by Ellie Dean
Danuta had gone up to Cliffe airfield to talk to the others, but it seemed they hadn’t heard much from him either, and Roger had even hinted that they’d soon have to find someone else to share the flying hours, as by law there had to be a pilot and co-pilot on each flight. Dispirited, not only for herself but also for Stanislaw, she’d buried herself in work, and gone in her off-duty hours to check on how the repairs were going in Tamarisk Bay.
The cottage was right at the end of the short row and tucked into the natural curve of the low cliff that shelved down to the shingle beach. Frank had rented out the other two cottages to returning servicemen and their families as they waited to be rehoused, but this third and rather dilapidated little dwelling had slowly mouldered during the years it had been vacant, and it had taken time and a great deal of effort to make it habitable again.
That Saturday morning, Danuta parked her car alongside two others in the lee of a stand of bushes to one side of the steep track which led down to the beach, and gazed out to the sea which was sparkling in the bright sun. It was all very pretty, but utter madness for someone with Stan’s disability to decide to live here. And yet that was typical of Stan.
She climbed out of the car and discovered that despite the sunny day there was a sharp wind. Wrapping her scarf round her neck, she made her way down the track, carefully avoiding the water-filled potholes which would have to be filled in if Stan had any chance of getting out.
There was no sign of Frank, but she assumed he was sleeping in after a night’s fishing, so she walked along the paved path, past the outhouses to the last cottage. Finding it unlocked, she stepped inside and smiled. Frank had clearly been very busy these past few days, for the painting was finished, the wooden floors sanded, and the old cooking range had been given a fresh coating of blacking. All she had to do now was to find furniture, curtains, rugs and kitchen equipment to make it homely.
The cottage consisted of just three rooms with a lavatory, tin bath and hot water boiler in the outhouse that was tacked on at the front. The bedroom was on her right, the tiny kitchen on the left and the sitting room ran across the back, its large window giving a magnificent view of the sea and bringing light into the whole cramped space. Frank had painted the walls and ceilings white, the floors gleamed with fresh varnish, and the new windows were sturdy enough to keep out any draughts.
Danuta wandered from room to room, wondering how quickly Stan would find it claustrophobic, for he was a big man and needed lots of space around him. Yet she could imagine them sitting cosily in the sitting room of an evening to watch the moon slowly rise over the water before they snuggled up into the lovely big bed Rachel Goldman had promised them. Blushing at the thought, she dug her hands into her coat pockets and stared out of the window, not really seeing anything.
Stanislaw had yet to ask her to marry him, for he wanted to secure a future for them first. Neither had they had the chance to sleep together – not that they hadn’t wanted to, but circumstances so far had made it impossible. But she sensed he would be a wonderful lover, for he was a passionate man who not only had the capacity for great gentleness, but a deep respect for her moods and feelings.
She wrapped her arms about her waist as she watched the sea lapping at the shingle. It had taken all her courage to tell him why she couldn’t give him children, for he’d begun to talk about them having a son together. But he’d surprised her by tearfully taking her into his arms and telling her he’d rather live without children than lose her.
Remembering that she’d promised to fetch Cordelia’s prescription from the chemist before it closed at lunchtime, she stepped outside and heard Frank talking to someone. She was about to greet him when she realised who was with him and quickly shot back behind the door to watch them getting into Frank’s truck which was parked outside his house.
‘Well, well, well,’ she murmured with a giggle as Frank drove up the track and disappeared from sight. ‘Now there’s a surprise.’
She arrived back at Beach View with the cough medicine to find Peggy and Cordelia in a complete tizzy.
‘Thank goodness you’re back,’ Peggy said the moment she stepped into the kitchen. ‘We’ve got to go up to the airfield. Now hurry up.’
‘But why? Is there an emergency? Will I need my medical bag?’
‘I shouldn’t think so,’ said Peggy distractedly as she helped Cordelia on with her coat and handed her the walking stick. ‘But it is very important, and if we don’t get a move on we’ll be too late.’
