The Uncertain Years

by Beryl Matthews

  ‘My goodness!’ Mavis exclaimed as they put tins, biscuits and other items on the kitchen table. ‘Where did you get all that?’

  ‘Bob and Jim came home with their bags full of tins.’ Sally Walker grinned. ‘Bob’s kitbag must have weighed a ton.’

  They all set to work and soon had plates piled high with ham, cheese and salmon sandwiches.

  There were roars of laughter coming from the men, and Jim’s mother, Pat, grinned. ‘Sounds like they’re telling tales not fit for our ears.’

  Once several pots of tea were ready, it was all put on trays and taken into the front room.

  When the debris was cleared away, they grabbed coats, eager to get to the Red Lion for a celebration.

  The place was packed and they had to push their way in. Becky’s father made straight for a corner of the saloon bar and started gathering enough chairs for them all, but progress over to him was slow. The boys were instantly welcomed, with neighbours wanting to buy them a drink. There were plenty of others there in uniform as well, all intent on having a riotous evening.

  They finally made their way over to Bill. ‘How did you manage to get here so quick?’ Jim gasped. ‘This place is heaving!’

  Bill grinned. ‘I’m too big for them to argue with.’

  In no time the table in front of them was full of drinks. The noise was deafening, and it was almost impossible to hold a conversation. By the time someone began pounding on the piano and the place erupted into song, they gave up trying to talk to each other, and just sat back and joined in the fun.

  Bob placed a shandy in front of Becky and they grinned at each other. She’d have her chance to talk to both of them tomorrow, but for this evening she would just enjoy being with them again.

  After giving a sharp knock on the back door, Becky bounded into the kitchen. ‘Happy Christmas, Mr and Mrs Walker. Where’s Bob?’

  ‘Still in bed.’ John Walker peered at her through half closed eyes. ‘Where we should all be after the night we had.’

  ‘It was fun, wasn’t it?’ Becky was bouncing with pleasure.

  John groaned and rubbed his head. ‘Sit down, Becky, you’re making me dizzy. And don’t shout.’

  ‘Oh dear, you do look rough.’ He winced as she dragged a chair from the table and sat down. ‘Have another cup of tea.’

  ‘I’ve had six, and Sally’s had four. How’s your folks?’

  ‘Don’t know. I haven’t seen them yet, but Mum must have got up because the chicken’s in the oven. I expect she went back to bed, and Will’s still asleep.’

  ‘Wise man.’

  ‘Hmm.’ She pushed away from the table. ‘I’ll go and see if Jim’s up.’

  ‘He won’t be.’ Sally motioned her to sit down again. ‘I know you’re eager to see them, Becky, but let them sleep in this morning. They’ve both been dragged out of bed at the crack of dawn during basic training, and this is a treat for them.’

  ‘But they’ve only got four days,’ she protested. ‘They can’t waste it in bed. I haven’t had a chance to talk to them yet.’

  The back door opened slowly and two dishevelled characters crept in, sat at the table and reached for the teapot.

  ‘Want some toast?’ Sally asked.

  They nodded silently.

  Becky stared at her brother and Jim for a moment, and then shook her head in disbelief. ‘If this is what happens when you’ve all had a few beers, then I’m glad I don’t drink.’

  ‘Don’t shout,’ they both whispered.

  ‘Oh, you can talk then? And I’m not speaking loudly.’ She began to see to the toast, as Bob’s mother didn’t seem to be able to concentrate. ‘What you all need is a good breakfast. Have you got any eggs, Mrs Walker?’

  ‘Don’t you dare start cooking things like that. Our stomachs won’t take it.’ Will glared at her. ‘Toast will do.’

  ‘I’ll have some scrambled eggs, Becky.’

  ‘Ah, someone’s feeling normal this morning.’ She beamed at Bob who was leaning against the door he’d just come through, and then she raised her eyes to the ceiling. ‘I take that back. You sure you want scrambled eggs?’

  ‘Of course, I’m starving!’

  ‘He always did have a cast-iron stomach.’ Jim stood up, holding on to the table for support. ‘I’m just going to stick my head under the cold tap, and then I’ll be back when Bob’s finished eating.’

