lady and not a schoolgirl. The weather was still miserable, the pavements full of hurrying businessmen who couldn’t be seen beneath their black umbrellas.
‘I suppose rain is better than snow – even if it is freezing rain.’
‘It’s going to snow again tomorrow. I can see the signs. I just hope I can get back to base. The roads were lethal around Debden and if it’s raining there, they’ll be even worse if fresh snow falls on the overnight ice.’
‘I don’t want to think about it. Let’s pretend we’re two good friends going to a dance at a grand hotel.’
‘I’d rather hoped we didn’t have to pretend that we’re good friends, Jane.’
She glanced sideways and was shocked to see her casual comment had obviously hurt him. Impulsively she grabbed his gloved hand. ‘Of course we are – that came out all wrong. I’ll rephrase it. Let’s pretend there’s no war on and this is just a normal date.’
His fingers closed over hers. ‘I’m game for that.’ His eyes crinkled at the sides when he smiled. She hadn’t noticed that before. ‘Mind you, it’s going to be hard as we’re both in uniform.’
‘Oh, sir, there you are quite wrong. I am dressed in the most beautiful silk afternoon gown, I’m wearing an abundance of diamonds and my mink stole is quite magnificent.’
‘I do beg your pardon, Miss Hadley. You look quite exquisite.’ He ran his fingers down his uniform and nodded. ‘I do hope my dinner jacket, dress shirt, bow tie and matching cummerbund are acceptable.’
The Girls in Blue Page 17