Minerva

by June Hirst

  ‘Oh I could get used to living here,’ she said. Victoria flung open the wardrobe doors.

  ‘Now what shall we wear,’ she said. I know lets be very modern and comfortable. I’ve got some pairs of female trousers. I had them made before the war. I think these will become very fashionable in future.’

  ‘Victoria this worsted was woven in our mill. I wove some of this myself,’ Minerva said as she held the trousers to her face and remembered.

  ‘You clever girl wait till I tell Mummy.’

  ‘Oh no don’t, Victoria. She doesn’t know that I’m a mill girl .’

  ‘Of course she does. And anyway, you are not a mill girl and never will be again. Now choose your trousers and jumper and let’s get changed, especially out of these knickers,’ Victoria said, as she stepped out of her ‘blackouts’ and swung them round in a circle singing; Black bottom, Black bottom, we’ve got ‘em , we’ve got ‘em’ and both girls collapsed onto the beds shrieking with laughter. Minerva felt very happy and content. The two girls dressed in grey worsted trousers and cashmere jumpers from Victoria’s stock. Minerva was in blue and Victoria in green.

  ‘We can let our hair down literally this week Minerva. It feels wonderful to shake out that terrible roll and let our curls tumble free.’

  ‘It does,’ Minerva replied as both girls brushed their hair.

  Victoria’s father arrived home just in time for dinner. She had been watching for him, so she ran to the door and flung it open. Minerva held back shyly.

  ‘Daddy, daddy,’ she shouted as he picked her up and swung her around joyously.

  ‘Welcome home my precious,’ then he spotted Minerva,’ Who have we here? We have two beautiful young ladies to welcome a chap home.’

  ‘This is my best friend Minerva,’ Victoria told him.

  ‘I’m pleased to meet you, at last, my dear. We have heard so much about you,’ and he kissed Minerva on both cheeks. Minerva smiled as she looked up to a smiling jovial face with green eyes like Victoria and a thatch of thick white hair.

  ‘I’m very pleased to meet you and thank you for inviting me,’ she replied. Just then Victoria’s mother appeared,

  ‘I thought I heard you,’ she said as she hugged and kissed him. ‘Dinner is ready. We are celebrating and Robson will serve us in the dining room in ten minutes. The dining table was set with shining silver cutlery and sparkling crystal glasses. There was an arrangement of Daffodils in the middle. Robson poured the red wine and then served them plates of delicious aromatic beef casserole. They helped themselves to vegetables from the silver tureens. Charles Jenkins- Jones surveyed the scene with satisfaction.

  ‘This is splendid my dear thank you and thank you Robson. We can almost forget that we are at war.’

  ‘The girls brought ration cards, so we were able to purchase extra meat,’ his wife Sylvia replied.

  ‘Sometimes I think that Prime Minister Chamberlain and the government forget that we are at war. Everything is rumbling like a sleeping volcano, but mark my words it will erupt very soon. There is only Winston Churchill, who realises the seriousness of the situation. He should be Prime Minister rather than First Lord of the Admiralty.’

  ‘Do you think that we shall be invaded?’ Minerva asked.

  ‘It is possible my dear, but I think that our navy and air force will prevent it, if we give them more resources.’

  ‘That is enough about the war now dear, the girls are on holiday. Victoria is taking Minerva sightseeing tomorrow.’

  ‘Please daddy will you take us to the Palladium and the Prince of Wales. The revues sound to be very entertaining. We used to go to the pantomime every Christmas, Minerva. It was wonderful. The Prince of Wales theatre is very attractive, since it was rebuilt and Gracie Fields sang for the workmen, when they were laying the foundation stones. She comes from the north of England. Have you seen her, Minerva?’

  No, but I have heard her sing. She is very popular. She used to be a mill girl too.’

  ‘I will book tickets for both theatres,’ Charles announced ‘and now if you will excuse me I will go to my study, as I have some work to do. I will have coffee and brandy in the study Robson. Have we still a good stock in the cellar.’

  ‘Indeed we have sir and the wine merchant is delivering a large quantity tomorrow. I fear it will be the last.’

  ‘Ah well it will not just be wine and spirits that will be in short supply. It will be everything.’ Charles said in a melancholy mood as he left the dining room.

