He loved this house now that they’d put their own stamp on it. The only problem was its size – it was meant to be a family home and this might never happen. He changed into flannels and shirt and returned to the kitchen.
‘Those bloody flying bombs are becoming more frequent. I’m going to London tomorrow to try and bring my aunt to stay with us until it’s safe again in the East End.’
‘I was going to suggest that you did so. In her last letter she seemed reluctant but didn’t say no outright. Do you think it would help if I came with you?’
He was about to refuse but then changed his mind. ‘Yes, I think it would. We’ll have to stay two nights as I don’t want to impose on her. Shall we stay at the Savoy? Push the boat out?’
‘I’d love that. I’m glad you didn’t suggest the Ritz as both times we stayed there something dreadful has happened.’
‘We could go to the movies or the theatre as well on one of the nights.’ He frowned. ‘Perhaps we would be better off finding somewhere less posh as I don’t have an expensive suit to wear.’
‘I don’t care what you wear. We deserve a treat and we can certainly afford it.’
‘In which case I’ll make the reservations. It’s July tomorrow but as it’s a Sunday I don’t think we should go then. I’ll book for Monday and Tuesday nights.’
She was looking lovely lately and had fully recovered from the loss of the baby. Next week she was going to see the doctor and if he gave her the go-ahead they could start trying again. He didn’t think her monthlies had resumed but maybe it took a while for those to come back.
It was becoming increasingly difficult to sleep beside her and not make love. She’d been right about cold baths and long walks. He asked the operator to connect him to the Savoy and was offered the choice of two superior rooms or a junior suite. He took the latter. As Ellie had said it was a long time since they’d done anything just for themselves.
He supposed he should feel guilty that no one in his family was fighting in France, that only his aunt was in danger from the German flying rockets, but he didn’t. They’d done their bit and had nothing to be ashamed of.
He opened the curtains to the sound of church bells calling the congregation to worship. This was another sign that things were slowly getting back to normal. If it wasn’t for the doodlebugs the civilian population could relax and think about the future.
Mind you, it only seemed to be London that was being attacked and the rest of Britain had so far escaped any of these bombs. He was sure the RAF were searching out the rocket sites and destroying them if they could. Had he made the right decision to take Ellie with him? Maybe it would be better if she returned home and they didn’t risk being hit by one of the hundred or so doodlebugs that arrived every day over London.
She was so excited he didn’t have the heart to tell her she couldn’t come. They both needed something nice to happen after losing their baby last month.
Stan and Eliza were going to stay in the house as they had last time and arrived first thing Monday morning. ‘You have a lovely time in London, you’ve nothing to worry about here. If anyone calls on your telephone then I’ll take a message.’
‘Thank you, Eliza. I don’t think there will be but, if there’s an emergency, get the operator to connect you to the Savoy hotel in London,’ he said with a smile.
They refused to take any extra money as they said it was like a holiday staying in the house. He carried their suitcase and Ellie had the smaller bag. The bus arrived on time and the long journey began.
The bus dropped them in the centre of Oxford and they walked to the station. There was an hour wait for the train to London but they were happy to sit on the bench in the sunshine and talk.
‘Amanda has already started packing for their move. Does that mean Nigel is going to hand in his notice too?’
‘He already has. He’s leaving at the end of this month and so are half a dozen others. All those that are going have employment waiting for them. I heard talk that they might allow some of the women to go to France.’
‘They would have to use the instruments if they did.’
‘The Anson pilots already do.’ She stood up and looked around anxiously. ‘What’s wrong?’
‘I desperately need the loo. I hope the ladies’ waiting room is open and has one I can use.’
She had been doing that a lot lately. She was gone a while but rushed back smiling as the train chuffed in.
Twenty-Three
Ellie regretted asking to come with Jack the moment she stepped out of the station. This wasn’t the London she remembered – there was a sense of foreboding, a sense of fear. The air smelled of smoke and dust.
