The young man nodded.
‘Oh Luke . . .’ With tears in her eyes, Peggy reached out a trembling hand and touched her son’s face. ‘You are a thoughtful boy. I’m that proud of you. Of course you must go, but come and see me every day, won’t you?’
Luke hugged his mother. ‘’Course I will. Thanks, Mam.’
‘We’d better get to bed now,’ Sam said. ‘I’ve to be up early tomorrow, seeing as we’ve lost a full day’s work today. Mind you, that’s if I’ve still got a job to go to in the morning.’
Peggy snorted with wry laughter. ‘Len Dawson might be a stubborn old man but he’s no fool. He couldn’t carry on his business now without you or Luke. You mark my words, no more’ll be said about you being sacked.’
‘Aye, that’s what I told William, but it was more to reassure him than being positive mesen. Still, we’ll know in the morning.’
Peggy was right; Len made no reference to their quarrel nor did he make any comment when Luke moved a few belongings into the bedroom where his biological father had once slept. ‘I’ve started to call Sam “Dad” now, Gran, but I’ll never forget who me real dad is.’ He nodded towards one of the photographs on the mantelpiece. ‘While I’m here, I want you to tell me all about him – and me other uncles, an’ all – if it won’t upset you too much.’
Norah wiped her eyes with the corner of her apron, but she was smiling through her tears. ‘I’d love to talk to you about them. Ma used to let me talk to her sometimes, but your granddad doesn’t like to speak of them now. It’s too painful for him.’
‘And Uncle William?’
‘Now, that’s one name you must never mention in his hearing again. I think you’ve seen for yourself now just why, but I’ll tell you about him, an’ all. It’s caused a bit of a ruckus, him being here for Ma’s funeral, though I’m glad he was.’ She put her arm round him and rested her cheek against his shoulder. Already the fourteen-year-old was taller than his grandmother. ‘It’s good to have you here, Luke. Thank you. And guess what? I’ve made your favourite apple pie for tea.’
Pips flew William home the day after the funeral and, once again, stayed the night at the Duponts’ farm.
The following morning, she said, ‘I’d like to visit the cemetery near Brandhoek where George’s friend is buried.’
William smiled at her. ‘I’ll take you in the truck. Can the boys come with us? It’ll get them out of Brigitta’s way for a while. Her grandmother isn’t too well these days and Brigitta has more of the housework to do.’
‘Of course. That’d be lovely. Perhaps I could bring Daisy to see them again sometime. Luke, too, if you wouldn’t mind and if we could wangle it.’ She laughed. ‘They’re all first cousins to each other in one way or another, aren’t they?’
Pascal, now eight years old, was quiet and thoughtful. His brother, on the other hand, was outgoing and boisterous. Although two years younger than Pascal, Waldo was already taller than he was and seemed to take the lead in everything. But, on this outing, they were both subdued and respectful when they arrived at the cemetery.
In silence they stood around the grave of George’s friend.
‘I brought my camera,’ Pips said. ‘I’ll take a picture to show George.’
‘Perhaps he’d like to come out here with you again some time. You’d be very welcome to stay with us. You’ll always be welcome, Pips, any time.’
‘I’ll ask him, but George doesn’t like flying. He gets airsick. But if we all came together, we could stay in Pop again and see you often. We wouldn’t want to impose, especially if Madame Dupont isn’t well.’
As they turned to leave, Pips took one last glance at the grave and silently sent up a prayer for all those buried there. She touched the brooch on her left shoulder, remembering . . .
‘You’re doing a wonderful job here, William, tending all these graves.’
‘We get a lot of visitors now. Folks coming to see where their loved ones are buried. It can be heart-breaking but, like you say, they seem so glad that we’re looking after them.’
‘They’re beautiful, peaceful places, especially now the cemeteries are all getting the lovely white stone markers.’
‘There’s still a lot of work to do, but we’re slowly getting there.’
She knew it was a sensitive subject, but she had to ask. ‘Have you been to see your brothers’ graves again since we were here?’
‘Yes, I have. Tell Mam I go as often as I can and take flowers for her.’
