‘When things got too hot for him in the Smoke he upped sticks and moved to Romford. Then a few years ago he cashed in his assets and decided to start his own club.’
‘Well that’s one mystery solved.’ She hesitated, not sure she wanted to know how Joe had made his ill-gotten gains. She wasn’t comfortable with the fact that she’d been working for a criminal for the past few years. ‘What did he do? You still haven’t told me why the police are involved after so long.’
‘He’s not violent, if that’s what you’re worried about. He had a pawn shop – dealt with things that fell off the back of a lorry, if you know what I mean.’
‘I see. You do realise I’d never have been working there if I’d known. My parents…’
‘Your dad does know. Uncle Joe explained it all to him when the arrangement was made to lease the fields and barns.’
‘Dad would never condone dishonesty of any sort. I don’t understand. Why would he agree to work with a criminal? It just doesn’t make sense.’
‘I’m equally puzzled. My uncle refused to tell me. You’ll have to ask him yourself. Why don’t you do it now?’
She was about to tell him she wasn’t that stupid when she realised he was teasing. Something else occurred to her. ‘Has the airfield always been in your name?’
‘Yes. I thought Uncle Joe was just setting up something by way of an inheritance but now I’m not so sure. I think it’s only in my name to keep the police away.’
‘You don’t seem especially bothered that you own a business bought with stolen money. I suppose you’ve always known Joe was a bad lot.’
‘Not when I was a nipper. I realised when he gave me the money to go to America that there was something up. We’d always been close and now he wanted to pack me off to the other side of the world. It didn’t make sense, but I didn’t argue as I was desperate to make flying my livelihood and there was no way of doing it over here.’
‘I don’t blame you really. If I got the chance to spend all my life in the air I’d be off like a shot. I know once the war starts civilian flying will have to stop. I suppose I’ll stay here and help my dad run the farm as he’s going to lose at least one of his workers. The other two are too ancient to be called up.’
She sipped her lemonade while she decided if she should do the right thing and hand in her notice or do what she wanted and stay.
‘It’s a hard one isn’t it, Ellie? Before you make your decision there’s something I want to tell you, but you mustn’t breathe a word to anyone else. I’ve had an enquiry from some bigwig in the Government and it seems likely we’re going to be put on the list of suitable places to train RAF pilots once the war starts. This would mean you could carry on flying and be doing your bit for the country.’
‘That makes it easier, thank you for telling me. I’ll stay. If my dad isn’t bothered about where the money came from then I’m not going to worry either.’
The sun slid below the horizon leaving the sky bathed in a glorious red light. If she’d been a religious person she might have taken this as a sign from above. Then the dusk was filled with the lovely sound of violins. The trio had started to play.
‘Isn’t that beautiful. There’s going to be dancing later in the marquee.’
In her elegant evening gown, sitting next to a handsome young man, surrounded by the flickering light from dozens of lanterns, she felt like a princess from a fairy tale.
‘I hope you’re not suggesting that I dance with you? I can do the polka and jitterbug and that’s about my limit. I doubt that either of those will be on the cards tonight.’
‘Jitterbug? I’ve never heard of that – is it some Yankee craze?’
He put his empty glass down with a thump and surged to his feet. ‘If you can ignore that wailing and scraping and imagine you’re listening to something lively by Glenn Miller, I’ll teach you how to do it.’
‘No chance. I can just about waltz, I had to learn the basics at school, but doubt I could do even that dressed as I am. You can show me when I’ve got my dungarees on – they often have Glenn Miller on the wireless and Sid has that on all the time when he’s working.’
‘In which case, I need another drink. Shall we go and upset a few of the guests? I got a few snotty looks when I came in because I wasn’t dressed appropriately.’
‘I don’t think so. I’m going in, thank you for coming.’ She remembered to pick up her skirts before she hurried away. As Jack had only come because she’d asked him she shouldn’t really desert him like this, but she wasn’t in the mood for his kind of fun.
