‘So, may I take her flying, Robert?’
‘Of course, Pips.’
Forty
Daisy was ecstatic. She clapped her hands. ‘Are we to stay in a grand hotel?’
‘No, Milly has said you can stay with us at her flat.’
‘Oh, how lovely. I do like Milly. She is such fun. Will she teach me the Charleston?’
‘I expect so, if you ask her. We may be able to take you to a thé dansant.’
‘What’s that?’
‘It’s dancing, but at tea time, so I think you’d be able to go.’
‘But I haven’t got a pretty dress. Mummy would make me one, I know, but there isn’t time.’
‘Then, my darling,’ Pips said, hugging her niece, ‘we shall buy you one from Selfridges.’
When the school holidays began, Pips travelled to Lincolnshire by train to fetch Daisy.
‘I’m sorry I’m not in my car,’ she explained. ‘It needed some repairs in time for my next race. But I’ll bring you home in it, I promise.’
Daisy was to stay for a week.
‘I will miss you,’ Luke said forlornly. ‘Be sure to send me a postcard.’
It wasn’t Daisy’s first trip on a train but it was the first time she’d been to stay in London. She was so excited that she could scarcely keep still in her seat. Luckily, the other passengers smiled indulgently at the girl’s exuberance but when she stepped off the train in the city, Daisy fell silent, gazing around her with wide eyes in awe of the bustling streets and the tall buildings that almost shut out the sky.
‘Don’t be frightened, darling,’ Pips said, taking her hand, but Daisy only laughed.
‘Oh I’m not frightened, Aunty Pips. I just can’t take it all in at once. But it’s wonderful, isn’t it? So – so alive.’
They took a taxi to Milly’s flat so that Daisy could see all the sights. She soon engaged the friendly driver in conversation and he was delighted to point out all the places of interest in his cockney accent. He reminded Pips so much of the two Enderby brothers. Their cheerful humour had been a tonic in difficult times.
‘Here we are,’ she said, as the cab drew up outside the block of flats.
‘Thank you for telling me about London,’ Daisy said politely as she climbed out. ‘I hope I see you again.’
‘It’s a bit doubtful, miss. There’re a lot of us taxi drivers and London’s a big place, but whoever you get, you just ask ’em what you want to know. We’re a friendly bunch.’
‘I will.’ Daisy beamed.
‘Darling!’ Milly threw her arms wide and Daisy succumbed to her bear hug with amused grace. ‘Hello, Aunty Milly. It’s kind of you to have me to stay.’
‘It’s our pleasure, darling. Now, come along, let me take your suitcase. I’ve put up a little bed for you in your aunty’s room. I hope you’ll be comfortable.’
It had been agreed between the two women that neither George nor Paul would come to stay whilst Daisy was there, though they would both join them on outings.
‘I’m sure I will,’ Daisy said. ‘I sleep like a top, but I do have a favour to ask.’
‘Anything, darling. What is it?’
‘Will you teach me the Charleston, please?’
‘Of course I will.’
‘Aunty Pips said I might be allowed to go to a tea dance with you.’
Milly clapped her hands. ‘What a perfectly lovely idea. We’ll teach you one or two dances and then we’ll take you. We’ll get Paul to come too.’ She glanced at Pips. ‘And George, if he wants to, though he doesn’t dance much.’
‘Is Paul your boyfriend?’
‘Well, I suppose so. I have lots of friends who are boys but they’re not boyfriends. But Paul is rather – special.’
Daisy nodded knowingly. ‘Like Luke and me. He’s my best friend. And then there’s Harry. He’s always tagging along with us. He’s only six and he’s a pain.’
‘Poor Harry,’ Pips said. ‘I expect he feels left out. I hope you’re not unkind to him.’
‘No, Aunty Pips. We tolerate him.’
The two women glanced at each other and smothered their smiles.
The rest of Daisy’s first day in the capital was taken up with learning to dance.
‘Lady B is organizing a tea dance at her house on Sunday,’ Milly said, ‘we’ll take her to that.’
‘That’ll fit in nicely because I’ve arranged to take her to the race meeting on Monday and then for a flight on Tuesday, if it’s OK with Mitch.’
