‘I want to know if the others are alive.’ Jean lifted her tear-stained face and took off after someone. ‘Sandy!’ She caught him as he reached the building. ‘How bad is it?’
There was a hint of moisture in his eyes and he just shook his head, unable to tell her.
Nancy rushed up to her. ‘What did he say?’
‘Nothing.’
‘What do you mean – nothing?’
‘It must be very bad if he wasn’t able to talk about it.’ Jean fought back a sob.
This was too much for Nancy and she snapped. ‘I was wrong! So wrong,’ she cried in despair. ‘I convinced myself that if I kept our relationship friendly it wouldn’t be so painful when this day arrived. I never told him how much I loved him, and now I’ll never have the chance to tell him.’
Jean straightened up and wiped away her own tears. ‘All we can do now is wait for news,’ she told her gently, fighting to keep her own emotions in check. ‘One of those carried out was obviously Steve, but nobody else could have landed the plane, so he must have been alive when they came down …’
Jean’s voice had calmed Nancy’s troubled thoughts. ‘Luke and Andy are alive, and they are going to need our help. I’m off duty this afternoon, so if you are free, we can go then.’
‘I’ll get time off.’
‘I’d better contact the hospital first to find out when we can visit, though.’
‘I’ll do that. Wait here.’ Jean ran to her office.
She was soon back and clearly distressed. ‘The sister I spoke to said we will not be allowed to visit as those that survived are too ill to receive visitors.’
The word ‘survived’ went through Nancy like a knife, and she had to force the next question out. ‘How many are dead, and who?’
‘She wouldn’t tell me. You know they’re not allowed to give out information unless it’s to close family.’
Nancy pointed across the field to Steve’s ground crew, standing by the Lancaster, and took off at once. ‘I’ll see if Sarge knows anything.’
When she reached them and saw their grim expressions she felt like turning round and running away, but they had to know. ‘Sarge, can you tell me …’ Her words tailed off when she saw the damage the enemy fighter had done. It was right along the fuselage, but the worst was where the pilot and navigator sat. She didn’t dare look at the vulnerable gunner positions. Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself for the bad news she had no doubt was coming. ‘You were here when they got the crew off, so do you know who survived?’
‘Oh, my God!’ Jean joined them, her face as white as a sheet.
‘Sarge?’ Nancy urged.
‘All I can tell you is that only two of the crew were standing – Luke and Andy.’
‘But Steve must have landed the plane, surely? No one else could have done it,’ Nancy said hopefully.
‘He did, but it looked as if once the plane was down, he died.’
‘And the rest?’ Jean’s voice was trembling.
‘We don’t know. The medics were there straight away and wouldn’t let us help get everyone out. There didn’t appear to be any danger of fire, so they could be careful with the casualties. I’m sorry, girls, but from what we have seen inside and outside of the plane I wouldn’t hold out much hope for any of them.
The distressed girls nodded and held each other for support as they staggered away in shock.
Luke and Andy were checked over and cleaned up when they reached the hospital. When told they could return to base and rest for a couple of days, they both protested vehemently; they weren’t leaving until they knew how their friends were.
Ricky, Steve and Eddie were all in surgery, so, armed with cups of sweet tea, they waited.
Ricky was brought out first and they pulled up chairs to sit by his bed. Most of the damage was to his right leg, but he had been hit on the side of the head by something.
The sister gave them a stern look. ‘You really shouldn’t be here. We will take good care of your friends. Go back to your quarters and get some rest.’
‘We’re staying,’ they declared together.
Another hour passed and then a doctor came up to them. ‘I’m sorry to have to tell you that your gunner died on the operating table. There was nothing we could do to save him.’
‘What about our pilot?’
‘He’s still in surgery.’ His expression was grim as he walked away. He’d seen too much of this carnage over the years of war.
Luke laid his hand gently on Ricky’s arm and studied him. His head was bandaged and there was a cage over his legs to take off any pressure from the bedclothes, but his breathing was deep and steady. A good sign.
