by Lily Baxter
‘I should hope I do.’ Susan found the napkins, folded them neatly and put them on the tray with two small knives. ‘Shall I take this in, or will you?’
‘Can’t you see I’m busy? If I burn the onions it’ll ruin the dish.’ She poured boiling water onto the tea leaves in the warmed pot. ‘Here, don’t forget the tea, silly girl.’
Susan carried the tray carefully to the drawing room, pushing the door open with her foot. It would have been physically impossible to knock and she went straight in, but she came to a sudden halt at the sight of Elspeth in the arms of a man in uniform. She hesitated, not knowing quite what to do, but the sound of the teacups rattling on their saucers and the teaspoons clinking against bone china caused the couple to break apart.
Elspeth flushed angrily. ‘You should knock before entering a room, you stupid girl.’
The young officer turned round and his smile froze. His eyes widened in surprise. ‘Susan.’
‘Colin.’ She almost dropped the heavy tray.
He hurried forward to take it from her. ‘What on earth are you doing here?’
‘You know each other?’ For once Elspeth sounded unsure of herself. ‘Colin?’
He placed the tray on a Georgian-style coffee table. ‘We met in London at Christmas,’ he said, apparently unabashed. ‘Susan was staying with my friend’s family in Swiss Cottage.’
‘Really?’ Elspeth raised a delicate eyebrow. ‘And now she’s living at the pub and working for me. How did that come about? I don’t suppose you had anything to do with her moving down here, Colin?’
He blew her a kiss. ‘Jealous, darling?’
Ignoring him, Elspeth glared at Susan. ‘Well? Perhaps you’d like to enlighten me?’
Susan clasped her hands tightly behind her back. She felt as though she had entered a strange world, like Alice when she had tumbled down the rabbit hole. She half expected the Mad Hatter to rush into the room and pop the dormouse into the teapot. She gazed helplessly at Colin. ‘It’s complicated,’ she murmured.
‘Never mind the details,’ he said, giving her his most charming smile. ‘It’s super to see you again, Susan. We must catch up soon. Does Tony know you’re here?’
‘Yes, I saw him last night at the pub.’
‘Which pub would that be? There are plenty to choose from in Hamble.’
‘She’s staying with the Fullers at the Victorious,’ Elspeth said impatiently. ‘And now she’s working for me. That will be all for now, Susan. I think it’s time you went home.’
‘Yes, Mrs Peterson.’ Susan hurried from the room. She was more shocked by what she had just witnessed than she could have imagined. Elspeth was pretending outraged innocence because she suspected her husband of infidelity when in fact she was behaving just as badly with Colin. Susan could not even begin to imagine what poor Morag, the faithful Highland lassie, would say if she ever found out that Colin was two-timing her. She was halfway to the kitchen when he caught up with her.
‘Susan, wait.’
She stopped, rounding on him angrily. ‘What do you want?’
‘It’s not how it seems.’
‘It’s none of my business.’
He caught her by the hand. ‘Look, Susan. We’re all grownups. You know how it is.’
‘No,’ she said coldly. ‘I’m afraid I don’t. You made up to me on Christmas Eve, and then you told me that you’ve got a sweetheart in Scotland. Now I find you messing about with a married woman.’
‘Charmingly put.’ He squeezed her fingers. ‘Come on, love. It was just a bit of fun. I’ve been helping Elspeth tune up the engine on the Moth, and things got a bit out of hand. There’s nothing going on between us.’
Suddenly it all made sense. ‘And you were here yesterday too.’
His smile faltered for a moment but he made a quick recovery. ‘Yes, I was. But I can assure you that we’re just friends. Surely you can understand that.’
‘I’m not certain that I do.’
‘Well, you’re just a kid. You haven’t seen much of the world, but let me tell you that a kiss or two means nothing.’
‘Not to you anyway. I’m just beginning to realise that.’
‘Our evening out was just a bit of fun, I thought you understood that. If you didn’t then I obviously gave you credit for being more of an adult than you really are.’
‘Colin. Where are you?’
At the sound of Elspeth’s voice Colin released Susan and backed away. ‘I’m sure I can trust you to be discreet. Forget what you just saw, and I won’t tell Tony that you were up for it at Christmas.’
