Wings of the Morning

by Beryl Matthews

  ‘Who’s she?’ Reid finished off his last pint and heaved himself on to his feet. ‘I don’t think those two girls were that young, do you?’

  ‘Nope.’ Bouncer staggered upright. ‘Perfect age, I would say.’

  ‘Come on, then. Let’s have some fun.’ Reid draped an arm over Bouncer’s shoulder and the pair of them lurched back into the public bar, singing ‘White Cliffs of Dover’.

  22

  January 1943

  Annie was so excited. What a way to start the new year! The last few weeks had been terrible as they’d waited for news of Will, and to make matters worse they hadn’t heard from Bill for weeks. She knew Rose fretted in her own quiet way, but kept her fears to herself. However, George had finally won the battle he’d been having with Rose and had persuaded her that it was time she joined them in Wales. James and Kate were living there most of the time and they didn’t see enough of her. She had agreed in the end to move there and was no doubt immersed in her beloved books again. Her sister had never lost her thirst for knowledge; it was part of her character. She was still in the WVS and had taken over the library books in a convalescent hospital for injured servicemen. Rose would enjoy that. Annie remembered how concerned her sister had been for the ex-servicemen after the last war. She had done all she could for them and would want to help again.

  She walked into Dora’s hut and found her sitting on the bunk gazing at a photo of a tall sailor.

  ‘Get your coat,’ Annie ordered, ‘we’re going down the pub for a drink.’

  ‘Oh, I don’t think – ’

  ‘It’s no good you arguing. You’re coming whether you want to or not.’ Annie’s heart went out to her friend. The long wait without any news had been agonizing.

  ‘Come on, Dora,’ she coaxed. ‘It will do us both good.’

  ‘You’re right.’ The photo was tucked back into a bag and Dora sighed. ‘Life goes on, eh?’

  ‘’Course it does. Everything’s going to be all right, you’ll see.’

  She gave Annie a suspicious look. ‘You seem very bright; have you been at the booze already?’

  ‘No, but I’m certainly going to have a few tonight.’

  ‘Well, if that’s how you feel, what are we hanging around here for?’ Dora shivered as a blast of cold wind hit them on the way to the gate. ‘Damned cold tonight, have you got your knickers on?’

  Annie stopped and lifted her skirt a little to show the hated air force issue.

  Dora smirked. ‘I can’t help remembering when we saw these dreadful bloomers for the first time.’

  ‘They’re warm though, but I draw the line at wearing those awful brassieres.’ Annie signalled the driver of a truck. ‘You going near the Red Lion pub?’

  ‘Sure. Jump in.’

  The place was crowded as usual, and Annie stood in the doorway, searching the faces. At that moment she saw him and her face broke into a brilliant smile. ‘Look over there,’ she told her friend.

  With a cry of joy, Dora shot across the room into the waiting arms of Will. He kissed Dora, then lifted his head and smiled at his sister, drawing her into his embrace.

  ‘Annie!’ Dora was crying. ‘Why didn’t you tell me?’

  ‘He just walked in earlier. No one told us he was all right and on his way home.’

  ‘I asked Annie to keep it a secret.’ He kissed Dora again. ‘I wanted to surprise you.’

  ‘You’ve done that all right!’

  ‘Hey, mate, that’s a bit greedy, hugging two gorgeous women at once.’

  Annie could just make out the figure of an Australian soldier through her tear-clouded vision.

  Will laughed. ‘This is Dora, and that’s Annie.’

  ‘Good grief!’ the Australian exclaimed. ‘That’s never little Annie?’

  Annie rubbed her eyes so she could see better, and studied the man. He was talking as if he knew her, but she was sure she’d never seen him before.

  ‘Don’t you recognize him, Annie?’ Will asked, looking highly amused. ‘This is Bob.’

  ‘Bob?’ She gazed at him in bewilderment. There was something vaguely familiar about the man.

  ‘Take a closer look. It’s our long lost brother.’

  ‘Bob?’ she cried, then threw her arms around him and received a bear hug in return. ‘We didn’t think we’d ever see you again. Have you seen Mum?’

  ‘Yes, and Rose.’ He grimaced. ‘You should have heard what she called me.’

