She walked home slowly, plotting her tactics. Brian had a car, he would take her to Walsall, where Robert kept his aeroplane. But if Robert saw her with Brian might he feel compelled to stay aloof? Could she persuade someone else to take her? Which of her girl friends could drive? She wished she had bothered to learn herself. If she went with someone, Robert would feel obliged to entertain them too. She could go on the train, and take a taxi from the station. Maybe that would be best. Then he'd bring her home. She'd wait a while, let him make the first move and take her to the cinema, as he'd promised. If he did not telephone her within, say, two weeks, she would adopt this plan.
*
Maggie nodded when George came past and asked her to come to the office. Were they going to be asked to do yet more overtime? The country was rearming fast now, and all the small factories in Coventry which were making parts for aeroplanes, or ammunitions, were working at full capacity. Though it made her tired, and she barely saw the kids, who were usually in bed by the time she reached home, she was earning good money and putting a lot aside.
George motioned her to sit down and she saw that he had put the kettle on the little spirit stove, and was warming the pot. He looked serious.
'Maggie, sit down. Sheila wants you to go home. I'll get one of the men to go with you.'
'What's happened? Hattie? No, she wouldn't – George, the kids?'
He nodded, and she started up from the chair. 'Sit down, have a cup of tea while I explain. We don't know that anything bad's happened to them, but Sheila called the police in case. They, the boys, didn't come home from school. My eldest says he saw them talking to a man driving a car, an Austin Eight, they think. The boys got in, and he ran home to tell Sheila. But he now says he's not sure they were your two.'
'If they ain't come home, it must have been,' Maggie said, gulping down the hot tea. 'I must get back home. What about the others?'
'They're all there. And they're staying there. Sheila got old Mr and Mrs Horobin from next door to come in and look after them, while she came here, make sure they don't do anything crazy like try and follow.'
'It's Sam! I knew he'd be plotting something! He'll never let go!'
'Would he be able to get a car, or does he have friends who could?'
'How do I know! He'd steal one without a second thought. George, I must go home!'
'Of course. Tell Sheila I'll be there as soon as I can get someone to take over from me. Dan O'Riley will go with you. He's big enough to frighten off even those bruisers who threatened you before.'
Maggie nodded, not really listening. It must be Sam. Anything else was even worse to contemplate. But why did Sam want the boys? He didn't want them just because they were his sons, she was convinced. He'd never taken much notice of them. She tried to think calmly as she ran the short distance between the factory and home, Dan loping along beside her.
Sheila had the door open and Maggie fell into her arms. 'The others?'
'Safe, love. And none of them are going anywhere from now on without one of us with them. The police are looking now, they told us to stay here.'
'I can't stay doing nothing!'
'There's nothing you can do, and if the lads are found they'll want you. How could you follow a car? No, you sit down and try to think of anywhere Sam might have taken them. Does he have family?'
Maggie collapsed onto a kitchen chair, realising the sense of what Sheila said, but fretting at the inaction. 'He's got a couple of brothers in West Bromwich, but they haven't spoken for years. It's his prison friends he'd get to help now, and I don't know who they are.'
'The police can find out, and where they are now. There is one other possibility.'
Maggie looked up, and understood what Sheila meant. 'The men who threatened me?' she whispered. 'You think they could have taken my poor lads in order to force Sam ter tell them where whatever it was he stole's hidden? If that's it, there's no chance! Sam wouldn't care! He thinks his own skin's more precious than anyone else's!'
'We'll have to wait and see. The police will have ideas where to look, or Sam – they'll get in touch.'
*
Firmly Kate controlled her trembling. If Robert saw that her hands were shaking he would change his mind, not let her make this solo flight. She knew she was doing it unusually early, but both Robert and Tom, as well as Peter who was in Walsall that weekend, had insisted she was ready for it, and other people had done it after even fewer lessons.