  ‘Try having a shave while you’re at it,’ she said, as he lurched towards the door.

  ‘Told you,’ he muttered. ‘She’s going to make a perfect sergeant.’

  Unable to stand the smell of cooking, everyone else disappeared, leaving Becky alone with Bob. ‘Right!’ she said after putting a plate of eggs in front of him. ‘Tell me what it’s like.’

  ‘Hmm?’

  ‘Concentrate, Bob,’ she demanded. ‘I’ll be joining up myself in a couple of weeks, so I want to know what happens when you arrive at the camp.’

  ‘I don’t know about the women, but the men had to strip off, stand in line to have needles stuck in them, then given uniforms, and spend the next few weeks marching around a parade ground.’ He cleared his plate, sighed, and sat back.

  ‘What else?’ She leant on the table, eager to hear more.

  ‘That’s about it. The rest you’ll find out for yourself.’ He stared at her thoughtfully. ‘Don’t expect it to be easy.’

  ‘It certainly isn’t.’ Jim rejoined them, looking more awake and respectable. ‘But Becky’s no weakling. She’ll take it in her stride.’

  When Bob nodded in agreement she was touched by their confidence in her, making her determined not to let them down.

  The rest of their leave went in a flash, and it was just as hard saying goodbye again. Once 1940 arrived it would be her family and friends waving her on her way. Now the time was close the prospect was a little scary, but she wouldn’t let them know she felt that way.

  Chapter Four

  ‘I wish you’d tell me how you can still manage to smile?’ Jane Greenwood, from the same hut as Becky, eased herself on to the bed and scowled at her.

  ‘A sense of humour helps.’

  ‘What the hell’s funny about square bashing? I joined up because I wanted to do something useful in this blasted war, but what have we done? Nothing! I’m afraid to take my shoes off. I think my feet are frozen to the leather. It’s snowing, for heaven’s sake, and they’ve still had us marching around for hours.’

  ‘Only just over an hour this morning. I think the sergeant took pity on us.’

  ‘Pity? Come on, Becky, they don’t know the meaning of the word. I think you’ve enjoyed all this. You’re not human, do you know that?’

  ‘Stop grousing, Jane. We’re almost at the end of our basic training. We should get some leave soon.’

  Jane sat up, the scowl draining from her face. ‘Hey, you’re quite right. I’d forgotten that in all my pain. Now I know why you’re smiling.’ She began to unlace her shoes. ‘How long do you think they’ll give us?’

  ‘No idea. We’ll find out after they’ve done our assessment and given us our new postings.’ Becky couldn’t wait. She was hoping to be sent to a transport section, but nothing was certain. Look what had happened to Jim. He’d wanted tanks and had ended up in the paratroopers. If they put her in clerical, she’d just keep putting in for a transfer. That’s what she’d told Jim to do, but he wouldn’t. Always the tough bloke, he’d do whatever was asked of him. She was proud of him – proud of all her boys.

  Jane had removed her shoes and was inspecting her feet. ‘Oh, dear. My feet were so cold I didn’t realise I had so many blisters. Have you got any plasters, Becky?’

  ‘Nope.’ She leant over and peered at the damage to Jane’s feet. ‘You’ll have to see the medical officer and get those blisters seen to, if you want to wear fancy shoes on your leave.’

  ‘I’ll wear them, even if it’s agony. I’m determined to dance the nights away once they open those gates and let us loose.’ She glanced up, smili
ng now. ‘What you going to do?’

  ‘I don’t know. Jim’s in the army, Bob’s in the navy, and I don’t expect Will to have much free time. If I can get my hands on the motorbike, I’ll tinker with that. I expect it needs a good tune-up by now.’

  Jane’s mouth had dropped open in surprise. ‘Have you got three boyfriends?’

  ‘What? Oh, no, of course not. Will’s my brother, and we’ve all been friends since we were little.’

  ‘Only friends?’

  Becky nodded. ‘They’ve always treated me like one of them. They don’t think of me as a girl.’

  ‘Don’t they like girls?’ Jane eased her shoes back on.

  That question made Becky laugh. ‘They like them very much, and some of the local girls gaze at them with longing. They’re an interesting bunch.’

  ‘Got any pictures?’

