Together Under the Stars

by Beryl Matthews

  ‘We did that as well.’ He picked up the board and boxes of darts he’d bought to go with it. ‘I expect the hands will like using this, so I’ll put it in the bunkhouse now. Then I’ll get cleaned up. I’m starving.’

  They watched their son rush out of the house and looked at each other.

  ‘All we get from him are the amusing stories,’ Rose sighed. ‘Is he ever going to talk about the missions he flew and how he got those medals?’

  ‘He is opening up a little at last and, hopefully, he will soon be able to say more. I expect we’ll get it a little at a time.’ Bill placed a hand on her shoulder. ‘Don’t worry about him, darling. He isn’t the only one having trouble adjusting. There are thousands like him, I honestly believe most of his problems seem to be with the girl he loves and has had to leave behind.’

  ‘I hope that Nancy coming here will help him.’

  ‘Of course it will.’ He smiled confidently at his wife, hiding his concern. He knew only too well that this plan was a last desperate effort by his son, and the visit would either help or make matters worse. Ever since Steve had been born, Bill had worked tirelessly to build this ranch up for him, and his son was well aware of that. Because Nancy was needed at home and Steve was needed at the ranch, they’d had to part. What a sad situation these two young people found themselves in. This visit was going to be a worrying time for all of them.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  The ship’s horn blasted as she approached the harbour, and there was a stampede to the rails with everyone eager for their first glimpse of Canada.

  ‘Look at all those people,’ Sally exclaimed. ‘Steve said he would be there but how are we going to find him in that crowd?’

  ‘He’ll find us.’ Tom leant on the rail, excitement on his face. ‘I’m almost sorry the voyage is over because I’ve really enjoyed it. We had the best cabins and everything was laid on for us. That boy thought of everything.’

  Sally nodded and continued to scan the crowd as the ship manoeuvred into the dock, then she grabbed Nancy’s arm. ‘Look, that’s him, isn’t it?’

  Nancy focussed on where her mother was pointing, and after a moment she said, ‘No, Mum, he’s taller than that. He’s over six foot, remember.’

  A few girls who had married Canadians were on the ship, and two near them began to shout and jump up and down, waving frantically when they saw their husbands on the dock.

  The moment the gangplank was in place the passengers began streaming off the ship.

  Tom took hold of his wife and daughter’s arms. ‘It’s time to set foot in another country for the first time in our lives. Let us enjoy every moment of this wonderful experience.’

  They joined the line of people, and every step she took made Nancy’s nerves increase, and she had to fight to stop herself shaking. Was she doing the right thing? Could she walk away from him a second time? The pain of that first parting was not something she wanted to experience again, but it was too late for doubts. She was here now, and to be truthful, she was yearning to see him again. All she could do was make the most of every minute.

  Stepping on to firm ground again felt strange and she gripped her father’s arm to steady herself. Then she felt a hand on her shoulder and turned round to find herself enveloped in familiar arms. She didn’t have to look up at his face, she knew who it was, and the joy of being with him again overwhelmed her as she gave a quiet sob of relief.

  ‘It’s all right, sweetheart,’ Steve murmured in her ear, holding her close until she had control of herself again. Then, with one arm still around her, he smiled at Tom and Sally. ‘Welcome to Canada, and thank you very much for coming.’

  ‘It’s good to see you again, Steve.’ Sally reached up and kissed his cheek. ‘Thank you so much for inviting us.’

  Tom shook his hand. ‘We really enjoyed the voyage, and thanks for arranging everything so perfectly for us.’

  ‘I’m glad it was all right.’ He looked down at Nancy. ‘You weren’t sea seasick?’

  ‘No, we were all fine, but some of the passengers were bad for a couple of days.’

  Tom was gazing at the milling crowds. ‘Where do we collect our luggage, Steve?’

  ‘Come with me.’ Tucking Nancy’s hand through his arm he took them to a large building.

  All they had to do was stand there while Steve dealt with everything, then they were allowed to collect their cases and be on their way.