  ‘I can imagine, and you deserve all you get from her,’ Annie pointed out, as she remembered the upset Bob had caused when he’d run away to sea as a young boy. He’d been a rebellious child, nasty, bad-tempered, and always fighting with Rose who did her best to control him. It was only after he’d run away that they’d realized how unhappy he had been, and how he’d hated life in Garrett Street.

  ‘I know, and I’m sorry I hurt everyone, but I couldn’t take it any more. I just had to get out of that dreadful hovel. Mum said she understands.’

  Annie nodded. ‘We all managed to get out eventually, and it’s all thanks to Rose and Bill.’

  Bob shook his head in disbelief. ‘I’ve heard the whole story and it’s hard to believe the things Rose has done, and without her our family would have ended up in the workhouse. I still remember that terrible beating she took from the old man as she tried to get the rent money back from him. She’s still as fierce, though.’ He gave a deep chuckle. ‘When I saw her glaring at me with those black eyes, I nearly turned tail and got out of there quick. But I would have known her anywhere.’

  ‘Sit down everyone.’ Will pinched another chair from the next table. ‘We’ve got a lot of catching up to do.’

  ‘I’ll get a round of drinks in first,’ Bob said.

  Annie watched him make his way through the crowd, absolutely astonished by this turn of events. There had been sporadic letters from him over the years, but they had been brief, giving little indication of his life in Australia, except to assure them that he was all right. When he’d written to let them know that he was getting married, their mother had been upset because she couldn’t be there to see her son on his special day. ‘He’s an officer, Will.’

  ‘Yeah, who’d have believed it, and he’s attached to a British unit here. He’s doing all right for himself, and when you look at him now it’s hard to believe he was once a rebellious tearaway.’

  Dora was holding on to Will’s arm and appeared to be speechless with happiness. Annie had never seen her friend so quiet before.

  ‘What happened to you?’ Annie asked Will when Bob returned with the drinks.

  ‘I was on my way back from America when the troopship I was on was so badly damaged by a U-boat attack that we had to take to the lifeboats. The weather was appalling and we were scattered all over the ocean so it took some time to find us.’

  ‘What on earth were you doing in America?’ Dora asked, finding her voice at last.

  ‘I’d been working in one of their factories, learning about the American engines. A merchant ship eventually picked us up, which was a damned risky thing to do. Then we went straight into battle again, and the radio room was damaged. Fortunately for us a destroyer came back to look for the straggler and saved us from further damage.’

  Annie understood why they hadn’t had any news before. Her brother was making light of it but things must have been dangerous.

  ‘When I turned up it caused quite a rumpus, but not as much as when Bob walked in an hour later.’ He gave a deep chuckle. ‘Mum didn’t know whether to hit him or hug him.’

  ‘Rose knew what she wanted to do, though,’ said Bob grinning. ‘She would have liked to shake me until my teeth rattled.’

  ‘And she could do it,’ Dora said and laughed.

  ‘You don’t have to remind me what she’s capable of.’ Bob took some photos out of his pocket and gave them to Annie. ‘That’s my wife and daughter, Sara, with baby Emma.’

  ‘Ah, they’re lovely, Bob.’ She touched her brother’s hand, plea
sed to see he had such a lovely family. ‘Are you happy in Australia?’

  ‘I was until this bloody war started. I’ve got a sheep farm and love the wide open spaces; after Bermondsey it’s paradise.’

  Now Dora had got over the shock of seeing Will again she was bursting with curiosity. ‘Would someone tell me what’s going on? I didn’t know you had another brother, Annie?’

  ‘Bob ran away to sea when I was only little,’ Annie explained, ‘and this is the first time we’ve seen him since he disappeared.’

  ‘Wow! What a night this is turning out to be!’ Dora smiled happily and clung on to Will’s arm even tighter.

  ‘Did you enjoy yourself in America?’ Annie asked her brother.

  ‘I’ll say. But do you know they don’t have a tea break in their factories?’ He looked scandalized. ‘They’ve got these machines and you can get drinks from them, but we weren’t going to have that. We bought a small camping stove, a saucepan to boil the water in, tea, milk, sugar and biscuits, but we couldn’t get a teapot anywhere so we had to use a coffee pot.’

  Annie was laughing. She could just imagine a group of British sailors wanting their tea break, and she wondered if they put a tot of rum in it as well. She wouldn’t put it past them. ‘And what did you do then?’

