Minerva

by June Hirst

  ‘Somebody up there can you hear me?’ she said as she gazed up into the sky.’ Surely there is some power that rules our destiny. Please make mine favourable and make our paths cross again.’ The rock was baked warm in the summer sun shine, so she lay down and closed her eyes. There was no sound up here .It was like another world of peace, where there was no conflict. She hugged herself wishing that her arms were Martin’s arms and his body was pressing against hers to lead her into ecstasy. She sat up quickly as she remembered Ricky.

  ‘ Ricky, where ever you are, I will never forget you. In peace time, who knows, I could have fallen in love with you, but I fell in love right here in this magical place and one day my destiny will lead me to Martin.’ She picked up a sharp piece of flint and scratched 'M & M' into the surface of the rock and drew a heart around the letters.

  ‘Why on earth did I do that? Some instinct told me to do it. I hope that you see it Martin.’ Satisfied that she had helped fate, she skipped down the path towards home and bacon sandwiches.

  During late afternoon, dressed in her uniform, she walked through the factory gates, climbed the stairs to the office and knocked on the door.

  ‘Come in,’ she heard Mr Moxon call out. She hesitated what was she doing here? She felt as though she had been drawn to this door by an invisible hand. She walked in. She was Sergeant Wood now and not quiet little Minnie.

  ‘Good afternoon Mr Moxon I hope that you do not mind me calling upon you,’ she said. I am waiting for a friend and I thought that it was only polite to inform you that I was on the premises.’ Michael Moxon was not in the office.

  ‘Come in my dear. I’m very pleased to meet a member of his Majesty’s forces and a sergeant too I see. My youngest son is in the Air Force. He mends aeroplanes.’

  ‘Yes, I know Mr Moxon. He is very famous and highly regarded.’

  ‘Really! Well fancy that,’ Joseph looked surprised and stared at Minerva, captivated by her big brown eyes. Minerva blushed and her heart fluttered, as she saw his resemblance to Martin. There was no way that he would recognize her. She had just been one of hundreds of his employees.

  ‘My friend works in shed number seven,’ she said.

  ‘It’s nearly knocking off time, so off you go and find her. Tell Hinchliffe that I said it was alright. It’s been a pleasure meeting you. Good luck.’

  ‘Thank you Mr Moxon, goodbye.’

  ‘Well fancy that our Martin is famous. Wait till I tell his mother and our Michael,’ Minerva heard him saying as she left the office.

  She ran down the steps and across the yard to shed seven. The noise of the looms was deafening. The doors were open and she remembered how hot it would be inside. The klaxon sounded as she entered and watched the girls turning off their looms. She spotted Jessie and made her way carefully across the greasy floor.

  ‘Hello Jessie’, she said. Jessie stared then gasped and shrieked,

  ‘It’s Minnie everybody.’ Suddenly there was pandemonium, as everybody surrounded Minerva, all asking questions at the same time. Sam Hinchliffe came into the shed.

  ‘What is going on in here? I could hear you lot right across the yard.’

  ‘It’s Minnie! Look at her Sam,’ Jessie said.

  ‘By gum lass I would never have recognized you. A sergeant in the W.A.A.F.! You are smart Minnie.’

  ‘Thank you, Mr Hinchliffe. I am 3030 Sergeant Minerva Wood now. Minnie has gone for ever. Mr Moxon said that I could come in,’ she said. All the girls and Sam Hinchliffe were amazed as she answered all their questions about life in the W.A.A.F.s and quite a few were envious. Minerva remembered last year when they were all going to Blackpool. This year they were all staying at home.

  Jessie and Minerva walked home together.

  ‘Have you seen Martin Moxon again? Jessie asked.

  ‘No, I know where he is, but our paths have not crossed yet. I hope that I have helped fate to smile on me today. Thank you for keeping our secret Jessie. It’s good to see you again. You were a good friend to me.’

  ‘That’s alright luv. I’m getting married at Christmas. Will you be home?’

  ‘ I don’t know Jessie. We never know when we are going on leave, but I wish you good luck,’ The two girls parted and Minerva ran upstairs and shed her uniform.