  ‘Cheer up mummy you were looking very sad. Go and listen to the wireless and we will wash up, although Robson will not let us touch the silver I expect.’

  ‘Very well darling, sometimes I think about the future and it frightens me. I have made a cosy air raid shelter in the cellar, just in case of bombing. I’ll say goodnight and I will listen to the wireless in our bedroom.’

  Minerva remembered the few precious wireless sets that they all gathered around to listen to the declaration of war and here they had a wireless set in every room. She wondered if the Moxons had a few wirelesses.

  ‘Come along Minerva you are daydreaming again. Let’s go and wash up and then we can listen to dance music in bed.’

  Both girls were thankful to snuggle into the comfortable beds and drift into their dreams. Later Charles Jenkins –Jones turned off their wireless and as he stood at the foot of their beds, where the two girls were fast asleep, he switched off their lights, and silently cursed Adolf Hitler, for the devastation that he had caused. He whispered a silent prayer for safe deliverance from evil, especially for his daughter and her friend.

  Next morning Minerva awoke and stretched luxuriously, as she looked around and remembered where she was. She had never awakened to such luxury in all her life. Victoria was still sleeping as Minerva wiggled her toes in the thick pile of the carpet and tip toed over to the window, to draw back the curtains and peep out at London.

  ‘I can’t believe I’m here and about to explore London. It’s like a dream. I’m going to see all the places that I’ve read about,’ she whispered. She stood by Victoria’s bed.

  ‘Wake up at the double 3039 Jones,’ she bellowed, imitating Sergeant Benson. Victoria stretched,

  ‘Very funny, I’m awake anyway, I’ve been watching you.’

  ‘I’m so excited Vic, I can’t wait to see London.’

  The two girls arrived down for breakfast just as Charles Jenkins – Jones was leaving for work at the Foreign Office. He was wearing his uniform this morning and looked very distinguished. Minerva had a lump in her throat as she watched him go. Sylvia Jenkins –Jones looked at the two girls fondly.

  ‘It is a beautiful May morning. The blossom is beginning to open. It is a perfect day for sightseeing, but you had better be home by four o’clock in case daddy has managed to purchase tickets for the theatre tonight, if so we will have a light meal in the kitchen, before we go.’

  ‘Very well mummy. Come along Minerva let’s go. We will go to the Cenotaph first and you can say a prayer for your father and then we will walk down the Mall to Buckingham Palace.’

  ‘That will be wonderful .Are we going on the underground train.’

  ‘Yes of course we are. The rush hour should be over now. Goodbye mummy, we’re off,’ Victoria called.

  Minerva felt as though she was in paradise as the two girls strolled down the Mall. She had stood in reverence at the Cenotaph and said a prayer for her father. As the girls gazed at the splendour of Buckingham Palace, the gates swung open and a black limousine rolled out. Minerva was speechless and wide eyed as her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and King George the sixth graciously waved to them. She clung to Victoria’s arm and exclaimed,

  ‘Victoria we have just seen the King and Queen and they waved to us. I could not believe my eyes. I must write to Muriel and Ben. I must share my excitement with them and their friends and the girls at the mill.’ Minerva’s eyes were shining and she was nearly bursting with excitement.

  ‘We will buy some p
icture postcards,’ Victoria told her. We can’t see all the sights in one day, Minerva, so we’ll come back tomorrow and do some shopping while we still can.’ Minerva gazed at Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament and marvelled at the magnificent bridges over the mighty River Thames.

  ‘This is wonderful, Victoria. The pictures that I enjoyed in Heatonfield library have come alive. Oh look at that poster Victoria. Adolf Hitler is on it. Let’s take a closer look. The poster showed Hitler hovering over a mothers shoulder and urging her to bring her children back home, but the message was ; Don’t do it Mother . Leave them where they are.

  ‘Lots of posters are appearing. The evacuees are returning in their hundreds. The government must be expecting invasion or bombing or they would not have put out that poster,’ and both girls shivered. ‘Apart from the barrage balloons, posters and men in uniform, London looks the same at the moment,’ Victoria remarked. Minerva wrote her postcards, after a lunch of baked beans on toast at a Lyons Corner House.

