‘This is nice, isn’t it?’ Jenny said once they’d stepped off the bus in Lincoln and were walking towards the shops. ‘We don’t often do things just the two of us.’
That was true, Thea reflected, and a shame, because she treasured Jenny’s friendship. ‘We’ll have to make more of an effort to take time off together,’ she told her. ‘I suppose I’ve been rather wrapped up in Fitz. And Jack’s troubles, of course.’
‘It’s understandable, and I don’t mind.’
‘But I do. You’re a good friend, and I’ve neglected you. I’ll do better in future, I promise.’
‘I appreciate that, but promise you won’t neglect Fitz. He’s good for you. Anyway, given half the chance I’d be going out at all hours with—’ Jenny broke off, biting her lip.
Thea leaped on the opportunity. ‘With who? It’s Edwin, isn’t it? Go on, I won’t tell anyone else, even Pearl.’
Jenny sighed. ‘I suppose I haven’t hidden it very well. I do like him. Not that it makes any difference, because he obviously doesn’t feel the same way about me, and I feel so foolish for having worn my heart on my sleeve.’
‘What do you mean, he doesn’t like you? Fitz tells me he’s always finding excuses to visit the Met Office when he knows you’re on duty, and, if your opinion on the weather differs from the forecast given during the briefing, he usually goes along with yours. Apparently your wind speed estimates have saved him from going wildly off course on more than one occasion.’
Jenny’s cheeks turned pink. ‘He’s really said that?’ Then she shook her head. ‘It doesn’t make any difference, though. I know he enjoys my company and values my opinion, but that’s as far as it goes, it seems. If his feelings ran deeper than that, I’m sure he would have said something by now.’
‘I suppose so. I’m sorry, though, Jenny. I would never have teased you about him if I’d known.’ Thea was glad she’d mentioned making more time for Jenny before her friend’s confession. If she’d only brought it up now it would have sounded like pity. ‘I meant it, though, about making more effort to spend time with you. Especially once Pearl leaves Hut Three. In fact, I wonder if Blatchford would let me take Pearl’s bed once she moves out?’
‘I’d love that. Only won’t you hate sharing a hut with Blanche?’
‘I’ll survive. She might even start speaking to me if this crossword stunt works.’ Thea had told Jenny and Pearl about Sam’s request, and both had shared her hope that getting Blanche and Sam together might soften Blanche’s attitude towards Thea. As the crossword was in the latest edition of the Bombshell, which had gone on sale that day, she hoped the business would be settled soon.
Thea hadn’t been paying much attention to their progress and only belatedly noticed that they had crossed the river and were now on the high street. ‘Anyway, I don’t want to spoil our day in Lincoln with thoughts about Blanche. What shall we do first – collect the dress, or shopping?’
‘We should leave the dress until last,’ Jenny said. ‘I’m going to be terrified while it’s my responsibility. Imagine how awful we would feel if it got dirty or damaged.’
‘I suppose you’re right. Knowing me, I would leave it somewhere.’ Thea had a sudden picture of arriving back in Fenthorpe only to discover she’d left the dress on the bus. Not the way to persuade Pearl she was mature and responsible. ‘Shops first, then. Where shall we go?’
‘I could do with your advice, actually. Here we are with only a little over a month to go, and I haven’t got Pearl and Greg a wedding present yet. What are you getting them?’
‘A wedding present?’ Thea felt herself go cold. There went any hope of being considered mature and responsible. A truly grown-up young woman would have remembered to get her sister a wedding present. ‘I don’t believe it. I completely forgot about it. I’ve no idea what to get. Some sister I am.’
Jenny was undeterred. ‘We’ve got all day. I’m sure we’ll find something good.’
‘Let’s have a wander and see if we get any inspiration.’
But as time wore on, it was clear there was no obvious answer. Thea had thought Pearl might like a pretty frock to wear on her honeymoon, but that would need clothing coupons, which neither had. Traditional wedding gifts such as a dinner service or silver teapot were pointless, even if they’d had enough money. For the foreseeable future, Pearl and Greg might not even be living together. Even if they were, it would be in officers’ married quarters, where all meals would be provided.
