by Molly Green
‘If you’re sure …’ Alec sent him a knowing grin.
The two of them were deliberately leaving the coast clear for Alec Marshall to spend time with her, with no one asking if she fancied that arrangement. A coil of anger unravelled as Baxter nodded to her, said goodbye and disappeared.
‘I’m sorry, but—’ Raine began in a firm voice.
‘Are you having a uniform made?’
‘That really isn’t any of your business,’ Raine said, trying to control her irritation.
‘Oh, dear, you’re still cross with me.’ He studied her, his eyes gleaming with mischief.
She looked away and instead spoke to Mr Duncan, who was patiently waiting with a bolt of navy-blue material.
‘This is our standard uniform material we use for the ATA,’ the tailor said.
‘Ah.’ Alec was at her elbow, grinning with triumph. ‘You took my advice and joined the ATA. I was telling your sister that’s what you ought to do.’
What an infuriating man.
‘I’d made up my mind to join well before you said anything about it to Suzanne,’ Raine said pointedly.
‘Shame the uniform has to be such a dull blue,’ he said, ignoring her remark. ‘With your looks you should always wear bright colours.’ He pointed to a roll of deep lavender-blue material. ‘Is this lining?’ He turned to Mr Duncan.
‘Yes, it is, sir.’
‘Could you please cut me a small piece?’
The tailor obliged and handed the strip to Alec. Alec touched Raine lightly on the shoulder so she was facing him.
‘What are you doing?’ She took a step back.
‘Raise your chin a little,’ he said, bunching up the material and tucking it under Raine’s chin. ‘Yes, I thought so,’ he said. ‘It matches your eyes to perfection – especially when you’re cross, which is most of the time with me, it seems.’ He turned to Mr Duncan. ‘If the young lady gives you the order to make her uniform, would you consider lining the lady’s tunic and include it in your price to the ATA?’
Raine opened her mouth to tell Alec Marshall to stop interfering, when Mr Duncan raised his eyebrows to Raine.
‘I’ve allowed for the standard lining – but I could do that if the lady would like that particular colour,’ he added, turning to Alec. ‘Although I believe she would be going against regulations.’
Raine seethed. How dare the man, officer or no, interfere with her order. Who on earth did he think he was?
‘Mr Duncan, would you please direct your attention to me and my order as I was here before this gentleman.’ She emphasised the last word so Alec Marshall would have no question about where he stood with her.
The tips of Mr Duncan’s ears turned red. ‘I do apologise, Miss Linfoot. I thought you and the officer here—’
‘I barely know him,’ Raine said coldly. ‘But I would like the tunic lined with something a little more bold, so may I see your complete range?’
‘Of course. Come this way.’
Raine stepped past an amused-looking Alec to the next counter where there were a few bolts of satin on the shelves above.
‘We only have a small range since the war started.’ Mr Duncan’s tone was regretful.
Raine’s eyes flicked over the black, grey, navy, emerald green and the bright lavender-blue Alec had picked out, and landed on a dazzling red.
‘I’d like that one,’ she said, pointing to it.
‘It’s a real scarlet,’ Mr Duncan said, pulling down the bolt and unrolling it a few feet. ‘I think you will be the envy of your colleagues when you turn your tunic inside out. And I assure you no one else has chosen that colour.’
‘I like to be different,’ Raine said, smiling at him. ‘And by the way, I wouldn’t dream of asking you to include the extra in the price, so I’ll be happy to pay the difference.’
She threw Alec another glare, but to her fury he sent her a wink.
‘If you’re done, then will you do me the honour of having coffee with me?’ he said.
‘May I take your address first, please, Miss Linfoot?’ The tailor looked at Alec, then back to Raine.
Raine drew herself up. ‘Yes, of course, Mr Duncan.’ She wasn’t going to risk saying it aloud with Alec standing there watching her, so she wrote it out for him.
‘I will write to let you know when you can collect it,’ he promised. ‘It should be ready in four to six weeks. And may I say it’s been a pleasure to do business with you, Miss Linfoot.’
He moved towards the door but Alec was too quick for him and opened it, giving an exaggerated sweep of his arm to allow Raine through.
