‘I don’t know what you mean.’ He sat back, smiling. ‘Working with those intelligence boys is making you suspicious. I haven’t seen Helen since we went dancing.’
That sounded like a lie, but why would he deny it? If they had been in contact with each other there was no need to hide the fact, surely? She shook her head, perhaps he was right and she was concerned about nothing. ‘Sorry, Tim, but I had a letter from her parents and they are worried. They don’t know where she is.’
‘I’m afraid that’s happening all the time. I have an older brother in the navy and we haven’t a clue where he is. It’s just the way things are, Grace.’
‘You’re right, and that’s just what I told them.’ Grace relaxed. ‘That letter must have spooked me.’
‘That’s what it is.’ He stood up. ‘Another drink everyone?’
Chapter Nineteen
‘I might have known I’d find you in the middle of a field in the freezing cold!’ Stan stamped his feet and blew on his hands.
Dan spun round and saluted smartly for appearances’ sake, pleased to see his uncle again. ‘What brings you out here, George?’
‘I’ve been trying to get hold of you for days.’ He cast an expert eye over the scene. ‘Are they battle ready, Dan?’
‘That’s a question none of us can answer until we’re faced with it. The majority of them were raw recruits after Dunkirk, but I believe they will do well when the time comes.’
‘You’re working them hard so I would say you are expecting to be shipped out soon.’
‘You would probably know before me.’
‘You’ll be here for Christmas and a while after that. I can’t tell you what is being planned.’
‘Of course not.’
‘Can we go somewhere warmer to talk?’
‘You’re spending too much time in that cosy War Office. It’s making you soft, George.’
‘I’ll only be there for a few more months and then I’m returning to active duty – at last. Every experienced officer is going to be needed in the field.’
‘I agree. Let me transfer command and we can return to the camp.’
George watched his nephew with a touch of pride. He was a damned fine soldier and he prayed he would survive this conflict.
‘In just one week this war has taken a completely different course,’ George said as they drove back. ‘The Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor on the 7th December, then we declared war on Japan, and the United States and Germany declared war on each other. What a week!’
‘And totally unexpected.’ Dan stopped by the officers’ quarters. ‘Let’s get something to eat. Can you stay for a while?’
‘Until tomorrow.’
‘Good, that will give us the evening to talk.’
They walked towards the building and George looked pointedly at Dan. ‘Putting that all aside for the moment, we’ve still got to do something about Rommel in North Africa. Warmer there.’
‘In more ways than one.’ Dan glanced at his uncle and they nodded to each other, understanding the hint.
They were surprised to see Stan and another officer waiting inside.
‘Ah, Dan, I was hoping we’d see you.’
‘If you’ve come with the same request the answer is still no.’
‘Oh, I’ve given up on that hope.’ Stan held out his hand. ‘Good to see you again, George.’
Bill noted the way they greeted each other. They were all officers of different ranks but obviously knew each other well. Well enough to dispense with formalities when no one else was around.
‘We were just going to get some lunch. Would you like to join us?’ Dan suggested.
‘Thank you. May I introduce Captain William Reid? Bill wanted to meet you, Dan, and I think you’ll find you have a lot in common. Like you, he spent some years in Germany.’
During the meal they were soon comparing notes, interested in each other’s experiences.
‘How is Grace working out, Stan?’ George asked.
‘Quite well,’ was the casual reply.
Bill stopped in mid-sentence and snorted in disgust. ‘He still won’t admit he’s met his match. They’ve had a tussle of wills ever since Grace came to us. Stan wanted a man but none of those sent to us were suitable so he had to take Grace. He’s done everything he could to make her put in for a transfer, but she wouldn’t give in.’
A deep rumble of laughter came from Stan. ‘She’s stubborn; I’ll give you that, and speaks her mind if pushed too hard.’
‘She’s also efficient.’
‘I’ve never denied that, Bill, but what I was looking for was someone to partner with you. I can’t send a woman into a dangerous situation.’
