Minerva

by June Hirst

  ‘You were fantastic love and Bluebird was a lovely name,’ Minerva told her.

  ‘Have you asked how to join E.N.S.A.? Were all the Concert Party in the forces?’ Victoria asked.

  ‘Yes they were. They were all early volunteers like us and all stationed in the same camp at the other side of York. They are only just beginning and they all have other jobs, but they are hoping to become full time entertainers. They don’t need another female vocalist. She was the only unfriendly one.’

  ‘That’s because you sang better than her and she looked to be a right common trollop as well. It’s a start love and they know about you now.’ Minerva told her.’ In the meantime why don’t you organise our own Concert Party. There must be some hidden talent amongst our personnel. Ask Sunny what he thinks. He is a natural comedian.’

  ‘What a good idea Minerva and I’m sure that Sunny will like the idea too. Keep that dress Vanessa and keep the name of Bluebird. It will bring you luck. I’ll ask mummy to send you another of my blue dresses.’

  ‘Thank you Victoria. I couldn’t have done it without my two best friends’ and all three W.A.A.F.s returned to their quarters contentedly.

  Next morning the euphoria of the previous evening was abruptly ended when Sergeant Harris and Minerva had their morning meeting with A.S.O. Felman. They knew that something was wrong when they entered. Fiona Felman rose to meet them and asked them to sit down without the usual formalities.

  ‘I will come straight to the point ladies. While we were enjoying our excellent entertainment last evening R.A.F. Bilton was badly bombed. Some of the planes were wrecked, but worse still there were many casualties.’ The colour drained from Minerva’s face and her heart lurched.

  ‘Do we know how many casualties and fatalities Ma’am?’ she managed to ask.

  ‘Not the exact number, but Sergeant Benson is safe, although she is devastated, as her fellow sergeant and one of her corporals are dead. The two sergeants gasped in horror,

  ‘Oh no,’ they wailed.

  ‘She has requested help from you Sergeant Wood and the request has been granted.’ Minerva grasped the seat of her chair and took deep breaths as the room seemed to move around her head. Sergeant Harris jumped up and pushed her head between her knees.

  ‘It is the shock Ma’am she will recover in a minute,’ she said. Minerva quickly gathered her senses. Fate had shown her hand at last, but was it too late. Many personnel were dead. Had Martin survived? She was going to Bilton. She remained with her head between her knees, as she gathered her thoughts. What about Victoria? A corporal was dead. Think quickly Minerva. She groaned and sat up.

  ‘I’m sorry Ma’am it was the shock,’ she said, realising that the A.S.O. did not know the true meaning of the shock. ‘I’m alright now Ma’am.’

  ‘Good you have been our best recruit and I am sorry to lose you, Sergeant Benson has twenty four raw recruits and some of them are disobedient. She needs your help at once. She also needs a replacement corporal, so I am sending Corporal Jenkins-Jones with you, since you have been responsible for her transformation.

  ‘Yes Ma’am, thank you Ma’am. When do we leave?’

  ‘Today I have requisitioned a car you may drive there. Send Corporal Jenkins-Jones to me at once and pack your kit. Sergeant Harris, we will discuss promotions, goodbye Sergeant Wood and good luck.’

  ‘Thank you Ma’am, goodbye’ and Minerva saluted and left. Outside the fresh air revived her and for a few seconds, she stood and looked around at the bustling camp. Victoria would be in the office at the garage, this morning, allocating wagons to fetch various supplies. She crossed over to the garage and saw Sergeant Jenkins.

  ‘Good morning James, Victoria is summoned to the A.S.O. at once,’ she said. We are being transferred to R.A.F.Bilton to join Sergeant Benson and to replace the fatalities.’

  ‘Yes I know. I shall miss you Minerva. I know we are good friends and I am always here if you need me.’

  ‘Thank you James, I won’t forget.’ Victoria came out of the office.

  ‘Corporal Jenkins-Jones report to the A.S.O. at the double,’ Sergeant Jenkins ordered.

  ‘Why what have I done?’

  ‘How should I know, off you go,’ he replied. Minerva managed to keep a straight face and then both sergeants laughed as Victoria slammed the door.

  ‘Good luck James and goodbye.’

