Minerva

by June Hirst

  ‘You can find another escort Victoria, but my secret love captured my body and soul. My love for him is pure, Ricky was just enjoyable sex.’

  ‘Oh Minerva that is a beautiful sentiment and they say that when two hearts are in love, the angels look down on them.’ Just then Sergeant Benson appeared,

  ‘ Corporal Wood, Assistant Section Officer Felton would like to see you at nine hundred hours tomorrow, she said.

  ‘Alright, thank you sergeant,’ Minerva replied. Sergeant Benson left immediately.’ I wonder why she wants to see me. I expect that it’s extra duties.’

  ‘We are all miserable at the moment and the men are taking off in combat every day. I vote that we have another outing to the cinema. It is ages since we went to see’ Gone with the Wind’. Let’s forget the Germans and enjoy ourselves.’ Victoria said.

  ‘That’s a good idea Victoria. We can organize another outing,’ Minerva replied. The wireless was on and Victor Sylvester was playing popular dance music. A few girls were dancing and some were playing table tennis. Minerva remembered when she used to dance by herself in her foster parents kitchen and then images of Heatonfield Town Hall floated into her mind and two startling blue eyes were gazing into hers.

  ‘Minerva you are daydreaming again. Did you hear what I said?’

  ‘Sorry love, what did you say?’

  ‘I said I refuse to dance with other females. I’m definitely going to find another male escort. I shall ask Sunny and Tommy to take me to the Officers Mess. Vanessa and Angela won’t mind. What do you say? Are you coming with me?’

  ‘No I’m sorry. I don’t want another man. Ricky is dead, but I’ll never forget him and Martin is out there and I’m going to wait until fate brings us together again.’

  ‘You might have to wait a long time. What have I told you? We are at war and every day might be our last and anyway he might have a sweet heart by now.’

  ‘Well if he has I can’t blame him. He is such a gorgeous man and he is so noticeable, so other girls will be attracted to him. He might be tempted and after all as you say it is wartime and I went with Ricky, so we are equal. I know that we shall meet again somewhere.’

  ‘O.K. Minerva you must do as you wish, but I’m going to find some more male company. It won’t be the same as it was with Parky. I was falling in love with him, but we are living in dangerous times and relationships can’t be permanent. We can only live for today, remember, tomorrow is another day.’

  Next day Minerva checked her appearance in the ablutions mirror.

  ‘You’ll do my girl. She won’t be able to find fault with your appearance. I wonder why she wants to see me, she told her reflection’ and could not help thinking about her lonely days, when she used to talk to her reflection in her foster parents sideboard mirror. She thought about her foster parents. Their care had been adequate. She had been well fed and clothed and she had her own room and privacy, but they had never shown her any affection. They were a very undemonstrative couple. She had never seen them express affection to each other like Victoria’s parents and they had never told her to call them aunt and uncle like Victoria’s parents had. Still they had done their best and now when she received a letter from them, they always said how proud they were that she was in the W.A.A.F. She decided to visit them next time that she had a pass.

  She marched smartly to Assistant Section Officer Felton’s office and knocked on the door which was opened by Sergeant Benson.

  ‘Come in Corporal Wood, the A.S.O. will be here in a minute.’ They both sat down and remained silent until Fiona Felman arrived when they both jumped up and saluted.

  ‘At ease ladies and please sit down,’ she commanded.’ We have to make changes. As you know the W.A.A.F. is now past one year old and the original recruits have proved themselves to be very efficient. The men did not take us seriously at first, but our dignity and efficiency has surprised them and they realise that we are playing our part in this war.’

  ‘Yes Ma’am,’ they both replied.

  ‘More girls are volunteering for the services every week and I can tell you now that recruitment is soon to be made compulsory. This is going to be a long war. Sergeant Benson your work has been admirable in this camp and the girls are a credit to you. R.A.F. Bilton needs a consignment of W.A.A.F.s and a sergeant of your ability to lead them. There is another sergeant and two corporals to be assigned from other camps to assist you. Have you any objection.’

  ‘No Ma’am I would be honoured, Benson replied.’ The colour drained from Minerva’s cheeks. Was this it, was she going to be moved to R.A.F. Bilton as well? Then she thought about the new girls. Would Martin fall in love with one of them? They would certainly notice him. She jumped as she realised that the A.S.O. was speaking to her.