‘That’s just what is happening with a certain organisation now.’
‘We know what you are referring to, Bill. We both have the highest security clearance from working at the War Office,’ George told him.
Stan nodded and looked round to make sure they were not being overheard. Even in a place like this they couldn’t be too careful. ‘I know the SOE have been recruiting women, and I also know that if given the chance they would take Grace as well. The fact remains that I couldn’t put a woman with you, Bill. You love women far too much and if faced with a difficult decision you would put a woman first, and that just wouldn’t work. I couldn’t trust you to get the job done, regardless of the dangers.’
‘See what I have to put up with, Dan?’ Bill shook his head in exasperation. ‘Not only is he underestimating me but he’s also doing the same with Grace. Stan, you didn’t see what she did to me in that interview. She wiped the floor with me! I’d say she’s more than capable enough of looking after herself.’
‘That’s what I mean. My concern is for you, not Grace.’
Bill rested his head in his hands, muttering, ‘I give up!’
A slow smile spread across Stan’s face. ‘She also told me exactly what she thought of our methods. I could have had her up on a charge of insubordination, and she has come close to it a few times since then.’
‘That’s my girl!’ George declared. ‘My godson, James, trained her well, so you watch your step, Stan. There are several of us with a keen interest in her welfare.’
‘I’ve met James,’ Bill told George. ‘He’s a fine man and interesting to talk to. While we were having a drink I heard Grace talking to Tim and she’s concerned about her friend. Evidently she’s part French and they seem to have lost track of her. I reckon there’s a good chance she has been recruited to the Special Operations Executive, but I didn’t say anything, of course.’
Dan was sitting back, listening but saying nothing.
‘That’s more than likely,’ Stan agreed. ‘I still wouldn’t put a woman with you, Bill. I’ve always wanted you and Dan to work together.’
‘Stan!’
‘All right, Dan.’ He held up his hands in surrender. ‘I won’t pursue the subject any longer. Bloody shame, though.’
‘What do you think about America coming in to the war?’ George asked, changing the subject.
‘It’s what Churchill has wanted but that was a terrible way for it to happen. When I heard the news I couldn’t believe Japan would launch an attack like that. Then Hitler declared war on America. It was incredible and stupid. Hitler is already in trouble with the Russian winter, and those two countries could live to regret their decisions.’
Dan nodded. ‘You’re right. Hitler’s making too many mistakes. Instead of invading immediately after Dunkirk when we were vulnerable, he’s given us time to recover. We are once again strong and there won’t be another Dunkirk!’
‘This war has taken a surprising turn and Dan is right,’ George agreed. ‘Hitler did his best to destroy our air force and bomb us into submission, but that hasn’t worked. Our day will come and we are not alone this time.’
Bill grinned. ‘Boat loads of American troops will be arriving here next year. 1942 should be interesting.’
‘I’ve got a whole two weeks!’
Grace hugged her parents.
‘That’s wonderful!’ her mother exclaimed. ‘You and Helen will be able to relax and enjoy yourselves. You both look as if you need a rest.’
‘She’s home?’
‘She arrived early this morning.’ Ted took the heavy kitbag from his daughter and hoisted it onto his shoulder. ‘I’ll take this upstairs for you. What have you got in it for heaven’s sake?’
Grace laughed. ‘Presents and some tins of food. I’ll have a cup of tea, Mum, and then I’ll go and see Helen.’
‘She sent a message to say she’ll see you this evening. She’s evidently been travelling a lot and needs to catch up on some sleep.’
‘Sounds as if she’s been busy and that’s probably why we haven’t heard from her very much lately.’
‘I expect so. Anyway, there’s another message for you. James called last week and asked if you would be home. When I told him you would be, he said they would call round on New Year’s Eve in the hope you would be free to spend the evening with him and Tim.’
