Together Under the Stars

by Beryl Matthews

  ‘I’ve no idea. All we know is what the news has reported, so we will have to wait and see.’

  Rick nodded and glanced along the corridor at Nancy, who was sitting on her kitbag, head resting back and eyes closed. ‘I don’t think that girl likes us.’

  ‘I think she just wants to be alone.’

  ‘Why? Do you think we embarrass her?’ Luke frowned.

  ‘I’m sure it isn’t that. Take a good look at her and tell me what you see,’ Steve suggested.

  ‘Well, she’s a pretty girl, but sitting there as if she’s unhappy.’

  ‘Unhappy is not quite the right word. She appears to be stand-offish because she’s hurting and doesn’t want anyone to see her pain. I would hazard a guess that someone she loves has just been killed.’

  ‘I’ve noticed you have the ability to sum people up quickly, so I believe you.’ Luke sighed. ‘Do you think it was one of the aircrew?’

  ‘Maybe, but it’s only speculation. However, watch what you say and do around her.’

  ‘You could be wrong and she just doesn’t want anything to do with boisterous Canadians.’

  Ricky pulled a face at Luke. ‘That’s more than likely. Pity, though, because she seems a nice girl.’

  ‘Where is Sandy?’ Steve asked, changing the subject.

  ‘Talking to some soldiers further along the corridor. I don’t know if he wants to come with us or go straight to the West End.’

  ‘Why don’t you two go and ask him?’

  Luke nodded agreement. ‘I expect he’ll want to stick with us, and we could all visit there tomorrow.’

  Before they had time to move Sandy appeared next to them.

  ‘Ah, just the person we want. We’re going with Steve to Woolwich first. Do you want to come with us?’

  ‘Sure. We’ve got time.’

  ‘We’re stopping!’ Ricky had his head out of the window to see what was going on. ‘There are women handing out refreshments. Hey, ma’am, what does WVS stand for?’

  A woman came up to the window. ‘Women’s Voluntary Service, young man. You’re going to be stuck here for a while, so would you like tea?’

  ‘Yes, please, ma’am. There are four of us here. We’ve got some English money, so how much?’

  ‘Nothing for those in the services, son. I’ll be back in a minute.’

  Ricky popped his head back and grinned. ‘What do you think of that? They are giving all military personnel free refreshments if they want it.’

  When the woman returned, they opened the door and took the tea from her.

  ‘Do you want something to eat, as well?’ she asked. ‘We do have some spam sandwiches.’

  ‘No thank you, ma’am,’ Steve replied. ‘We have food with us. Do you know why we have stopped?’

  ‘They are doing repairs further down the line. We’ve been told the delay should be about an hour.’

  He thanked the woman and closed the door, and when his friends started talking to a couple of sailors, Steve edged his way to where Nancy was sitting. She hadn’t moved. He stooped down and touched her arm gently, and when her eyes opened he handed her the tea. ‘I thought you might like this.’

  ‘Oh, thanks.’ She took it from him and sipped the hot brew appreciatively. ‘That’s good.’

  ‘We are going to be stuck here for about an hour for repairs on the line ahead.’

  She just nodded and finished the drink.

  ‘Would you like another one?’

  ‘No thanks, that was just what I needed.’ She dredged up a smile. ‘We’ll need to change trains at King’s Cross. I’ll let you know when we get there, and then I’ll show you where to get the train to Woolwich.’

  ‘That would be helpful.’ He removed the empty mug from her hands and asked, ‘Is there anything else I can do for you?’

  She shook her head. ‘That is thoughtful of you, but there isn’t anything you can do to help me through a painful home­coming.’

  ‘Do you want to talk about it?’ When she didn’t answer he began to rise. ‘I know it’s none of my business.’

  ‘It was my brother,’ she blurted out when he was almost standing. Steve sat back down. ‘He was a Lancaster pilot, like you, and three days ago he didn’t return. He was seen to go down with no chance of anyone getting out. One of the Lancasters circled looking for parachutes, but there weren’t any.’

  ‘Where was he based?’

  ‘Same as we are.’