‘I’d be most surprised if it wasn’t,’ Milly said casually.
‘Now, now,’ Pips said softly.
Paul and George were both there at the tea dance and made sure that Daisy danced every dance. Paul danced the Charleston with her and George took her around the floor in a sedate waltz. One or two other gentlemen asked her to dance too, so that by the end, the girl was pink faced with exertion and delight.
‘You’ve really got the hang of the Charleston,’ Paul told her. ‘You swivel as if you’ve been doing it for years.’
‘I had a good teacher,’ Daisy said modestly. ‘Aunty Milly.’
Gallantly, Paul kissed her hand. ‘I’ll see you at the race.’ And knowing very well that she wouldn’t be, he asked facetiously, ‘Are you driving?’
Daisy giggled. ‘I wish, but no, not yet.’
Paul laughed aloud. ‘I like the “not yet” bit. Want to follow in your aunt’s footsteps – or rather her wheels?’
Quite seriously, Daisy nodded. ‘Oh yes, I want to be just like her.’
‘You stand with me,’ Milly said on the Monday when they arrived at the racetrack and climbed up Members’ Hill. ‘We’ll get a good view from here of Pips winning.’
‘D’you think she will?’
‘I hope so, but she’s got some stiff opposition today. Both Muriel and Pattie are racing and though we’re all friends, it’s gloves off on the racetrack.’
Pips was entered in two races that day. She came third in the first race behind Muriel and Pattie, but won the second. Daisy jumped up and down and clapped. ‘Oh I must write to Daddy tonight and tell him.’ She turned to Milly. ‘Do you know where I could buy some postcards? I promised to send Luke one.’
‘Of course, we’ll buy some on the way home, if we can find a shop that’s still open. We’re sometimes a bit late leaving.’ She leaned closer and whispered, ‘We all meet in the clubhouse afterwards and it can go on a bit.’
‘Will I be allowed in there?’
‘I expect so. You’ll want to get a few cards, though, won’t you? You mustn’t forget to send one to Harry too.’
Daisy pulled a face. ‘No, I mustn’t forget Harry.’
The following day, they met up with Paul and Jeff at the circuit, but this time it was to go flying.
‘Is Uncle George coming today?’
Pips shook her head. ‘No, his daughter’s not on duty today, so he’s having lunch with her.’
Daisy pouted for a moment. She liked George. He always treated her as if she were a grown-up. She was about to ask why they weren’t both coming to the race meeting when a voice sounded behind her. ‘Well, well, well. Who’s this charming young lady? You must introduce us to her, Pips.’
Daisy turned to find herself looking into the face of a very handsome man with raven-black hair and dark brown eyes. And when he laughed, his eyes twinkled with merriment. And then she spotted a boy of about her own age standing just behind him. It must be his son, she thought, because he was just like him.
‘And why would I want to do that, Mitch Hammond? I try to keep her away from bad influences.’
Mitch put his hand on his heart. ‘Oh, the hurt. She wounds me deeply. But, you know, I can guess who you are. You’re the famous Daisy. And this,’ he stepped aside and gestured towards the boy with him, ‘is my nephew, Johnny.’
The two youngsters stared at each other, whilst Pips said, ‘I didn’t know you had a nephew.’
Mitch moved a little away from the boy
and murmured, ‘He’s my brother’s son. An only child. My brother was killed in the war and I try to take him out now and again. His mother is seeing someone else now. Can’t blame her for that – and I don’t – but the new boyfriend and Johnny don’t exactly get on.’
‘Mitch – I’m sorry. I . . .’
‘Oh, don’t go soft on me, Pips. It won’t do my reputation any good.’
Pips smiled, but couldn’t help thinking she was seeing a different side to Mitch Hammond. They turned to walk towards the aircraft that awaited Pips and Daisy, the two youngsters falling into step alongside each other, whilst Pips and Mitch led the way.
‘We’ll wait until you’ve taken off, but I’m taking Johnny up today.’
‘His first time?’
‘Heavens, no. He’s been up several times. Absolutely loves it. He intends to join the RAF when he’s old enough. And Daisy?’
‘Her first time.’
