Chapter Seven

Katherine,

Write us when you get to England and let us know how Milton is doing. It will be nice for him to have his sister close by. Try not to embarrass him like you did when you were younger when you chased after him and his friends. Boys don’t like their younger sisters running after them. Speaking of sisters, Suzanne and the children have come to live with us while Sam goes off with the Coast Guard. I think it is wrong for a married man with two children to join the service. I don’t believe for a minute that they would have drafted him. But he insisted that it was for the best.

Olivia, of course, is the most popular girl in the senior class. Several fine young men are vying for her attention. We are urging her to keep her options open so she can make sure she chooses the one with the best prospects. Bill O’Guinn is my choice. With an athletic scholarship to the University of Tennessee, he will be a great catch for some lucky girl.

Your father has Andy working at the mill after school. That way he can learn the business. When Milton gets home, he will have both his sons working with him. He says he is going to change the sign to Greenlee and Sons.

Give our love to Milton,

Mother

****

Kitty threw her mother’s letter down in disgust. Why do I even read them?

“Was it that bad?” Madge asked.

“It’s from my mother. What do you think?” She’d let Madge read her mother’s letters before so her friend understood.

“At least she’s thinking about you.”

“You’d never guess it from what she wrote. All about Milton and Suzanne and, of course, that beautiful and popular little sister of mine. She even mentioned Andy. Not once did she ask about me—what I’m doing, what I think if England—nothing.”

“So now you know what’s going on with your brothers and sisters.”

“Oh, don’t try to sugar coat it. She only writes me because she thinks she has to. And so she can tell all her friends about all the letters she writes.” She picked up the envelope and stared at it. The only mail she’d gotten all week. Why couldn’t someone else write her?

Madge moved to put her letter on the shelf above her bed.

“What about yours?” Kitty asked, not wanting to pry.

“Oh, it’s from a girl I know back in Minneapolis. She’d going out with a boy I used to date. I think she wrote me just to rub it in.”

“How long has it been since you heard from your father?”

Madge wouldn’t look at her. Kitty cringed inside, hoping she hadn’t asked the wrong question. After reaching for her nail polish, Madge finally answered. “I don’t know. He’s not much on writing.”

Kitty knew not to say anymore. Luckily, Sally stopped at the foot of the bed and held out a box.

“Homemade cookies,” she announced. “They’re kind of broken up, but they taste good.”

Kitty reached into the pasteboard box. She took two small pieces she guessed would have made about one cookie had they been whole.

Sally extended the box to Madge. “Go ahead. They’re oatmeal. My favorite.”

Madge took a large piece. “Who sent them?”

“My sister. She’s a great cook.” Sally moved on to share her treats with some of the other girls.

“Mmmm, they are good,” Kitty commented. “And a lot better than what we got.”

Madge looked up smiling and agreed. Her old cheerful self had returned.

****

What have I done?

Kitty could taste the sour remains of powdered eggs and spam churning in her stomach. Her thoughts raced through every task she’d performed in the last week. No obvious disaster came to mind. She must have missed something—something big for her to be summoned to General Lake’s office.

After identifying herself to the general’s aid, she faced the heavy, wooden door as if the executioner waited behind its deeply carved panels. She closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath. She could do this. She could face anything. She’d made it through basic, hadn’t she? How much worse could this be?

Her hand trembled as she rapped her knuckles against the hard surface.

From beyond the wooden pane she heard, “Come in.”

The cold metal knob intensified the chill sweeping over her. Breathe, she reminded herself. Just remember to breathe.

Enthroned behind a heavy desk, General Lake’s attention focused on the paperwork spread before him.

Kitty moved across the room as quiet as a mouse until she stood at attention before her commanding officer.

He looked up. Without thinking, she straightened even more. Her hand came up in as perfect a salute as she could muster.

“Sir. Corporal Greenlee, reporting as ordered.”

“At ease, Corporal.”

His warm and friendly voice eased her tension. Her breath came more naturally. Her gaze met his, and she noticed a slight crinkling around his eyes. Not quite a smile but not as threatening as she expected. She relaxed a bit more.

“Yes, sir,” she heard herself murmur.

“Sit down, Greenlee.”

She noted the impatience in his voice. Heat rose to her face, her heart pounded. Fighting the panic, she looked around for a chair. A pair of straight-backed, leather-covered chairs stood to one side of the desk. Reining in her emotions, she eased herself down onto the edge of the closest one.

General Lake stood and walked around the desk. As he neared, Milton’s words from long ago flashed into her mind. “Look ’em straight in the eye. Don’t let ’em see your fear, no matter how scared you are.”

She sucked in air for strength and raised her head. The general leaned back against the heavy desk and crossed his arms. He looked at her briefly, then shifted his gaze to something behind her.

