Joanna regretted her decision the moment she put the telephone receiver back on the cradle. What had possessed her to agree to allow an injured, handsome young RAF pilot to recuperate here where there were a dozen unattached females?
Millie had been so upset when this particular pilot had almost died after being shot that Joanna hadn’t the heart to refuse when she’d asked if he could stay until he was passed fit for duty.
The house was constantly busy – there always seemed to be at least a couple of blue-clad young ladies banging about the house if they were off duty. Thank goodness she had the two extra helpers from the village, as Betty and Liza couldn’t possibly manage without them.
Her mother-in-law was looking a lot better and, although they weren’t exactly on good terms, at least they weren’t at constant loggerheads any more.
‘Joanna, my dear, look who has come to join me,’ the Dowager called from the drawing room and sounded remarkably happy – in fact, almost likeable.
She hurried in and, to her astonishment, saw Lazzy curled up beside her mother-in-law on the sofa. ‘I’m so sorry, I’ll take him out. He really shouldn’t be in here bothering you, but it’s impossible to keep him in the sitting room with so many people coming and going all the time.’
‘No, please don’t. He came in an hour ago, jumped up and promptly fell asleep next to me as if he belonged there. I didn’t know that I would enjoy the company of a puppy, but I find him quite adorable.’
‘If you would allow him to be in here with you, that would be splendid. You’d need to have the French doors open a little so he can go in and out when he needs to. This would be such a help as he wouldn’t constantly be under our feet in the kitchen.’
‘As long as the doors are only open an inch or two. I hate the noise of the aircraft as it makes the war seem so horribly close.’
Perhaps her mother-in-law would be a good person to ask about the prospect of having a single man living amongst so many women. She explained her dilemma and was surprised when, for the first time since she’d known her, the old lady’s smile was genuine.
‘There’s an easy solution, Joanna. Put him in the guest rooms at the far end of our wing. Then he can use the secondary staircase and avoid bumping into any of the young women. If he sits with me when he’s up then I can’t see it being a problem.’
‘Are you quite sure? I’ve not even met him myself.’
‘Millie, who seems rather fond of him, has been coming in to speak to me when she has a few minutes spare and if she likes him then I’m sure he’s perfectly acceptable. I’d really enjoy the company.’
‘Then the young man can come. I really don’t want to cause any more kerfuffle upstairs as there is already a bit of an atmosphere. I don’t know what Victory House was thinking to send so many young women without anybody being in charge.’
‘Victory House? Is that where they come from? Why don’t you obtain the telephone number and speak to somebody in charge? It would mean finding a single room for whoever they send, as a superior officer – an NCO, I expect – wouldn’t share with other ranks.’
The windows rattled as yet another squadron screamed overhead. Joanna could see why Mother-in-law preferred to keep the windows shut, even though the weather was warm enough to let in the late spring sunshine.
‘That reminds me, Mother-in-law, we might well be obliged to use the air-raid shelter in the cellars at some point. It will be a bit of a squeeze with all of us in there but at least we’d be safe. When you feel up to it, I’ll take you down so you know where it is.’
‘I can guess. Don’t forget, I spent many years here – I imagine David will have used the cellar which has a secret passage leading from it.’
‘Yes, that’s the one he’s converted. He said that if the house takes a direct hit, we’d still be able to get out through that passage. I do hope it doesn’t come to that.’
There was a tentative knock on the door and she looked round to see Liza peering round. ‘Should I bring your coffee here as well, my lady?’
‘Yes, in future I’ll take it here. Thank you, Liza.’
One of the best things about now being on better terms with her relation was the gift of several tins of excellent coffee. These had been in Mother-in-law’s luggage, but only now did she want to share them with the household. Baxter had appeared with them yesterday and if they were careful it should last for several months. The boarders, obviously, would be drinking tea.