  While walking out of the building, Sally whispered to her husband, ‘My word, he has such an air of authority about him, I had forgotten that.’

  Steve led them to a car and put their cases in the trunk and then opened the doors for them to get in; Nancy in the front and her parents in the back.

  ‘The first part of our journey is by car,’ he told them as he drove away from the dock.

  ‘How long is the journey, Steve?’ Tom wanted to know as they drove out of the dock.

  ‘We have quite a way to go, but should be home in time for dinner, so sit back, relax and tell me what you have all been doing since we left.’

  After almost two hours, Steve turned on to a small airfield and got out. ‘I won’t be a moment.’

  ‘Er … what are we doing here?’ Sally wondered as she watched the tall figure disappear into a building.

  ‘Well, he is a pilot, so I suppose he wants to find out something,’ Tom replied.

  Nancy said nothing, but she had a good idea what was going to happen.

  He was soon back and opened the doors for them to get out, then he opened the trunk and two men picked up the cases and headed for a plane. ‘Right, we can go now.’ He took Nancy’s hand and began to walk towards the plane, but turned when her parents weren’t with him as well. ‘Some­thing wrong?’ he asked, winking at Nancy, who was having difficulty controlling her amusement. Their stunned expres­sions were a picture.

  ‘You want us to get in that?’ Sally had turned quite pale.

  ‘What’s wrong with it?’

  ‘It’s an aeroplane,’ she gasped.

  ‘Yes, I would say that is right. She’s a beauty and a lot more comfortable than a Lancaster.’

  Tom hadn’t said a word, or moved, and this was too much for Nancy, who dissolved into helpless laughter. He hadn’t changed a bit. He was still the same man she had fallen in love with.

  ‘Steve is safe to fly with,’ she managed to tell them. ‘His crew wouldn’t go up with anyone else. They trusted him completely, and he’s flown everything, including a Spitfire.’

  ‘You don’t seem concerned, have you been up in a plane before and never told us?’ her father wanted to know.

  ‘No, but I’m looking forward to seeing what those men loved about taking to the air. And Steve is right, it is a beau­tiful plane.’

  He squeezed her hand, then turned his attention back to Tom and Sally. ‘Come on, you’ll enjoy it, and it will save you a long journey. She’s a good, sturdy, little plane. My parents gave it to me as a homecoming present.’

  ‘They gave you an aeroplane as a present?’ Tom asked, hardly able to believe it. He took hold of his wife’s hand. ‘So far this has been a journey of new experiences, we might as well add one more to the list.’

  When they reached the plane, the two men had finished stowing the luggage away.

  ‘She’s all ready for you, sir,’ one of them informed him.

  ‘Thank you. Will you see my passengers on board while I do my own checks?’

  ‘Of course, sir.’

  ‘Nancy, you sit in the front seat with me,’ he called as they climbed in.

  ‘No need for you to be worried,’ the man said, as he helped the nervous passengers to fasten the seat belts. ‘Squadron Leader Allard is a fine pilot and you’ll be quite safe with him.’

  Tom stared out of the window and watched Steve checking everything and talking to the men. ‘Nancy, I’m confused. He sends us expensive tickets, gets an aeroplane as a present, and those men call him “sir”. What the hell is going on?’
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  ‘I don’t know any more than you, Dad. He said he was a farmer, and that’s all I know about his life here.’

  ‘Haven’t Jean or Sybil said anything in their letters about him?’

  ‘Not a word.’

  Their speculation ended when Steve joined them and settled in the pilot’s seat. The engine sprang into life and they took up position for take-off.

  His whole attention was on what he was doing, and Nancy could just imagine him in the Lancaster. There was an air of calm efficiency about him that was reassuring. Was that what the men who had flown with him had seen?

  They gathered speed, lifted off and climbed. Once levelled off and on course he glanced across at Nancy. ‘All right?’

  ‘Yes, it’s wonderful.’

  He reached across, took hold of her hand and kissed it. ‘That’s my girl.’

  Smiling happily, she turned round. ‘Are you and Mum all right?’