Oh, no. This is going to be bad.

She sat completely still. She would take whatever he dished out. She would be strong, just like Milton taught her.

“Captain Weatherby and I have been talking about you,” he started.

She could feel her heart pounding, could feel the perspiration seeping through her pores. But she looked him in the eye as he continued.

“We both agree that your work is excellent. You are quick, efficient, accurate. All critical factors.”

She hoped the shock didn’t show in her face as she fought to appear emotionless.

“Captain Weatherby tells me you received a commendation for your work in Boston. Got you a promotion and an overseas assignment.” He paused, watching her intently. “So…I’ve decided to have you report directly to me.” He uncrossed his arms before continuing. “You will work for me exclusively.”

Her mouth flew open, but she couldn’t speak, couldn’t believe her ears.

A hint of a smile softened his face as he recognized her disbelief. “A girl like you can help me a great deal. Be someone I can count on. Do you understand?”

“Yes, sir.” Her voice came out funny, so she cleared her throat and tried again. “Yes, sir,” she repeated more firmly. “I would be honored to work for you.”

“Good!” He slapped both hands against his thighs and stood. “Then let’s get to it.” He returned to his seat behind the desk. “Sergeant Dexter will get you set up just outside my door. This place”—he waved his hand around the room—“isn’t exactly set up for offices and the kind of work we do around here, but we’ll make do.”

She took her cue to leave and stood.

“A pretty, young thing like you—smart, hard-working—could do well in the military.”

She nodded, unsure how to respond. Did he really say she was pretty?

“Oh, I almost forgot. You’ll be promoted to Technical Sergeant.”

Now she was in shock. A promotion. Working for the general and a promotion.

He must have seen her reaction because he smiled broadly. A warm, laughing smile. “Go on.” He waved his hand toward her. “We’ve got work to do.”

She practically flew from the room, his comments racing through her head faster than her feet skipping across the oriental carpets. Smart. Hard-working. Efficient. Accurate. And pretty. Had he really said she was pretty? She couldn’t wait to tell Madge.

****

“It’s not like I asked you to go to church with me,” Kitty complained.

“Oh, I know. It’s just that I’ve been to the village and you haven’t,” Madge replied. “There’s nothing there.”

“Maybe so, but it won’t hurt you to look around with me.”

The two moved onto the side of the narrow road as a jeep sped by.

“Ted’ll be waiting for us,” Madge continued.

“He said to meet him at one, right?” Kitty frowned at her companion and checked her watch. “We’ve got plenty of time.”

They continued their steady pace in silence.

Blooming branches of an apple tree reached across the stone wall of a small cottage set back from the road. The sweet fragrance floated in the breeze.

Kitty ducked to avoid being hit by a cluster of blossoms. She grabbed the offending branch and snapped it off. Holding the blooms to her nose, she inhaled the sweetness.

“Don’t start sneezing on me,” Madge joked.

Kitty grinned. “Don’t worry. I’m not allergic to apple blossoms.”

“Well, I remember that weekend last fall. You were sneezing so bad you had to go back to the base. Missed the bonfire and all the fun.”

“That was golden rod. I should have known not to cross that field when I saw it. I knew what it would do to me.”

“It was a rotten shame, too. That guy was really crazy about you.”

“That guy was crazy. Period.” Kitty shook her head remembering the soldier. “He was moving way too fast for me.”

“So the sneezing rescued you. Is that what you’re saying?”

“Something like that.”

“Oh, Kitty. When will you learn? You have to work ’em. Manage their expectations.”

“You’re better at that than I am.”

Madge patted her on the shoulder. “You’ll learn. Just watch me.”

Kitty laughed. “I’ve been watching you. It’s just that I’m not comfortable doing what you do.”

“Suit yourself.” Madge laughed along with her friend. “It’s your loss.”

They reached the heart of the village, the business district, if you wanted to call it that. A few small stores of various ages and architectural styles faced the main street. In the distance, the stone spire of a church marked the street’s end. Nothing appeared to have been built within the girls’ lifetime. “Quaint” was the word that came to Kitty’s mind.

Through the small paned windows of one shop, Kitty noticed an assortment of china. Curious, she pushed the door open and stepped inside. Madge followed reluctantly.

The shop reminded Kitty of the dry goods store run by her neighbors in Kerrville. It smelled of oiled wood floors and freshly dyed cloth. Near the door, an ancient mannequin stood clothed in a navy blue skirt and sweater. A few bolts of dull cloth lay on a display counter. Shelves on one wall held stacks of what appeared to be shoeboxes.

Near the back wall, a white-haired lady stood behind a counter, busy cutting black cloth, probably for black-out curtains. A middle-aged, dowdy-looking woman fingered through a rack of thread nearby.