Millie had been given permission by her sergeant to use an ancient, camouflaged Hillman to drive to Ramsgate Hospital when she said it was to visit Ted and this had made getting to the hospital and back a doddle.
Ted had been thrilled when she’d said he could be discharged to Goodwill House as soon as he was well enough. She’d promised to collect him but said she couldn’t visit him again as she didn’t have any free time that coincided with visiting hours.
On her return, she went to speak to her sergeant as he’d insisted on hearing how the wounded hero was getting on.
‘Bleeding miracle, that’s what it was, him getting back with his kite intact. He might be inexperienced but he’s already a great flyer.’
‘He’d no idea just how wonderful he’d been and was really surprised when I told him his plane was virtually undamaged. Do you have a few minutes, Sarge, as there’s something I want to talk to you about?’
‘Fire away, I’m all ears.’
‘I hate to tell tales out of school, but several of the new intake of WAAFs are causing problems at our billet. We’re all the same rank so there’s nobody to sort it out – to insist that they follow the rules.’
‘Between you, me, and the gatepost,’ he replied, ‘I’m not impressed with the two new drivers. Sloppy and already causing problems with the men. Not the flyers, but the other ranks. I’ll have a word with the adjutant and see what we can do. Doesn’t do anyone any good having nobody in charge. Don’t know what they were thinking – recipe for disaster.’
‘That would be wonderful. Thank you so much for letting me have the car and for listening to my woes. We’ve got two much older women and they seem to think because of their age, they are automatically in charge. It just won’t wash, you know.’
Millie was on duty from five until ten, which gave her an hour to speak to Dickie and the other flyers who’d been most insistent that she let them know how Ted was doing. She had her overalls hidden in the cab of the lorry she’d be driving later and quickly changed from her skirt and jacket. She hopped on her bicycle and pedalled furiously along the apron and skidded to a halt where the squadron waited in readiness.
Dickie had seen her coming, word had spread, and before she’d dismounted she was surrounded by half a dozen young men. By keeping the solidity of the bike between herself and those eager to hear her news, she wasn’t too flustered.
‘Ted sends his regards, gentlemen, and he’s doing splendidly. Lady Harcourt has kindly offered to take him in until he’s fit for duty again. To tell you the truth, his main concern was that his kite was still airworthy.’
His flight commander, who was quite a bit older than Ted, was obviously delighted by her news. ‘Good show. I knew he was a good addition when he arrived last week. The sooner he’s fit and flying again, the better. I’m going to need every kite in the air when the balloon goes up.’
Today was obviously a relatively quiet day, as only one fighter squadron was airborne. ‘I spoke to Dr Willoughby, he’s the local medic and lives in Stodham, but also does a couple of days at the hospital. He said Ted was very lucky but would need two weeks for his bullet wound to heal sufficiently for him to fly in combat.’
‘Of course, tell him to report to the camp medic in two weeks. Doesn’t mean he’ll be cleared to fly, but at least he can do desk duties.’
‘I’ll do that. Thank you.’
She’d not had time to eat, so she headed for the NAAFI van which would be replenishing its stock of sandwiches, pies and buns outside the Sergeants’ Mess. The ladies who were in charge of this excellent facility brought enough to feed the flyers breakfast and lunch, but never had enough left over for the evening run.
Millie almost changed her mind when she saw that she wasn’t the only WAAF waiting to be served. Pamela and Phyllis, the older ladies who were adding to the discord at home, must obviously be on a break from their admin duties. One was a trained telephonist, the other had been a secretary, and from what she’d heard they were proving invaluable to the adjutant – such a shame they weren’t so popular at home.
Both women, because they were older than everyone else, believed they had the right to dictate, to be first in the bathroom and so on. She needn’t have worried as they ignored her and sauntered off with their mugs of tea and sticky buns.
‘How’s the wounded hero, miss?’
Word had obviously spread that she’d been going to visit Ted this afternoon. ‘He’s doing really well. He should be discharged in a day or so, but not flying again for at least two weeks.’