  Next morning Ben insisted on accompanying her to the station. He was so proud to be seen with her. He waved vigorously as the train puffed out of the station and blew his nose hard. Men don’t cry he told himself. Minerva settled down to enjoy the journey and return to her other life.

  Chapter 14

  The crowded train arrived in York station on time. Minerva had been deep in thought on the journey. She was pleased that Muriel and Ben had made her so welcome and she felt that now that she was an adult, they had become closer. She was grateful that they had kept her safe while she grew up. Perhaps she had always seemed distant and aloof to them. Perhaps they thought it was what she preferred.

  Ricky was just a pleasant interlude. She had made him happy and for that she was thankful and he had shown her the ecstasy and the delight of physical passion. The feelings that she had for Martin were much deeper. When they met on the moors the attraction between them was magnetic and dancing with him was like floating in a magical land. He was her soul mate, but she had made the ultimate sacrifice by protecting him from a forbidden alliance with herself. His family and their social circle would not have accepted her. She knew how important family was. She had longed for one all her life. The class system was very strong and she as an illegitimate, orphaned mill girl belonged at the bottom. But now Minnie had gone and both she and Martin were sergeants in His Majesty’s Forces. She had aristocratic friends and she had met Winston Churchill, who had said that the country needed more girls like her. Mr Moxon had been pleased to see her and she had left a love token on Martin’s rock. Sergeant Jenkins had said that after the war there would be a great change and life would never be the same again.

  She stepped off the train very satisfied with her thoughts. She was ready to meet her secret love and she had given fate a helping hand. Sergeant Jenkins came to meet her.

  ‘Hello Minerva have you enjoyed your leave?’ he asked.

  ‘Yes I have James thank you and I have and I have sorted out my thoughts on the journey, so I ready to move on now as a sergeant. Thank you for coming to meet me.’

  ‘It’s a pleasure love the car is just around the corner.’ On the way to the camp Minerva decided to put James in the picture, so she told him all about her previous life and how she yearned for her secret love, but decided to keep his name a secret for the time being. James did not show his disappointment, but realised that he would be no more than a good friend to Minerva.

  When they arrived at the camp lunch was over, but they managed to buy soup and rolls in the N.A.A.F.I. where they discussed the Battle of Britain, as it was being called.

  ‘Winston Churchill says that our fighter strength is greater than it has ever been, so let’s hope that he is right. He says that the injured machines will live to fight another day,’ he told her as they sipped their large mugs of hot tea.

  ‘The tea is weaker now that it is rationed, but I like it weaker anyway,’ Minerva said.

  ‘Well so long as it is hot and warm it will do. A cup of tea is always prescribed for shock and lots of people will get shocks as this war continues, Minerva.’

  ‘We like cups of tea in our country. James do you really think that this war will be long?

  ‘Yes I do Minerva. It will go on for years. It has only just started. Ten Wellington bombers are being delivered next week and an even better bomber is being built.’ Minerva shivered. They looked so innocent lined up on the runway, but they were carriers of death and destruction.

  ‘Did you meet the famous Martin Moxon when he dropped in last week James?’

  ‘I saw him. He is a very noticeable bloke and an ace with engines and damaged planes, but they say that he is very aloof and arrogant and only thinks about his
precious planes. The gossip is that a woman has let him down and the planes have taken her place.’ Minerva sipped her tea to cover her distress. James did not notice.

  ‘Sergeant Benson has been posted to his camp now that they have a consignment of W.A.A.F.s. If he annoys her or her girls he’ll soon hear her tongue.’

  ‘Her bark is worse than her bite James. She actually hugged me when we said goodbye. She will soon have the new recruits trained and organised and in the meantime I have to take her place.’

  ‘You’ll be alright love. You’ve got a good head on those shoulders. You’re not just a pretty face as the saying goes. I told Victoria about your promotion before she heard from Benson. She was both pleased and sad.’

  ‘Thanks again James. I’m glad that I have you for a friend. I’ll go and sort out my billet now and then I’ll find Victoria.’

