A Sister's Courage

by Molly Green

  There were mutterings behind her to stop yakking so everyone could please get served. Raine mouthed ‘sorry’ to the people behind her, thanked the woman at the till, and joined the others at a table giving a clear view of the airfield.

  ‘We can keep a lookout for her from here,’ Audrey said. ‘I must say I’m now getting slightly concerned.’ She bit into her Spam sandwich and pulled a face. ‘Have you tried our delicious Spam, Dolly?’

  ‘Yes, and I never want it again, thank you. I think I’d rather starve.’

  The three of them chattered about rationing, every so often glancing over to the window, hoping to see Stephanie.

  ‘It happened to me once when the fog was so thick I couldn’t even see to land,’ Raine said. ‘That must be what’s happened to Stephanie – and then there’s the worry about the fuel.’ She looked round at them. ‘But she’s a good pilot. I’m sure she’s all right and will soon be here.’

  ‘But if there’s no clear spot, what then?’ Dolores said anxiously.

  ‘She’ll find one,’ Audrey said. ‘We must try not to worry until we hear something definite.’

  Dolores took a sip of coffee and made a face. ‘I can’t believe they serve this up as coffee. It tastes nothing like it.’

  ‘It’s Camp, I expect,’ Raine said, smiling although she didn’t feel like it. ‘You know coffee and tea is rationed here. Has been for quite a while. Same as sugar and butter and chocolate and loads of other things we took for granted and now miss like mad. You don’t know how lucky you Americans are.’

  She knew she was gabbling but she was beginning to become alarmed. For something to do she stood up and wandered over to the window, peering out. A bank of low dark cloud did little to reassure her of Stephanie’s fate. Fearing something really bad must have happened, she turned from the window and at that moment, to her huge relief, she saw her friend walk through the door.

  ‘Stephanie!’ What happened?’ Raine hurried over to her and gave her a quick hug. ‘We were all getting worried.’

  Dolores and Audrey leapt up and also hugged her. Raine noticed the pleasure on Stephanie’s face as though she was surprised they should be so demonstrative.

  ‘I was getting nervy myself, I can tell you. I must have strayed further than I realised and couldn’t see a damn thing with all that cloud. I completely lost sight of you all – and worse, the ground, so I had no landmarks to go by. I was still peering at the map as I was trying to actually land.’

  ‘Come and sit down and tell us what happened.’ Dolores sat at the table again and patted the empty seat beside her.

  ‘I’ll get you something to eat and a cup of tea,’ Raine said. ‘I shan’t be a tick. Don’t start without me.’

  She was back in time to hear most of Stephanie’s story.

  ‘It got so bad where I was that I actually flew above the clouds for a bit trying to see if there was a clear space between them. But there was nothing, so I set the compass and just kept flying straight, coming down every so often for a dekko. I knew it wouldn’t be long before I ran out of fuel, so that didn’t help. And then when I saw the Mersey I nearly had a heart attack. I’d been about to approach Liverpool.’ She bit her lip at the memory. ‘I was so worried about the fuel I almost decided to land at Speke, but I chanced it and flew on, and … well, here I am, safe and sound, but with no more fuel than would fill a teapot.’ She grinned. ‘When I landed I felt like kneeling down and kissing the ground.’

  After Stephanie had eaten a sandwich and drunk her tea she breathed out a long sigh.

  ‘That’s better. It wouldn’t have been good to have spoiled my nickname of Stormy Stephanie,’ she chuckled.

  ‘I’m surprised you can fly at all with the length of those nails,’ Audrey said drily. ‘Don’t know how you press the booster coil and the starter coil in a Spit, for instance.’

  ‘That’s easy,’ Stephanie giggled. ‘Those little buttons are quite tricky to press at the same time with long nails, so I just use the top of my lipstick case for one and the bottom of the lipstick case for the other. It works a treat.’

  ‘You’re incorrigible, Stephanie,’ Raine said, laughing with the others.

  The four women chatted about ways of dealing with the idiosyncratic nature of the various types of aircraft until it was time to report to the office at two.

  ‘Apparently we all have another delivery,’ Raine said, rising to her feet, ‘so we ought to go.’