‘And neither should he be, poor boy. They’re all so young – scarcely out of short trousers, some of them,’ the matronly woman said.
‘Ted’s not twenty until July. I think he’s the youngest as well as the least experienced flyer here.’
‘Poor lad, to be shot after only a week.’
Her companion waved the tea pot at Millie. ‘Cuppa and a nice bun?’
‘Yes, please. No sugar and if there’s spare sandwich, doesn’t matter what’s in it, that would be absolutely spiffing.’
‘Spam and piccalilli or fish paste? I can let you have a sausage roll, too, if you like.’
‘Spam, please, and the sausage roll would be perfect as long as it doesn’t leave you short for the boys.’
The savoury items were wrapped together in greaseproof paper but the bun was handed directly to her. She held out her mug for the tea, gave the coins to pay and found a quiet corner to sit and eat her belated lunch.
She heard the telephone ring in one of the huts and braced herself for the pounding of boots as the men raced to their kites. Nobody moved and she relaxed again. Then Dickie strolled around the corner.
‘There you are. Message from admin to report there immediately. God knows how they knew you were here – didn’t you say you’re not on duty for another hour?’
‘I did and I’m not. I wonder what they want – thank you for coming to find me.’
Before entering the admin building, from which the click-clack of typewriters could clearly be heard through the open windows, Millie checked she was as tidy as she could be when dressed in overalls.
The adjutant, who had his office door open, saw her hovering in the vestibule and beckoned her in. She saluted and he vaguely waved his hand in a similar gesture.
‘Sit down, I’ve news for you.’
There was already a chair facing his desk and she promptly did as he asked. If she was to be seated, then she wasn’t in trouble.
‘You’ve been promoted to leading aircraft woman – I know – a double jump but essential in the circumstances. I also know that you’re younger than most of the women but have a wise head on your shoulders. Forsyth will become an ACW1 and be your second-in-command.’
Millie was speechless. When she’d mentioned the problems at Goodwill House, this was the last thing she’d expected to happen, and she wasn’t sure she could take command of this unruly bunch.
‘I want all of them on parade at eight o’clock sharp tomorrow morning. One of you go back and collect them after delivering the flyers to their posts.’
Finally, Millie found her voice, but it wasn’t to argue the point – once a decision had been made, officers didn’t change their minds. She jumped to attention and saluted again. ‘Thank you, sir, I won’t let you down.’
‘Collect your insignia from the stores and make sure it’s in place tomorrow.’
She about turned smartly and marched out as Di rushed in. Before she could explain that there was nothing wrong, that they weren’t being put on a charge for some misdemeanour, the adjutant yelled for her friend to go straight in.
They might as well go to the stores together and try and make sense of what just happened. Di was older than her, in fact, all but two of the group were her seniors – in age only now, which was a bit of a worry.
Di came out beaming. ‘Goodness, that was a bit of a shock. You’re now an NCO – do you realise that you can give orders to airmen as well as WAAFs?’
‘I do, but I don’t intend to. I think the adjutant has made a dreadful mistake promoting me above everybody else. They won’t listen to me—’
‘Of course they will, you goose. They don’t have any option. If they refuse a direct order, then they’ll be court-martialled and doing fatigues for months. Think about it, Millie, it’s better it’s one of us than someone nobody knows.’
‘And our daily rate of pay will go up by a few pence, which is a plus. It’s a good thing we get free uniform, accommodation, food and medical and dental care as we certainly couldn’t afford to pay for it on the pittance we get.’
‘Drivers are group four, the lowest of the low as far as prestige and pay are concerned. I sometimes think I should have opted for special duties as they get a lot more than us.’
Millie disagreed. ‘We decided we wanted to work outside – and being able to drive will be useful when the war’s over. Maybe we should have become balloon operators – I think they get more than us and that’s outdoors too.’
