Minerva

by June Hirst

  ‘Ah yes stand at ease Aircraft Women .As you know we are expecting new recruits and it is only fair that the first two dozen W.A.A.F.s, who volunteered and were posted here should have first choice and move into the new huts. Secondly you have been closely observed for different reasons I may add. You debutante Jenkins- Jones were expected to fail, after your unfortunate beginning, but I am very pleased to say that we were proved wrong. You are well educated and you have changed your ways and settled down, probably due to the influence of Wood. Well done.’

  ‘Thank you Ma’am,’ Victoria replied.

  ‘As for you Aircraft Woman Wood, you came highly recommended by the recruiting office and you have proved yourself to be an admirable intelligent W.A.A.F. with excellent organizational skills. We are six months into the war now and girls of your calibre are essential to the War Effort.

  ‘Thank you Ma’am ‘Minerva replied.

  ‘You are both promoted to Leading Aircraft Women and if you prove yourselves efficient for one month’s trial you will be promoted to corporals.’

  ‘Thank you Ma’am,’ they both replied not daring to move their heads or their eyes.

  ‘Your first assignment will be to organize the move into the new huts and prepare the old huts for the new recruits, who you will help to settle in.’

  ‘Yes Ma’am’ they both replied.

  Section Officer Felman then pinned a small badge onto their uniforms bearing the initials L.A.W.

  ‘Congratulations Leading Aircraft Women. You are dismissed and she smiled at the astounded girls. They saluted, turned smartly and marched out of the office.

  ‘’Keep marching,’ Minerva whispered and the two newly promoted W.A.A.F.s marched back to their hut in utter disbelief. The hut was empty and tidy and the stove was burning brightly. The two girls, who had been basking in euphoria now realised how cold they were. The initial shock wore off as they warmed their hands and feet in front of the stove.

  ‘Wow Minerva I can’t believe it. We’ve been promoted up the ranks and we’ll get a pay rise. This calls for a celebration. Let’s request a pass and go to see Gone with the Wind

  ‘Oh yes let’s do that. I don’t want to go with Ricky and Parky though or we shall not see half the film,’ Minerva replied. We had better report for duty in the garage and tell Sergeant Jenkins our good news. I wonder what Sergeant Benson will say.’ They were soon to find out as the door opened unusually quietly and she entered.

  ‘Congratulations. You have both been the topic of conversation. It was obvious from the start Wood that you were promotion material, but you Jones have surprised everybody for which you have Wood’s influence to thank,’ she said. The two girls did not know what to say but,

  ‘Thank you sergeant,’ was always a safe reply.

  ‘You may move your belongings into one of the huts now, as quickly as possible and then you are on driver duty, so report to Sergeant Jenkins at eleven hundred hours. ‘

  ‘Yes sergeant, thank you, sergeant,’ they both replied.

  ‘Sergeant Benson, we were thinking that the girls are in need of some recreation to boost morale and we wondered if we could requisition two wagons to take them to York to see ‘ Gone with the Wind?’ Minerva asked.

  ‘Very well I will put your request to Section Officer Felman. It is a good idea I would like to see it myself,’ and Sergeant Benson smiled at Minerva,’ I’ll let you know after dinner. Now at the double shift your things,’ and she left the hut.

  ‘You crafty monkey Minerva! You thought of that quickly and old concrete knickers, is quite human when she smiles,’ Victoria exclaimed.

  The two excited W.A.A.F.s packed their belongings and moved them into the new hut. The windows were already plastered with anti- bomb tape and the blackout curtains were in place, but it was icy cold.

  ‘We had better light the stove first or we will all catch pneumonia,’ Minerva said.

  ‘Oh look we’ve got new ‘ biscuits’ pillows and blankets, but there are twelve beds instead of eight,’ Victoria said. ‘Let’s grab two end beds next to each other. Minerva soon had the stove lit, so after they had settled in they reported to Sergeant Jenkins for driver duty. He congratulated them on their promotion and provided them both with a jam sandwich, a chocolate biscuit and an apple, as they would miss their lunch. They were instructed to go to Malton to pick up food supplies. Minerva led the way. She had discovered that she had a talent for direction and map reading without signposts. This was the first time that the girls had been to fetch supplies.

