Joanna had accepted Elizabeth’s offer to pay for a taxi to take them to the station on Wednesday morning. They’d said their farewells to the girls and remained out of the way in the drawing room whilst they departed for Manston. The house was unnaturally quiet.
‘Joan and Valerie will be here shortly, Elizabeth, to spring-clean the rooms and get them ready for our next arrivals. Betty doesn’t seem very hopeful that it will be the land girls but I’m not going to worry about it until after we’ve got this visit to your bank in London over.’
‘Mr Broome was positive about the income we can expect from the farms in future, once the debt is paid, that will come directly into your account, whereas up until now it’s just been paying the interest on the loan.’
‘I was quite taken aback when he suggested we didn’t need to take in lodgers as we’d be able to live comfortably on the rents. It wouldn’t be right to rattle about in this big house, just the two of us, and we certainly couldn’t employ the ladies from the village. Therefore, if you have no objection, I wish to continue to host girls from the services.’
‘I would be shocked if you didn’t, my dear, it’s only right that we do our bit for the war effort, even if it’s only housing land girls, WAAFs or similar young women.’
‘Joe has put our suitcases by the front door ready – we just need the taxi to arrive and we can go. I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to this trip to London, Elizabeth – despite the circumstances, I’m determined to enjoy myself.’
‘The bank will have had my letter and know exactly why we are coming. I do hope Sarah is able to meet us as planned for lunch at the Savoy. I want to hear all about her exciting new life. When I was a girl, women of our class didn’t work – their only role in life was to acquire a wealthy and attractive husband. Now they are working alongside men in various positions. I find that quite extraordinary.’
The train was already in the station when they arrived and the porter carried their small overnight cases to the ladies’ first-class compartment. Joanna tipped him generously.
‘I do hope we have the exclusive use of this, Joanna, I really don’t want to make small talk with people I scarcely know and pretend that I’m grief-stricken when I’m not.’ She smiled slightly. ‘It might seem unfeeling of me to be this way, but I’ve had no contact with David for thirty years and didn’t see much of him before that.’
‘I understand exactly. David and I were married but never really close.’
‘At least you look elegant and attractive in your black, whereas I look like an emaciated old crow.’
Joanna smiled at this as her mother-in-law looked every inch a wealthy lady and always did, whatever she might be wearing. Baxter had worked her magic on both of them; although in mourning, they looked very smart.
Once in London, the ladies took a taxi to Coutts and were ushered in with bows and sycophancy, which Joanna found uncomfortable but Elizabeth revelled in.
‘Do you want me to come in with you? I’m perfectly content to sit out here in this very comfortable anteroom and drink their delicious coffee and eat their pastries.’
‘No, I want you with me. I’ve already changed my will, so this very much concerns you as you’re my sole beneficiary. I’ve not left anything to Sarah as I’m sure you’ll give her whatever she needs.’
‘Please don’t talk about your demise – I want you around for years yet as I’ve only just got to know you and there’s so much we can do to improve the estate.’
An hour later, they were ushered with equal reverence from the premises and into a waiting taxi, which took them immediately to the Savoy. The journey took scarcely five minutes and no doubt would have cost an exorbitant amount of money. However, Coutts had provided it as part of their service.
The smartly dressed doorman opened the door and assisted Elizabeth to alight and then did the same for Joanna. In the foyer, the doormen handed their luggage to a waiting boot boy.
‘Welcome to the Savoy, my ladies, it’s an honour to have you here. Your suite is ready. Do you wish to go there immediately or go directly to the dining room? I am Rush, under-manager here.’
‘Have our cases taken up, but we’ll eat first,’ Joanna said. ‘We need a very quiet table as we have business to discuss.’
The young man, scarcely more than a boy, bowed as if to royalty and then escorted them to the dining room. He was about to hand them each a menu but she waved them away.
‘We’ll have whatever the chef recommends, but we’re expecting my daughter, so please wait until she’s here to put the order through to the kitchen.’
As soon as they were alone, she reached over and squeezed Elizabeth’s hands. ‘Are you quite sure you want to use almost your entire fortune on bailing out the estate?’
‘I certainly do, my dear. It will take a few weeks for the money to be accessed but the manager assured us he would speak to David’s bank so they know the debt will be paid in full shortly.’
‘It seems so extravagant to be staying here, but I’m loving every minute.’ She glanced at her wristwatch. ‘I do hope Sarah can come, she’s already twenty minutes late.’