  His heart ached for her, and he could imagine the anguish she had suffered waiting for a plane that never arrived. ‘What was his name?’

  ‘Dan. He was so young.’ She glanced up at him, her eyes brimming with tears. ‘You all are.’

  ‘Will you be asking for a transfer after your leave?’

  ‘No, I won’t run away. We won’t survive by running at the first sign of loss and tragedy. We must win this war or all the sacrifices will have been for nothing.’ She sat up straight, determination written on her face. ‘I’ll do what I have to do.’

  ‘Yes, we all will.’ He gave a slight smile, which she answered in the same way. ‘The enemy has already lost the battle, although they won’t admit it. This war is coming to an end, Nancy.’

  ‘Let us pray it is. Thank you for talking to me like this. It has helped. Now, why don’t you go and get yourself some tea. I’ll find you when we are nearly there.’

  He unwound himself from the floor, smiled at her, and went back to where his friends were standing.

  ‘You had quite a chat,’ Luke remarked the moment he reached them. ‘What did she say?’

  ‘She’ll come and let us know when we reach our destina­tion,’ was all he said, leaning out of the window to catch the attention of a WVS woman. ‘Any chance of another tea, ma’am?’

  ‘I’ll get you one, young man. You Americans ask so nicely by calling us ma’am.’

  Ricky squeezed his head out of the same window. ‘We’re Canadian, ma’am.’

  ‘Oh, I do beg your pardon. I can only see your head and your accent fooled me. Step out for a moment so I can see you properly. I don’t want to make the same mistake again.’

  Luke opened the carriage door and stepped onto the platform, followed by his friends, and then pointed to the name on his shoulder.

  She studied all of them with care and when her eyes rested on the badges on their jackets she nodded. ‘Now I can see the difference. I hope you will forgive me.’

  ‘Of course, it is just this is the second time today we have been mistaken for Americans and I couldn’t help mentioning it.’

  ‘I understand.’ She smiled at Steve and Ricky. ‘I’ll get tea for all of you, shall I?’

  They didn’t get the tea because at that moment a guard blew a whistle and waved a flag, urging them all back to the train. As it began to move again, they waved to the women and called their thanks, then settled down for the rest of the journey.

  Steve found enough space to sit on the floor, leant his head back and closed his eyes.

  Steve woke to someone tugging at his arm, and opened his eyes to see Nancy and his friends trying to pull him up. ‘What?’

  ‘For goodness’ sake wake up, Steve. Nancy said we’ve got to get off here and catch another train.’

  ‘Oh, right.’ He stood up and slung his bag over his shoulder.

  ‘You were sound asleep,’ Nancy remarked. ‘How can you do that on a crowded, moving train?’

  ‘He could sleep on a clothes line,’ Ricky told her, shaking his head and laughing. ‘On the way over we hit a nasty storm. The ship was rolling all over the place and Steve was fast asleep. Nothing seems to bother him.’

  ‘And that’s the reason we want to fly with him,’ Luke pointed out. ‘Even if half the plane was missing, he’d still calmly find a way to fly it.’

  ‘So, are you getting the same train as us?’ Steve asked, quickly changing the subject when he saw Nancy wince at the mention of damaged planes.

  ‘No, I catch a different one. Come with me and
I’ll show you the platform you need.’

  They followed her, and after she had found out when the next train to Woolwich was due, she forced a smile. ‘Enjoy your leave. When you get there a policeman should be able to direct you to the address you want.’ She hesitated. ‘Have your parents heard from their friend recently?’

  ‘Not for some time. That’s why they’ve asked me to come and see him.’

  ‘You do realise this part of London has been badly hit, don’t you? He might not be there now. What line of work is he in?’

  ‘He works at the docks. I know,’ he said when he saw her expression change. ‘But we are hoping it might just be the unpredictable mail service. We want to know if he is all right.’

  She smiled up at him. ‘Good luck. I hope you find him.’

  He nodded, returning the smile. ‘We’ll see you back at base?’

  ‘Yes. Enjoy yourselves.’

  ‘Oh, we will.’ Ricky told her, a huge grin on his face.

  They waved to Nancy as she walked away.

