Minerva

by June Hirst

  ‘I hoped that I would find you here Minerva.’ She froze. She knew who it was. Her mouth went dry and she trembled. All the girls swung round and stared.

  ‘Hello Mr Martin, fancy seeing you here!’ they all exclaimed and then stared at Minnie in amazement. They had heard him call her Minerva. Minnie blushed a delightful shade of pink and was speechless. Her heart was once again hammering against her chest and her legs felt to be melting.

  ‘Good evening,’ Mr Moxon, she managed to reply.

  ‘I’ve looked everywhere for you since you disappeared so rapidly you are not going to disappear again are you?’ Martin asked.

  ‘No I’m enjoying the dance,’ Minnie managed to reply.

  ‘Good I am going to enjoy dancing with you. Excuse us please Minerva’s friends,’ and with those words Martin swept Minnie onto the dance floor, leaving the girls opened mouthed with astonishment.

  ‘He called her Minerva. She’s got some explaining to do’ Jessie told the girls and they, all agreed.

  Martin and Minerva danced together for the rest of the evening. She was glad that the band had already taken their break before Martin arrived, as the continuous music prevented conversation .She knew that the other girls would be amazed and they would be anxious to question her. She also knew that she could not divulge her identity to Martin. Oh how she loved him! She was floating in fantasy land . She felt like Cinderella dancing with her prince. It was a fairy tale.

  ‘Minerva you are beautiful. I have thought about you continuously since you appeared on the moors. I have never felt like this before,’ he murmured in her ear. Minerva felt tears behind her eyes. She pretended to cough and sneeze. Martin whipped out his handkerchief and dried her eyes and nose.

  ‘I’m so sorry,’ she said taking his offered handkerchief, it must be dusty or maybe it’s the heat. If you will excuse me I must go to the ladies room.’ Cinderella had given her an idea she must disappear. Joseph Moxon would be very angry if his son became involved with a mill girl and snooty Mrs Moxon would not have her in the house. She would be sacked with no reference. She must not break Martin’s heart, he must forget her before it was too late. She fled to the ladies room clutching his handkerchief in her hand Jessie and the other girls had watched her all the time, fascinated. They quietly, one by one, followed her.

  ‘Come out of that lavatory Minnie Wood,’ Jessie shouted, as she banged on the door. Minnie came out, flung herself into Jessie’s arms and sobbed.

  ‘There, there love, wipe your tears away. How did you meet him and why is he calling you Minerva?’ Jessie asked.

  ‘I met him up on the moors and Minerva is my proper name. At first he thought that I was a reincarnation of the Roman Goddess Minerva, but when he realized that I was real I ran away. He makes me feel so strange, but there is no way that he would be allowed to get involved with me. I adore him, but he will never know.’ And she sobbed again. The other girls gathered around her, sympathetically understanding the problem.

  ‘You poor little thing, Jessie said, ‘What are you going to do?’

  ‘I’m going to disappear again he’ll never recognize me at work. It’s the only way. Will you fetch my coat please .If I wear my headscarf he won’t recognize me and please, all of you, will you swear not to tell?’ The girls made a circle around Minnie and holding hands vowed,

  ‘We swear not to tell’ and then each girl kissed her.

  Minnie disappeared before midnight, just as life as they knew it, was about to disappear. Outside the Town Hall all the street lights had been turned off. Tears streamed down Minnie’s face as she groped her way along Manchester Road to the safe haven of her bedroom.

  Next morning when Minnie came downstairs Muriel and Ben were already eating. She went straight to the sink and splashed cold water onto her face.

  ‘Goodness me Minnie you look terrible! What time did you come in last night?’ Muriel asked.

  ‘Not long after midnight, I was very tired. I’m not used to dancing?’ Minnie replied.

  ‘Did you have a good time love?’ Ben asked.

  ‘Oh yes it was wonderful, the Town Hall is beautiful, the band was good and I danced all night.’

  ‘The news is not good lass. German troops have marched into Poland. It looks as though war will be declared if they don’t withdraw.’ Ben told her sadly. Minnie had been so wrapped up in her own excitement and then sorrow that she had forgotten all about the threatened war. The colour drained from her face.