They lost track of time as they waited for news about Steve, but suddenly Andy was on his feet watching a bed being wheeled in. ‘It’s Steve! He’s still alive.’
Sister caught them as they made a rush over to see their friend. ‘Sit down! You can see him when the doctors have finished, and he’s settled comfortably.’
A curtain was pulled across and they couldn’t see what was going on, but after an anxious wait it was drawn back.
‘How is he?’ Luke asked, as they drew up chairs and sat beside the bed.
‘He has survived the surgery, but the next few hours will be critical.’
At that moment Robert Jackman strode in, and after checking on the patients he turned to Luke and Andy. ‘The commander is waiting for you to attend a debriefing.’
Luke gazed at him in astonishment. ‘You’re joking, right?’
‘Sorry, but you know it has to be done.’
Andy hauled himself out of a chair. ‘Come on, Luke, let’s get this over with, then we can come back.’
Robert had come by car and they were soon driving through the gates of the airfield.
‘Sit down,’ the commander ordered. His expression was grim as he studied the two exhausted men in front of him. ‘Tell me exactly what happened.’
Painful as it was, Luke related the fighter attack. Andy also explained it from his position, and when finished they were both drained.
The officer had been making notes and threw his pen down. ‘You’ve acted bravely, and the courage needed to get back here is of the highest. I shall be putting you all through for a commendation. Now, get something to eat and then sleep.’
‘We’ll do that later, sir. We must get back to the hospital,’ Andy explained.
‘That wasn’t a request, it was an order. You are not to leave the base until after dinner tonight. I am in touch with the hospital, and if there are any changes in their conditions you will be informed at once. The pair of you can hardly stand up.’ Then he said quietly. ‘I know how you feel – I’ve seen it many times before, but Allard got you down. Don’t dishonour his supreme effort by collapsing. If he pulls through it will give him some comfort to know that at least two of you are fit and well.’
Put like that, they couldn’t argue. They were not going to be any use to Steve and Ricky if they didn’t do as they were ordered.
‘I don’t know if I can eat,’ Andy remarked as they walked into the mess.
‘Nor me, but we had better try.’
They sat at their usual table and lit up cigarettes while they waited for the belated breakfast.
Back in their rooms they agreed to meet for dinner.
Luke only removed his shoes before falling onto his pillows, turning his back on Steve’s empty bed. He couldn’t look at it. His nerves were in tatters and all he could do was escape into the oblivion of sleep for a while.
The sergeant leant on the stores counter and beckoned Nancy over. ‘I’ve just seen Wing Commander Jackman and he told me that Ricky and Steve are alive and out of surgery but—’ He held up a hand when he saw her face flood with relief. ‘Ricky is not in too much danger, though they are concerned about his head wound, but Steve is critical, and the next few hours will tell if he is going to survive.’
A knot formed in her throat, but she managed to speak. ‘What about the others?�
�
‘Eddie died at the hospital and the other two were killed in the air. Only Luke and Andy have come out of that attack unhurt. Sorry it’s such bad news, but I knew you would be anxious to know. Will you tell Jean?’
‘I’ll see her now, and thank you for letting me know. We wanted to go straight to the hospital, but visitors are not allowed yet.’
‘I was told the same thing. Damn it. They were fine lads.’
‘Colin,’ she called as soon as Sarge left. ‘I have an errand to run and will be about half an hour.’
He waved acknowledgement and she hurried out. She wasn’t looking forward to giving her friend the news, but at least Ricky and Steve were still alive, and that was something to cling on to.
Chapter Twenty-One
‘Any change?’ Luke asked the moment they walked back into the ward.
‘No, their condition is still the same.’ She smiled at them. ‘You two look more rested.’
Yes, we were ordered to eat and sleep,’ Andy explained.
‘That was just what you needed. You may stay for as long as you like.’
‘Thank you, Sister.’
There was a chair by each bed, and they settled down, determined to stay all night if necessary. Neither felt like talking, so they remained silent, each lost in their own thoughts.
