‘I thought I might speak to Mainwaring – he owes us a favour. He must have contacts at Oxford as he’s based there with his spooks.’
‘I’d like to carry on flying until I’m no longer needed if you don’t mind.’
He reached out and lifted her onto his lap. ‘Never ask my permission to do anything, Ellie. I fell in love with you because you’re an independent woman and I don’t want you to change on my account.’
‘I need to stay at Hamble until the Halifaxes have been delivered but after that, if Margaret will let me go and Frankie will take me, then I’ll transfer to White Waltham. We can buy a house close by and hopefully, when you become an undergraduate, petrol will be more readily available and you can drive to college every day.’
She leant against him, inhaling his particular aroma – oil and soap. She had never been happier. The sound of the nightingales singing in the woods and the rustle of night animals accompanied their breathing. There was only a sliver of moon but this was enough to bathe everything in its silver light.
The piece was disturbed by one of the farmyard cats catching a rodent. He kissed the top of her head and then gently pushed her from his lap. ‘I think we’d better go in, honey, unless you want to make love out here.’
‘No thanks, I’ve had several creepy crawlies run over my feet in the past half an hour.’
The next morning she woke in his arms and for the first time since they were married, the fact that they’d not used a prophylactic and it was the middle of her cycle, didn’t bother her. He was breathing deeply and it seemed a shame to wake him up but she did so anyway.
‘Jack, I need to tell you something right now.’
He opened one eye and his smile was wicked. ‘Right now, my love, I’ve something more important to do.’
They missed breakfast entirely and didn’t emerge from the bedroom until lunchtime. There’d been no need to tell him she’d changed her mind about having a family, he already knew. Having almost lost him for the second time had made her reconsider her objection to having a family.
Six
After landing at Hamble in the Tiger Moth Jack went in to say hello to the women who worked there. He had been a familiar sight up until… well, he didn’t want to dwell on that.
Alison greeted him with enthusiasm. ‘How fortuitous. I’ve got a Spit to go to be fitted out first thing tomorrow and then someone has to take another one from there to White Waltham for onward dispatch. Would you be an angel and do this for us?’
‘Happy to help out. I’ll report for duty with Ellie. Will she be flying a Class V?’
‘No, the contract doesn’t start until next month. No need to worry about your wife, she’s absolutely spiffing at everything she flies.’
Ellie had just returned from shoving her gear into her locker and overheard this last remark. ‘That’s the ticket – music to my ears, Alison. Jack hasn’t got his gear and I don’t think he should be flying without a chute and flight suit.’
‘I’ll be fine, sweetheart. It’s only a short hop. I’ll hardly freeze to death at 2000 feet.’ A few months ago, he would have instantly resented her comment, thinking she was denigrating his masculinity and ability to fly. Now he was just touched that she was so concerned for his safety. It was as if a switch had been flicked in his head and he could see everything clearly. The brain was a mystery to him but he was convinced his malaise had been caused by the traumatic events he’d experienced over the past few years.
‘Sorry, I should know better than to interfere. Alison wouldn’t have asked you if she didn’t think it was safe.’
Amanda’s old bicycle and Ellie’s were leaning against the wall in exactly the place they should be. It was as if the cottage was welcoming him back – he’d been away too long. Their lovemaking had never been more passionate and he was well aware that she could possibly be pregnant. He also knew that if she was, she would be pleased not disappointed.
How things had changed between them and all for the better. The rift had been entirely of his own making and he was determined never to put his marriage in danger again.
He caught the transport to the factory and shoved the four sheets of paperwork into his top pocket then made his way to the brand-new fighter. He was surprised the ground crew didn’t comment on his lack of chute and Sidcot suit but perhaps they were too busy to notice. Scrambling in unencumbered was a lot easier. He ran through his preflight checks, got the green light and took off smoothly. After delivering the Spit he was in, he collected the one ready for action. This had guns and radio fully active.
Twenty minutes later he was circling at White Waltham, waiting for the opportunity to land. There were no kites on the strip which was unheard of. There were two men frantically pointing their paddles away from the airfield. What the hell was going on? ATA pilots weren’t supposed to touch the radio but he flicked it on whilst holding the kite steady with his knees.
After a few moments he was able to speak to someone on the ground. ‘Thank God, Jack, we didn’t know you’d be coming in so early. The bloody runway’s buggered. The new surface is full of metal and we’re going to have to pick it out by hand. You’ve got to land in the forty-acre field.’
‘Roger that. Over and out.’ He was relieved to get his hand back on the stick. There was no need to follow the paddles as he knew exactly where he had to go. He’d managed to land a Spitfire on shorter runways and this so it shouldn’t be a problem for him.
He skimmed over the hedge, applied the brakes and stopped a few yards from the end of the makeshift runway. His mouth curved. No doubt he’d be the one asked to take it to Prestwick as there wouldn’t be many guys who could take off safely from here.
On his return to the pool he headed straight for Frankie’s office. ‘What the hell? How did this happen?’
