‘Don’t be ridiculous, Uncle! There’s no point me telling you what is on my mind, because if I don’t survive this war, then none of this will matter.’
‘What are you two discussing so seriously?’ James wandered up to them, eating a sausage roll.
‘We were just wondering when you are going to marry that girl of yours?’ Dan lied. ‘How long have you been courting her? Three years?’
‘Two, actually. Getting attached is not a good idea.’ James looked across the room at Grace. ‘There are too many widows around already.’
‘Will you both stop this?’ George scolded. ‘You two are going to come through this – we all are! And that’s an order!’
‘Yes, sir!’ Dan and James said in true military style as they snapped to attention.
‘We never disobey orders, sir,’ James said, laughing. ‘Would you mind asking the Germans to stop shooting at us?’
‘I’ll send an official message first thing in the morning. Now, Dan, isn’t there anything stronger than this fizzy stuff?’
‘Tell the waiter what you want and he’ll get it for you.’
James checked his watch. ‘I’m afraid I must leave. Sorry I couldn’t stay longer.’
‘We understand. It was great to see you, and thanks for taking the time to come. We must try to get some leave at the same time.’
‘I’ll look forward to that. Cheers, and congratulations on your return to full health, Dan.’
After a few quick goodbyes to a few people, including Grace, James left.
‘He’s a good pilot, George,’ Dan said, when he saw his uncle’s worried expression. ‘He’ll come through this.’
‘Of course he will.’ George studied his empty glass. ‘I need a whisky.’
It was nearly midnight and the party was showing no sign of breaking up. Grace had stayed longer than she had meant to, and decided it was time to leave. After making sure her taxi was outside, she went over to Dan.
‘Thank you for a lovely evening. I have enjoyed it very much, but it is time I was on my way. I’ve said goodbye to everyone, except you and Colonel Askew.’
‘It’s been a pleasure, Grace.’ George smiled. ‘And I hope you are going to keep in touch with me? You know where to find me.’
‘I’ll do that, sir.’
Dan took her arm. ‘I’ll walk out to the taxi with you.’
It was quite cool after the heat of the room, and Grace felt as if she’d had a bit too much champagne. ‘Thank you for the driving lessons – and the fun.’
Dan smiled down at her. ‘Yes, it was fun, wasn’t it?’
She nodded, suddenly needing to get this goodbye over. It was harder than she had imagined it would be. She held out her hand. ‘Goodbye, Dan. You take care of yourself.’
He bent and kissed her cheek. ‘Thank you for looking after me so well. You look after yourself, as well, no matter what you do. Goodbye, Grace.’
When she got in the taxi and it drove away from the hotel, she felt like crying. You’ve certainly had too much to drink, she told herself sternly. She rested her head back and closed her eyes. What a strange few weeks it had been.
Chapter Ten
‘Wake up you lazy thing! It’s ten o’clock, Grace.’
Someone was shaking her. ‘Go away!’
‘Not a chance. I’ve only got forty-eight hours.’
The familiar voice began to penetrate Grace’s sleepy mind. She opened one eye, and then shot upright.
‘Helen! When did you arrive?’
‘An hour ago. That must have been some night out. I’ve never known you to sleep past seven.’
‘I drank a bit too much champagne.’ She reached for the cup of tea on her bedside table, and grimaced. ‘I’m so thirsty.’
‘Serves you right. You shouldn’t have let the soldiers get you drunk.’
‘I wasn’t drunk!’ she declared indignantly. ‘A bit light-headed, that’s all. Have you come home to lecture me?’
‘Would I dare?’ Helen told her, grinning.
‘Oh, I’m so pleased to see you. I’m not sure what to do next, and I want to talk about it with you. It always helps to clear my mind. How much leave have you got?’
‘I’ve already told you. Forty-eight hours, so stop wasting it and get out of bed. I’ll go and talk to your mum and dad while you get dressed.’