  ‘Good luck to you love as well.’ Minerva rushed back to her billet and in an organised fashion packed up her belongings, knowing that she would have to help Victoria, whose kit was always in chaos. She held the photographs of her parents in either hand.

  ‘This could be my destiny both of you. Martin Moxon is stationed at Bilton and we are going to meet again and this time we are equal. I love him so much mother. We have never even kissed, but I long to be in his arms. We both knew in that magical moment on the moors that our destiny was to be together, but he did not know the obstacles that were in our way. I did the right thing didn’t I mother? I put his happiness before my own, I had to protect him. She kissed the photographs and put them in her handbag. Her kit bag and holdall were packed, when right on cue the door banged open.

  ‘Minerva this is exciting. We are going to Magic Moxon’s territory and hopefully Parky will be there too. This is it! This is fate! The star crossed lovers will meet at last and unlike Romeo and Juliet, there will be a happy ending. I’m glad that I’m going with you, so that I can look after you and give fate a helping hand,’ and she flung her arms around Minerva.

  ‘I nearly fainted when Felton gave me the news and when she said that you were going too I knew someone up there was watching over me. Come on let’s go and sort out your chaos as quickly as possible and then after an early lunch we’ll set off. I shall miss Vanessa, but I reckon that we shall hear a lot more about her. She is very talented.’

  ‘In a way I am sorry to leave. I’ve been happier, than I’ve ever been in my life, since I came here,’ Victoria said.

  ‘So have I love, but life goes on and nothing is permanent in wartime. Come on we’ve a big task sorting out your stuff.’ The two girls packed their belongings into the car and after lunch, they set off on their journey to R.A.F. Bilton, both of them very apprehensive, as to what they would find there. Minerva was driving and Victoria was following the map. The country roads all looked the same. It was no good asking in the villages where they were, because the population had been indoctrinated with propaganda. Also posters everywhere warned everyone to keep quiet, as the enemy could be in any disguise. Even two beautiful W.A.A.F.s could be spies. They were delighted when they saw a squadron of Spitfires overhead, so they stopped to watch them land.

  ‘They are beautiful aren’t they Minerva? Let’s make our way in that direction and hope that it’s the right camp. I hope that Parky is still there.’

  Minerva stopped at the barrier and they both showed their passes, while ignoring the cheeky comments and the whistles as they drove off.

  ‘Oh dear they are not taking us seriously. They are not used to W.A.A.F.s yet. Sergeant Benson will be glad of our help Victoria. We shall have to instil our motto,’ Dignity at all times all over again.’ It worked at Brackston. Minerva stopped outside an intact building, which looked like offices. They could see damage everywhere. An Airman came towards them,

  ‘Can I help you?’ he asked.

  ‘Sergeant Wood and Corporal Jenkins-Jones from R.A.F. Brackston to report to Sergeant Benson,’ Minerva announced.

  ‘You had better see the Company Commander. I’ll take you to his office. Follow me.’ The two W.A.A.F.s marched smartly behind him, undaunted by his condescension. He had a few things to learn. He knocked on the Company Commanders door and led them in.

  ‘W.A.A.F.s from Brackston Sir,’ he announced. Minerva and Victoria stood to attention. The Commander put down his pen and stared at the two young women, noticing their beauty. He coughed and cleared his throat.

  ‘Identify your selves,’ he said.

  ‘3
030 Sergeant Wood sir.’

  ‘3039 Corporal Jenkins-Jones sir.’

  ‘We suffered many casualties yesterday, as you will have heard. Sergeant Benson needs your help immediately. She speaks very highly of you Wood. I hope that you both live up to her expectations.’

  ‘Yes sir,’ they both replied.

  ‘Take them to the women’s quarters,’ he instructed the airman and they marched out.

  ‘The condescending stuffed shirt, take them to the women’s quarters,’ Victoria mimicked. ‘It sounded as if we were being sent to the harem.’

  ‘What about our car and kit?’ Minerva asked the airman, who was trying not to laugh.