‘That’ll be a huge comfort to her, I know.’
William nodded as if he had a lump in his throat. ‘It was good to see her again. It was just a shame it was under such circumstances.’
‘I know, I know.’ She gave him a swift hug and then turned to find the boys staring at her, solemn faced.
‘Now, boys,’ she said brightly, speaking to them slowly in English. She knew they were being taught it as their second language. Just like their mother and their great-grandparents they spoke it well, but with a strong accent. ‘It’s been wonderful to see you both again. You take care of all your family. They’re very special people. And maybe one day, I’ll bring Daisy and Luke to see you again.’
‘We’d like that,’ Pascal said quietly.
‘Dad drew us a family tree so we could understand just how we’re related to them,’ Waldo piped up.
‘Perhaps one day we’ll have a big family party and all get together. How would that be?’
Waldo clapped and skipped alongside her as they made their way back to the farm truck. ‘I love parties,’ he said gleefully.
But Pascal, the serious one, said, ‘It’d be very nice, but not easy when we live in different countries.’
‘We’ll find a way,’ Pips promised and, listening, William knew that if Pips Maitland said it would happen, then one day it would. ‘And in the meantime I will certainly bring Daisy again and Luke too, if I can.’
Back at the farm, Pips made her farewells to the family as they all came out to the field to watch her take off.
‘What a remarkable young woman,’ Mr Dupont said. ‘I hope we see her again.’
‘You will,’ William said, with his arm round Brigitta’s waist. ‘We all will.’
Forty-Eight
The following months passed by quickly for Pips. She was enjoying racing and flying whenever she got the opportunity.
‘D’you know,’ she said to the family when she was home in May on one of her frequent visits – this time, George had come with her and, despite his wish to postpone the wedding, had been made as welcome as ever – ‘there’s sand racing at Skegness next month. I think I will enter.’
‘Won’t it ruin your car? Sand isn’t the best thing if it gets into the engine or even other parts,’ Robert warned.
Pips wrinkled her forehead. ‘I’ll talk to Paul – or Mitch. They’ll advise me.’
‘Oh, is that tiresome young man still around?’ Henrietta said, though she said it with a fond smile now. She didn’t intend to let her daughter know – and certainly not George – that her feelings towards Mitch had softened.
Impishly, Pips said, ‘Who? Paul? Oh, he’s rather nice. You’d like him, Mother, but he’s Milly’s boyfriend.’
Henrietta clicked her tongue. ‘You know very well that I mean Mitch Hammond.’
‘Oh – yes – right. Yes, he’s still around, but don’t forget I have him to thank for taking me racing and flying.’
Henrietta frowned and pursed her lips. ‘That’s no recommendation,’ she said tartly and this time she meant it. She was rewarded by a grateful look from George.
‘Are you sure they’ll allow women to enter?’ Robert asked, trying to steer the conversation away from Mitch.
Pips stared at him. ‘Oh, I hadn’t thought of that. I’d better check.’
‘Have a word with Basil,’ Edwin said. ‘I believe he goes to watch every time they have such an event there.’
‘Does he? Every year? Why have we never heard of it befor
e now?’
‘I expect he never thought you’d be interested.’
‘He’s known about me racing at Brooklands, hasn’t he?’
‘Of course, but I expect he thought that was rather different from beach racing.’
Pips folded the newspaper. ‘Then I must have a word with him.’
‘You can telephone him, if you like, from my surgery.’
Pips stared at her father. ‘The telephone? You’ve got the telephone?’
‘Oh yes,’ he said. ‘And the wireless. Since we had electricity installed a couple of years ago, we’ve been able to have all sorts of new-fangled inventions.’
‘Why ever didn’t you tell me before now? I can ring you up from London.’
Edwin chuckled. ‘It was only put in last week and we wanted to surprise you.’
Pips rose from the table and kissed the top of her father’s head. ‘Well, you’ve certainly done that. I’ll go and telephone old Basil right now.’
‘His number’s in the little black book at the side of the instrument.’
