Wings of the Morning

by Beryl Matthews

  Annie gripped Sam’s hand and took deep breaths to clear her head, determined not to fall apart now. ‘Go and get his son; I’ll sit with him until you get back.’

  The doctor showed them to a side room and when she saw Jack she knew the doctor had been right; he was not going to live. His breathing was distressed and he already had the look of death about him.

  ‘Go! Go!’ she told Sam urgently.

  He left immediately and Annie settled beside the bed and took hold of Jack’s hand. ‘Sam’s gone to fetch your son, so you’ve got to hold on a while longer,’ she told him firmly. Then she began to tell him about their journey and all the people they’d met along the way who had been willing to risk their lives to get him to safety.

  She had just finished telling him what a welcome sight the boat had been, when he squeezed her hand.

  ‘Jack?’ She stood up and leaned over him.

  ‘Hello, my lovely,’ he whispered. ‘Thank you for getting me home.’

  ‘Did you know it was me, then?’

  He tried to smile. ‘I knew it was you talking to me and soothing my pain. Having you there kept me alive, Annie.’

  ‘So I should think.’ She smiled and kissed him gently on the cheek. ‘I wouldn’t like to have made that trip for nothing, you know. I hope you’re not going to kill Sam for sending me?’

  ‘I’ll let him off this time.’ His voice faltered and he closed his eyes. ‘I’m glad I shall be dying at home.’

  ‘Oh, Jack, you’re not – ’

  ‘Shush, Annie.’ He squeezed her hand again. ‘I’m not a fool …’

  ‘Dad!’ A young boy rushed in and Jack held up his arms to greet his son.

  Annie stood up and quietly left the room. That gesture to his son had taken the last of Jack’s strength, but it comforted her to know he’d been able to see at least one of his sons.

  ‘Who are you?’ a woman demanded, following her out into the passage.

  Annie turned wearily and glanced at her. She was petite and had probably been quite a beauty, but now her face was lined with worry. This was obviously Jack’s wife.

  The woman opened her mouth to speak but Sam interrupted. ‘This is Annie Webster, and it is only because of her bravery that your husband is still alive.’

  It was then that Annie became conscious of the state she was in. She was dirty, smelled of various animals, and still wearing her filthy and torn civilian clothes. She brushed her hair out of her eyes. ‘I’m pleased to meet you, Mrs Graham.’

  The woman looked uncomfortable. ‘Oh, I didn’t realize …’

  ‘Why don’t you go and sit with your husband?’ Sam told her firmly.

  ‘He won’t want to see me,’ Mrs Graham told them miserably.

  ‘Of course he will.’ Annie stepped towards her and lied. ‘He loves you very much.’

  Mrs Graham hesitated for a moment, wiped a tear from her eyes and went in to her husband.

  Sam touched Annie’s arm. ‘Nothing we can do here now. Why don’t you let me take you back to base?’

  ‘No, I won’t leave him.’ Annie sat down again and dredged up a smile. ‘I could do with a nice strong cup of tea.’

  In fact, it was three cups of tea and a plate of sandwiches later when the door opened and mother and son came out. The boy came up to her and gave her a self-conscious hug.

  ‘That’s from Dad,’ he told her seriously. ‘He said you had rescued him and I was to thank you.’

  ‘He’s a fine man, and I was pleased to be able to do it.’

  ‘He just died,’ the boy blurted out, but was quite composed. ‘I’m glad I got a chance to see him. My little brother got killed when the boat we were on was sunk and Dad’s gone to join him now.’

  Annie didn’t know what to say, but one thing she knew for sure, it had been worth all the trauma to get Jack home.

  ‘He forgave me in the end,’ Mrs Graham told them, wiping tears from her face. ‘Will you both come to the funeral?’

  ‘We’ll be there,’ Sam told her and scribbled a telephone number on a piece of paper for her. ‘You can contact me here when you have the date.’

  They watched mother and son walk down the corridor and Annie turned to Sam, her mouth trembling: ‘That boy was so composed.’

  ‘Yes, he was, but remember, Annie, he must have seen plenty of people die as that ship went down, even his own brother.’

