“I guess, in an old-fashioned sort of way.”
“I’ll have you know I like old-fashioned, at least in some things.” She replaced the cup on its saucer and continued to study the china, piece by piece, occasionally running her fingers along the smooth surface of a fragile platter or bowl.
Madge turned to a display of hats nearby. She tried one on and turned. “What do you think?”
Kitty looked up just as the clerk approached.
“You girls must be at the castle.” The older woman smiled. “Haven’t seen that uniform before.”
“We’re Americans, Women’s Army Corps. And yes, we’re working at Ellingham Castle, although it’s not the kind of castle I expected.”
The woman’s light laughter danced through the air. Madge glanced up from her browsing as the native continued. “I’ll wager you Yanks think a castle is all stone walls and battlements.”
Kitty fought the blush of embarrassment. “Yes. I guess I expected to see something like that. “
“Oh, there’s plenty of old ruins around. Just ’ave to know where to look.”
“Are there really? Close by?” The woman’s comment sparked Kitty’s imagination.
“Of course. The old Norman fortification. Stood for centuries, till they built Ellingham Castle. Used the old stone to lay the foundation.”
“Where is it?” Kitty asked eagerly.
“Just take the lane by Pemberly’s. Not far, there’s a track off to the right. What’s left of the old place sits atop the hill.”
Kitty shot a questioning glance at her friend who’d just placed the hat back on its pedestal.
“No,” Madge said flatly. “Don’t even ask. We’re going to the pub.”
“But it’s such a beautiful day. We could all go.”
Madge’s frown gave her answer. “Are you finished, shopping, I mean?”
“Almost.” She pressed her lips together and elevated her chin just enough to let Madge know she wouldn’t be pushed.
Kitty quickly returned her attention to the china display. “I was interested in your china.”
The elderly lady stepped closer, self-consciously pulling her worn sweater around her thin waist as her gaze darted between the two women. “We have some lovely pieces. Are you looking for anything in particular?”
Kitty pointed to a teapot covered in tiny blossoms. “What’s that pattern called?”
The clerk reached up and took the teapot down so Kitty could examine it. “It’s Lord Nelson Chintz. A lovely pattern, don’t you think?”
Kitty took the delicate pot, held the lid tight, and turned it over to inspect it. She then took the lid off and peered inside. There was no tag, no price anywhere.
“It’s beautiful. How much is it?” Kitty asked.
“Oh, being’s it’s been here gathering dust and being’s we don’t have the cups to match, I’d say we could let you have it for ten shillings.”
Kitty looked over at Madge, hoping her friend understood English money better than she did. Madge shrugged.
“What do you want that for?” Madge complained. “It’ll only get broken in that hut.”
“We could ship it for you,” the clerk offered. “You Yanks are always shipping things back to America.”
“How much to ship it?”
“Oh, another two shillings ought to do it.”
“Kitty. What are you doing?” Madge protested.
“I was thinking of sending it to my grandmother. She loves things like this.”
Madge rolled her eyes. “The one you’re named for? The one your father doesn’t get along with?”
Kitty nodded. Petty jealousies were so easily forgotten when you were far away. She studied the display again. “What about that vase?”
The clerk handed it down to her. An English rose decorated the foot-tall, flared china vase. “For a full pound, I’ll add in the vase and ship it, too.”
“All right. You’ve got a deal.” Kitty beamed at Madge.
“And who’s that for?” her friend asked.
“Mother. If I send her something, she can’t complain about me sending this to Grandmother.”
Madge shook her head smiling. “And your old man won’t say anything either. Glad I don’t have to keep my relatives happy.”
The clerk took the teapot and vase back to the counter. Kitty slipped her arm around Madge’s waist and gave her a little hug.
“Thanks for putting up with me.”
“Sure. Sure.”
As Kitty dug in her bag for the money, she saw Madge glance up at a clock behind the counter. Five minutes to one. “This won’t take long.” She hurriedly wrote out the names and addresses for the clerk.