She made all the checks, walking round the Tiger and testing the struts and wires, the tyres, the fabric of the body and wings. Then she checked that the rudder, tailplane and aelerons were moving freely. When she climbed into the cockpit she felt better. She could, she would do it! Interior checks completed, she nodded to Robert who swung the propeller. As the engine fired, they pulled away the chocks and the Tiger began to move forward, gathering speed. Judging the right moment, praying she would not crash into the hedge at the edge of the field, and would gain enough height to clear the trees surrounding Aldridge Lodge, she eased the stick back.
Almost without her noticing they were up in the air, and Kate let out a shout of triumph. She was flying, alone, a dream she'd never really believed would come true. She must savour every moment. She needed to qualify as quickly as possible, because she was building up a huge debt to Robert. She managed to give him a few shillings every week, earned largely by the extra machining she did in the evenings. She'd have done more, but her landlady had complained about the noise late at night. So Kate, forced to stop early, once again began seeking out odd jobs helping the market traders. That was only two days a week, but Frank, seeing how determined she was, and ignoring Phyllis's protests that Kate would be too tired, found her a job for early mornings cleaning in one of the town centre shops.
Kate was tired, but the excitement of the flying compensated for that. She went through all the manoeuvres she'd been told to do for the solo flight, resisting the temptation to do more. She grinned. Robert must have read her mind, for on the drive to the Club he had sternly informed her that one step out of line, any tricks or showing off, and he would cancel the rest of her lessons.
She completed her circuit, looking down and waving to where she knew Robert and Peter, with several more members, were standing by the Club House watching her. A car, she thought it was a taxicab, was turning in through the gates, and she flew low above it as she prepared for the landing.
There, she'd done it! She'd bounced a bit, but she'd hit a slight unevenness on the ground, and she'd seen experienced pilots make much worse landings. She turned and taxied back towards the Club House, bringing the Tiger to a halt in precisely the same spot from where she'd started. Robert would be pleased.
Making her checks, she was a minute or two before she climbed out, pulling off her helmet and grinning broadly. Then her eyes widened as she looked beyond Robert and Peter, who were walking towards her.
'Daphne!'
Daphne was staring at her in amazement, her mouth slightly open. 'Kate Martins? It can't be! What on earth are you doing here, flying, piloting an aeroplane?'
'Let's go in and have a drink,' Robert said, 'We can't talk here, we'll be in the way. That was good, Kate. Next time, I might – just might – let you loop the loop!'
***
Chapter 12
Maggie insisted that there was nothing Sheila or George could do, but she would wait up in case the police had any news. She sat in the kitchen, too terrified to sleep, wondering how Sid and Ronnie were, whether they were terrified. When would she hear something? Had it been Sam who'd taken them?
George came down at six. 'Maggie, you must try and sleep, or you'll not be fit for the lads if they need you,' he said, coming up behind her and putting his hands on her shoulders as she sat by the table. 'Sheila's getting up now, so promise me you'll try to sleep for a bit. She'll wake you if anything happens.'
'I couldn't sleep, George. I'd have nightmares.'
'Well, at least lie down. Promise?'
'I'll have to go in, but I'll send one of the lads round every so often to see whether you've heard something.'
'I ought to go in.'
He gave her a quick hug. 'Rubbish, you're not fit to concentrate. Now, what about a fresh pot of tea?'
It was the middle of the morning before Sam appeared at the door. Sheila had gone to the shops, and Maggie had made the young ones play upstairs, where Hattie, grumbling at this change in her normal routine, had been told to polish all the wardrobes and dressing tables instead of her favourite sideboard.
'Where have you got them?' Maggie demanded, her voice hoarse from tears she'd forced herself to keep back.
'Wouldn't you like ter know!'
'Sam, I swear I'll murder you if you've hurt them!'
He laughed. 'They're big lads now. Sid's getting on fer ten, ain't he? Nearly ready fer work.'
'Where is he?'
'Safe, wi' pals of mine. Maggie me luv, no one's gonna hurt him, if yer does what I want.'
'What do you mean? Which pals? Them brutes that threatened me?'
'What about a cuppa?'