  The train arrived on time and at Woolwich they hurried out of the station, eager to see some of London. ‘Come on, let’s find this place.’

  Ricky glanced around. ‘I can’t see a policeman, but we should be able to find someone who lives around here. What about those people waiting at the bus stop?’

  ‘Worth a try.’ Steve strode across the road. ‘Can you help us? We are looking for Fenton Street.’

  The Canadians were studied with interest, and one man asked, ‘What number do you want?’

  ‘Fifty-four.’

  ‘Hmm.’ He turned to the man beside him. ‘What do you think, Fred?’

  ‘Dunno. Why are you looking for that house, son?’

  ‘I’ve been asked to visit someone who lives there.’

  ‘Ah, well, we can tell you where it is, and you might be lucky.’

  ‘Sorry?’ Steve was puzzled.

  ‘Some of that street ain’t there any more. The house you want might still be there, though, if it’s far enough down.’ The man turned to his friend again. ‘Have you been down there, Fred?’

  ‘No, but my missus said it had taken a right bashing.’ He shrugged and turned to Steve. ‘All you can do is take a look. Go down this road until you come to the second street on the right, then take the first right and that’ll bring you to what’s left of Fenton Street.’

  ‘Thank you, sir.’

  ‘Hope you find it still standing,’ the man said.

  They began walking and Luke was concerned. ‘That didn’t sound too good.’

  ‘No, it didn’t, but it seems all right here, so perhaps they are wrong.’ Steve said nothing, continuing to follow the directions they had been given.

  When they turned into the street they all stopped suddenly. ‘They weren’t wrong,’ Luke said softly. ‘Dear Lord, just look at that.’

  Steve’s expression was unreadable, but his friends were horrified as they took in the scene of destruction. Some houses had been completely destroyed, others were half-standing and roped off with danger signs on them, and some were still intact, but with windows boarded up and clearly uninhabited.

  They continued walking until they reached some undam­aged houses towards the end of the street.

  ‘There’s number 48,’ Ricky declared, running ahead and looking at the houses. He stopped then, turned and grinned at his friend. ‘Here it is, and undamaged by the look of it.’

  Relief washed over Steve. For a while there he had been thinking he might have to send his parents bad news. He knocked on the door and waited. No one answered.

  ‘Who are you looking for, lads?’

  They turned to see a woman who had come out of the house next door.

  ‘Harry Green. My parents have asked me to visit him,’ Steve explained.

  She came closer so she could see the name on their uniform, and then smiled. ‘Ah, yes, Harry told me he has relatives in Canada. He’s on the early shift, so should be home in about an hour. You’d better come in and wait.’

  ‘Thank you, ma’am. That is kind of you.’

  ‘Come along then, and I’ll make you a nice cup of tea while you wait.’

  Ricky chuckled softly as they followed her. ‘More tea. I think this country runs on the stuff. And you never told us you were related to this chap, Steve.’

  ‘My dad married his cousin.’

  ‘Your mum’s English!’ Luke gasped. ‘You never said – now I see why you were so set on coming here.’

  Ricky punched him in the arm. ‘So that’s why you like tea.’

  Steve chuckled as they followed the woman into the house.

  ‘Sit yourselves down. Seeing how Harry’s wife died several years ago and now his daughter is away, he comes here for his meals.’

  ‘She’s joined one of the services, hasn’t she?’ Steve asked.

  ‘That’s right, she’s in the ATS. That’s the women’s army, in case you don’t know. My name’s Gladys, by the way.’

  The boys introduced themselves and chatted while Gladys made the tea.

  She brought out her best china for them, and as he sipped from the delicate cup, Steve’s thoughts turned to Nancy, wondering how she was coping. He had been lucky. Harry and his daughter were alive. He sent out a silent thought to her, somehow knowing she would be strong and a comfort to her family.

  Chapter Four

  Nancy turned the key in the door, and the moment she stepped inside her mother, Sally, was hugging her tightly.

  ‘I’m so glad you are home,’ she said, her voice husky with emotion. She held Nancy at arm’s length. ‘Are you all right?’