  ‘Hmm.’ Becky rummaged in her kitbag and found a couple of dog-eared photos. She handed them to Jane, and leant over so she could explain who they were. ‘That’s my brother, Will. The tallest one is Bob, and the one next to him is Jim.’

  ‘Wow! No wonder you hang around with them. Is that the motorbike you were talking about?’

  ‘Yes.’ Becky sat on the bunk next to Jane, her expression wistful. ‘They let me ride it on some spare ground near us, and Bob taught me all about the engine.’

  ‘Ah, that’s why you’re hoping for a posting to transport.’ Jane was still examining the pictures. ‘You look like your brother. Has he joined up as well?’

  ‘No, he wanted to, but he’s got a slight disability, and they wouldn’t take him. His left arm’s slightly shorter than the other one, and it’s not as strong, but his right one makes up for that. He’s got a grip like iron, and can do anything with that arm. He was terribly disappointed, but he’s a reporter, so he’ll be kept busy.’

  Jane nodded, not taking her eyes off the boys in the pictures. She pointed to Jim. ‘This one’s in the army, you said?’

  ‘That’s right. They’ve put him in the paratroopers.’

  ‘Really? I’m not surprised about that. He’s a tough looking man.’

  ‘He is. He’s always been someone you could rely on. If any of us had problems, he’d wade right in and sort everything out for us. Bob’s quieter, and has a gentle way with him for such a big man.’ Becky took the pictures back and held them in her hands for a moment. ‘I do miss them so much.’

  ‘Adams!’

  Becky winced and shot to attention. Their sergeant might be a woman, but she had a piercing voice. ‘You’re wanted outside. Move!’

  It hadn’t taken long to learn that when told to move, it meant at once. Becky ran to the door, making the sergeant step aside smartly.

  Once outside, she stopped and looked around, puzzled. No one was waiting for her. ‘Who wanted me, Sergeant?’ she asked. But when she looked back there was no sign of her. Well, she wouldn’t have been called for nothing, so she had better find out what this was all about. That corporal with his head under the bonnet of an officer’s car might be able to help. He seemed to be the only one around at the moment.

  She marched over and tapped him on the shoulder, making him come up so quickly he bashed his head on the open bonnet.

  ‘Bloody hell! Did you have to creep up on me like that?’

  ‘I didn’t creep, I marched, but the snow must have muffled the sound. Sorry. You having trouble?’

  ‘Damned thing just died on me. My officer’s not going to be happy if I’m late picking him up.’ He stepped back, rubbing his head. ‘Suppose I’d better go and find a mechanic.’

  ‘Hang on a minute. Let me have a look.’ She couldn’t resist messing about with an engine again. ‘I can strip down a motorbike engine and put it back together again, but I’ve only had a look at cars a couple of times. Still, an engine’s an engine. I might be able to help.’

  ‘Go ahead then.’ He stepped out of her way.

  It didn’t take her more than half a minute to spot the trouble and, furious, she spun round, hands on hips. ‘All right. Who put you up to this? I know you men think it’s a great joke to tease us girls, but you really didn’t think I was daft enough to fall for this, did you? Hand them over.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘Don’t play the innocent. You know what I mean.’

  ‘Are you looking for these?’ a quiet voice said from behind her.

  She recognised the cultured tone, and turned slowly. Without a word, she took the spark plugs from his hand, ducked under the bonnet and put them where they belonged, then slammed the bonnet down. ‘Keys,’ she demanded from the corporal.

  When he tossed them to her, she got in and started the car. Leaving it running, she climbed out and faced the officer, and as much as she wanted to give him a piece of her mind, she knew she must be careful what she said.

  ‘There you are, sir. No need for you to be late now you’ve had your fun.’ She was so hurt it was hard to curb her tongue. ‘If you’d wanted to make a fool of me, you should have made it a little more challenging. Sir!’

  ‘That was not my intention,’ the officer said, his eyes alight with amusement.

  ‘Really?’ She could hear the corporal trying to stifle his laughter and she was angry – and hurt. She’d liked this man the first time she had met him, and had talked freely about herself – and now he’d played this prank on her. Their sergeant was obviously in on it, and goodness knows how many others. Oh, they were all going to have a good laugh in the mess tonight.