  When they returned home Sylvia had good news. They were going to see ‘Apple Sauce’ at the Palladium. The May days and nights seemed to speed by as the two girls enjoyed sight- seeing, shopping, theatres and cinemas. Charles Jenkins –Jones, on their last evening, announced, that he had booked a table for dinner at the Savoy Hotel. This time Victoria was bursting with excitement, as they stood in front of the mirror in their evening gowns. Minerva felt like a princess in Victoria’s pale lemon gown, while Victoria wore the white satin gown that she worn as a debutante. They both had Sylvia’s fur stoles around their shoulders. Their beautiful curls were cascading free. They glided down the sweeping staircase together. Victoria’s parents were waiting and Charles held a camera.

  ‘I have a film in my camera and we have time to take some photographs before we leave, which will remind us of this wonderful week, Victoria, my darling. You have grown up into an efficient and responsible, young lady. Minerva, my dear, I think that we have to thank you for your influence on our daughter. May your friendship be enduring.’ The two girls linked arms and Charles photographed them together. Robson appeared and photographed some family groups, some including Minerva , who felt that she was living in a dream.

  When they arrived at the Savoy Hotel, the doorman opened the door of the taxi and ushered them inside. Again Minerva was wide eyed and speechless, as she followed Victoria’s parents to the restaurant. Her mouth was dry and her heart was beating fast, as she gazed around at the grandeur. The blackout curtains were drawn and the chandeliers sparkled like enormous diamonds.

  ‘Good evening my Lord, we are very pleased to welcome you and your family,’ the Maître Di announced, as he led them to their table. Many heads turned as Lord Jenkins- Jones and three very beautiful ladies were led to their table. Minerva was amazed. She had no idea that Victoria’s father was a Lord. Just wait until we are in the privacy of the ladies room, she thought. She sat down and gazed around the splendid restaurant. She was the first to spot him.

  ‘Is that Winston Churchill,’ she whispered.

  ‘It is my dear,’ Sylvia replied ‘there are many famous people at the Savoy every day.’ Charles turned to look and raised his hand. Winston Churchill nodded, then arose and came towards them.

  ‘Good evening Charles won’t you introduce me to your beautiful ladies?’ he said.

  ‘Certainly Winston, this is my wife Sylvia, my daughter Victoria and her friend Minerva.’ Winston Churchill took each ladies’ hand and kissed it. Minerva was glad that she was sitting down, as she could hardly breathe. This was unbelievable.

  ‘Victoria and Minerva are corporals in the W.A.A.F. They are on leave from Yorkshire,’ Charles said.

  ‘Then I am especially pleased to meet you. Our country needs young ladies like you. Indeed all ladies will need to be strong and supportive during the approaching times. May God bless you both,’ Winston replied.

  ‘Thank you sir,’ both girls answered. Just then three official looking gentlemen came rushing to their table.

  ‘Excuse us Sir’ one of them exclaimed, ‘you are summoned to Buckingham Palace immediately.’ Winston Churchill looked around and quietly followed the men.

  ‘Oh my goodness ladies, you have just witnessed a great event. This means that Winston Churchill is our new Prime Minister. Thank God!’ News spread through the restaurant in exited waves.

  Minerva struggled to eat her food, because she was so overwhelmed by the opulence of her surroundings and the beautiful presentation on her plate. She wondered what her foster parents would say if they could see her now. She could almost hear Muriel saying ‘Eat it all up, don’t waste it.’ She wondered if the Moxon family had eaten in the Savoy. Victoria and her parents were conversing easily.

  ‘You are very quiet Minerva, my dear,’ Lord Charles remarked.

  ‘I am enjoying myself very much. Please forgive me, but I had no idea that you were a Lord, Victoria never said.’

  ‘Oh we don’t stand on ceremony when we are at home and my wife and I would be honoured if you would call us Uncle Charles and Aunt Sylvia. Tears prickled behind Minerva’s eyes and she sipped her wine to cover her emotion.

