The Airshipmen: A Novel Based on a True Story. A Tale of Love, Betrayal & Political Intrigue.

by David Dennington

  “Come on, let me have a go,” Freddie said. Disley reluctantly got up out of the chair, shaking his head.

  “Now you! You need to be more careful, Sunny Jim,” the gypsy said, poking Freddie in the heart with a long, skinny finger. “You know what I’m talkin’ about, doncha?”

  Freddie became sheepish. “S’pose I do.”

  “You’ve had big ideas coming in your silly little ’ead lately, haven’t you, son?” He glanced down at the table, unable to look into her all-seeing eyes. “You need to be careful. Electricity is not your friend. So stay away from it! Now get up and let him have his turn,” she said pointing to Church. Church slid into the seat. Madame Harandah turned over more cards.

  “Ah, here’s a boy lucky in love,” she purred. She smiled for the first time, revealing two rows of sparkling white dentures. The boys jeered, making Church blush.

  “It’s true love I see, all right. But I feel such an ache in my heart. Like him over there,” she said, pointing at Freddie. “So you better settle down, my lad, and be good to your lady. Stay home! If you don’t, she’ll marry another. And she will do that I promise you—do you hear me?”

  Church had heard enough. He got up from the table.

  “No flying around for you, Sammy, me old cock-sparra!” Binks crowed.

  She looked up at Binks. “The one who's always late—thirty days late being born. You must’ve given your mother a right fit!”

  “Me mum said I was late.”

  “Better late than never! Ah, and you’re an artist. And I see you have the gift, like me. But you’ve always got far too much to say for yerself, ’aven’t yer,” she said with a sneer. “Hmm, I see you walking through fire, rain and fog.”

  “Walking through fire, rain and fog? Sounds bloody daft, if you ask me,” Binks said.

  “Well, I ain’t askin’ you, am I? But you remember this—’ee who hesitates, is not always lost. Next!”

  “What’s she talkin’ about?” Binks moaned.

  Billy was standing next to her. She took his hand.

  “Now, here’s a young man whose father follows him around everywhere. Do you know that, son?” Billy pulled his hand away, rattled.

  “He does not! Me Dad’s dead, so how could he?”

  “He might be dead to you, sunshine, but he ain’t no more dead than I am! He wishes you well and says ‘Go and break a leg, my darlin’ boy’,” the gypsy said.

  Billy became infuriated. “That’s rotten. You’re makin’ all this up.”

  Lou had listened intently. He’d talk to Billy later. The gypsy peered at Cameron.

  “Come on, Gunga Din, sit down.” She spread the cards again. Cameron gingerly did as he was told.

  “It’s very sad …she’s a silly little cow, and she’ll pay the price—and so will ’ee. My ’ead explodes at the thought of it!” she said, melodramatically throwing her hands from her head into the air as if it’d exploded all over the tent. No one spoke. Cameron jumped up and went outside in a fury. Everyone turned to Lou.

  “Come on, sir, it’s your turn,” Potter said.

  “What about you?” Lou said.

  “No. I don’t wanna know,” Potter said. Lou understood perfectly.

  “No, you don’t!” the gypsy said, glaring at Potter, her dreadful eyes blazing like fire.

  Lou eyed the woman carefully as he sat down and rested his hands on the table. Madam Harandah briefly held both his hands in hers and closed her eyes. He felt his hands tingle. She then took the cards, shuffled them and laid them out in a fan again.

  “Ah, I see you have an evil twin. You’d better watch out for that one. You’re a lucky man though—like a cat. Six times you’ve been lucky I see. Question is: Will your luck ’old out? And are you lucky in love? We’ll have to see about that, won’t we? I see here in the cards you believe there’s something you must do. Do you know what it is? You think you know—don’tcha? But you’ve got a lot of questions hanging over you.” Lou smiled, giving away nothing. “I’m gonna tell you just this, mister—you’re in grave danger of losing everything you ’old dear.”

  “Well, tell him what you mean then. You talk in bloody riddles, woman!” Binks growled.

  “Come on boys, let’s get the hell out of here,” Lou said, getting up. They moved out to join Cameron who was still agitated, smoking a cigarette. Lou sensed the gypsy’s knowing, black eyes on him and turned to look back at her.

  “We’ll meet again soon,” she said.

