The Brooklands Girls

by Margaret Dickinson

  ‘Now that we’re alone, Hetty, tell me, is there any news of the wedding?’

  Henrietta shook her head sadly. ‘George has had no good news as regards his investments, I’m afraid, and from what Robert gleans from the press, it looks like this country is going to be affected by a depression too. It’s all very sad. Whilst I respect his decision, I can’t agree with it. He’s letting his pride get in the way, I fear.’

  ‘Mm,’ Rosemary said thoughtfully and murmured, ‘I must talk to Basil.’

  Henrietta, lost in her own thoughts, did not think to question her.

  Forty-Nine

  Through the summer of 1930, Pips continued to race and to fly as often as she could. George attended regularly and though Mitch was often at the circuit, he now seemed to be keeping his distance from them both. Although he knew their wedding plans were ‘on hold’, he noticed that Pips was still wearing her engagement ring. Whilst Mitch was – as Henrietta had described him – a lovable rogue, he did have principles and one of those was not to pursue a married or even an engaged woman. He wined and dined and squired a string of pretty young girls, one or two of whom he became quite fond of, but not one of them could ever match his love for Pips. He’d decided that, if he could not have her, he would enjoy his life, but he would never marry.

  No one else knew this and so adoring and ever-hopeful young women continued to fall at his feet.

  Towards George he had ambivalent feelings. He admired the major: he was a true gentleman, upright and honourable, and he recognized that he too loved Pips devotedly, but, of course, he couldn’t help envying him. At the track, he tried to avoid them, for seeing them together almost broke his heart, though not, to his eternal credit, his resolve.

  At the end of August, Pips travelled to Lincolnshire to spend a week with Daisy before school re-opened. Daisy was now at the high school in Lincoln, coming top of her class in both term time and examinations.

  ‘I do hope you’re not going to stand in the way of her doing whatever she wants in life,’ Pips said to Robert when she caught him alone in the parlour just before dinner on her last night.

  He grinned at her. ‘Of course we won’t. Within reason.’

  Pips raised her eyebrows. ‘And what exactly does that mean?’

  ‘Well, if she decides she wants to be a pilot or something equally as dangerous. A joyride with you is one thing but to take it up as a profession, I don’t think either her mother or her grandmother would be too happy.’

  Pips sniffed contemptuously. ‘I don’t think that’s likely to happen. Not easily, anyway. We’ve only just got the vote for all women, for Heaven’s sake. What about university? Would you allow that?’

  ‘Oh, most definitely.’

  ‘Has she ever mentioned wanting to become a doctor?’

  Robert shook his head. ‘No. Actually, she’s never mentioned any particular ambition.’

  ‘Not like me, then,’ Pips murmured.

  ‘She’s only twelve, Pips. She hasn’t seen what’s out there yet. All the different possibilities.’

  Pips laughed. ‘Maybe she just wants to take over running the estate when Mother steps down or . . .’ She left the words unspoken.

  Robert wrinkled his forehead thoughtfully. ‘Maybe so, but she’s never said.’

  ‘She wouldn’t. It would be incredibly tactless. But she must have heard you say countless times that you’re not that interested in taking it on. That all you ever wanted was to be a doctor.’ She glanced at him. ‘Thank goodness we’ve got you back doing that.’

  ‘It took a while,’ Robert admitted. ‘But you were all right. It’s working well with Conrad and I can honestly say that I’m the happiest I’ve been since before I was wounded. And that’s thanks in no small part to you, my dear sister.’

  ‘Oh phooey!’ she said and they both smiled.

  ‘Maybe you’re right about Daisy,’ Robert went on. ‘I hadn’t thought of that.’

  ‘But do let her go to university, Robert. It would be so good for her and she’s so clever. It would be such a waste of a good brain if she didn’t.’

  ‘I’ll make sure of it. I promise you that she’ll at least have the opportunity, if that’s what she wants.’

  As the rest of the family joined them – including Daisy – they changed the subject of their conversation.

  When she arrived back in London the following day, George had left a message with Milly that he wanted to see her urgently.

  ‘Oh dear. Is something wrong?’