Madge glanced impatiently toward the street and tapped her fingers on the countertop. Kitty got the message. “I know. I know. We’ll get there. Don’t worry.”
Madge smiled, a strange almost shy look in her eyes. “Just anxious to see him.”
Madge had really fallen hard for Lieutenant Ted Kruger. And Madge never fell for any of the guys she dated. Her philosophy was to have fun, never get too attached, and never let them get too attached. Always before, if Madge thought some guy had fallen for her, she’d let him down gently, but she’d made it plain that she never got serious. Never, until now.
Kitty couldn’t blame Madge. Kitty had fallen for the same guy, years ago on a deserted beach. The fact he didn’t even remember her hurt, more than a little. But that wasn’t Madge’s fault.
Kitty just wasn’t the type girl men went for, not men like Ted. No. Handsome, blue-eyed, sweet-smiling guys like Ted only went for her in her dreams, not in real life.
Kitty finished and thanked the nice English woman. She then took Madge’s arm and led her out of the shop. “He’ll be there waiting for you,” Kitty assured her friend.
****
Ted spotted the old German trudging along, a cane in one hand and a basket swinging from his other arm.
“I’ll be right back,” Ted told his friend, then he hurried to cross the street.
“Guten tag,” Ted called to the old gent.
The white-haired man stopped and turned. A smile spread across the older face at the familiar greeting. His eyes twinkled. “Ja, Good Day.”
Ted continued in German, asking about the man’s health. He knew it would please the ex-patriot’s longing to hear his native tongue.
They’d met accidentally on Ted’s first venture into town after leaving the hospital. He’d heard the familiar German accent, and memories of his grandparents drew him to the stranger. Despite Ted’s rusty German, the aging man had been immensely pleased to hear the familiar words.
“Kruger, come on,” Newman called from across the street. “The girls will be waiting for us.”
“Okay.” Ted waved. “I’m coming.” He turned to the old gentleman. “It was good to see you again.”
“Perhaps you can join me for tea one day. At number 12 Ablemare, just down the street and to the left.” He held out his hand to shake. “You must come, on any day, at tea time.”
Ted shook his hand. “I’d like that. Give me a chance to practice my German.”
He darted across the street, between bicyclists, and turned back to wave as he reached the opposite side.
“Who’s that?” Newman asked.
“Oh, just an old man I met. He reminds me of my grandfather.”
When the two airmen entered the pub, they saw nothing of the WACs. “See—they’re not here yet,” Ted said.
They settled at a table by the large window that faced the street so they could watch for the girls and enjoy the local people going about their business.
The semblance of normalcy allowed him to pretend the war was far away, at least for a little while.
Within minutes the girls arrived. Madge greeted them with one of her winning smiles. Kitty hung back.
“Ladies, I’d like you to meet Second Lieutenant Sammy Newman.” Ted wanted to put his arm around Madge and pull her close, b
ut he knew he’d better be on his best behavior, at least for now. “Sammy, this is Madge and her friend, Kitty.”
Sammy reached out and shook Madge’s hand. “Ted told me you looked like Betty Grable, and he wasn’t kidding.”
Madge beamed at the compliment. Beside her Kitty appeared embarrassed. Ted wasn’t sure if it was because Sammy made such a big deal over Madge or because Sammy ignored her. Maybe if the girl were a little more outgoing men would pay more attention to her.
“Kitty and Madge have been friends for a long time, haven’t you girls?” Ted tried to smooth over the situation with the first thing that came to his head. Something about Kitty made him sympathize with her.
“Yes,” Kitty nodded quietly.
“We met when we trained at the administration school in Kentucky. Then, as luck would have it, we were both assigned to Boston, then sent over here.” Madge slid into the chair Ted held for her.
“You don’t sound like you’re from the south,” Sammy drawled, focusing his attention on Madge alone.
