by Ellie Dean
‘What are you doing here?’ he rasped.
‘I was invited.’
‘By whom?’
‘One of your most illustrious guests,’ she replied. ‘Look, Felix, this wasn’t my idea, and believe me, I’d rather be anywhere else. But once this is all over we need to have a serious talk.’
‘You’ve got that right,’ he snapped. ‘But it can’t be here.’ He gave a short sigh of exasperation. ‘Goddammit, Dolly, you do pick your moments, don’t you?’
Her lips twitched with a smile. ‘Haven’t I always?’
His expression remained grim. ‘Where are you staying tonight?’
‘At the King George just outside Dartmouth. I’ll wait for you in room twenty-eight.’
He was about to reply when they all heard the sound of a light aircraft approaching, and without another word, he walked away to get everyone gathered for the welcoming party.
37
Coombe Farm
The girls had managed to get through a whole day and a night without letting slip their secret plans, although Carol had of course told Betty, knowing she’d keep mum. The special day dawned bright and clear, and they’d got through their morning’s work without any sign of Jack or his wife, for he’d gone off to market very early, and Millicent was ensconced with Betty in her kitchen to do her weekly baking.
Carol and the others were just congratulating themselves that Herbert’s late visit had gone unnoticed, when Jack returned and came plodding over to them, his expression boding trouble.
‘What were’m racket t’other night?’ he asked, eyeing the girls suspiciously as they shooed the reluctant cows out of their field and into another.
‘Nipper spotted a rat,’ said Carol quickly. ‘Sorry if he disturbed you.’
He grunted. ‘Thought’m heard a jeep by the gate.’ His glare encompassed them all and they instantly looked away. ‘There’m be no hanky-panky on my watch,’ he growled. ‘Or you’m out on thy ear.’
‘I can assure you, Jack,’ said Carol to forestall Ida’s angry retort, ‘that none of us would dream of committing hanky-panky on your farm – or anywhere else, for that matter. You must have been mistaken.’
She smiled at him and closed the gate on the last cow. ‘What do you want us to do after lunch, Jack?’ She crossed her fingers behind her back. ‘I thought the top field looked as if it needed weeding before we put the other cows in there. I could have sworn I saw ragwort yesterday.’
‘I’ll check’m out,’ he muttered before stomping off.
Carol exchanged worried glances with the others and kept her fingers crossed as he headed for the steep field that overlooked the sweep of bay and sprawling army camps. They could only hope he found something he didn’t like the look of, for if not, they’d have to find some other way of getting up there this afternoon.
‘Let’s have lunch and see how Betty’s got on this morning,’ she said, leading the way down to the farmhouse.
‘That were quick thinking about Nipper,’ muttered Pru. ‘There’s nothing wrong with the old so-and-so’s hearing, is there?’ She grimaced. ‘It were a good thing ’e didn’t come outside to see what it were all about. We’d’ve caught it, and no mistake.’
They were greeted by the delicious smell of baking bread and thick vegetable soup. Betty was flushed from the warmth of the range fire, and she shot a surreptitious wink at Carol as they joined the elderly farmhands at the table and tucked in.
‘The nurse told me this morning that the plaster casts will be off next week,’ she said. ‘After that it’s just a case of strengthening the muscles.’
‘That’s marvellous news,’ said Carol. ‘But you mustn’t rush things and try to do too much.’
‘I need to get back to work before the school board send someone to replace me,’ Betty said fretfully. ‘I’ve already missed most of this term, and although Miss Jones is putting a brave face on things, I can tell she’s not happy about coping with so many children on her own.’
‘Fresh air and sunshine will soon have you’m right,’ said Millicent. ‘You’m not to be fretting over that dry old stick. She’m quite capable of ’andling a bunch of small children.’
‘What a brilliant idea, Millicent,’ said Carol. ‘We could take Betty out this afternoon.’
‘And where do you’m think you be going? There be work to do on the top field,’ rumbled Jack, glaring at her from beneath his brows. ‘That ragwort be everywhere.’