  ‘I don’t think so,’ Milly said airily, seeming to be avoiding Pips’s gaze.

  ‘Milly Fortesque, you’re grinning like a cat that’s got the cream. You’re hiding something. I can tell.’

  ‘Please don’t ask me, Pips. I’ve been sworn to secrecy.’

  Pips laughed. ‘And when could you ever keep a secret?’

  ‘Oh, I can. Sometimes.’ She wriggled her shoulders. ‘Just go and see him, there’s a dear.’

  ‘You know I can’t “just go and see him”. She might be there.’

  Milly giggled. ‘You talk about his daughter as if she was the other woman.’

  Pips sniffed. ‘It feels like that sometimes, believe me. I almost wish she was. I’d know how to deal with that situation.’

  ‘Just go and see him, Pips. It’ll be all right. Rebecca is away on holiday this week. She won’t be there, so pack your little suitcase again and go.’

  Two hours later, Pips was ringing the doorbell to George’s flat. He flung it open and pulled her inside and into his arms.

  ‘Darling Pips, we can now marry, if you’ll still have me?’

  Pips gasped. ‘Of course I will, but why – I mean – what’s happened to make you change your mind?’

  ‘You’re not going to believe this, but I’ve been offered the most marvellous job. It’s got to be kept quiet, but I’ve been appointed as a military advisor to the War Office.’

  ‘Oh, how . . .?’ Pips was about to ask how it had come about and then, her mind working with lightning speed, she knew. Good old Basil! Swiftly, with only the merest hesitation, she changed her words to: ‘Oh, how absolutely wonderful.’

  She kissed him soundly and they hugged and then, as they sat together to marvel again at his good fortune, Pips couldn’t help asking, ‘But what about Rebecca? Don’t tell me she’s come round at last?’

  George’s face sobered. ‘No, not exactly, but I have told her that now things are better, I mean to marry you. She’s just going to have to come to terms with it. I’ve waited long enough – far too long – to make you my wife and as long as you agree, that’s the most important thing, wouldn’t you say? I’m not going to wait any longer. Please, Pips darling, say you will.’

  ‘Of course I will.’

  ‘I know you’ve only just come back, but let’s go up to Lincolnshire at the weekend and tell your family.’

  Pips giggled. ‘Yes, let’s. I can’t wait to see my mother’s face.’

  ‘At last!’ Henrietta clasped her hands together. ‘I can hardly believe it.’

  ‘We thought we’d fix the date as Saturday, the sixth of December, just after the children’s birthdays.’

  Henrietta frowned. ‘We could be ready before that, Philippa. We just have to pick up all the plans we made before and put them into action. I know we need three weeks to have the banns read, but we’re only in September. We’ve plenty of time. Why not the middle of next month? The weather could still be quite nice then.’

  ‘Because there are two race meetings I want to take part in during September and although I won’t be competing in October, there are three meetings then and it would mean that a lot of our friends wouldn’t be able to come to the wedding.’

  ‘Oh Philippa, really! It’s high time you gave up all this racing nonsense.’ She glanced at George. ‘I hope you’re going to put a stop to it once you’re married.’

  George smiled. ‘I wouldn’t dare to try, though as you know, Pips has said she will.’
/>   Henrietta shook her head in exasperation. ‘And you a former major in the British Army . . .’

  ‘I couldn’t even control her out at the front and, believe me, I did try.’

  Henrietta stared at him and said softly, ‘You tried to stop her going into no-man’s-land to pick up the wounded?’

  ‘I did, but then it was Pips, along with one of my soldiers, who rescued me when I was wounded. If it hadn’t been for her, I doubt very much I’d be here now.’

  Henrietta nodded and said softly, ‘And neither would her brother.’

  ‘In his case, most definitely he would have died out there.’

  ‘Then I suppose,’ she said tremulously, ‘I’d better not be too hard on her.’

  ‘I am here, you know,’ Pips laughed.

  ‘All right. Have your races, Philippa, but please, just be careful.’

