‘I doubt it. James was so insistent in his letter that we look after her, and out of our affection for him that’s what we have been trying to do. A clumsy effort, as it turns out.’
‘Unnecessary and unwanted, as well.’ Dan prowled the office. ‘I didn’t see that before. She was always willing to please, tackling every task I gave her with good humour and at my side whenever I needed her. In that composed, softly spoken girl, there is a strong, independent woman. And I never saw it.’
‘No, and I don’t suppose James did, either. She’s the perfect secretary. That’s her job, and she does it well.’
Dan nodded. ‘Now the real Grace has been revealed, the gloves are off, and we’re in trouble.’
‘I don’t know how much of our argument she heard, but I think it must have been most of it, and she must have misunderstood. After all, we were only trying to be helpful.’
‘She interpreted that as interfering, though. We have some explaining to do.’ Dan snatched his hat from a chair and put it on. ‘I’ll go and find her now.’
‘I’m coming with you. Neither of us is used to explaining ourselves. It might take both of us to get the job done.’
‘True,’ Dan agreed dryly. ‘By the way, George, what did you want to see me about?’
‘Just to let you know that James is coming to the Savoy on Saturday.’
‘Then we had better sort this out right now. If James finds out we’ve upset her, he’ll give us hell!’
George pulled a face. ‘I’ll have to see if I can return to active duty as well. It could be safer there!’
Both officers smiled grimly as they marched out of the office.
Dan drove straight to Grace’s home, and when he knocked on the door, it was opened by her father.
‘Good evening, Ted. We’re sorry to bother you, but we would like to see Grace. May I introduce Colonel Askew.’
‘Pleased to meet you, sir. I’m afraid she isn’t here, Dan.’ Ted turned and called, ‘Where did Grace say she was going, Jean?’
‘To the pictures. The Odeon, I think she said.’
‘Ah, in that case she will be quite a while. You are both welcome to come in and wait.’
‘Thank you.’ Dan smiled. ‘We are in a hurry, so we’ll see if we can find her.’
‘We can’t wait around all evening,’ George said, as Dan pulled up near the cinema.
‘I don’t intend to. We’ll get the manager to put a message on the screen, asking her to come outside.’
George looked at his nephew in disbelief. ‘And you think that will put her in a receptive mood, do you? She’s already angry enough, Dan!’
‘I am not leaving it until tomorrow.’
George shrugged, knowing that when Dan was set on an action, nothing would change his mind. ‘All right. I’ll stand behind you.’
Dan laughed, and his uncle scowled. ‘You’ve been nothing but trouble ever since you were born.’
‘Stop grumbling. Let’s find the manager.’
The two officers were an impressive sight as they marched into the cinema foyer.
Grace was startled and alarmed when her name came up on the screen asking for her to come outside immediately. Fortunately she was only six seats in from the aisle and didn’t have to disturb too many people as she left. Her heart was thumping as she hurried out. When she saw the two officers waiting for her, she was even more worried.
‘What’s happened?’ she asked, rushing up to them.
‘We need to talk to you about this afternoon,’ George told her.
For a moment she couldn’t quite grasp what he was saying. Then it registered, and she looked from one officer to the other in astonishment. ‘Are you telling me you had my name put up on the screen, just because you want to talk to me?’
‘Sorry about that, Grace. It was Dan’s idea.’
Her gaze fixed on the major. This was unbelievable!
‘You frightened me. I thought the invasion must have begun – or there had been some disaster.’
‘It is a disaster,’ Dan told her. ‘We’ve never had to explain ourselves before – let alone apologise.’
The sight of these two powerful army officers standing in front of her, and looking slightly uneasy, was too much for Grace. She fought to hold on to her emotions.
‘The need to apologise is a disaster?’
‘Absolutely. We’ve never been in this position before, have we, George?’
‘Damned uncomfortable thing to have to do without practice.’
Grace could contain herself no longer, and burst into laughter. They were working as a double act!
‘This is ridiculous!’
‘Yes, isn’t it?’ Dan grinned, seeing her sense of humour taking over from anger. ‘Nevertheless, it must be done. Don’t you agree, George?’
‘Oh, absolutely. We can’t have our girl misunderstanding our motives. So, I think we should go to the pub across the road and have a drink.’
‘But you can’t go in a pub,’ Grace declared. ‘It will probably be full of soldiers, and having two officers walk in will spoil their evening.’
‘Why?’ Dan asked, innocently.
There was a huge mirror in the foyer and Grace made them turn round to face it. ‘You have to ask why? Take a good look at yourselves. In full uniform you would intimidate anyone.’
‘Do you know what she’s talking about, George?’
‘Not a clue, dear chap.’
They were enjoying themselves now. Grace was laughing so much she had to find a chair to sit on. ‘Heaven help this country with you two in charge. You are impossible!’
‘That’s the nicest compliment you have ever given me.’ Dan came and sat beside her. ‘So, will you come and have a drink with us? After we’ve finished grovelling we can be friends again.’
‘How can I refuse such an invitation? And I must admit to being curious to see how you manage such an unfamiliar task.’