‘That would be lovely, but would you mind me not spending the time with you and Dad?’
‘Not at all!’ Ted came into the kitchen. ‘You girls go off and enjoy yourselves.’
‘Thanks. Do you know how long Helen’s got?’
‘Three weeks.’
‘What? Are you sure, Mum?’ When Jean nodded, Grace said, ‘Lucky devil. I wonder how she wangled that.’
‘Well she hasn’t had any leave for a long time so I expect they’ve given her extra this time.’
Grace shrugged and sat down. Perhaps they did things differently in the FANY. After taking a sip of tea she sighed with pleasure. ‘There’s nothing like your tea, Mum. You should taste some of the stuff we get. It’s an insult to call it tea.’
The rest of the day was spent on catching up with all the local news, and in a quiet moment Grace wandered in to the front room. This was a very austere time with everything in short supply but her parents had made the room look festive. The paper chains were handmade and they had managed to get some holly and a small tree from somewhere.
Grace sat down and closed her eyes. It was at times like this the loss of Brian was the hardest. Coming home always made the memories come flooding back. Damn the war, she thought angrily, and the man who had started it.
‘Are you asleep, Grace?’
Her eyes opened and she leapt to her feet. ‘Helen! Oh it’s so good to see you. Where have you been?’
Her friend grinned. ‘Mind your own business. What have you been up to?’
‘Mind your own business.’ The friends laughed and hugged each other. ‘That’s got the questions out of the way. Is that right you’ve got three weeks?’
‘That’s right. How much have you managed to get?’
‘Two weeks, and we’ve got a date with James and Tim for New Year’s Eve.’
‘Lovely. It will be good to see them again.’
Instead of a sports car, James and Tim arrived in a smart officer’s car. The girls watched it stop outside and grinned at each other.
‘I wonder how they got hold of that,’ Helen laughed.
‘Goodness knows!’ Grace shook her head. ‘I suspect they are used to going after what they want in the air and on the ground.’
‘I don’t doubt that,’ Helen agreed, putting her hand out to stop her friend from moving. ‘Your mother’s beaten you to the door.’
The moment the two men walked in, they stopped with wide smiles on their faces when they saw Helen was there as well.
‘This is marvellous! We were hoping you would both be able to get home for the holidays. Good job we managed to get two, Tim.’
Grace was intrigued; it was hard to take in the fact that this was the same man she had worked for at the law firm. They each had one hand behind their backs and devilish grins on their faces. What had they been up to now?
‘Ready?’ James asked, and when Tim nodded they held out their gifts.
‘Orchids!’ Grace gasped. ‘Where did you get those from? No, no, forget I asked that. We really don’t want to know! They are beautiful.’
‘Glad you like them.’ Tim stepped towards Helen. ‘We’ve even brought pins with us.’
The girls stood patiently while the exotic blooms were pinned to their uniforms. Then the two pilots stepped back and saluted smartly. ‘Here’s to 1942.’
Grace and Helen joined in by returning the salutes, and then it was hugs all round with the two sets of parents joining in.
‘Off you go and enjoy yourselves,’ Helen’s father said. ‘You take good care of our girls, though.’
‘We will, sir.’ Tim had his arm resting across Helen’s shoulder. ‘No harm will come to them while they are with us.’
‘Where are we going?’ Grace asked James as they made their way to the car.
‘Somewhere big and noisy,’ was all he said.
James hadn’t been joking. The Hammersmith dance hall was packed with people intent on forgetting the war for a few hours and having a good time.
The men led them straight to the dance floor and when James began to spin Grace around, she asked, ‘What dance is this?’
‘It’s what the Americans call a “jitterbug” or “jive”. Come on, I’ll show you how to do it.’
At the end of the dance she was laughing with pleasure. ‘Where did you learn that?’
‘From a couple of American pilots.’
‘But they aren’t here yet. I thought the first troops would be arriving in January.’
‘A few qualified pilots came over early and joined the RAF.’