‘You rotter.’ Susan clenched her fists. ‘If I were a man I’d knock your blooming block off.’
His laughter echoed round the entrance hall as he strolled back towards the drawing room. Susan rushed into the flower room and ran the tap, dousing her hot cheeks with cold water at the butler’s sink. She felt sullied by his coarse remark. In his eyes she was no better than Connie Makepeace. She experienced a sudden rush of sympathy for the girl with the dubious reputation. It only took a man like Colin to make scurrilous remarks and a young woman could be ruined. She dried her hands and face and went to retrieve her jacket from the cloakroom. She had taken to wearing her old school mac and leaving the fur that Dave had given her in the wardrobe, and she was glad now that she had chosen to brave the cold rather than be seen in a garment that she could never have afforded to buy for herself. In her former sheltered existence she could never have imagined that people could be as judgemental or as cruel to someone less well off than themselves. She set out for home, pedalling hard as the wind whipped across the flat land surrounding the Hamble estuary.
She did not mention the incident to Roz. Somehow she could not bring herself to admit that Colin was a heartless charmer, or that he and Elspeth were on the brink of an affair. It might make Roz feel a bit better about her relationship with Patrick but it had occurred to Susan during the chilly bike ride that perhaps the Petersons had what might be called an open marriage. She had read about such arrangements, particularly amongst the smart set. It was just possible that Patrick and Elspeth were amusing themselves, and if their peccadilloes became common knowledge they would abandon their lovers. Susan did not think that Colin would suffer too much but she knew that Roz would be brokenhearted as well as publicly humiliated. She decided to say nothing.
There was an air raid that night and everyone, including Charlie, hurried to the shelter in the pub garden. Luckily it happened fairly early on and the bar was quiet, otherwise they would have been packed into the small space like sardines. Always the generous host, Bob had been prepared for such eventualities and had thoughtfully provided a keg of bitter and a crate of lemonade, and soon a party atmosphere prevailed. To Susan’s intense relief there was no sign of Patrick, and Roz seemed to be in an exceptionally good mood, leading the singing in ‘Run Rabbit Run’ and ‘Kiss Me Goodnight Sergeant Major’. When the all clear sounded everyone trooped back into the building.
‘What’s the matter?’ Roz demanded, catching Susan by the sleeve as she was about to retire to the peace and quiet of the kitchen. ‘You look down in the mouth.’
‘I’m just tired,’ Susan said truthfully. ‘But you look like the cat that’s got the cream.’
Roz drew her aside, lowering her voice. ‘This is strictly between you and me, but I’ve had the most wonderful afternoon ever.’
‘You’ve been with him?’
‘Shh!’ Roz placed her finger on her lips, glancing round anxiously. ‘A certain someone has got the keys to a darling little cottage on the river bank not far from here. Apparently it’s hers, but she never uses it. It was sheer heaven, Susan.’
‘You will be careful, won’t you, Roz?’
She tossed her head, chuckling. ‘Careful is my middle name. By the way, I’m starving. Do you think you could rustle up something tasty again tonight?’
‘Yes, of course.’ Susan managed to smile but her heart was heavy as she made her way to the kitchen
.
The next day she had just arrived at the Petersons’ house and was taking off her hat and coat when Elspeth appeared at her elbow, smiling broadly. Susan wondered if it was the smile on the face of the tiger before it ate its victim.
‘Susan. Just the person I wanted to see.’
Now for it, Susan thought, holding her breath. She’s going to sack me. In some ways it would be a blessed relief to be free from the Petersons’ complicated lives, but on the other hand she needed the money. She exhaled sharply. ‘Yes, Mrs Peterson.’
Elspeth beamed at her. ‘I always keep my promises, Susan. Come with me.’ Without waiting for an answer she led the way out of the house, walking quickly through the stable yard and across a lawned area leading to a paddock, on the far side of which Susan could just make out what looked like a hangar-sized barn situated next to a wooden chalet. Above them the sky was winter blue with barely a cloud in sight. It was cool rather than cold and there was a tang of salt in the air mingled with the resinous scent of pine from the distant woods. Elspeth took a key from the pocket of her dungarees and opened the door. ‘This is my hideaway,’ she said proudly. ‘Come in.’
