A Flight of Golden Wings

by Beryl Matthews

  Simon wrapped his arms around her and rocked her while she wept. ‘Does this mean you care about me?’

  ‘Care? Of course I care! I’m in love with you.’

  ‘Will you marry me, Lucy?’ he asked quietly.

  The tears dried up and she gazed at him. ‘Do you mean that?’

  ‘I most certainly do. I fell in love with you the first time I set eyes on you. So, what’s your answer?’

  ‘Yes, yes, please!’

  Jack winked at Ruth. ‘About time she admitted that. Now we can sort everything out at last.’

  ‘What do you mean by that?’ she asked as they made their way back to the Mess.

  ‘You’ll see,’ was all he said. Then he left her to take hold of his sister’s arm and guide her away so they could talk in private.

  Ruth stood beside Simon and smiled up at him, so relieved he had survived unscathed, and that he and Lucy were going to marry. ‘Congratulations, Simon.’

  ‘Thanks.’ He chuckled. ‘I had to nearly blow myself up before she admitted how she felt about me. I had to take advantage of the situation and ask her to marry me.’

  ‘It certainly did the job.’ Ruth turned her attention back to brother and sister. Jack was obviously explaining something to Lucy and she was nodding and laughing. ‘What are they up to?’ she asked Simon, puzzled.

  ‘Sorting out some family business, I expect.’

  The implications of Simon and Lucy marrying then hit Ruth hard. ‘Will you be going to America to open your flying school there?’

  ‘My plans are unchanged.’

  She chewed her lip anxiously. Lucy might not want to live here, but it sounded as if Simon had no intention of leaving. ‘It’s complicated, isn’t it?’

  ‘Not at all.’ Simon sounded quite confident. ‘Jack’s got everything in hand.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘You’ll see.’

  Ruth grimaced. ‘Not you as well, Simon. Jack’s just told me the same thing. I seem to be the only one who doesn’t know what’s going on.’

  ‘I know you’re worried Jack’s going to leave, Ruth, but whatever he’s planning, it will include you. The man’s crazy about you and he just wants everything tied up neatly before he says anything.’

  ‘I just wish he’d talk to me. We could sort out any problems together. You say he loves me, but not knowing for sure is making my imagination run riot. I’m being silly, I know that, but I do love him so much.’

  ‘He’s a man of few words, Ruth, we both know that, and it’s only natural you feel unsettled, but you can take it from me that you have nothing to be concerned about.’

  She nodded. ‘I’ll only relax when I hear that from Jack.’

  This was the longest letter Bet had ever received from her son. She had read it through at least a dozen times, and then sent a reply straight away. What he was suggesting frightened her, but they were her children and their happiness was all that mattered to her. She couldn’t be more pleased that Lucy was going to marry Simon, and she was excited about Jack’s plans. She prayed it would all work out for him. She rubbed a hand over her middle as it churned in apprehension. But they were asking a great deal of her.

  ‘Bet!’ Kathy, her neighbour, rushed in. ‘My boy’s on his way home and will be here within the next couple of weeks!’

  ‘That’s wonderful news.’

  Kathy was so excited she couldn’t sit still. ‘What about your two? When will they be home?’

  ‘They want to stay in England until the ATA is disbanded.’ Bet sighed and picked up the letter, already becoming dog-eared from constant handling. ‘They’ve been there a long time, especially Jack, and they’ve made new lives for themselves and many friends. There are big changes ahead for the Nelson family.’

  ‘But the war’s over.’ Kathy looked puzzled. ‘Don’t they want to come home?’

  Bet smiled brightly, hiding her apprehension, not prepared to discuss this with anyone just yet. ‘There’s a couple of romances going on there, so they have a lot to sort out first. Lucy is going to marry Simon, and I’m hoping Jack and Ruth will marry.’

  ‘How exciting! That will be worth waiting a bit longer for, won’t it?’

  ‘Yes, it will, and I’ll be seeing them before the end of the year for sure. Now, tell me what your letter says.’

  A week later, Ruth was no wiser about Jack’s plans. Even Lucy wouldn’t tell her, but how she was managing to keep her mouth shut was a mystery. She was bubbling with happiness.