  Nancy nodded. ‘Where’s Dad?’

  ‘At work, but he’ll be home in a couple of hours.’ Her eyes filled with tears. ‘He’ll want to know exactly what happened. Will you be able to tell us? All we had was a telegram saying Dan was missing, presumed dead. Is there a chance he survived?’

  ‘No, Mum,’ she told her firmly. ‘I’ll tell you what I know when Dad is here, but I’m gasping for a cup of tea,’ she said, hastily changing the subject. It was going to be painful enough giving them the details and she didn’t want to have to go through it twice.

  ‘Of course you are. Leave your bag here and you can take it to your room later.’

  She was helping her mother prepare the meal, talking about anything but the war. Her mother was obviously holding on to the hope that somehow Dan had survived, and Nancy trembled at the task ahead of her.

  The door swung open and her father, Tom, strode in, embracing her in a fierce hug. ‘I saw your bag in the hall. Ah, it’s so good to see you, sweetheart.’

  She looked up at him with affection, seeing a strong man, but one struggling with grief.

  ‘How long have you got?’ he asked.

  ‘Fourteen days.’

  ‘It will be wonderful to have you home for two weeks, darling.’ He kissed the top of her head, and then asked softly, ‘Do you know what happened? They didn’t give us any details.’

  ‘I can tell you what another crew reported when they arrived back.’

  He nodded and turned to his wife. ‘Can the meal wait for a while?’

  ‘It will keep.’ Her mother pulled out chairs for them to sit at the table. ‘I’ve made a fresh pot of tea.’

  Nancy noticed her mother’s hands were shaking as she poured the tea.

  ‘Is there any chance Dan has survived?’ her father asked hopefully.

  ‘From what I’ve been told everyone on his plane died. The crew who witnessed it are certain no one got out.’

  ‘How could this other crew know it was Dan’s plane?’

  She was hoping her father wouldn’t ask that question. ‘His was the only plane from our base that didn’t return that night. They still had bombs on board and the plane blew up in the air. I’m sorry,’ she said quickly, when she heard her mother’s gasp of anguish.

  Tom put his arm around his wife. ‘It’s best we know for sure, my dear. I want Nancy to te
ll us everything she knows about the raid. Are you up to hearing that, or would you rather I talk to her in the other room?’

  ‘No.’ She straightened up, wiped the tears from her face and looked at her daughter with compassion. ‘Were you waiting for him to return?’

  Nancy nodded and told them everything she knew. They listened in silence, and when she had finished her father asked questions until he was satisfied he had every detail.

  Sally wiped the tears flowing down her face and took a deep breath before speaking. ‘Thank you, darling. We know that wasn’t easy for you, but we needed to know. I’ll see the vicar tomorrow and arrange a memorial service for Dan. Now, we must have something to eat.’

  Nancy watched her mother serve the meal, and saw in her the pain they were all feeling. It was a loss they were going to have to live with for the rest of their lives.

  Her father squeezed her shoulder and said quietly, ‘Thank you. I know that was hard for you, but it will help your mother to come to terms with the loss.’

  ‘I hope it has helped you as well.’

  ‘It has.’ He gave a tired smile. ‘Dan told us you were always there on the airfield waiting for them to return and I can only imagine what you went through as you watched in vain for his plane. Thank you for keeping that vigil. Will you be transferred now?’

  She shook her head. ‘I want to stay there, Dad. It’s hard to explain, but somehow I feel that’s where I need to be.’

  ‘I know. You’ve got to be in the thick of things, just as Dan had to be. You are so like him, do you realise that?’

  ‘We always got on well and thought alike.’

  ‘Tell us one more thing …’ He paused while Sally put the plates in front of them. ‘Was Dan happy flying those monsters?’

  ‘He loved it, and like all the crews he knew his chance of surviving was not good, but that never dimmed his enthusiasm for what he had to do. He always had a smile on his face, and I don’t believe he would have changed a thing.’

  ‘That’s good to know,’ he said. ‘Now, we had better eat before it gets cold or we will be in trouble with your mother.’

  ‘Ah, he knows me so well,’ Sally remarked, forcing a faint smile.