‘Didn’t you come here to buy something?’ Raine’s manner was curt as she stepped outside.
He was close behind her. She heard him draw a sharp intake of breath.
‘Clever girl. I’d ordered a shirt and tie. Supposed to pick them up today.’ He looked at her with an appreciative smile. ‘Seeing you sent it right out of my head. Will you wait a minute? Promise you won’t leave.’ He shot back inside the store.
Her annoyance with him hadn’t abated in the least. She didn’t want to spend time in his company, or have him try to take control. She had enough of that with Maman. No, she wasn’t having any of it. She was in London. Free to do whatever she wanted before setting off for Hatfield this afternoon. She might wander along the Thames enjoying the sunshine. But first, that cup of tea … though Alec’s suggestion of coffee sounded even better.
She hesitated. No. Just because he had the most incredible green eyes and a mocking smile in them as well as on his mouth, that was no reason for her to kow-tow to his bidding.
Without a second thought or a backward glance, she hurried down the street. She thought she heard her name, faintly, in the distance, but it might just have been her imagination.
Alec mentioning coffee made her mouth water. Remembering how Maman had enjoyed the Lyons teashops when she’d first arrived in England, Raine decided to head for the nearest one. She turned the corner into Oxford Street. And there it was, next to one of the theatres showing a new play. If there was a matinée she might even buy a ticket. She’d never been to a London show before.
Raine stepped back to admire the façade of the Lyons teashop with its extravagantly curled Art Nouveau lettering. And when she opened the door the bell tinkled; she caught her breath. It was a massive room with dozens of tables draped with immaculate white cloths and people, it seemed, occupying every single one. Waitresses flew round in their crisp aprons over dark frocks, their striking caps pulled low over their foreheads, trays held high over the diners.
One of the waitresses hurried over. ‘For how many, miss?’
Raine held up her forefinger. ‘Just one.’
The waitress scanned the room. ‘I think I can squeeze you onto a table with another couple. Would that suit you?’
‘Perfectly,’ Raine said, ‘so long as they don’t mind.’
She followed the waitress to a table towards the back of the room. The waitress said something to a middle-aged couple who nodded and smiled, and wished her good morning as she sat down. Before scurrying off, the waitress handed her a menu.
Raine suddenly realised she was hungry even though it wasn’t yet noon. Quickly, she skimmed through the snacks menu and looked up.
‘May I have Welsh rarebit and a coffee?’ she said. ‘If it’s all right to order coffee in a teashop,’ she added, smiling.
‘Of course, miss.’
The door opened and three more people walked in. Automatically, she glanced over. No. She lowered her head, pretending to stare at the menu, her pulse racing. He couldn’t have. There were other cafés to have a morning coffee. So how had he tracked her down? He was already striding towards her table. He gave a winning smile to the other couple and before she knew it, he’d had the nerve to bend down and kiss her cheek.
‘Raine, I’m so sorry I kept you waiting, darling.’
Her cheek flamed under the warmth of his lips and the endearment. He was do
ing this on purpose, knowing she couldn’t make a scene in front of this nice couple. The lady was gazing at them misty-eyed.
‘Have you already ordered for me?’ he asked.
‘No,’ she said so sharply she felt the lady beside her stiffen. ‘I wasn’t sure how long you’d be,’ she added in a softer tone, ‘or what you wanted … darling.’ She could play at that game.
He gave her a sly grin. ‘I’ll have the same as you.’ He looked up as the waitress bustled over. ‘Could you bring me the same order as the young lady?’
‘Right away, sir.’
‘Have you planned what you’d like to do this afternoon?’ Alec asked her.
‘I thought possibly the theatre next door,’ Raine said sweetly. ‘I believe it’s a new play called A Royal Divorce.’ She emphasised the last word.
‘As long as you don’t get any ideas, my love,’ Alec said with a chuckle, covering her hand with his own.