Baffled and still a little nervous, Susan followed her into the room. The slatted wooden walls were covered in framed photographs of aeroplanes and pictures of Elspeth wearing a variety of outfits from a pilot’s Sidcot flying suit to a glamorous ball gown. ‘This is my little Swiss chalet,’ she said with a girlish giggle. ‘This is where I change into my flying gear.’ She waved her hand at a pile of garments laid out on a low couch. ‘I’ve got a spare, thanks to my connections with the gallant boys in the RAF. Try one on for size, Susan.’
‘You’re joking.’
‘No, dear. As I said, I keep my promises and you undoubtedly will keep yours.’ Elspeth’s expression changed. ‘You know when to keep that pretty mouth shut, don’t you, Susan?’
‘I’m not sure about this. Perhaps I ought to get back to the house and start work.’
‘Nonsense. I said I’d take you up in the Moth, so stop prevaricating and put on the damned Sidcot. I don’t want you to freeze to death up there.’
Half an hour later they were soaring above the Hamble estuary with Elspeth at the controls and Susan seated behind her in a rapturous daze. Suddenly her dream of flying had come true. Her reservations had vanished the moment she climbed into the fragile-looking aeroplane, and her heart had lifted the moment they took off. She felt like a bird; she felt free. Elspeth was a surprisingly good pilot. She had dropped the airs and graces and become a true professional. Susan could not help but be impressed. Flying was everything that she had imagined it to be and more. As they soared upwards in the vast expanse of blue sky she felt that she was close to heaven. Down below was a patchwork of fields, farms and wooded areas. The River Hamble twisted like a silver ribbon and the buildings below them looked like doll’s houses. In the distance she could see the grey expanse of the city and as they turned back towards home she could see Southampton Water and the outline of the Isle of Wight.
All too soon Elspeth indicated that they were going to land, but suddenly the engine began to cough and splutter like a bronchitic old man, and they were losing height rapidly. Susan held on, too terrified even to cry out as the land rushed closer and closer. She could see people below them, cattle in the fields, a horse pulling a farm cart, and then they scraped over a stand of trees. They were so close that she could have reached out and picked a bare twig. She closed her eyes.
‘Hold on, Susan,’ Elspeth screamed. ‘I’m going to crash land.’
There was a rush of air, the engine screamed – or was it herself who had let out that animal-like howl? Susan had read enough in the aircraft manual to know how to assume the crash position. This is it, she thought as the air was sucked from her lungs. This is the end of my flying career. I’m going to die.
Chapter Thirteen
‘My God, it’s Susan.’
Dimly she heard a familiar voice, but the darkness still held her firmly in its grasp.
‘Susan, can you hear me? Susan.’
It was warm and safe where she was. If she opened her eyes she would have to acknowledge the pain in her legs, in her back, in her head.
‘Carefully, man. She might have broken bones.’
‘Shut up, Danny. I’ve got to get her out. Where are the bloody medics?’
She could hear a bell ringing. She was being lifted bodily from the plane. She opened her eyes. ‘Elspeth?’
‘She’s okay, which is a downright miracle.’ Tony had his arms around her and someone else was holding her legs as they eased her from the damaged Tiger Moth.
Gradually, bit by bit like the pieces in a jigsaw puzzle, she was beginning to remember what had happened. ‘We crashed,’ she murmured. ‘Is the Moth all right?’
‘Trust you to think of the plane first,’ Tony said grimly as they laid her on the ground. ‘It’s nothing that can’t be fixed. Luckily for you, Elspeth had the sense to head for the airfield. She made a pretty good shot at a crash landing, or else you two would have bought it.’
Susan attempted to sit up but Tony shook his head. ‘Wait until the medics have checked you over. You’ve got a lump the size of an egg on your forehead, but I don’t think anything’s broken.’ He glanced up at Danny. ‘How’s Elspeth?’
‘Colin’s with her. He’s playing Florence Nightingale, after a fashion.’ Danny pulled a face. ‘He doesn’t need an excuse to lay his hands on an attractive female.’ He winked at Susan. ‘Glad to see that you’re still with us, Susan. You gave us a hell of a fright just now.’
Tony rose to his feet as a medical orderly rushed from the ambulance.
‘I’ll take over now, chaps.’ The medic knelt down beside her. ‘Got any pain, love?’