After about an hour a nurse brought them a cup of tea, and Sandy arrived just in time to cadge one as well. He borrowed another chair and the three of them waited, keeping a silent vigil on their friends. They were just dozing off when something brought them wide awake. A stream of expletives coming from one bed had them shooting to their feet, leaning over Ricky. His eyes were still closed, but his language was inventive.
‘That’s it, mate,’ Andy told him. ‘You bloody well let rip.’
‘Sister!’ Luke called. ‘I think he’s coming round.’
After checking him over she gave the hint of a smile. ‘My goodness, he is cross.’
‘That’s a polite way of putting it. His language is only this bad when somebody shoots at him.’
‘I’ll send for the doctor.’
When she left, Luke touched his arm. ‘Ricky, can you hear me?’
One eye opened, then the other and he looked around, rather confused. Slowly the memory returned, and he turned his head towards the other bed, grabbing Luke’s arm in surprise. ‘What the hell is Steve doing here?’
‘He’s badly hurt,’ Andy told him.
‘Was it a rough landing, then?’
‘It was, but he was injured in the fighter attack.’
‘Who landed us, then?’
‘Steve did, but he’d lost a lot of blood and collapsed once we were down.’
Ricky laid his head back and screwed his eyes shut. ‘How bad is he?’ ‘
It’s touch and go,’ Andy replied.
He was going to ask more questions, but fortunately the doctor arrived and made them move away. It appeared that Ricky was going to be all right, but they waited anxiously for the doctor’s verdict.
They were by Steve’s bed and Andy reached out and gripped his arm. ‘Come on, mate, keep fighting.
The doctor finished his check on Ricky and stood beside them, studying the still figure of Steve. ‘Your friend in the other bed will make a full recovery. It was the head wound we were concerned about, but there doesn’t appear to be any lasting damage. A few days’ rest and he will be up and about again – on crutches, of course.’
‘That’s a relief, but what about Steve, Doctor?’ they wanted to know.
‘He was hit several times, but fortunately no vital organs were damaged. One was close to his heart and another couple of inches and he would have died instantly.’
‘Along with all of us.’
The doctor nodded to Andy. ‘I understand he continued to fly.’
Luke shook his head in disbelief. ‘I don’t know how. I shouted all the time to keep him with us. What are his chances?’
‘Hard to say at this point, but he is physically strong and that is in his favour. However, the fact that he hasn’t come round is worrying. Keep talking to him. Let him know you are here. All we can do now is wait.’
‘Doctor?’ Ricky called. ‘Can I get out of bed?’
‘No, you can’t. You have concussion and must rest.’ He gave his patient a stern look. ‘So behave yourself, young man, and do as you are told.’
‘That’s asking the impossible.’ Luke smothered a laugh, relieved to see his friend looking and acting more like himself.
‘So I gather.’ The doctor smirked. ‘I understand he has rather a way with words.’
‘Only when someone has tried to kill him,’ Sandy explained, straight-faced.
‘Ah well, at least it shows us that all his faculties are in good working order.’ He walked away, his mouth twitching in amusement.
Ricky was leaning across his bed to get a better look at Steve. ‘What did the doctor say? I didn’t catch all of it.’
‘They’re concerned that Steve hasn’t come round yet.’
‘Oh, hell.’ He was close to tears. ‘Where are the others?’
That was the question they found hard to respond to as it was almost impossible to grasp they were no longer with them.
Seeing the trouble Luke was having in answering that, Sandy said gently, ‘They’re dead, Ricky.’
The shock rocked him back in the bed. ‘What, all of them?’
‘Yes.’
For once he was lost for words and tears began to run down his face; Andy handed him a clean handkerchief. His mouth set in a grim line as he looked across at Steve. ‘We are not going to lose him as well! Steve, wake up,’ he bellowed.
The sister came hurrying over. ‘Stop that noise, or I will have you moved to a room by yourself.’
‘Sorry, Sister, but he’s got to wake up. I’m only trying to get through to him.’