  ‘You are very kind, thank so much I would be honoured and delighted,’ she managed to reply as a tear escaped and she hastily dabbed it with her napkin. Sylvia squeezed her hand as she said,

  ‘You are a welcome addition to our family and Victoria smiled contentedly. Minerva wished that time could stand still and the euphoria could last. At the moment it was difficult to believe that she was Corporal 3030 Wood in the W.A.A.F. In a dream she seemed to float as she followed the family into the ballroom, where a dance band was playing. When they were seated a waiter brought coffee and brandy to their table. Many couples acknowledged Lord Charles and his party as they danced by. Suddenly Victoria gasped,

  ‘Minerva I have just spotted Section Officer Felman and the Commanding Officer. I wonder why they are in London. Look over there in that group of R.A.F. uniforms.’

  ‘Oh yes I see them ,but they won’t recognise us.’ Lord and Lady Jenkins-Jones were interested.

  ‘I know them. They are Top Brass at the Air Ministry. They have been having a conference,’ Lord Charles announced. ‘Would you like to meet them?’

  ‘Certainly not, daddy! It would be embarrassing for everyone. They belong to our other life.’ Just then two young men from Victoria’s debutante days approached their table. They were very surprised to see Victoria and even more surprised to discover that she was in the W.A.A.F. Soon all three couples joined the dance floor and once again Minerva felt like a princess as she glided around in her partner’s arms, but it was Martin Moxon and not Parky who she was remembering.

  When they ushered out into the pitch darkness of wartime London, the doorman beckoned a waiting taxi and slowly they were transported through the blacked out streets. Minerva and Victoria were coming back down to reality. Their leave was over and tomorrow morning they must be on the early train from Kings Cross to Yorkshire.

  Chapter 12

  Minerva and Victoria arrived back at their camp in time for dinner. The journey had been slow and they were very tired and hungry. They flung their kitbags onto their beds and grabbed their ‘irons’. After a quick visit to the ablutions they dashed across to the cookhouse.

  ‘Gosh I’d forgotten how noisy it is in here Vic. It was like living in another world at your house and at the Savoy.’

  The sooner we win this war the better and then we can return to normal life. Victoria replied as they joined the queue at the serving hatch to receive a dollop of Lancashire hotpot and mashed potato. Minerva did not reply, but the future was very heavy on her mind. She felt like a displaced person. Her past life had disappeared never to return. But who was she? What was in store for her? Where did she belong? She followed Victoria to a table, where they were greeted by Vanessa and Angela.

  ‘Welcome back we have missed you. We are dying to hear what you have been doing in London,’ Vanessa said. Minerva smiled and then n
oticed Angela’s badge.

  ‘Congratulations Angela I see that you have been promoted to Leading Air Craft Woman,’ she said.

  ‘Yes, congratulations Angela,’ Victoria added. Are you in charge of the clothing store now?’ Angela was very pleased that they had noticed as she nodded her reply and added.’ Thank you.’

  ‘Let’s go to the recreation room and find a quiet corner and then you can tell us your news,’ Vanessa said.

  ‘We need to catch up too and hear what has been happening while we were away. Look out! Here comes Sergeant Benson,’ Victoria exclaimed.

  ‘Welcome back Corporal Wood and Corporal Jenkins-Jones. Report to my office at nine hundred hours tomorrow to consult the rota, she announced.

  ‘Yes Sergeant Benson,’ they both replied.

  All four girls were anxious to find a quiet corner, where they could exchange news. Vanessa and Angela were very impressed to hear about the encounter with Winston Churchill. Minerva and Victoria wanted to hear news about Ricky and Parky and Vanessa told them that they were both stationed at Bilton permanently now, where they were both flying Spitfires.

  Minerva was glad to snuggle into her bed, where she could think her private thoughts, but the contrast to the luxurious bed in Victoria’s bedroom was very obvious. She had discussed the war with Lord Charles or Uncle Charles as she had been asked to call him. She knew that the conflict would be long and treacherous, but it was about to become worse. She was convinced that she would be able to cope with any situation that arose, but it was her personal life, which was troubling her conscience. She knew that her behaviour with Ricky was morally wrong and she bore the secret with guilt. She tried to balance her feelings. Victoria urged her to live for today, because it might be their last and the bombing raid had made that a reality. However, such reckless thoughts troubled her, because they were alien to her nature. And yet those moments of making love with Ricky had transported her into a blissful paradise. Never before had she been physically loved. Never before had another human being been so intimate with her. She hugged herself and was tempted to explore her private place and then a pair of large startling blue eyes below shining black hair and a mouth, which she had never kissed, seemed to hover above her whispering,