‘Late for what? You are not making any sense.’
‘It will all be explained soon enough,’ Peggy replied, chivvying her into the hall. Peggy helped Cordelia down the steps and into her car. ‘Do get a move on, dear,’ she urged Danuta.
Danuta shut the front door behind her and ran down the steps to climb into the back seat, utterly confused. ‘Where’s Daisy?’
‘She’s with Charlie,’ said Peggy. She started the engine and drove at reckless speed out of the cul-de-sac and up the road which would eventually take them to the airfield.
‘I know you have a lot of questions, Danuta, but I need to concentrate on my driving,’ she said firmly.
‘Cordelia, do you know what all this is about?’ she asked, leaning towards her.
‘No dear, I haven’t got gout. The arthritis is bad enough without that,’ she replied calmly.
Danuta flopped back into the seat and folded her arms in frustration. It was clear Cordelia had switched off her hearing aid and Peggy was determined to keep her lips sealed about why they were now hurtling past the Cliffe estate and turning into the airfield so fast the tyres squealed in protest. The only thing she could think of was that Martin and the others had found another pilot and wanted to show him off.
Peggy brought the car to an abrupt halt by the office shed, and Danuta frowned as she saw almost the entire complement of crew and maintenance staff gathered there along with their families, Charlie, Anne and all the children. The only person missing seemed to be Kitty’s husband Roger.
She helped Cordelia out of the car and regarded her steadily, for there was definitely a naughty twinkle in her eyes. ‘What are you all up to, Grandma Cordy?’
‘I couldn’t possibly say,’ she replied, hobbling off to sit on a chair Anne had brought out for her.
Danuta looked across at the single DC-47, and her heart sank. It looked as if they really had found another pilot, and Stanislaw had missed out. She turned to Peggy to ask again what was happening, but she just smiled back at her and pointed to the east.
‘Look,’ she said, ‘Phoenix Air’s right on time.’
Feeling sick at heart, Danuta watched the small speck in the sky take shape, and soon the sound of the powerful DC-47 engines drowned out any further possibility of talking as it circled overhead twice and then came in to land with a gentle bump before taxiing towards the end of the long runway.
The man in the control tower rushed down the steps as the engines were switched off and the propellers slowly stopped turning. The ground crew ran forward to place the chocks in front of the wheels and open the cargo door which was behind the wings. A set of steps was quickly placed beneath it, and everyone made their way towards it across the runway.
‘Come on, dear,’ said Peggy, taking her arm. ‘You don’t want to miss this.’
Reluctantly, Danuta went with her, wondering why Peggy couldn’t see that this whole outing was turning into the most bitter of disappointments. Poor Stanislaw , she thought as she waited at the back of the eager crowd by the steps. He’ll be devastated to know he won’t be part of all this .
There was movement in the dark interior of the plane, and Roger ran cheerfully down the steps, and then all the men suddenly stood smartly to attention and saluted, making Danuta think that this new pilot must be someone very important indeed to warrant such attention.
Stanislaw walked awkwardly out of the shadows to stand in the doorway. His face was flushed and he had the broadest of smiles as he sal
uted back and everyone whistled and cheered.
Danuta nearly fainted. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing. But there he was. Her Stanislaw – as large as life and twice as handsome in his Phoenix Air uniform, the peaked cap at a rakish angle over sparkling brown eyes, the gold bands of braid on his sleeve winking in the sun.
She met his gaze, felt someone nudge her forward and walked towards him in a daze. The rest of the world seemed to disappear until there were only the two of them, and as she climbed the steps and he reached for her hand, she was quite overwhelmed by love and pride.
‘My darling little Danuta,’ he managed through his tears of joy. ‘I have done it. And it is all for you, my love – my dearest love.’ He took her hands and kissed them. ‘For us too,’ he murmured, holding her gaze. ‘I hope you will forgive me for not kneeling, but I’ve yet to learn how. But now I have good job, will you marry me?’
