by Molly Green
‘If only the owners would keep their animals in on Guy Fawkes night,’ Mr Lincoln said. He listened to Oscar’s heart, then looked up. ‘He’s gone.’
Ronnie bit down hard on her lip. She mustn’t cry. It wouldn’t bring Oscar back.
‘This war is having such bad consequences on the animal kingdom. I would have taken the little fellow home with me if I hadn’t already taken in two poor little blighters in the last three months. And I tried for a week to find a home for this one.’
‘I know you did your best,’ Ronnie said, tears streaming down her cheeks as she gazed down at the young dog, now perfectly still.
The vet gently picked him up. ‘Let me just take Oscar next door.’
He was back in moments and went to the sink to wash his hands. He turned to her, drying his hands on the nearby roller towel.
‘You have a real way with animals, Ronnie, the way you comfort the animals when they’re in distress. So I have a proposition for you. How about you coming to work for me as my full-time assistant? I’d train you with the idea of putting you forward to take an exam to obtain a proper veterinary nursing qualification.’
Ronnie startled. This was totally unexpected. A proper job with a certificate at the end. One that even Maman might approve of. And she liked and trusted Mr Lincoln. He was a pleasure to work with and she loved his wry humour. She wanted to say yes immediately. She would have jumped at the chance if they weren’t in the middle of this blasted war. But was she being weak? She always prided herself on being a strong person who didn’t turn away from something unpalatable. Then she thought of Oscar. She knew she wouldn’t be able to face the needless destruction of animals day after day as a result of the strict food rationing. But it would be even worse for the animals if there weren’t kind vets like Mr Lincoln who carried out the senseless deed with tender-hearted feeling. Thank goodness he hadn’t ever turned his back.
‘What do you think, Ronnie? Does it appeal?’
‘Yes, it does – in many ways,’ she said truthfully. ‘You know I really wanted to join the Land Army. When the war started I loved digging our vegetable plots at home and seeing everything grow. They taste wonderful. It’s something I’m good at and I don’t even mind weeding. But the Land Army won’t have me. It’s so ridiculous. You have to be seventeen and a half, and I’m not seventeen until December. So for the sake of a few months they’ve turned me down. They said to apply again in a year and I was bound to be successful, but the war will probably be over with by then and I won’t have done my bit.’
‘I doubt very much that the war will be over within the year,’ Mr Lincoln said, ‘but you’re obviously looking for more of an outdoor life.’ She nodded. ‘Well, I can see why the Land Army would have appealed but you’re going to have difficulty getting in anywhere at your young age. So why don’t you think about working here.’ He smiled. ‘There’s no need to come back to me with an answer straightaway. Take your time. It’s a big decision.’
Ronnie took in a breath. She could confide in Mr Lincoln. He would never repeat anything she said in confidence.
‘There is another possibility,’ she said. ‘I’ve got an interview next week with the Grand Union Canal Carrying Company.’
Mr Lincoln raised his brows. ‘Working on the canals? My goodness, Ronnie, that’s backbreaking work. Mind you, I think you’re physically strong and you’re a most determined young lady, so you’ll probably survive – maybe even enjoy it.’ He took his glasses off and studied her. ‘Well, I’m disappointed if that’s your decision, but if you need a reference, I’ll be more than happy to provide one.’
‘Thank you, Mr Lincoln. That’s kind of you.’ She paused. ‘There is one thing. My dog, Rusty. Do you think I’ll be able to take him with me on the canal?’
‘As far as Rusty’s concerned, he’d love it,’ Mr Lincoln smiled, ‘but you’ll have to ask permission at the interview. On second thoughts it’s probably better to wait and see how you settle in first in case it doesn’t turn out how you think it will.’ He paused. ‘I’ll be sorry to lose you, Ronnie. When the war’s over I hope you’ll consider my offer – that is, if I haven’t got someone permanent by then.’ He chuckled. ‘But I don’t suppose they’ll be queuing up. It’s not an easy option here for a young person.’
‘But I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it – except today with poor Oscar,’ Ronnie said, hoping she wasn’t making a terrible mistake by pursuing the canal work. ‘And if the canal people don’t take me on, I would love to come and work for you.’