  Please give me a station that’s not too far from White Waltham. Raine crossed her fingers as she and the other girls stepped into the office.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Raine could hardly bear to look at her chit. Her face fell. She was to deliver a Blenheim – that bit was good – but to Silloth, which wasn’t.

  Audrey looked at her chit. ‘I’ve got an Oxford to go to Desford. I’m happy with anything if it’s got a closed cockpit.’ She looked at Raine. ‘You don’t seem very enthusiastic about yours.’

  ‘I never mind where I’m sent normally,’ Raine said, hating to moan about a job she loved, ‘but I’m off in the opposite direction – a Blenheim to Silloth … more or less where we’ve just come from. I was hoping for something to take me nearer to home.’

  ‘Oh. Any reason?’

  Raine blushed. ‘I’m supposed to be meeting someone this evening.’

  ‘Rotten luck,’ Audrey said. ‘He’ll have to wait a bit longer for you.’ She chuckled. ‘Makes them more keen.’ She winked. ‘I like the Blenheim. It’s a good rugged one.’ She turned to the American girl. ‘What about you, Dolores? You look very happy. Where are you headed?’

  ‘They must know I’m from the States,’ Dolores said, all smiles. ‘I’m taking a Harvard trainer to Lakenheath. Apparently it’s an American base in Norfolk, so I’m gonna feel right at home. With luck I’ll stay overnight and stock up at the PX—’

  ‘What’s the PX?’ Audrey interrupted.

  ‘It’s an abbreviation for Post Exchange,’ Dolores said, ‘and the biggest retailer in the US military.’ Her gaze swept over the little group. ‘Like I said, I’ll stock up on items I’ve not seen over here … for the benefit of all of us,’ she added, grinning.

  What a smashing girl, Raine thought as Audrey let out a cry of delight and patted Dolores on her arm.

  ‘What about you, Stephanie?’ Raine said. ‘You’ve gone very quiet. Are they sending you even further than me?’

  ‘Hate to brag but it’s the best one of all,’ Stephanie answered.

  Raine looked at her curiously. ‘Well, you don’t seem that chuffed about it.’

  Stephanie stared at Raine. ‘I’m not quite sure how to tell you this, Lorraine, but it’s to take a Spit to RAF Benson!’

  Raine startled. ‘What! But that’s where—’

  ‘Yes, I’m well aware that’s where Mr Green Eyes is stationed,’ Stephanie said, her own big blue eyes now gleaming. ‘And I’m sure I won’t cause half the sensation you would when I turn up.’

  Raine forced a smile. What bad luck to think it had been given to Stephanie. But that was the name of the game and there was a war on. You had to get on with whatever you were dished out.

  ‘Is this green-eyed pilot your boyfriend?’ Dolores asked, her dark eyebrows raised.

  Raine hesitated. She was torn between spilling out everything and not saying a word. The others looked at her.

  ‘Well,’ Audrey said, ‘you might as well tell her. Stephanie and I know how desperately in love you are.’

  Heat rose at the back of Raine’s neck.

  ‘He can’t be known only as Mr Green Eyes,’ Dolores chuckled, ‘although that’s mighty intriguing. But I assume he has a name.’

  ‘Alec,’ Raine said. Just saying his name was a relief. It made him feel closer somehow. ‘His name is Alec Marshall. And yes,’ she said, smiling at the little group, ‘I know I’ll never hear the last of it if I don’t tell you I’m madly in love with him.’

  ‘Does he know that?’ Stephanie demand
ed. ‘If he does, you’ve not told me.’

  Raine hesitated before saying, ‘I haven’t exactly told him.’

  ‘Why not?’ Stephanie snapped out.

  ‘Um …’

  ‘I suppose she must have her reasons,’ Audrey broke in, rolling her eyes. She turned to Raine. ‘And Alec?’

  ‘What about him?’ Raine said.

  ‘You know full well,’ Audrey said impatiently. ‘Is he in love with you?’

  ‘So he says. I want to believe him.’

  ‘Any reason why you shouldn’t?’ Stephanie said. ‘Because from where I sat at your place last Christmas he was besotted – and even though you had a row with him, anyone could tell you felt exactly the same.’

  Had it really been that obvious? Raine wouldn’t tell them about the ‘pretending’ business. It was something that still niggled her.