Ted recognized the look in Sammy’s eyes. The same look he saw in the eyes of every man he’d introduced to Madge. He had to head the guy off
Ted pulled out the chair next to Madge. “Kitty, why don’t you sit here.” He caught her eye and tried to urge her to speak up by gesturing with his head, but she just glared at him. She disliked him, that much was clear. How much of it had to do with Madge and how much had to do with him, he wasn’t sure.
Madge batted her long eyelashes in Sammy’s direction. “Oh, I’m not. It’s Kitty. She’s from Tennessee.” Madge reached out and patted Kitty on the hand. “I’m from Minneapolis.”
Ted seated himself on Madge’s other side before Sammy could make a move. “Sammy’s from Mobile, Alabama,” Ted interjected. “I thought maybe you two southerners would have something in common.”
Kitty shot him an odd glance, then gave Sammy a weak smile as he sat beside her.
Somehow Ted had to get those two talking and get Sammy’s attention away from Madge.
“Sammy and I were stationed at the same airbase. He’s a bombardier.” Ted caught Sammy’s gaze and nodded toward Kitty. Thankfully the guy got the message.
“That’s right. We were in the same squadron.” Sammy turned to Kitty. “How long have you girls been at Ellingham?”
Chapter Eight
Ted focused all his attention on Madge. And Madge was so absorbed by Ted that she didn’t know anyone else existed. This left Kitty and Sammy in an awkward position—strangers with little to talk about. Add to that the longing Kitty felt when Ted’s expressive lips curved up into that infectious smile. A smile he directed at Madge, not her.
Kitty forced her attention away from the flirting man and glanced out the window. “It’s a beautiful day,” she commented, wishing she could escape Ted’s company.
“Yeah,” Sammy followed her gaze. “Makes you want to get outside.”
Kitty turned to face Sammy. She had an idea, if he was willing. “You wouldn’t be interested in going for a walk, would you?”
“Walk? Where?”
He actually sounded interested in her idea.
“A woman in a shop told me about some old Norman ruins just outside of town.”
“Sounds interesting.” He glanced over at Ted and Madge with their heads together whispering. “You think they’ll want to go.”
Kitty shook her head. She knew Madge. Walking into the village had been more than enough of nature for her.
Kitty touched her friend’s arm to get her attention. “We’re going on that walk I told you about. We’ll be back later.”
“That’s swell.” Madge barely glanced away from Ted.
When Kitty and Sammy stood, Ted got up and walked with them toward the bar. “You two have fun. We’ll just stay here, listen to some music.” He signaled for the bartender to bring another round.
Kitty couldn’t resist staring at his sparkling blue eyes, eyes focused on Sammy, not her. She’d dreamed about those eyes, dreamed of him seeing only her, wanting only her. But he didn’t even see her, barely glanced her way.
The real man was nothing like she imagined. She didn’t even like him that much. He was pleasant enough, smiling, joking. Never serious, always looking for a good time. And although he focused his attention on Madge, he’d admitted that he just wanted to have fun.
On the other hand, Madge was crazy about him.
Madge loved men, loved flirting with them, loved them chasing her, loved them fighting over her. This time it was different. Madge was the one stuck on the guy. And the one time it happened, it had to be him, Kitty’s dream man.
Kitty couldn’t control the jealousy that crept forth from some dark place within.
It wasn’t fair. Madge got all the men. Why couldn’t Kitty have gotten the only man she ever wanted? The one she’d dreamed about?
She had to get out of there. Had to get away from him.
Out in the fresh air, she tried to clear her head and focus on where they were going. She recounted the directions she had been given, and Sammy nodded. The two of them strolled down the street. She glanced at him and wondered if he had noticed her desperation to get away.
Sammy remained quiet, and yet he appeared to enjoy being outside as much as she did.
For the first time in a long time, Kitty decided to let go, to enjoy her freedom. Even though she wasn’t alone, she was outside, and she was doing something she enjoyed rather than following orders.
They walked along the road to the east, setting a steady but leisurely pace. Knowing Sammy was recovering from a hospital stay, she didn’t want to push him too hard. She didn’t want to appear nosy, so she didn’t ask him about his injuries.