The doorbell sounded.
‘That’ll be Mrs King with her poorly hamster. At least with his diet he’s safe enough.’ Mr Lincoln gave a rueful smile as he laid an old but spotlessly clean white pillowcase on the table. ‘Can you bring her and Hammy in, please, Ronnie?’
Ronnie mentally counted the days to her interview. Only six more. How on earth was she going to tell her mother she was going to London? Maman would forbid her to go. London is too dangerous, she’d say. You don’t know London. You’ve never been there. And most definitely I will not allow you to go on your own. And why would you want to, anyway? Her mother would insist upon accompanying her. Worse than that, it wouldn’t end there. Maman wouldn’t rest until she’d ferreted out the reason for her daughter’s sudden desire to go to London and would be watching her from now on. Ronnie shook her head. No, it was impossible.
And then it came to her. She would say she was meeting Raine. Better still, if Raine could really get a few hours off and go to Southall with her, then Maman couldn’t accuse her of telling a lie.
‘Beatrice Mortimer has invited me for a real cup of coffee,’ Maman said when Ronnie walked through the door after attending to the vegetables, ‘but I will be back for lunch. I have made a soup. Please have the table laid ready and slice some bread.’
Ronnie wrinkled her nose. Her mother wasn’t best known for her soups – or any of her cooking, for that matter. But at least she’d have the house to herself and could telephone her sister in private.
‘All right, Maman. Tell her I said “hello”.’
The front door shut. All was wonderfully silent. Ronnie went straight to the telephone.
‘Oh, operator, could you please put me through to the aerodrome at White Waltham?’
After half a minute a woman’s voice said, ‘What department, miss?’
‘The Air Transport Auxiliary. I’m trying to reach Lorraine Linfoot – one of the pilots,’ she added proudly.
‘Your name?’
‘Ronnie Linfoot – her sister.’
‘One moment, please.’
The minutes ticked by. Then there was the sound of a click.
‘Ronnie, is something wrong?’ Raine’s voice was breathless, as though she’d been running hard.
‘No, nothing really,’ Ronnie said, delighted her sister was there. ‘I just wondered if you could meet me in London on Friday?’
‘London?’
‘Yes. I’ve never been and I thought it would be a good opportunity for us to have a proper day together. We never have,’ she finished.
There was a pause. Then Raine said, ‘I’m not due a day off until Monday. Would that do?’
‘No. You see I’m meeting someone on Friday.’
The line crackled. All she could hear was Raine saying ‘important’.
‘It is important,’ Ronnie said.
‘Are you meeting a boy?’
‘Don’t be daft. I’ll tell you about it when I see you. Is there a chance –?’
More crackling. Ronnie shook the receiver in frustration.
‘– I could swap?’ Raine finished, and Ronnie could imagine her older sister’s eyes gleaming with the idea of a secret. ‘No one’s going to jump at giving up a Friday for a Monday, but I could probably persuade someone. I’ll see what I can do and phone you back. It might not be until this evening as you only just caught me. I’ve got a couple of deliveries to do.’
‘That would be marvellous. I’d clap my han
ds if I wasn’t holding the receiver.’
Raine chuckled, then said, ‘Where’s Maman at the moment?’
‘Having coffee with Mrs Mortimer.’
‘Oh, James’s mother. I’ve still not met her, but Suzy says she’s lovely.’
‘I have, and she is,’ Ronnie said.
‘Right then, I must go. Give Maman my love. I’ll have a word with her as well this evening.’
‘Thanks, Raine.’
Ronnie put the receiver down. If her sister could organise the swap it would take a load off her mind.
The telephone rang just after six. Ronnie sprang up to grab it but her mother, who was in the front room, got to the hall first.
‘Is it Raine?’ she mouthed.
Simone put her finger to her lips. There was a long pause. Ronnie was just about to go back to the kitchen when she heard her mother say:
‘This is Mrs Linfoot, Véronique’s mother.’
Another frustrating pause. Ronnie was beside herself with curiosity.
‘Oui, I know. I can give her a message.’
‘Maman, please let me take it.’
