Brave Faces

by Mary Arden

  ‘Oh, Sir, they are not mine, they are a present and I don’t know what to do,’ I sobbed, as he pulled up a chair and sat next to me.

  ‘I wouldn’t mind taking this for my wife!’ he chuckled, as he lifted out a diamond and opal brooch. He then asked me if he could read the note, so I handed it to him.

  ‘Now tell me from the beginning where you first met Commander Kit and maybe I can make some sense of how this situation has arisen.’ he said in a fatherly manner.

  I explained how we had met and how I had to share the front seat of the van with him and then gone bird watching a few days later, but assured him that I had not said or done anything to give Commander Kit the impression that I would be interested in him romantically.

  Commander Tapps thought for a few moments and then suggested that I contact my father to tell him what had occurred, and then ask him talk to our family solicitor to get his advice about what you should do with this box and its contents.

  ‘Meanwhile, can I suggest that I lock it up in my safe until you hear from him?’ he offered.

  ‘That sounds sensible, Sir, as I wouldn’t feel comfortable having them in my billet,’ I replied gratefully.

  ‘You do seem to attract some rather odd admirers don’t you, young lady?’

  ‘Yes, it does look that way doesn’t it, Sir? But I just don’t understand why. What’s wrong with me?’

  ‘It’s not you, Mary, it’s them!’ he said as I handed him the jewellery box for safekeeping.

  I took the Commander’s advice and spoke to my father that night. A few days later, I rang him again and he told me that he had been advised by his solicitor to contact the Admiralty to find out the name of Commander Kit’s family’s solicitors, and then the two firms of lawyers could work out the best way of returning the jewels. A week later, I received a letter from my father instructing me to take the jewellery to a retired solicitor who lived in Campbeltown, who had offered to act as a go-between for the two legal firms to ensure that the precious box was returned to the Kit family. He then suggested that I write a short, but kind, letter to Commander Kit to thank him for his proposal and explain in very clear terms that I had already given my heart to another and, therefore, I was returning the jewels.

  Two weeks later, Commander Kit sent me two lovely matching blue leather-bound books with gold-edged pages; one was a Bible and the other a Book of Common Prayer. He had also enclosed a letter that read: ‘I realise that you are still very young and not ready for marriage yet, but if you ever change your mind, I will be waiting. Please accept the enclosed books from me to show you that my intentions have always been honourable.’

  Tears tumbled down my cheeks. I felt sorry for this poor, lonely man who was obviously still in love with me. I couldn’t begin to understand why such an intelligent man could be so unbalanced and behave in such an obsessive and irrational way, but I felt compassion for him nonetheless.

  One evening, Hazel came back from work and told me that she been told Duncan’s squadron would be flying into HMS Landrail any day now, and that most of the pilots would be given extended leave to recover from what had been a very difficult tour of operations. I was so excited at the thought of seeing Duncan again that everything else that had happened over the previous few weeks didn’t seem to matter anymore.

  When Duncan’s squadron did eventually arrive, I discovered that they were to be segregated for a few days from the rest of the airfield until they had completed their reports, which meant that it was impossible for us to meet straightaway. However, he was able to get a note to me at the Sick Bay to let me know that he was alive and well, and that he would be in touch as soon as he could.

  Three days later I found another note from Duncan asking me to put in a request for leave for the following week, as he thought it was time for him to meet my family. He also asked me to get a late pass for the following evening, as he wanted to take me out for dinner in Campbeltown. He told me to be ready at seven o’clock outside the Ugadale, as was going to borrow a car from one of his fellow Officer’s.

  As I waited for him in front of the hotel to arrive, I could hear a car making strange banging and spluttering noises, a mile away. I had told the other girls at my billet that my boyfriend was taking me out for dinner, so they were now leaning out of their windows to get a good look at him. When Duncan got out of the car he came straight up to me and gave me a passionate kiss, which drew cheers and applause from my friends. I was desperately embarrassed, but Duncan just took it all in his stride, smiled at me, and then gave the girls a mock salute, which made them all laugh and scream at the top of their voices. His ‘heartthrob’ status is obviously still intact, I thought smiling to myself.