She shook her head. ‘I ache everywhere but I don’t think I’ve broken any bones.’
‘We’ll just give you a quick check over.’ After a brief examination he helped her to a sitting position. ‘We’ll let the doctor give you a once over seeing as how you’ve had a nasty bang on the head, but I’d say you and the other lady have been very lucky.’ He beckoned to Tony. ‘Give us a hand, sir. We’ll get the young lady into the ambulance and take her to the medical centre. I’d be happier if the doctor took a look at her because of the head injury. Otherwise, she seems fine.’
Between them Tony and the orderly helped Susan to her feet. She was dazed and a bit shaky but she managed to walk to the ambulance. Elspeth had arrived ahead of them and was seated next to Colin with a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. She was pale and there was a cut on her chin, but she seemed none the worse for the accident. She gave Susan a calculating glance. ‘Are you okay?’
‘Yes, Mrs Peterson. I’m fine.’
‘We’ll let the medical officer be the judge of that, miss,’ the orderly said, helping Susan into the ambulance.
‘You two girls were very lucky,’ Colin said, frowning.
‘It was not luck,’ Elspeth said sharply. ‘It was excellent piloting. I made a textbook crash landing, and you know it.’
His expression softened. ‘Do you want me to telephone Patrick and tell him to collect you?’
‘No, don’t do that.’ Elspeth treated him to a smile. ‘I expect there’ll be a lot of paperwork to fill out. You know what I mean, darling. A civilian plane crashing onto a military airfield and all that. I suppose we’re lucky we weren’t suspected of being spies and arrested.’
‘All right then, Elspeth, you win.’ Colin was about to climb from the vehicle but Elspeth linked her hand through his arm.
‘Help me down, darling. I’ve got to make sure they’re handling the Moth properly.’
‘Don’t be silly, Elspeth. You’re more important than a bloody plane.’
Her delicately pencilled eyebrows drew together in a menacing frown. ‘Help me down now or I’ll jump.’
‘Really, ma’am,’ the orderly said anxiously, ‘the First Officer is only thinking of your own good.’
She shot him a withering look. ‘I’m not a child, corporal.’ Slowly and with obvious pain she slithered off the seat, and still clinging to Colin’s arm she managed to get out of the ambulance. She drew her hand free, shaking her head when he protested. ‘Stop fussing. I’m absolutely fine.’ Squaring her shoulders she marched off towards the damaged aircraft.
‘Hell’s bells,’ Colin muttered beneath his breath. ‘Bloody woman.’ He strode off after her.
Susan made an almost involuntary movement to rise but Tony pushed her back onto the seat. ‘Don’t even think about it. Let them take you to the medical centre. I’ll come over later and make sure you’re okay. Then we’ll see about getting you home.’
‘I’m supposed to be working at the Petersons’,’ Susan said anxiously. ‘I should get back there straight away.’
‘You won’t be doing anything of the sort today, and maybe not tomorrow either. We’ll see what the doc says.’ Tony backed away as the orderly climbed in beside Susan and closed the doors.
‘You’ll be fine, miss. Don’t worry.’
An hour later, having had a thorough examination and a cup of hot sweet tea in the medical centre, Susan was given the all clear by the doctor but told to rest and take things easy for a day or two. Tony had left her sitting in the outer office while he went off to arrange transport to take her home. She had not seen Elspeth since she stormed off to inspect the damage, and she was wondering whether she ought to go looking for her when the door opened and Elspeth strode in, followed by a harassed-looking warrant officer.
‘Don’t tell me what I can and can’t do,’ she said angrily. ‘My father is a personal friend of Gerard d’Erlanger and Sir Francis Shelmerdine. I want my aeroplane repaired and I want it done now.’
‘But, ma’am, there’s a war on. This is a military airfield now. We don’t handle civilian aircraft.’
‘Don’t you?’ Elspeth snatched the receiver off the telephone. ‘We’ll see about that. Hello. Give me an outside line.’ She listened to the operator’s response with growing impatience. ‘Then put me through to Cyril Colby at Colby Enterprises. Blasted red tape.’ She waited for the connection, tapping her foot and drumming her long, scarlet fingernails on the desktop. ‘Daddy. Hello, it’s me. Look, darling, I’m having a bit of bother with a little man at the airfield.’