She half expected him to call her back but he didn’t. With the front and back doors open the house was pleasantly cool. The kitchen was out of bounds as the temporary staff were busy in there but she could really do with a sandwich and a cup of tea.
As she passed the sitting room she decided she would hide in there until the kitchen was empty. She hadn’t had any lunch and breakfast was hours ago. The room was dark and she was about to switch on the light when a voice spoke from the gloom.
‘Is that you, lovey?’
‘Dad – you shouldn’t be in here. Mum will be livid. I don’t care, but you have to live with her.’
‘Come and sit down, nobody will find us if we don’t put the light on. Your mum’s having far too good a time showing off to her grand friends to miss either of us tonight.’
It was tricky curling up in one of the comfortable armchairs in her long dress but she managed it eventually without tearing the material. Her uncomfortable shoes had been kicked off already.
‘Jack says you knew that Joe was a criminal so why did you let him have the fields?’ She hadn’t intended to blurt it out so bluntly but somehow it was easier to say what she was thinking when they were both sitting in the darkness.
‘I was expecting you to ask me that question when I heard that Joe was being investigated again.’ There was a long pause before he continued. ‘I’m sorry, Ellie, but I can’t tell you the reason. You’ll have to trust me. Joe’s dishonest, but he’s not a bad man. I would never have let you anywhere near him if I thought differently.’
This wasn’t the answer she wanted but she would have to respect his wishes and not push for more. ‘If Mum ever finds out – well – I just hope she doesn’t.’
‘As long as your Jack’s in charge down there and Joe keeps his distance, I reckon nothing will come out.’
‘He’s not my Jack – he’s my boss. I don’t particularly like him, if I’m being honest. I must have more of Mum in me than I realised. He’s too much of a rough diamond for me. I much prefer Greg, and if I went out with anybody it would be him.’
‘Funny you should mention that, he rang when you were out and he’s coming tonight. In fact, he should be here anytime. So good thing you haven’t gone up or you would have missed him. He is exactly the sort of young man your mother and I want you to walk out with.’
‘Hang on a minute, Dad, I’ve only met him once. Don’t have us marching up the aisle already.’
He chuckled. ‘Don’t worry, lovey, you’ll get no pressure from me. Eighteen is far too young to think of getting married. I don’t want to lose you for another few years.’
‘That’s a relief then.’ She carefully stood up and shook out her dress hoping it wasn’t too creased. It took her several minutes to locate her shoes and ram her feet into them. ‘I’d better go and look for him I suppose. Why hasn’t Neil come?’
‘Your brother hasn’t got a pass tonight. I think Greg has taken a shine to you, Ellie. It’s not that far from his London home to Romford in a fast car like his. He said he’d be here by nine and it’s later than that already.’
‘It’s a good thing you told me or I’d have been in bed by now. Are you coming out again? Jack’s spoiling for a fight and I dread to think what would happen if he causes a fuss this evening.’
With a loud sigh he emerged from his chair. ‘I’ll find him and bring him back here. To tell you the truth, he’s more my cup o
f tea than Greg Dunlop. I’ve got a decent bottle of whiskey tucked away somewhere, we can share that and he can tell me about his daring deeds in America.’
*
Greg was regretting his impulsive decision to drive thirty miles on the off chance that he’d get a look in with Ellie Simpson. He’d had a couple of relationships, but both had been with debs. He’d never met anyone quite like Neil’s sister and he was inexplicably drawn to her.
He saw the lanterns swinging in the wind a couple of miles from the farm and that made finding the place so much easier. A local appeared and offered to park his car. As he was already late, Greg hopped over the door and left him to it.
Where would he find the girl he’d driven so far to see? He hadn’t expected to see so many guests – this party looked more like one of the grand affairs his mother held than an informal country get-together. His lips curved. He’d hardly be wearing a dinner jacket if it was informal.
