Wings of the Morning

by Beryl Matthews

  Annie smiled at the radiant girl. ‘I’m delighted to meet you. And you look absolutely beautiful.’

  ‘Thank you.’ Jenny smoothed her hand over the gown. ‘It made a lovely wedding dress, didn’t it?’

  Her new husband laughed. ‘Much better use for it than jumping out of aeroplanes.’

  It was a pleasant late April day and the photographer took his time, ordering them into special groups and different poses.

  Once the photos were finished and the bride and groom were on their way to the reception, Reid came over to Annie and Charlie.

  ‘Glad you could make it, Webster.’

  Annie, being in uniform, saluted him. ‘Wouldn’t have missed it for anything, Squadron Leader.’

  ‘Oh God!’ Charlie muttered, and beat a hasty retreat.

  She watched her brother for a few moments then started to laugh. ‘He’s afraid you might put him on a charge if he associates with me.’

  ‘Not because of his sister’s insubordination, I wouldn’t.’

  Annie looked up at the man in front of her, saw the amused glint in his eyes, and grinned. It seemed as if their argument in January had been forgotten, and she was pleased about that.

  ‘Is the girl you’re crazy about here?’ she asked, scanning the crowd for a likely candidate.

  ‘I’m afraid you’ll have to look in a mirror if you want to see her,’ he told her.

  It took a few moments for that to sink in, and when it did she shook her head. ‘Reid. You really do say the most outrageous things. Are you ever serious?’

  ‘Yes, I’m really serious now.’ He gave a long, resigned sigh. ‘But of course you still won’t believe me.’

  ‘You’d hardly expect me to, would you?’

  ‘Why do you find the notion so ludicrous, Annie? I’d like to know.’

  ‘Well, from the moment we met we’ve fought, except for a couple of tranquil meetings, and the idea of spending the rest of our lives together is too dreadful to contemplate. We wouldn’t have a piece of china left.’

  Reid’s face broke into a grin. ‘Life wouldn’t be dull, though, would it?’

  ‘No, it wouldn’t.’ Annie looked earnestly into his eyes. ‘I know you find me physically attractive, and I feel the same way about you, but that isn’t enough to build a lasting relationship on.’

  He fell silent for a few seconds, and then nodded. ‘You’re quite right, we’ve got to stop fighting with each other. I’ll work on it and see if I can improve my temperament.’

  ‘You’re impossible, do you know that?’ Annie couldn’t help smiling.

  He bent and kissed her fleetingly on the lips. ‘Don’t marry Sam, he isn’t right for you.’

  Annie watched him stride away, and felt a mixture of indignation, amusement and confusion. What right did he have to tell her what to do with her life?

  ‘I’ve cadged us a lift, Annie.’ Charlie ushered her towards a car. ‘Why do you and Reid always treat each other like that?’

  ‘Oh, it comes quite naturally,’ she told her brother.

  Charlie watched his commanding officer for a moment then shook his head in amusement. ‘He would make one heck of a brother-in-law.’

  Her brother ducked as Annie took a swipe at him. ‘Don’t you start. I thought it was only women who got soppy at weddings.’

  He gave her a curious look. ‘What has the big man been saying to you?’

  ‘A load of nonsense, if you must know,’ she retorted. ‘Anyway, you’re the one who should be thinking of marriage.’

  ‘Well, I must admit it does seem like a good idea …’

  ‘Have you found someone?’ Annie asked eagerly. She adored her brothers, and now Will was married to Dora, she would love to see Charlie settled with a family of his own.

  ‘I might have,’ he hedged.

  ‘What’s her name?’

  ‘Patricia – Pat, but don’t go saying anything yet,’ he warned. ‘We only met a few weeks ago.’

  Annie almost danced in delight. ‘I won’t say a word, and I do hope it works out for you, Charlie.’

  ‘What about you, Sis, are you thinking of marrying Sam?’

  ‘He hasn’t asked me, but I know he’s thinking about it.’ Her sigh was deep and thoughtful, and then she shook her head. ‘It might seem like a good solution to young Jacques’s future, and I do love the little boy, but we would probably end up regretting it after a while. I’ll only marry for one thing, Charlie, and that’s love.’

