There was a tiny police station in Amberton. It was really just a single room in the cottage used by the one and only police constable in the village. PC Tully was a portly man with a ruddy face who could be seen walking the streets of Amberton, exchanging jovial greetings with the locals. He didn’t inspire May with confidence, who would have rather given the information to a younger, more energetic policeman. The trouble was, most of those were now in the services.
However, she needn’t have worried. PC Tully, it appeared, had been aware of a black market trade operating in West Sussex, and was only too pleased to ring through to his superiors to report a lead. May was obliged to repeat the whole report over the phone to a Chief Inspector Franklin of the CID.
‘Leave it with us, miss,’ Franklin said. ‘I’ll send a couple of officers to watch the shop and apprehend the perpetrators once they’ve witnessed the handover.’
‘But what about the child, Peggy? She’s an evacuee being fostered with Mrs Evans.’
‘We’ll find her temporary accommodation until a new foster family can be arranged.’
May had to be content with that. However, as she left the station, she went cold, remembering Flight Officer Payne’s orders about not interfering with village concerns. She could only pray that the police found proof of Mrs Evans’ wrongdoing, otherwise she was going to wind up in deep trouble.
The rest of the day passed in a blur, so busy that May managed to forget her worries. Most of it was spent at the village hall, arranging everything for the pantomime. While they weren’t doing any more rehearsals with the children, Jess had arranged to go over a few more scenes with the adult cast at different times throughout the day. These were mainly to correct problems with props that they had noticed in the dress rehearsal and to cover the scenes that had been disrupted by Mrs Evans’ interruption. May watched Jess and Milan carefully when he arrived to rehearse a kitchen scene between Cinderella and the ugly sisters. Although he seemed to avoid Jess’s gaze at times, he appeared his usual self and was polite and calm when he spoke to her. If anything, it was Jess who seemed more embarrassed at being in the same room. Maybe Milan wasn’t as heartbroken as May had thought he would be. If so, Jess had probably made the right decision.
The next day was Christmas Eve. There was no rehearsal, Jess having declared that the actors needed a day’s break to deliver a fresh performance on Christmas Day. Although Jess was excused from duty, May was on standby all day in case any pilots needed collecting. Thankfully they all returned safely from each patrol, so May had nothing more onerous to do than checking her car’s oil and tyres.
Just before lunch, she was summoned to see Flight Officer Payne. She made her way to Payne’s office on shaky legs. This had to be about her report to the police.
May felt sick. What if the police had confiscated the book only to find there was nothing hidden in the pages? What if they had complained to Payne about her? She would find herself spending Christmas Day scrubbing the cookhouse floor with a toothbrush, and she could forget about the pantomime. She could forget about Cranwell. She could forget about any chance of promotion ever again.
She had to pause outside Payne’s office to compose herself and wipe damp palms on her skirt before knocking. Her ears were buzzing so loudly she nearly missed the call to enter. Feeling giddy and sick, she opened the door and stood to attention in front of Payne’s desk and saluted.
‘At ease, Lidford.’
May relaxed her stance and fixed her gaze on a point just over Flight Officer Payne’s left shoulder, concentrating on keeping her features composed.
Payne was reading something on a sheet of paper. May itched to know what it said, but resolutely kept her chin up and her gaze fixed on a note pinned to the noticeboard behind the desk. There was a silence so profound, May could hear the faint tick of Payne’s wristwatch.
‘I see you’ve still been pursuing your vendetta against the owner of Evans’ Haberdashery, despite my warning to stay out of village affairs.’
‘Not a vendetta, ma’am. A concern.’ If it hadn’t been for all Jess’s help with acting, May would never have been able to answer Payne back, but as she was already in trouble she was going to make sure she was punished for what had actually happened.
‘I see.’ Payne placed another sheet of paper on top of the one she had been reading. May’s heart sank. The complaint covered more than one page? ‘You might be interested to hear that the police spent this morning watching the haberdashery, following a report from you and another WAAF about ration fraud.’