“Just ’ave a look around. I’ll be with you shortly,” the clerk called.

Kitty wove her way between the crowded shelves to the corner near the window where an assortment of china wear provided a colorful, if compact, display. Assorted household goods occupied this portion of the shop, lampshades, a few pots, bed sheets, and linens.

She picked up a cup covered with tiny flowers and turned to Madge. “Isn’t this pretty?”

“I guess, in an old-fashioned sort of way.”

“I’ll have you know I like old-fashioned, at least in some things.” She replaced the cup on its saucer and continued to study the china, piece by piece, occasionally running her fingers along the smooth surface of a fragile platter or bowl.

Madge turned to a display of hats nearby. She tried one on and turned. “What do you think?”

Kitty looked up just as the clerk approached.

“You girls must be at the castle.” The older woman smiled. “Haven’t seen that uniform before.”

“We’re Americans, Women’s Army Corps. And yes, we’re working at Ellingham Castle, although it’s not the kind of castle I expected.”

The woman’s light laughter danced through the air. Madge glanced up from her browsing as the native continued. “I’ll wager you Yanks think a castle is all stone walls and battlements.”

Kitty fought the blush of embarrassment. “Yes. I guess I expected to see something like that. “

“Oh, there’s plenty of old ruins around. Just ’ave to know where to look.”

“Are there really? Close by?” The woman’s comment sparked Kitty’s imagination.

“Of course. The old Norman fortification. Stood for centuries, till they built Ellingham Castle. Used the old stone to lay the foundation.”

“Where is it?” Kitty asked eagerly.

“Just take the lane by Pemberly’s. Not far, there’s a track off to the right. What’s left of the old place sits atop the hill.”

Kitty shot a questioning glance at her friend who’d just placed the hat back on its pedestal.

“No,” Madge said flatly. “Don’t even ask. We’re going to the pub.”

“But it’s such a beautiful day. We could all go.”

Madge’s frown gave her answer. “Are you finished, shopping, I mean?”

“Almost.” She pressed her lips together and elevated her chin just enough to let Madge know she wouldn’t be pushed.

Kitty quickly returned her attention to the china display. “I was interested in your china.”

The elderly lady stepped closer, self-consciously pulling her worn sweater around her thin waist as her gaze darted between the two women. “We have some lovely pieces. Are you looking for anything in particular?”

Kitty pointed to a teapot covered in tiny blossoms. “What’s that pattern called?”

The clerk reached up and took the teapot down so Kitty could examine it. “It’s Lord Nelson Chintz. A lovely pattern, don’t you think?”

Kitty took the delicate pot, held the lid tight, and turned it over to inspect it. She then took the lid off and peered inside. There was no tag, no price anywhere.

“It’s beautiful. How much is it?” Kitty asked.

“Oh, being’s it’s been here gathering dust and being’s we don’t have the cups to match, I’d say we could let you have it for ten shillings.”

Kitty looked over at Madge, hoping her friend understood English money better than she did. Madge shrugged.

“What do you want that for?” Madge complained. “It’ll only get broken in that hut.”

“We could ship it for you,” the clerk offered. “You Yanks are always shipping things back to America.”

“How much to ship it?”

“Oh, another two shillings ought to do it.”

“Kitty. What are you doing?” Madge protested.

“I was thinking of sending it to my grandmother. She loves things like this.”

Madge rolled her eyes. “The one you’re named for? The one your father doesn’t get along with?”

Kitty nodded. Petty jealousies were so easily forgotten when you were far away. She studied the display again. “What about that vase?”

The clerk handed it down to her. An English rose decorated the foot-tall, flared china vase. “For a full pound, I’ll add in the vase and ship it, too.”

“All right. You’ve got a deal.” Kitty beamed at Madge.

“And who’s that for?” her friend asked.

“Mother. If I send her something, she can’t complain about me sending this to Grandmother.”

Madge shook her head smiling. “And your old man won’t say anything either. Glad I don’t have to keep my relatives happy.”

The clerk took the teapot and vase back to the counter. Kitty slipped her arm around Madge’s waist and gave her a little hug.

“Thanks for putting up with me.”

“Sure. Sure.”

As Kitty dug in her bag for the money, she saw Madge glance up at a clock behind the counter. Five minutes to one. “This won’t take long.” She hurriedly wrote out the names and addresses for the clerk.

Madge glanced impatiently toward the street and tapped her fingers on the countertop. Kitty got the message. “I know. I know. We’ll get there. Don’t worry.”

Madge smiled, a strange almost shy look in her eyes. “Just anxious to see him.”