  Her brother gave her a speculative glance. ‘You’re a real romantic at heart, aren’t you?’

  ‘Have you only just found that out?’ She smiled and walked over to the car, but her brother’s remark had given her pause for thought. Had her romantic streak stopped her from finding happiness with a man? Was she looking for the impossible? She’d always joked that she was waiting for another man like Bill, her brother-in-law, but she doubted that another man like him existed.

  The reception was being held in a village hall about a mile from the church. Considering the wartime rationing the buffet was quite sumptuous.

  ‘It looks as if someone has been dealing on the black market,’ Annie remarked to her brother as they helped themselves to the food.

  ‘Maybe, but I’ll bet the squadron had a hand in this spread.’ Charlie chuckled. ‘Those pilots are an enterprising bunch.’

  Reid’s speech had the guests roaring with laughter as he related some of Bouncer’s funniest exploits. The groom took this all in his stride and sat there with a wicked grin on his face, as if to say, I’ll get you later for this, my friend.

  A small air force band arrived and everyone began to dance. It was a joyful occasion, and for a short time the war was forgotten.

  ‘Is the ankle strong enough to dance?’ Reid stood in front of Annie and held his hand out.

  ‘It’s as good as new.’ She let him lead her on to the dance floor. The band was playing a slow foxtrot and Annie relaxed in his arms. He really was a wonderful dancer, and this was the only time they never argued. Her smile was mischievous.

  ‘What’s amusing you?’ Reid asked.

  ‘I was just thinking that the only time we are in harmony with each other is when we’re dancing.’ She looked up into his face and laughed. ‘Perhaps if we danced every time we met we might not fight.’

  Reid pulled her closer. ‘Now there’s a tempting idea.’

  ‘Did you enjoy the wedding?’ Jean asked Annie the next day.

  ‘It was lovely, but I think I danced too much.’ She massaged her ankle and foot before easing her shoes on and smiling at Jean. ‘Back to work now, though.’

  Annie hurried to Sam’s office. It was empty. ‘Where’s Sam?’ she asked Wing Commander Felshaw.

  ‘He’s taken a few days’ leave to go and see his son while he’s got the chance.’

  Annie sensed the excitement in his voice. ‘Is the invasion close?’

  ‘Not far off,’ he told her. ‘We’re going to be busy. The enemy mustn’t get wind of this until it’s too late.’

  ‘Let’s pray the preparations stay hidden.’ Annie wasn’t sure how the huge build-up of troops could be kept secret, but the whole operation depended on taking the Germans by surprise. It seemed like an impossible task because this small island was bursting at the seams with men and equipment. Hitler must know!

  30

  June 1944

  It must be on! The orders were that no one could leave the base or make contact with anyone outside. The skies had been black with bombers making their way over to Germany and elsewhere. No one had ever seen such massive formations, and Annie couldn’t help sparing a thought for the people who were going to be on the receiving end of these bombardments. Tanks had been rumbling out of their hiding places in wooded areas, and were now heading for Portsmouth and other parts of the coast. Troops and vehicles were trundling through the villages, clogging roads, and all heading in the same direction.

  All it needed was one reconnaissance plane to spot the
m … but everyone was holding their breath, hoping that wouldn’t happen.

  Annie had been at her post for hours but didn’t feel tired. The feeling of anticipation was keeping everyone wide awake.

  ‘Take half an hour and get something to eat,’ the officer told her.

  ‘I’m not hungry.’ Annie didn’t want to take a break in case something happened while she was away. She felt a moment of sadness. How sorry she was that Jack Graham wouldn’t see this day …

  ‘That was an order,’ she was told sternly.

  She removed her headphones and another operator stepped into her place.

  Annie found Sam outside glaring up at the leaden sky. ‘Your blasted English weather. What a time for it to close in. They can’t go in this. The longer this operation is held up the more chance there is of discovery.’

  ‘Maybe not, Sam,’ she told him. ‘They won’t be expecting us to launch an attack across the Channel in these bad conditions.’ Annie touched his arm. ‘Come and have a meal with me, Sam. You’re getting soaked out here and worrying won’t change the weather.’

