‘It does, and we’ve all changed, Nancy. We lost three of our friends, and that’s hard to take. None of us are going to come out of this the same. Steve nearly died.’
‘You’re right, of course.’ She smiled up at him. ‘You all take care of each other, and if there is anything you need you can come to me and Jean.’
‘Thanks, but you needn’t worry about us. Once we are all fit, we will be back up there again. Nothing will stop us flying.’
‘I know, and that’s what worries me. I’m praying for a quick end to the war now.’
Luke shook his head. ‘Don’t bank on it. We may be moving into France, but there is a hell of a long way to go, and the bombing missions will start again soon. We will be a part of it as soon as Steve and Ricky are fit enough.’
‘You bet we will.’ Ricky joined them with his arm around Jean.
‘It won’t be for a while yet,’ Jean pointed out. ‘They’re not going to allow Steve to fly again until the doctors pass him as fit enough, unless you plan on going with another pilot.’
Both men looked horrified, and Luke said, ‘I for one will not leave the ground unless Steve is at the controls.’
‘Nor me.’ Ricky kissed Jean on the nose, smiled at Nancy, and then took hold of Luke’s arm. ‘Come on, pal, let’s make sure Steve is okay.’
‘Night girls.’
They entered the room quietly and nodded in satisfaction when they saw their friend was sound asleep.
‘Everything all right?’ whispered Sandy as he looked in the door.
‘He’s fast asleep.’
‘Good. Luke, you call me if you need anything.’ Then he left with Ricky, closing the door quietly behind them.
Steve slept right through until lunchtime, and then reported to the commander. He was told he could come and go as he pleased, and to see the medics at the first sign of any discomfort.
It was a pleasant day, so he left the base and walked. He had only been out for half an hour, and much to his frustration he had to stop and rest twice. He had never felt so weak in his life, but his focus was on getting back in the air again. It was abundantly clear it was going to take time, and as much as he wanted to speed up the process, it would be foolish to push himself too much and cause damage that could put his recovery back. He mustn’t do anything to jeopardise his chances of a full recovery.
He walked a little further to a small tea shop, ordered a pot of tea, and spent a pleasant time talking to some locals. Feeling refreshed, he began to make his way back, stopping by a field to watch sheep grazing, who took no notice of the tall man leaning on the five-barred gate. Two rabbits shot out of bushes close by, stopped and looked at him, then turned and disappeared again, bringing a smile to his face.
There was one more thing he wanted to do, and then he would rest until it was time for dinner. Back on the base he went in search of Sarge, finding him in one of the hangars. ‘Where’s my new Lancaster?’ he asked.
‘Out on the field. Come with me.’ The sergeant moderated his stride to match Steve’s slow pace. ‘There she is; the latest model.’
He walked round stroking his hands over the beautiful plane and nodded. ‘You’re right, she is magnificent. I want to have a look inside.’
‘Er … are you fit enough to do that?’
‘I’ll be careful.’ He climbed in and went straight for the pilot’s seat.
Sarge was right behind him and sat in the flight engineer’s position. ‘You’ll notice quite a few improvements.’
Steve grinned as he ran his hands over the controls. ‘How many new ones have arrived?’
‘Four.’
‘Good, keep one for me.’ A look of determination glowed in his eyes. ‘I’ll be fit for duty in four weeks.’
‘That’s very specific,’ Sarge remarked. ‘You’ve set yourself a tough target.’
He nodded. ‘I know, but setting a time limit is something to work towards.’
After climbing out he gave the plane an affectionate pat, and then went to have a rest. He was pleased with what he had accomplished that day. They were small steps forward, but he was on his way.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Steve went for a walk every morning, going a little further each day. Rain or shine he was out. The little tea room was at the halfway mark of his walk, and he always stopped there on his way back for a pot of tea.
‘You are becoming quite a regular, young man,’ the woman who served him said.
‘Yes, ma’am. I take this route because I like to have a break, and you make excellent tea.’
She smiled at the compliment. ‘The Yanks always want coffee, but you seem to enjoy tea.’
‘I’m Canadian and my mother is English.’
‘Really, well that accounts for it, then. Would you like some toast as well? You look as if you need building up.’
‘Yes, I’m recovering from a stay in hospital.’
She had more sense than to ask what he was recovering from. ‘That’s good. You’re from the base down the road, aren’t you?’
He nodded.
‘We hear the planes taking off at night and they fairly shake the house. They are huge great things and it’s a wonder they are able to leave the ground.’ She was looking at the wings on his chest, clearly wanting to ask more questions, but knew she wouldn’t get any answers if she did. ‘I’ll get you that toast.’
Fortified with tea and four slices of toast, he left with a smile on his face. He was seeing the doctor tomorrow morning and was going to ask him if it would be all right for him to ride now. He had made progress in only a short time, so it was time to visit the stables in anticipation of that verdict. His heart soared at the thought of being on a horse again, and he was certain it would be the best way to regain his strength and fitness.
When he walked into the yard, curious eyes fixed on him – and they weren’t all human. He breathed in the familiar smells reminding him so much of home, and stopped to enjoy the moment.
‘Can I help you, young man?’