‘Yes,’ she breathed. ‘Oh, yes, yes, yes.’ She threw herself into his arms and almost knocked him off balance as a huge cheer went up from those watching down below.
He clung to her, laughing with such joy he didn’t realise his face was wet with tears. ‘I’ve come home, Danuta,’ he finally whispered to her, placing a diamond ring on her finger. ‘And together we will make a good life. I promise you.’ He grinned. ‘But first I must get down these steps.’
The men waiting below didn’t wait for her to help him, but swept both of them up and carried them to the office hut on their shoulders. Stanislaw roared with delight. ‘I have champagne,’ he shouted. ‘We must celebrate.’
Peggy was glad it was Sunday, for she was feeling the effects of too much champagne and excitement. The party had carried on long after she’d come back with Cordelia and Daisy, and she thought she’d heard Danuta stumbling in with Charlie at about two o’clock.
She tutted at the thought of her son drinking too much, and then concentrated on getting dressed and ready for the day. It had been the most romantic and heart-melting moment when Stanislaw had asked Danuta to marry him, and she wasn’t ashamed of the fact that she and Cordelia had sobbed their way back to the hut to get stuck into the champagne.
Daisy was awake and playing quietly with her toys in her bedroom, so Peggy helped her to dress warmly and took her downstairs for breakfast. Cordelia was snoring quite happily, so she’d leave her to wake slowly and come down in her own time.
‘Good heavens, Danuta. I didn’t expect to see you this early,’ she gasped as she saw the girl sitting at the table with a cup of tea.
‘I was too excited to sleep,’ she confessed, getting up to fetch the teapot. ‘Stanislaw stayed the night with Anne and Martin because our house has no furniture. He is flying to France tomorrow with medical supplies, so we are going to the big market in Dover to see what we can find to make the place ready and comfortable for him.’
‘I’ve got some old curtains and spare sheets and blankets,’ said Peggy. ‘But not much else, I’m afraid.’
‘That is very kind, Mama Peggy. We are most grateful. Rachel has promised us a beautiful bedroom suite, but the room is so small, only the bed will fit in it. I hope Stanislaw doesn’t feel too cooped up there. It’s a very cosy little house.’
‘I’m sure it will be fine for starters,’ said Peggy comfortably, putting out cereal and orange juice for Daisy.
Danuta sipped her tea. ‘By the way, there is something I meant to tell you yesterday, but in all the excitement it went out of my silly head.’
‘Oh yes?’
‘I think maybe it is secret, so you must promise not to say anything.’
Peggy was instantly alert. ‘What is it?’
‘I saw Frank yesterday, and he had a visitor.’
‘Go on,’ urged Peggy shifting to the edge of her chair. ‘I promise I won’t breathe a word, Danuta, but do get on with it. The suspense is killing me.’
‘It was Brenda from the pub. They were holding hands and he kissed her cheek before driving off.’
Peggy sat back. ‘Well I never,’ she breathed. ‘Good for Frank. It’s time he saw a bit of life, and Brenda’s a lovely woman – very loyal and hard-working, with a good sense of humour too. He’ll be all right with her.’
Danuta frowned. ‘When I first came to Beach View I’m sure someone told me she was married.’
Peggy nodded. ‘She was. He signed up for the navy, working in the engine room, and got killed when the Ark Royal was sunk by a U-boat off Gibraltar, back in late ’41.’
She gave a sigh. ‘He was a nice man, and it was a shame they’d had no children. It took a long time for her to get over his death, but she found it a great distraction to work at the Anchor for Rosie, and she’s almost become part of the fabric of the place.’
‘Then I hope they will be happy. But isn’t it a bit soon after Pauline left?’
‘There’s been little love between Frank and Pauline for years, and now their divorce has come through he’s free to do as he pleases. If Brenda can give him what he’s been missing all these years, then good luck to them both, I say.’
Danuta grinned. ‘You never liked Pauline very much, did you?’
