Wings of the Morning
Page 13
‘Ever the optimist.’ George gazed at his granddaughter with pride.
Annie marvelled at the tenderness in George where his grandchildren were concerned, and Wally was nearly as bad. The two men would spoil the children if Rose and Marj didn’t keep a sharp eye on them.
Kate looked at the money again, and then she looked up. ‘Have I got enough for a present?’
‘Yes, plenty,’ Rose said.
Annie saw George and Wally both put their hands in their pockets, but Rose stopped them with a fierce glare. Although George was wealthy and the Freemans very well off, Rose would never allow the children to be spoilt, and made sure they knew the value of money.
‘Good. Can we go shopping now, Mummy?’
They all decided to have a family outing, so they put on coats and gloves against the cold wind and headed for the bus stop to take them to Pontypool.
Annie relaxed, determined to enjoy this time with her family. The worry about Jack was pushed to the back of her mind, knowing that Sam would contact her if she were needed.
12
New Year 1941
Doubled over with laughter, Reid watched the lanky Timber Woods trying to do the tango with a broom for a partner and a drooping chrysanthemum between his teeth. Some of them had been transferred to a Midlands sector station for a short rest, and he was determined the men would have a good time. They’d pushed the tables back in the mess to make a dance floor. Reid had a surprise lined up for them.
‘That’s disgusting!’ Paul roared. ‘He took that out of the vase and the water’s green with slime.’
‘You don’t have to worry about that,’ Bouncer told them, ‘with the amount of booze he’s downed he must be well anaesthetized by now.’
‘Why don’t you speak English?’ another pilot chided. ‘You mean he’s drunk!’
‘I thought that was what I said, dear chap?’ Bouncer gave a puzzled frown.
At that moment the door of the mess burst open and girls poured in. They were a varied selection – tall, short, blonde, dark and even a redhead or two, and none of them above the age of twenty-two. They had obviously spent a lot of time on their appearance, all were wearing colourful dresses. These were civilians, and it was a treat to see red, green, yellow and pink, instead of the dull colours of uniforms. Some girls appeared hesitant and others quite bold, but they were all gazing at the group of pilots with great interest.
‘Wow! Comforts for the weary pilots.’ Bouncer rubbed his hands together and grinned at Reid. ‘Who managed to get that bevy of lovelies here?’
‘I did,’ Reid told the wide-eyed pilots, and laughed. ‘I paid a visit to a local factory and asked if any of the girls would like to celebrate the new year with us if I sent trucks to transport them back and forth. As you can see I had plenty of volunteers. Well, don’t just stand there drooling, take your pick, lads.’
There was a stampede then, and even Timber threw his broom into the corner of the room, spat out the flower, wiped his mouth and joined in the mêlée. It did Reid good to see his men relaxed and enjoying themselves. The horrors of this summer could be forgotten for a while.
Reid watched the scramble with amusement. It was funny how sober they all appeared now, even Timber, who had chosen the shortest girl he could find. The top of her head only reached the wings on his chest.
He waited until the crowd thinned out then walked over to a girl who was standing by the door and looking as if she was going to bolt at any minute. He wasn’t surprised. These crazy pilots were enough to frighten any timid girl.
He touched her arm. ‘Not thinking of leaving, are you?’
She started, and looked at him with large green eyes, almost the same colour as her dress. ‘I … I thought …’
‘I’m Reid.’ He smiled, trying to put her at ease. She was obviously doubtful about the evening, and he couldn’t blame her for that. ‘What’s your name?’
‘Hazel.’
‘I’m pleased to meet you, Hazel. Would you like a drink?’
She smiled for the first time. ‘Yes, please.’
He led her over to the bar and thought he hadn’t done too badly. She was no beauty, but she had nice eyes, and a refined air about her. It could turn out to be a pleasant New Year’s Eve.