She forced herself not to snatch it away. Why spoil the other couple’s enjoyment of sharing a nostalgic moment with a young pair who were obviously in love? A smile hovered over her lips. It’s going to be such fun bringing Alec down to earth as soon as we’re outside, she thought. But for now, she couldn’t help being aware of his hand on hers. And as though he knew what she was thinking, he linked his fingers through her own, making each one tingle as he gazed at her with an expression she couldn’t fathom.
Pretending she needed to brush her hair from her face, she removed her hand. But she could still feel the imprint of his warm skin.
Thankfully, the waitress was prompt with their order, so she didn’t have to force any further conversation, except to say how good the Welsh rarebit was and what a surprise to have ‘real’ coffee instead of Camp.
Alec led most of the conversation and even brought their table companions into it.
‘We’re very proud of our young fighting men,’ the gentleman said as he wiped his mouth on the napkin. ‘Wish I could join you all.’
‘I’m sure you did your bit in the last war,’ Alec said.
‘Ah, that was a bad one.’ The man’s eyes half closed in memory. ‘Lost so many of my friends – well, they were more like brothers. I can recall every one of them – every name, every face.’ His eyes filled with tears.
‘I think it’s the intensity of it all,’ Alec said in a sympathetic tone. ‘It must have been a nightmare in those trenches.’
The man nodded. ‘I don’t ever talk about it,’ he said, wiping his eyes with a pristine white handkerchief. ‘No one wants to know now their heads are full of this one – and rightly so. This war is different altogether.’ His eyes were full of sadness as he looked at Alec. ‘I only hope you come through it, my boy. Our dear son didn’t.’
‘Oh, I’m so sorry,’ Raine said immediately, looking at the lady whose eyes were swimming with tears. She reached for the lady’s hand and gently held it for a few seconds. ‘How terrible for you both.’
‘It’s war, unfortunately,’ the man said. ‘Happening all over the country.’ He hesitated. ‘May we know your name, dear boy?’
‘Alec Marshall, sir.’
‘Stan Holland and my wife, Edith. Delighted to meet you.’ His eyes fixed on Raine and smiled. ‘And your young lady?’
Alec gave Raine a tender smile – all put on for their benefit, Raine thought, thoroughly annoyed by now.
‘This is my beautiful fiancé, Lorraine, though we haven’t set the date yet, have we, darling?’ he said, turning to her.
‘Don’t leave it too long, my boy,’ Stan Holland said.
‘We won’t.’
‘No, we won’t,’ Raine said, ‘especially as I’ve only laid eyes on him twice,’ she added. This time she couldn’t help herself.
‘I fell in love with my Stan on the very first meeting,’ Edith Holland said, seemingly taking no notice of Raine’s sarcastic tone and instead gazing fondly at her husband. ‘He asked me for a dance and that was it.’ She turned to Raine and smiled warmly. ‘You don’t have to know someone well to know he’s exactly the right person for you, dear.’
Raine squirmed in her seat. Her stupid comment had backfired completely. Alec was looking at her and chuckling. The couple joined in and without warning it struck her as funny as well. Ten minutes later the four of them were laughing together like old friends.
‘You looked so gorgeous when you were laughing in there,’ Alec said as he closed the teashop door behind them. ‘You should do it more often.’
‘Maybe I would if you didn’t irritate me so much,’ Raine retorted.
‘There you go again – getting cross for no reason.’ Before she could stop him he drew her to him and lightly brushed her lips with his. ‘Life’s too short to be angry. Look at Stan and Edith losing their son. That message rings loud and clear these days when you’re watching for the last plane to return and it doesn’t come and you know another of your mates has bought it.’
His eyes darkened with pain. Suddenly Raine felt ashamed of herself. Her job was relatively safe whereas his … he’d be looking out for the enemy at every turn. Maybe carry out one operation too many. She’d never know about it. A cold chill ran across her shoulders even though the sun was warm.
‘I’d love to spend the rest of the day with you, Raine.’ His eyes searched hers. ‘It’s been six months since I last saw you. Tell me you’d like it, too.’
Who knew from day to day, hour to hour, what this war would bring. That’s what Stan had been trying to tell them. If anything happened to this man … She swallowed the lump in her throat. She would never forgive herself for not sharing one lovely summer day with him.