Jack took her elbow and guided her swiftly back into the station. ‘This wasn’t a good idea, Ellie, I’m not taking you to the East End. One of those sodding things has obviously dropped near here.’
‘I don’t want you to go either. Let’s go home.’
A porter heard them talking. ‘You’re right, missis, you don’t want to be hanging around here. One of them buggers dropped in Aldwych on Friday and killed dozens of the poor devils sitting out in the sunshine eating their lunch. There were buses burnt out and buildings damaged. My Ada don’t dare go to the shops nor nothing, but spends all day hiding in the shelter.’ Then he smiled revealing more gums than teeth. ‘Mind you, there ain’t been any since then so I reckon you might be all right.’
‘If there haven’t been further attacks since Friday and it’s now Monday, I think we should risk it.’ Jack looked dubious but she persisted. ‘Let’s go to Charlotte Road and collect your aunt. We don’t have to stay the night anywhere. We could be back here in time to catch the train home.’
‘I’d better bring the Savoy and cancel the reservation or we might be charged.’ Between them they found enough pennies to make the call. They took the underground to Liverpool Street and then prepared to walk the mile to the area where his aunt lived. They had abandoned their bags at the left luggage kiosk earlier and headed for the exit.
The streets were more or less empty, no busy housewives rushing about trying to find something to buy for tea. Here the air was heavy with the smell of demolished brickwork. She looked around nervously.
Jack took her hand. ‘I know, sweetheart, something must have dropped here on Friday as well.’
They almost ran along the streets but then paused by a house that had been all but flattened. Tatters of curtains hung from skeleton walls; a miserable cat sat lonely on half a sofa, meowing for his owners.
‘No one could have survived that. I wish we hadn’t come. I thought the war for civilians was over. It just seems spiteful of Hitler to do this when he’s all but beaten.’
She wanted to go by quickly, and certainly didn’t intend to come back this way, it was too sad. Then he released her hand and moved closer to the debris.
‘What’s wrong? Are you going to bring that cat?’
‘Shush. Can’t you hear it?’
‘I can hear another cat but…’
Jack was climbing across piles of bricks before she could stop him. Why would he risk his own life to rescue a cat?
‘Ellie, I can hear a baby under here. Find someone to help. If I’m right the poor little thing has been there for three days already.’
She moved back and ran to the nearest house. This had broken windows but was obviously still occupied. She hammered on the door. ‘Quickly, we think there’s a baby alive under the rubble.’
The door flew open. Two elderly men in shirtsleeves and braces pushed past her and raced towards Jack. A woman, in a floral wraparound apron and tearstained face, appeared in the doorway, two small children hanging from her skirts. ‘That were my house, I’ve moved in with me in-laws. I had little Bertie out in his pram by the front door whilst I popped in here when the bomb dropped.’
An old lady, obviously the mother-in-law, came to see what the fuss was about. When she heard, she told Ellie to bang on all the doors and soon there we
re a dozen or more men and women frantically removing bricks and passing them down a human chain.
Jack was at the head and despite the fact that he had only one hand no one insisted on taking his place. Then he vanished into the hole they’d made and seconds later handed out a baby. He was definitely alive but no longer crying, just whimpering.
His mother was already halfway across the bricks being helped by those in the chain until she was at the head of the queue and held out her arms for her precious son.
‘It’s a bleeding miracle, that’s what it is. We thought he was a goner as the rescue service said no one could survive a direct hit. They were coming back to dig out his body tomorrow,’ the mother-in-law said.
‘He’ll need to go to hospital.’
‘It ain’t far, Molly and my hubby will take him and I’ll watch the kiddies.’
The swell of people moved past Ellie leaving her leaning against the wall hardly able to comprehend what had just happened. If Jack hadn’t heard the baby the little one probably wouldn’t have survived until tomorrow.
A wave of pure joy swept through her. She didn’t really believe there was a higher power but it was almost as if Jack was meant to save this baby’s life. They’d lost one of their own but now the balance was restored. In that moment she believed absolutely that she and Jack would have their baby, maybe not this year, but one day they would be blessed.