As he handed her a drink, he couldn’t help wondering what 1941 would be like. He hoped that it wasn’t as frantic as the last few months had been, but he didn’t entertain the thought for long. This was a time for enjoyment, and whatever they had to face in the coming year would be dealt with then.
The holiday had flown by for Annie but it had been wonderful to have some time with her family. The house in Wales was a lovely place to relax, and The Haven was an apt name. Her mother, Wally, George and the children were there all the time now as Kate and James had settled into new schools; it was an open house for anyone who wanted to get away from the war for a while. Wally had transferred to another Home Guard unit, and he often had members of his squad lodging there when they were on duty in the area. Rose wouldn’t stay though and spent most of her time in London. But that was Rose, and no one expected her to do anything else. George was still very vocal in his objections to her activities but it was a waste of time.
A car pulled up and Annie glanced out of the window. If that was her lift then he was far too early, she had another two hours yet before her train left. She was about to turn away from the window when the front door burst open and the children erupted through it, giving wild screams of delight.
Annie watched the tall man get out and gasped in delight. Bill! She hurtled down the stairs and joined in the excitement, waiting patiently for her turn to give Bill a hug. He looked very tired and moved slowly, but was laughing and joking with the children, obviously delighted to see them and everyone again, especially Rose, whom he loved deeply. The gentle smile he gave her spoke volumes.
‘Dad?’ James was studying his father anxiously as he sat wearily on the settee. ‘You are limping. Are you all right?’
Bill patted the seat beside him for James to sit down and pulled Kate on to his lap. ‘It’s nothing. My ship was torpedoed and we spent a few hours in a lifeboat, but someone soon found us.’
Bill gazed over the top of his daughter’s head for a few moments as a look of pain crossed his face, then he smiled. ‘I can stay here until they find me another ship; hopefully that might take a while.’
Annie was pleased to see the tension gradually leave Bill’s face. A few days at home relaxing with his family was just what he needed.
Marj bustled in with a tray of tea and Wally snorted in disgust. ‘Good Lord, Bill needs something stronger than that!’
‘It’s only eleven o’clock in the morning.’ Marj was obviously scandalized.
‘Tea will do fine.’ Bill winked at Wally. ‘You can save the stronger stuff for later. Now, tell me what you’ve all been up to?’
They were chatting away and Annie lost track of time. When she heard a toot on a horn outside she glanced at her watch. ‘Oh, I’ve got to leave.’
After saying goodbye to them all she picked up her bag and hurried out to the waiting car, wishing she could stay for a few more days, but content that Bill was safe for a while.
‘Group Captain André Riniou wants to see you urgently,’ a WAAF Annie had never seen before told her as soon as she arrived back at Cheadle.
She frowned. ‘Who’s he?’
‘Er … I think everyone calls him Sam.’
‘Oh, why didn’t you say so?’ She tossed her bag through the door and watched as it thudded on to her bunk. ‘I’ve never heard his proper name before.’
Without wasting any time she hurried to his office, eager to hear the news about Jack. After knocking on the door, she stepped in and saluted smartly. ‘Reporting as ordered, Group Captain Riniou.’ The corners of her mouth twitched as he scowled. ‘That’s a nice name,’ she told him. ‘Why do they call you Sam?’
‘It was chosen for me because it’s short and easily identifia
ble by all the operatives. And I prefer to be called Sam,’ he told her sharply.
She curbed her amusement, wondering why addressing him by his real name should have put him in this tense mood.
‘Sit down, please.’ He gestured to a chair and waited until she was settled.
It was only then she realized that his worried frown had nothing to do with her knowing his name. Something had happened!
‘What’s wrong?’ she asked, feeling her whole body tense as she anticipated bad news.
He threw his pen down, sat back and surveyed her intently. ‘Did you enjoy your leave?’
She nodded and waited patiently for him to speak again. He wasn’t the slightest bit interested in her time at home. Whatever his news was it was something he didn’t want to tell her. She braced herself for something very unpleasant.
