‘We must have you in pretty colours.’ Sybil studied the two girls, Nancy dark and Jean fair. ‘I’ll do some trials on the silk and see what colours are best.’
‘Will you have enough material for all the dresses?’ Luke wanted to know.
‘I’ll make it do. We are all quite small so it should be enough. I’ll let you know if I can’t manage it.’
The boys looked at each other, and Sandy murmured, ‘Better get more whisky in case we need Sarge again.’
The girls got into a huddle, disappeared for a while, and when they returned Sybil nodded. ‘Good, that’s everything settled. Steve is our best man and Nancy and Jean bridesmaids. A week later I will be your attendant, Jean, and Sandy the best man. Although I am out of the army now, I still have my uniform, so I can wear it at the ceremony.’
Sybil had to leave to catch a train back to London, so Luke walked her to the station and the rest of them returned to the base.
When Luke arrived a short time later, Steve was propped up in bed reading. ‘Goodness knows how Sybil is going to make three dresses in the time available, and how will she know if they are going to fit the girls?’
‘She’s got it all worked out. Gladys next door is a seamstress and has offered to help her. She has Jean and Nancy’s measurements.’ Luke chuckled. ‘Remember when they all disappeared to the toilets? Well, she had a tape measure with her and took their measurements. Also, the girls are going to make a quick visit for a try-on session. She is quite confident that everything will be ready in time.’
‘Nothing to worry about then.’
Luke pursed his lips. ‘I wish my folks could be here. I’m sad about depriving them of this special day. They said they understand, but it must be upsetting for them.’
‘Ricky feels the same, so we must have some good photos to send them.’
‘Yes, that’s all been arranged as well.’ He kicked off his shoes and sat back on the bed. ‘You know you will have to give a speech, don’t you?’
‘Already prepared.’
‘What are you going to say?’
‘You’ll find out on the day, and as father of the bride, Harry will have a few words to say as well.’
They looked at each other and burst into laughter.
‘That should liven things up.’ Luke became serious again. ‘Have you asked Nancy to marry you yet?’
He shook his head. ‘Not in so many words, but she knows how I feel about her.’
‘You’d better do it soon, because I’ve heard a rumour that our transfers could be coming through soon. You won’t have time to marry her here.’
He tossed the book aside and sighed deeply. ‘She has already made it clear that she couldn’t leave her parents, and I can’t stay here, so there doesn’t seem to be a way for us to be together.’
‘I’m sorry, Steve, that’s tough for both of you. You’re going to ask her, though, aren’t you? She might change her mind. Any fool can see you care for each other very much, so don’t give up all hope.’
‘I won’t.’ He settled down to sleep, but his mind began to go over everything that had happened since they had arrived here.
At the completion of their training their posting had come through. They knew they were coming to a country that had been at war since September 1939, and although there were tales about the strict rationing and shortages of just about everything, they really didn’t know what to expect. As a precaution, Steve had brought extra money with him, and on the ship found out that the others had done the same thing. Ricky and Luke were now using that cash for their weddings, and his was about to be useful.
He looked across and saw that his friend was also still awake. ‘Luke, I believe it’s customary to buy the bridesmaids a gift of jewellery. Is that my job or yours?’
‘Oh, heavens, I forgot that. I think it’s up to me, but I’m not sure.’
‘Why don’t we buy one each, and then neither of us will be shirking our duty.’
‘Well, if you don’t mind, that would be a help.’
‘I don’t mind a bit. We will be free tomorrow. so let’s go into Lincoln and find a decent jeweller. There is something I want to buy as well.’
‘Right. What a good idea it was to bring extra cash with us.’
With that arranged they settled down to get some sleep.
The next morning the others were still in bed, so they left as soon as they’d had breakfast.
The first jeweller they came across didn’t meet their approval, so they kept walking, until they came to another one. ‘Ah, this looks better.’ Steve pushed open the door and they went in.