Jack shrugged off the congratulations and good wishes, brushed himself down, and arrived at her side. His glorious russet hair was full of brick dust, his hand was cut and bleeding and his once smart suit quite ruined. He’d never looked happier.
‘If we leave now no one will notice, they’re too excited about the baby. We’ve still got to collect my aunt and get back to the station in order to be back in Oxford in time for the last bus.’
‘You really should get your cuts and grazes attended to. Why don’t we go to the hospital with the family and they can clean you up?’
He examined his arm and nodded. ‘Probably a good idea. I don’t want to turn up in Charlotte Road looking like this.’
One of the men who’d rushed from the house came over. ‘You’re a bleeding hero, mate, that’s what you are. My little grandson would be dead if it weren’t for you. You don’t look too clever yourself. You coming to the hospital with us?’
‘We are. I’m no hero, I was just lucky and so was the baby. It was only because he was inside the pram with the hood up and the cover on that he survived.’
A woman wearing slippers and with her hair in curlers, joined in the conversation. ‘Little Bertie had his bottle in there with him and I reckon that’s what kept him going.’
‘Which hospital are we going to?’ Ellie asked.
‘Mildmay Mission Hospital what’s in Tabernacle Street. It ain’t far. Bit religious mind you, but beggars can’t be choosers, can they?’
There were about a dozen assorted family members accompanying the mother and the rescued baby. They all dropped back and said their piece to Jack. One of the men wanted to know what they were doing in this part of the city.
‘My aunt, Mrs Cross, lives in Charlotte Road. I was going to try and persuade her to come and live with us in Oxford until these bloody doodlebugs have stopped coming.’
‘Righty ho. What’s your moniker then?’
‘Jack Reynolds.’
‘It ain’t far from here. I know Joan well. I’ll get along there now and tell her to pack her bags and meet you at the hospital. She’ll be that proud of you, son, she won’t refuse. Wish I could take my missis and the nippers away from this lot. We’re on our bloody knees now after six years. Let’s hope the bleeding Huns give up and we can get back to normal – whatever that is.’
‘That would be great. Thank you.’
‘No, thank you. Your Uncle Joe were a bastard but you’re all right.’
Ellie looked a bit bemused and Jack didn’t blame her. He had a nasty suspicion he’d done more than just cut his good arm. He tried to keep the jaunty smile on his face but every step jarred the injury and it was agony.
‘I think I might have broken my wrist, sweetheart. I hope not, but it’s bloody painful.’
‘You need to have it in a sling. Just a minute, I’ll ask one of the ladies if I can have her headscarf.’ She tapped a woman on her shoulder and explained the problem.
‘Course you can, lovey, your man’s a hero.’ She unwound the square of cotton from her frizzy curls and deftly flicked it into a triangle. She’d obviously done this before. ‘Here, son, you stand still and let me do it for you.’
He ducked his head and she tied the knot at the back of his neck. ‘That feels much better. Thank you.’
‘No trouble at all, ducks, least I could do after you saved my nephew.’
*
The hospital took the invasion in its stride. It was a small concern, but efficient nonetheless. Mother and baby were whisked away and he was attended to next.
A sister in crisply starched apron and frilly hat beamed at him. ‘Come with me, young man, and I’ll clean you up. If there’s any possibility that you have a fracture the doctor will deal with that.’
Ellie didn’t ask if she could accompany him but followed them through the doors marked staff only. Half an hour later he was pronounced fit to leave.
‘Thank goodness it’s only a bad sprain. You’d find life very difficult if you had no good hands.’
He leant down and broke softly in her ear. ‘Are you saying that you won’t wipe my backside for me?’
She giggled which was what he intended. Her colour was poor and she didn’t look as well as he did. ‘Squadron Leader Reynolds that is a disgusting thing to say. And I certainly won’t be doing what you suggested in any circumstances. Wifely duties only go so far.’