‘She’ll love it,’ Mitch said confidently.
‘I hope so.’
Only minutes later, Daisy, suitably dressed, was marching purposefully towards the aircraft, whilst beside her, Pips gave her some last few instructions. Daisy nodded, her eyes gleaming with excitement. All she murmured as she climbed in was, ‘I wish Luke was here to see me flying.’
As Pips had promised, they only stayed up a few minutes for this first flight, but when they landed, came to a halt and climbed out, Daisy’s face was glowing.
‘Oh Aunty Pips – that was fantastic. So thrilling. How old do I have to be to learn to fly?’
Johnny came running across the grass towards them. He was about to ask how she’d enjoyed it, but there was no need; he could read the answer on her face. He smiled at her, that same saucy grin that his uncle had, his eyes crinkling. Behind him, Mitch sauntered up.
‘Well, I see we have another would-be flyer in the family, then?’
‘Oh Mr Hammond, that was glorious.’
‘Hey, none of this “Mr Hammond” nonsense. It’s Mitch – or, if your aunt really insists, I’ll be an honorary uncle.’
‘Uncle Mitch it is, then. I was just asking Aunty Pips how old I have to be to take lessons.’
Mitch frowned. ‘It would be a bit difficult to learn here, wouldn’t it?’
‘Oh, there’s an airfield in Lincolnshire not far from us,’ Daisy said, not to be thwarted. ‘I’ll find out if they give lessons. I bet Luke would like it too, Aunty Pips, don’t you think?’
Pips laughed. ‘But I’m not sure his grandfather would allow it.’
‘Then we won’t tell him.’
‘Oh now, you know I couldn’t condone deceit, Daisy.’ Pips’s tone was stern and Daisy immediately pretended contrition, but she dropped her head to hide the gleam in her eyes.
As the two youngsters followed Pips and Mitch back across the field, Johnny said, ‘Who’s this Luke, then?’
‘My cousin on my mother’s side. We’ve been friends all our lives.’
‘Oh, that’s all right, then. How old is he?’
‘Twelve.’
‘Same age as me.’
‘His dad was killed on the Somme.’
For a moment Johnny’s face was bleak. ‘My dad was in the Royal Flying Corps, as it was then, like Uncle Mitch. It’s the RAF now, of course. He was killed doing reconnaissance over enemy trenches. Just like Uncle Mitch might have been, if it hadn’t been for your aunt.’
Daisy stopped and turned to face him. ‘What d’you mean?’
Johnny stopped too. ‘Don’t you know?’
When Daisy shook her head, he went on, ‘He did the same thing in the RFC as my dad – taking aerial photos of our lines as well as the enemy’s. He crash-landed in no-man’s-land and it was your aunty Pips and another man called William something, who rescued him. Your aunt got shot in the leg, but she saved his life – and his precious photos.’
Daisy glanced at the two adults in front of her. ‘I never knew,’ she murmured. After a moment they walked on. ‘I wouldn’t have thought that a woman would have been allowed into the front-line trenches, never mind going into no-man’s-land.’
Johnny laughed loudly. ‘They weren’t – officially – but I wouldn’t think that ever bothered your aunt, do you?’
Daisy shook her head, her gaze still on Pips. ‘The other person – the man? You said his name was William something. Was it Dawson?’
Johnny wrinkled his forehead. ‘Yes, I think it was.’
‘Then that’s my uncle.’
‘The one that was killed? Luke’s dad?’
‘No, that was Harold. There were four brothers and a sister – my mum – in the family. William joined the flying ambulance corps with my mum and Aunty Pips as a stretcher bearer. He survived the war, but he married a Belgian nurse and lives out there now. The other three didn’t come back.’
Johnny opened his mouth to ask yet more questions, but at that moment, Mitch turned back towards him. ‘Right, young man. Are you ready for your trip? And be warned, I’m going to loop the loop with you today.’
If he’d hoped to make the boy nervous, he failed because Johnny only grinned. As he followed Mitch, he glanced back. ‘See you again, Daisy.’
Forty-One
When Pips came home in April the following year, Henrietta greeted her, ‘I’m glad you’re home this weekend for your father’s birthday. I want to have a family conference.’
