Joanna intended to leave Elizabeth to take the lead with this new firm of solicitors – Broome & Son – as she’d been the one to contact them. This time, she wasn’t nervous about the meeting but actually looking forward to it.
A pleasant-looking man in his mid-forties, holding the obligatory briefcase, was waiting in the grand hall. What surprised her was the fact that he was accompanied by a smart older woman, presumably his secretary. How very efficient of him to bring somebody to take notes. She liked him already.
The duo heard her and Elizabeth approaching down the staircase and turned, both with friendly smiles – unlike the unpleasant Culley.
‘Good morning, my lady and my lady. I apologise, but I’m not altogether sure on the etiquette of addressing two aristocrats simultaneously.’
‘Are you the son or not actually a Broome at all?’ Joanna asked as she walked across and offered her hand. It was shaken vigorously.
‘I am Reginald Broome – son of William – delighted to meet you. This is my secretary, Miss Johnson, who will be taking notes.’
Elizabeth just nodded, half-smiled, and walked ahead of them into the drawing room where they’d decided to hold the meeting. Coffee and biscuits were going to be served today.
As soon as they were seated, Mr Broome delved into his briefcase and handed both of them a neatly typed copy of the debt that was owed to the bank. Her eyes widened – it was far worse than she’d anticipated.
Elizabeth, who was sitting next to her, reached across and patted her hand. ‘Don’t look so dismayed, my dear, this is less than I was anticipating. Unless something catastrophic has happened to my investments, I’m certain I can clear this without difficulty.’
‘That’s excellent news, my lady. I’ve spoken to the bank manager and they’ve agreed to wait until they hear from me before instigating any moves to foreclose. That gives you until the end of the year, at least. Will that be long enough?’
‘My daughter-in-law and I are going to Coutts next week. I’ll be able to tell you exactly how long it will take after my meeting.’
‘I would like to move our affairs from the bank as soon as we’re clear of debt,’ Joanna said. ‘They treated me badly and I have no respect for them.’
‘I can think of at least two others that would suit you better. Would you like me to set things in motion?’
‘Yes, we’ll both be much happier if we’re dealing with a company that doesn’t patronise women.’
‘Then that’s one matter dealt with satisfactorily. I’ve been making further enquiries on your behalf and have located the new Lord Harcourt. As he doesn’t inherit property or any funds – if there were any – I doubt that he’ll be interested in visiting.’
‘The new Lord Harcourt? I’d forgotten there must be one of those. Please, Mr Broome, enlighten us as to his identity and whereabouts.’ Joanna exchanged a smile with Elizabeth.
‘The gentleman’s name is Peter Randall Harcourt. He’s in the direct line of descent through the younger brother of your husband’s grandfather.’
‘What sort of man is he?’ Elizabeth asked eagerly.
‘As I haven’t met him, my lady, I can’t tell you anything about his character or appearance. I can tell you that he is thirty-eight years old, and a Lieutenant Colonel in the army. He’s not deployed but something to do with intelligence.’
‘Then I don’t suppose he’d be able to visit even if he wanted to – he’ll be far too busy sending spies to France,’ Elizabeth said.
‘He’s very young to be a Lieutenant Colonel, don’t you think, Elizabeth? He must be very intelligent or very well-connected.’
‘David was a reservist and maintained the rank he’d risen to after the last war. He was considered young to be a major – it must run in the family.’
‘Culley & Culley are proving rather uncooperative about handing over all the family papers,’ Broome said. ‘I intend to go round there in person after this meeting. I can assure you I won’t leave without them.’
‘Forgive me for asking, young man, but is the law a reserved occupation? It would be most inconvenient if you got called up and we were obliged to find yet another legal team to handle our affairs.’
‘I’m exempt on medical grounds, my lady, so I can assure you I’ll not be going anywhere. I’m a volunteer fireman and will no doubt be called upon to work in that capacity at some point in the future.’
There were further tedious discussions about tenancies, leases and other financial obligations, during which Joanna let her mind drift. The efficient secretary was taking everything down in shorthand and would no doubt supply them with a typed copy at some point.
The solicitor, she noticed, had brown eyes and an excellent set of teeth. She hid her smile behind her hand at the thought that she was looking at him as if he was a horse she was about to buy. He looked perfectly healthy and Joanna hoped her mother-in-law wouldn’t demand to know the reason he was not going to be getting his papers. The matter was resolved for her as Liza arrived with the tray.
Without being asked, the secretary poured coffee and handed it round, along with the still warm ginger biscuits. She then took her drink and plate to the other end of the drawing room, leaving them to talk freely.