  ‘Very comfortable,’ Tom replied. ‘Quite exhilarating, really.’

  ‘That’s what I like to hear, so settle back, ladies and gentleman. I’ll tell you when we are nearing our destination.’

  The drone of the engine had a soothing effect after an emotional few hours, and the passengers dozed off.

  Steve could hardly believe he had Nancy with him again, but he knew it could turn out to be only for a short time. One thing he was sure of, though, was that he wouldn’t be able to stand on that dock and wave goodbye to her, knowing it really would be for the last time. If that did happen, then they would have to get on with their lives without each other, but that was something he was not ready to accept at this time. Getting her and her parents here had been the first hurdle, and now the most important and difficult part was to come. Everyone’s future happiness depended on that being a success.

  He glanced across at her sleeping and smiled. For the moment he was content to have her with him. It was some­thing he had never expected to happen.

  Half an hour from home he reached across and shook her gently, and when she started awake, he said, ‘We will be landing soon. Wake your parents.’

  ‘Oh, I didn’t mean to go to sleep,’ she said with dismay, turning round in her seat. ‘I’ve missed everything. Wake up, Mum and Dad, we are nearly there.’

  Steve began to lose height, and when the ranch house came into view, he flew low over it. This time, though, he had asked his parents not to come and meet them, but wait at the house. He banked to make his approach and then came in to land.

  A man with a spanner sticking out of his top pocket opened the plane door as soon as the engine was switched off. ‘Had a good flight, sir?’

  ‘Perfect thanks, Jim. Help my passengers out and put the luggage in the car, please.’

  When this was done Steve got in the car and as they drove along, Nancy couldn’t help smiling. ‘That man reminds me of the ground crew who couldn’t wait to get their hands on the Lancaster when you got back to see what damage you’d done to it.’

  He chuckled softly, remembering Sarge and the boys. ‘Yes, they looked after us well.’

  ‘Steve, how long before we get to your farm?’ Tom wanted to know.

  ‘We’re on it now.’

  There was a confused silence for a moment. ‘You’ve got a landing strip on your farm?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘But how big is it?’

  ‘We’ve been flying over it for some time. We have some­thing like three thousand acres; some of it for crops of wheat and barley, the rest for beef cattle.’

  Tom began to laugh. ‘And you told us you were a farmer.’

  ‘I am, but not as you know it in England.’

  ‘How on earth do you manage a place of this size?’

  ‘We have good hands, some are permanent, some transient, and we all work hard.’ The house came into sight and he hooted to alert his parents. Rose and Bill appeared, followed by a couple of servants to deal with the luggage.

  Bill immediately stepped forward to help them out of the car and shake their hands. ‘Welcome to the Allard ranch. We are delighted you could come.’

  Steve could see they were quite overwhelmed with every­thing and he shot his mother an imploring glance.

  She stepped forward, smiling brightly. ‘It is lovely to meet you at last. Steve has told us how kind you were to four Canadian boys a long way from home. Now, I am sure you are gasping for a cup of tea.’

  Even after all these years his mother still spoke with a very English accent and this seemed to settle the Daltons a little.

  Rose led them inside and he stayed by his father’s side, quite happy to let his mother take charge of welcoming them to their home. A table had been laid with fine bone china, tea and delicate cakes. A maid was waiting to serve them, and Nancy’s parents had a look of astonishment on their faces, but their daughter seemed to be taking it all in her stride.

  Bill murmured under his breath, ‘You didn’t tell them?’

  Nancy was staring at Steve and his father as they stood side by side, and seeing it Rose laughed. ‘I know, they do look like two peas in a pod.’

  ‘They certainly do.’ Nancy took a cup from the maid and sat down, looking more relaxed. ‘Do you know your son never mentioned any of this? When asked what he did at home he would simply say he was a farmer and change the subject.’

  ‘That’s what Bill told me, and I expected to be living on a farm something like the ones at home, and I was staggered when he brought me out here.’ She gave her husband an affec­tionate smile and then turned her attention back to Nancy. ‘The Allard men never boast about their achievements, and I thought that a fine trait. They never talk about themselves much, but I love them both dearly.’