Violin music mingled with the sound of the blackbirds in the trees and he could see dozens of immaculately clad couples mingling in a smart marquee, a barn now doubling as a bar.
He couldn’t see Mr or Mrs Simpson or Ellie. He wasn’t sure he’d actually recognise her in an evening dress but she would be the only one with cropped hair so should stand out. She was probably one of the tallest women here as well.
Then he saw a slender girl in a lavender silk, figure-hugging dress coming towards him. She looked spectacular and worth every mile of the drive.
Seven
‘Ellie, you look quite stunning. I hope you don’t mind me gate-crashing but I wanted to see you again.’
‘Thank you for saying so and thank you for coming. Let me find you a drink. Most people have gone to the marquee as supper is being served.’ She pointed to the bar which was now fairly quiet. ‘You look very dashing too. I thought service men had to stay in their uniforms even when they went off base.’
‘I’ve just completed my orientation and expect to be going to join 107 squadron at Wattisham soon. As I’m not officially attached at the moment I can do as I damn well please.’
‘How exciting, Neil is going to be based at Gravesend – he’s going to be a Spitfire pilot. What will you be flying?’
‘A Blenheim 1f. Now, that’s quite enough talk about me. What have you been doing for the past couple of weeks?’
He didn’t go for the beer but had a glass of bubbly and she had another lemonade. He was almost as easy to talk to as Jack and they found themselves a quiet corner and chatted about everything from the latest film showing in Romford to what they had both been reading.
‘We had better go and get something to eat before it’s all gone.’ Ellie put her arm through his and they headed to the marquee. Although it was finger food the guests had still sat down to eat. There were no places left at any of the tables.
‘Never mind, I can go to the kitchen and get something for both of us. Why don’t you go back to the bar and bring us a couple of drinks – at least there are some chairs in there.’ She left him replenishing his glass and promised she wouldn’t be long.
After almost twisting her ankle on the way she removed her shoes and chucked them onto the stairs as she went in. This meant the hem of her dress would trail in the dirt but better that than breaking her neck so she’d better nip upstairs and find herself something else to wear. After rummaging for several minutes in the bottom of a wardrobe she found some plimsolls and pushed her bare feet into them. Hardly glamorous, but they were far more comfortable.
There was no one in the kitchen but there still seemed to be plenty of food waiting to go out. She snatched a plate from the dresser and filled it with a random selection of items. If Greg was anything like her brothers he didn’t care what he ate as long as there was plenty of it.
It was just as quick to return to the barn via the back door and she was less likely to be seen shoeless by the other guests. Greg must be wondering what had kept her as she’d been gone far longer than she’d anticipated.
With a handful of her skirt in one hand and the piled plate in the other she stepped out into the darkness. It took a moment for her vision to adjust and whilst she was stationary someone approached.
‘I thought you’d gone to bed, Ellie, but I’m glad you didn’t. Were you coming to find me with that?’ Jack strolled into view.
Her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth and she couldn’t think of a sensible reply. Whatever she said, whatever she did, someone was going to be cross with her. Then the matter was taken out of her hands as Greg appeared from the direction of the bar.
‘There you are, I was beginning to think you’d abandoned me,’ he said. He ignored Jack, which was a mistake.
‘Who the hell are you? I thought you had better taste, Ellie, and didn’t go for the posh boys.’ Jack was now standing beside her giving quite the wrong impression.
Greg seemed to grow several inches and changed from a charming, friendly man into someone quite formidable. ‘Greg Dunlop, friend of the family. Ellie is with me.’
The two men stared at each other. They were of similar size and if Jack decided he wanted to fight it could go either way. She refused to be squabbled over like two dogs with one bone.
‘I’m not with anyone.’ She shoved the laden plate towards Greg. ‘Here you are. Why don’t you share it with Jack as I’m going to bed.’
He had to take it or it would have dropped to the floor. She hurried inside leaving the two of them to sort it out for themselves. She was sorry Jack had intervened as she’d been enjoying her chat with Greg. Men didn’t seem to grow up as girls did – they still behaved like children in the playground. A woman wouldn’t fight over a man, she’d have too much sense.