‘Do you have a memorial service planned, my lady?’ This remark was addressed to her, so Joanna was obliged to answer.
‘We don’t have a vicar at the moment – not an interregnum – as he hasn’t arrived from his previous parish and our curate has become a padre. I’m not quite sure to whom I would apply in order to get this organised.’
Elizabeth chipped in. ‘Remember, my dear, there are several other families in a similar position to us. I think you should visit them and see what they want to do. It would be appropriate for us to arrange things, don’t you think?’
Joanna shook her head. ‘Mr Broome, I don’t suppose this sort of thing falls within your remit? We would be extremely grateful if your firm could take this on for us.’
He nodded. ‘I’d be happy to do it. I can understand your reluctance to visit other grieving families so soon after the death of your own loved one. My father’s a friend of the bishop and I’m certain we can get things in place without an actual incumbent being present. I take it you would like to have the service at the local church?’
Joanna turned to her mother-in-law, as this wasn’t a decision she wanted to make on her own. ‘Definitely, if we are going to make it a joint service, as one could hardly expect the villagers to travel. What do you think, Elizabeth?’
‘I think leaving it to Mr Broome is an excellent idea. I take it that you or one of your clerks will visit the families and offer our condolences and so on?’
‘That will be done, my lady. It’s not uncommon for a family to hand this distressing task to us to arrange. Do you have any preferences for date and time?’
‘Not during the week – we are in Town – but the weekend after next would be convenient for us and hopefully for the other families too.’
Millie was kept busy over the next two days, settling in the new drivers, making sure everything was being put in its correct place at their new billet and keeping Joanna up to date with their plans.
‘I’ll be sorry to see you all go, Millie, but it’s actually rather opportune. As you know, my mother-in-law and I won’t be here either Wednesday or Thursday night, but now neither will any of you.’
‘Betty told me that the land girls you’re expecting won’t arrive until the middle of next month.’
‘That suits us perfectly. We’ve got Lord Harcourt’s memorial and a variety of other things to deal with, so not having girls here for a while will be more convenient. I’m glad to see that Di has made a rapid recovery. She’ll have rather splendid black eyes for a while, but the swelling has gone down everywhere else. She told me that she’s back on duty tomorrow.’
‘Yes, she’s determined to come to the dance and can hardly do so if she’s on sick leave. Did she tell you that she is now a LACW? I hope you admired my new stripes – I’m rather proud of them myself.’
‘And so you should be, my dear, and I’m quite certain that this time next year you’ll both be officers and running your own squadron of girls.’
‘Golly, that would be exciting. It’s been ominously quiet at the base these past few days – it’s like waiting for the other shoe to drop – everyone’s on edge, expecting the Luftwaffe to start bombing us at any moment.’
‘Well, I sincerely hope they don’t come until you’ve attended your dance with your handsome young man and my mother-in-law and I have been to London.’
Millie would be sorry to leave the comfortable billet here but relieved they wouldn’t have to do the two-mile march there and back every day. Sarge had told her that once they were all part of Manston it would be perfectly permissible for one of the drivers to ferry the girls around the base.
Ted was loving his new squadron and she prayed that his prediction that he might well be posted elsewhere very soon didn’t come true. She had only just got to know him, and she didn’t think this fledgling romance would survive a separation so soon. They’d managed to snatch a few minutes together but tonight, at the dance, would be the first time they’d appeared together as an official couple and she was so excited she could turn a cartwheel.
The dance was being held in the evening – it would be dark before anybody departed and she didn’t envy those coming by charabanc from Folkstone. Ted had told her there were around 100 WAAFs stationed there in various capacities and quite a few were coming.
She’d managed to borrow a battered van – it was going to be a bit of a squeeze getting everyone in, but better than walking.
‘I was going to cover my bruises with make-up but decided it looks worse like that,’ Di said.
‘At least the stitches don’t show, the way you’ve arranged your hair. The only thing that bothers me about tonight is that if any of the girls step out of line, it’s us who have to deal with it.’
‘I’m sure they won’t. Cora and Ruby were the bad apples in our barrel and now they’ve gone, things are much better. I think everyone was shocked – especially knowing that the two of them are in so much trouble.’
‘Okay, I’m ready. Shall we round up the others? I can’t tell you how glad I am that we won’t be the only unattached women tonight. Even with the WAAFs from Folkstone, we’ll still be outnumbered.’
‘And you’re not unattached either,’ Di said. ‘You’re now going out with Ted. I predict that you’ll be married before the end of the year.’