‘Let’s go and get your stripes. I don’t think we’re going to be very popular tomorrow morning.’
‘I don’t get stripes, I get a set of propellers.’ Being promoted was a good feeling and made her think she was doing well in her new life.
Ted spent the next two days recovering and was more than ready to be released from hospital when the doctor checked him over.
‘Right, young man, you’re ready to leave. Don’t overdo it and report to your own medic to have the stitches removed next week.’
‘Thank you, Doc, I hope I don’t see you again any time soon.’ He shook the man’s hand and strode to the main doors as he’d just seen Millie come in.
Her smile lit her face, making her even prettier. ‘I thought I might have to wait around for you to get time off to collect me.’
‘I’m an MT driver and you’re an officer, therefore, it’s my designated duty to drive you wherever you want today.’
‘I need to collect my kit.’
‘No, you don’t. I’ve already got it in the car. Your very efficient orderly gave it to me last night.’ She stood in front of him as if waiting for him to comment on something.
‘Bloody hell! You’ve got a propeller – are you in charge of your unruly lot now?’
‘I’m LACW 342 – an NCO. I’ll tell you all about it in the car.’
He was laughing by the time she’d finished regaling him with the shambolic parade immediately after her promotion. ‘It’s a good thing your Sarge stepped in and got them in line before you had to take over.’
‘It certainly was. Di and I just stood to attention whilst he thundered at them and made them march up and down for half an hour until they got it right. I think it became very clear indeed to even the most difficult of them that their lives were going to be miserable if they didn’t follow orders.’
‘The first time I met you, I thought I was going to have to put you on a charge and now you’re in a position to do it to others. I expect things are a bit tricky at your billet.’
‘Actually, things are much easier. Following clear procedures is a lot simpler than drifting about doing what you want. So, sir, where do you want me to take you today?’
‘I’d like to go to Dover and see what’s going on in the harbour. You can hear the sound of guns on the French coast from here – it must be absolute hell for the poor bastards trapped between the German army and the sea.’
‘We’ve had air-raid sirens five times a day recently – at least we all know where the shelters are, or the safety ditches if we’re too far away to get to one in time. What happened in the hospital when one went off?’
‘Nothing at all as far as the patients were concerned. It seems they had a system organised for somebody to race up to the roof and actually look at the sky. No bombers, then no need to panic. They’re going to be using the old railway tunnel – the one that used to run from the station down to the beach – as shelters for the town.’
Millie was an excellent driver and after being slightly tense for the first few minutes, Ted relaxed and just enjoyed being in her company. Being promoted had changed her – she seemed more confident, older, even.
‘It’s about twenty miles to Dover from here so it’ll take us about forty-five minutes. I thought I might treat you to fish and chips and a pint of beer to celebrate you being back in circulation.’
‘And I thought I’d treat you to something a bit grander to celebrate your promotion.’
She glanced across at him and smiled. ‘Then that’s what we’ll do. You Brylcreem boys have far more money than us, so you can afford to push the boat out.’ She changed gear expertly, negotiated a corner smoothly and neatly avoided a flock of geese that had somehow wandered into the road.
‘Then it’ll be your treat next time. How long am I to have your services as a driver?’
‘Only today, unfortunately. Things are pretty hectic at Manston, as you can imagine. We’re now getting squadrons of Spitfires from other bases using us to refuel and rearm. The visiting airmen, officers mainly, are staying overnight if they’re too late to return to their own base.’
‘We can all fly in the dark, Millie, we’re trained to use our instruments. They could go back if they wanted to, but it makes more sense for them to remain if they’re going to be back in France the next day.’
Her sunny smile slipped and her eyes widened. ‘I’d not realised you could see in the dark, so to speak. That means the Germans can bomb us at night as well as in the day.’
‘I’m afraid so. Let’s not talk about that – let’s just enjoy a day out together. Would you consider it as our first date or is that being presumptuous?’