'Not until yer gives me some answers. Are they OK?'
Sighing, he sat down at the kitchen table and Maggie stood opposite, wondering how best to make him tell her. Then Sam began to speak, his tone a mixture of complaint and wheedling.
'Maggie, yer did me wrong when yer left me an' come here. I wants me family. I needs the kids. An' I needs a job, but no one'll tek on a gaolbird. I've got a couple o' nice rooms, in Spons End, all ready fer yer. If yer comes back, and if yer precious George gives me a job, we'll get the lads back. I promise yer.'
'That's blackmail!'
'Yer did me wrong, leaving me, deprivin' me of me own kids. Most decent folk 'ud be on my side. Well, do yer want the lads back? Or is it more important ter live wi' yer fancy man? Two on yer, 'e's got, lucky blighter, and all I want is me own lawful wife.'
Maggie thought fast, but she was so tired her brain seemed to be going round in circles. Could she pretend, agree to go with him, then when the boys were brought back, get away from Coventry somehow, go where he would not be able to find them?
'I can't answer fer George,' she said slowly.
'He's got kids,' Sam replied.
'Yes, and if you touched a single hair he'd put you back in gaol! I'm yer wife, some folk who don't know yer might have some sympathy! I'll have to ask him,' she finished, sitting down in a chair, defeated. She needed to keep him sweet, at least until she had the boys back and out of his reach.
*
'Daphne! how lovely to see you? How are you? Did you enjoy Paris?'
Kate knew she was babbling, but she was so astounded to see Daphne, suddenly appearing after such a long time. She tried to reckon it. It was well over a year since she'd had a letter from Daphne, in Paris. Then she'd been dismissed from the Wilsons' employment, so if Daphne had written again they would almost certainly have destroyed the letters. And she had been too ashamed to write, afraid of the condemnation and also in case it would have seemed as though she was appealing for help.
Daphne, appearing astonished still, just stared at her. She seemed so sophisticated, out of school uniform, almost two years older than when they'd last met, and in a strange way more aloof. Kate admitted that they had inevitably grown apart in that time. Daphne's life had presumably continued in the expected way, a year in Paris, and lots of social activities amongst the wealthy Edgbaston residents since she returned home, unlike Kate's experiences. Kate shuddered. She did her utmost to forget the time between leaving school and coming to Walsall.
'Let's go inside,' Robert said again, 'and Kate can get out of those flying clothes.'
Kate turned to him in surprise. 'Aren't we going up again? There's time now the days are getting longer. Oh, but perhaps you have to get back to Birmingham.'
They began walking towards the Club House and Kate barely heard what they were saying. She was just vaguely aware of Daphne's surprised exclamation and Robert's quiet reply.
'You are teaching Kate to fly? But Robert, why on earth do you have to do that? Surely, if she wants to fly, there are plenty of instructors?'
'I want to do it. She's going to be as brilliant as Amy Johnson if she has the chance.'
Kate was trying to sort out her emotions. He'd be taking Daphne back. No doubt Daphne had come with someone else, probably they'd arranged this. The thought gave her an odd feeling of desertion, and she berated herself. She was being foolish. Robert had been kind, had spent a lot of time with her these past few weekends, but that was just because he recognised she had ability, as he had so often said, and it was a pleasure for him to teach someone who was so much more competent than the other people he had occasionally taught to fly. It was no more than that, and the realisation struck her with stunning force. Why on earth had she, even for a brief, unreal second, allowed herself to imagine it was because he still liked her?
She forced herself to ask Daphne again about Paris, and this time Daphne replied.
'It was wonderful, Kate. You must try and go there one day. But it's even more magical if the company is pleasant. Isn't it, Robert? But how about you? You must have fallen on your feet if you can afford flying lessons from Robert. Did you find a wealthy – husband? I'd have thought that would have kept you busy enough without bothering to learn to fly.'
Kate flushed at her tone. Why was she being so unfriendly? This wasn't the old Daphne. 'I have a job,' she said quietly. 'I'm saving up for lessons.'