Peggy grinned back. ‘Let’s just say life is far more pleasant without her, and leave it at that, shall we?’
Part Five
* * *
27
Singapore
Jim swung the car into the Raffles driveway that April afternoon and parked in the shade of the palm trees. He climbed out, adjusted his hat and took the steps in two strides. Upon reaching the entrance foyer, he quickly made his way to the bar, ordered two Singapore Slings and then carried them to Elsa Bristow’s office.
‘Tiffin time,’ he announced, kicking the door shut behind him.
‘You must have read my mind,’ said Elsa, turning from the now empty shelves with a smile. ‘My goodness, you look pleased with yourself today, Jim.’
‘That I am,’ he said, handing her the glass frosted with condensation. ‘Here’s to the Empress Aurelia and all who sail in her.’ He raised his glass and drank thirstily.
‘So, your ship has finally come in,’ she murmured. ‘I’m glad for you, Jim. When do you sail?’
‘Tomorrow on the early tide. We should be in England by the end of May, then it will take another half-day to get from Portsmouth to home – unless the trains haven’t improved since I left, and there are the usual hold-ups and delays.’ He grinned at her. ‘I’ve prepared so many times for this day, that I won’t actually believe I’m going home until I’m on the ship and sailing.’
‘Well, I’m glad for you, Jim. You’ve been away from home for too long. Here’s to a safe journey.’ She sipped her drink and then lit a cigarette. ‘I’m off at the end of the week too,’ she said as they settled on either side of the empty desk. ‘As you can see, my work here is all but done, and I’m missing my daughters.’
‘Won’t you miss Singapore?’
‘Not really,’ she admitted. ‘I lived here for years when my husband was alive, but it’s changed, and with the unrest simmering between differing factions as the elections loom, it doesn’t feel like home any more. Besides,’ she added, ‘I much prefer the climate in Sydney. There are four seasons, and the humidity is much more bearable.’
‘It’ll be spring when I get back,’ Jim said, ‘but that’s no guarantee that the weather will be nice. My Peggy said they’ve had a wet winter, and it doesn’t look at all hopeful for a good spring or summer.’
‘Ah, the famous English weather everyone moans about,’ she said on a laugh. She shifted in her chair. ‘I don’t know why we’re sitting in here. Let’s go into the bar where it’s comfortable, and I can buy you a drink for a change.’
‘I’m sorry, Elsa, but I can’t stay long. Jumbo will be boarding his ship soon, and I wanted to say goodbye to him.’
Her disappointment was clear, but she quickly covered it up with a smile. ‘Oh, that is a pity, but of course, I quite understand. How come he isn’t on the same ship as you?’
He grinned. ‘I don’t think it’s hit him yet that being married involves a huge amount of organisation and cost if he wants to keep his wife happy.’
‘And what about you, Jim? What will you do when you get back?’
‘Well, I was working as a projectionist in the local cinema, but that was blown up, and by the sound of it, there are no plans to build a new one, so that idea’s out. Peggy tells me an old pal has started up a motor repair shop and is desperate to find a decent mechanic to help with the workload. But I’m not sure I want to do that.’
Elsa cocked her head and frowned. ‘Why ever not, if it’s something you’re good at?’
Jim was thoughtful for a moment, as this particular subject had been worrying him for some time. ‘I’ve learned a great deal about myself these past few years, especially during my time here in Singapore, and feel that I’m capable of doing much more than just mucking about with engines or selling second-hand cars. The plight of those men and women I interviewed has really struck a chord, and I’d like to find some way in which I could continue to help them.’
Elsa regarded him evenly. ‘From what I understand, there isn’t much help being offered by the governments for the Far East prisoners of war, or for their families. But if you really want to do some good, you should apply to the Royal British Legion. They’ve been helping servicemen and women since the previous war with all aspects of their repatriation. My husband was a staunch supporter of the work the Legion does, and I’m sure I could put in a good word for you.’