‘He will do that when he is ready, and shouting at him will not help.’
‘Thank you. I’ve been shouted at enough.’ A hoarse voice whispered.
All eyes turned towards Steve, not sure if the quiet words had come from there.
‘He spoke. I know he did.’ Ricky was struggling to get out of bed when Andy hauled him back.
Sister immediately checked to see if it had been Steve who had spoken. ‘Nurse, call the doctor again.’
‘Steve,’ Luke said softly, ‘can you hear me?’
The eyelids quivered and slowly opened, showing bright blue eyes clouded with pain.
‘Welcome back. Doctor will be here in a minute. Are you in pain?’
He nodded slightly. ‘Thirsty.’
‘Nurse, a cup of strong sweet tea, at once,’ she ordered, already holding a glass of water to his lips.
There was a rustling and muttering from the other bed and Sister gave Ricky a stern glance. ‘Stop trying to get out of bed.’
‘Can’t move my bloody leg,’ he muttered irritably.
‘If you try, you will undo all the work the doctors have done, so you must remain quiet and rest it.’
‘I want to talk to Steve.’
‘Not at the moment. I understand how you all feel, but you must not bother him. He will talk to you when he is ready.’
A nurse arrived with the tea and held the cup to Steve’s lips so he could drink. By the time the cup was drained the doctor had arrived and curtains were drawn around the bed.
They sat by Ricky and waited.
‘I want to see Jean,’ Ricky told them plaintively.
‘I’m not sure that’s a good idea. If Jean is allowed to visit, then Nancy will come with her, and do you want her to see Steve like this?’
‘You underestimate her,’ Andy pointed out. ‘Both those girls have seen every kind of tragedy during this war, and they are tougher than you think.’
‘Hm. I suppose you’re right. Would you like me to arrange for them to visit, Ricky?’
‘Oh, please.’ He grasped Luke’s arm. ‘And tell Jean I’m okay and in one
piece, will you?’
‘I will, now rest.’
He nodded and laid his head back. ‘I’ll sleep when I know how Steve is.’
Eventually the curtains were pulled back and the doctor came to speak to them. ‘We have given him something for the pain and he will sleep for some time. The next few hours will be critical, but now he has regained consciousness the signs are promising that he is recovering.’
Audible sighs of relief came from the friends.
‘Why don’t you leave now and get some needed rest? There isn’t anything you can do here, so come back tomorrow and we will, hopefully, have good news for you.’
Glancing from one bed to the other told them that both patients were fast asleep, so they nodded and walked out of the ward, feeling easier now the news was better.
‘Before we go, I’ll ask Sister if the girls can come and visit.’
‘Good idea,’ Andy agreed. ‘Tell her that it will help with their recovery.’
Sister listened to Luke’s plea. ‘Very well, tell them they can come tomorrow evening, but must not stay for more than half an hour. They both need rest and quiet.’ She studied the boys in front of her and gave a hint of a smile. ‘I know you think you have come through this unscathed, but there could be a delayed reaction to what has happened. If you have trouble sleeping, or feel unwell at any time, you are to come here at once. Will you do that?’
‘Of course, but I’m sure that won’t be necessary, I slept like a log for a few hours. And you did as well, didn’t you, Andy?’
‘No problems at all, but thank you for your concern. We will bring the girls with us tomorrow.’
When they walked in the NAAFI to get a drink, Nancy and Jean rushed up to them, desperate for news.
Luke explained and told them they could visit for a short time the next day.
‘Oh, thanks for arranging that,’ Jean told him with relief. ‘We need to see them. Not knowing how they are is awful.’
‘Ricky is talkative and almost his usual self but,’ Andy glanced at Nancy, ‘don’t expect Steve to say much, if anything. They are keeping him asleep most of the time.’
‘I understand. I’ll just try and let him know we are there.’
‘That will help, I’m sure.’ Luke stifled a yawn. ‘We’ve just come for a quick drink and then we must rest. Now the news is more hopeful I suddenly feel exhausted.’
Together Under the Stars Page 16