After a couple of days, Sam was able to hobble about on his sprained ankle using just one of the crutches as a stick. He had to remain on general duties as turning out in a hurry if there was an alarm was still beyond him.
Lieutenant Simpson had failed to return from his leave. This meant that Sam had had to do the hut inspection after breakfast as Simpson was the orderly officer this week.
He’d had nothing to complain about and was returning to the office when he almost tripped over his crutch. Ruth was walking towards him looking even more beautiful than the last time he’d seen her. Maybe not everyone would think her beautiful, but he did. She marched towards him, head up, arms swinging, and the blokes who saw her watched with admiration. He couldn’t believe this lovely girl had come all this way to see him.
‘Sergeant Johnson, when can we talk? I’ll wait in the NAAFI until you’re free.’
‘My officer’s missing, which means I’m doing his job today. I wish I’d known you were coming as I might have been able to arrange a couple of hours off.’
‘I could help you with any administrative duties – I could be your runner. I don’t suppose anybody would even notice that I’m not actually based here.’
He thought for a few moments and then nodded. ‘Actually, that would be really useful. There’re usually two clerks on duty but one’s home on compassionate leave and the other’s got chickenpox, so I’m on my own.’
Her smile lit her face. ‘That’s the best news. I’m sorry for your girls, of course, but I can’t see even the stuffiest of officers objecting to me helping out on my day off.’
She followed him back to the office, one step behind him, not engaging him in chatter and he reckoned nobody would know they were going out together.
‘I’ll deal with anything in the clerk’s office unless there’s something else you want me to do?’
There was something, but suggesting that she kissed him would get them both in serious trouble.
The telephone on his desk jangled noisily and he picked it up, guessing what it might be about. He recognised the caller as Major Phillips – the senior officer in charge of all four sections, who was stationed at HQ.
‘Good afternoon, sir, Sergeant Johnson here. I’m hoping you can tell me what’s happened to Lieutenant Simpson.’
‘I think you can probably guess, Sergeant, as you set the ball rolling. Simpson is a disgrace to the RA – he’s been posted somewhere he can’t do any further harm.’
This seemed rather harsh as the poor sod wasn’t directly responsible for the accident. ‘I don’t quite understand, sir.’
‘Your report that he was AWOL came to my attention. I know you were protecting your own officer by not informing me personally and I appreciate your loyalty. However, it just won’t do. I’ve also received a report that you were involved in a traffic accident. What happened?’
‘Lieutenant Simpson’s girlfriend – apparently, she’s the daughter of somebody influential but I don’t know her name – tried to run me over me with her car three days ago.’ As soon as he spoke, Sam regretted having given the details.
There was an ominous silence, then his commanding officer made a noise that sounded like a growl. ‘No, that information hasn’t reached me.’
Sam’s throat constricted. This wasn’t good – in fact it was a bloody disaster. He hadn’t mentioned in his official report that he knew the identity of the driver.
‘I informed the local constabulary and they are dealing with the matter. I didn’t think that it directly concerned Lieutenant Simpson but was intending to speak to him when he returned.’
To his surprise and relief, the major chuckled. ‘I can imagine exactly what you were going to say, Sergeant Johnson; however, if the matter is being dealt with by the police then I’ll leave it to them. It just confirms my decision that the further away from this particular young woman Simpson is, the better for him.’
‘I have my friend, Bombardier Ruth Cox, assisting me in the office as my two clerks are absent. Is that acceptable?’
‘I take it this ATS girl isn’t stationed with you?’
‘No, sir, she managed to get a lift from Binbrook and called in to say hello.’
‘If Bombardier Cox is prepared to give up her leave to help you out of a difficult situation, I can see nothing untoward about that. Another lieutenant will be with you in a day or two. Until then, if you need an officer, speak to one of the chaps attached to the other sections.’
There was a click as the receiver was replaced. Sam smiled – the major was old school, a relic from the last war, but none the worse for that. He looked up to see Ruth standing in the doorway.
‘You’ve got permission to be here. Why don’t you fetch us both a cuppa and then you can tell me why you came and I can tell you what’s been going on at my end.’
* * *
By some miracle, Ruth managed to buy two small bars of chocolate – they rarely appeared for sale in their small NAAFI and would be a real treat for both of them.
Sam had been shocked by her news that she was about to be posted and she was equally horrified by the way he’d received his injury.
‘I can’t believe anybody would do something so stupid. Do you think that she’d heard somehow about your report?’ She shook her head. ‘That doesn’t make sense. How could she have known you were the one who made the report?’
‘Good point. She might have had my name and description, I suppose, but not sure she could have identified me at the speed she was travelling.’
‘Maybe she was so angry that anyone in khaki was fair game.’
‘That could be it – it makes a bit more sense now. You’re going to have to tell Jill that I’ve reported her fiancé and the reason for it. She needs to know why we did it.’