  ‘I’ll drive you to the women’s quarters and then I’ll put the car in the garage. They will deal with it.’ Fortunately Sergeant Benson was coming out of the women’s quarters when the car stopped and the two young women jumped out. She kept her dignity as she said,

  ‘I am very pleased to see you both. Welcome to R.A.F. Bilton. We have a lot to achieve here. Come in quickly away from prying eyes. Fortunately our quarters are not damaged. The Sergeant and the Corporal who were killed were not in the shelter, where all females were supposed to be. Corporal Taylor is still weeping as Corporal Watson was her best friend.’

  ‘We felt to have stepped back in time when we arrived here Barbara. The guards were disrespectful and the Commanding Officer was condescending, just like when we arrived at Brackston, which feels like years ago.’ Minerva told her.

  ‘You are right. We need someone like Fiona Felman to stand up for us. W.A.A.F.s still have to prove themselves here and some of them are flippant and flirtatious. Your rooms are ready. We four None Commissioned Officers have a cosy billet. There are a dozen girls in each of the two huts.

  ‘I’ll leave you to settle in and come back to collect you for dinner,’ and Sergeant Benson left. The two girls hugged each other with mixed feelings. They had hard work in front of them and Minerva was keyed up and anxious, as she awaited news of Martin Moxon. They decided to keep their ears open and not ask any questions until they were established.

  They were introduced to the other girls at dinner. They were all subdued and quiet as a result of the raid and tired from the extra hard work of the clear up. After dinner the two sergeants and the two corporals sat together in the corner of the W.A.A.F.s recreation room. Dance music was on the wireless and some of the girls were dancing.

  ‘I feel like an exhibit in the zoo Minerva.’

  ‘I know, so do I Victoria. They will soon get used to us.’

  ‘They are not usually so quiet. They are still in shock. Ten Airmen were killed as well as the two Airwomen and five are seriously wounded in the medical quarters,’ Sergeant Benson told them. ‘They will be hoping that Magic Moxon, as they call him will recover soon. Nobody can repair planes like him.’ Victoria grabbed Minerva’s hand under the table and squeezed it reassuringly,

  ‘What has happened to him?’ she asked.

  ‘He is unconscious, but they think that he will recover,’ Corporal Taylor replied. Everyone is hoping so. All the girls swoon over him, but he ignores them. They say that the only girls that he likes are the Spitfires, but everyone likes a challenge. Nobody is allowed to visit him yet.’ Minerva was squeezing Victoria’s hand so hard that she almost squealed.

  ‘We are very tired ,so will you excuse us. Goodnight everybody,’ Victoria said and she led the way in pitch darkness back to the billet.

  ‘Well we know that Martin is alive. You must introduce yourself and go and visit him tomorrow Minerva.’

  ‘I will, I have to decide how. I shall sleep on it. Tomorrow is another day. Good night love.’

  ‘Good night Minerva. See you tomorrow.’

  Chapter 16

  Minerva was awake most of the night thinking about Martin. He was badly injured. She longed to hold him in her arms and comfort him, but what if he had forgotten her. She was here at R.A.F. Bilton. Fate had helped her, but the deaths of the Airmen and Airwomen troubled her. What if there was a price to pay? The wind had been howling around the billet all night, rattling the windows as though it was disapproving. She told herself not to be so silly. She was a sensible Yorkshire girl with her feet firmly on the ground. A confidential talk with Barbara Benson would help. The precious photographs of her parents reassured her and she had drifted off to sleep, longing to see him.

  The wind had dropped next morning and the lazy November sunshine helped to banish her night time fears. This was a fresh start in a new camp and there was much to do. It would be best to wait until after dinner to confide in Barbara. It was very pleasant to have a small radiator. The block for the W.A.A.F. None Commissioned Officers must have been Officer’s quarters, with a bathroom and separate toilet plus a personal wash basin in her room. This was luxury compared to when they first arrived at Brackston, when they had to struggle with the stove that they had named Samson. She laughed as she checked her appearance and then went to wake Victoria.

  ‘Wake up lazy bones. It’s nearly eight o’clock.’ Victoria grunted and turned over, then suddenly realised where she was and sat up.

  ‘Morning Min, are you off to see Martin?’

  ‘No I am not and you are sworn to secrecy, remember! I’m going to listen to gossip and then I’m going to confide to Sergeant Benson tonight. Come on hurry up. We’ll go to breakfast together and present a united front. They were greeted by appreciative, whistles which they ignored. The other girls were staring at them. What had Corporal Taylor been saying?