They emerged into the waiting area and his aunt rushed over to embrace him. ‘Jack, what a thing to happen. Thank God you were coming to fetch me. I’ve got my suitcase and will be ever so pleased to come with you.’ She turned but hesitated as if not sure if Ellie would like to be embraced. His darling wife stepped forward and put her arms around his aunt.
‘That’s wonderful. We’ve got so much to tell you. I hope you like big dogs and large cats as we have one of each.’
*
It was almost dark when the bus dropped them a hundred yards from The Rookery. The vehicle had just trundled off when Grey was beside them. His aunt, after her initial shock at the size of him, patted his head with enthusiasm.
‘He’s a friendly dog, bit big for my liking, but I suppose that’s all right out here in the country.’
‘Jack, I’d quite forgotten that Stan and Eliza will be in residence. They thought we were going to be away for two nights.’
‘They won’t be in bed yet. They don’t have a wireless and like to listen to ours until it shuts down at midnight.’
‘Aunt Joan—’
‘Now you both call me Joan, sounds more friendly like.’
‘Joan, the couple staying in the house might be a bit put out about us coming back, especially as we’ve brought someone else with us. You’re our guest and we don’t expect you to do more than relax and enjoy yourself. We don’t want Eliza to think she’s redundant.’
‘Never you mind about that, Jack, I’ll not get in her way.’
The curtain twitched and then a few moments later the front door opened. ‘My word, you gave us a bit of a scare. We was ever so worried about you being up there with all the nasty flying bombs. Not surprised you decided to bring your aunt back tonight.’ Eliza wasn’t at all bothered about their early appearance and was delighted to see them all.
‘Whatever’s happened to you? You’ve been in the wars and no mistake, Mr Reynolds.’ Stan and Eliza refused to use their first names.
Jack explained, but made light of his own part in the rescue, whilst Ellie took Joan up to her room and Eliza rushed off to the kitchen to put the kettle on and make them something to eat.
They sat around the kitch
en table eating new potatoes, salad and omelettes followed by raspberry and redcurrant pie.
‘You’ve got a light touch with the pastry, Liza. My hands are too hot and mine is never as good as that. Mind you, no one makes it very much since this blooming war started as you can’t get hold of the ingredients for love or money.’
‘Ta, Joan. It would have been even nicer with a bit of cream or some custard,’ Eliza replied.
The two older women had hit it off immediately. He rather thought his aunt would become a permanent fixture and he wasn’t sure how Ellie would feel about that.
His arm ached and he’d found it difficult eating and wouldn’t have bothered if the food hadn’t been so delicious. ‘If you don’t mind, I’m going up. No, don’t get up on my account. You stay down here and have your cocoa and listen to the wireless as long as you like.’
‘I’m tired after so much excitement and all the travelling. I’ll come with you. Good night everyone,’ Ellie said as she stood up.
Once they were in their bedroom with the door closed, he broached the subject of the length of Joan’s stay. ‘I think she was lonely in London. Would you mind very much if she wants to make her home with us?’
‘No, that would be lovely. I never asked you about her. Sometimes she sounds like my mother, but most of the time like Joe.’
She was carefully unbuttoning his shirt and helping him out of his clothes as she spoke, knowing he couldn’t do that himself at the moment. A year ago he would have resented it, but now he was just happy she was there to help him when he needed it, and didn’t feel less of a man because he couldn’t do everything for himself.
‘Like Charlotte, your mom, she married beneath her. My uncle was an East End villain, but charming and she ran away with him not realising who he really was. They never had children and so I became their surrogate son.’
‘Didn’t they send you to a boarding school where you met that doctor who sorted you out when you got shot?’
‘That’s true and Uncle Joe also taught me to fly and gave me the money to go to the States when I refused to go back to school and do my higher certificate. I know he was a bad lot but I owe him. I’m glad I can help Joan now.’
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