  ‘Oh no not again,’ she groaned as she sank onto a chair and buried her head into her folded arms. She lifted her head

  ‘When shall we know ?’ she asked.

  ‘There will be an announcement on the wireless. I’ll switch it on and then we shall be ready’. Ben said. The expected bad news spread like wildfire through the town.

  In Moxon Manor Martin Moxon was still in bed. He had been devastated when Minerva had disappeared again. Her friends had disappeared too. On arriving home, he drank a treble whisky and fell into a troubled sleep, so he was not pleased when his brother Michael banged on the door.

  ‘Wake up Martin you lazy beggar we’ve all been up hours waiting for the news to come on the wireless,’ he shouted. Martin buried his head under the bedclothes and groaned,

  ‘Go away you maniac.’ Michael was so apprehensive and keyed up by the expected news that he yanked off the bed clothes.

  ‘Get up you lazy article father wants us all gathered around the wireless and all the servants as well. Neville Chamberlain is going to make a momentous announcement.’ Martin groaned again and rubbed his eyes slowly remembering last night’s happenings.

  ‘Tell him I’m coming,’ he muttered.

  Throughout the country the owners of wireless sets were gathered around them waiting for news. Unfortunate people, who did not possess one, were calling on their more fortunate neighbours to join in the waiting. It was as though the whole population was holding its breath. Everywhere the streets were deserted and all the church services finished early.

  There was an expectant hush in every household as the recorded talk on how to make the most of tinned food was interrupted as zero hour, 11-15 a.m. arrived and the Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, sadly announced to the country, that German troops had not withdrawn from Poland, as the ultimatum had told them to do, so the dreaded words came through; “This country is at war with Germany. Now, God bless you all.”

  There was silence in the Sykes household everyone was breathing deeply and swallowing hard to control their feelings, everyone thinking their own thoughts. Tears streamed down Minnie’s cheeks, as she thought about her father slaughtered on the battle fields of France last time. She made her decision immediately she was going to the recruiting office next Saturday afternoon when her shift finished. Muriel Sykes was shivering and white.

  ‘What are we going to do Ben? What if the Germans come here?’ she whispered. Ben for once was speechless, then, managed to reply,

  ‘They won’t come here, we’re an island.’

  ‘Don’t be too sure Ben, they might come .They have a powerful air force called the Luftwaffe. I’ve been reading about it in the library. They might come,’ Minnie said and she made up her mind, at that moment that she would join the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force, which she had been reading about. It was very new. She would make a fresh start if they would have her.

  Muriel started to cry, but jumped up and went out into the backyard to look up at the sky and at that moment a siren began to wail. Muriel screamed and shouted,

  ‘Ben, Ben, what shall we do.? They’re coming.’

  ‘Quickly get down the cellar.’ Ben shouted and all three almost tumbled down the cellar steps for refuge, shivering with fright.

  In Moxon Manor the family and servants took refuge in the cellar. Joseph Moxon had already instructed, that part of the cellar should be made comfortable to use as a shelter. The servants had brought old chairs and a table from the attic. There was an oil lamp in case the electricity fai
led, an electric fire and a paraffin stove, an electric kettle, a camping stove, teapot ,cups and saucers, tea and sugar and a tin of biscuits for their comfort. There were also playing cards and board games. Martin Moxon, suffering sorrow and a whisky hang over looked round sourly.

  ‘Good God mother this is better than our employees homes. Are you expecting a siege?’ he mumbled..

  ‘Don’t blaspheme and don’t talk to your mother like that. It is not amusing. We need to be prepared.’ Joseph told him.

  ‘You don’t look well this morning Martin,’ his Mother remarked as she felt his brow.

  ‘I’m alright, mother, I’m just suffering from last night’s over indulgence.’

  ‘Serves you right then,’ Michael pompously told him and Joseph watched both his sons, determined that one of their arguments would not start, in front of the servants. Martin made up his mind at that moment that he was going to escape. He had been the youngest son for too long, petted by his mother and over ruled by his father and brother. He would spread his wings and fly from the nest. He would join the air force. He had always wished that he could work on aeroplane engines and learn how to fly.