  She nodded understandingly. ‘What a terrible experience for such a young lad, and now to lose his father …’

  Sam led her out of the hospital and into a waiting car. ‘Time to get you cleaned up, a decent meal inside you and then you must rest.’

  She nodded. ‘I must look a sight.’

  ‘No, you look beautiful.’

  14

  ‘And who are you?’

  Annie hadn’t expected anyone to be at the Roehampton house and was surprised to hear Rose’s voice. She must have just arrived. The last she’d heard was that they were all in Wales to celebrate Wally’s birthday. They’d just come from Jack’s funeral and Sam had insisted that she take some leave, and made sure of it by driving her home. Coming downstairs, she hurried towards the kitchen as she heard her sister interrogating Sam.

  ‘Group Captain André Riniou, madam,’ he replied with a pronounced French accent. ‘And may I ask who you are?’

  ‘No, you may not!’ Rose replied indignantly. ‘What are you doing here?’

  ‘Making tea.’ He lifted a brow in query. ‘Would you like some?’

  Annie put her hand over her mouth to stifle a laugh and slid behind the door to listen. If Sam continued to act the polite Frenchman with Rose, then he could soon find himself in trouble. When her sister asked a question she expected a quick reply.

  ‘I can see that, and if you don’t give me a straight answer, then I’ll box your ears, young man.’

  Annie peered round the door. Rose could be very intimidating but Sam didn’t look at all worried. He was carefully warming the pot before putting the hot water in.

  Rose tapped his shoulder when he continued with his task. ‘I still want to know what a Frenchman is doing in my mother’s kitchen?’

  ‘I’ve brought Annie home,’ he said without a trace of accent.

  ‘Well, why the devil didn’t you say so? Where is she?’

  Annie stepped out from behind the door and Rose touched her arm gently and smiled a welcome, but Annie knew her sister had noticed just how exhausted she was.

  ‘Right,’ Rose said lightly, ‘as the tea’s made we might as well all have a cup. Sit down, young man, you’re making the place look untidy.’

  Sam looked hurt. ‘I’ll have you know, madam, that this is my best dress uniform.’

  ‘Oh, very pretty.’ Rose put enough cups on the table. ‘Do you take sugar, André?’

  ‘No, thank you, and the name is Sam.’

  ‘And that’s as phoney as the fake accent,’ Rose declared.

  He grinned.

  Annie was seeing a different side to this enigmatic man, and he was clearly enjoying sparring with Rose.

  As the first cup of tea was poured, Rose tutted in disgust. ‘That looks like gnats.’

  Sam placed elbows on the table and studied the tea for a moment. ‘What’s gnats?’ he asked mildly.

  ‘You know very well what I mean,’ Rose scolded. ‘That tea is too weak to struggle out of the pot.’ She stirred it vigorously, poured another cup and shook her head in disgust.

  ‘Ah, well,’ Sam said, his accent reappearing, ‘you can’t expect a Frenchman to know how to make a proper cup of tea, can you?’

  Rose’s expression didn’t change as she emptied the pot and started again.

  ‘We didn’t expect anyone to be here,’ Annie said, changing the subject. ‘I thought you were all in Wales at the moment.’

  ‘Oh?’ Rose popped the cosy on the pot, and gave Sam a questioning look. ‘Wanted to be alone, did you?’

  ‘Not for the reason you are implying,’ he told her, holding
the dark, accusing stare unflinchingly. ‘Your sister has had a difficult time and needs rest. I shall be leaving within the hour.’

  ‘I see. Well, I live next door and you’re welcome to stay if you wish,’ Rose informed him, clearly backing down, which was unusual for her.

  And Annie knew that was as close to an apology as he was going to get.

  ‘Thank you, but I have to get back.’ His grin broadened. ‘Are you not afraid to have a lecherous Frenchman in your house, madam?’

  Rose controlled a smile, stirred the pot until the tea was a respectable colour, poured two cups and handed them to Annie and Sam. ‘I’m sure I could keep you in line, young man.’

  ‘I don’t doubt it.’ Sam gave a deep chuckle of amusement.

  Sam was at ease with Rose, and her sister had clearly taken to him. Annie couldn’t help wondering if he had lost more than his home when the Germans had invaded France. He wasn’t much older than her, but he might have had a wife and children.