‘Some cock up at head office – it was supposed to be top soil and fertiliser and somehow metal waste got mixed in with it. It was fine when the ground was soft but now it’s like concrete and the metal has been puncturing tyres. We’ve been asked to try and pick it out by hand – bloody stupid idea if you ask me.’
‘That’s something I can’t do. First time my injury has been a benefit.’
‘We’re all going out with buckets later today. Only those bods flying are exempt.’
‘Why don’t I just take the Spit to Prestwick as soon as it’s refuelled? There’s no point me hanging about here twiddling my thumb.’
Frankie smiled at his attempt at humour. ‘Righto. I’ll make sure there’s something for you to bring back. Things are going to be severely curtailed until our airstrip’s back in use. Landing in that field will be impossible for anything large.’
‘It wasn’t easy with a fighter but you’ve got plenty of guys capable of doing it.
‘The last thing I want is anyone to prang a kite or injure themselves. Changing the subject entirely, I’m delighted to see that you look more like yourself, old bean, I take it things have been sorted out between you and your lovely wife?’
‘Couldn’t be better. And as you have brought the subject up there something I want to ask.’
Frankie told him he’d be delighted to take Ellie into the pool if Margaret and Pauline allowed it. Jack grabbed himself something to eat, collected his gear and scrambled into the transport waiting to ferry him to the field.
He zoomed over the hedge, missing it by yards, and soared into the sky. The weather was perfect, he was flying his favourite kite and his marriage was good. Hopefully, as soon as they found somewhere suitable to buy, Ellie would be moving here and they could start their marriage properly like Nigel and Amanda had.
Things didn’t get back to normal for ten days as picking out the metal waste by hand proved useless. The someone had the bright idea of using a giant magnet attached at the back of a tractor. This peculiar arrangement did the trick and the metal was safely removed.
He didn’t hear from Ellie for a couple of weeks but this didn’t bother him. Their relationship was
solid and lack of correspondence didn’t mean what it might have done before their reconciliation.
*
Ellie still hadn’t delivered a four-engined bomber but wasn’t particularly worried about this – she was perfectly happy taking fighters from Southampton to wherever they were going to be fitted out. Amanda was now a few days overdue and every time she turned up for work, she was expecting to be told the baby had arrived.
One morning it was overcast and the fine drizzle made visibility impossible. Alison said there’d be no deliveries until it cleared. ‘The Met office think it should be gone by lunchtime. Therefore, you’ve got the morning free but make sure you report back by one o’clock.’
Three of the younger, more recently qualified girls were going into Southampton and asked her to join them.
‘Thank you, I’d love to. I’ve not been into town for months. I don’t suppose there’s anything suitable but I’d like to get a gift for Amanda – Jack and I have already got something for the new arrival.’
‘That’s why we’re going,’ one of them said.
Southampton was a depressing place and even more so with grey skies and steady rain. The gaps between the buildings were a constant reminder of the devastation of the blitz. Of course, anywhere that had factories and so on was going to be a target for the German bombers.
Ellie realised she’d never been here when the weather was fine as they only came on washout days. On the plus side it had four cinemas, three large ones and one very small and dirty which people visited because it showed some of the good old films.
After a soggy couple of hours, they abandoned any hope of finding gifts for either Amanda or her future child and retreated to a small café opposite one of the cinemas.
They had to have tea and toast as there wasn’t anything else on the menu that day. The tea was hot and the toast smothered with something that might have been butter – but she doubted it.
‘Jolly good, the rain’s stopped and the clouds are clearing. We’ll be flying this afternoon,’ someone said happily as they crowded onto the bus.
On her return Ellie was handed her first delivery of a class V bomber – a Lancaster. ‘It’s for Marston Moor, Margot will be taking the other one. They’re both priorities.’
Ellie collected her slip and went in search of Margot who was in the locker room getting suited up. ‘I don’t think we’ll get back tonight. The Met girl says the weather’s clearing here but not great in Yorkshire.’
‘You’ve stayed there before, haven’t you? What’s it like? We’ll have to double up probably – can’t expect to turn two WAAFs out of their rooms.’
‘Tell you the truth I was too nervous about my conversion to take much notice. I didn’t have breakfast in the Mess and spent as little time as possible eating supper the previous night.’
‘Safety in numbers, old thing, we won’t get propositioned if we sit together.’
The taxi Anson was waiting for them and their flight engineers and it was impossible to continue any conversation above the racket of the engine and the rattle of the fuselage once they were airborne. Ellie thought she’d be apprehensive about piloting a massive Lancaster but was strangely calm and actually looking forward to finally making use of her new knowledge.
These were fully equipped bombers and she detected some reluctance on the part of the ground crew to hand their precious aircrafts over to Margot and her. However, they had no choice and she was determined to show them their worry was unnecessary.
The flight went smoothly but the weather didn’t improve and she was concerned she wouldn’t be able to reach Yorkshire before having to land. Her flight engineer, fortunately not a youngster, thought they would just about make it.
‘Only another fifteen minutes, Ellie, I reckon we’ll just do it.’
‘I hope so, I don’t think there’s anywhere else I could land this monster safely.’