  Upset that he had been trying to make a fool of her, she turned and, without saluting, marched back to the hut, not giving him a chance to say anything else. Men! Did they never grow up?

  ‘Oh – oh,’ Jane said when she saw Becky’s face. ‘You look furious.’

  ‘I am. These bloody men think we’re a joke, but when this war really gets going, they’re going to need us.’

  The other girls gathered round, wanting to know what had wiped the smile from Becky’s face. She told them, in great detail, giving release to her anger. Quite a few of them had had jokes played on them, and were sympathetic.

  ‘They didn’t make a fool of you, though, Becky.’ Jane gave her an admiring look. ‘I wouldn’t have known what was missing from that engine, but you did. I’d say their little game backfired on them.’

  Becky sighed, her anger seeping away. ‘I know, and if I hadn’t seen that particular officer there, I’d have probably joined in the joke. It hurt to think he was trying to make a fool of me. He was the officer I saw when I went to sign on, and I liked him.’

  ‘Nice, was he?’

  ‘I thought so …’

  ‘Make yourselves decent,’ their sergeant bellowed from the doorway. ‘There’s an officer present.’

  The girls scrambled to stand to attention by their bunks. The sergeant nodded her approval and turned to someone standing behind her.

  ‘Please don’t take us back on the parade ground,’ Jane groaned under her breath.

  Becky kept her eyes straight ahead, and listened to the firm footsteps echoing on the bare hut floor. They were coming straight for her – she just knew it. She was in trouble. You didn’t cheek a colonel and then march away without permission. She should have joined in the joke and laughed. Fool, fool! She’d thrown away any chance she had of getting the posting she wanted.

  The officer stopped in front of her, just as she knew he would. Well, she would accept her punishment, and apologise if she got the chance, even if it did go against her nature. She met his gaze steadily, and kept her mouth shut.

  ‘Do you have a decent frock with you? Something feminine.’

  That threw her into confusion. She had braced herself for a reprimand – and he was asking about a frock? ‘I don’t do feminine, sir.’ The words came out without thinking.

  ‘In that case, do the best you can, but no uniform. My driver will collect you at six o’clock.’

  ‘Pardon, sir?’ She cast a quick glance down the hut, and knew all the girls wer
e straining to hear their conversation.

  ‘I thought my instructions were quite clear. You will wear civilian clothes, and we shall dine together this evening.’

  She couldn’t believe she was hearing this. What was he up to? He was breaking every rule in the book! She leant forward and whispered, ‘Full blown colonels don’t date privates.’

  ‘This isn’t a date. I’m going to give you a chance to tell me exactly what you think of my behaviour. And then I shall explain why I arranged that little test.’

  ‘Test?’

  ‘That’s what I choose to call it. We shall both be out of uniform and able to speak freely. If you try to tear me off a strip now, and I know that’s what you are itching to do, I’ll have to put you on a charge for insubordination. So, obey my order now, Private Adams, and you can safely let rip this evening.’

  ‘Yes, sir.’ She spoke clearly, and then lowered her voice. ‘You don’t know what you’re letting yourself in for – sir.’ She tacked that on for safety.

  ‘Oh, I believe I do.’ He turned on his heel and marched towards the door, smiling. ‘At ease, ladies.’

  ‘We’re here, Miss,’ the corporal said as he opened the door for her.

  ‘I’m not going in there.’ She folded her arms and refused to move.

  The corporal stooped down to look in the car. ‘I’m told it’s a very good restaurant.’

  ‘I’m sure it is.’ She smoothed her hand over the skirt of her simple dark red frock. ‘Is he in there?’

  ‘Yes, and waiting for you.’

  Becky gave him an imploring look. ‘Would you go and tell him I haven’t got the right clothes for a place like this.’

  ‘You don’t have to worry about that. You look just fine.’

  ‘Oh, come on,’ she snorted. ‘I’m a tomboy, and have never been near a posh place like this in my life. I’ll embarrass him.’

  ‘No, you won’t,’ a quiet voice told her. ‘Stop putting yourself down, Rebecca. You are an attractive and intelligent young woman. I shall be proud to have you join me for dinner.’