‘Yes, ma’am.’ What had happened? Why did Payne have to drag this out? Couldn’t she just tell May she had sent the police on a wild goose chase and dole out her punishment?
‘At midday, Mrs Evans handed a Georgette Heyer book to a Mr Arnold Walker.’ Another maddening pause. May said nothing, knowing Payne was enjoying dragging this out. She wouldn’t give her the pleasure of seeing May’s agitation.
‘The police apprehended Mr Walker and confiscated the book.’ At least May could take comfort from knowing the police had taken her report seriously.
Payne picked up a third sheet of paper. ‘When the police examined the book, they found ration coupons from three separate children.’
‘Three?’ In her surprise, May couldn’t keep quiet. ‘Who— how— I mean, where from?’
‘It appears that Mrs Evans has links with other women around the area who are taking rations from the evacuee children they are hosting. When interviewed by the police she fell over herself to name the other women involved.’
‘And she was giving them to Mr Walker?’ In her desperate need to know more, May forgot to call Payne ‘ma’am’, but Payne didn’t seem to object.
‘The police are searching his house and office as we speak. In the meantime, they wished to pass on their thanks to you and your friend Halloway for uncovering what looks like a major fraud.’
May felt weak with relief. ‘Thank you, ma’am.’ But there was one other thing she was burning to know. ‘Do you know what’s going to happen to the evacuee Mrs Evans was hosting – Peggy Hardy?’
Payne’s face softened. ‘The vicar’s wife, Mrs Grey, has offered to take her in for now.’
‘Oh, that is good news. Thank you, ma’am.’
Payne gave her a broad smile. ‘Thank you, Lidford. There are times you have to use your own judgement and follow your instincts. By continuing to follow your suspicions, you showed excellent judgement and, I might add, leadership.’
‘I was worried about Peggy, ma’am. That’s all.’
‘You were prepared to stick your neck out for her. Not many people would do that, especially after being warned by their superior officer not to interfere. In short, you behaved like an officer. I shall be putting in a recommendation that you be fast-tracked to an officer’s role if you do well on the course.’
May’s first thought when she woke on Christmas morning was of Peter. Would he come to the pantomime? The way she had treated him, she wouldn’t blame him for staying away. She didn’t have time to brood, however, for Jess bounded out of bed.
‘It’s today! Happy Christmas, May!’ Jess certainly seemed to have recovered her spirits.
May beamed back at her. This was her first Christmas with friends, and she was going to enjoy every minute of it, whether or not she saw Peter. She’d been looking forward to this day for weeks.
‘Happy Christmas, Jess.’ She rummaged in her bedside locker for Jess’s present. Her fingers closed over the little parcel and she handed it to Jess. ‘I couldn’t get any wrapping paper, so used newspaper. I hope you like it.’
‘I know I’ll love it,’ said Jess. She took the present and put it to her nose, breathing deeply. ‘I smell roses,’ she said with a smile. ‘If this is what I think it is, then thank you. I’m down to my last sliver!’ She then handed May a small flat box also wrapped in newspaper. ‘This is for you. Happy Christmas.’
There came the sound of ripping paper. Jess gave a crow of delight when she saw a large bar of rose-scented soap. ‘Where did you get this? I thought I was going to have to resort to coal tar soap after my bar runs out.’
‘Chichester. I had half an hour to spare when I was waiting to collect a group of recruits from the station. I found a chemist that had just got a fresh stock in. I bought some for Evie as well.’
‘Go on. Open yours.’
May resumed unwrapping her gift and found a pretty little box of rouge, complete with mirror in the lid. ‘Thank you. It’s lovely.’ She gazed doubtfully at the rouge, wondering if she’d be brave enough to wear it. She already felt very daring whenever she wore the lipstick Jess had persuaded her to buy in Brighton.
Jess must have interpreted her expression. ‘I’ll show you how to put it on. It’s the perfect colour for you.’
Once they were dressed, Jess showed May how to blend a little of the rouge along her cheekbones. May turned her face this way and that as she examined it in the mirror.