  ‘All right,’ he agreed. ‘There isn’t anything else I can do at the moment.’

  Annie didn’t even know what she was eating and she was certain that Sam didn’t care. They were just clearing their plates because it was the sensible thing to do, but it wasn’t surprising because everyone was on edge. Although the mess was busy it was strangely quiet. Men and women were toying with the food, unable to eat, or letting cups of steaming tea grow cold. Waiting, waiting …

  ‘I thought you were going to France before the invasion,’ she said, breaking the tense atmosphere.

  ‘I wanted to, but it was considered unwise, and I had to agree. We didn’t want to take the chance of arousing the suspicions of the Germans. I’m going in as soon as the troops start to move inland.’

  ‘I assume you don’t want me with you? I’m completely recovered now, and I wouldn’t have to jump out of a plane this time.’ She knew it was a forlorn hope, but she would dearly have loved to follow the troops in as France was liberated.

  ‘No, Annie, I will be able to move much faster if I’m on my own. But I’ll take a wireless and keep in touch.’ He smiled to soften the refusal. ‘There won’t be any need for a covert operation and this trip of mine will be more personal than military.’

  ‘I understand. The Germans must know we’re coming, though, mustn’t they?’ She watched the distracted man stirring his tea. The tension was so great Annie found it hard to even take a breath.

  ‘They know, but let’s hope and pray they haven’t guessed when or where the landings will be.’

  Annie looked at her watch, knowing that that prayer was uppermost in everyone’s thoughts. ‘I’ve got to get back. You won’t disappear without telling me, will you?’

  The deep worry lines smoothed out for a moment and he smiled. ‘No, I’ll let you know. Rose has promised me that if I get killed she will adopt Jacques and bring him up as her own son.’

  ‘She’s a good mother and Bill adores children, so you need have no fears for him.’ Annie smiled and touched his hand. ‘But nothing is going to happen to you, Sam.’

  ‘I know, it’s just a precaution, that’s all.’

  June the 6th and the news they’d all been waiting for came. Troops and equipment were pouring on to the Normandy beaches. Annie and many others shed a few tears of relief but there was a great deal of worry as well. Where were the sailors in her family, and was Bob among the first wave of troops to hit the beaches? Would this be the decisive move and the end of the German aggression? How many more lives was this going to cost?

  The news coming through over the following couple of days was optimistic, but it was frustrating trying to glean information. They guessed that everything coming over the wireless was carefully edited before it was given out. Annie knew only too well that they couldn’t give away vital information that might help the enemy. But some troops were moving inland already and there was cause for hope that this was the beginning of the end.

  Three days later, Sam found Annie at breakfast.

  ‘I’m leaving for Portsmouth now,’ he told her. ‘I’ve got permission to go across at last.’

  ‘You take care, and please keep in touch. Try to stay behind the Allied lines, and I hope you find your sister again,’ she said. Sam was kitted out in combat gear with French badges on his shoulders. He had hardly worn them since Annie had met him, as the nature of his job made him keep a low profile, but now he was a determined man going back to his own country to see it liberated.

  ‘That will be my first task, and then I’ll try to see if any of Maria’s family have survived.’ He smiled at her and then hurried on his way, obviously eager to get going.

  Annie realized, for the first time, that Sam was still in love with the girl he’d been about to marry when the war started, and she found that incredibly sad. Not only for the brave, complex man, but also for Jacques, who would never know his real mother. Damn the war, she muttered under her breath as her eyes clouded with unshed tears. It had already caused so much suffering, and there was more to come as the troops poured into France.

  She sighed and returned to her work. It was obvious that Sam couldn’t wait to return to France, and she wondered what he was going to find when he saw his home again. Annie’s heart ached for him and everyone who had been torn from their homes by this madness.

  What a night! Reid scanned the sky over Tangmere airfield. Dawn was just beginning to stain the sky with a glimmer of light; they would be able to get airborne soon. One week after the invasion and Hitler had unleashed his latest weapon against them.