‘What can I do for you, gentlemen?’ The owner smiled broadly at them.
‘Can we have a look round?’ Luke asked.
‘Of course, and please take your time.’
‘What about something like this for the girls?’ Steve pointed to a pearl pendant set in a starburst of gold.’
‘That’s perfect.’ He called the owner over. ‘Do you have two of these, they must be identical.’
‘I’m sure I have.’ He opened a drawer behind the counter and took out two boxes, which he placed in front of them.
‘We’ll take those,’ Luke told him. ‘Now I must buy a wedding present for Sybil. What about that double strand of pearls, Steve?’
‘I’m sure she would love those. Are they genuine pearls, sir?’
‘We do not sell fakes in this establishment, sir.’
‘In that case I’ll take those as well. Didn’t you say you wanted to buy something, Steve?’
He nodded. ‘Could you show me a selection of diamond rings, please?’
The man’s eyes lit up and he unlocked another drawer behind the counter and pulled out a tray of rings. ‘These are the finest quality diamonds, sir.’
He immediately picked out a trilogy of diamonds set in platinum. He was going to have to guess the size, but she had slim hands and this one looked about right.
‘That’s beautiful,’ his friend told him.
‘I’ll need a platinum chain as well. Have you got one?’
The man nearly fell over himself in his haste to find the required item, and in no time at all he placed two on the counter for Steve to examine.
‘I’ll take that one,’ he said, choosing the better-quality chain. Then he put the ring, chain and one pendant together. ‘I’ll pay for those, and the other two are my friend’s.’
‘Certainly, sir.’
While the gifts were being wrapped, Luke grinned at Steve. ‘Nice shop. Nothing is priced, so I hope we have enough money for what we’ve bought. Didn’t think to ask how much they were.’
‘We have enough because we’ve hardly spent a thing since we’ve been here.’
The shop owner handed each of them a bill which they paid easily, and putting the small packages safely in their pockets they walked out, well pleased with what they had bought.
‘I don’t need to ask who the ring is for. I hope things work out for both of you.’
Steve shrugged. ‘That remains to be seen.’
The next day Steve borrowed a car and took Nancy out for dinner at the hotel they had visited before. Without the need for blackout now the hotel was ablaze with lights.
‘Just look at that.’ Nancy slipped a hand through his arm. ‘Isn’t it wonderful to see everything lit up again?’
He squeezed her hand, enjoying her pleasure at such a small thing. But of course it meant a lot to her after the years of darkness.
They were shown to the dining room and given a table in an alcove where they could have a degree of privacy.
After the meal was finished, he took the box out of his pocket and pushed it across to her.
Without looking at him she opened it and bowed her head.
‘I love you very much, Nancy, and don’t want to spend the rest of my life without you. Will you marry me?’
She looked up then, her eyes moist with tears. ‘Are you going to stay in this country?’
&
nbsp; ‘I can’t, I’m sorry, my love.’
A tear trickled down her cheek. ‘Then you know I can’t marry you. If Dan was alive it would be different, but my parents have lost one child, and I can’t deprive them of the only one they have left. Please understand, Steve, if it wasn’t for that I would accept with the greatest of joy.’
‘I do understand.’ He’d known this was going to happen, but the pain of it still hurt. ‘We are both in a difficult situation, but please don’t give up on us. Once I get home, I will try to work something out. I promise.’
‘I can’t see any way around it.’
He reached across and grasped her hand. ‘Please take the ring.’
‘It’s beautiful, but I can’t wear it with my uniform.’
‘I’ve thought of that.’ He removed the chain from its box and threaded the ring through it, then stood up and fastened it round her neck. ‘It will make me happy to know you are wearing it, and one day I’ll put it on your finger with a wedding ring.’
‘Oh, Steve, can we get out of here, please?’ The tears were now running down her face.