Instead she told him “We can stop and rest anytime you want.”
“Thanks, but I’m fine. It’s actually good to get out and walk. It’ll get my strength up.”
Kitty’s thoughts returned to Ted. Maybe Sammy could fill her in. “Have you known Ted long?”
“A while, yes.” He thought for a moment. “Ted’s a good sort. Lots of fun.”
“I’ve noticed.” She hadn’t meant to sound as sarcastic as she did.
“Don’t you like him?”
“I haven’t decided.” She tried to offer an explanation without sounding too interested. “He’s always joking. Never serious. It’s like he’s hiding something…or maybe himself.”
He smiled and nodded. “Yeah, that’s Bear. He kids about everything. That’s just how he is, uses humor to deal with everything.” He gazed into the distance. “Right now he’s grieving.”
“I don’t understand.” Grieving was the last thing she would have thought of to describe Ted.
“His crew. Shot down a few days after he was wounded.”
She didn’t know how to respond. Ted’s friends had died. Just like those men in that bomber she’d seen explode over the airfield. She couldn’t imagine how painful it must have been for him.
“They came to visit him in the hospital, soon after I got there,” Sammy continued. “The officers, I mean. Even through the fog of the pain killers, I remember their laughter. They were giving Ted a hard time about getting hit in the rear end. And he gave right back. He was lovin’ it.” Sammy paused, remembering. “He told me later the four of them were like brothers.”
“How did he take it…when he found out they’d all been killed?”
“Hard.” Sammy shook his head and flattened his lips in a frown. “He said he wished he’d gone with them.” He glanced over at Kitty and caught her gaze. “Your friend’s good for him. She’s given him something to think about, to look forward to.” He looked away. “Life goes on, you know.”
“And what about you?”
“Me? Oh, I’m fine. Next week I go back to Allsford. Start flying again.” He paused a few seconds before continuing. “Ted’s lucky, getting assigned to headquarters. He might just survive this thing.”
****
They reached the lane
the Englishwoman told her about. It led across a pasture and up a sloping hill. Beneath the thick grass, deep indentations marked the path where, for untold years, wheeled vehicles had plodded their way up to the castle. Now only sheep grazed the hillside.
She drove thoughts of Ted from her mind. He’d chosen Madge. And it was probably for the best.
“The history books say the Normans crossed the channel and conquered this land centuries ago. To hold it, they built fortresses to withstand attacks from their enemies.” Kitty relayed the story she’d read while waiting to be shipped overseas.
“It’s strange how many wars have been fought over here and how old everything is,” Sammy said. His pace slowed on the uneven ground.
“Are you interested in history?” she asked.
He laughed. “I always thought the Civil War was ancient history. And the Revolution, well, I guess that seemed like the beginning of time. I never thought much about anything that happened before that.”
Kitty hid her disappointment in her companion’s lack of interest. At least he came along, instead of sitting in a pub all afternoon. She continued her history lesson. “We fought the Revolution to get free from the English. This country was around a long time before the United States got started. Our ancestors came from over here—at least mine did.”
When Sammy didn’t reply, she looked back. He’d stopped to watch two lambs frolicking in the grass nearby. They were much more entertaining than her musings about the past.
The sunken road curved around the wide-spread limbs of an ancient oak that stood guard on the lower portion of the slope. Beyond it the track became steeper.
Eager to reach the top, Kitty forged ahead.
“Look,” she exclaimed. “There it is. The old wall.” The stones at the crest of the hill sent a thrill through her as if she’d found some lost pyramid. She glanced back at Sammy who was looking up, too. She stifled her desire to dash ahead and patiently waited for him to make his way.
The path wound around the hillside until what looked like the remains of two towers came into view. They must have flanked the entrance to the fortress.
Kitty rushed on, imagining what these still-mighty stone structures would have looked like to approaching travelers. Mounted knights would have ridden through the gate to pay homage to their lord. Flags would have flown from high up on the walls. And watchmen would have called down from their towers to identify the visitors.
Kitty's War Page 8