‘I’ve only known him since we arrived. Far too soon to talk about wedded bliss. Anyway, now he’s with the Spitfire squadron he’s very likely to be posted away from here. So, I think it better not be too involved – don’t you?’
‘Stables and doors come to mind, Millie. You might not be ready to commit to him, but I’m absolutely certain he’s head over heels in love with you. His eyes positively glow when he looks at you.’
It was fortunate the drive was short, as if it had been any longer some of the passengers in the rear of the vehicle might well have suffocated, so tightly packed were they. Di was out of the van and around to the back before it was completely stationary, in order to release those inside.
‘Blimey, that was cosy,’ one of them said cheerfully as she tumbled headfirst to the ground. She landed on her hands and knees but was upright without any harm being done.
‘Sorry, girls, I’ll make two journeys tonight. Let’s say anyone who wants to leave at ten o’clock meets me here. I’ll make the final run when the dance finishes at eleven.’
Pamela and Phyllis emerged red-faced and somewhat dishevelled, but for once they were smiling. These two older women were not Millie’s favourites, but since Cora and Ruby had gone, they’d been much more amenable.
‘Thank you for bringing us, Corporal, Pam and I will definitely be here for the early run. We are going to be bombarded by eager airmen with there being so many of them and so few of us,’ Phyllis said.
‘It’s NCOs and officers only,’ a male voice said from the other side of the vehicle.
‘Ted, how did you know we’d arrived?’ Millie wanted to throw herself into his arms but restricted her greeting to a bright smile.
‘I was waiting for you. You should have realised this is not for other ranks – it wouldn’t be held in the Officers’ Mess, otherwise.’
The girls had hurried off towards the open doors, from which lively music could be heard. It wasn’t the duo of pianist and saxophonist who were pilots with the Hurries that she’d heard about, so it must be a gramophone record.
‘Is that Glenn Miller?’
‘I don’t know, but it certainly sounds like him. The contingent from Folkstone have already arrived and dancing has commenced. I did a quick recce and I think there are around sixty women, fifteen of whom are civilians and the rest are WAAFs.’
‘How many officers and NCOs are there inside?’
‘At the moment, we have over a hundred officers on the base and as many NCOs – not all of them are here as some will be on duty – so I should think about 150 chaps in all.’
‘I don’t know why we’re standing out here talking about the ratio of men to women as it doesn’t concern either of us. I’m only interested in one man and he’s right here with me.’
His smile made her toes curl and she thought it would be better to be safely inside than out here on their own doing something that would get them both put on a charge.
Ted put his arm around her waist and guided her through the double doors into the smoky, noisy, crowded recreation room. He didn’t have to ask her to dance, as one look at her face was enough to show him that she was as eager as he to join the gyrating throng of partygoers.
There had been four fatalities at Manston during Operation Dynamo, six kites lost and a dozen men injured and unable to fly. Not all of those lost had been permanently based here – two had, but nobody mentioned them. It was like dropping a stone in a pool – as long as you could see the ripples, you remembered there was a stone at the bottom.
He pushed his morbid thoughts aside and turned his full attention to his partner. There were so many couples dancing that there were several collisions but all were taken in good spirits. After twenty minutes, they’d both had enough for the moment.
‘Let’s get a drink. Do you want something alcoholic?’
‘Not really, but I’ll have a very weak shandy if there isn’t anything else. I’d be perfectly happy with a large glass of water.’
The bar was equally busy. ‘Look, there’s absolutely no room in here. Why don’t you wait in the passageway? It’s cooler and quieter there and I’ll bring the drinks out. It won’t be blackout for another hour so we could take them outside if you like.’
She shook her head. ‘I think it’s best if we stay in. I’m not exactly sure but I think an officer isn’t allowed to fraternise with other ranks and we could both be in deep water.’
‘If we were engaged then I’m pretty sure Freddie would give us permission to see each other.’
‘Engaged? Didn’t we already discuss this, Ted? I do have feelings for you, but we scarcely know each other. There’s a war on – in case you haven’t noticed – and we should be concentrating on doing our duty and not on each other.’
He hadn’t meant to blurt out a proposal, but he wanted to make their relationship official; he could be killed tomorrow, this made everything different.
‘I love you. I want to marry you. If you love me then I can’t see what’s holding you back.’
‘I’m not sure I love you enough to want to spend the rest of my life with you…’ She hesitated and then nodded. ‘That sounded awful, sorry. I meant that we don’t know each other well enough to make such a huge commitment, do we? This is all very new to me, you know.’
‘For god’s sake, think about it, Millie. The rest of my life could be a few days and I’d really like to be married to you before that happens.’