  ‘Won’t it be great to be part of Simon’s flying school, Ruth? As soon as the ATA don’t want us any more we can concentrate on getting it up and running.’

  This was a good opening for Ruth as Lucy was talking freely. ‘How do you feel about living here permanently? Won’t you miss your home, your mother and Jack?’

  ‘This is my home now, Ruth.’ Lucy hesitated, obviously censoring her words before she spoke. ‘And of course I want to see Mom again … Ah, here’s Simon and Jack.’ Lucy rushed out to meet them.

  Ruth fumed. She could strangle the three of them. They were keeping secrets from her, but she was damned if she’d ask Jack what he thought he was up to in case his plans didn’t include her. That would be too embarrassing. But there was hope in her heart now. Lucy was staying here so there was a chance that Jack would stay too. Jack had given no indication that he intended to leave her and return to America for good. In fact, quite the opposite: he was even more affectionate and attentive, but still he said nothing about their future. If they did both make their home here then what would they do about their mother? Ruth recognised that this was a real dilemma for them.

  She heard Lucy ask Jack if he’d heard from their mother, as she opened the front door to them. Then Jack’s deep voice saying something Ruth couldn’t hear.

  When they walked into the kitchen they were all looking pleased with themselves. This was too much for Ruth and she couldn’t stop herself saying, ‘I think it’s about time you told me what’s going on. And don’t stand there looking innocent. If you’re planning something that doesn’t include me, then all right!’ She glared at Jack. ‘We’ve been together a long time and I have a right to know if you’re going to stay, Jack.’

  ‘I haven’t treated you right, have I, honey?’ He placed a hand on her shoulder. ‘It’s all sorted out at last, so will you give me one more day and I’ll explain everything?’

  ‘One more day?’

  ‘Yep, be on the airfield at eight tomorrow morning. I’ve got a surprise for you.’

  ‘Why can’t you tell me now?’ She couldn’t understand this delay. Why the continued secrecy?

  ‘This isn’t the time or the place for what I want to do. Will you let me do this the way I’ve planned?’

  ‘Knowing you, Jack, I don’t suppose I have any choice. I hope it’s a nice surprise.’

  ‘So do I.’

  It was a strange answer, but she had to be satisfied with that. He would tell her what was on his mind when he was ready, and not a moment before. It was her own fault for falling in love with such a complex man, but she wouldn’t change him for the world.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  ‘Lucy!’ Ruth searched the little house, but there was no sign of her friend so she assumed she’d left early to go out with Simon. They had a couple of days off and the weather was good; they were probably taking advantage of the free time. Jack had asked her to go to the airfield this morning and she was curious to find out what he was being so secretive about. She couldn’t imagine why they had to be at the airfield before he could tell her about his future plans. But there was only one way to find out …

  When she arrived he was standing by an Anson, and she walked towards him. ‘Are you working today?’

  He shook his head, looking rather nervous. He took hold of her hands and pulled her towards him. ‘It was aircraft that brought us together, so I thought this would be the appropriate place.’

  She frowned, wondering what on earth he
was on about. This was the first time she had ever seen him looking anything but confident.

  ‘When we first met I promised to take you to Paris and buy you a new frock for the one I ruined. That’s where we’re going today …’ He paused. ‘But you’ll have to buy one that you can wear at our wedding.’

  At first, the words she had longed to hear from him didn’t register properly. Then she gasped. ‘Our wedding?’

  Now he looked worried. ‘You do want us to be married, don’t you? I hope you do, honey, because I’m staying and I’m never going to let you go.’

  She laughed and threw her arms around him. ‘Of course I do, you idiot, but I’ve never been sure that’s what you wanted. I do love you so much, Jack Nelson!’

  ‘Great!’ He was relaxed and smiling now. ‘Get in the plane, honey, we’ve got some shopping to do.’

  She climbed in, still laughing. It hadn’t been much of a proposal, but that was Jack, and she loved him just the way he was.

  ‘He’s finally got around to it then?’

  ‘Lucy! I wondered where you’d got to this morning.’

  ‘Oh, I just had to get out of your way or else I’d have spilt everything. Jack was determined to propose at the airfield.’ Lucy wiggled in delight. ‘I didn’t know my brother had such a romantic streak in him.’