  ‘Corporal Wood ever since you arrived, it has been noticed that you were the most outstanding of all the recruits. You have been promoted. Congratulations Sergeant Wood.’ Minerva was almost speechless,

  ‘Thank you Ma’am’, she managed to reply.

  ‘Attention Sergeant Wood!’ Minerva jumped to her feet and stood to attention. ‘I have great pleasure in presenting you with your sergeant’s stripes. You will of course have to leave your friends and move into the Sergeant’s quarters with Sergeant Harris when Sergeant Benson leaves in two days. I suggest that you go and pack up your belongings and store them in Sergeant Benson’s billet. Here is a forty eight hour pass and a ration card. I have requested transport to the station to catch the noon day train.’

  ‘Thank you Ma’am,’ Minerva replied with mixed feelings.

  ‘You are dismissed Sergeant Wood. I have business to discuss with Sergeant Benson.’

  Minerva saluted and returned to her hut where she sewed her sergeant’s stripes onto her jacket. She folded all her kit and her civilian clothes and packed some into her kitbag for her leave. Last of all she picked up the miniature photographs of her parents and told them,

  ‘I’m a sergeant now. I wish that you could see me. Maybe you can. We are going to win this war. We’ll show the evil tyrants that they cannot beat us.’ She put the photographs into her handbag with her pass, ration card and identity card. She had plenty of money in her purse and she would receive an increase of pay now that she was a sergeant. She hoped that Muriel and Ben would welcome her. She sat on her bed and gazed around. She had become very fond of her billet and especially fond of the other girls. There was a strong bond between them and Victoria was her best friend and soul mate. What would Victoria say?

  Sergeant Benson helped Minerva to transport her belongings to the Sergeants quarters.

  ‘It is quite comfortable in here,’ she said I have emptied two drawers, so that you can put your kit in there. Hang your great coat behind the door Minerva looked around and there was a wash basin. Good no ablutions!

  ‘It is very nice,’ she said quietly.

  ‘Are you pleased with your promotion?’ Sergeant Benson asked.

  ‘Yes in a way, but I don’t like leaving my friends. We have been very happy together,’ Minerva replied.

  ‘You will soon settle in and you will be able to invite Corporal Jenkins – Jones, but that is all. There is a communicating door to the male sergeants’ quarters, but it is locked. We have our own lavatory and bath, thank goodness. The walls are thin and we can hear them in their bathroom. Some of the songs that they sing are disgusting.’ Minerva nearly laughed, as she put her belongings into the drawers.

  ‘Thank you Barbara, she said. I’ve packed what I need in my handbag and kitbag. I’ve got my gas mask ,but I hope we never need them. You will have gone when I return, so I wish you good luck. You soon drilled us into shape and now you will have to start all over again,’ and they both laughed.

  ‘Good luck to you too Minerva you have done well. You will be a good sergeant.’

  ‘I have not time to tell Victoria. Please will you tell her? Look my car is waiting to take me to the station.’

  ‘I will my dear. Goodbye Sergeant Wood,’ a
nd much to Minerva’s surprise, she hugged her. A bewildered Minerva, stepped outside, to be greeted by Sergeant Jenkins.

  ‘Congratulations, when I got the message for somebody to take you to the station, I knew that you must have been promoted. It will be better for you to have a break. I know that it will be strange leaving your friends,’ he said, as they left the camp behind.

  ‘I haven’t had time to tell Victoria, but Sergeant Benson is going to tell her. She will get such a shock. Will you see Victoria as well James please. You know how abrupt Barbara Benson can be and she does not like Victoria.’

  ‘Of course I will love. She might have heard that it was Victoria, who christened her concrete knickers,’ and they both laughed.’ I thought that the honourable Victoria Jenkins- Jones would not stay when she first arrived, but she has surprised everyone and we all think that it was your influence that changed her. She was a right little madam.’

  ‘She has taught me a lot too James The sun was shining on York Minster and once again Minerva admired its magnificence.

  ‘Here we are, York station coming up. Your train is due in fifteen minutes. You’ll soon be home. I’ll stay with you until the train arrives. The station was packed with service men.

  ‘This lot will be relocating, after Dunkirk,’ James said. ‘They have had time to recover and they are ready again.’ Minerva watched them. They were all talking, smoking and laughing together, putting their suffering behind them. The engine came puffing into the station and came to a halt with a screech of steam.