  They did not need their emergency supplies, because in a few minutes a different siren sounded.

  ‘The blithering idiots, somebody was trigger happy. I hope that this time there will be more competent people in charge, ‘Joseph spluttered, because last time there was incompetence and scandalous, unnecessary slaughter. Mrs Moxon shivered and ushered the silent servants back up the stairs before her sons, who were glaring at each other could begin arguing. Joseph Moxon sighed, but already he was thinking that material for uniforms would have to be woven quickly.

  Chapter 3

  Next day, after the declaration of war and the false siren, the workforce of Perseverance Mill had a new topic of conversation. Minnie was quiet. She meant to keep her plans secret, as well as her identity. She knew that the other girls would want to discuss the dance at ‘snap time’, or maybe the war would overshadow it. They would not break their word. They would not reveal her identity. Minnie kept her head bowed and her headscarf tied tightly all week. Thankfully, she breathed a sigh of relief as each day ended and it was one day nearer to recruiting day.

  Saturday afternoon arrived and Minnie took a deep breath and marched into the Town Hall

  ‘Head up. Shoulders back. Look confident. You are about to become a different person,’ she told herself. She stopped and looked around at the magnificence of the Town Hall, pushing away the thoughts of last Saturday. It had been the best evening of her life. She would remember it forever, but today was the beginning of another era. Wanting to look smart and efficient, Minnie was wearing her navy blue skirt and blue blouse. She had tucked most of her golden curls under a blue beret. She felt confident when she saw a woman, as well as a man dressed in Air Force blue. There were only a few women and they were in the Royal Navy queue. When she reached the front of the queue she almost ran away as the man glared at her. She lifted her chin and smiled. She had discovered, long ago, it was a good tactic. He lowered his eyes.

  ‘I’ll deal with this recruit, Assistant Section Officer,’ the woman announced.

  ‘Very well, you are welcome, Sergeant,’ the man replied, as he bawled ‘Next!’ Minnie was not going to let him frighten her.

  ‘Good afternoon. What is your name and age?’ the woman asked.

  ‘My name is Minerva Wood, and I am nearly 21, Sergeant.’

  ‘Why do you want to volunteer for the W.A.A.F.?’

  ‘It is new and I would like to be part of it. I have read about it in the library. Also, I am an orphan. My father was killed in the last war and my mother died soon after. I have no ties. I would like to belong and I would like to help the war effort, Sergeant.’

  ‘That is an excellent answer. I see that you are serious. Fill in this form and you will be notified when and where to go.’

  When Minerva handed back the completed form the W.A.A.F smiled at her and nodded. She added a note to the form recommending her for early promotion. Minerva knew that she must be prepared. The first thing to do was to put her secret hoard of money into the bank. She did not want to draw attention to herself at the mill, so she would keep it secret until her call up papers came.

  Martin Moxon had been to the recruiting office too. Fortunately for Minerva he had been during the morning. He was immediately accepted and told, that his engineering skills would be very useful. His call up papers came quickly, much to the annoyance of his father and the sorrow of his mother. He went around all the departments to say goodbye, which gave some of the bolder girls, in shed number seven, the excuse to kiss him goodbye. Minnie was terrified, that he would notice her. She kept her head bowed, her mouth was dry and her heart felt to be jumping into her throat, as though it might break. Oh how she would like to put her arms around his neck and press her body to his, as his strong muscular arms held her close, while he kissed her deeply. She shivered and concentrated on her loom, whilst praying that he would not see her. The other girls sensed her distress and their bawdy remarks soon had Martin blushing, as he made a quick exit. Minerva quickly wiped away her tears, but sensibly realised that it would be easier, now that he had gone. She could tell the girls and Ben and Muriel, soon, that she was going too and she knew that her news would cause a commotion.

  A few days later, when she arrived home, Muriel was watching in the front doorway. Minnie could see that she was waving a brown envelope.

  ‘What’s this Minnie, it’s from the government. What have you been doing? You don’t get letters.’ Muriel said. Minerva took the envelope and smiled.

  ‘I expect it is my call up papers,’ she replied.