  Fifty

  It was the last race that Pips planned to take part in. Plans for her wedding in the church close to her home were almost complete and the only thing to spoil her happiness was Rebecca’s refusal to attend. George was tight-lipped and refused to discuss the matter with his daughter any more. Although they were still speaking to each other, there was a frostiness between them that had never been there before. But now he was determined that nothing and no one would stop him marrying Pips. Not even Rebecca.

  They were all there: George, Milly, Paul and Jeff, to watch their protégée. Even Mitch, who had deliberately kept his distance since their conversation about her marriage, had not been able to stay away. He watched anxiously as they lined up at the start. He saw Muriel, Pattie and Pips all wave at each other, their rivalry evident.

  ‘She should do well in this race,’ Paul declared as they watched from Members’ Bridge. ‘She has the fastest car.’

  ‘And she knows how to handle it,’ Jeff agreed.

  The race began well. Muriel took an early lead, but Pips was soon on her tail and then passing her. She was coming round the bend below the bridge and onto the banking, when Jeff said, ‘Oh Hell, her front tyre’s shredding . . .’

  They watched in horror as the car began to spin and then to slide down the banking.

  ‘Oh my God! She’s hit the fence,’ Milly breathed and they all began to run.

  Despite being the oldest amongst them, George reached the smoking wreckage first, but Mitch was close behind him. Pips lay with her head on one side and her eyes closed. Blood spurted from a nasty gash on her hairline and she was unconscious. George pulled at the door, but it was buckled and wouldn’t open.

  ‘Steady on, old chap.’ Mitch reached his side. ‘We must be very gentle getting her out or we could do her more damage.’

  ‘But the car might go up . . .’ George said. The brave, usually calm and controlled army major was frantic.

  ‘If it does, then we’ll pull her clear double quick.’

  The two men exchanged a glance, each knowing what the other was feeling. In that moment, they both acknowledged their love for this woman. Now the others reached them, Milly bringing up the rear. She had taken off her heeled shoes and thrown them aside. She ran in bare feet, not caring if the rough ground cut her.

  ‘Is she . . .?’

  Jeff, leaning into the car, felt the pulse in her neck. ‘No, she’s alive, but we must be careful. If she’s broken her neck . . .’

  ‘There’s a stretcher coming,’ Paul said, ‘and the doctor.’

  The current Clerk of the Course always insisted that a doctor be present at races.

  Under his instructions, they worked together to ease Pips out of the vehicle and to lay her very gently on the stretcher, but she did not open her eyes. The race had been stopped and an ambulance had come hurtling round the track. Now she was lifted into the back of it and as they watched it move away, George asked, ‘Where are they taking her?’

  ‘I’ve suggested they should take her straight to the London Hospital,’ the doctor said. ‘The local ones are very good, but they haven’t the facilities for what Miss Maitland might need.’

  George shook his head and allowed himself a humourless smile. ‘The London,’ he murmured, and wondered what his daughter would think when she found out who the most recent admission was.

  He felt someone grip his arm. ‘I’ll take you there,’ Mitch said simply.

  ‘What is it? What’s happened?’ Henrietta demanded as Edwin replaced the telephone receiver and turned with a solemn look to face her. He went to her and took her hands into his. ‘Hetty my love. There’s been an accident at Brooklands.’

  Henrietta drew in a sharp breath. ‘Oh no. Pips?’

  ‘I’m afraid so. She’s been taken to the London Hospital.’

  ‘So she’s not – not dead?’

  ‘No, no,’ he said swiftly, ‘but she is badly injured. I think we should go down. I’ll talk to Robert.’

  He found Robert and Alice in Robert’s surgery. They both looked up as he entered and, just like his wife, at once noticed his solemn expression.

  ‘Pips has been in an accident at Brooklands. She’s alive, but quite badly hurt. She’s been taken to the London Hospital. Your mother and I would like to go down. Can you manage everything here, Robert? Your mother said to tell you not to worry about the estate. Her farm manager is very competent.’

  ‘I’m sure I can. Conrad will step in. I’ll speak to him and explain the situation. You and Mother go as soon as you can. Jake can drive you both to the station. Off you go, but promise me that you’ll let us know how Pips is.’ For a moment, his face was bleak. He couldn’t contemplate life without his beloved sister.