‘Give him our regards,’ Henrietta said, ‘and ask him if he and Rosemary are free to dine with us tomorrow evening.’
A few moments later, Pips was saying, ‘Major? It’s Pips Maitland.’
‘My dear girl, how lovely to hear from you. Where are you?’
‘At home for the weekend. Major, before I get to the reason I’m telephoning you, Mother wants to know if you and Mrs Fieldsend are free for dinner tomorrow?’
‘Of course we are, my dear, especially if you’re going to be there. And have you brought that nice Major Allender with you?’
‘Yes.’
‘Capital, capital. I’d very much enjoy a chat with him. Now, how can I help you?’
Swiftly, Pips explained her reason for telephoning him, ending, ‘Father says you often go and I wondered if you knew if they allow women to race?’
There was a pause whilst Pips could imagine the major wrinkling his forehead. ‘Well, I can’t remember ever seeing women in a race, but as far as I know there are no rules against it. Look, Pips, leave it with me. I am acquainted with the organizer. I’ll get in touch with him and ask if he’ll permit you to enter. I’ll try to get an answer for you by the time we visit tomorrow evening.’
Pips met their guests at the front door, eager to hear if Basil had news for her. ‘Mr Brown will allow you to enter the Novices’ Race, my dear. I told him you were no novice and that you raced at Brooklands, but to no avail, I’m afraid. “We don’t normally allow women to race,” he said. Very snootily, I thought, and I told him so. But, I’m sorry, my dear, that on this occasion he was adamant. It’s the Novices’ Race – or nothing.’ Basil leaned closer to her and whispered, ‘You’ll just have to show him how good you are. Novice, indeed!’
Pips laughed, her own indignation soothed by the major’s outrage on her behalf. ‘Thank you, major. I will certainly give them a run for their money, if I can. Now, tell me, what do I have to do?’
‘I got him to put your name down, so you just have to turn up on Skegness seafront on Friday, the thirteenth of June, so, I hope you’re not superstitious.’
Pips roared with laughter. ‘Not a bit, major. And thank you. I’ll look forward to seeing you there.’
As they all discussed the matter over dinner, Robert suggested, ‘Why don’t we hire a charabanc and have a family outing to watch Pips race? Even better, why don’t we make a weekend of it?’
‘There’s a nice hotel there – well, several – but the one we always stay at is The Vine.’
‘Oh yes, Daddy, yes. Do let’s,’ Daisy enthused. Now twelve years old, she had been allowed to join the grown-ups for the first time this evening when there were guests, under strict instructions from her grandmother that she should be ‘seen and not heard’, but at the thought of such an outing she could not contain her excitement.
‘Daisy . . .’ Henrietta began sternly, but Basil only laughed and Rosemary smiled indulgently. ‘Don’t scold her, Hetty dear. She’s delightful. Just like Pips was at the same age.’
‘Well, yes,’ Henrietta said drily, still eying her granddaughter, ‘but I’m not sure that’s such a good thing.’
‘Of course it is,’ the major boomed. ‘I like a youngster with spirit. You follow your aunt’s example, Daisy, and you won’t go far wrong.’
Henrietta looked none too sure. She frowned and pursed her lips but said no more. Basil had always championed Pips and it looked as if he was about to do the same for the next generation.
As the ladies rose from the table to go to the parlour, leaving the men to their port and cigars, Alice quietly reminded Daisy that she should now go to bed.
Sensibly realizing that objecting would not be a grown-up thing to do and would only incite her grandmother’s displeasure further, Daisy smiled and prettily bade everyone goodnight.
As she kissed her father’s cheek, she whispered, ‘Daddy, may Luke and Harry come on the outing to Skegness too?’
‘I don’t see why not, as long as their mother agrees. Of course, Luke will have to ask his grandfather too, now that he’s a working man.’
‘Oh look, Harry, it’s the sea.’ Daisy took the younger boy by the hand and led him onto the sand. She and Luke had been on day trips to the seaside before, but this was Harry’s first time.
‘It’s big, isn’t it?’ he said in a quiet voice.