  ‘May we join you Corporal?’ Minerva asked when they had received their beans on toast.

  ‘Certainly, Sergeant, Corporal Watson and I always had our meals together.’ Her eyes filled with tears and she blew her nose.

  ‘I’m sorry that you have lost your friend,’ Victoria said and I know that I can never replace her, but I hope that we can be friends,’ and she put her arm around the grieving corporal. ‘Baked beans again! I swear that I am beginning to look like a bean. Do you have them every day? We did at Brackston and they play havoc with my guts.’

  ‘We have an egg on Sundays with our toast,’ Betty Taylor replied and smiled at Victoria and Minerva felt that the ice had been broken.

  Realising that Sergeant Benson and two girls were missing Minerva commented,

  ‘Sergeant Benson must have had an early breakfast, but there are two girls missing as well.’

  ‘They have been on duty all night, Sergeant. Leading Aircraft Woman Bates and leading Aircraft Woman Ward are nurses. Sergeant Moxon has to be attended twenty four hours, in case there is any change,’ Corporal Taylor told her. Minerva and Victoria exchanged glances.

  ‘Do they think that he will recover?’ Minerva asked.

  ‘They hope so. Nobody can repair damaged planes like him. They call him Magic Moxon,’ the corporal replied.

  ‘Yes we have heard about him. They say that he is only interested in planes,’ Victoria said as she looked at Minerva.

  ‘He is, like I told you yesterday all the girls try to attract his attention. He is gorgeous.’ Minerva decided to speak.

  ‘I know him. We come from the same town.’ Then giving Victoria a warning look, she stood up and left them to gossip.

  All day Minerva was busy with Sergeant Benson going through all the administrative work and listening to Sergeant Benson’s accounts about all the other girls. She concentrated hard, but her mind was in turmoil with worry and anticipation. Victoria spent the day with Betty Taylor and the two girls began to bond. After dinner Minerva asked Sergeant Benson if she could have a private word and the two sergeants went to Minerva’s room.

  ‘Sit down please Barbara. I need to talk to you and I would appreciate your advice.’ The two women sat down on the bed.

  ‘Is there anything wrong Minerva?

  ‘Not really it is personal, but I am in a quandary and I don’t know how to proceed. I know Martin Moxon. He is from Heatonfield. We met and fell in love, but because I knew that I would n
ot be acceptable to his family and social circle, I disappeared to save him heartache.’

  ‘Why wouldn’t you be acceptable? You are a beautiful, intelligent, wonderful girl.’

  ‘Thank you Barbara, but I was a lowly mill girl in his father’s mill and he didn’t know. I love him so much Barbara and now he may not recover and he might have forgotten me.’

  ‘Oh you poor darling I sympathise. My fiancé was killed in the last war, but what am I saying? He will recover and you must make arrangements to see him. In the morning you must go and see the Medical Officer and tell him. The corporals and I will manage. You take as much time as you need. Does anyone else know?’

  ‘Victoria does but she is sworn to secrecy. When they were talking about him at breakfast, I casually said that I knew him.’

  ‘You could volunteer to sit with him to relieve the nurse and you could talk to him. They say that an unconscious person can sometimes hear what is being said.’

  ‘Yes I’ve heard that too. Thank you for listening. I feel so much better. Shall we go and listen to the nine o’clock news, Barbara’

  ‘Yes come along. I need to check up on two of the girls. I’ve told them that they are not allowed to sneak into the men’s quarters and if they have done, I shall put them on a charge. I’ll point them out to you. They need watching.’

  Next day Minerva made her way across to the Medical Quarters. As she opened the door the strong smell of disinfectant met her. An Airman in a white uniform came towards her.

  ‘Well now this is a pleasant surprise! Here comes a beautiful W.A.A.F. to brighten our day. What can I do for you darling?’

  ‘You can cut the quips and show some respect. If an airman had entered you would not have said here comes a handsome Airman, so please do not patronise me and we will get along fine,’ Minerva told him

  ‘Sorry, we are not used to W.A.A.F.s I was paying you a compliment.’