‘The four of us can easily get her up there, and she can sit in her wheelchair and look at the sea while we work,’ said Carol. ‘The salt air will do her no end of good.’
‘It be a fair trek,’ replied Jack, turning his attention to his soup and bread. ‘Best if I carry’m up there, while you bring the chair.’
This really wasn’t what she wanted, but Jack was being so helpful, she could hardly refuse his offer. ‘That’s very kind of you,’ she murmured, setting her empty bowl to one side. ‘Come on, Betty, let’s get you ready.’
Carol wheeled her friend out of the kitchen and into her bedroom, closing the door firmly behind them as they stifled their giggles. She glanced at the bedside clock. ‘We haven’t much time, it’s after one already,’ she whispered.
Betty wriggled her good arm into the sleeve of her thick coat. ‘Goodness, what an adventure this is. I wonder what’s happening down there. Do you think we’ll see Brendon and Felix?’
‘I doubt those binoculars are that strong,’ said Carol, bundling her up as best she could in woolly hat, scarf, overcoat and blankets, ‘but you never know. Now, try and keep a straight face – this is just a jaunt to get you some fresh air, remember.’
She wheeled the chair back into the kitchen to find it deserted by everyone but Jack, and could only surmise that the other girls had gone to fetch the binoculars. ‘Here we are,’ she said gaily, ‘all ready for our trip.’
Jack rose to his feet and effortlessly lifted Betty into his arms as Nipper yapped and ran in circles, confused by this odd behaviour. He carried her outside, where Millicent was waiting with the girls in her gumboots, overcoat and woolly hat.
‘Thought I’d come too,’ she said. ‘Hurry up, Jack. Can’t be standing about all day.’
Carol and the girls shared puzzled looks and hurried after her, with Jack striding out beside them, and Nipper racing ahead. It was most unusual for Millicent to be out in the fields, and none of them knew what to say. They took it in turns to carry the wheelchair, and despite being inured to steep climbs, they were all out of breath by the time they reached the top.
Ida dumped the heavy wheelchair down so it faced the magnificent view of the bay, and after a bit of a struggle, managed to get it open and stable. ‘There,’ she said. ‘Blindin’ view, ain’t it, Betty?’
Jack gently lowered Betty into the chair and Millicent fussed about, making sure the blankets covered her bare toes and that she was comfortable.
‘Thank you very much,’ said Carol. ‘We can get on with the weeding now if you want to get back to other things.’
‘What you’m say, Millicent?’ asked Jack. ‘You’m want to go back and miss all the fun down by there?’ He turned and winked at the girls.
‘You knew all along,’ gasped Carol. ‘But why didn’t you say?’
He grinned. ‘You’m having too much fun to spoil it,’ he replied. ‘I knowed there be something up when I heard the jeep t’other night and dog barkin’. Waited for young Herbert at the gate and made him spill the beans.’
He turned at the sound of an approaching light plane and drew two pairs of binoculars from his coat pocket. ‘Better get your’n out if you’m don’t want to miss’m.’
The binoculars were distributed from the bulging pockets and Carol helped Betty adjust the sights, made sure she had a firm hold of the binoculars in her good hand, and then saw to her own. They stood in a line either side of the wheelchair and followed the path of the incoming plane, which landed by the American hospital, and therefore out of sight.
They could see that the two Royal Navy warships had come closer into the bay to keep watch, the crew lined on their decks, and three LSTs were anchored just offshore, the large bay doors opened just enough to show they were loaded with medium and half-track tanks and heavily armed personnel. There were several ranks of soldiers lining the concrete apron and the banks of the Ley, and they could hear the distant sound of a military band striking up. Whoever this important person was, they’d certainly chosen the right day, for there was a bright sun, clear blue skies and a crisp edge to the wind which gently ruffled the sparkling sea.
After an agonisingly long wait they saw a shining black staff car lead a convoy of similar limousines slowly along the approach to the road between the Ley and the beach, the roof on the leading car folded back so the passengers could be seen. The rotund figure smoking a fat cigar was unmistakable.
‘Crikey,’ breathed Pru. ‘That’s Winnie, ain’t it? But who’s the tall bloke next to ’im?