Ronnie put out her hand for the receiver but Simone held on to it.
‘Shhhh!’ She turned her back to Ronnie. ‘Excusez-moi,’ she said into the mouthpiece.
‘Yes, I will pass on the message. I am sure she will do this.’
‘Maman, please …’
‘I did not quite hear.’ Her mother gripped the receiver more firmly and the caller spoke for some moments. ‘Oh, yes, she did mention it.’ She nodded. ‘Yes, I hope so, too. Thank you, monsieur.’ She replaced the receiver.
‘Maman—’
‘That was your Mr Lincoln,’ Simone said, walking back to the front room. Ronnie followed. ‘He asked if you could go in tomorrow afternoon at two o’clock. He needs you to stay with some animals while he is gone no more than two hours. You heard me. I said I was sure you will do this. You may telephone him to confirm.’
‘Why didn’t you let me tell him there and then?’
‘Because he said something very interesting. He asked me if I could persuade you to accept his offer to work for him permanently.’ Simone regarded Ronnie and sighed. ‘But you have not told me this.’
Ronnie’s chest tightened. ‘He only mentioned it yesterday as I was leaving.’
‘Surely that is important enough to discuss with your maman.’
‘I was going to, but I wanted to make a decision first. He asked me to think about it before giving an answer.’
‘You must know if you would like to work for this man … and do you not love animals?’
‘You know I do. If there wasn’t a war on I’d jump at the chance but …’ Oh, what the heck. She plunged in before she could change her mind. ‘Maman, I spoke to Raine this morning. We’re planning to go to London next week – spend the day together. Just her and me,’ she added quickly.
To her amazement her mother smiled. How beautiful she was. If only she would smile more often. Then Ronnie froze at her next words:
‘We can all three spend the day together. A mother and her two daughters. It will be wonderful.’
No, Maman. That’s not what I want at all. Blast it!
Ronnie tried to control the alarm she felt at Maman’s suggestion.
‘Véronique, why are you quiet? What is the day you will choose?’
‘Um, I’m not sure. Raine’s going to telephone this evening. She has to work something out with the other pilots.’
‘It must not be Friday,’ Maman warned. ‘I have promised to help Beatrice Mortimer at the Red Cross.’
They’d just finished supper when Raine rang. This time Ronnie managed to get to the phone.
‘Friday’s all arranged,’ Raine said. ‘I’ll meet you at Victoria Station at ten o’clock. It’s a direct line. But give yourself plenty of time in case of delays. All right?’
‘Yes, that’ll be perfect.’
‘What have you told Maman?’
‘Only that you and I want to have a day together. She immediately said how wonderful it will be for the three of us. Oh, Raine—’
She heard Raine heave a sigh. ‘Don’t worry. Leave it with me and put her on the phone.’
Five minutes later her mother appeared at the kitchen as Ronnie was washing the dishes.
‘It is so disappointing. Lorraine can only have the Friday for her day off. I said I am not able to come. But you may go with her. I expect you want to discuss the job with the vet.’ She looked Ronnie up and down and frowned. ‘I wish I had the money for you to buy a dress to wear to meet your sister in London. I cannot remember the last time I saw you looking pretty.’
‘A dress isn’t practical for my kind of life,’ Ronnie said, breathing out. She was actually going to spend some time with Raine whom she adored. They’d never done anything like this before. Maybe her sister would stop treating her like a kid when she told her about the interview with Mrs Hunter.
Ronnie gave an inward smile. Raine was in for a shock.
Chapter Four
Ronnie could hardly believe she was on the train from Bromley to Victoria Station with Maman’s blessing. Her heart was beating wildly. She’d made a special effort to look dressed-up, but not used to wearing a skirt her legs felt cold and she wished she’d worn thicker stockings. As usual, the train wasn’t heated and on top of that it was draughty, but nothing marred her anticipation at seeing Raine, and having the luxury of talking to her and asking her advice.
And there was Raine in her ATA uniform, her forage cap perched on the top of her dark head, running along the platform as the train juddered and steamed to a final halt. Ronnie, who was standing in the corridor, her coat still unbuttoned, pushed down the glazed door panel and felt outside for the handle. She swung back the heavy door and jumped down to the platform. She barely noticed the fumes and curling smoke as she threw her arms round her sister.