  Duncan and I then set off in the ‘old banger’, as he called it, and headed towards Campbeltown.

  ‘How I’ve longed to see your lovely face again,’ Duncan said looking at me more than the road.

  ‘I would prefer it if you keep your eyes on the road!’ I laughed, ‘at least until we have arrived safely.’

  When we pulled into the hotel car park in Campbeltown, Duncan told me that he wanted to telephone my father that night, so he was going to ask the hotel manager if he could use this private phone. The manager agreed, and I got through to my father almost immediately.

  I introduced Duncan to my father over the phone and then handed it to him. The two men chatted for a while and then Duncan asked if it would be convenient to meet up the following weekend in Woking. I overheard my father telling him that my mother and Aunt Beth were away in Harrogate at a Spa Hotel and up their necks in mud baths, so why didn’t we all arrange to meet up there instead. I took the phone from Duncan and asked my father if he thought the hotel would be able to accommodate all of us at the same time.

  ‘I hope so,’ my father said, ‘as I could do with a mud bath myself! I’ll ring your mother and ask her to book us all in,’ He then told me to call him back at the same time the following night, so that we could confirm dates, times and so on. Duncan and I then made our way to the hotel dining room and enjoyed the best meal either of us had eaten in a long time.

  On the way back to the Ugadale, Duncan stopped the car in a quiet lane, so that we could sit and chat to each other until it was time for me to return to my billet. We whispered sweet nothings to each other, and then Duncan gently kissed me.

  When he finally dropped me off, I noticed some of the curtains being pulled back and then saw several girls peeping out to get a glimpse of us. Duncan, ever the showman, blew one or two kisses up to the windows, which made me giggle. When I finally let myself in and went upstairs, I then had to field off a lot of questions about my ‘handsome boyfriend’, before finally getting to bed. I was just about to drop off to sleep when Hazel returned from her night out, and begged me to recount the whole of my evening, and wouldn’t let me go back to sleep until I had.

  The next day, I received a telegram from my mother, which read, ‘Come to Harrogate soonest. Stop. What fun! Stop.’

  That evening, Duncan suggested that we drive to the sand dunes and then go for a walk. When we got there, Duncan stopped the car and took both my hands in his, ‘I love you, Mary, and I want to marry you, but before I ask your father’s permission, I want to be sure that you feel the same way about me. Do you love me Mary?’

  ‘Oh Duncan,’ I said, ‘of course I do, I love you with all my heart, and if you asked me to marry you right now, the answer would be yes.’

  Duncan smiled and then kissed me passionately. After a few minutes he stopped and said, ‘I think we had better stop now, as I am having trouble controlling myself. I think it would be a good idea if we went for a brisk walk on the dunes to cool off!’

  I laughed, as I knew it must be hard for him to behave like a gentleman when it was obvious that he wanted to be anything but.

  As soon as we were out of the car Duncan shouted, ‘Race you to the sea,’ and then we both ran as fast as we could to the shore. He got there first and immediately threw off his s
hoes, rolled up his trousers and ran into the sea up to his knees, but before I had a chance to follow, I heard him scream like a girl in a high pitched voice, ‘Its bloody freezing!’ We both doubled up laughing and Duncan nearly fell over, as he ran back out of the sea and into my arms. We kissed again and then he took my hand in his and we walked along the sand for a while, making plans for our leave.

  First thing in the morning, I went to see Commander Tapps to ask him if I could take two weeks leave, starting on Wednesday. He was a bit surprised that I wanted to go so suddenly, but when I explained that Duncan might only have a few days off before being recalled to his ship, and that we needed to take this opportunity for him to meet my family, he immediately said that he had no objection, as long as Rose was happy to do my duties while I was away, which thankfully she was.