‘General Eisenhower,’ said Carol excitedly. ‘And look who’s sitting behind them. It’s Felix.’
‘That’s my ’Erbert driving,’ shouted Ida as the car came to a halt and he stepped out smartly to open the door and salute both great men. ‘Lawks, don’t ’e look ’andsome?’
‘My mum will never believe it,’ gasped Maisie. ‘I seen Churchill – and look, he’s even smoking one of ’is famous cigars and doin’ his “V for victory” sign.’
Churchill and Eisenhower were joined by a retinue of men in overcoats and bowler hats as they went along the ranks of soldiers. The men in the LSTs stood to attention, and whistles and hooters went off on the warships.
‘There’s Brendon, look, on the corvette,’ said Betty excitedly. ‘Oh, my word, I feel so proud I want to cry.’
Carol turned her binoculars from the world leaders to focus quickly on Brendon, her heart swelling with pride at how marvellous he looked as he stood beside his commander on the bow and saluted.
About to turn back to the inspection parade, she saw a face that looked strangely familiar. Thinking her eyes must be playing tricks, she adjusted the sights, and he came sharply into focus. ‘Good grief,’ she gasped. ‘I don’t believe it.’
‘What is it?’ demanded Ida, who was getting over-excited. ‘What you seen?’
‘It’s Brendon’s dad,’ she breathed, still unable to absorb what she was seeing. But there was no mistake, for there he was, bold as brass amid the ranks of sailors in his Home Guard uniform, his stance erect, his salute firm. ‘What’s he doing here, and how the heck did Brendon wangle that?’
‘Reckon it pays to have friends in high places,’ muttered Jack. ‘That there general pulled strings, I’ll be bound.’
Carol realised that was what must have happened, but it still didn’t explain why Frank was down here in the first place. She thought of her rather highly strung sister, and could only hope that Peggy was on hand to deal with the fallout from Frank’s actions, for he’d clearly gone through with his threat to volunteer for something, and that wouldn’t have gone down well with Pauline.
The two great men finished inspecting the troops, saluted the men in the LSTs and were driven back towards Blackpool Cove. The distance was too great to really see much, but it looked as if some sort of viewing platform had been erected on the hillside over there. Flags were fluttering and there was more saluting as the cars drew to a halt and the passengers alighted to climb the steps and sit beneath a striped awning.
‘I’m surprised you weren’t invited to meet them, Jack,’ said Carol.
‘Sir John Daw and the Mayor be down there somewhere,’ he growled. ‘The likes o’ me didn’t get a sniff.’
Millicent gave a grimace, patted his shoulder in sympathy and continued to watch the goings-on down on the beach as Nipper went off to explore new scents.
A cannon went off with a loud boom, signalling an instant bustle down on the shore. The LSTs edged nearer to the beach, and the men and tanks poured onto the shingle as more guns sounded from Torpoint and machine-gun fire came from the hills beyond the Ley. The heavily armed marines fired back, racing to get the pontoons across the Ley so they could storm the ‘enemy’ dug in on the other side.
Carol and the others flinched at the cacophony, their eyes glued to the binoculars so they didn’t miss any of the action. The booms and bangs continued for about fifteen minutes, the marines captured the ‘enemy’ and then everyone stood to attention as the band struck up the national anthems of Britain and America, and both flags were raised with great ceremony.
The convoy of cars left the viewing area and disappeared amid the sea of tents and huts at the centre of the biggest camp. The troops along the foreshore and in the foxholes quickly dispersed, and while the corvette and the destroyer slowly returned to their watch further out to sea, the three LSTs withdrew and headed back towards Salcombe.
Jack lowered his binoculars. ‘Them nobs’ll be eating and drinking now,’ he said gloomily. ‘Better get on with clearing this field.’
The girls gave deep sighs, for the excitement was over and it was back to work as usual, but they’d hear a lot more about it in the pub tonight, and have something very special to write about in their letters home – if the censors allowed it.