He hadn’t meant to sound so vehement, hadn’t realised how strongly he felt about things until he’d spoken it out loud.
She looked down for a moment and he thought she was going to rush off, too upset to continue the conversation. Then she looked at him and there was something different about her.
Whatever she was going to say would change both their lives irrevocably and he didn’t know whether it would be good news or the worst possible. Was she going to change her mind and stop seeing him altogether?
‘You’re right. A bomb could drop on us both at any moment before either of us have had a chance to experience everything life has to offer. The problem is that neither of us are of age and so we would need our parents’ permission to marry – unless that no longer applies because we’re in the armed forces.’
It took Ted a few seconds to unravel that she was actually saying yes to his proposal. He gathered her close and he no longer cared if they were seen kissing. They were both amateurs at this lark but seemed to be getting the hang of it as afterwards, they were both flushed and breathless.
‘Then we’re officially engaged? As you’re the most senior WAAF on the base, you can give yourself permission. I’ll speak to Freddie. There’s nobody here who can officiate but maybe we could get married at Hawkinge – I’m sure they’ll have their own padre.’
‘If we can do it without me having to speak to my father then that’s fine. He would refuse as he didn’t even want me to become a WAAF and certainly wouldn’t want me to marry a fighter pilot with no prospects.’
For a horrible moment, he thought she was serious, then he saw her lips twitching. ‘How do you know I’ve not got wonderful prospects? I might have an elderly aunt about to leave me a huge fortune.’
‘Do you? It would make things so much easier if you did. I certainly don’t – not a sign of a trust fund and I’m quite certain Pa cut me out of his will months ago.’
Several blokes had brushed past them on their way to the bar, but he and Millie ignored the interruptions. Someone must’ve seen them kissing but nobody had commented.
‘Let’s go and find Freddie. He’s probably in the bar somewhere.’
‘Do you want me to wait out here or shall I come with you?’
The passageway was no longer quiet, there was a constant flow of eager drinkers and he thought on balance she’d be better with him than standing out here on her own. ‘We’ll go together.’
The crush was around the bar itself but the periphery of the large room had a few empty spaces – unfortunately, no empty tables or chairs.
‘Look, Ted, isn’t that Freddie sitting at the table with a couple of very senior officers? I really don’t think we should disturb them.’
‘This is the perfect time to speak to them. In fact, it’s better that the adjutant and Wing Commander are there as it would probably have to go to one of them anyway.’
‘If you don’t mind, I’ll wait here. I could just about manage talking to Freddie but not all three of them at once. I’ll be fine – I’m quite sure no officer would step out of line, especially with those three sitting so close.’
She was right. This was probably the safest place on the base at the moment for a beautiful young woman to be standing on her own. ‘I’ll speak to them and I’ll beckon you over if necessary.’
He was more nervous approaching these three men than he’d been at any time flying in his kite. He feared that if they refused his request, he wouldn’t get another opportunity – Millie would be lost to him as there was already talk of sending his squadron overseas.
‘Excuse me, gentlemen, for disturbing your valuable drinking time, but I need to ask your permission to get married.’
Freddie choked on his beer, the adjutant slopped his onto the table and only Manston’s commanding officer appeared unmoved by his sudden appearance and request.
‘Is that the young lady in question?’ Win Co nodded towards Millie.
‘Yes, sir, Corporal Cunningham. She was most insistent that we made things official because she doesn’t want either of us to be put on a charge for conduct unbecoming.’
His commanding officer looked at the other two and they both nodded. ‘You have my permission, Ted, and my congratulations on your forthcoming nuptials. I suggest that you arrange it post haste, as from what I hear from on high, things are going to get very busy indeed for all of us at any moment.’
Ted knew he was grinning like an idiot but hoped his crisp salute would compensate for this. ‘Thank you, gentlemen, we’ll set things in motion immediately.’
As he turned, he saw a gap in the wall of blue at the bar and nipped into the space. Five minutes later, he was clutching a pint of bitter and a half of weak shandy. He shouldered his way out of the press and looked towards the place he’d last seen Millie. She was no longer there.
Jimmy, his erstwhile squadron leader, noticed his panic and grinned. ‘Your young lady was called away, Ted, some emergency with one of the girls in her charge.’ He held out his hand. ‘No point in letting this go to waste. You can’t take your beer with you.’
‘You owe me a pint, old boy, and I’ll be back to claim it later. Thanks for the message.’
The girls from Goodwill House had only just arrived. How could there be an emergency for Millie to deal with so soon?