  “If you say so, lady.”

  “That woman of yours has some real issues you know—deep issues.”

  Lou hesitated. What was the old crone talking about now?

  “And try to keep that bunch out of trouble,” she added with a crafty smile.

  Outside, Lou and the boys walked straight into Jessup and his pals. On seeing Cameron, Jessup sniggered. Cameron rushed at him, grabbing his throat and leaning him over a chestnut fence, which promptly collapsed. They fell in a heap. Jessup’s face turned red and he was having trouble breathing. His five friends grabbed Cameron by anything they could, and pulled. Lou and his crew did the same till everyone was pulling on somebody and throwing punches.

  Lou stepped back. “Okay, all of you. That’s enough!” He grabbed two of Jessup’s gang and pushed them away. “Walk that way, all of you. You and I will be talking, Mr. Jessup.”

  Jessup and his cronies slunk away.

  “Okay, lads. Charlotte’s launching party’s tonight. Make sure you’re all there,” Lou said.

  “Yes, sir, we’ll be there,” Potter said. “We’re going back in the fair, for a bit.”

  “Starts at five. Come on Billy and you, Freddie. Charlotte needs our help.” They ambled off toward the sheds and the airship floating at the tower.

  “Just look. What a sight,” Billy said.

  Lou turned to him. “So, what did you think of the fortune teller?”

  “Didn’t like her. She was daft.”

  “Why?”

  “Talkin’ about me dad like that.”

  “Perhaps she was able to see him. Maybe he is still around you.”

  “Nah! It’s a lot of nonsense. Saying he wishes I’d break me leg. That’s silly.”

  “Billy, it’s just an expression.” Billy looked puzzled. “When you tell someone to break a leg, it means you wish them good luck,” Lou said.

  “How could it mean that? If I broke a leg it wouldn’t be good luck, would it?”

  “I don’t know, but it does. Billy, your dad thought the world of you.”

  “Yeah, I s’pose you’re right. I miss ’im.”

  “He was a brave man. He suffered real bad in the war. I never heard him complain once—ever. Remember—he did it all for you, kid”

  It all came down like a flood on Billy. “Yeah, I know. I wish he was still ’ere.” He began to sob. They heard running feet behind them. It was Binks and Church, laughing like madmen. Church had something under his arm.

  “Here, look. I told you they was glued in sir. I told yer!”

  “He jumped over and knocked it loose with a chunk of wood,” Binks said. Church held a coconut high above his head in two hands. They all laughed. Lou turned to Billy and Freddie.

  “Come on let’s go. Charlotte’s waiting for us.”

  41

  A WORD WITH MR. JESSUP

  October 12, 1929.

  At the crew’s locker room, Billy and Freddie showered and got changed for the party. Lou went to the officers’ locker room where he changed out of uniform and put on work clothes. He then went to the crewmen’s locker rooms to pick up the two boys. Jessup and his gang had finished changing and Jessup was looking into a mirror over the sink, combing his lank, greasy hair. On seeing Lou, fear clouded his face, though his eyes harbored bitter hatred. He looked more brutish after having his jaw wired up and reconstructed. Lou stood behind him, blocking his escape. He glanced into the mirror and for a split second thought Jessup’s reflection was his own. It brought out irrational anger i
n him.

  “Okay, you lot—out! Jessup and I need to have words,” Lou said. Jessup made a move to leave. “Stay right there, Jessup,” Lou snarled.

  The other five left without a fuss.

  “Don’t you touch me,” Jessup whined, not turning around.

  “I told you, you were on probation. I see you’re up to your old tricks again. I don’t think you took me seriously.” Lou grabbed Jessup by the back of the neck and slammed his head into the mirror. His face was flattened, his breath steaming up the glass.

  “I did. I did.”

  “You’ve been messing around with people’s wives. You think you can go around doing this stuff and get away with it?”

  “I don’t know wocha talkin’ about.” Jessup had difficulty speaking. Spit was running out the corner of his mouth and down the mirror.

  “I see you’re drooling again, Jessup—not becoming a gentleman. I’m talking about Cameron’s wife! It’s common knowledge. You go out of your way to humiliate the man.”

  “What are you, the bleedin’ judge and jury? You told me to stay away from Charlotte and I did. You didn’t say anything about other people’s wives, didya?”