‘Really? I didn’t know that.’
‘There are quite a few different nationalities with us now.’ James grinned. ‘Tim is learning French from a French Canadian. I think he wants to be able to speak the language in case he ever finds himself in France again.’
‘That would be useful.’ Grace looked across the room where Tim and Helen were talking to another man in RAF uniform. ‘You’ve both recovered well from your crashes. Has Tim told you exactly what happened to him?’
James shook his head. ‘All he will say is that he gave his word to protect the people who helped him.’
‘I can understand that. Whoever it was, though, must have been in touch with London because they sent in a Lysander.’
‘There are British agents with the underground, Grace. He must have been lucky enough to contact such a group and I expect that’s why he won’t say a word. Anyway, enough of this serious talk. You need more lessons in the jive.’
Chapter Twenty
Closing the office door firmly behind him, Stan watched Bill sit down before walking over to his desk. ‘London’s crowded these days.’
Bill laughed. ‘I don’t suppose many of those American boys have ever been outside their own country before. You can’t blame them for wanting to see London in the spring.’
‘Hmm.’ Stan studied the man in front of him for a moment, and then said, ‘Do you think this risky operation will work?’
‘Not sure, but we won’t know unless we try.’
‘You’ll need someone with you. Preferably a girl who can speak French like a native. We can contact the SOE. They will have someone who could do that.’
‘I’ve already got someone in mind.’
‘Oh.’ Stan frowned. ‘Who’s that?’
‘Grace.’
‘No!’
‘She’s perfect for this mission, and her French is excellent.’
‘No!’
‘Stop saying “No”.’ Bill raised his voice in an unusual show of anger.
‘You can’t take Grace. Find someone else.’
‘At least give her the chance to refuse. If you don’t ask her then I will. I’m the one going on this mission and I want someone with me I can trust. We’ve got two months to train her. And stop shouting!’
Stan sat back and took a deep breath. ‘Just because we are long time family friends, doesn’t mean you can be insubordina
te, so watch your tone. I don’t know why I’m getting so angry anyway. She’ll never agree to it.’
‘She’ll jump at the chance. Bet you a fiver.’
‘Five pounds? You are sure of yourself.’
‘I met Dan at the War Office yesterday. He was visiting his uncle. We had lunch together and I managed to get him to talk about Grace. His opinion was that she would handle any challenge she was faced with and still keep her composure. You’re stifling her, Stan, and it is an indication of her self-control that she hasn’t shown her frustration. After talking to Dan I was certain she would be right for this mission.’ The corners of Bill’s mouth turned up in amusement as he sensed victory. ‘So, are you going to risk a fiver?’
‘It will give me great pleasure to take your money. Ask Grace to come in here.’
Bill jumped to his feet and opened the door. ‘Grace, we need you.’
She came in and sat down, notepad at the ready.
‘Don’t record this. We would like you to settle an argument,’ Stan told her. ‘Bill will tell you all about it.’
‘There is a chateau in the south of France with extensive grounds. The Germans have sealed it off completely and it is heavily guarded. We need to know what they are doing there. The resistance have been unable to get anywhere near it, so I have agreed to see what I can do. I shall be posing as a German army officer with a French girlfriend who is showing me around her country.’ Bill paused, watching Grace carefully, but her expression gave no indication of her reaction to this news. That was just what he needed to see. ‘We have been arguing, as I expect you heard, about my choice of companion for this mission. Stan has bet five pounds that you will refuse.’
That bombshell did produce a reaction. Grace sat up straight, her gaze fixed on Bill, searching for any hint that this was a joke.
‘This is a serious request, Grace,’ Bill said quietly. ‘Before you answer, this will be very dangerous. We could be captured or killed – and you will have to jump out of a plane.’
‘Take your time, Grace,’ Stan told her. ‘No one will think any the worse of you if you refuse.’
Day Will Come Page 16