She circled the base to indicate she was there. Margot had arrived before her, but only just as Ellie could see the Lancaster taxiing to the perimeter. The landing was perfect and she manoeuvred the massive bomber successfully to its parking place. She checked everything was switched off, collected her chute and overnight bag and clambered down from the cockpit.
She didn’t envy the gunners having to slide on their backs to get into the main fuselage. Billy, the flight engineer, had opened the hatch and dropped the ladder. She wasn’t sure if she was offended that he descended first or pleased that he wasn’t treating her any differently to a man.
‘There are a few breaks in the clouds even though it’s raining heavily. I hope the Fleet Air Arm aircraft, supposed to take me on to Worthy Down for my next delivery, makes it.’
Billy scowled at the clouds. ‘Don’t reckon we’ll get away from here tonight, Ellie.’
Poor visibility was no deterrent for the bombers and both new aircraft might well be raiding Germany tonight. She hoped they all got back safely but doubted that they would. The mortality rate for bomber crews was horrendous.
Margot greeted her enthusiastically. ‘Well, that was fun. If you come with me, I’ll show you where we’re bunking for tonight and then we can go to the Mess and get something to eat. They’re a very jolly lot here but so painfully young. One or two of the aircrew hardly looked old enough to be out of short trousers.’
‘If you know the number of the room, I can find it myself. There’s no need for you to get wet.’
Fifteen minutes later she had dumped her flight gear on her bed, had a quick wash, and was more than ready to find something to eat.
The Mess was full and they were greeted with cheery waves and cheeky remarks. ‘I hope it’s not spam and chips again – I really don’t like spam however much I try to.’
‘Cottage pie or bangers and mash on the menu tonight, Ellie, with spotted dick for afters. Which do you want?’
Whilst Margot went to fetch the cottage pie she looked around the crowded room, thinking how excited and intent the young men seemed to be. When the meal arrived, it looked far more appetising than the spam she’d had last time.
‘I assume from the lively atmosphere in here that there’s nothing planned for tonight.’
Margot shook her head. ‘This is what it’s like before a raid. The crew will be sitting together around a table discussing the route and so on. Pray that they all get back safely.’
‘I wish I could, but although not exactly an atheist I don’t hold out much hope that there is a Supreme Being taking care of things. So many people have died and more innocent civilians on both sides than servicemen and women.’
Instead of looking shocked Margot was sympathetic. ‘I don’t blame you for feeling that way. I think God is there to help us through the bad times, not in control of them. We’re not puppets, but free to make our choices.’
‘That’s an interesting premise. It certainly makes more sense than anything else I’ve heard. Anyway, if praying helps people feel better then it doesn’t do any harm, does it?’
The Mess emptied suddenly at nine o’clock. She and Margot made their way into their temporary billet and prepared for bed. When the Lancasters began to take off, conversation became impossible. The noise was deafening. She blinked away tears as she wondered how many of them would return safely the next morning.
Her sleep was disturbed by the returning aircraft. She tried to count them in but couldn’t remember how many had left in the first place. The sky was clear, a perfect summer’s morning and she should be on her way after breakfast.
The atmosphere that morning was horrible. The empty places at the tables, the expressions of total exhaustion and misery on many of the faces, said it all. It was uncomfortably quiet. Not everyone had survived the night. Those that had no longer looked young and carefree but haggard and older than their years.
She had to force her breakfast down past the lump in her throat. Margot was equally quiet and there was no sign of either of their flight engineers. To her astonishment by the time they left, co
nversation, although subdued, began again.
Then she recalled that both Greg and Jack had told her there wasn’t time to mourn the loss of their comrades. They had to raise a glass in their memory and then get on with things.
*
Jack was called to the phone in the admin office on the fifteenth of July. It was either going to be news of a birth or death. ‘Hi, sweetheart. I haven’t got long, got six deliveries today.’
‘Amanda had a little girl and she’s calling her Elizabeth after the princess. Both mother and baby are doing splendidly, so Nigel told me. I’ve got my leave on Saturday and Sunday and can get a lift to you. Is there any chance you can borrow Frankie’s car?’
‘After we had to abandon it last time, I think that highly unlikely. There’s a bus runs three times a day and stops no more than a mile from where they live. Will you be here Friday night or first thing Saturday?’
‘Friday. I suppose we’ll have to stay at that ghastly B&B. Maybe we’ll have time to look around for a house whilst I’m up there.’
He heard someone telling her to hurry as the taxi was waiting. ‘Got to go, darling, I love you, see you soon.’
By the end of the day he was pooped and reckoned he’d flown a thousand miles back and forth across the country collecting damaged fighters and delivering repaired kites to fighter bases. Like Ellie, he hadn’t been taking his allotted leave and so had accumulated several days.
Frankie already knew about the baby – word spread fast in the ATA. ‘Give her my regards, old thing. You’ve done sterling work these past few weeks and deserve a few days off with your little woman. Could be you we’re congratulating you next year.’
He grinned. ‘I think Ellie and I would prefer we didn’t start a family until the end of this lot but who knows?’
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