Steve smiled at the man he guessed was the owner. ‘I would like to hire one of your horses to ride every day. An hour at first, but then for longer.’
‘For a week or two weeks?’
‘Until I am fully fit again. The doctor at the hospital suggested I come and see you.’
‘Ah, been ill, have you?’
‘Injured.’
The man held out his hand. ‘I’m Charles Grayson, and I own these stables.’
‘Steve Allard.’
‘Nice to meet you, Steve. Are you an experienced rider, or will you need instruction?’
‘I have been riding all my life.’
‘Splendid.’ He looked Steve up and down, assessing his height and weight. ‘We will have to find you a strong animal. Come with me, and see which one you fancy.’
They walked along the stalls until Steve stopped and stroked the nose of a chestnut stallion. ‘What about this one? He’s a fine sturdy animal.’
‘That’s Ginger and he can be a bit difficult to handle.’
Steve was in the stall now and examining the horse who took exception to it and gave him a shove. ‘Like your own way, do you? Well, let’s get this clear from the start – I’m in charge and you do as I say.’
Charles laughed softly and called a stable lad over. ‘Saddle up Ginger.’
‘Yes, sir.’
They waited outside and Charles said, ‘Walk him round the field so I can see if you can handle him.’
The horse was brought out and Steve paused for a moment, wondering if he would be able to mount all right. His movements were still restricted and it was a tall animal.
Charles noticed the hesitation. ‘Bring the mounting block.’
The lad hurried away, and Steve grimaced at the thought of resorting to such a thing.
‘There’s no shame in it, and I’m sure you will soon be leaping into the saddle. Just take your time.’
Once in the saddle he urged the stallion i
nto the field. He knew he shouldn’t be doing this until the doctor gave him permission, but hell, it felt so good to be riding again. As long as he didn’t set off at a mad gallop it should be okay.
First he walked the horse until it began to obey him, then they trotted and he made the animal weave and turn as he did at home. Aware he mustn’t overdo it, he dismounted and led Ginger back to his owner.
‘You sit well and know how to control a horse. Ginger will be ready for you. When do you want to start?’
‘Tomorrow afternoon at three o’clock, if that is all right with you?’
‘That will be fine. Look forward to seeing you then.’
The doctor was pleased with Steve’s progress and gave him permission to ride, but he didn’t get away without a firm talking to.
‘Charles is a friend of mine and guessed I had advised you to see his stables, so he paid me a visit last night. I told you to wait until you saw me again before getting on a horse.’
‘I wasn’t on it for more than ten minutes,’ he protested.
‘So I understand.’ He sat back again. ‘Charles told me you appear to be a fine horseman, and you ride like a cowboy. Even though that was the first time on that animal you had complete control of him.’
‘That was the way I was taught, and I’m sure the exercise will speed my recovery. So, do I have your permission?’
‘Considering you have booked for this afternoon, I’ve got to trust you to be sensible, but I’m sure you will. You don’t come across as the foolhardy type.’
‘I’m not, and you can be certain I won’t do anything to impede my full recovery.’
The doctor stood up and extended his hand. ‘Don’t start rounding up cattle, will you?’
‘I’ll try to curb the temptation.’ He left, elated. With walking and now riding every day he should soon get back in shape.
He set a strict routine for the next three weeks. Walking in the morning, eating, riding in the afternoon, and sleeping, which left no time for socialising. If he went for a drink, he never stayed for more than an hour, and he hadn’t touched a cigarette since he had been injured. His whole attention was on fitness. During this time there were frustrations and small triumphs, one of these being when he no longer needed the mounting block and could swing himself into the saddle with ease.
The prediction had been that he would be grounded for at least eight weeks, but he was damned well not going to be. He was due another check-up and he was determined to get signed off then. This dedicated regime of activity had done its job and he was back to normal.
There was a large empty field right next to the stables and he guided Ginger in there. ‘Come on, boy; let’s see what you can do.’
They thundered along and he shouted out in pure joy, oblivious to the people watching.
There was a broad smile on his face as he returned to the stables, and leaping off he handed Ginger over to the lad. ‘He’ll need a good rub down.’
‘Yes, sir.’ The boy gazed at him in something close to adoration. ‘Gosh, you really can ride, sir. Just like the cowboys in the pictures.’
Charles came over to him. ‘That was an impressive piece of horsemanship. I’d say you’re fully fit now.’
‘I’m hoping for a clean bill of health tomorrow, and if so, I won’t be able to come very often in future.’
‘You come along any time you are free.’
‘Thanks, the riding has been a tremendous help.’
The walk back turned into a trot and then he was running, revelling in the feeling of strength in his legs and body again. There had been a niggling doubt that he would ever reach this stage again, but he had come through. The thought of spending time with Nancy again filled him with pleasure. She had quietly supported him over the last few weeks, never intruding, but letting him know she was there if he needed her. He was still a bit hazy about what she had said to him at the hospital, but he thought she had told him she loved him, and that had helped him fight to regain his full fitness again.
Nancy and Jean watched Steve jog through the gates, head high and the smooth elegant movement back.
‘Just look at that,’ Jean remarked. ‘Fully fit and moving like a panther, the way he used to.’
