War Comes Home to Winthrop Manor: An English Family Saga (Winthrop Manor Series Book 2)

by Mary Christian Payne

  More than eight months after Andy’s entrance into the RAF, he was ready to put his pilot skills to use. After basic training was accomplished at the end of April 1940, Andy had completed seven months of flight training. He had completed three types of training. The first was Elementary Flying Training School using aircraft such as the Tiger Moth. The second stage of training was Service Flight Training, which included Initial and Advanced Training. During that period, Advanced Trainers such as the Master were introduced. The third and final phase introduced the trainee to front line aircraft and trained them how to fly and fight.

  During the early stage of the war, the aircraft had difficulties. In the first few months of 1940 there were few Hurricanes to spare and almost no Spitfires, Britain's newest and most highly regarded fighter. As a result, fighter pilots often had to spend some of this time flying biplanes and bomber trainees in battles.

  Fortunately for Andy, ‘round May 1940 that situation eased and Hurricanes were more common in the OTU. The lack of modern fighters in the first few months of 1940 sent some pilots to squadrons with a limited number of hours on Spitfires and Hurricanes. Nevertheless, newly minted RAF pilots like 2nd Lieutenant Andrew Winthrop were ready and eager to put their skills into practice, along with their dreams to pilot a Spitfire.

  There had been total inactivity between the Allied and Axis troops since the declaration of war in September of 1939. In fact, so little had occurred that the Brits had begun to call the state of affairs the “phony war.” However, military mothers like Josephine were concerned about the prevailing quiet. All were praying that there really wouldn’t be war and that the young soldiers would be home by Christmas. That didn’t happen, however, and soldiers were being prepared by the thousands to eventually face the enemy.

  The early stages of World War II saw successful German invasions on the continent aided decisively by the air power of the Luftwaffe, which was able to establish tactical air superiority with great efficiency. The speed with which German forces defeated most of the defending armies in Norway in early 1940, created a significant political crisis in Britain. On May 10, the same day Winston Churchill became British Prime Minister, the Germans started the Battle of France with a massive penetration of French territory.

  This is what Andy had been waiting for. RAF Fighter Command was urgently short of trained pilots and aircraft, but despite the protests of its commander, Hugh Dowding, who believed forces would leave home defences under-strength, Winston Churchill sent fighter squadrons anyway. They were the Air Component of the British Expeditionary Force, and their mission was to support operations in France. By May 26, 1940, the Germans had literally cornered British, Belgian, and French Resistance troops at the port of Dunkirk, isolating them on the beaches. Completely surrounded, the Royal Navy put into motion Operation Dynamo to rescue soldiers who were easy targets for German dive bombers and Bf 109 fighter units.

  Dunkirk was beginning to look like a monumental tragedy. Nonetheless, it became a successful tale of evacuation, due not only to the RAF and the fifteen Spitfire squadrons sent into battle, but to the citizens of Great Britain, young and old–in and out of uniform. The War Office decided to evacuate British forces from France on May 25, 1940. During the following nine days, more than three hundred thousand men escaped aboard 861 vessels (of which 243 were sunk during the operation).

  Andy’s aviation skills were badly needed as the RAF was assigned the task of providing cover for the troops congregated on the French beaches at Dunkirk waiting to be transported to English soil. Many hundreds lost their lives as they were strafed by the Luftwaffe while standing unprotected, praying to be rescued by a ship or boat.

  It was a nightmare, but also a miraculous example of courage as men from across the British Isles made their way across the English Channel in watercraft of every imaginable sort, from naval vessels of enormous size to small pleasure craft and fishing boats. Upon arrival, they were sent to the French beaches of the channel to rescue men who stood waist-deep in water while German Luftwaffe and British RAF aeroplanes became embroiled in dogfights above the helpless men. Thousands of soldiers, including members of the French Resistance Fighters, were rescued during the dangerous operation. The citizens of England now had no doubt that they were at war.