'A job?' Daphne sounded surprised. 'Oh, Kate, what can you be doing to earn that much? Not working in a dress shop, surely?'
'Kate is brilliant, and if war comes we'll need pilots, women as well as men,' Robert said briefly.
Daphne began to laugh. 'You mean women will fly those big aeroplanes, what are they called, bombers? I don't think that's likely, Robert.'
'Who knows? But there is other work for competent pilots which doesn't involve bombing the enemy. Women pilots are no stranger than female doctors.'
'It won't come to war. Mr Chamberlain won't let it.'
'Are you studying to be a doctor, Daphne?' Kate seized on this safer topic. 'You always said you wanted to.'
'I'm at med school, yes, but I'm not sure I'll finish. It's sometimes a bore. But my last letter was returned, they said you'd left suddenly. Why did you do that?'
Kate hesitated. Would Mrs Wilson have told Daphne's mother about her? If so, would Mrs Carstairs have told Daphne? Was she, in this oddly antagonistic mood, trying to trick her? Then she told herself not to be so suspicious. Daphne was a friend. Her coldness, her insensitivity, could probably be explained by jealousy that Robert was paying attention to someone else, however innocently. This was a thought she'd have to examine later.
'I found a job here, through a friend,' she said as calmly as she could.
Daphne looked at her, eyebrows raised. 'I see,' she said. 'I'm sorry you didn't write, keep up with your old friends.'
So that was it, Kate thought in some relief. Daphne was annoyed with her over that.
'And your mother? And Maggie and her family? How are they?'
'They went to Coventry. I haven't seen them for a long time. My letters must have gone astray, Maggie never replied.'
'Oh, you poor thing! But not having them to consider might have helped you save for your flying lessons.'
'Perhaps.' Would she prefer to have the worry of Hattie instead? Kate had to admit she would not, now she knew the bliss of soaring through the sky.
She went to change, and when she returned felt that the atmosphere had become frosty. Daphne was glowering, Peter looked uncomfortable, and Robert had a determined look on his face, the one he'd had when he tried to refuse her money.
Peter leapt to his feet and pulled out another chair for Kate. 'We've been trying to persuade Miss Carstairs to join us for dinner, ' he said. 'But she says she has to return to Birmingham. I'm taking her to the station, and I'll
see you and Robert later.'
*
Maggie turned a wan face to George. 'Thank you. It's been a great help having the van to move the furniture.'
'I'm sorry,' he said. 'We didn't want to lose you. At least you'll be able to get to the factory by tram.'
'Thank you for giving Sam a job. I'll do my best to make sure he works hard!'
Until, she thought, she had her children back with her and could escape. She did not dare confide her plans to anyone. At least the problem of Hattie had been taken from her. Sheila had insisted Hattie remained with them, and refused to let Maggie pay towards her keep.
'She does a lot for me, truly,' she'd said. 'I can leave the children with her, and if you bring your Betty here while you're at work and the others come here after school she can look after them as well as mine. It lets me go shopping and cook in peace. And if you can ever come back, it will be less disturbing for her.'
Maggie stood in the doorway and watched George drive the van away. She looked at the row of identical small houses lining the road, their doors opening straight from the front parlours onto the pavement. They were mean and cramped, worse than the ones she'd lived in when she first came to Coventry. The prospect of living here, even without Sam and his pals, did not appeal after the comfort she'd known with Sheila and George. What made it worse was that the two men Sam said owned the house, the ones who had come out of prison at the same time as he did, said they were not going to move out of the two upstairs bedrooms to make room for Sam and his family. They would all have to sleep in this front parlour.
Sam had promised the boys would be returned that night, if she did as he wanted. Maggie had felt she had no choice. George had urged her to go to the police and charge him with kidnapping, but Maggie had refused. She knew Sam's former associates, the ones who had threatened her, and that he'd admitted now held the boys, would have no fear of the police, and she dreaded what they might do if she didn't cooperate.
Can Dreams Come True? Page 26