For a moment, Pips looked alarmed. ‘There’s nothing wrong, is there, Mother?’
‘No, and I don’t want there to be, but he is sixty-nine on Sunday, Pips, and I really think it’s time he retired fully. I know he’s only been working part time for the past few years, helping with things that Robert can’t manage, but . . .’
‘Does he want to retire?’
‘I haven’t asked him.’
Pips smiled. That was so typical of her mother, but this was one occasion she couldn’t argue with her. Edwin was beginning to look a little old and they all wanted him to enjoy a long and well-earned retirement. They certainly didn’t want him to die ‘in harness’.
‘So, what are you suggesting should happen to the practice?’
Henrietta sighed. ‘Robert isn’t – and if I’m honest, never has been – interested in running the estate. He’s never made a secret of the fact that he’d like it if I can hang on long enough for Daisy to take over.’ She arched her eyebrows. ‘Unless, of course, you’d be willing to come home and oversee it until Daisy comes of age?’
Pips hesitated. ‘Only if it was necessary.’ Then she grinned. ‘I wouldn’t worry, Mother, you’ll probably outlive us all.’ There was a pause before she added, ‘So what are you proposing?’
‘That Robert becomes head of the practice and that we should get another doctor to assist him like Sam Nuttall suggested some time ago, if you remember?’
Pips nodded. ‘I do remember. It was on the first Armistice Day, wasn’t it? I thought then what a good idea it was, but we never seemed to get round to doing it. Would you employ someone full-time now?’
‘Yes, I think so. Dr Moses retired three years ago and his practice was absorbed into ours, so now we have a great many more patients than we used to have. That’s why I’m anxious about your father.’
‘Ah, I see. I remember you telling me at the time, but I hadn’t realized quite what an effect it would have on Father and Robert.’
Henrietta forbore to say that Pips, although she visited frequently, wasn’t always aware of exactly what was happening at home. But Henrietta didn’t blame her daughter. There was nothing for Pips to do here and she seemed happy enough in London, though Henrietta was disappointed that the marriage between her daughter and the major was such a long time in coming.
‘Have you anyone in mind?’
Henrietta shook her head. ‘I haven’t broached the subject with them yet. Philippa, I need your support. Do I have it? I know we don’t always agree, but on this occasion . . .’
‘Of course you have, Mother.’
&nb
sp; ‘And there’s something else too, whilst you’re home. We must really start planning your wedding. You seem to me to be putting it off. I hope you’re not having second thoughts.’
‘No, Mother, I’m not, though it just seems to be galloping towards me. But yes, you’re right. We should start thinking about it.’
‘Not just “thinking”, Philippa. We need to get the church booked. You’re thirty-five this year and if you plan to have children, then you shouldn’t leave it too long.’
For a moment, Pips’s face was bleak. This was something she could not discuss with anyone and certainly not her mother. Only George knew and they hardly ever talked about it. During their times together, they never took precautions against her becoming pregnant. Pips knew that if she should find herself ‘with child’, George would marry her in an instant. But it hadn’t happened and Pips feared that perhaps it never would.
But she could not tell her mother this; the subject was too delicate.
After dinner that evening when the family retired to the Brown Parlour and Daisy had gone to bed, Henrietta poured coffee whilst Pips handed around the cups.
‘There’s something I would like us to discuss as a family. Edwin, I’ll be blunt.’
‘When were you ever not, Hetty my love?’ he said mildly, a small smile on his mouth as if he rather knew what was coming.
Henrietta had the grace to smile. ‘Edwin, you are sixty-nine on Sunday. I think you should think about retiring and that we should get another doctor to work with Robert.’ She glanced at her son. ‘I presume you’d have no objection?’
‘I’ve been thinking along much the same lines, Mother, but I felt it wasn’t my place to suggest it. What do you think, Father?’
Edwin was quiet for a moment, perhaps struggling with the thought that his working life and maybe, in his mind, his usefulness, would be over, said slowly, ‘On one condition.’ He paused as his family all looked at him. ‘That your mother and I go travelling. There are places in this country – and abroad – that I would like to see while we are both still active and in good health.’
The Brooklands Girls Page 27