‘I’ll be ready in no time.’ Grace swung her legs out of the bed. ‘Ask Mum to make a big pot of tea.’
‘Ah, here she is at last,’ Ted said as his daughter walked in to the kitchen half an hour later. ‘I think she would have slept all morning if you hadn’t arrived, Helen. Dan must have thrown a lively party.’
‘It was very good, and he’d invited a lot of guests. The champagne kept coming, and you should have seen the food there. Goodness knows what an evening like that must have cost.’
‘I don’t think he is short of money, dear.’ Her mother handed her a steaming cup of tea. ‘He has the air of a man used to wealth.’
‘Has he? I really don’t know anything about him. He never talked about his life outside of the army. Anyway, it was a splendid party, and I was so pleased when James arrived. He only stayed for a short time, but it was good to see him again.’
Jean shook her head sadly. ‘How was he, Grace? Those poor boys are fighting for their lives – and ours. Did he say anything about that?’
‘He was fine, Mum and, no, he never mentioned anything to do with the war. He spent most of his time with Dan and the colonel.’
‘We met Dan, you know, Helen,’ Jean told her. ‘He brought Grace home one evening, and they were both covered in mud. He came in and had supper with us. Such a nice boy.’
Grace shook her head and grinned at her friend. ‘He must be around thirty.’
Helen stood up. ‘Come on, we’re going out. I want to hear how you got covered in mud.’
‘We’d been hiding in ditches.’
‘What?’ Helen stared at Grace, and then pushed her out of the door. ‘You’ve got some explaining to do!’
It was Grace’s turn to stare aghast at the military car parked outside her house. ‘How did that get here?’
‘I drove it here.’
‘You can drive? I’ve passed a test, as well. Can I have a go?’
‘Only if you promise not to dent it. I had to bring an officer to London, and I’ve got to collect him in two days. I can keep the car until then, but we can’t go far. I must be careful with the petrol.’
Grace was eagerly inspecting the car. ‘This is nearly the same as the one I learnt in. You didn’t tell me you’d had driving lessons.’
‘I’m learning all kinds of things.’
‘Such as?’
‘Now, now,’ Helen chided, ‘you know you mustn’t ask questions.’
‘I’ve signed the Secrets Act.’
‘Doesn’t make any difference. You might be a spy, for all I know.’
‘Damn! You’ve guessed, and I thought I was being so clever about it.’
‘Get in the car,’ Helen laughed. ‘Drive to Hyde Park, and we’ll go for a walk. You can then tell me what on earth you have been up to with this major of yours.’
‘He isn’t mine, Helen. I probably won’t ever see him again.’
Helen gazed into space for a moment, and then said, ‘This war is going to be like that. We meet people, wave them goodbye, and they’re gone. We’ve got to accept that, haven’t we?’
‘It’s a sad fact of life now, I’m sorry to say.’ Grace started the car and concentrated on driving, thrilled to have the chance.
After parking the car, they walked slowly, enjoying the peace and beauty of the park. It was a lovely August day, and a lot of people were about.
‘You drive well, Grace.’
‘Thanks. I was taught by the best. So how are you getting on with whatever it is you’re doing?’
‘I’m enjoying it, and meeting a lot of interesting people.’
‘French?’
‘S
ome. You said you wanted to talk.’
Grace nodded, knowing the subject of what her friend was doing had been firmly closed. They could no longer share details of their lives, and that was another result of this war.
‘I’m thinking about joining the forces and I wondered if you have any regrets about what you’re doing.’
‘None whatsoever.’ The reply was instant. ‘I wanted to do something that would make a difference, and I think I have found it. I feel useful, Grace, and that means a great deal to me. If you stay a civilian you could end up in a dead-end job. Is that what you want?’
‘You know it isn’t. Dan tried to get me another job at the War Office, but I’m glad he didn’t succeed because I would have turned it down. I am concerned, though, that I could find myself doing the same work in the forces.’