He paid the bill and they went back to the car. She was very upset and he gathered her in his arms, kissing the tears from her face. ‘It will be all right, sweetheart; we must believe there is a way for us to be together. In the meantime, don’t go and fall in love with someone else, will you? Give me time to find a solution.’
‘There isn’t any chance of me falling for anyone else. I think I loved you from the first moment I saw you gazing at that Lancaster.’
The fact that she loved him gave him hope. She was going to wait for him, and although their situation seemed impossible, he was certain they belonged together and there had to be a way. ‘Now, my lovely girl, we must put our problems behind us because we have two weddings to attend. They are happy unions and we must show how pleased we are for them.’
‘I wouldn’t do anything to mar their special days.’ She touched the ring he had put around her neck, then slipped her arms around him and kissed him. ‘Damn you, Steve Allard, I didn’t stand a chance. I’m going to snatch every possible moment with you before you sail away.’
He smiled and held her tightly for a moment, trying to comfort both of them. Through all the danger, drama and turmoil the bond between them had grown and grown. Now, very soon, they were going to have to part, and it was going to be a tough thing to do.
Luke was still awake and looked up expectantly when he came in. ‘How did it go?’
Steve sat on his bed and ran a hand over his face. ‘Much as I expected. We are at an impasse. She doesn’t feel she can leave her parents, and I can’t stay here.’
‘What about the ring, did you give it to her?’
‘I asked her to keep it until I can put a wedding ring beside it. Hell, Luke, I’m making promises I have no idea how to keep, but she is so upset – we both are. She’s wearing it on the chain around her neck, so at least she accepted it.’
‘There’s a solution to every problem, remember?’
‘Oh yes, I remember.’ He gave a mirthless laugh. ‘Anyway, you and Ricky don’t have to worry that our problems will throw an air of gloom over your weddings. We have decided to enjoy them and have a bloody good time.’
‘Glad to hear it. The last thing we need is a miserable best man at our wedding,’ he teased. ‘Hey, do you know what I have suddenly realised?’
‘No.’
‘I’ll be a member of your family when I marry Sybil, and I can call Harry Dad instead of uncle.’
‘And I’ll be a part of yours.’ He laughed freely then. ‘That’s something to be happy about.’
‘It will be all right,’ Luke said, echoing the very words he had spoken to Nancy.
He nodded, but didn’t feel very optimistic.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
The organ began to play and both men turned to look up the aisle. Luke gasped when he saw Sybil in a flowing white dress, but Steve’s gaze was fixed on Nancy. The two bridesmaids were wearing long, pale blue dresses and carrying small bouquets of white flowers. Both were wearing the pendants.
Ricky was in the seat right behind them and he leant forward, smiling with pleasure. ‘You’d never believe they were wearing a parachute,’ he said softly.
Luke held his hand out to Sybil when she reached him, and the service began.
As soon as they were pronounced man and wife everyone gathered outside for the photographs, and Steve made sure some pictures were taken of him and Nancy on their own.
Harry came over, looking very pleased about his daugh-ter’s choice of husband. ‘Fine turnout, lad. Our family is growing, and with the prospect of little ones in the future.’
‘You are going to miss her, though.’
‘Of course I am, but she has her life to live, and all I want is for her to be happy.’
Steve was pleased for his friend and hoped his own plans would go as smoothly, but he knew his chances were not good.
The Jolly Sailor had a good spread in spite of shortages. The cake looked impressive from a distance, but when it was due to be cut, the fake cardboard covering was removed to reveal a plain sponge cake.
Harry had friends who were in a band and they played dance music for the guests. Steve bowed elegantly in front of Nancy and asked her to dance. ‘You look beautiful,’ he told her, holding her close.
‘So do you,’ she replied, making him laugh, and then she looked around. ‘This wedding has gone very well, and they look so happy. My best friend is next, so there is much to be joyous about. Against all the odds the four of you have survived, and it could have been very different, Steve.’