‘I’m dreading having that conversation as Jill has only just started speaking to me again. I’ll talk to her as soon as I’m back.’
‘You don’t have to report until two tomorrow – as you’re temporarily assigned to me, I’m sure I can find you a billet for the night. I have to remain here, otherwise I’m free.’
‘That’s the best news. I have to leave first thing as it might take me hours to get to Binbrook.’
‘Fair enough. I’m hoping you didn’t just come all this way in order to speak to me about the Arthur business.’
She pulled a face and he laughed. ‘Obviously, Sergeant Johnson, you were very low on my list of priorities.’ She batted her eyelashes at him and he laughed again. ‘I’m only too happy to postpone my return if it means I can spend extra time with you.’
‘Good to know. Now we’d better get on with some work. Can you type?’
Ruth nodded. ‘Yes, and I use all my fingers too.’
She turned ready to go to her own desk in the adjacent office, but her eyes were sad.
‘Sam, it might be impossible for us to meet if I’m posted to the other end of the country.’
‘When will you know?’
‘One of the bomber squadrons was in the process of leaving this afternoon. I don’t suppose it will be long before the others have gone too. Therefore, I should know tomorrow or the next day at the latest.’
‘It’s not likely to be anywhere in Lincolnshire,’ he said. ‘I was surprised and delighted when they sent your mixed battery to Binbrook. There’s no point speculating, we’ll just have to wait.’
The telephone rang and immediately he focused on that. When he replaced the receiver, he could hear her busy in the next room. It had been more than two days since he’d made his report to the DI, so it was possible he might hear what was going on whilst Ruth was here.
* * *
With no further opportunity for personal conversation, Sam had to wait until early evening to spend time with the girl he’d fallen in love with.
She was out delivering letters to the post room. She’d already handed the ones for HQ to the dispatch rider – this time it was a bloke, not her friend, Clara – and when she returned, the office would be closed until the morning. He remained on duty but hopefully nothing untoward would take place.
‘I still don’t know where I’m sleeping – I suppose that we should have organised that hours ago,’ Ruth said.
‘It’s done. You’re using the officer’s billet as he’s no longer with us. Don’t frown, love, I’ve cleared it with HQ.’
‘That’s the ticket – better than finding a modest B & B somewhere. I’m absolutely ravenous. Do you think it might be corned beef fritters for tea?’
‘I’ve no idea but let’s head to the canteen and see for ourselves. The scoff’s not bad here so it’ll be something better than bread and jam.’
She didn’t go ahead of him as he expected but stood behind the half-open door. He closed the gap and pulled her close. Passionate kisses were all very well, but he wanted to make love to her and knew that wasn’t on the cards. She wasn’t that sort of girl and would expect a ring on her finger first.
* * *
Ruth was breathless and glowing all over when Sam stepped back. His eyes were dark, his face as flushed as hers. He’d not kissed her like this before.
‘I’m going to hate being on the other side of the country, Sam…’
‘We don’t know where you’ll be going so let’s not spoil our evening worrying about it,’ he replied.
As they walked across the camp, Ruth wanted to hold his hand but knew she couldn’t. ‘I was toying with the idea of going for officer training, but if I did, we wouldn’t be allowed to go out together.’
‘It’s only if we’re in the same chain of command, love, as long as you’re based somewhere different then we can do what we like. You go for it if that’s what you want. You’ve got the right education, unlike me.’
‘I thought you’d have gone to grammar school. You’re very intelligent.’
‘I worked from fourteen with my dad, he’s a builder. Never wanted anything else. I’ll go back to it when this lot’s over.’
‘They’ll want hundreds of builders after the war. Isn’t it a reserved profession?’
‘No, but I’d not have wanted to remain when others were fighting. Dad’s too old to be called up.’
A shiver of fear made the hair on the back her neck stand up as she asked the all-important question, praying his answer would be no. ‘Will you have to go with the invasion force?’
‘I hope so. We’re RA – anything to do with guns is our responsibility. I doubt you’ll have to, at least I hope not.’
Ruth touched her white lanyard, the one that indicated she was a gunner. Even the girls were called bombardiers, not privates, in the Royal Artillery. She was proud to wear it but wasn’t keen to be on the front line.
She changed the subject. Thinking about what might be coming for him was too depressing. ‘I’m going to take your advice and put my name down for OCTU, although I doubt that I could jump straight from bombardier to being a subaltern.’
‘Bloody silly keeping different names for your officers – you should be called lieutenants, same as we are. You go for it, love, now’s the time to apply when your battery’s being moved.’
* * *
It wasn’t corned beef fritters but the beans on toast were almost as good. Ruth didn’t want to sit with the male NCOs, who looked a bit intimidating, so joined the handful of ATS on the other side of the canteen.
She introduced herself and the girls seemed happy to have her there. Then a rather coarse girl with peroxide-blonde hair smirked and nodded towards Sam.