Maybe she would see Greg again as he was going to be stationed fairly close and whilst the fragile truce held he wouldn’t have much to do. The fighter planes often flew over the farm practising their dogfights but bombers could hardly practice dropping bombs. She wasn’t sure if the aircrew of these bigger aircraft were sent on imaginary missions – but she’d certainly never seen any in the sky over Romford.
On her way through the deserted kitchen she helped herself to a second plate. What she really wanted was a cuppa, but she didn’t think it wise to dawdle in the kitchen just in case Jack or Greg came to find her. Going to work on Monday was going to be interesting.
*
Jack turned to watch Ellie disappear. ‘Well that’s us told. Did you notice she’s got canvas shoes on?’ His flash of anger had been ridiculous and unnecessary. He held out his hand with a friendly smile. ‘Jack Reynolds, I own the aero club where she works. I’ve had too much drink and apologise for my behaviour.’
The other bloke carefully put the plate of food into his left hand so he could offer his right. ‘Pleased to meet you again. Actually, I’m a friend of her brother Neil, only met Ellie once before.’
They shook hands and Jack liked the guy despite the fact that he belonged to a social class he despised. ‘I remember now; I didn’t recognise you out of uniform.’ He gestured towards the plate. ‘Seems a pity to waste all that food. I could do with another beer – shall we share this at the bar?’
They polished off the plate in double quick time but Jack was still hungry. ‘That hardly touched the sides – I’m not a fan of this sort of thing. Can’t see the point myself. What’s wrong with a normal sandwich?’
‘Nothing at all, in my opinion. Can you get me a beer this time? I’ll run a sortie to the kitchen and find us something else to eat.’
The bar was a bit busier now as people finished their fancy supper and came in search of something to wet their whistle. Although he’d made an effort to mingle, and those he’d spoken to had been scrupulously polite, the fact that he was the only one in a lounge suit made him feel uncomfortable. He shouldn’t have come to this sort of shindig, it wasn’t his cup of tea.
The barman served him first which didn’t go down well with the toffee-nosed lot waiting politely in a queue, but he i
gnored the dirty looks and took the two pints back to the chairs he and Greg had commandeered. These were positioned just outside the barn, up against the wall, and fortunately nobody else had pinched them.
He carefully put the second brimming glass under a chair and then sat down nursing his own beer. He shouldn’t really have any more as he was already half-pissed and soon he wouldn’t be safe to drive himself home. If he ate some more of the fancy food, that should soak up some of the alcohol.
He ought to have recognised Greg even though he was dressed like a penguin – but then he’d been more concerned with Ellie’s behaviour than the other pilot. Anyway, one bloke in RAF uniform looked very like another to him. Maybe when he eventually joined up he’d become less noticeable but he doubted it – conker-coloured hair made him easily recognisable.
‘Here we are; I think I did better than you, old chap. Got a plateful for each of us this time.’ Greg handed one over and then took the other chair. He didn’t ask where his drink was, just groped between his legs and emerged triumphantly with his pint.
They munched and slurped happily and there was no need for conversation, which was a good thing as he didn’t have much to say. He didn’t make small talk and the less he heard about the approaching war the better. There were no lanterns this side of the barn and he couldn’t see the face of the guy beside him. He was jolted out of his alcoholic doze when Greg spoke.
‘I have to ask, are you interested in Ellie?’
‘Bloody hell! Not at all – not my type. You go ahead, mate, if you fancy her. I’ll not tread on your toes.’
‘Really? I thought you seemed a bit proprietorial earlier.’
‘I apologised for that. She’s like a kid sister to me so I’m going to keep an eye on her, aren’t I? Just make sure you don’t take advantage. She’s had no experience with men.’
Heartwarming and emotional story of one girl's courage in WW2 Page 6