  ‘They’re not bombers. What are they?’ Bouncer tumbled into Reid’s office having slept through the night. He was still buttoning his shirt. His hair stood on end and he needed a shave.

  ‘Unmanned aircraft – flying bombs,’ Reid told his friend. ‘They’ve been coming over all night.’

  ‘Why didn’t you sound the alarm?’ Bouncer ran a hand through his hair, but it immediately sprang up again.

  ‘There isn’t anything we can do until it’s light,’ Reid said, and flinched at Bouncer’s colourful language.

  ‘I don’t like this, Reid, from what I’ve heard they’re dropping all over the place. Doesn’t that blasted man know when he’s beaten?’

  ‘He’s making one last desperate effort to stop us, I expect,’ Reid said.

  They waited anxiously until light filtered through the clouds; Reid donned his flying gear, then walked out with Bouncer to meet the rest of the pilots. There was no way he was keeping out of this! ‘We’ve got orders to try and shoot some of those things down before they reach our coast.’

  They did their best and were reasonably successful, but the flying bombs were difficult to shoot down, and far too many still managed to cross the coast. Once again London and the surrounding areas were suffering death and destruction. The invasion was progressing with parts of France already liberated, and this onslaught of the flying bombs had come as an unwelcome shock.

  ‘There’s someone at the gate to see you,’ Wing Commander Felshaw told Annie. ‘Says she’s your sister and it’s urgent.’

  Annie ran. If Rose had left the children and come here to see her, then it must be something very serious. The last time she’d been called out like this Will had been missing. Was it Bill? No, her sister would not leave the children if that were the case, she reasoned.

  ‘Rose!’ Annie stopped and struggled to catch her breath. ‘What’s happened?’

  ‘I’m on my way to London, Annie, and I thought I’d stop off here and try to see you.’

  Her sister’s expression gave little away, but Annie knew her too well. Anxiety showed in her eyes. ‘What is it?’

  ‘As soon as the D-Day landings were under way, Dad was convinced the war was as good as over and he headed for London to open up his house again.’

  Annie’s heart thudded. The doodlebugs!

  ‘It’
s been four days now,’ Rose continued, ‘without a word from him, and he’d never do that. I wanted to let you know before I go and search for him.’

  Annie didn’t want her sister doing this on her own. Rose’s relationship with her father hadn’t been easy, but over the years a deep and abiding affection had grown between them. If anything had happened to George then her sister was going to be devastated. ‘I’ve got some leave coming up; I’ll see if I can bring it forward. I’ve been on duty practically non-stop since the invasion began.’

  Rose looked relieved. ‘Thanks, Annie.’

  Fifteen minutes later, Annie was back with a two-day pass and an air force lorry. ‘I’ve cadged a lift with Flight Sergeant Hargreaves. He’s going to London,’ she told her sister. ‘Hop in.’

  They were dropped off about a mile from Bloomsbury and continued on foot.

  ‘I told him not to go,’ Rose said as she strode along. ‘But the stubborn old fool wouldn’t listen, as usual.’

  ‘We’ll probably find him in the local pub drinking with his friends.’ Annie tried to soothe her sister. It wasn’t often anyone saw Rose as worried as this, and the closer they got to their destination, the faster she walked.

  ‘I expect you’re right.’ Rose scowled. ‘And if he is, then it will give me great pleasure to hit him for causing us all this worry.’

  Annie grinned in spite of her concern. ‘You’ve done that before, haven’t you?’

  ‘The first time we met.’ Rose’s eyes gleamed at the memory. ‘What a fight we had. It was a shock meeting my real father at the age of sixteen, and I hated his guts!’

  ‘But his mother was a lovely lady, wasn’t she?’

  A smile touched Rose’s mouth. ‘She was a fine woman, and it was really because of her that I eventually became friends with George.’

  ‘Do you remember when you took me to see her?’ Annie asked. ‘You were frightened to death I was going to break something.’

  ‘We’d never seen such beautiful things in our lives, had we?’ Rose gave Annie an affectionate glance. ‘You loved looking at everything, and weren’t at all jealous about someone having so much and us so little. I could never understand why you weren’t bitter. The conditions we lived in were inhuman.’