  ‘And what is your job?’ Rose asked, eyeing Sam’s uniform with interest.

  He shrugged expressively. ‘Oh, this and that, but my main task is making a nuisance of myself. I’m very good at it.’

  ‘That I can believe,’ Rose replied with feeling, and then spoilt the serious expression by grinning.

  Annie started to laugh at their antics, but something happened, tears began to stream down her face and she found herself crying in earnest. All the worry, fear, danger and distress had been enclosed within a strongly erected dam, but now it broke. She sobbed as if her heart was breaking.

  ‘I’d like to know what’s going on, Sam?’ Rose demanded, placing an arm around her sister.

  ‘We have been to a funeral,’ he told her. ‘It was a much loved and respected colleague.’

  Annie gulped and wiped her eyes, thoroughly ashamed of herself for breaking down. ‘I’m so sorry.’

  ‘There is no need to be.’ Sam reached out and took hold of her hand. ‘It is right that we should shed tears for Jack.’

  ‘Have you?’ she asked.

  ‘Of course.’ He gave a gentle smile. ‘We French do not believe in the stiff upper lip; if we need to cry then we do. There is no shame in it, Annie.’

  The tears began to flow again and she forgot there was anyone else in the room. This was the first time she had allowed her true feelings to surface and it was painful. She had loved and admired Jack Graham, feeling a closeness to him that she had known with very few outside her own family. It was almost as if she had lost a part of herself. ‘I feel as if I failed him, Sam.’

  ‘No, no, it was because of you he died in peace with his family around him, and in his own country. That was not a failure – it was a triumph.’

  Annie blew her nose and nodded. ‘Yes, of course. I’m sorry, I’m just being silly.’

  He squeezed her hand affectionately. ‘You are a very brave girl, Ann Webster, and I’m proud to know you.’

  ‘I suppose it’s no good asking you what this is all about, is it?’ Rose asked again, and looked enquiringly at Sam.

  He shook his head. ‘I’m afraid not, but I will tell you one thing, your sister has great courage, and when the story can be told you will be as proud of her as we are.’

  ‘We’ve always been proud of her,’ Rose told him. ‘Would you like to stay for dinner?’

  ‘No, thank you.’ He stood up. ‘I must be going.’

  He bowed to Rose, and then he lifted Annie’s chin. ‘You rest now, do you understand?’

  ‘I promise,’ she said, and then he was gone.

  ‘Where on earth did you find him?’ Rose asked.

  Annie felt much better after her bout of tears. ‘He just turned up one day.’

  Rose sat back, clearly intrigued. ‘Tell me about him.’

  ‘All I know is that he was in France when the Germans invaded; he caused a lot of trouble and had to leave quickly. I don’t know anything else about him. He never talks about his private life.’

  ‘Hmm, there’s a lot of fury simmering behind those eyes.’ Rose gazed at her young sister and frowned. ‘Do you want to go to bed?’

  ‘Not yet.’ Annie sat up straight again. ‘It’s nice sitting here talking to you like this. And I need to chat about normal, everyday things.’

  Rose poured them another cup of tea and produced some biscuits. They had spent many hours in the past talking over tea and biscuits, and Annie found it very comforting at this moment.

  ‘Why aren’t you in Wales, Rose?’

  ‘I can’t stay there all the time, Annie, not when there’s so much to do here. You know I love London, and it’s taken such a pounding.’ She grimaced. ‘Talk about a drastic way to clear the slums.’

  Annie knew her sister was remembering her battles for better housing when she’d been a young woman.

  ‘You in love with this Sam?’ Rose asked her bluntly, changing the subject.

  ‘No.’

  ‘What about this man you’ve buried today?’

  ‘Jack.’ Annie pondered for a few moments. ‘We all loved him, he was a fine and brave man.’

  Rose stood up. ‘You going to have dinner with me?’

  ‘Thanks, that would be nice.’

  Rose slipped her coat on. ‘Come over at six, then.’