  ‘Neither did I,’ Ruth agreed, as she strapped herself in, then she reached out and took hold of Lucy’s hand. ‘I was so afraid he would go home and I’d never see him again.’

  ‘Not a chance! That brother of mine is crazy about you, and has been from the moment he saw you. He’s never told you that, huh?’

  ‘Never.’ The plane began to taxi and Ruth looked at the front seats. Simon and Jack were in uniform, making this an official flight. There was also some cargo on the plane, but as this was a day off, Lucy and Ruth were wearing ordinary clothes. ‘What’s your mother going to say about both her children marrying and staying in this country?’

  ‘She’s over the moon.’

  ‘What?’ This was certainly turning out to be a morning of surprises. ‘You mean she already knows?’

  ‘She doesn’t know you’ve accepted Jack’s proposal yet, but we knew you would.’ Lucy looked smug.

  Ruth sat back. ‘All right, you’d better tell me all about it.’

  ‘Well, Jack loves being here, and he loves you, Ruth. He might not say it in words, but I know my brother, and he can’t leave you. He knew I loved Simon even before I did, so he then had the dilemma of what to do about our mom. We both want to stay here because this is where our future is, but that wouldn’t be fair on Mom. It would break her heart if we were so far away. Jack came up with a plan, but didn’t know if she would even consider it.’ Lucy beamed. ‘But she has. Our mom sure has guts.’

  ‘What’s she going to do?’

  ‘Come and live here, of course.’

  Ruth was stunned. ‘You mean she will leave her home and come and live in a strange country?’

  Lucy shrieked. ‘It isn’t so strange … well, not much, and she’ll soon get used to it. We did.’

  ‘Suppose she hates it here?’ Ruth considered this a tremendous step for Bet to take.

  ‘She won’t, but if by any chance she gets too homesick, Jack will take her back and see she’s OK. Mom’s only going to rent out her house until she’s settled, and then consider selling it, if she’s happy here.’

  Ruth nodded. ‘That’s wise. When is she coming? I can’t wait to meet her.’

  ‘It might take a couple of months to deal with everything, so we thought it would be wise if we left the weddings until December. She’ll be here by then.’

  Even the weddings had been arranged, Ruth thought wryly, but she didn’t care. It wouldn’t be right to go ahead until Bet arrived, and December was just fine with her. ‘Are we having a double wedding?’

  ‘Not likely!’ Lucy was horrified. ‘You can marry after us.’

  ‘Oh, thanks.’

  ‘Think nothing of it.’ Lucy peered out of the window. ‘Do you think we’ll be able to buy clothes in Paris yet?’

  ‘I doubt it, but it will be fun trying.’

  The plane banked as Simon made his approach to the airfield, and they were soon on the ground.

  After seeing that the cargo was unloaded, they headed for the city in a Jeep that Jack had managed to borrow.

  The place was full of servicemen, all enjoying the late summer sun, and it was surprising to see how quickly things were returning to normal. They had a drink in a cafe by the Seine and then set off to have a good look around.

  Ruth walked beside Jack and looked up at him. ‘Lucy tells me we’re getting married in December.’

  The corners of Jack’s mouth twitched. ‘I’ve made a lousy job of this, haven’t I, honey?’

  ‘I’m not complaining. I was afraid I was going to lose you as soon as the war was over.’

  He stopped walking and stared at her in amazement. ‘Not a chance! There is no way I would risk losing you. I’ve been in love with you ever since you snarled at me for spoiling your frock.’

  ‘Do you know, that’s the first time you’ve ever said you love me.’

  ‘Is it?’ He shook his head, puzzled. ‘But I’ve shown you all the time how I feel about you. Actions speak louder than words.’ He kissed her nose, eyes glowing. ‘And I’ll show you again tonight. We’re booked into a cosy little hotel.’

  ‘Are we staying the night?’

  ‘Sure, this is going to be a romantic two days for all of us.’ He took hold of her hands. ‘I know you’ve been wondering what the hell I intended to do, but I couldn’t say anything until I knew if Ma would come over here.’

  ‘And if she hadn’t agreed?’ Ruth asked quietly.