Grace walked between the two men as they crossed the road to the pub, and reflected on what the major had said about them being friends again. Was that what had grown between them over the last few weeks? Certainly, she would never have spoken to James the way she did with Dan. Although having respect and liking for each other, Grace had never crossed the boundary between boss and secretary. That divide had never really been there with this difficult man. How could it, when he had dragged her round muddy fields, made her hide in ditches, and had even thrown her round a monster of an assault course. Perhaps they had become friends.
When they reached the pub, Dan held open a door marked Saloon Bar, and winked at her. Yes, friends, she thought. She liked that.
They could hear the noise coming from the Public Bar, but it was quieter in here.
‘What are you going to have?’ Dan asked, ushering her towards a table in the corner.
‘A gin with lots of tonic, please.’
‘Double whisky for me. If they’ve got it, of course,’ George said.
Dan soon returned with two drinks each. ‘Saves keeping going to the bar,’ he explained.
There was silence between them for a moment as they all savoured their drinks, and then Dan asked, ‘Why were you angry when you heard what we were saying, Grace?’
‘You were having a row about me, as if I was some burden you didn’t know what to do with. I was offended, and hurt. I am not some helpless female who can’t make her own decisions, and it was insulting to hear you in a heated argument about me.’
‘I apologise for that. It was entirely my fault,’ Dan explained. ‘I am returning to my regiment this Sunday, and George told me I must tell you today. I knew that, and had been putting it off. I suppose guilt made me explode. We have become fond of you in the short time you have been with us, and our only desire was to help you. We see now, though, that we had no right to make enquiries about another job without your permission. And for that, we both apologise, and ask for your forgiveness.’
Grace glanced across at the colonel who was s
taring at his nephew as if he couldn’t believe what he had just heard.
‘He’s good, isn’t he,’ Grace remarked.
‘Good gracious!’ The colonel took a swig of whisky. ‘I’ve never heard him be so humble!’
‘Ah, but was I convincing enough?’ Dan gave Grace a questioning look.
‘You were very eloquent, and I believed you meant every word. Now it’s my turn. I knew the job with you was at an end, and I was feeling sad about it. It has been an adventure, and I have enjoyed working with you. I will have happy memories to take away with me. That is why when I found you arguing about what to do with me I was very hurt, and I reacted badly. I hope you will also accept my apology for speaking so disrespectfully to both of you? I was wrong, and I’m sorry.’
‘That’s very generous of you, Grace, but you don’t need to apologise to us.’ The colonel raised his glass. ‘Here’s to friendship.’
‘Friends,’ Dan said, clinking his glass against Grace’s.
Chapter Nine
‘You look lovely, dear. I’ve always liked you in that deep blue frock. The colour suits you so well.’
‘I’m glad it looks all right, because it’s the only suitable frock I’ve got. I’ve lost a bit of weight since I last wore it, though.’
‘Well, that is hardly surprising.’ Jean studied her daughter with concern. ‘You’ve been through a lot, and Dan has had you running around the country.’
Grace laughed. That was true enough!
‘Will you be the only girl there?’ her mother asked.
‘I really don’t know, but I expect so. I won’t stay long if I am, but I must put in an appearance. Dan’s rejoining his regiment tomorrow, so I won’t see him again.’
‘It’s a shame you are out of work again so soon. Have you decided what you’re going to do?’
‘I’m not going to rush in to anything.’ Grace sighed. ‘I wish Helen was here.’
There was a knock on the front door, and Grace picked up her bag. ‘That will be the taxi Dan has arranged for me.’
‘Give Dan our best wishes, Grace. He’s such a nice boy. We really liked him.’
‘I will.’ Grace hurried out, smiling. Her mother insisted on calling Dan a boy, and she wondered what he would think about that?
When Grace arrived at the Savoy Hotel, she was shown to a private room. There was already quite a crowd there, and she was pleased to see she wasn’t the only woman. They were smartly dressed, and all the men were in uniform. It seemed as if almost everyone was in a uniform of some kind now.
Dan came to her immediately. ‘You look lovely. I’ve only ever seen you wearing office clothes or army fatigues. Let me introduce you to everyone. You already know quite a few.’
‘My goodness!’ she exclaimed. ‘This is quite a gathering. I thought there were only going to be a few of us.’
‘I told them to bring their wives or girlfriends, and I invited a few others.’ He took two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter and handed one to Grace. ‘Let’s forget the war for a few hours, and enjoy our celebration.’
She nodded, raised her glass to him. ‘Thank you for an interesting few weeks, and I wish you all the best, and especially safety as you move into the future. Mum and Dad also send their best wishes on your return to active duty.’
‘That’s kind of them. Thank them for me, and tell them that I enjoyed meeting them.’
Dan introduced her to a few she didn’t know, and then left to greet more guests just arriving. Grace had been well trained during her years at the lawyers, and moved confidently round the room, talking to different people. Bob was there, and the soldiers from the assault course, and she spent time with them talking and laughing about that day.
The colonel came up to her with a broad smile on his face. ‘Someone you know has just arrived, Grace.’