  ‘Let’s hope he keeps that way,’ she said lightly, wanting to change the subject.

  ‘Hmm. These men can be slippery characters,’ Audrey said with feeling. ‘And I should know.’

  ‘I’ve never thought of Alec in quite that way.’ Raine couldn’t help laughing. She glanced at Stephanie. ‘Stephanie, would you take him a note from me? Then he’ll know I’m not going to make it back this evening?’

  ‘I can do better than that,’ Stephanie said, looking pleased with herself. ‘I’ll swap you – but only because you have a Blenheim.’

  Dolores let out a cheer. Audrey’s smile cracked her face in two.

  Raine stood transfixed. Silloth was as far as Carlisle.

  ‘Stephanie, that’s so kind of you,’ she said. ‘Are you sure?’

  ‘Course I’m sure,’ Stephanie said, looking almost embarrassed by her good turn. ‘We’re friends, aren’t we? That’s what friends are for. And I haven’t forgotten how you threw me a lifeline when I was pretty low after that poisoning business and you invited me to your home.’ She slipped her arm through Raine’s. ‘But we don’t know yet whether a swap is even on the cards, so you and I need to go and talk to someone.’

  ‘I’m sorry,’ Mrs James, Hawarden’s ATA commander, told the two women. ‘We can’t allow swaps. It’s against the rules.’ She looked up at them. ‘Why would you want to do it anyway?’

  Stephanie looked at Raine. ‘Shall I say?’

  Raine nodded. Maybe the woman would be sympathetic although it was hard to tell. Mrs James looked all business and low on romance.

  ‘All in the name of love,’ Stephanie said.

  Mrs James raised her brows.

  ‘Lorraine has a boyfriend at the station,’ Stephanie continued, ‘who she hasn’t seen for several weeks. And he only has a few hours spare this evening before he has to go off again. I wouldn’t want to be responsible for standing in love’s way.’

  Was Stephanie going too far? Raine almost wished she’d kept it more practical, but you couldn’t stop Stephanie once she got started.

  ‘I’m really sorry, Miss Linfoot, but that wouldn’t be an acceptable reason to swap,’ Mrs James said, looking at Raine over the top of her glasses. ‘The reason why it’s against the rules is that pilots are experienced in different classes of aircraft and it would be far too dangerous to be swapping and maybe flying something you may not have even been trained for.’

  ‘But we’ve been trained to fly both aircraft,’ Raine argued. ‘And we’re highly experienced on them.’

  ‘If you telephoned White Waltham and spoke to one of the adjutants, she’d confirm it.’ Stephanie persisted.

  The CO shook her head. ‘I’m really sorry,’ she said. ‘Break the rules for one and it will open the floodgates.’ She rose from behind her desk to indicate the meeting was over.

  ‘Thanks anyway, Stephanie,’ Raine said when they were out of earshot. ‘At least we tried.’

  ‘You’re not giving up?’ Stephanie’s eyes were wide.

  ‘You heard what she said – it’s against the rules.’

  ‘So what can they do to us?’ Stephanie said. Her eyes gleamed as she grabbed Raine’s arm. ‘They need us more than we need them. So what do you say? Are you game to be a rebel with me?’

  Raine thought for all of two seconds then broke into a huge grin. ‘All right, Stephanie, I’m game!’

  It had been easy. She and Stephanie signed their chits and picked up their parachutes and harnesses from the store. After saying goodbye to Audrey and Dolores, they strolled over the grassy airfield towards the two planes that sat side by side. Raine gave a start. She’d never seen a sky-blue painted Spitfire before. It was the most beautiful sight, its glorious curves glistening with raindrops from the last downpour, making the aircraft shimmer even on such a dull day.

  ‘You’re a lucky girl, love,’ one of the ground crew said. ‘Especially flying this model. It’s even lighter to handle because it doesn’t carry any armament.’

  Raine frowned. ‘Oh?’

  ‘It’s used for photographic reconnaissance,’ he explained. ‘That’s why it’s painted the same colour as an English sky on a sunny day – as camouflage.’ He tilted his head up. ‘Not that we’ll be likely to have one of those rarities today,’ he chuckled.