‘But it’s what you’re good at! You have a real talent for looking after people. Do you think you made his life easier by being at his side whenever he needed you?’
‘Well, yes, I suppose I helped him get through a job he hated.’
‘Of course you did. Don’t waste your talent, Grace. All you can do is to take that step and see where it leads. If you are given something you don’t like, then you can always put in for a transfer. It’s time to move forward.’
‘I never thought of that.’ Grace smiled. ‘I’m so glad you came home today. I’ll go for it!’
‘That’s the spirit! Which service are you considering?’
‘The ATS.’
Helen laughed. ‘That sounded positive. Got used to working with army officers, did you?’
‘As a matter of fact, I did.’
‘In that case don’t settle for anything less than a general,’ Helen joked. ‘Now that’s decided, I want to know how you are really coping with losing Brian. You’re very good at hiding your emotions, but tell me what you are really feeling.’
They found a bench and sat down before Grace spoke.
‘I was devastated, and it still hurts so badly. Keeping going is helping, though, and while I was working for Dan, there wasn’t much time to dwell on it. It was one crazy day after another, and as I watched him fighting to get fit again, I understood his pain, frustration and anger. They were the emotions I was struggling with and, in a strange way, it helped me. The few weeks we worked together were difficult for both of us. Do you know, though, at the end we laughed with each other, and it felt liberating. When he was ready to leave, he declared us friends, and that was how it felt.’
‘I wish I’d met him.’
‘You would have liked him.’ Grace smiled wistfully. ‘I needed those few weeks. Now I’m ready to move on.’
The two days spent with Helen had been fun. It had been wonderful to be together again, to talk and joke like old times. Those old, carefree days were gone, unfortunately. The battle raging in the sky day after day was desperate, and the threat of invasion was still hanging over them. With the enemy now occupying France, it was easy for them to attack shipping. Being an island it was vital the convoys got through, but the losses were awful. Grace’s heart went out to all those merchant and Royal Navy sailors. The army was building up to strength again after Dunkirk, and the factories were working day and night to turn out the needed armaments. Everyone was doing so much, whatever the cost to themselves, and so must she. Brian would have wanted her to do what she could.
The recruitment office was crowded when Grace reached it, and she had to wait an hour for her turn to talk to one of the officers.
‘Sit down,’ he said, without looking up from the files on his desk.
She watched him shuffling through papers, and smiled to herself. Here was another soldier who didn’t want a desk job. Boredom and irritation practically radiated from him.
‘Right, miss,’ he said sharply, pushing a form towards her. ‘Fill that in and sign it.’
She pushed it back. ‘I don’t sign anything without knowing what it entails.’
He looked up, eyes narrowed. ‘Then don’t waste my time. You came to join the ATS, didn’t you?’
‘I came to discuss it, but if you are not prepared to do your job properly, then you are wasting my time. I’ll see someone who is more civil.’ She stood up and started to walk away.
‘Wait!’ He was suddenly in front of her. ‘I apologise for my rudeness. I am not having a good day, but that is no excuse. I’ve been at this for three weeks without a break, and my temper is frayed. Can we start again?’
‘We’ll give it a try.’ She sat down again.
‘What would you like to know, Miss—?’
‘Mrs Lincoln.’
‘Ah, well, if you’re married …’
‘My husband was killed in France,’ she said, not giving him a chance to finish what he was saying.
He inclined his head in acknowledgement. ‘And how do you feel about that?’
‘Angry. If you are going to ask me daft questions, then we have nothing else to discuss.’
‘Humour me, Mrs Lincoln.’
‘All right, but you are only allowed one more stupid question.’
He laughed, showing interest for the first time. ‘Do you believe we should be fighting this war?’
‘Fighting is the only way we are going to win it – and we must win.’ She held his gaze as he studied her intently.
‘Tell me about yourself.’
Grace gave him a brief outline of her work at the lawyers and her qualifications. Before leaving, Dan had given her a sealed envelope to give to any prospective employer. She handed it to the officer.