  “You really are a piece of crap. I’m gonna have to kick it out of you. Since they made you a rigger, you’ve gotten back to your cocky self again.”

  Lou pulled Jessup away from the mirror and pushed him across the room. Jessup saw his chance to escape and rushed full speed into the metal lockers, causing a deafening crash.

  “You stay away from me. I’ll report yer. I’ll have you up for assault, I will. You have no right …I can see whoever I want. It’s a free country.”

  “I’ll be watching you, Jessup. Now get lost!”

  Jessup bolted from the room as Billy and Freddie came out of the showers. Billy looked questioningly at Lou, but Lou said nothing.

  “We heard him talkin’, Lou,” Billy said.

  “What'd he say?”

  “He said you thought you’d got rid of ’im, but you aven’t.”

  Freddie cut in. “He stood right there combing ’is hair and ‘ee said, ‘I’m gonna kill that bastard one day. I swear on my father’s cold, dead eyes. You just see if I don’t.’ And then ‘ee said, ‘My daddy’ll be right proud o’ me then’.”

  42

  CHARLOTTE’S PARTY

  October 12, 1929.

  Lou, Billy and Freddie arrived at the house as a man from the local off-license was delivering dozens of wooden crates of beer. Charlotte came to the door in her apron and stood aside while they carried the crates inside.

  “Ah good, now you lads can move the furniture for me. We need to make lots of room,” Charlotte said, after kissing Lou.

  They followed her down to the kitchen, where the women had been working furiously. Olivia Irwin had made a pile of small, triangular sandwiches of fish-paste and watercress and Mrs. Jones, the neighbor, had made a stack with egg and cucumber. On the table was a large, square cake Charlotte had baked and just finished icing with a picture of an airship on top.

  “Hey, look at this!” Freddie said. “What’s the fish on top for?”

  Billy rushed over. “It’s not a fish—it’s the R101, you daft sod.”

  “Looks like you ladies’ve been busy. Mind if we have a sandwich? We’re famished,” Lou asked.

  “Lou!” Charlotte exclaimed.

  “Launching airships makes a man hungry,” Olivia said. “Come on, help yourselves.”

  Charlotte pointed at Freddie. “Watch out for this one, he’ll eat ’em faster than you can make ’em,” she said. She put her arms around him and squeezed him tight, making him blush. “I’m only kidding, Freddie. I love you, really,” she said. “He’s such a lovely boy, isn’t he!”

  “I’ll pour you boys some tea,” Mrs. Jones said.

  “How did it go, love?” Charlotte asked Lou.

  “Everything went without a hitch. She’s up there, floating at the mast. The crowd’s going nuts. I took the lads over to the fairground for a while afterwards,” Lou replied.

  “How smashing!” Charlotte said.

  “You’re good to the crewmen,” Olivia said.

  “Yeah and we ’ad our fortunes told by a gypsy,” Freddie said.

  “You did? Oh, I want to go! What did she say?” Charlotte asked, excitedly.

  “She talked a lot of nonsense. Said my dad keeps following me around and ‘e wishes I’d break me leg,” Billy sneered.

  “How weird,” Charlotte said.

  “She could be right. Perhaps he does follow you about. Them gypsies have special powers. Very psychic, they are you know,” Mrs. Jones said.

  Charlotte was filled with curiosity. “Tell me what she said, Lou.”

  “Hmm. I’ve forgotten already. I wasn’t paying attention. It was just a lark, that’s all.”

  “Come on, Lou, tell us,” Olivia said.

  “Oh, I remember, she said I’m lucky—” Lou said.

  “She said six times he’s bin lucky—” Billy interjected.

  “Yes, that’s about it,” Lou said, glaring at Billy, who took the hint.

  “Promise you’ll take me after church tomorrow. I love fortune tellers,” Charlotte pleaded.

  Lou knew exactly what was going on in Charlotte’s head. “You mustn’t let those people mess with your mind, Charlie.”

  “I know how you feel, Charlotte. I can never resist myself,” Olivia said. “My husband won’t go anywhere near them. Well, I’d better go home and get changed. I’ll be back with my Blackbird later. We won’t be able to stay long. We’ve got three launching parties to go to. I hope you’ll play for us, Charlotte.”

  “Of course I will. Thank you for all your help.”