  Andy was one of the RAF pilots who battled the Luftwaffe above the beaches of Dunkirk. Mercifully, he survived the horrendous battle and had a hand in saving a multitude of Allied lives. When it was over, he was granted a two-week leave from his unit. Naturally, he bolted for Winthrop Manor. Shortly after the dreadful event which became known as The Dunkirk Miracle, since so many British citizens had helped to save so many of their countrymen, the Germans invaded France and the country fell to the Axis countries. The people of England were overcome with grief when the Nazi flag began to fly over the Place de la Concorde. It was June 19, 1940.

  Next came the Battle of Britain, but there was a brief respite before the Luftwaffe sent their deplorable aeroplanes to Britain in an attempt to destroy the capital city and airfields.

  * * *

  In September of 1941, upon returning to school, Estelle made her usual visit to Neil’s farmhouse. It was clear to everyone who knew them that strong feelings had developed between them, although both were still quite young. As the school year progressed and news of the dreadful war became more and more dismal, many things changed. Rationing of petrol and food was put into effect and many of Estelle’s friends had boyfriends who enlisted in the military. The Americans had joined the battle when Japan bombed their naval base at Pearl Harbor in the Hawaiian Islands in December. She worried continually about Andy.

  When February arrived, she turned sixteen. In May, she made her daily visit to Neil. Before she could even reach the barn, she saw him come running down the hill at an astonishing speed. She could see his mother standing by the front doorway, holding a handkerchief and dabbing at her eyes, weeping. When he reached Estelle, he was out of breath and appeared to be very excited. “Goodness,” she cried. “Whatever has you in such a kerfuffle?”

  “Oh, Estelle. You won’t believe my news. It’s so exciting. I don’t think I’ve mentioned that today is my nineteenth birthday!”

  “No. I didn’t know that. Happy Birthday, Neil. You remember I was sixteen in February?”

  “Of course, I do,” he answered. “You always wear the bracelet I gave you for your birthday.”

  “Yes, I do,” she said, with a smile. “If I’d known it was your birthday I would have given you a gift.”

  “That doesn’t matter. I didn’t expect a gift from you. Well, maybe I will, someday.” His voice was teasing. She didn’t know what he meant.

  “Guess what? I’ve enlisted in the First Battalion, East Surrey Regiment, and will be training at Chatham Barracks in Kent. I report for my medical examination on October second.”

  “But, Neil, you wouldn’t have had to join up. Why are you going now? You could have been exempted because you are an only son and your occupation is farming.”

  “Estelle. It’s every Englishman’s duty. I want to go. I want to fight for my country. You’ve always sounded so proud of your brother, Andy. Aren’t you proud of me?”

  “Well, yes, but Andy is an officer–a pilot in the RAF. That’s different. He’s also older. Why do you want to take the chance of being shot? He’s been through some horrendous battles.”

  “No, Estelle. I would never have done that. Of course, I don’t want to be shot. However, that’s the chance a soldier has to take. I’ll be well-trained. Anyway, we cannot let the Huns beat us. My God, Estelle, look what happened at Dunkirk, the Battle of Britain, the Blitz, and all of it. I considered joining up when I was eighteen, but my parents convinced me to wait a year. Then, they said if the war was still going on, I could go.”

  With no warning, Estelle began to weep. Tears streamed down her cheeks, she gulped sobs, and was breathless. “Oh, Neil. I’m frightened for you. I’ve grown to know you so well. Of course, I do unders
tand. I know you aren’t a coward. Still, what if something happens to you? You could be sent anywhere. You might be killed. Oh, God, I don’t think I could bear that.”

  “Estelle, I promise I’ll take good care. I’m not terribly keen on being killed either.” He smiled. “I hope you’ll write to me. They say nothing is more important than letters to a soldier.”

  “Of course, I’ll write to you. I’ll have to give you my address at Winthrop Manor. I’ll be leaving school in May.”

  “Are you going away to another school, then?” Neil asked.

  “No. I don’t think so. I might have, but now with the war, I think I’ll stay at Winthrop Manor. I want to spend time with my family and learn to know them now that I understand myself so much better.”