  ‘I have some news too. I’ve been promoted. I’m working on the planes now.’ James told her.

  ‘Congratulations love I’m pleased for you. Right then I must be off.’ James watched her leave, thinking that he would always be there for her, but there would be no romance. He must move on too.

  She was glad that she did not meet any of her friends as she dashed across to the Sergeants quarters. She sat down on her bed. The small room was about the same size as her bedroom at home. She placed the photographs of her parents on top of the small chest of drawers.

  ‘Welcome to your new home,’ she said. Muriel had given her a croqueted mat and a mirror, which she also placed on the drawers. Her belongings were soon put away in her drawers and small wardrobe. She had been saving her weekly pay to buy more clothes, because it was rumoured that they were going to be rationed soon. Muriel had laughed when she had seen her ‘twilights’ and ‘blackouts, ‘which she had washed and pegged out on the clothes line in the sunshine. She had bought lots of toiletries, make up and silk stockings, while she was in London. She opened the blue glass bottle of perfume. Victoria laughed when she bought it, but its’ name Evening in Paris had attracted her and now Paris was occupied by the Germans.

  ‘I shall wear this perfume when I am in your arms Martin, my secret love and one day when we have won this war we shall visit that romantic city.’ With everything in place she felt very satisfied and cosy. There was a knock on the door and Sergeant Harris peeped in.

  ‘Come in Margaret. I have everything in place. Where are all the girls?’

  ‘They’ve gone to the cinema. Didn’t you see the wagons on your way here?’

  ‘No I didn’t, but I thought that it was quiet. What have they gone to see?’

  ‘The Wizard of Oz.’’ It is a family film, but it’s supposed to be good. Shall we have dinner together and then I’ll show you the rota of duties. The conflict is becoming worse, The fighter planes are bearing the brunt of the battle, but the bombers are taking off every day too. There is a church parade tomorrow, so we shall have an inspection, before we set off., Margaret Harris was ten years older than Minerva. She had always been in Sergeant Benson’s shadow, but now she was taking charge. Minerva liked her and felt that she would be a good role model, who would help her.

  ‘By the way two of the male corporals have been posted and the A.S.O. says that we have to move our corporals into their billet. I expect that it will need a good clean and they will share our bath and lavatory.’

  ‘ That is marvellous news. It means that Victoria will move in, but we only have one corporal.’

  ‘No we have two Angela Downs has been promoted, while you were on leave.’

  ‘I’m really pleased Margaret. We shall make a very efficient team. Do they know that they are moving?’

  ‘No we have to tell them tomorrow. The two sergeants enjoyed companionship and after a game of table tennis, while listening to the forces music on the wireless, they both retired early.

  Next morning Minerva joined Victoria, Angela and Vanessa for breakfast. Victoria jumped up and flung her arms around Minerva.

  ‘Oh Min. I have missed you. Thank goodness you are back and congratulations love, but it won’t be the same anymore. Minerva was bursting to tell her about moving billets, but knew that it should be announced by Sergeant Harris and anyway Vanessa would miss them. Vanessa and Angela added their congratulations and Minerva congratulated Angela on her promotion.

  ‘It will be strange having you to inspect us on the parade ground, Vanessa said, and we do miss you in the hut.’

  ‘I expect nothing stays the same during wartime and I’ll still see you in the recreation room,’ Minerva told her.

  Forty seven W.A.A.F.s were soon on the Parade ground ready to be inspected by Sergeant Harris and Sergeant Wood. Assistant Officer Felman joined them and every one saluted and jumped to attention.

  ‘We shall march in formation to the village church, but after the service you may stroll back in your own time. Take over Sergeant Wood,’ she announced. Minerva walked up and down the ranks checking that all the uniforms were correct. Fortunately they were correct.

  ‘Half turn to the right, quick march,’ she commanded. The Sergeants led the battalion to the church, where they squeezed into the pews all down the left hand side of the middle aisle.