  When they arrived and clambered down from the wagons they were greeted with a chorus of wolf whistles and soon a group of men surrounded them.

  ‘Hello sweethearts, have the R.A.F. recruited women? What a good idea .I bet you two keep their beds warm,’ one of them shouted, amidst guffaws of laughter. The girls remembered ,’Dignity at all times.’

  ‘Do not be so disgusting, you little moron and why are you not in uniform, are you a coward?’ Victoria asked in her best debutante accent. The men were surprised and then laughed.

  ‘Get out of our way. We only speak to the owner not his minions,’ Minerva added. The men were silent for a few seconds and then most of them dispersed leaving the previous speaker and his mate lost for words, but very angry. Fortunately the owner of the warehouse appeared

  ‘These men were very rude and disrespectful to the King’s armed forces. We shall report them to our superiors,’ Minerva told him.

  ‘Get inside you empty headed idiots,’ the boss ordered.

  ‘But sir they’re women posing in uniform, not His Majesty’s armed forces,’ the offender objected.

  ‘Another insulting word and you will be sacked. They are W.A.A.F.s and therefore part of His Majesty’s armed forces and deserve respect. More and more women are in the forces now. I do not want to know what you were insinuating, but you will apologise at once.’

  ‘Sorry miss,’ they both replied.

  ‘Get those wagons loaded and never insult W.A.A.F.s again .You are on a warning. I am sorry that they are so ignorant, ladies. Will you come into my office for a cup of coffee while it is still available? Coffee will soon be a luxury and unobtainable.’

  ‘Thank you very much coffee will be very welcome,’ Victoria replied. The coffee was delicious with their sandwich and biscuit. They both felt refreshed when they returned to their vehicles. The men had disappeared. They delivered the cargo to the stores and arrived back at the old hut to many questions.

  ‘Where have you been and where are your belongings?’ Vanessa asked.

  ‘ We’ve been fetching stores from Malton and we’ve moved into the new hut. We’ve been upgraded girls. Gather up your personal belongings, because we have to move in before dinner,’ Minerva told them. Pandemonium broke out as the delighted girls showed their appreciation and began packing their belongings into their kitbags. They had not noticed the promotion badges, as they rushed to their new hut.

  ‘Hurry up and choose your beds, Victoria and I have to move the other girls as well,’ Minerva told them.

  ‘Why is it your job?’ Vanessa asked.

  ‘We’ve been promoted,’ they both answered and displayed their badges. The other W.A.A.F.s were delighted and all congratulated them, even Angela.

  They were pleased with the new hut and the two new Leading Aircraft Women left them to settle in while they went to the other two huts to make the announcement. Minerva had already lit the stove and pulled on the blackout curtains in the other empty hut, so it was warm and welcoming and two girls from Hut Number Two and Three volunteered to join the girls in Hut Number One. The empty huts looked forlorn and scruffy and Minerva decided to have the stoves lit, before the new recruits arrived. The new ablutions were an improvement.

  After dinner Sergeant Benson came over to Minerva and Victoria,

  ‘Your request has been granted, you may tell the others. You may requisition two vehicles on Saturday,’ she announced.

  ‘Thank you Sergeant, would yo
u like to come?’ Minerva asked.

  ‘Yes I would and so would Sergeant Harris. The film starts at eighteen hundred hours, so we shall have to have tea in York,’ she said and smiled as she left.

  ‘She’s becoming human, maybe she can’t wait to see Clarke Gable,’ Victoria said. ‘Let’s go and tell the others.’

  Everyone wanted to go and as it would be Saturday all the W.A.A.F.s finished work at 3 o’clock. When they were all assembled by the two vehicles, two Mosquitoes swooped down low over their heads. The girls were used to this by now, but the flying officers still thought it was a jolly jape. It was Parky and Ricky, curious to see what they were doing. Brackston was now a bomber station and Wellington bombers were snug in the enormous hangars waiting for their next mission. The mechanics would be checking them and preparing them. Minerva, once again, wondered if Martin Moxon, or ‘Magic Moxon’ as the airmen had told her was his nickname, would be doing the same as she gazed across at the hangars and watched the two Mosquitoes land. They would have been on reconnaissance, so the bombers would take off tomorrow, she was thinking.