‘All right,’ she said. ‘So long as we don’t have to sit in a stuffy theatre to find out how we can get a divorce.’
He threw his head back and laughed. ‘That’s my girl.’ He gazed at her, his face now serious. ‘Will you be my girl?’
Doug’s image popped into her head. She’d loved him for a long time when she’d been far too young to know the real meaning of love. And what of Doug himself? She was like a kid sister, he’d always said, which was hardly conducive to romance. To be fair to Doug, he’d never given her any reason to think she could be anything more. But she couldn’t simply switch Doug off and turn Alec on.
For one thing Alec never ceased to annoy her with his cocky attitude. So why did she make things worse by always rising to his bait and snapping something back? If she thought she was putting him in his place, she rarely succeeded. She frowned. She never had to act like that with Doug. But was that all part of it with Alec? A spark, if she were honest, she’d never felt with Doug? Embarrassed, she became aware of Alec watching her with a thoughtful expression.
‘You’ve gone very quiet,’ he said, fishing in his pocket and lighting a cigarette. ‘Does that mean I have competition?’
‘If you mean, do I have a boyfriend … not exactly.’
Alec inhaled deeply, then blew out a stream of smoke. ‘It’s the “not exactly” bit I’m bothered about.’ He stopped and looked at her. ‘So there is someone?’
‘I don’t want to talk about it.’
‘Point taken.’ He flung the almost whole cigarette on the ground and stamped on it. ‘Do you still want to spend the day with me?’
‘So long as we have an understanding that I don’t want you to read anything into it.’
‘Oh, I wouldn’t dream of it.’
They were back to their usual way of firing another shot at one another. Raine felt on edge. He was going too fast for her, almost as though he had a right, and she didn’t like it at all.
To her surprise he suddenly chuckled. ‘I shall never give up asking you that question.’
‘Which one? You’ve asked so many.’
‘The “Will you be my girl?” one.’
‘As long as you remember I’m no Edith Holland,’ Raine said, smiling, trying to lighten the tension.
‘More’s the pity.’ He ducked as she pretended to swipe him.
&nb
sp; ‘How’s that lovely sister of yours?’ he said as they strolled through Regent’s Park, Raine feeling a little more comfortable with him. ‘Suzy.’
‘Did she tell you to call her that?’
‘Yes. Why?’
‘She normally only lets family and friends call her Suzy. And even then Maman hates it. The three of us use different names from the ones she gave us. She’s French and takes it as a personal insult.’
Alec smiled. ‘Mine’s too short to muck about with. The parents said they did it on purpose.’
When they came to a bench he sat down, drawing her close beside him. She inched a little further away so he didn’t get any more ideas.
‘This is nice,’ he said, his face lifted towards the sun. ‘You can make-believe there’s no war on when you hear the birds singing and people going about their business. I’m just so sorry for the parents living here – they’ve had a rough time being bombed night after night, but my mother refused to leave Dad to go to her sister’s in the country where she would have been much safer.’ He looked at Raine with a wry smile. ‘That’s love for you, I suppose.’ When she didn’t answer, he said, ‘Thankfully, the worst seems to be over, but we all worry what the next thing is that Mr Hitler might have up his sleeve.’
‘What do your parents think about you way up in the sky, fighting the Germans?’
‘Mum’s worried, as all mothers are. Dad’s okay about it. He fought in the last war so he understands.’ He turned to her. ‘Thing is, I’m not actually fighting.’
‘Oh.’ Pauline Gower’s warning came to her mind. It might be verging on a security breach if she asked him anything more.
‘I’m in photographic reconnaissance,’ he continued, as though he’d read her thoughts. ‘So in many ways I’m lucky. Though Jerry does come close sometimes. Good thing my Spit has the power to get me out of any trouble, because we’re unarmed.’
Raine’s eyes widened. ‘I hadn’t realised.’
‘I like it better that way.’ He gave her a wry smile. ‘Let’s get on to a happier subject – though I actually love the job I do, so don’t go feeling sorry for me.’
‘I don’t. Not at all.’
She wasn’t going to let him suspect anything different.