The under-manager arrived at their side an apologetic smile on his face. ‘Lady Harcourt, Miss Harcourt has just telephoned to say she cannot make her lunch appointment. She sends her regrets and her love and says that she will be in touch in a day or two.’
This was very disappointing, but Joanna had half-expected Sarah to cry off. A medical student worked long hours and had to go in if she was called.
‘What a shame, Joanna, but we both thought this might be the case. Let’s enjoy a superb lunch and then I’m going to have a siesta. We have the cinema and another splendid meal to look forward to this evening. The food in England isn’t as good as in France but at the Savoy we should not be disappointed.’
Millie thought it better not to use the car she’d been driving all day or to take a lorry from the motor pool, even though Sarge had said he would turn a blind eye. One never knew if Squadron Leader Evans had left someone to spy on them.
Therefore, she found her bicycle and pedalled the half a mile or so to her new billet. The girls should all be fast asleep apart from Di, who was the other driver on duty tonight. She headed for the building in which their canteen and recreation rooms were situated. Obviously, it was in total darkness, but she had her trusty torch to light her way.
It was eerily quiet inside the huge building – it was going to be strange rattling about in here until the place was full of girls as it should be.
As she approached the canteen, she could hear the sound of someone moving about. Excellent – Di was there and hopefully getting them both something to eat. Her friend greeted her cheerfully from the kitchen.
‘The milk’s on for the cocoa and I’m just heating up some sort of stew. It smells all right but doesn’t look very palatable.’
‘I’ll make the cocoa. I don’t care what it looks like as I’m absolutely starving. I can’t see any cutlery apart from the things that the catering staff need. I’ll have to remind the girls to have their irons with them in future.’
‘This is done,’ Di said as she dolloped the unappetising brown stew onto the plates.
In the year that she’d been a WAAF, Millie had got used to eating first and talking afterwards and didn’t tell Di about her encounter with their future CO until the last mouthful had been swallowed.
‘Golly, I’m glad it wasn’t me. Did she tell you why she’d heard of you?’
‘It didn’t come up, but I liked her in the end and I’m looking forward to serving under her. I don’t suppose there’s any pudding left from earlier?’
‘Sorry, old thing, no. I can’t even offer you second helpings of the stew as that was all that was left. Let’s wash up and get to bed – we’re on duty again in a few hours.’
The following morning, she and Di were up and out before the girls were awake. Once they were safely outside and couldn’t disturb anybody, Millie wanted to share some things she’d been thinking about.
‘In future, we have to be rostered on separate shifts – there should always be someone senior in command to make sure everything’s left as it should be.’
‘That’s a good point and I don’t know why admin haven’t thought of it themselves. When do you actually start your leave?’
‘I have three deliveries to make tomorrow morning and then I finish. I can’t believe I’ll be getting married tomorrow – it’s not how I anticipated my wedding day but as long as I become Ted’s wife then I don’t care how it happens.’
‘I’m pretty sure it’s going to cause chaos somewhere. You won’t be Corporal Cunningham but Corporal Thorrington – I wonder if that’s going to cause problems for you.’
‘Actually, I don’t intend to change my name. I’m going to carry on being Corporal Cunningham as far as the WAAF are concerned. I’m going to wear my wedding ring – of course – but apart from that, nothing will really change.’
‘Ted will be entitled to a married man’s allowance, surely?’
‘Probably, but I’m not getting involved in that. As we won’t be living together and I’m still getting my board and lodging as a WAAF, I don’t see how he can legitimately receive extra for me.’
‘Good point. Let sleeping dogs lie – that’s the best way forward.’
The day dragged past and Millie was shattered when eventually she dropped her bicycle against the wall outside the canteen and went in to find something to eat. Tomorrow was her wedding day and she just hoped she wouldn’t be too exhausted to enjoy it.
Millie wasn’t on duty until eight o’clock so was able to inspect the billet before she headed for breakfast. Everybody knew today was her wedding day, but she didn’t know if they’d made a special effort or if this was how they were going to leave the hut every day. She sincerely hoped it was the latter.
If that was the case, then her task as corporal would be easy. Every inch of lino around each occupied bed was polished to a dangerously high shine. The beds were stacked as they should be with not even a corner of a biscuit out of place. Even the personal items were arranged tidily and the family photographs, carefully attached to the walls behind the beds, were neatly aligned.
Every greatcoat hung as it should on the pegs in the vestibule. The girls obviously had their tin hats, haversacks and gas masks with them. More than satisfied with her small command, she dashed across to the canteen. When she walked in, there was a spontaneous round of applause, which stopped her in her tracks.