‘We’ve lost contact with Jack,’ he said suddenly.
The breath caught in her throat and she leant forward. ‘When? And what are you doing about it?’
‘We’ve got to find him first, then if he’s still alive we’ll try and get him out.’ He studied her intently for a few moments, and then seemed to come to a decision. ‘How well do you know France?’
‘Not all that well,’ she admitted. ‘My friend came from Paris, but she had a holiday home at Dinard in Brittany, and I spent most of my time there.’ Annie willed her hands to stay relaxed in her lap, guessing where this was leading, and not wanting to show any sign of agitation. ‘I can read a map.’
Sam held her gaze with thoughtful eyes. ‘You are familiar with Brittany, though?’
‘Yes.’ Her heart was thudding, but she spoke clearly and without any nervous haste. ‘It’s an interesting coastline, and we used to explore along there all the time.’
He stood up, went over to a large map pinned on the wall and stabbed at it with his finger. ‘The last message we had from Jack was from here.’
Annie joined him and studied the map. ‘That’s only about twenty kilometres from Saint-Brieuc. What’s he doing there?’
‘No idea, but if he’s still in that area …’ – he began to pace the room – ‘and we can locate him, we might be able to get him to the coast. We could then send in a motor torpedo boat to pick him up.’
‘Suppose they’ve caught him, Sam?’ she asked quietly. It was the question uppermost in her mind, and the thought of Jack Graham in Gestapo hands frightened her.
‘I don’t think they have. From the little information I’ve been able to glean there’s been some trouble and he might just have gone to ground, afraid to use his wireless …’ His words tailed off and he shrugged.
‘But you’re not sure?’ They obviously didn’t have much information and that was very worrying. Someone should know where he was!
Sam hit the wall with the flat of his hand in frustration. ‘No, I can’t be sure about anything, but I don’t like this continued silence. It isn’t like him, and if he’s still alive then we’ve got to get him out.’
‘Can you tell me what Jack’s mission was in France?’
‘He was there to help the Resistance destroy a certain factory. I can’t tell you any more than that, but he shouldn’t have been anywhere near Saint-Brieuc.’
‘Did he succeed?’ she asked quietly.
‘Reports are coming in that it’s been badly damaged.’ Sam ran his hand through his hair. ‘We’ve got to find him, Annie. I’ve been told that his son is pining to see him, and that poor kid has been through enough.’
Annie held her tongue. Sam was experienced and would make a decision when he’d weighed up all the options, but he was obviously reluctant to abandon Jack to his fate. Something she was in complete agreement with.
‘I wish I could do this myself but I’d be picked up as soon as I set foot in France.’ He continued his restless prowling.
‘Why, Sam?’
‘Because my picture is plastered all over the place, offering a hefty reward for my capture.’ He grimaced. ‘I caused havoc with their communication lines and killed quite a few of them. They eventually caught me, but I threw myself off a lorry when we were going over a bridge and leapt into the river. I’m a good swimmer and managed to escape, but they’d love to get hold of me again.’
‘Then you can’t possibly go back,’ she told him sternly. ‘It would be far too dangerous!’
He sighed wearily. ‘I know. And the added problem is that I’ve got the whole Resistance network in my head and those animals are experts at squeezing information out of their victims. I couldn’t guarantee that I wouldn’t talk – no one can.’
‘It’s out of the question, Sam,’ she said gently, touched by his distress. ‘You’ve got to find someone else.’ She paused for a fraction of a second. ‘I know Jack, and I’m familiar with that area of Brittany – you’ve got to send me.’
He sat down again and ran a hand over his eyes. ‘You are the logical choice, but my God, Annie, Jack will kill me if I send you into such danger.’
‘It’s my decision and I’m willing to go,’ she told him determinedly. ‘I’m not a fool, Sam, I know the dangers.’
‘Do you think you could jump out of a plane?’ he asked.
‘I won’t know that unless I try, will I?’