Finally, feeling disheartened, they retired to the cafe above Boots to gather the strength for a second assault on the shops and to think through any other ideas.
They sipped tea to the soothing accompaniment of the string orchestra while they gathered their thoughts.
‘I’d like to get them something special,’ Thea mused, ‘only I don’t have much money.’ Although as an LACW in a skilled trade she had received several pay rises since joining the WAAF, it still wasn’t much. What really irked her was that she only got paid two-thirds of the amount given to the men doing exactly the same work.
‘Pearl will understand,’ Jenny told her. ‘You send money home to Deedee too, don’t you?’ When Thea nodded, Jenny added, ‘From what I know of Pearl, she’d rather you spent your money on your grandmother than anything fancy for her.’
‘She doesn’t know. I asked Deedee not to tell her.’
‘Why on earth would you do that?’
‘I don’t know. I suppose Pearl seemed to have such a low opinion of me when I ran off and joined the WAAF, I didn’t want her to think I was sending Deedee money as a way of earning back her love.’
Jenny rolled her eyes. ‘Honestly, I used to wish I had sisters instead of only brothers, but now I’m starting to think I’m better off without. Do you two ever communicate?’
‘We’re getting better.’
‘I should hope so.’ Jenny muttered something under her breath that might have been, ‘You can’t get any worse.’ Then, after clearing her throat, she said, ‘I think the first thing you do when you see her is explain that you would like to give her and Greg a lovely present, but you’re going to have to defer the proper gift until they are actually setting up house together. Then you can get them something you are sure they will need. You will also explain that you’re going to get them something now, but it will only be small because you are, after all, sending a fair proportion of your wages to Deedee. If you say it like she should already know, you won’t be making it into a big issue.’
‘I suppose that would work. And it’s a good idea about waiting until they set up home for their real present. We don’t have any family apart from Deedee, and Greg’s family are all in Australia, so they don’t have a load of relatives able to lavish them with gifts.’
‘I never thought of that,’ Jenny said, looking suddenly thoughtful. ‘That Greg’s family is in Australia, I mean. I wonder if he’ll want to move back there after the war?’
‘That’s a point. Greg used to work for a charter company. He might be expected to return there when it’s all over. Over here, companies are keeping jobs open for the men who join up. Do you think they do the same over there?’ Thea was surprised by the pang of loss that had struck at the prospect of her sister moving to the far side of the world. After years of trying to escape from Pearl’s interference, it was strange to think how much she would miss Pearl should she move far away.
‘I don’t know. I never thought of it.’
‘I wonder if Pearl has.’ Somehow Thea didn’t think she had. She was sure she would have said something if they’d made the decision to move to Australia once Greg was released from his service to the RAF. After all, Greg had been averse to talking or even thinking about making future plans, and even his engagement to Pearl had been a decision to make the most of the present. Somehow she didn’t think Pearl and Greg had spoken much about the future. ‘Can you believe it?’ she said now. ‘All this time Pearl has pressed me to think ahead more, and I don’t think she’s thought ahead at all concerning the biggest decision she’ll ever make.’ She forced a grin, determined to see the light side. ‘Please let me be the one to bring this up.’
‘Rather you than me. Although as Pearl’s never going to change her mind about marrying him, you should probably leave it for now. No point in upsetting her and spoiling her big day.’
‘I suppose you’re right.’
‘Anyway, we still need to work out what to get them for now.’ Jenny’s eyes wandered over the table and to the tiny sprigs of wild flowers arranged in a delicate china vase. ‘I know – how about a vase?’
‘Good idea. Pearl always liked to arrange flowers from our garden at home. I doubt wherever she ends up next will be any prettier than our huts, so she’d like something to brighten the place up. Maybe I could get her a photo frame.’
‘Yes.’ Jenny’s eyes were shining. ‘She’ll be able to use it for her wedding photograph.’ Then she frowned. ‘Have they arranged a photographer? If not, Edwin’s got a Brownie camera, and I’ve seen his photographs. They’re really good. We could ask him to take the photos.’