  “Bird loves Al Jolson. Will you play “Blue Skies” for him?”

  “If he’ll sing it, I’ll play it,” Charlotte promised.

  Lou was setting up the bar in the living room when Charlotte came down from the bedroom. He handed her a glass of sherry and she took a good sip. She wore a black chiffon dress in the latest fashion, skinny at the waist and delicate.

  Freddie was swept off his feet. “Oh, Charlotte, you do look smashin'!”

  “He’s got a right crush on you, Charlotte. Lou’s gonna have to watch out,” Billy said.

  Charlotte drank the rest of her sherry and put the glass down. It was making her woozy. “Come here and give me a big hug you beautiful boy,” she said. Lou laughed as Charlotte gathered Freddie into her arms and squeezed him to her bosom, making him blush and sweat all over again.

  “It’s your birthday on Wednesday and I’ve got a present for you, Robert …er, Freddie,” Charlotte said, becoming flustered and then, “Come with me.”

  Lou pretended not to notice Charlotte’s gaff. Billy whooped as Charlotte led Freddie up to the bedroom. She went to the wardrobe and took out a brown paper bag and handed it to him. “Here, something you need, now you’re a fine, working man,” she said. “Try them on.”

  Freddie opened the bag to find a pair of black boots. After she’d bought them, Charlotte had taken them to a shoe-mender and had them soled and heeled, asking the cobbler to make the sole thicker on the right shoe. She said nothing to Freddie about that. “They’re second-hand. I found them in the market, Freddie,” Charlotte said.

  “They’re smashin’,” he said, after slipping them on. They fit perfectly and he was thrilled. When he walked around, his limp was less noticeable. Freddie was pleased, but also puzzled.

  “Why did you call me Robert just now?” he asked.

  Charlotte shook her head, slightly embarrassed and a little light-headed. “I’m going to let you into a little secret. I met a soldier once. His name was Robert. And you remind me of him, that’s all.”

  “Did you love him?”

  “Oh no. I only knew him for one day—but he was very, very nice.”

  “What happened to him?”

  Sadness swept over her. “I don’t know. I expect he was killed. Our little secret, right?”
>
  “Yes, yes. I won’t say anything to anyone, Charlotte, honest.”

  When they got downstairs, he kissed Charlotte’s cheek and thanked Lou with a handshake.

  By the time the crewmen and regular crowd trickled in, Billy and Freddie had put a sign up in the living room, which they’d colored with kids’ crayons. Everyone admired it, and though child-like, the sentiment was right.

  GOOD LUCK CARDINGTON AIRSHIP R101

  LAUNCHED OCTOBER 12th 1929

  Some brought bottles of beer and wine and boxes of chocolates. Many drank tea, ably served by Mrs. Jones and her husband. Johnston and his wife came in around 6 o’clock and had tea and sandwiches. The crewmen were on their best behavior and took turns playing darts in the garden where they started a competition. Church turned out to be the expert, winning every game and taking everyone’s money. They stood around, relaxed, chatting and sipping drinks. At 7 o’clock Capt. Irwin and Olivia arrived. Most were informally dressed, but well turned out. After the sandwiches were gone, they made a big fuss while Charlotte cut the cake and they enjoyed a slice for good luck.

  “Come on, Charlotte. Play for us,” someone said.

  Charlotte went to the piano and burst into “Toot, Toot, Tootsie, Goodbye.” Everybody joined in, Johnston singing the loudest. At the end of the song, Olivia made her own request. “Can we have “Blue Skies” please,” she called.

  Charlotte obliged, while Lou strummed the guitar and Potter played his accordion. It seemed the perfect tune for a perfect day. Everyone sang along. While they were singing, Doug Cameron and Rosie showed up. Their presence made others uncomfortable. They were at odds, not looking at each other or speaking.

  About half an hour later, Scott, carrying a bottle of gin, arrived with Fred McWade. Lou was surprised, but thought it a nice gesture. Scott, already well on the way, happily joined in the singing. Shortly after, Capt. Irwin and Olivia expressed their thanks and bid everyone goodnight. By nine, the alcohol had run out and the gathering dispersed. Scott said he’d another party to go to and he and the Atherstones went off together, leaving Disley finishing a chess game with Ginger Bell. McWade stayed on a little longer and Charlotte made a big fuss of him.