‘True.’ He smiled down at her. ‘But we are all glad we came. Luke and Ricky have found lovely wives, and I have met you. Whatever happens in the future, I will always cherish the time spent in your lovely country.’
‘Even though you were being constantly shot at,’ she teased.
‘Yes, but I got to fly a fantastic Lancaster.’
‘You pilots are besotted with those monsters, but I am proud of every one of you. These years will be with me forever.’
‘Agreed, although I am sure we will all have nightmares from time to time.’
‘Probably, but let’s put that all aside for the moment. We have been given fourteen days’ leave, so let’s have fun.’
‘I will as long as I can spend most of it with you. I know you will be helping Jean prepare for her wedding, but will you find the time to show me more of England? There is so much I haven’t seen – from the ground.’
‘Where do you want to go?’
He thought for a moment. ‘The New Forest; I hear there are ponies roaming wild there, and also find a nice sandy beach we can walk on in bare feet.’
‘I believe some of the beach barriers are coming down, so we should be able to do that. Oh, look, Sybil and Luke are leaving.’
They followed the crowd outside where a car was waiting to take the newly-weds to the station for a short honeymoon. They would return in time for Jean and Ricky’s wedding.
The party broke up then and they all went in different directions. Nancy and her parents went home, Jean to hers and the boys stayed with Harry to keep him company.
Steve wasn’t able to see much of Nancy over the next couple of days, but after the next wedding they would still have a few days and he intended to make the most of them.
When the day arrived, Ricky was jittery, and as best man Sandy was doing his best to calm him down. ‘Just imagine you are in the Lancaster and under fire while you plot a course to the target.’
‘What?’ He stared at Sandy, puzzled.
‘I am sure you are perfectly calm then, or Steve would have had you replaced.’
‘He’s right,’ Steve told him. ‘You are icy calm under fire so use that now.’
Ricky took a deep breath and grinned. ‘Hey, it works. I feel better now.’
‘Good, hold that thought.’ Steve stepped back to leave Sandy and R
icky waiting for Jean’s arrival.
This was a full-uniform affair, but the girls each carried a small white Bible with a satin ribbon hanging down and dotted with pink carnations.
Ricky had insisted the reception be held again at his favourite pub, the Jolly Sailor, who did yet another good job.
Luke and Sybil left after Ricky and Jean so they could spend a few more precious days together. Sandy had a yearning to visit the Lake District, and took this opportunity to go there. That left Steve and he accepted the offer to stay with Nancy’s parents.
For the next few days they jumped on and off trains to visit different places. Steve got his wish to see the ponies, and they even found access to a south-coast beach where they could walk in bare feet, holding hands and silently enjoying the experience. Neither of them mentioned the future.
On the evening before they were due to return to base, Tom caught Steve on his own. ‘That’s a beautiful ring you have given our daughter. She won’t talk about it, but we are sure you have asked her to marry you.’
‘I have.’
‘And?’
‘She refused.’
Pain showed clearly on his face. ‘Because of us?’
‘Yes, she said it is impossible for her to go and live so far away from you.’
‘We have become very fond of you, and nothing would please us more than to see you married to Nancy. We wish you could stay in this country.’
‘No, I’m sorry, Tom, I have to return home.’
Tom shook his head sadly. ‘This isn’t right.’
‘I agree. We love each other very much, but this is the way things are and we can’t see a way around it.’
‘We don’t want either of you to be unhappy.’
‘She knows that and so do I. Although our situation appears impossible, I have asked her to wear my ring, and that is all I can ask for at this time.’
‘I’m so sorry, Steve, you are a good man and you deserve to have the woman you love and who loves you.’
‘Life doesn’t always work out the way we want.’
‘No, it doesn’t, and too many sacrifices have been made during this bloody war.’
Sally looked in then, putting an end to this painful conversation. ‘Come on you two, stop gassing. Dinner is ready.’
Together Under the Stars Page 23