Sarge came over and joined them. ‘The speed of his recovery is remarkable.’
‘His entire attention has been on getting fit enough to fly again,’ Nancy said. ‘He’s been leaving the base every morning, and again in the afternoon, only appearing for an hour in the evening. He hasn’t talked about what he’s been doing, and I don’t think even his friends know. So goodness knows what he’s been up to. We have hardly seen him.’
‘He’s a determined person,’ Jean pointed out to her friend. ‘Now Ricky has been declared fit for action again, I suspect that spurred him on. They all want to get back in the air together again.’
Sarge nodded. ‘He often comes and sits in a Lancaster, and you ought to see his face when he settles in the pilot’s seat. That boy has got to fly, and nothing is going to stop him.’
‘He’s so like my brother in that way. I don’t understand why they want to fly into danger. I was close to Dan, and when I asked what was so wonderful about guiding a huge lump of metal into the air, he would laugh and promise to take me up one day so I could experience it for myself. He never got the chance, of course.’
‘Pilots like your brother and Steve are a special breed, and that includes all the pilots engaged in this conflict. This war must be won to preserve our way of life, and they are fighting like mad to help in the struggle to keep our freedom.’
‘And die trying, Sarge.’
He gave Nancy a sympathetic glance. ‘I’m sorry to say that is so, and I’m surprised to see you girls have become so close to them.’
Jean’s smile was wry. ‘We did try not to, but the heart wants what it wants, and before we knew what was happening, they had wormed their way into our lives.’
‘That can happen. Ah, looks as if he’s heading for the planes. I had better keep an eye on him or he will be starting up the engines and going for a ride around the field.’ Sarge hurried off, chuckling as he went.
Steve was standing by a Lancaster, and he turned to smile at Sarge as he arrived. ‘I’m going to take her up soon.’
‘Not until you get a chitty from the doctor saying you can.’
‘I’ll have that tomorrow.’
‘You sound very sure of that.’
‘I am.’
‘The doctor might have other ideas.’
‘Then I’ll change his mind.’ He glanced at his watch. ‘Time to eat; I’m starving.’
Watching him hurry away, Sarge shook his head in amusement. No ifs or buts, he was going to fly soon, and that was certain. The doctor was about to meet an unmoveable force.
Steve’s friends were already in the mess and he joined them. ‘Get ready to fly again soon. Only a training run at first, of course.’
Ricky nearly choked on a mouthful of tea. ‘Who are we flying with?’
‘Me.’
All eyes turned on him in astonishment.
‘Have you been signed off as fit already?’ Luke asked.
‘Not yet, but I’m seeing the doctor tomorrow. He’ll see I’ve completely recovered now.’
‘Steve, we know you have been working hard, but don’t you think this is hoping for too much. They did say it would be around eight weeks before you could fly again,’ Luke reminded him.
‘They were wrong. I’m in good shape now and won’t take no for an answer.’
‘Er …’ Andy cleared his throat. ‘Does the commander know about this?’
‘I’ll tell him when I get back from the hospital. He knows it is absolutely essential that we get back in the air, and once I’m signed off, he will want us prepared for what is to come.’
Ricky grinned in anticipation. ‘Well, if anyone can get us on active service again, it’s you.’
‘That’s what we all want.’ Luke raised his glass of water
. ‘I say we drink to that. We are getting fed up with being grounded. Good luck tomorrow, Steve. We are with you.’
They all wholeheartedly agreed with that.
‘Nancy said you had changed,’ Luke told him. ‘And do you know, she was right.’
‘I expect I have, but haven’t we all?’
He wasn’t due at the hospital until eleven o’clock, so he went for his usual walk, and arrived in good time for his appointment.
The examination took longer than usual, and he wondered what on earth they were looking for. When he was eventually told to get dressed again, he watched the doctor poring over his notes, and a little concern crept in. He had been so sure he would be given a clean bill of health, so what was the problem?
Unable to stand the silence any longer, he said, ‘I am back to full health, sir.’
‘I can’t deny that.’ The doctor studied the tall boy in front of him radiating health and vigour, and shook his head. ‘You have made a remarkably fast and complete recovery, but you are a strong young man, and I suspect that has been your saviour.’
He let out a silent breath of relief and nodded. ‘So, will you sign me as fit for duty again?’
‘I would like to delay that for at least another week.’
‘Why? You didn’t find anything wrong with me, did you?’
‘Not a thing.’
‘Then sign the papers, please. There is still a war to be won, and we want to get back to helping with that.’
‘I don’t have any legitimate reason for not releasing you, but you must promise me that if you experience any problems, no matter how small, you are to come and see me at once.’
‘I promise to do that.’
He nodded, picked up his pen and signed the release papers in front of him. ‘I’ll send this to your base commander.’
‘I’ll take it with me, if that is all right.’
The paper was handed over and the doctor shook his hand. ‘It’s been a pleasure to see you recover so quickly, and against our expectations. To be honest, at first we thought your flying career was over.’
‘Not a chance,’ he declared with certainty. ‘It’s due to your excellent care that I have recovered so well, and I thank you for that.’
Together Under the Stars Page 18