  ‘Thanks James for being such a good friend,’ Minerva said as she climbed aboard, but James was wishing that she was more than a friend.

  ‘Goodbye love, I’ll meet you off the 12-30 train on Saturday.’

  Minerva watched the flat plain of York roll, by as she munched her biscuit and apple, which was all she had. The express train, bound for Manchester, gathered speed. It was packed with troops. She saw the change in scenery, as the train approached the first stop, which was Heatonfield. It was late afternoon when she came down the station steps into George Square. For a moment she stood and her eyes travelled around the square. The beautiful Georgian buildings seemed to stand there in defiance. Their windows were crossed with anti- bomb blast tape. She ran across the square and hopped onto a tram.

  ‘Are yer ‘ome on leave luv? the conductress asked.

  ‘Yes I am. Just for forty eight hours though. A two penny one please. How long have girls been working on the trams?’

  ‘I’m in t’ first lot, the conductress answered proudly, as she handed Minerva her ticket. Men are being called up yer see. You look right smart miss in that uniform.’

  ‘Thank you, Minerva replied, and then looked down the street to the Town Hall, as the tram rattled by and sighed, as she remembered her evening of pure bliss with Martin Moxon at the Town Hall dance. The tram squeaked as it travelled down the hill to the entrance of the textile valley, where the smoke from the mill chimneys was still spiralling into the sky. With mixed feelings she stepped off the tram onto the dusty pavement, thinking how glad she would be to take off her warm uniform and brush out her hair. All the windows in Buttercup Terrace were also crossed with tape. The bell on the door of the corner shop clanged as she entered.

  ‘Hello Mrs Beaumont’, she said. Mrs Beaumont stared and then she recognized Minerva.

  ‘Eeh Minnie luv is that you? John! John! Come here quickly, it’s Minnie. Are you on leave luv? Muriel and Ben will be pleased to see you. They never stop talking about you.’

  ‘I’m on a forty eight hour pass, as I’ve just been promoted to sergeant.’

  ‘Well that’s marvellous luv. I always knew you’d go far. You were such a clever young girl and now here you are helping to fight that maniac Adolf Hitler.’ John came into the shop from the back room.

  ‘Goodness me! Look at you, Sergeant Wood. You’re a sight for sore eyes luv.’ Minerva smiled. She had always been welcome in this shop. She bought chocolates and cigarettes for her foster parents.

  ‘I’ve got a ration card to cover my leave, so please may I have two ounces of tea, four ounces of sugar, two ounces of bacon, two ounces of butter and one ounce of cheese. My ration card will cover that.’ Mrs Beaumont packed her rations into a carrier bag and put the cigarettes and chocolates on top.

  ‘What is going to be rationed next? You could pop that cheese in your mouth in one piece’, Mrs Beaumont grumbled. We’ll all have to tighten our belts. They’ve started an allotment club. We’re all going to, ‘Dig For Victory’ as the posters tell us. Bye luv. See you later.’

  Minerva walked down Buttercup Street receiving greetings all the way. Muriel’s kitchen door was open and she was bending over the fire stirring something in a pan. Just then the klaxons went signalling the end of the working day at all the mills in the valley. Muriel stood up and rubbed her back.

  ‘Hello Muriel, surprise, surprise. I’m home.’ Muriel turned around and her face lit up with delight.

  ‘Minnie luv what are you doing here? Are you alright?’

  ‘Yes thank you Muriel I’m very well. I’ve been given a promotion leave for two days. I’m a sergeant now. I’ve brought you a present and my rations’ and she put the carrier bag on the table.

  ‘Thank you luv, come here. Give us a hug. I’m that pleased to see you and Ben will be too.’ Minerva was amazed, because she could not remember Muriel hugging her before.

  ‘I’ll put some more dumplings in the stew. Take your stuff up to your bedroom. Ben won’t be long. Wait till he sees Sergeant Wood.’

  Minerva sat on her bed and looked around her room nostalgically. She heard Ben arrive, so she clattered down the stairs into the kitchen.

  ‘Minnie luv what’s this I here? Sergeant Wood we’re very proud of you. Ben told her as he hugged her. Muriel served the stew and dumplings and thick slices of crusty bread.