‘This is a reference from my last job.’
‘And why did you leave that job?’
‘Major Chester had recovered enough from his injuries to be able to rejoin his regiment, so my services were no longer required.’
His head shot up. ‘You worked for an officer?’
She nodded. ‘At the War Office.’
He quickly slit open the envelope and read the contents. ‘Major Chester states that you speak fluent French and good German. You can also drive, having received instruction to army standards.’
‘That’s correct.’ Grace was surprised that Dan had included German, but he had made her work at it, and if he thought it was good enough, then she wasn’t going to deny it.
He stood up. ‘Please wait here, Mrs Lincoln. I won’t be long.’
Lieutenant Greaves knocked smartly on the door at the end of the passage, and stepped inside.
‘I’ve got a present for you, Captain,’ he said, a smile on his face. ‘You’ve chosen the right day to come here, sir, and check up on us.’
Captain Norris sat back and studied the man in front of him. They had met on the beaches at Dunkirk, and had been firm friends ever since. ‘You look pleased with yourself.’
‘I’m hoping this find will be enough to release me from this detail – sir.’
‘Cut out the “sir”, Jack, there’s no one else here. Tell me what this is about. If it’s as good as you obviously think, I’ll see what I can do about releasing you from interviewing young women. Though it’s a duty most men would enjoy.’
‘Then give it to one of them. I’ve had enough!’
‘All right.’ The captain laughed. ‘I’ll get you back to your beloved tanks. Now, what have you got for me?’
‘Read that.’ Jack handed over the letter and waited, watching the captain’s expression carefully.
After reading it through twice, he looked up. ‘I met Major Chester briefly once. He was in a bad way, and I’m pleased to know he survived. What is this girl like?’
‘Bright, speaks her mind when she needs to, and appears to be strong-minded. I have the feeling she would take responsibility and act on her own initiative.’
‘You’ve deduced all of that in one short interview?’
‘Ah, well, I wasn’t as polite as I should have been, and she told me off very firmly.’
‘Did she?’ The captain was on his feet. ‘Take me to her.’
T
o pass the time while she waited, Grace gazed around the busy room. There were several tables, and the women in the queue went to an empty one when their turn came. Most of the recruitment officers appeared to be polite, making the girls feel welcome. It had been her misfortune to get one who would rather be somewhere else.
Her interviewer was returning, and he wasn’t alone. She wished she knew what Dan had said in that letter, because it had certainly caused a reaction. She wasn’t quite sure if that was good or bad.
‘Mrs Lincoln, I’m Captain Norris.’ He sat down at the table. ‘I understand you want to join the ATS.’
‘I’m thinking about it.’
He smiled. ‘Your qualifications are excellent. Major Chester regarded you highly, and I am sure the service would be pleased to have you – should you decide to join.’
‘Could you tell me what kind of work I would be asked to do?’
‘That would be decided after you have completed the basic training. I can’t make any promises at this point, you understand, but your chances of obtaining a responsible position are good.’
Grace nodded. She would have liked to know before joining, but that obviously wasn’t the way it worked.
He smiled again. ‘What is your decision, Mrs Lincoln?’
Her hesitation was only a second or two. ‘Where do I sign?’
Both officers smiled now, and the captain stood up to shake her hand.
‘Lieutenant Greaves will deal with the necessary paperwork.’ He nodded to the other officer. ‘Bring the papers to me when they are signed. I will attach Major Chester’s reference to them and add a few comments of my own.’
‘Yes, sir.’
‘It’s been a pleasure to meet you, Mrs Lincoln.’
Grace watched him walk away, and then sat down again, ready to take this next step. ‘What happens now?’ she asked, handing the signed form over to the officer.
‘You will receive an official letter telling you where to report. Then, as already mentioned, there will be the basic training. After that it will be decided what kind of job you will be doing.’
‘Do I have any say in the matter?’
The Day Will Come Page 8