‘Raine! Oh, it’s so good to see you.’
Raine laughed and hugged her back. ‘I do believe you’ve grown, kid,’ she said.
‘Don’t call me “kid”,’ Ronnie said seriously. ‘I’ve got something important to tell you.’
‘Then let’s go and have a cup of tea in the station café,’ Raine said, linking her arm through Ronnie’s.
They were soon sharing a table with another couple who couldn’t keep their hands off one another. Ronnie badly wanted to laugh every time Raine rolled her eyes. Smothering her giggles she swiftly told Raine about the canal company, and while Raine’s eyes widened in surprise she didn’t interrupt until Ronnie had finished.
‘Mmm.’ Raine drained the last of her tea. ‘I can see why it would appeal to you. Personally, I’d hate it. It sounds too much like hard work. And I know something – Maman’s going to hate the sound of it even more than you going into the Land Army.’ She looked at Ronnie. ‘Where are we going?’
‘Southall. The interview’s at noon.’
Raine glanced at her watch and rose to her feet. ‘I’m not sure exactly where that is so we’d better get going.’ She paused. ‘By the way, Ronnie, darling, I’m coming to the interview with you.’ Ronnie opened her mouth but Raine cut her off. ‘No argument. Maman would never forgive me if I wasn’t there, and we don’t want to risk her wrath any more than we need.’ She chuckled. ‘And I need to see what you might be getting into. Don’t worry – I’ll keep out of it unless absolutely necessary.’
Ronnie shrugged and followed Raine out of the warm café. Deep down she was relieved her sister would be by her side.
It had been a long walk from the railway station at Southall to the Grand Union Canal Carrying Company’s offices, but eventually the two sisters came to an enormous yard filled with a flurry of workmen.
‘Can’t see any sign of a canal,’ Raine said.
What had she got into? Ronnie braced herself.
A woman in her forties, dressed in a frumpy tweed skirt and pale blue twinset, came towards Ronnie and Raine. She looked from one
to the other. ‘Veronica Linfoot?’
‘Véronique, actually, though I go by Ronnie.’ She extended her hand. ‘And this is my sister Lorraine.’
‘You haven’t come to volunteer as well?’ The woman eyed Raine up and down with a hopeful expression.
‘Oh, no.’ Raine took a step backwards.
‘No, of course not. Silly me. You have your pilot’s wings. Congratulations.’ She gestured for them to follow her, then waved towards two seats in front of an old battered desk in a windowless room and took the seat behind.
‘I’m Mrs Hunter, the supervisor, who wrote to you initially,’ she said, looking at Ronnie intently. She glanced at Raine again. ‘Actually, I’m glad you’ve come with your sister. She looks very young.’
‘I’m seventeen,’ Ronnie cut in abruptly.
Raine gave Ronnie a sharp look which she pretended not to notice.
‘Right. I’ll go through a few questions.’ Mrs Hunter regarded Ronnie with keen grey eyes. ‘First of all, why are you interested in working for us?’
The interview went on with Mrs Hunter reminding them it was a very responsible job which didn’t suit everyone. Raine occasionally interrupted with a question of her own, but mainly the two girls listened.
‘Can you swim?’ Mrs Hunter asked, her pen poised.
‘Oh, yes,’ Ronnie said enthusiastically. ‘I love swimming.’
‘We don’t take girls on if they can’t,’ the supervisor said firmly. ‘It’s too dangerous.’ She paused. ‘And your parents are happy about you working on the canals?’
Ronnie swallowed. ‘Our father died two years ago. He would have approved if that’s what I wanted.’
‘And your mother?’
‘Our mother just wants Véronique to be happy whatever she decides to do,’ Raine said with a smile.
If only that were true, Ronnie thought.
‘But as you’re not yet twenty-one we would require her permission in writing.’ Mrs Hunter removed her glasses.
Raine shot Ronnie a warning look.
‘I’ll be speaking to her,’ Raine said. ‘It won’t be a problem if I tell her I’m happy with all that you’ve told us.’