  ‘There is a bit of meat in there somewhere,’ she said.’ I bought shin beef ‘cos you get more for your ration.’

  ‘It is very tasty and I appreciate how quiet and cosy it is in here. It is absolute bedlam in the cookhouse.’

  ‘Do you like I.T.M.A. Do you listen? It is Thursday, so it’s on the wireless tonight,’ Ben said.

  ‘Oh yes we have a wireless in the recreation room and we all listen. We join in and sing ‘It’s That Man Again,’ There is a joke that says the Germans could sneak into the country on Thursdays at half past eight, because everybody is listening to I.T.M.A.’ Ben and Muriel laughed.

  ‘ We listen to the nine o’ clock news too and we listen to Winston Churchill,’ Minerva told them.

  ‘Aye he knows how to make a speech to whip up patriotism,’ Ben replied.

  ‘He is a friend of Victoria’s father and I met him when I was in London. He said that the country needs young women like us and then he kissed my hand.’

  ‘Well I never that’s a tale to tell down at the pub. The great man talking to our Minnie,’ Ben replied and Muriel was wide eyed and speechless.

  ‘The holiday starts next week. Are you going to Blackpool again?’ Minerva asked.

  ‘No we’re not leaving our house the Germans might come and anyway there’s going to be lots of entertainment in the park next week.’

  ‘They will have to get past the R.A.F. first Muriel,’ Minerva told her.

  ‘Where’s our Paddy Muriel?’

  ‘Oh heck he’s still in the front room. It was hot in here and he likes to look out of the window. I forgot him in all the excitement. I’ll go and fetch him.’ She returned carrying a cage containing a budgerigar.

  ‘Paddy, meet our Sergeant, Minnie Wood,’ she said.

  ‘Oh he is lovely. Hello Paddy, who’s a pretty boy then? The green budgie cocked his head on one side.

  ‘Pretty boy, pretty boy, Germany calling shoot old Hitler’, he squawked. They all roared with laughter.

  ‘That’s his party piece. I wish we could Paddy. Have you heard that vile Lord Haw Haw broadcasting his foul propaganda?’ B
en asked.

  ‘Yes I have, we just laugh at him. Look it’s time for I.T.M.A.’ Minerva announced.

  Let’s take wireless into t’ front room and then we can all be comfortable. We had two plugs put in Minnie, Muriel said proudly. Ben carried it through and they all settled down to enjoy Tommy Handley and his gang. The laughter turned to seriousness, as they listened to the nine o’ clock news. A battle had been raging above south east England all day.

  ‘Winston Churchill said that the Battle of Britain was about to begin and it sounds as though it has’, Ben said. Minerva was quietly thinking of Ricky but decided not to say anything. He belonged to her other life.

  Did you know that Martin Moxon is very highly regarded by the R.A.F. apparently, nobody can overhaul and patch up a plane as well as he can. They call him Magic Fingers Moxon, Minerva told them.

  ‘Well I never! Ben exclaimed. He always liked machinery. We miss him at t’ mill. Mr Moxon and that stuck up other son never come in t’ sheds. They’ve appointed a manager and he’s a right miserable, mean old bugger.’

  ‘Ben! Language,’ Muriel exclaimed.

  ‘Well he is. I shall be glad when Mr Martin returns,’ Ben replied.

  ‘I don’t think that he will ever return Ben. He can fly Aeroplanes.’ Minerva was content. She felt that at last the three of them had become closer.

  ‘Next morning after Ben had gone to work she washed her hair in the kitchen sink and allowed it to dry in the sunlight. Her curls had escaped from their confinement in the regulation roll and shone like gold.

  ‘What are you going to do today luv?’ Muriel asked.

  ‘I’m going for a walk in the hills. The land is so flat around the camp, I miss the hills. I’ll be back for my lunch and then I’ll put on my uniform and visit the girls at the mill when they finish their shift.’

  ‘Alright luv we’ll have your bacon ration in a sandwich with some H.P. sauce to make it go further.’ Minerva put on her blue and white flowered skirt and white blouse and set off along the canal to where it disappeared into the tunnel. She followed the stony path upwards towards the rock where she had met Martin. She climbed up onto the top and sat with her legs dangling over the side. The air was fresh and crisp up here away from the smoke of the valley. The river and the canal glistened in the distance.