  Minerva enjoyed singing hymns. She had often attended Heatonfield Parish Church and as a child in the Orphanage they were taken to church every Sunday. The vicar prayed for the Army, the Navy and the Air Force and especially for the guidance and the safety of the Air Force, who at this minute were in combat over the English Channel. He quoted Winston Churchill who had said; I look forward to the exploits of our fighter pilots, these splendid men, this brilliant youth, who will have the glory of saving their native land.

  Minerva was thinking of Ricky, who had given his life and Martin, who worked tirelessly all hours making sure that the engines were perfect and patching up the damaged planes to take off again. Victoria reached for Minerva’s hand, as she prayed that Parky would be saved. The two young women gave each other comfort.

  After the service as they strolled back to camp in the summer sunshine, Sergeant Harris decided, that this was a good time to tell the two corporals, they were changing billets. She called to Victoria and Angela to drop behind and Minerva joined them.

  ‘We have good news for you. When we arrive back at the camp you are moving into our quarters,’ Sergeant Harris told them. Victoria whooped with joy and flung her arms around Minerva.

  ‘Back together thank goodness,’ she said. Angela smiled,

  ‘That will be excellent,’ she said.

  After lunch we shall have to clean the rooms. They are filthy, but we will help you, Sergeant Harris told them. Victoria felt like skipping along the country road and Minerva glowed of contentment and happiness.

  As agreed, after lunch the four W.A.A.F.s opened the windows and doors and set to work with mops and buckets. It was a hot day and the two rooms were soon clean and fresh. Victoria was delighted to have a small wardrobe and soon had all her belongings arranged.

  All through August the battle raged over the skies of Southern England as the young men of the R.A.F. protected the country. The German Forces were ready to cross the channel. The Navy was patrolling and the Army was waiting. The Wellington bombers had arrived and more air crews were being trained. More billets were built to accommodate them and more personnel meant more administration for the W.A.A.F.s. Victoria was still driving wagons to fetch supplies and leading the convoy to fetch the bombs. Minerva was now overlooking all the work done by the W.A.A.F.s and involved in much office work.

  The atmosphere was tense. There was little time for socialising with the men, as they were undertaking two raids a day. A German Reconnaissance plane swooped down low to be chased off by the anti- aircraft guns. As yet the guns had not caught them and the planes had escaped with their photographs. It was only a matter of time before they received another hit.

  August turned into September and the first anniversary of the war arrived. Although propaganda encouraged people to believe tha
t Britain was winning, the opinion in the factories, workshops, offices and pubs was sceptical. More convoys were being sunk by German submarines and armaments being sent from America were being destroyed. Ships carrying food were also targets for the enemy submarines and bombers.

  Minerva and Victoria decided to enjoy the late summer sunshine, so they went for a walk along the flat country roads surrounding the camp. The harvest had been gathered in and the fields of stubble were being ploughed. Flocks of Rooks and Seagulls were competing with each other for the abundant grubs and worms as they followed the plough. The two girls paused to watch as the birds swooped and attacked each other and squawked. Victoria shivered

  ‘Just look at them, they give me the creeps. Why can’t they live together in peace? I’m sure that there is enough food for all of them,’ she said.

  ‘I agree Victoria, but they are just like real life. Why can’t people live together in peace and stay in their own territory? The Rooks are native. They are defending their territory from the Seagulls who should stay by the sea. If an Eagle came now, they would all fly away fearful of being eaten. I dread to think what would happen if that maniac Adolf Hitler manages to invade. We can’t fly away we shall defend our territory to the death.’

  ‘Don’t be so blooming morbid Minerva. What is wrong with you? Hitler is not going to invade. Our brave young boys in blue will defeat the Luftwaffe. We know that their planes out number ours, but our pilots are more skilful and our factories are working day and night to produce more planes.’

  They had reached the stile, which they had once jumped over into the hayfield, when they heard a car approaching. The hay was long gone and the field had been ploughed and planted with winter wheat.

  ‘That is winter wheat, Victoria. Frost and snow do not destroy it. We need all the flour that can be produced, as so much is being destroyed, when it crosses the Atlantic from Canada. Bread is the staple diet after all.’