‘He’s your fella, ain’t he? Wondered why he didn’t look at none of us.’
‘Yes, Sergeant Johnson is my boyfriend.’ She left it there and began to eat her tea. Nobody thought this rude as food was consumed first and conversation came second. You never knew if you were going to be called away in the middle of a meal.
Ruth didn’t join in the chatter but nodded and smiled when appropriate. They were all gunners, which meant they couldn’t do anything to offend her. Sam had wanted to keep their relationship secret but it was too late to worry about that.
She stood, picked up her plate and irons and walked across to the two buckets, one for the slops the other to rinse the plate, personal cutlery and mug.
Then she deliberately turned and smiled directly at Sam. He understood immediately. His smile was blinding. He left his own things as he couldn’t manage them and his crutch and one of his friends collected not only his plate but his personal cutlery. They’d made it abundantly clear that they were more than just friends.
Although he didn’t take her hand, he placed his free arm across her back briefly and she looked up at him and nodded. ‘I’m sorry, one of the girls asked me directly and I wasn’t going to lie.’
‘Doesn’t bother me, love, I’m the envy of every bloke here. Them knowing that you’re my girlfriend makes me pleased as punch.’ He winked at her and she tried to think of a suitable phrase to follow up with.
‘I’m cock-a-hoop to be seen with you.’ She giggled and he grinned. ‘I know what both those phrases actually mean but have no idea where they came from. Why would anyone be pleased because they’d been punched and what does a cockerel and a hoop have to do with being happy?’
‘Haven’t the faintest idea – remember I left school at fourteen – I don’t have your superior education.’
For horrible second, Ruth thought he was being serious, then he laughed. ‘I reckon being able to build a house from the foundations up is more important than having a huge vocabulary,’ he added.
‘So do I. Did I tell you that I speak very good French as well as decent German?’
‘I’d keep that information to yourself, love, they’ll have you in the SOE and parachute you into France to help the resistance if they know about it.’
‘That’s why I’ve kept it quiet. I’m really not suited to that sort of life – Clara is different. I wish I was more like her.’
‘I like you just as you are, love. Better a live coward than a dead hero.’
She laughed and so did he. ‘Did you make that up? I’ll remember that and use it one day myself.’
‘Probably got it from somewhere. Better to be cautious than dead sounds more like it. No one likes a coward.’
He stopped and she realised he was having difficulty walking. ‘Shall we grab a couple of chairs from somewhere and sit down and talk?’
‘There are two in my hut. Hang on, I’ll send someone to fetch them. Being a senior NCO does have its perks.’
A willing private brought them the seats and she and Sam were just settled at the back of the main building, where it was quieter, when the same private returned at the double.
‘Sarge, the rozzers are here to see you. Shall I send them round?’
‘Yes, please do,’ Sam said. He waited until they were alone and shrugged. ‘I’m glad you’re here. It will be news about my accident and possibly about Arthur too.’
He stood up, as did Ruth, as the two men in plain clothes came around the corner of the building.
‘DI Brown, good to see you. Allow me to introduce you to Bombardier Cox.’
The older man in a rumpled suit nodded in her direction but didn’t offer his hand. Sam didn’t introduce her to the younger man.
‘It’s not good news, Sergeant, I’ve come to warn you to expect repercussions for making the report about Arthur Humfrey.’
Sam gripped the back of the chair; his knuckles were white. Ruth sat down.
‘What happened?’
‘I passed the information to the appropriate authorities but this Arthur Humfrey has very powerful friends in very high places. I was told in no uncertain terms to forget about it and not to pursue it further.’
‘Bloody hell! Ruth, did you know Humfrey was so well connected?’
She shook her head. ‘No, Jill didn’t mention anything about his background. She’s not from a grand family, I’m sure of it.’ Her stomach was roiling, there was a lump in her throat.
‘Sergeant Johnson, I’ve further bad news, I’m afraid. The young woman who ran you over is going to get off with just a warning. Her father made sure of that.’
Ruth was reeling from this barrage of bad news and looked at Sam with dismay.
‘Her boyfriend has been sent away so maybe that will be punishment enough,’ Sam said. The inspector looked confused. ‘My lieutenant has been sent to the wilds of Scotland but for an unconnected misdemeanour.’
‘I’m sorry things have turned out so badly for you. We’ll just have to pray that even though nothing’s being done in the Humfrey matter, at least the authorities have been alerted,’ the policeman said.
Ruth finally found her voice. ‘They already know he’s a hardened gambler and yet are still sending him to Cairo. It makes no sense at all.’
‘A lot of things don’t, Bombardier Cox, a lot of things don’t.’ The inspector nodded and was about to leave when Sam called him back.
‘What exactly do you think “the repercussions” are likely to be for me?’
‘I fear you might be joining your erstwhile officer in the wilds of Scotland.’
Sam shrugged. ‘Can’t be helped. I did the right thing even if it’s upset some bigwigs.’