  Yes, of course. Alec had mentioned it. Her heart lifted. It would be a personal journey from her to him. It might even be the very plane he’d fly on one of his missions. Her pulse quickened at the thought.

  ‘Those clouds look a bit dodgy,’ the other said, peering up at the sky. ‘Think you can handle it, ladies?’

  His expression told her he couldn’t believe these women had been let loose on the two expensive planes.

  ‘I’m sure we can,’ Raine said, annoyed at his tone.

  ‘Good luck then, Raine.’ Stephanie turned to her. ‘Hope the reunion is as romantic as you dream. Meanwhile, think of me in my first Blenheim.’

  Raine was just about to leap onto the wing when she stopped abruptly.

  ‘What did you say?’

  ‘About the reunion? That I hoped—’

  ‘No, not that,’ Raine said impatiently. ‘You know jolly well – about it being your first Blenheim.’

  ‘Oh, that.’ Stephanie beamed. ‘Didn’t I tell you? I’ve never flown one. But if I can fly an Oxford and a Whitley I daresay I can fly a Blenheim. It’s only another twin engine. There can’t be a lot in it. And I’ve always wanted to get my hands on one.’

  ‘Read the Pilots Notes very carefully – twice,’ Raine shouted, but Stephanie had already disappeared into the aircraft.

  Raine set her parachute on the seat as a cushion and clipped on her harness. She glanced through the Pilots Notes and went through her checklist. In the tight space she already felt as one with this beautiful little plane and was certain the blue Spitfire felt the same. Grinning at the absurdity, she started the engine.

  She was up! Together, they were flying at one thousand eight hundred feet, keeping just below the cloud. She kept it steady for the next hour or so until visibility became a little difficult. She’d go above the clouds like she had before, breaking not one but two rules in a day, but she might as well be hanged for a sheep as a lamb.

  She pulled the control stick gently towards her and the Spit practically sailed through a bank of clouds where a welcoming sun greeted her. Raine laughed aloud. She was all on her own, loving every single moment. It was just her and her Spit and the sky. She’d give herself half an hour and then go back below the two thousand feet as regulations required.

  Thoroughly enjoying herself she began to hum one of the latest Andrews Sisters songs that Suzy sometimes played on the piano and they’d sing together. Raine sang out the words, tapping the beat with her finger on the control board: ‘You’ve got to laugh a little, cry a little, until the clouds roll by a little …’

  She shouted with laughter at that last bit, then broke off as a plane suddenly appeared from the right. She turned her head and squinted, trying to make out the model. It flew closer and she side-slipped, not wanting to endanger them both. But the plane side-slipped with her.
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  She grinned. It must be one of the boys having fun. All right – she’d show him she was up for a tussle as well as any man. Adjusting the strap of her flying helmet and bracing herself, she gently moved the control stick to the right as she flew towards him. And then her blood curdled. A black-and-white cross on the side of the fuselage. A Focke-Wulf. Dear God.

  Panicking, she jerked back the control stick to gain height, but it was too late. There was a burst of fire and to her horror she saw a stream of tracer bullets whizz past her windscreen.

  Sweat broke out over her forehead and above her lip. He was following her. She dropped through the clouds, hoping against hope that the thick haze would shield her from his sight, but she knew he would have another go. He was just above her now, looking down at her. So near she could see his face. My God, he was bent on killing her. Without thinking she tore off her helmet, shook out her hair and waved to him.

  She almost laughed as his expression changed to one of shock. And then a miracle happened. He nodded and gave a stiff wave in return before thundering away – to become an innocent speck in the sky.

  Raine blew out her cheeks. Bloody blimey, that was close. If she hadn’t shown him she was a woman he would have shot both her and her plane into oblivion – no doubt about that. And she’d had no defence. The back of her blouse stuck to her skin. She licked her lips, almost tasting the fear. This is what Alec potentially faced every time he went up – and to think he had no ammunition … She shuddered. The sooner she arrived at Benson, the better. See Alec and explain.

  And then her resolve wavered as she imagined Alec’s anger and hurt when she told him about Doug. The plane gave a sudden jerk and she rapidly began to lose height.

  Stop it, Raine. Concentrate. You were bloody lucky with that German pilot and you might not be so lucky the next time. You’ve got a long journey ahead of you, so bloody well concentrate.