Madge had really fallen hard for Lieutenant Ted Kruger. And Madge never fell for any of the guys she dated. Her philosophy was to have fun, never get too attached, and never let them get too attached. Always before, if Madge thought some guy had fallen for her, she’d let him down gently, but she’d made it plain that she never got serious. Never, until now.

Kitty couldn’t blame Madge. Kitty had fallen for the same guy, years ago on a deserted beach. The fact he didn’t even remember her hurt, more than a little. But that wasn’t Madge’s fault.

Kitty just wasn’t the type girl men went for, not men like Ted. No. Handsome, blue-eyed, sweet-smiling guys like Ted only went for her in her dreams, not in real life.

Kitty finished and thanked the nice English woman. She then took Madge’s arm and led her out of the shop. “He’ll be there waiting for you,” Kitty assured her friend.

****

Ted spotted the old German trudging along, a cane in one hand and a basket swinging from his other arm.

“I’ll be right back,” Ted told his friend, then he hurried to cross the street.

“Guten tag,” Ted called to the old gent.

The white-haired man stopped and turned. A smile spread across the older face at the familiar greeting. His eyes twinkled. “Ja, Good Day.”

Ted continued in German, asking about the man’s health. He knew it would please the ex-patriot’s longing to hear his native tongue.

They’d met accidentally on Ted’s first venture into town after leaving the hospital. He’d heard the familiar German accent, and memories of his grandparents drew him to the stranger. Despite Ted’s rusty German, the aging man had been immensely pleased to hear the familiar words.

“Kruger, come on,” Newman called from across the street. “The girls will be waiting for us.”

“Okay.” Ted waved. “I’m coming.” He turned to the old gentleman. “It was good to see you again.”

“Perhaps you can join me for tea one day. At number 12 Ablemare, just down the street and to the left.” He held out his hand to shake. “You must come, on any day, at tea time.”

Ted shook his hand. “I’d like that. Give me a chance to practice my German.”

He darted across the street, between bicyclists, and turned back to wave as he reached the opposite side.

“Who’s that?” Newman asked.

“Oh, just an old man I met. He reminds me of my grandfather.”

When the two airmen entered the pub, they saw nothing of the WACs. “See—they’re not here yet,” Ted said.

They settled at a table by the large window that faced the street so they could watch for the girls and enjoy the local people going about their business.

The semblance of normalcy allowed him to pretend the war was far away, at least for a little while.

Within minutes the girls arrived. Madge greeted them with one of her winning smiles. Kitty hung back.

“Ladies, I’d like you to meet Second Lieutenant Sammy Newman.” Ted wanted to put his arm around Madge and pull her close, but he knew he’d better be on his best behavior, at least for now. “Sammy, this is Madge and her friend, Kitty.”

Sammy reached out and shook Madge’s hand. “Ted told me you looked like Betty Grable, and he wasn’t kidding.”

Madge beamed at the compliment. Beside her Kitty appeared embarrassed. Ted wasn’t sure if it was because Sammy made such a big deal over Madge or because Sammy ignored her. Maybe if the girl were a little more outgoing men would pay more attention to her.

“Kitty and Madge have been friends for a long time, haven’t you girls?” Ted tried to smooth over the situation with the first thing that came to his head. Something about Kitty made him sympathize with her.

“Yes,” Kitty nodded quietly.

“We met when we trained at the administration school in Kentucky. Then, as luck would have it, we were both assigned to Boston, then sent over here.” Madge slid into the chair Ted held for her.

“You don’t sound like you’re from the south,” Sammy drawled, focusing his attention on Madge alone.

Ted recognized the look in Sammy’s eyes. The same look he saw in the eyes of every man he’d introduced to Madge. He had to head the guy off

Ted pulled out the chair next to Madge. “Kitty, why don’t you sit here.” He caught her eye and tried to urge her to speak up by gesturing with his head, but she just glared at him. She disliked him, that much was clear. How much of it had to do with Madge and how much had to do with him, he wasn’t sure.

Madge batted her long eyelashes in Sammy’s direction. “Oh, I’m not. It’s Kitty. She’s from Tennessee.” Madge reached out and patted Kitty on the hand. “I’m from Minneapolis.”

Ted seated himself on Madge’s other side before Sammy could make a move. “Sammy’s from Mobile, Alabama,” Ted interjected. “I thought maybe you two southerners would have something in common.”

Kitty shot him an odd glance, then gave Sammy a weak smile as he sat beside her.

Somehow Ted had to get those two talking and get Sammy’s attention away from Madge.

“Sammy and I were stationed at the same airbase. He’s a bombardier.” Ted caught Sammy’s gaze and nodded toward Kitty. Thankfully the guy got the message.

“That’s right. We were in the same squadron.” Sammy turned to Kitty. “How long have you girls been at Ellingham?”