  ‘I’ll be there if I can stay awake.’ Annie yawned, feeling absolutely drained of energy by now. Jack’s funeral had been held in a church near his Kensington home. It had been very emotional for her, and far too ordinary for such a brave man. She’d wanted to tell everyone what a special person he’d been, but of course that hadn’t been possible. It was doubtful if anyone there, apart from Sam and herself, had known what he did, or how he had been killed. Even his wife would not have known anything for sure, though she may have had her suspicions.

  ‘This man Jack,’ Rose hesitated by the door, ‘Sam said he had been able to die in his own country because of you. You taken a holiday just lately?’

  ‘I took a little trip.’ Annie held her sister’s gaze and knew she’d worked out what had been going on. She would love to tell her the whole story but knew she couldn’t. Perhaps one day …

  ‘Thinking of going again?’

  ‘I really don’t know.’

  ‘You be careful, Toots,’ Rose said gently, using the affectionate nickname she had called Annie when she’d been a tiny child.

  ‘Tea, Annie?’

  She dragged her eyes open and sat up in bed. ‘Thanks, Rose. How long have I been asleep?’

  ‘You haven’t been aware of anything for the last fourteen hours. You missed dinner but you were so tired I didn’t bother to wake you.’

  Annie stretched, enjoying the comfort of her own bed, then picked up her cup and sipped the steaming brew. When she remembered the uncomfortable places she’d tried to rest on her journey to the Brittany coast, this was pure luxury.

  ‘Paul phoned me yesterday but I told him you couldn’t be disturbed. He wasn’t best pleased but he knew better than to argue with me.’ Rose sat on the edge of the bed. ‘You’ve been crying in your sleep. Do you feel better now?’

  ‘Yes.’ Annie rested her head against the headboard and closed her eyes. So her sister had been watching over her during the night; that was just the sort of thing she would do.

  ‘Are you going to get up for lunch?’

  Annie opened her eyes and smiled at her sister and nodded. ‘It’s time I got up and tucked into one of your hefty meals.’

  ‘It’ll be that,’ she laughed. ‘I’ve made a huge suet pudding just for the two of us, as you need something to line your stomach by the look of you.’

  ‘Lovely, I shall enjoy that.’ This was a great favourite with all her family, and it was a mystery how Rose was finding enough suet to make it these days. She might have found a substitute for suet; everyone was very inventive with their ingredients in these days of shortages, but if she had, then it wouldn’t spoil the taste of the pudding.

  ‘I’ll leave you to get up then.’ R
ose stood up.

  Annie watched her sister leave the room and felt like a child again having Rose look after her like this. It was a secure and comforting feeling. She had come back to Roehampton because she’d felt the need for solitude to come to terms with what had happened. Sam hadn’t agreed with her about being alone, and he had been right, she was glad her sister was here instead of in Wales.

  She went into the bathroom and ran a bath, filling it past the regulation five-inch mark without a pang of guilt. After the deprivation of the French trip she’d earned a little luxury.

  As she eased herself into the water her mind replayed the sequence of events. After Jack died Sam had wanted her to take some leave, but she’d refused, feeling that she would cope better if she kept busy. They’d had quite a row about it but once the funeral was over he had insisted, and she’d been too exhausted to argue any more.

  After a relaxing soak she dried herself and got dressed. When she was brushing her hair she sent up a silent prayer that there was a heaven, and Jack had been reunited with the young son who had been killed in that ship.

  She gazed at herself in the mirror, saw the gaunt face with dark shadows under her eyes, and didn’t give a damn about her appearance. She had done her very best to get Jack back alive, and she’d succeeded. The fact that he had died afterwards was beyond her control …

  ‘Annie!’ Rose called up the stairs. ‘Lunch is ready.’

  ‘I’m coming.’ She turned away from the mirror with a resolute expression on her face. It was time to put the episode behind her. There would be more challenges to face before this war was over, and although she would never forget Jack Graham it was time she got on with her life. He would have wanted that.

  They were in the middle of their lunch when there was a sharp knock on the kitchen door and Paul strode in, fixing his eyes on Annie and ignoring Rose.

  ‘Where the blazes have you been?’ he demanded. ‘I couldn’t get hold of you while I was in the Midlands, and when I rejoined my squadron a week ago there wasn’t any sign of you.’