  A few days later, I met Duncan at the quay to get the ferry to the mainland, and he told me that Commander Flying had introduced himself to him at the Officers mess the night before, and told him that he should get married as soon as possible, as I was becoming a flight hazard. When Duncan had asked him what he meant by that, Commander Flying had chuckled and said, ‘Mary is a ripe cherry waiting to be picked and there have been a few incidents with some of our chaps wanting to do the picking, so you had better hurry up old man and get that lovely girl of yours down the aisle!’

  Duncan asked me to explain what incidents they had been referring to, so I told him that as it was quite a long story I would tell him later.

  When we got to Perth that evening, Duncan’s parents gave me a warm welcome, as if I was already part of their family. As Ruth hugged me, she told me that her husband, John, had been calling her ‘Bumble’ ever since my last visit. I laughed and then apologised, but she said that she rather liked her new nickname.

  Ruth took me up to the spare room, which Janet and her husband had been staying in on my first visit, while Duncan went into his old bedroom to unpack.

  ‘Where, may I ask, have my doggy curtains gone?’ we heard Duncan yell, which made Ruth and I laugh.

  We had a lovely meal together and then, after saying goodnight to everyone, I went upstairs to my room. Just as I had got into bed, there was a knock on the door. It was Duncan, to ask if there was anything else I needed.

  ‘A kiss goodnight,’ I asked, putting out my arms.

  ‘I am not sure if that would be wise my love,’ Duncan said. ‘If I get too close to the bed I will want to climb in with you!’

  ‘What would your mother and father think?’ I laughed.

  ‘Exactly!’ he replied, and then blew me two kisses from the door before shutting it quietly.

  I lay in the darkness for a while wondering which room we would sleep in when we were married and what it would be like sharing a bed with Duncan. The thought made me giggle; at least I wouldn’t have cold feet!

  The following morning, Duncan and I were both up bright and early and decided that we’d walk together into town, so that he could introduce me to the parents of one of his school friends who owned a jewellers shop. We looked together at some engagement rings but decided that we would wait until we were officially engaged before buying one. We then went to McEwans department store, so that I could buy a suitable dress to wear in the evenings at the rather smart Spa Hotel, where we would be staying with my parents.

  The next day Duncan and I said goodbye to his parents and on our long journey to Harrogate, I finally told Duncan all about my ordeal with Rodney and Commander Kit’s proposal on the runway. He was not amused by either incident, and told me that he would have gladly hit Rodney if he had been there, and as for the lovesick Commander, he shook his head in disbelief and told me that he was just grateful that a terrible accident hadn’t occurred.

  When we finally arrived at Harrogate, I still felt excited at seeing my parents again, but I noticed that Duncan was becoming more and more nervous at the prospect of meeting them.

  ‘You are not having second thoughts are you, Duncan?’ I asked, smiling at him.

  ‘No, not at all, but I am a bit worried that your parents might think I am not good enough for you.’

  ‘You are the best man I know and that should be more than enough for my father,’ I told him honestly.

  Duncan and I took a taxi from the station to the hotel, and while we were signing the register Aunt Beth came joyfully up to us to let us know that she and my mother were in the bar having a sherry before dinner, so we should join them as soon as we were ready.

  When we entered the bar, my mother immediately stood up and gave me a hug before telling me that my father wouldn’t get here until the following day. She then shook hands with Duncan, who made a courteous bow like an old fashioned knight, which made my mother smile, and I knew then that he had already charmed her. As for Aunt Beth, she just stared at Duncan’s hair and remarked, ‘I have only seen that fabulous colour once before in my life and that was on a red setter!’

  After another round of drinks, we all went into the dining room and had an enjoyable meal together. Duncan apologised for giving so little warning of our visit, and said that he hoped he wasn’t putting them out too much by turning up suddenly while they were having their holiday, ‘The trouble is that I have to be back on board my carrier soon, and then I doubt if I will get leave again for a month or so, and that’s why I wanted to meet you now.’