‘You see how it emphasises your cheekbones? You’re a true knock-out. A pity you have to wear your hair tied back to play Prince Charming, but I’ll brush it out for you after the performance. Everyone will wonder when Katharine Hepburn joined the WAAF!’
May had to admit she liked the effect. She found herself wondering what Peter would think. No. She wouldn’t think of Peter. He probably wouldn’t come.
Once they were dressed they dashed into the village to meet Evie and then they went to the village hall to set up for the performance. As soon as they stepped through the doors and May saw the stage with its forest backdrop, all ready for the first scene, she felt the first twinges of nerves. They laid out the make-up and had all the costumes hung up in the appropriate changing rooms arranged in the order they were to be worn. There was less to do than they had thought, so when Mrs Grey breezed in after the morning service and invited May, Jess and Evie to an early Christmas dinner, they accepted with pleasure.
When they walked through the door at the vicarage, there was a cry of joy, and Peggy bounded down the stairs and flung herself into May’s arms. May staggered back and then hugged her, laughing.
‘Thank you!’ Peggy cried. ‘I never thought I was going to leave Mrs Evans. I wouldn’t have done if it hadn’t been for you.’
‘I’m so glad.’ May felt a sudden tightness in her throat. Whatever happened with Peter, at least she could leave Amberton secure in the knowledge that Peggy was well cared for. ‘It’s Mrs Grey you have to thank for taking you in.’
‘Wait – you haven’t heard the best news yet. Davey’s going to stay here as well. We’ll be together.’
‘That’s wonderful.’
Mrs Grey patted Peggy’s shoulder. ‘I was so sad to see the two of you split up. I’m only too happy to have him here.’ She looked up at May. ‘The mother of the two children who were here before has moved from Coventry to Shropshire. She came to collect them. I was sad to see them go, but it means I can take both Peggy and Davey now.’
Peggy was bouncing up and down. ‘Mr and Mrs Bowes are bringing him to the pantomime, then he’s coming here to stay for good.’
The meal was served promptly at noon. ‘Early for Christmas dinner, but it gives us plenty of time to enjoy it before we have to be at the village hall,’ Mrs Grey said. It was the best meal May had ever had. The roast chicken was small, but more than made up for with an abundance of vegetables grown in the vicarage garden. Best of all were the roast parsnips, sweet and crunchy.
All too soon it was time to get ready for the performance. They hurried down the frosty paths to the hall. Peggy was already in her dress, which Mrs Grey had pressed for the occasion. May and Jess hurried into their costumes so they would be able to help the other children dress when they arrived. There was no need for greasepaint, as there wasn’t proper stage lighting, but they had scrounged make-up from their sister WAAFs and made up their faces with that. Once May was in her hunting costume, acutely aware of her legs in the close-fitting tights, Jess tied her hair back into a plait that reached down to her shoulder blades. Then she made up May’s face. She applied powder and used a pencil to emphasise her eyebrows. When May looked in the mirror she was startled by the Amazon warrioress gazing back at her.
All too soon, the children and other cast members arrived. May forgot her nerves in the flurry of helping children into their costumes and making sure all the props were ready for each scene.
At three o’clock, the whole cast gathered around the wireless set that Mrs Grey had brought across from the vicarage, and they listened to King George’s Christmas Address. May felt Jess clasp her hand and squeeze when the king said, ‘It is, above all, children’s day, and I am sure that we shall all do our best to make it a happy one for them wherever they may be.’
May felt tears well up; she tried to blink them away, knowing Jess would scold her if her make-up needed redoing. When she glanced at Jess, she saw tears in her friend’s eyes as well. Jess slung an arm around her shoulders, whispering, ‘You certainly have. I’m proud of you, May.’
May couldn’t hold back the tears then, dabbing at them with her sleeve as the king went on to praise all the nations and organisations that had rallied around to open their doors to children needing a safe haven. And when he spoke of a new unity among neighbours and comrades, May looked at Jess and Evie, hoping they could tell from her smile how glad she was to have two such true friends.
At the close of his speech, the king spoke of their fighting men, and May’s thoughts turned to Peter. Would he come? And if he did, what would she say?