‘D’you want to paddle before the races start? They’ve got to wait for the tide to be right out so they can drive on the hard sand,’ Daisy explained. ‘So we’ve plenty of time.’
Harry shook his head. ‘Not – now. Mebbe tomorrow.’
‘Of course,’ Daisy said understandingly.
Beside them, Luke smirked and was about to tease his younger brother, but at the sight of Daisy’s frown he closed his mouth. Instead he said, ‘Let’s go and collect some shells to take home to Mam and Grandma.’
After a while, bored of collecting shells and pretty stones, they watched the organizers rushing to mark out the course as soon as the tide had retreated far enough.
‘There’s Aunty Pips over there with her car. Let’s go and say “hello”.’
‘I don’t think we’ll be allowed to, Dais,’ Luke said, glancing around him. ‘I reckon spectators have got to stand behind that fence they’re putting up.’
‘What’s that line of stakes they’re digging into the sand in line with the shore?’ Harry asked.
‘Dunno,’ Luke said.
‘I think it’s to mark out the track. I think the cars will come down that side and then back up the other,’ Daisy suggested. ‘Let’s go and find Major Fieldsend. He’ll know.’
Basil was happy to explain the layout to the children. ‘Spectators must stand behind this fence for safety, but we should be able to see everything. The cars will start on the outside of the course and then come closer to the spectators, where they’ll reach the greatest speeds. The course isn’t too bad today, though I’m told there’s some water at the north end and at the opposite end the sand is a little soft, so they’ll be forced to slow down there. Still, it could be worse. ’
‘Where’s Aunty Pips?’
Basil leaned close to Daisy and pointed. ‘Over there. Look, she’s lining up with the other cars. Hold on to your hats – they’re about to start.’
Daisy giggled. ‘I’m not wearing a hat, major.’ Instead, she clung on to Luke’s hand, holding her breath as Pips set off. Up and down the course the cars raced until someone waved a flag and it was over.
‘Did she win?’
‘No, she was third,’ Basil said. ‘But that’s good enough to be in the Novices’ finals tomorrow.’
‘Is she in anything else today?’
Basil shook his head. ‘Sadly, no. That’s the only race they’d let her enter.’
‘I hope she wins tomorrow,’ Luke said stoutly. That’ll show ’em.’
‘Quite right, my boy.’
When the tide began to encroach upon
the racing area, the cars left the beach and the spectators dispersed.
‘Right, you,’ Luke said and grabbed Harry’s arm. ‘You’re going in the sea.’
‘Dais,’ Harry wailed plaintively.
‘It’s all right. We’ll all go – just for a paddle. No bathing today.’
The horrified look on Harry’s face made her dissolve into a fit of giggles.
The day trip to Skegness had turned into a weekend holiday as Robert had suggested and the family were booked into The Vine Hotel, a very old building which was said to have been one of Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s favourite places to stay. The family were well cared for and the food was excellent.
‘We’ll come here again, perhaps for summer holidays,’ Edwin declared. ‘Daisy loves the sea and she’s even managed to get Harry to bathe.’
‘Is there anything that child can’t get those two boys to do?’ Henrietta said, smiling.
‘Nothing that I know of, Hetty my love,’ Edwin chuckled. ‘Now let’s go and watch the racing.’
They all stood to one side watching the cars hurtling round the track marked out afresh on the sand.
‘Look, look,’ Daisy clutched Luke’s arm excitedly, ‘Aunty Pips is in front. She’s going to win.’ The two children jumped up and down and cheered loudly even though they knew Pips wouldn’t hear them.
‘Well done,’ Robert congratulated her when the racing was over. ‘But you didn’t half churn up the sand. It was flying all over. I’d get your car to a local garage if I were you and get it thoroughly washed underneath before you drive back home.’
‘Sound advice,’ Pips agreed. ‘I’ll do that.’
It had been a wonderful outing for all the family. Even Henrietta had enjoyed it and she said so as she linked arms with Rosemary to walk back to the hotel. It was about a mile from the seafront but the two women insisted they would enjoy the walk.
The Brooklands Girls Page 32