  ‘Hello Minerva, is there anybody there?’ Vanessa asked and Minerva was startled out of her reverie and jumped.

  ‘Sorry Vanessa. Are we all ready? Have we all got our gas masks? Right oh girls, jump in.’ Sergeants Benson and Harris took their places by the two drivers and the excursion began. It was the first time that Minerva and Victoria had driven a human cargo and they both remembered that first journey in a wagon, when they had been picked up at the station. Minerva drove carefully with Sergeant Benson beside her and reflected how her life had changed. She felt as though she had been re-born. Gone was the lonely mill girl Minnie and here was Leading Aircraft Woman 3030 Wood. The girls were humming the beautiful Glen Miller melody Moonlight Serenade in the back of the wagon and even Sergeant Benson had a contented pleasant face today.

  ‘It’s good to get away from the station for a while. We’ve been living in a false state of security so far, but things will change soon, Wood,’ Sergeant Benson said.

  ‘Yes, I think so too. If Hitler had decided to invade us, we would not be on our way to the cinema,’ Minerva replied. ‘There is a car park behind the cinema, so we can park the wagons there. Maybe it would be best if we all ate in the cinema cafe and then we could get in the queue in good time, or we might not get in. It is a very popular film.’

  ‘That is a good idea Wood, I agree,’ Benson replied. Minerva was amazed that Sergeant Benson was treating her as an equal and actually agreeing with her and she experienced a warm glow of satisfaction. They manoeuvred through the narrow streets of York and just managed to squeeze the wagons into the space behind the cinema, where the girls quickly jumped out. The two Sergeants left and Minerva told her plan of eating at the cinema café, so they could join the queue early, which turned out to be a good idea, as the queue for admittance was very long and the girls were near the front.

  As it was a very long film, the Pathe News and the advertisements were short and soon the girls were transported into another war, where they followed the exploits of Scarlett O’Hara, Melanie and Ashley and drooled over Rhett Butler. Many eyes were dabbed with many wet handkerchiefs as the story rolled on. At the end when Rhett Butler left and uttered the already famous words;

  ‘Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn.’

  They remained silent and spell bound, until the National Anthem made them all rise to their feet. They travelled back to the camp slowly in the pitch darkness, relying on Minerva to lead the way. They were all very quiet, all of them thinking about the epic film. It had been a very enjoyable and memorable outing.

  Next morning they were all dressed and ready for church parade. They were attending the church of St Michael in a nearby village. Again, they were glad of their great coats and woollen stockings and even their grey woollen ‘twilights’ as their knickers were nicknamed. Many of the airmen had joined the parade and Parky and Ricky were amongst them. They had decided it might be a good idea to ask the Great Almighty God of the Universe to protect their patch of the sky. They needed all the help that they could get. After the service they were allowed to disperse and stroll back at their own pace. Ricky and Parky soon fell into step beside Minerva and Victoria and propelled them away from the group.

  ‘Who are clever little W.A.A.F.s then? Who has been promoted?’ Ricky asked.

  ‘Congratulations!’ they both said.

  ‘How did you know? Who’s got big ears then?’ Victoria replied.

  ‘There’s not much we don’t know darling. It’s our job to find out what the Gerries are doing, so it is easy to find out what is happening on the camp,’ Parky replied.

  ‘Anyway we’ve said our prayers, so how about coming with us to a little pub that we’ve found and they’ve promised us it would be roast beef and Yorkshire pudding today. You can’t refuse my beautiful Yorkshire rose,’ Ricky said as he squeezed Minerva and with his other hand under her chin tipped her face for a kiss.

  ‘Stop it,’ she spluttered, ‘everyone is looking,’ and she blushed. Victoria and Parky laughed.

  ‘Oh never mind them Minerva they are only envious when they see these two gorgeous hunks. Why I swear they are as handsome as Rhett Butler,’ she drawled as she mimicked Scarlett O’Hara.

  ‘Have you been to see’ Gone with The Wind’? We were going to ask you to go with us!’ Parky said.

  ‘Ho, Ho, something you did not know. We took the whole squadron of W.A.A.F.s in two wagons yesterday,’ Victoria said, ‘where is this pub then? I’m starving.’