  ‘Call up! Call up where? What’s happening? Where are you going?’ Minnie opened up the letter and read it and Muriel was white with expectancy.

  ‘It says that I have to be on York station by twelve noon on October third, where transport will take me to R.A.F Brackston,’ Minnie told her and her large gently brown eyes were shining with joy. ‘I’m officially a W.A.A.F. Muriel.’

  ‘What’s a W.A.A.F?’ Muriel asked.

  ‘It means Women’s Auxiliary Air Force. It’s new. It’s only just been formed.’

  ‘You can’t fly an aeroplane, Minnie,’ Muriel said.

  Minerva laughed at the very idea.

  ‘No, but we can do other jobs so more men can become airborne.’

  ‘What do you want to go and do that for? You’ve got a good job at the mill and you’re not 21 yet. Me and Ben are responsible for you,’ Muriel told her.

  ‘Not any more Muriel, his Majesty’s government has called me up. My country needs me.’ And Minnie felt very content.

  Everyone was flabbergasted by Minnie’s news and she excitedly packed her few belongings in a new case bought by Muriel and Ben, who having recovered from the shock were very proud of her. The mill girls had wished her good luck and made her promise to come and see them when she came on leave.

  After tearful goodbyes Minerva settled down on the train taking her to York. She attracted many admiring stares in her navy blue skirt, blue blouse and tweed coat. Her blue beret was placed, jauntily, on top of her head and her golden curls cascaded down her back. She watched the steam from the engine billowing past the carriage window and the rhythmic clattering of the wheels seemed to chant ‘Minerva Wood is a W.A.A.F today’ over and over. Minerva smiled at her reflection, as the train thundered through a tunnel. Today was a new beginning and the hypnotic clattering now added ‘she’s ready for all that comes her way’.

  With a screech and loud hissing the train finally arrived in York station and Minerva hauled down her case from the overhead luggage rack. When the carriage door was opened, she followed the other passengers onto the crowded platform. The pungent smell of the station tickled her nostrils. For a moment Minerva was nervous, as she was swallowed up by the crowd. It was 11:30am by the large station clock. Minerva instinctively found a space and stood with her back
to the wall, where she could look around. She soon spotted a group of young women looking very apprehensive and silent.

  ‘Hello, are you waiting for the twelve noon transport for R.A.F Brackston?’ Minerva asked.

  A girl with frizzy bleached hair, in a tight red dress and short fur jacket wobbled around on her very high heeled shoes and smiled at Minerva.

  ‘Yeah, we sure are gal. We’re waiting for the wagon to drive us to the old corral!’ she drawled. Minerva was astonished and stared back into a merry face wearing bright red lipstick. ‘Hi I’m Vanessa, don’t look so surprised kid. All these open spaces in Yorkshire made me think that I was in a cowboy film heading west. I expected Indians any minute!’

  ‘Hello I’m Minerva, I live in Yorkshire, but where are you from?’

  ‘I’m London bred and born, but I thought I’d venture out and see what else there is in England.’ Vanessa replied. Minerva smiled at the other two girls. One of them smiled back.

  ‘Hello,’ she said ‘I think I came on the same train as you. I’m Shirley from Lancashire.’

  ‘And I’m Molly from Wales,’ the fourth girl said.

  ‘Right, that’s that then girls, us four will stick together. I’ve been around a bit I’ll look after you three,’ Vanessa told them. The four girls chatted together and soon there was a crowd. As noon approached they watched the clock, apprehensively.

  ‘Watch out girls, here come the R.A.F.’ Vanessa shouted, and all the girls turned to see two men, in air force uniform, marching down the platform towards them. They came to a halt and stared at the girls.

  ‘Transport for R.A.F. Brackston,’ one of them bawled, ‘Fall in and follow us.’ And the two men marched back down the platform, followed by twenty three women. Somehow they all managed to climb into the truck with their luggage. One of the men closed the tailgate and the wagon rumbled out of York into the countryside, lurching and bumping, along the country roads.

  Minerva smiled reassuringly at Molly and Shirley. Both girls were looking very pale, as were many more. Vanessa’s face was grey, contrasting strongly with her bright red lips.