  ‘We sat on boxes, lit the stove and brewed up in the middle of the factory floor.’ He shook his head in amusement. ‘The Yanks thought it was hilarious and used to call out “Having a tea party, boys?’”

  There was so much news to catch up on that the evening flew by, and all the time they drank steadily. Annie didn’t know how much she’d had, but she was too happy to keep count. This was a night to enjoy and blast the consequences!

  As she reached out to pick up another glass, it was whipped out of her way. ‘You’re not going to be fit for anything in the morning.’

  She peered at the man standing beside the table. ‘Hello, Sam, I didn’t know you were here.’

  ‘I’ve been sitting no more than six feet from you all evening, watching you trying to get drunk.’

  ‘I think I’ve made quite a good job of it,’ Annie giggled. ‘Sam, meet my brothers. Will has just been rescued from the sea, and the last time I saw Bob I was no taller than knee-high.’

  ‘Ah.’ Sam shook hands with the men. ‘I see the reason for the celebration, but I’m afraid I need Annie sharp and alert tomorrow.’

  ‘He’s my boss,’ Annie informed them from behind her hand, and then fell about laughing as if it was the funniest thing she’d ever said.

  Bob was grinning. ‘It’s a bit late for that, mate. She’s plastered; you’d better take her back now.’

  Dora whispered in Annie’s ear. ‘Go back with Sam. I’m staying with Will tonight.’

  ‘Right.’ She managed to stand up by holding on to the table. ‘What are you going to do now, Bob?’

  ‘I’ve got a room here for the night, the same as Will, and in the morning I’m going to Wales with Mum and Wally to meet Rose’s kids.’ He stood up and smiled ruefully. ‘I’m told I’ll also see Rose’s real father, Sir George Gresham. That was a turn-up for the book, wasn’t it?’

  ‘You’ll like him, Bob,’ Will said. ‘That’s where Rose gets her fiery temperament from.’

  ‘I can’t wait.’ Bob wiped his brow in mock fear.

  Annie hugged both her brothers, and being in a very emotional state shed a few tears, before being helped out of the pub by Sam.

  ‘Jush you and me, then, Sam.’ The cold air had a strange effect on her and she gave a lopsided smile. ‘I’m so happy.’

  ‘I can see that.’ He held her around the waist to keep her upright. ‘Wish I’d brought the truck with me.’

  Annie staggered as she shook her head. ‘Noo, rather walk.’

  He chuckled. ‘Still don’t trust my driving, then?’

  ‘I’m not that drunk.’ She tried to prove the point by pushing him away and walking in a straight line – without any success at all.

  ‘Really? You could have fooled me.’ He grabbed hold of her again as she staggered dangerously, then they headed up the road towards Chicksands.

  They had almost reached her hut when she stopped and threw her arms around Sam’s neck. ‘Kiss me.’

  He did, but it was a gentle, teasing embrace.

  ‘You’re not taking this seriously,’ she complained. ‘I think I could fall in love with you.’

  ‘I don’t want you to do that, Annie, but I wouldn’t mind some uncontrollable lust.’

  She leant against him and sighed. ‘I think I can manage that.’

  Annie opened one eye and groaned. She had to be on duty in an hour and she didn’t think she could move.

  ‘Here, drink this.’ Dora thrust a glass of something fizzy at her.

  Without asking what it was Annie emptied the glass and then shuddered. ‘Hell, that is the first and last time I ever get drunk.’

  Dora sat on the edge of the bed. ‘You’ll feel better when you get moving.’

  ‘You sure?’ Annie was finding that hard to believe. There was a notice on the wall opposite her and she could swear it was sliding up and down of its own accord.

  Her friend nodded and grinned. ‘You’re not used to drinking and you really overdid it last night.’

  ‘Well, I’ve learnt my lesson. Never again!’ She looked at Dora’s happy expression. ‘You seem cheerful enough. Had a good night, did you?’

  ‘Wonderful! Annie, me and Will are getting married.’

  ‘Oh, that’s marvellous,’ Annie exclaimed, throwing her arms around Dora in delight. ‘When?’

  ‘As soon as we can.’ Dora hugged her back, and then glanced at her watch. ‘I’ll tell you all about it later, but you’d better hurry or Sam will be furious with you.’