  The two couples were soon in Parky’s car speeding along the narrow roads to the Old Bell Inn where the landlord greeted them warmly and showed them to a secluded corner near a roaring fire. After taking off their great coats, jackets and hats, they snuggled together near to fire, sipping their beer cosily.

  ‘While we are in here it’s difficult to remember that we are at war,’ Minerva said.

  ‘We are hovering on the brink, but this is false security. Everything is about to erupt and we shall be in the thick of it,’ Ricky told her and Minerva shivered. ‘Are you cold sweetheart? Cuddle closer to me.’

  ‘No, I felt apprehensive and on edge, like the calm before a storm.’

  Victoria and Parky were kissing deeply and Parky’s hands began to wander.

  ‘Stop it!’ Victoria said, ‘look out, Sunday lunch is served.’ And the landlady brought their roast beef and Yorkshire pudding with lots of vegetables.

  ‘I don’t think we will be serving Sunday lunch much longer. Don’t ask where the beef came from, just enjoy it. We shan’t be getting anymore,’ the landlady told them sadly. ‘We’ve saved this especially for you.’ They all thanked her and tucked in appreciatively. The Yorkshire puddings were light and crispy.

  ‘Minerva can make excellent Yorkshire puddings. She is coming home with me on our next leave and she is going to give mummy lessons,’ Victoria said.

  ‘Excellent. Can you come home with me as well?’ Ricky asked.

  ‘I don’t think that would be appropriate Ricky,’ and Minerva laughed to cover her confusion. She did not want to involve herself in such a relationship. Victoria gave her a knowing look, realising that the image of Martin Moxon was still hovering. The landlady brought their jam roly-poly and custard. Ricky and Parky finished off the girls pudding as well. By now they were all feeling cosy and satiated.

  ‘The Romans had the right idea, when they used to lie on couches while they ate, with beautiful maidens to fan them and feed them grapes,’ Parky said.

  ‘Yes and their decadence was one of the causes for the fall of their empire!’ Victoria replied. ‘Let’s get outside into the winter sunshine.’

  ‘We could go for a walk, the countryside is lovely around here, even in winter,’ Minerva added. The men thought this was a good idea. So holding hands they followed the footpath opposite the pub, which led through the fields and into a wood. The men looked knowingly at each other, as they felt passion
rising. The warm winter sun shine was filtering through the bare branches making a sheltered and welcoming oasis. They led the girls in different directions, each looking for a suitable love nest. Victoria was very willing, realizing what they were doing. She was not a virgin and she had abstained for a year. She had warned Ricky that Minerva was innocent and must be handled with care. Ricky led Minerva into a secluded circle, surrounded by brambles and Hawthorn bushes. The fresh green buds heralded the approach of Spring.

  ‘Oh look Ricky what a beautiful place, it could be a fairy ring ! Minerva exclaimed.

  ‘It could be especially for you my fairy queen and he removed her hat and took out the pins from her rolled up hair. He ran his fingers through the gleaming golden curls and gasped as he showered them with kisses.

  ‘You are beautiful my delicate Yorkshire Rose. I think about you when I’m in my cockpit high in the sky’ and he kissed her passionately. He took off his greatcoat and laid it on the grass. He undid her coat and removed it and Minerva felt her heart flutter in anticipation. She thought about her parents declaring their love and about Victoria telling her to live for today, because every day might be Ricky and Parky’s last day. Her father would be remembering her mother, when he emerged from the trenches, to charge across no-man’s land, where he was cruelly slaughtered and tears sprang into her eyes. Ricky laid her on his coat and covered them with hers. They snuggled together and he tasted her salty tears.

  ‘Don’t cry darling. I would never hurt my sweet little Minerva. You are always on my mind.’

  ‘I’m sorry Ricky. I was thinking about my parents and the last war I love to snuggle up to you.’ He undid her jacket, shirt and tie and released her soft breasts. He moaned as he kissed their rosy tips. He laughed, when he reached her woollen knickers.

  ‘Let’s banish the ‘twilights,’ my love,’ he said as he rolled them down and she willingly wriggled out of them. He stroked her thighs above her stocking tops and Minerva gasped, as pleasant sensations travelled to her innermost private place.