38
The King George Inn
The King George was a sixteenth-century coaching inn, with heavy, dark beams, lath and plaster walls and floors which seemed to dip in every direction. Dolly’s room overlooked the garden and was furnished with a four-poster bed, heavy chests of drawers and a wardrobe big enough to hide an army. The beams and heavy wooden furniture deepened the gloom, for the diamond-paned windows had been heavily taped, and very little light came in, which made it feel claustrophobic.
Dolly felt quite sick with anxiety as she paced back and forth, the ancient floorboards protesting beneath her feet, and waited for the knock on the door. The whole day had been a trial, for she’d had to smile and talk and pretend she was enjoying herself while being constantly aware that Felix was nearby, and someone might recognise her and blow her cover. She’d pleaded a headache and stayed in the car during the troop inspection on the seafront, and had quickly found a seat at the very back of the viewing platform.
She had no idea when Felix would come, for no doubt there were things he had to see to following Churchill and Eisenhower’s visit, but she did wish he’d hurry up. The stress of waiting for what she suspected would be an unpleasant and painful meeting was exhausting, and she just wanted it to be over.
The light rap on the door stilled her, and with a racing pulse and dry mouth, she ran her hands down her skirt, then went to answer it. He filled the doorway, as handsome as ever, but with no warmth in his eyes and tension evident in his jaw.
‘Thank you for coming,’ she said, stepping aside to let him in. When he made no reply, she asked nervously if he’d like a drink.
He shook his head. ‘I gave my driver the night off, and I need a clear head to tackle those lanes.’ He dropped his peaked hat onto the bed and glanced round the room. ‘The SOE certainly look after their operatives well,’ he observed quietly. ‘I’m amazed they could find a room at all now the whole south coast is flooded with troops.’
Dolly decided she needed to keep a clear head as well – although she could have murdered a gin and tonic – so she sat on one of the plush chairs to light a cigarette. ‘I trust you’ll keep that knowledge to yourself, Felix, otherwise my work will be in jeopardy.’
He regarded her coldly and remained standing. ‘Your secret’s safe with me, and has been since I learned of your involvement some months ago.’
‘You knew?’ she gasped. ‘But how?’
‘It doesn’t matter how,’ he said dismissively. His expression gave away nothing of his thoughts. ‘Why did you come? What made you risk everything by turning up where you could be recognised?’
‘I had no choice,’ she replied. ‘It was the sort of invitation that couldn’t be turned down. Now I have a q
uestion for you – what is Frank doing here?’
‘He’s filling in as a volunteer mechanic at the maintenance sheds over in Mill Bay. Brendon got permission from his commander to have him on board the Azalea for the afternoon. He’s probably back at the workshops by now.’
‘You do realise that Carol and the others at Coombe Farm are watching your every move on that beach, don’t you?’ she asked.
‘Of course – and they’re probably not the only ones. I’ve seen the glint of binoculars from all over the hills – but with exercises this large, it’s impossible to keep them completely secret.’ He coolly held her gaze. ‘Let’s get down to brass tacks, Dolly. I don’t have all night.’
His animosity was tangible, and Dolly was chilled by it. She stubbed out her cigarette and tightly locked her fingers in her lap, determined to finish what she’d started.
‘I have something to tell you,’ she said, ‘but before I do, I want you to know that what I did was not out of spite, but because I could see no other way out.’
She dared to glance up at him, but his expression remained stony as his blue eyes turned arctic and he continued to stand there in rigid silence.
Dolly looked away, unable to withstand the coldness in him. ‘Do you remember that day back in the spring of 1915 when I suggested we should get married?’
He nodded.
She dipped her chin, her fingers nervously plucking at her skirt. ‘I’d been so full of wonderful plans that day – had worked out what I’d do and say and even imagined how you would react. In short, I was in a haze of love, happiness and excitement.’
He didn’t respond, and she finally found the courage to meet his gaze. ‘And then you confessed you had a wife and because of her illness you couldn’t get a divorce. My happiness fell away, my hopes and dreams were shattered, and I suddenly saw everything in a whole different, blinding light that stripped away the heady gloss of our romance and left only the tawdry reality behind.’