  Sam! The way she had behaved last night came rushing into her thoughts, and she coloured in embarrassment. ‘Oh, my God!’

  ‘That look of horror tells me you’ve been up to something. What have you and the delectable Sam been doing?’

  ‘I remember getting back here, and then I tried to seduce him.’ Annie buried her head in her hands. ‘After that my mind’s a blank.’

  ‘You’ve made it then.’ Sam studied her face carefully. ‘You look awful; are you all right?’

  ‘That’s what I need you to tell me.’

  ‘Ah’ – he was clearly fighting to keep a straight face – ‘you can’t remember our night of passion.’

  She took a deep breath. ‘Tell me what I missed.’

  ‘After you threw yourself into my arms and begged me to make love to you …’ He paused.

  ‘Begged?’ Lord, but she’d really made a fool of herself this time.

  Sam nodded. ‘Definitely begged.’

  ‘What happened then?’ she asked with a resigned air.

  ‘You passed out.’

  ‘And?’ She had to know the whole sordid truth.

  ‘Annie,’ Sam laughed, ‘I didn’t want to make love to a senseless woman. I expect the girl I’m with to join in with enthusiasm, or it’s no fun. I put you to bed – your bed. I had to do it myself because the place was deserted – not a damned female in sight when you need one,’ he complained.

  Annie sagged in relief. ‘So nothing happened?’

  ‘Well, I wouldn’t say that.’ He raised his eyebrows. ‘I did have the pleasure of undressing you, but that’s all.’ He sighed. ‘I managed to control myself, but it was damned frustrating. Still, those terrible military issue knickers did help to cool my ardour a little.’

  Annie blushed. ‘I was wearing them because it was so cold. I’m sorry for my disgraceful conduct. And I’m never going to get drunk again.’

  ‘It would be wise,’ he told her. ‘Drink obviously makes you amorous, and the next man you try that with might not have my self-control. Can you remember anything?’

  ‘Yes.’ Her head came up and her gaze locked on to his eyes. ‘You told me you didn’t want me to fall in love with you. Why?’

  ‘
I would find it impossible to place you in danger again, and I can’t afford that kind of emotional baggage. It clouds the judgement, as you well know, and I don’t know what awaits me when this war is finally over.’

  ‘Are you going to send me to France again, Sam?’ she asked quietly.

  ‘Once the invasion is imminent, then I might not have any choice. We’re going to need as many operatives as possible to help the Resistance disrupt German communications.’

  The hangover was forgotten and she smiled. ‘I wouldn’t mind doing another parachute jump.’

  ‘Hmm. You like a bit of excitement. Is that why you never married your pilot friend? Was he too tame for you?’

  Annie chewed her lip, deep in thought. That had never occurred to her before. ‘There’s nothing like a war to make you realize what you really are, is there?’

  ‘I agree, and our true nature comes as a shock, eh?’

  She changed the subject. ‘When the invasion does start, what are you going to do?’

  ‘Go home and help to kick the bastards out of France.’ There was a look of grim determination on his face.

  Annie hoped she was there to see him get his revenge.

  23

  Dora and Will were married at Caxton Hall in London at the beginning of February; they were in uniform, but it was obvious that her friend didn’t mind not having a grand wedding, for she was too much in love to care. And it didn’t matter because Will looked splendid in his naval uniform and Dora radiant in air force blue. Annie tried not to cry as the ceremony came to a close. Will and Dora were now husband and wife. She was so happy for them.

  There was a large turnout. Dora’s family were there, and Charlie had managed to get home just in time to act as best man. Bob went as well, and had been welcomed back by the family as if he’d never been away. George seemed to have taken a great liking to him; they were talking and laughing outside the registry office like old friends. There wasn’t a trace of the boy she’d remembered. Bob was mature, good looking, and obviously a happy man. The only one not there was Bill. That had upset Kate for a while, but her natural enthusiasm for life and any new experience had soon banished her gloom. James appeared quite disgusted with the whole sentimental affair, and Annie grinned to herself. It wouldn’t be long before the boy changed his mind about girls and romance. He was at the lanky stage but it was clear that he was going to be a handsome man. As time passed, James was showing signs of his father’s quiet temperament, and that was a relief to his mother. Rose had always said that she hoped her children didn’t inherit her intolerant, explosive nature. And, as time passed, it looked as if neither of them had.