  “Perhaps you’d like to take Petunia home with you. She might make you feel less lonely and remind you of me.”

  “Oh, Neil. Could I? Would your parents mind?” She had extracted a white linen handkerchief from her pocket and wiped her tears.

  “No. I’m sure they would think it’s fine. They both like you a lot. Mum says it’s sweet that you’re so attached to Petunia.”

  “I dearly love her, Neil. I think she may be the only living creature that has ever really loved me too.”

  “That isn’t true,” he answered. “Not at all. Would you think me very forward if I told you that I believe I love you?”

  “Neil. Are you serious? How can you say that when you don’t really know everything about me?” Estelle was thrilled at his words, but she also felt that he would change his mind if she told him everything about her past. After all, he was now nineteen years old, and she was only sixteen. Was she too young to be thinking of love?

  “I’m serious, Estelle. I feel I know you awfully well. This isn’t the first time you’ve hinted that there are things I don’t know about you. You once told me that someday you would share those secrets with me. I can’t think of anything that would change my feelings about you. Could you take the time to tell me now?”

  Estelle stood quietly, looking at the ground. She was afraid. The fact that Neil had told her he loved her made her feel a warm glow all over. What if she was to tell him about the many evil things she had said and done in the past? Would he decide that he never wanted to see her again?

  After a few moments of silence, she made the decision to be honest with him. Either she did so now or she might never have another chance. He took her hand, and led her to their large oak tree. Taking off his jacket, he spread it on the ground and motioned for Estelle to sit down next to him. “All right. Please tell what sins you believe you’ve committed.”

  “It’s a very long story,” she began.

  It took over an hour for her to tell him everything. She was particularly embarrassed when she told him about the stories she’d concocted regarding nasty things she’d supposedly done with the vicar.

  “Did you honestly do that stuff?” he asked.

  “No. I lied. Someone I know told me she’d had that sort of experience with a Catholic priest. I knew if I told my mother that I’d done it, she would be fiercely irritated. I’ve been filled with anger most of my life. I overheard my mum talking to my aunt, telling her that my real father was my uncle, Oliver; he was Mum’s husband’s brother. She told me that Oliver raped her, and that’s how she had me, but I don’t know if that’s true or not. They might have had an affair.”

  “Do you really think she’d say something so bad about her husband’s brother if it wasn’t true?”

  “I don’t know. She really hated Oliver. I don’t think he was a very nice person. He tried to kidnap my brother Andy when he was a baby. Oliver was going to have him adopted out. Oliver thought his brother, Win, wasn’t going to come home from the Great War. Win had been missing for a long time. If Andy was out of the picture, that would have meant Oliver would be the next Earl of Winthrop.”

  Neil put his arm around Estelle’s shoulder. “You’ve had a bad patch of it. I think you are too hard on yourself.”

  “You don’t think I’m an awful person?”

  He reached over and put both arms ‘round her. “No. I think I love you even more because you haven’t had an easy life. Come here.” He pulled her close to him. “Have you ever been kissed? I mean, kissed for real?”

  “Not by anybody other than my brother, and a few times my mum has kissed me. The retired cook at our house, Vera, has kissed me too.”

  “Well, what about trying an honest-to-goodness kiss?”

  “All right. I think I’d like that a lot.”

  Neil held her even more tightly and put his lips upon hers. She wrapped her arms ‘round him. The kiss intensified. He ran his hands through her hair, and she placed hers on the back of his head. His blond strands felt silky. Pulling away from her for only a moment, he whispered, “I love you dearly, Estelle. More dearly than words can ever tell.”

  “Oh, Neil. I love you too,” she murmured. “I’ve felt this way a long time, but I didn’t think there would be any chance you would feel the same way. Now, here you are going away to the war. I shall miss you so much.”

  “I’ll be back, I promise. Now that I have you to come back to, it will make me be even more careful.”

  They kissed again and again. Estelle wondered if he was going to do any of the things she knew some boys did to girls. But he didn’t. “I love you too much to let this go any further,” he softly said. “When that day comes, it will be perfect. You’re awfully young right now. We’ll be married when you’re older. Would you like that?”