Di was on her feet. ‘We hope you found everything to your satisfaction, Corporal Cunningham. We want to congratulate you on your forthcoming nuptials and wish you every happiness.’
Millie brushed away the unexpected tears. ‘Thank you all so much. I just wish you could come to the ceremony but that’s just not possible. I’ll try to arrange for some sort of party when I get back from my honeymoon.’ She looked at Di. ‘Have you been told that our queen bee will be Squadron Leader Evans?’
A chorus of yeses and nods indicated that they had. ‘Then I’ll leave you to eat your breakfast and get on with mine.’
She’d not even seen Ted from a distance for two days but was confident he was fine as there’d been no scrambles, just routine reconnaissance flights. This couldn’t go on for much longer, but as long as the Germans didn’t come today then she’d be happy enough.
She dashed back to prepare for her wedding, half an hour before she was due to be at the Officers’ Mess. She had a very quick shower but didn’t have time to wash her hair. The only difference to her appearance was that she had on fresh undergarments and a clean shirt. She wished she had something more glamorous to wear.
She checked her cap was on straight, her tie perfectly adjusted, her seams straight and her shoes polished, then picked up her overnight bag and headed for the car. Her tin hat was left hanging with her greatcoat, her haversack was in her locker, but she had her gas mask correctly over her shoulder.
Sarge had given her permission to use the Austin, so at least she didn’t have to get hot and bothered marching across the base. And after parking the car, she got out and took several steadying breaths. This really wasn’t how someone’s wedding day should be – but everything was different now and she must count her blessings and just be thankful she could get married at all.
Ted was in his best blues, so was Freddie, and they were waiting in the Officers’ Mess for the bishop, Millie and Di to arrive. His stomach was roiling and getting married was a terrifying business, but even more scary was the thought that his darling Mille might have changed her mind.
‘Stop panicking, old bean, here she comes,’ Freddie said. ‘She looks as terrified as you – are you quite sure you want to do this?’
Ted wasn’t listening to his friend. He turned and, ignoring protocol, strode to Millie’s side and swept her up in his arms. She returned his embrace and a very satisfactory few minutes later they were both feeling more confident and less nervous.
‘I love you, darling Millie, and I’m the luckiest man alive.’
Her smile was radiant and it made him feel like a giant amongst men. ‘I love you too, Ted, and can’t wait to be your wife. Shall we get on with it, as my knees are trembling, and I think I’m likely to end up in a heap on the floor if we don’t.’
He kept his arm firmly around her waist and led her forwards to where the padre was waiting for them. After that, it was easy – there were no prayers, no hymns, just the simplicity of the traditional wedding service.
He pushed the ring over her knuckle and they were pronounced man and wife. The padre smiled. ‘You may kiss your bride – again – Flying Officer Thorrington.’
There was no need to give him permission. This kiss was different – it was the first one they’d exchanged as husband and wife.
Freddie shook his hand and kissed Millie. ‘Congratulations to you both. I hope – no – I’m certain that you’ll be very happy together.’
‘Thank you, Freddie.’ His wife was hugging her friend and then they were ready to leave. ‘My bag’s over there. I’ll grab it and then we can go.’
He’d expected to drive, as this was an unofficial trip, but he wasn’t given the choice as she took her usual place behind the wheel.
He slung his bag on the rear seat beside hers and dropped into the seat next to her. ‘As your husband, Mrs Thorrington, I believe I should be driving this vehicle.’ He was smiling as he spoke, so she knew he wasn’t cross, just curious.
‘And I remain Corporal Cunningham and this car is my responsibility.’
All desire to smile evaporated. She didn’t detect his shock and hurt that she wasn’t going to take his name but drove away smoothly and headed for Ramsgate. This wasn’t an auspicious start to their life together.
He didn’t think of himself as an old-fashioned sort of a chap, but some things were sacred. One of them was that the wife took the name of her husband. She should be proud to have become Mrs Edward Thorrington. Why was she still calling herself by her maiden name?
‘Millie, you aren’t a Cunningham any more. You’re now legally and in every other way, my wife – Mrs Edward Thorrington.’
They drove on and he thought she hadn’t heard him. Then she pulled into the entrance to a field, turned off the engine and swivelled in her chair to face him. Her expression wasn’t encouraging.
‘Ted, I do love you, but I’m not giving up my identity or my position in the WAAF. After the war, obviously, I’ll become Mrs Thorrington, but until then I must remain as I am.’