  ‘Then I would have had to return to America, but I’d have come back for you, hopefully bringing Ma with me. I can’t live the rest of my life without you, honey.’

  ‘You’ve had quite a lot to work out, haven’t you?’

  He nodded and took a deep breath. ‘But it’s all turned out fine, thank the Lord.’

  ‘Come on, you two,’ Lucy called. ‘Don’t stand on the sidewalk blocking everyone’s way.’

  ‘We’re coming.’ Jack took hold of Ruth’s arm as they strode towards the others. ‘About a December wedding, honey: you can choose a different time if you like, but we want Ma here first. She’d never forgive us if we married before she got here.’

  ‘Of course she must be here. I wouldn’t have it any other way.’ Ruth nestled close to him as they walked along. ‘December will be perfect.’

  As Bet gazed around her home, emotion welled up in her. Her husband, John, had died suddenly when the children were so young. They’d moved into this house only a few months earlier, and she had been determined to make it the home they’d dreamt of. It had been a struggle, but she’d managed it by working two jobs, one while the children had been in school, and another three evenings a week. Kathy had been a good friend all through those years, and still was. Once Jack and Lucy were earning, they’d pitched in, and five years ago the house had been paid for. Leaving it was going to be tough, but she wouldn’t sell it. And leaving her friends was going to be just as hard, but her children weren’t coming back, and she had to be near them. With both of them marrying she might soon be a grandmother. How could she not be close enough to visit?

  A tear trickled down her cheek and she brushed it away in disgust. Don’t be so stupid, she told herself. It’s just a house.

  Kathy rushed into the kitchen. ‘Bet, you remember Paula?’

  ‘Sure, she’s the little girl Al was dating before he went in the army.’

  ‘He’s just told me she’s waited for him and they’re going to get married. Isn’t that wonderful?’

  ‘Oh, Kathy, I’m so pleased.’ Al had only been home for a couple of weeks and was already back working with his beloved horses. She was so happy for her friend. Then an idea came to her. ‘Where are they going to live?’

  ‘
That’s a problem. As they both work at the stud they’ll have to find somewhere in this area, but there doesn’t seem to be much around to rent at the moment.’

  ‘Would they like to rent this house from me?’ Bet saw the surprise on her friend’s face, as they hadn’t discussed Bet’s plans yet. ‘Jack and Lucy aren’t coming home, Kathy. They’ve asked me to join them in England.’

  ‘What?’ Kathy sat down with a thump, lost for words.

  For the next hour Bet told her friend all the news.

  ‘Oh, my, I’m sure going to miss you, but if I were in your place, I’d do the same. You make sure you write every week.’

  ‘I promise. Now, do you think Al and Paula would like to live here?’

  ‘I’m sure they’d love it. When are you leaving?’

  ‘I’ve got to let Jack know when everything’s settled here, and then he’s going to book me a passage on a boat.’

  ‘What an adventure you’ll have! You must be pleased Ruth and Simon are marrying your two.’

  ‘I am, and it will be lovely to meet them at last. Although I already feel as if I know them.’

  ‘I’m sure you’ll all be very happy.’ Kathy tugged at Bet’s arm. ‘Come on, let’s go and tell Al about the house. They’ll take good care of it for you, Bet.’

  ‘I know they will.’ She was relieved. It was an ideal solution. She hadn’t liked the idea of strangers living in her house.

  It was late October before Bet was on her way. Not the best time to make the crossing, but she discovered that she was a good sailor and didn’t suffer from seasickness like many other passengers. She was excited about seeing her children again, and to meet Ruth and Simon at last, but there was also a gnawing worry.

  Bet leant on the rail and watched the grey, churning sea. It mirrored her anxiety perfectly. She had never been out of America before, and here she was, on her way to make her home in a new country. It was a country her children loved, but would she feel the same? Was she doing the right thing? Jack had been enthusiastic about the life they were planning for themselves, but he’d assured her that if she really hated it in England he would see she got back to America and was all right. She knew she could trust him. For all his restlessness as he’d been growing up, if he said he would do something then he did. He would always go out of his way to be sure he never went back on his word. Her children couldn’t be more different. Lucy poured out her hopes and fears, but Jack kept everything to himself until whatever was troubling him was resolved, and only then would he talk about it.