  Edwin was about to leave when he turned back to Alice. ‘I almost forgot. Hetty told me to ask you to postpone the wedding, Alice. We very much doubt Pips will be well enough by then.’ His voice was husky and Alice moved quickly to his side and linked her arm through his. ‘We’ll look after everything here, Father. You just go to Pips.’

  Edwin covered her hand with his. ‘You’re such a comfort, Alice. I don’t know what we would do without you.’

  The house was quiet after the flurry of their hurried departure. Even Daisy, who had been so excited to be bridesmaid for her aunt – the only bridesmaid – was subdued and anxious.

  ‘Daddy, Aunty Pips will be all right, won’t she?’

  ‘Of course she will, darling,’ Robert said, putting his arm round her waist as she stood beside him in her dressing gown on her way to bed. ‘She’s as tough as old boots. I expect she’s had a bit of a bump on her head and will have to take it easy for a few days. But if I know my sister, you’ll still get to wear that pretty dress hanging in your wardrobe, though perhaps not as soon as we hoped.’ He kissed her forehead and said, ‘Now, off to bed with you.’

  ‘You will tell me if you hear any news, won’t you? Even if it’s in the middle of the night.’

  ‘I promise.’

  ‘Can I go to London too?’

  Robert stroked her hair. ‘No, darling. Gramps will keep us informed and I promise I will tell you everything.’

  Safe in the knowledge that none of her family ever broke a solemn promise, Daisy went to her bed. As he watched her go, Robert was not quite so optimistic as he had made out to his daughter.

  ‘Have you heard?’ Bess said, coming in through the Dawsons’ back door and through the scullery. Now there was only Norah to hear her gossip but Bess never failed to bring the latest news to her.

  ‘What is it now, Bess?’

  Norah was a little impatient. It was Saturday evening and there were all the vegetables to prepare for the big Sunday roast she always did. Luke, although no longer staying with his grandmother, was coming and he had asked if he could bring Daisy, so Norah wanted to make it a special meal. Len was in the back garden, tending his vegetable patch.

  ‘Miss Pips has had a serious accident in her racing car.’

  The news stopped Norah instantly and she gaped at her visitor. ‘No!’ she breathed. ‘Is she bad?’

  ‘Seems so. Still unc
onscious, our Betty says. Doctor and Mrs Maitland have rushed off to London. That’s where she’s been taken. To a big London hospital.’

  Norah sat down suddenly in a chair, her busy hands suddenly idle.

  ‘You sit there, Norah duck. I’ll mek us a cup o’ tea. Allus good for shock.’

  Bess bustled about the kitchen, almost as familiar with it as her own, whilst Norah sat quite still, stunned by the news. It brought back to her the times she had heard terrible news about her own boys. ‘Oh, I hope she’ll be all right.’

  ‘Don’t we all,’ Bess said, ‘and I expect the wedding will be off – again!’

  They sat together, speaking if they felt the need or just in companionable silence, old friends who were now joined together by their mutual grandson, Luke.

  ‘It’s times like this that I miss Ma the most,’ Norah said. ‘She’d seen so much of life that she was always able to bring comfort. She was a very strong woman, you know.’

  ‘I do know, Norah duck. I turned to her a lot mesen when times was hard. I reckon the whole village misses her.’

  As she pulled herself up, Norah said, ‘Let me know if you hear owt else, won’t you?’

  ‘I will. Betty’ll keep me up to date.’

  There was no more news that night. Edwin telephoned briefly to say that he and Henrietta had arrived safely in the city and had booked into a hotel as near to the hospital as possible. ‘We can’t see her until visiting hours tomorrow, but we’ve been in touch with Milly and she says that George is breaking every hospital rule in the book and demanding to sit by her bedside all the time.’

  ‘I’m surprised some dragon of a matron hasn’t come along and shooed him out,’ Robert said.

  There was a silence at the other end of the line until Edwin cleared his throat and said, ‘Perhaps that’s because of who’s been assigned to nurse her round the clock.’

  ‘What d’you mean, Father? Who’s looking after her?’

  There was another pause until Edwin replied, ‘Rebecca. George’s daughter.’