He looked at her with renewed respect, hesitated for a few moments, and then surged to his feet. ‘Come on, then, let’s see what you’re really made of, Ann Webster.’
This was the culmination of her brief training, and the part she was dreading the most. She was back at West Drayton where she’d done her basic training just after joining up; instead of square-bashing, she was swaying about in a basket under a balloon! If she could do this then they would fly her out from Croydon airfield. Annie took a deep breath, peered over the edge of the basket and her stomach heaved in terror. It was a long way down. She’d been all bravado when she’d volunteered for this mission, now she was not so sure. This last week had been hell and every limb ached, but this was the end of her very brief training. She drew in large gulps of cold air in an effort to calm herself. All she had to do was keep her mind focused on Jack. He was out there somewhere and obviously in trouble. She had to do this! She was the only one available who knew Jack, except Sam, of course, but that was out of the question. They couldn’t waste any more time. Every hour of delay meant it would be harder to find Jack.
Sam eased himself beside her in the cramped conditions and she glanced at him, forcing herself not to show her fear.
‘If you can’t jump then I’ll have to go in your place,’ he told her grimly.
She couldn’t let that happen. She knew he had already been frantically trying to find another operative to send instead of her but without success. If he went himself he could be signing his own death warrant, and maybe those of many more.
The instructor checked her parachute again, and then smiled encouragingly. ‘I’ll be right behind you. Come on, sit on the edge and close your eyes if you must, but you’ll be missing a marvellous view,’ he told her with a wink.
Annie gave him a withering look. This was not the time or place to make smart remarks. She glanced through the hole she was about to launch herself from, sat down and dangled her legs through the gap.
His grin broadened. ‘Once you’ve done this then jumping out of a plane will be easy. Honest, everyone says that throwing yourself out of a balloon basket is the hardest.’
‘Now that I do believe!’ She was praying that she wasn’t going to be sick and disgrace herself.
‘When you’re ready, jump.’
Forcing herself to keep her eyes open, for she was sure it would be much worse if she shut them, she gritted her teeth and dropped through the hole …
‘You blasted fool!’ she screamed into the empty air. ‘You’re going to die!’
Then there was a jerk, her world of terror steadied and she laughed, albeit with more than a touch of hysteria. She’d done it. Gazing up she saw the balloon and two more parachutes coming down – it was a beautiful sight.
Detached from the earth like this, everything was very clear, she knew that this was something she had to do. She had to find Jack. She would regret it for the rest of her life if she didn’t try.
Sam checked Annie’s parachute again, his face lined with worry. ‘I’ve managed to get a wireless message through to a Resistance group and they will be waiting for you.’
Annie certainly hoped they were. With a brief nod of her head she walked towards the DC3, its engines already running. It was a cold but clear night, and moonlight was shining on the camouflage colours, giving it an almost ghostly appearance. She forced her legs to keep moving towards the airman waiting by the door for her; this was no time to let her silly imagination run riot.
‘My name’s Healey,’ he told her, ‘and the pilot is Group Captain Andrews, one of the best in the business. He’ll get you safely to your destination.’
Annie’s stomach did an unpleasant somersault. Dear Lord, she hoped so!
He helped her in, and as soon as the door was closed they were hurtling along the runway. Once they were airborne, Annie closed her eyes and laid her head back. It was too late to change her mind now; she would have to deal with her fears. It was too noisy to be able to talk above the roar of the engines and she was glad about that. She found the motion of the plane rather soothing and her mind drifted. Sam had given her every opportunity to chicken out of this mission but she had refused. She wondered what her family would say if they knew she was on her way to parachute into France. They’d be worried sick, just as she was herself.
The time passed without her noticing and she was startled when someone tapped her on the shoulder.
Healey held up five fingers to let her know it was nearly time. She stood up and was horrified to find her legs shaking badly. She had to clench her mouth to stop her teeth chattering. Heavens, she was in a state, and this wouldn’t do!