  ‘We are pleased to hear that.’ Looking highly amused, Bill settled in a chair.

  Steve did the same and his parents asked about their journey, letting their guests talk so they could get to know them.

  After a while, Rose stood up. ‘I’ll show you to your rooms so you can freshen up. Dinner will be in an hour.’ She led them along a wide corridor, up an elegant staircase, and opened two doors next to each other. ‘You will find every­thing there you need, but if there is anything else, then please do ask.’

  Nancy stepped into a spacious room, decorated in pale apricot with a touch of gold on the bedspread. ‘This is beautiful, Mrs Allard.’

  ‘I thought you would like this one, and the name is Rose. Make yourself at home while I settle your parents in and show them where everything is.’

  Steve and his father were still downstairs. ‘What do you think, Dad?’

  ‘First impressions are good. Tom and Sally seem like good sensible people, and Nancy is lovely.’

  ‘I can hear a “but” in your voice.’

  ‘Only a small one. They are city folk and appear to be unsettled by so much space around them. Would they be able to settle here?’

  ‘Mother did, and she came from London.’

  ‘Yes, thank heavens. It was a very short courtship, and I took one hell of a risk, but I was sure I had picked the right woman. I was right: she settled in quite quickly and loves the life. Would Nancy do the same?’

  ‘I believe she has the strength of character to make such a radical change if she gets the chance to. Only time will tell.’

  ‘Well, you have done the right thing by giving both of you the time to see if it would work for you. Your mother and I will do everything we can to see they enjoy them­selves.’

  Rose came back then. ‘We’ll leave them to settle in. They are still in shock, but they will soon get over that, as I did. When you come from the crowded streets of London, it’s hard being faced with so much space.’ She turned to her son. ‘Nancy is lovely, but have you thought that finding you live and own such a huge place might make her want to run back home?’

  ‘I’ve considered every eventuality,’ he told her. ‘I know the risks and will accept disappointment if I have to, but this has got to be settled one way or another for all our sakes.
To be honest, I will be devastated if this doesn’t work out, but as I’ve said before, I had to try.’

  ‘You have done the right thing, and your father and I are behind you all the way.’

  ‘Thanks, I can’t ask for more.’ Steve stood up. ‘I’ll clean up before dinner.’

  He was at the top of the stairs when Sally caught him, looking worried. ‘Steve, do you dress for dinner? Only we don’t have any posh clothes. You know what it is like with rationing.’

  ‘We wear casual clothes all the time, so just wear whatever you have. Don’t be fooled by the size of this place; it is a working ranch, and everything comes big around here. Dad did rather let his enthusiasm get the better of him when he had this place built.’ He gave her a reassuring smile. ‘You wait until you see us after we’ve been rounding up cattle.’

  That made her smile and the worry disappeared. ‘I can’t wait to see more of this beautiful place.’

  ‘There’s plenty to see. I’ll fly you over it one day so you can see everything.’

  ‘Thank you, Steve. This is so exciting. Is there a town nearby where we can buy suitable clothing to wear around the ranch? We’d like to do some shopping while we are here.’

  ‘I’ll ask Mother to take you to Edmonton tomorrow. You’ll get everything you want there.’

  ‘Lovely. Are you sure she wouldn’t mind?’

  ‘She would be pleased to take you. She loves going on a shopping spree.’

  ‘I’ll go and let Tom and Nancy know.’

  He watched her disappear back into her room and continued on his way. After a quick bath and change of clothes, he found his mother coming out of the kitchen after talking to Cook. ‘Mum, Sally is worried about their clothes, or rather the lack of them. Can you take them shopping tomorrow so they can get something suitable to wear here?’

  ‘I would love to. There are a few things I want as well.’

  ‘They will need pants, shirts, a jacket, boots – and don’t forget hats.’ He handed her a roll of notes. ‘Try to pay for as much of it as you can with that, but don’t upset them. They have their pride, but at least pay for the most expensive items as a gift from me.’