  I could see that my mother’s brain was working overtime, as she listened to Duncan talk. I bet she is making a mental list of his attributes and faults, I thought. Good manners, not too broad a Scottish accent, well maintained hands and nails, clean hair, which yes, she had to admit was a remarkable colour! All we needed now was to get my father’s approval.

  When it was time for us to go to bed, my mother apologised that Duncan’s room was on the upper floor. She told him that it was the only free single room left in the hotel. I would have my own room until my father arrived and then Aunt Beth, who was sharing a room with my mother, would move in with me.

  Before going upstairs Duncan suggested that he and I meet for breakfast and then spend the day at Fountains Abbey, while my mother and aunt were having their spa treatments. As my father wasn’t expected until after lunch, it seemed like a good plan.

  In the morning, I was delighted to see that Duncan was looking relaxed and was now wearing a pair of cord trousers and a tweed jacket, which looked far more comfortable than his uniform. I teased him, telling him that he looked every inch the English county gentleman: ‘Do you mind?’ he said, ‘I think that what you meant to say was that I look every inch the Scottish gentleman!’

  As we walked around the rather magnificent Abbey ruins, Duncan told me that it was founded in 1132, which made me think he was terribly clever until I saw the same notice board that he must have seen moments before, which gave the date and a potted history of the ruins. It was awe inspiring being in such an ancient place and I tried to imagine what it must have been like when the monks had lived there. According to the information on the board, the Abbey had been one of the richest religious houses in England before Henry VIII had put a stop to its power during the dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century.

  As we walked though where the cloisters had once been, I suddenly started to shiver uncontrollably despite it being a warm day, and called out to Duncan, ‘Something feels very wrong. I need to get out of here.’

  ‘What’s the matter darling?’ Duncan asked. ‘Are you feeling unwell?’

  ‘It’s not me, it’s the oppressive atmosphere here,’ I told him. ‘I need to get out of these ruins right now, as the feeling of hopelessness is overpowering.’

  ‘I am sorry, darling, we can go right now if you want,’ Duncan said kindly, taking my hand in his. ‘My goodness you are freezing,’ He then took off his jacket to put around my shoulders and led me back into the sunlight.

  ‘What just happened, Mary?’ Duncan asked. ‘Try to explain it to me.’

  ‘It’s hard to put into words, but I suddenly felt as though I
was surrounded by people who were terribly unhappy,’ I explained. ‘Maybe I sensed what the monks were feeling at the time of the dissolution of the monasteries; I know that doesn’t make any sense, but I felt this terror and it was horrible.’

  ‘Have you had feelings like this before?’ Duncan asked.

  ‘Yes, a few times, but nothing as strong as this and I have never felt such a terrible feeling of utter misery going through my whole body like that ever.’

  ‘I have heard of other people having similar experiences in one of the castles in Scotland, where there had been a terrible battle, but I don’t know enough about the history of this place to offer any suggestions. Do you want to find out what might have happened here?’ he suggested.

  ‘No, I just want to get away,’ I said quietly.

  Duncan suggested that we go back to Harrogate, as he wanted to buy some postcards, and as it was nearly time for lunch he wanted to find a pub that served ‘proper Yorkshire puddings’. Determined not to spoil our day together I decided to put the unpleasant experience out of my mind and by the time we arrived in Harrogate I was back to my usual happy self. We soon found a shop to buy some postcards. Duncan bought two and I bought ten, which he told me was extravagant.

  ‘How can sending a postcard to people that I love be considered extravagant? Think how pleased they will be to know that I was thinking about them when they receive the cards,’ I told him.

  ‘I hadn’t thought of it like that,’ Duncan chuckled. ‘I suppose I am a just being a bit careful with my pennies.’

  ‘Careful?’ I giggled, ‘I think you mean Canny!’

  Duncan laughed and said, ‘That may well be true, Mary, but don’t forget that once we are married, we will have to consider every penny we spend carefully because I won’t have any income after the war, at least not until I have qualified as a Forester and can start earning a salary.’

  ‘Don’t worry about that, I can find a job while you are at university and then we will be fine,’ I reassured him.