  “Do you mean we would be engaged while you’re off fighting? Oh, Neil, do you honestly mean that?”

  “Yes, I do. But, again, Estelle, you’re young. If you change your mind or meet someone else while I’m gone, I’ll understand. I’ve never meant anything more in my life. I wish I had a ring to give you. I’ll buy one when I get my first leave. I want to know you have it on your hand while I’m gone.”

  “Oh Neil. I’m not too young. Really, I’m not. However, I’ll wait until you think I’m the proper age. Please, though, don’t make me wait until I’m twenty-one. I’ve never been so happy in my life. I didn’t think I’d ever get married. Or that anyone would love me so much. I’ll do everything in the world to be the best wife in the world. I must take you to Winthrop Manor before you leave. My mum won’t believe this. I know she’ll like you though. Who wouldn’t?” Estelle grinned.

  A bell rang in the distance. “Oh my,” said Estelle. “That’s the dinner bell. How long have we been here? I hope I’m not in trouble.”

  Neil stood and pulled Estelle to her feet. “Come, my sweet girl. I’ll walk back to the school with you. They’d better not be mad at you. I’ll tell them I love you, and that we’re going to be married. I’ll also tell them I’m about to be a soldier. Surely they can’t begrudge a fellow a bit of time with his sweetheart before he goes off to war.”

  * * *

  Estelle lay sleepless that night, going over and over in her mind every word Neil had spoken to her. She would soon have a ring to prove she was an engaged lady. It was so hard to believe. The next dilemma she faced was telling her mum that she wanted to bring Neil home to meet the family. She didn’t plan to tell Josephine about the engagement until after a visit to Winthrop Manor had taken place. She had mentioned Neil in the weekly letters she wrote home and had also recited the tale about his having given her Petunia. Of course, all those things had taken place before his announcement about joining the military. Now, it would be necessary to announce that Petunia would be joining the other animals at the manor. Estelle wasn’t very worried about that declaration, since animals were plentiful at their spacious estate, and her mum had always loved pets of every sort, although dogs, cats, and horses were the most beloved creatures. Still, sheep were raised at the manor, so Petunia would beyond any doubt fit in splendidly.

  More important than the Petunia problem was the proclamation that she and Neil were engaged to be married. Estelle had no i
dea how her mum would react to such news. She was glad she’d been honest with Neil about the difficulties she’d caused while growing up at Winthrop Manor. She had matured immensely since her stay at the Sanford Institute, and she wanted desperately for her mother to recognise the changes that had occurred since leaving home. Though she knew her mum had definitely seen the difference when Estelle had visited on holidays, there were still things she wanted Mum to know. While Estelle wasn’t at all certain it was the school that had begun her journey of growth, she emphatically knew that she was scarcely the same wretched girl who had left Winthrop Manor in the autumn of 1933. Had it been nine years? She was such a completely different person.

  * * *

  A week after Neil proposed to her, he presented her with an amethyst set in gold and surrounded by small diamonds. He knew her birthday was in February and that her birthstone was an amethyst. She was so thrilled and vowed to never, ever take it off. When she returned to her room at the school, she was changing into her dress for the afternoon meal when there was a knock on her door. Opening it, she saw Dr. Sanford. He had never before visited her room.

  “Good evening, Estelle,” he began. “I’m sorry to disturb you, but you have a long-distance telephone call in my office. Could you come immediately?”

  “A long-distance telephone call for me?” she echoed. “Who in the world would be calling me here?”

  “I believe it’s your mother. Come with me now and then you can return to your room to finish dressing for lunch.”

  Estelle put on her shoes, as she was still in her stocking feet, and followed him down the corridor leading to his office. Upon entering it, she saw that the telephone on his desk had the receiver out of its cradle. She walked quickly to the desk and picked it up. “Hello, this is Estelle.”

  “Estelle, it’s Mummy. Something sad has happened. My Uncle Roderick has passed away. I’d like you to be here for the funeral service.”