She faced the door, but Dan was blocking her view as he greeted the new arrival enthusiastically, slapping him on the back. When he moved aside, she gasped. The airman standing there was James. He was laughing as the colonel strode towards him. The affection between the three of them was obvious, and Grace felt a lump in her throat as she watched. Her Brian had been killed, and she shuddered to think what the chances of survival were for these men. She pushed the thoughts aside. All any of them had was this moment, and they could be happy tonight.
‘Who is that?’ Bob asked.
‘James Meredith. I used to work for him before he joined the air force.’
‘He’s wearing wings. What does he fly?’
‘A Spitfire, I believe. He had a pilot’s licence before he joined up.’
‘Those poor buggers are having a rough time,’ one of the other soldiers remarked. ‘They take to the air every day, not knowing if it might be their last time. It’s a desperate fight, and if they can’t hold off the Luftwaffe, then we will really be in trouble.’
‘They won’t fail,’ Grace said with confidence. ‘And before this war is over, we are all going to have to show the same courage as the airmen, soldiers and sailors.’ She smiled. ‘This isn’t the time for such serious talk, so let’s all celebrate together, shall we?’
‘Too right! Where’s that champagne?’ Bob called a waiter over, and everyone was smiling again.
Grace waited until James saw her, and then she walked towards him, smiling with pleasure.
He grasped her hands. ‘It’s good to see you, Grace. How are you?’
‘I’m fine, and it’s lovely to see you. I didn’t know you would be here. How is the air force treating you?’
‘Oh, it’s lively. I’m getting in plenty of flying.’ He laughed, and changed the subject. ‘How did you get on working with Dan?’
‘It was different – and lively!’ she added, making them both laugh.
‘I’ll bet it was! He told me he’s returning to his regiment tomorrow, so what are your plans now?’
‘I haven’t decided yet, but I might consider joining one of the forces.’ Grace was surprised when she heard herself say that, as it wasn’t high on her list of jobs. Perhaps being surrounded by all these uniforms had prompted the idea. And really, what else could she do? Everyone was being called upon to do something for the war effort.
‘James,’ Dan had just arrived, ‘what would you like to drink?’
‘No alcohol for me. I’m flying again in the morning.’
‘Right. I’ll get you an orange juice.’ Dan smiled at them, and said jokingly, ‘As you can see, Grace hasn’t come to any harm working with me.’
James watched his friend stride away. ‘I didn’t think I would ever see him walking freely like that again.’
‘He’s worked hard to get fit, and I’m pleased for him. He isn’t the kind of man you can give a desk job to.’
‘Lord, no! It would have driven him mad. He’s got to get back in the fight again.’
Grace nodded. ‘Yes, he’s got a score to settle.’
‘Did he tell you that?’ James asked, giving her a startled look.
‘He didn’t have to. I’ve watched him fighting frustration and anger. I don’t know exactly what happened to him and his men in France, but it won’t let him rest. Revenge is a strong word, but I would use it in this case.’
‘I’ve always known you are good at discerning a person’s character, but you’ve summed up that complex man very accurately. Do you like him?’
‘Yes, I do,’ she admitted.
‘For all his faults, he’s easy to like, isn’t he?’
‘We’ve all got faults. Some are appealing – some are not.’
‘That’s very true. Grace, will you keep in touch with George, so he can tell me how you are getting on?’
‘I’ll do that.’
‘Now, if you will excuse me, there are a few people I must say hello to. Then I must head back. You take care, Grace.’
‘You do the same.’ She watched him walk away. On the surface he looked the same, but he had changed. It was hard to pin down because it was well hidden.
It didn’t take a genius, though, to know that fighting daily to keep the Luftwaffe from dominating our skies was taking its toll on the pilots. They knew, and so did everyone, that if they failed, Hitler would invade.
‘Grace, come and have something to eat,’ Bob urged. ‘I’ve never seen so much grub.’
‘I am hungry.’ She walked with Bob towards the tables laden with food, not allowing her disturbing thoughts to show.
Without being obvious, Dan was watching Grace as she moved around the room.
‘James has trained her well,’ George said, coming to stand beside his nephew. ‘See the way she goes to anyone standing on their own, or looking slightly ill at ease?’
Dan nodded. ‘They often had nervous or difficult people at the law firm. She’s used to putting people at their ease. That was part of her job, and she’s still doing it. That efficient business woman is always on show, but I’ve seen that mask slip once or twice. She’s got a stubborn streak a mile wide.’
‘That’s probably what has been holding her together after the death of her husband. Nevertheless, she could be an asset. How is her German?’
‘Much improved. Keep an eye on her, George. I want to know where she is, and what she’s doing.’
‘I will, of course. I like the girl, and James has already asked her to stay in touch with me. What are you planning, Dan? And don’t give me that innocent look. I know you too well.’
‘I want her to join the army. I took her regularly to an army camp, so she could see what it was like. The idea of enlisting was put to her when she took the driving test, and I made her run the assault course with me. With luck, that might have been enough to plant the seed in her mind.’
‘I wouldn’t hold out much hope of her doing that. She doesn’t like being told what to do with her life, however subtly it’s done. She doesn’t have to join the forces. With her qualifications, she can find a job anywhere.’
Day Will Come Page 7