‘I don’t think Pearl’s thought of a photographer, so using Edwin would be a good idea, assuming he’s free that day.’
‘He’s done the same number of tours as Greg and Fitz, so he should be finished by then. I presume they’ll get leave before being sent to an OTU or wherever they’ll go next.’
OTU stood for Operational Training Unit, and it was likely that the crew would be needed in one as instructors once they had finished their tour. If they finished their tour. Thea promptly banished that stray thought.
She drained her cup and pulled out her purse to pay for their drinks. ‘Right, we’d better get a move on. We’ve got presents to buy!’
As it turned out, they were able to find a vase and a picture frame in the same shop, an antiques shop near the top of Steep Hill. The girls could have spent hours wandering around the display cases crammed full of mismatched china teacups and plates. However, aware that time was passing and they still needed to collect the dress, they focused on the cases containing vases and picture frames. Jenny couldn’t choose between a pretty fan-shaped glass vase and a china one decorated with exquisite rosebuds. However, when Thea found an art deco oak picture frame, Jenny immediately opted for the glass vase. ‘It’s Art Deco too, so they’ll match,’ she told Thea happily.
Once they had their purchases wrapped, they went to collect Pearl’s gown, veil and shoes. Thea emerged from Miss Honeycroft’s house cradling a large, flat cardboard box in her arms with as much care as she would hold a newborn baby. ‘I’m scared the slightest movement will rip the lace to shreds,’ she told Jenny, who had charge of the smaller boxes holding the veil and shoes and looked as though she was holding an unexploded bomb. ‘Come on, let’s get to the bus before something terrible happens.’
They followed the most direct route to the bus station and were approaching the bridge when Jenny happened to glance into the stationery shop they were passing. ‘I nearly forgot – I’m almost out of ink. Wait here. I won’t be long.’ She hurried inside, leaving Thea on the pavement holding all the boxes.
Thea held them against her body in a protective gesture and turned to gaze into the shop window, more to protect the dress from being jostled by any passers-by than out of interest in the window display.
The doorbell jangled, and Thea glanced up automatically to see who was walking out. She went cold all over when she saw a man with a slight figure and dark brown hair. This time she could see his face and there was no mistaking Billy Haywood. She turned away, but not fast enough.
‘I don’t believe it. Thea Cooper. Long time no see.’
There was no escape. ‘Billy. Out of prison, then.’
‘Yeah, they let me out early so I could join up.’ He indicated her uniform. ‘I see you didn’t escape conscription, even if you managed to evade arrest.’
‘I didn’t evade arrest, I didn’t do anything wrong—’ Thea caught herself from saying more. This wasn’t a conversation to have in public. Instead, she said, ‘I heard what happened to your brother. My condolences.’ She glanced into the shop, praying Billy would leave before Jenny emerged.
Billy, however, gave no sign that he wanted to move. ‘It was the first time we were going to see each other since my release.’ His eyes hardened. ‘He was knocked down on his way to the pub where we were going to meet. I never got to see him.’ There was an accusatory tone to his voice, as though he thought Thea had been driving the car that hit his brother.
Thea shot a desperate glance at the shop doorway. She needed to end this now. ‘That’s awful. I’m really sorry.’
‘How sorry?’
‘What?’ Was he expecting her to grade her level of sorrow?
At that point the shop bell jingled and Jenny walked out, brandishing an ink bottle for Thea to see. ‘Got it!’
Thea, her stomach in knots, made one last effort to make her escape. ‘I must dash – I’m late for my bus.’
She took a step towards Jenny, but her progress was halted when Billy grasped her arm. ‘Not so fast. We still have unfinished business.’ He lowered his voice. ‘Or do you want your pretty friend to find out what you’re really like?’
There was no opportunity to answer him before Jenny got close enough to overhear. Thea hitched a smile on her face even while she watched with growing despair as Jenny sailed up to them. She cast an enquiring glance at Billy. ‘Hello, are you one of Thea’s friends from RAF Waddington? I’m so glad she came to join us in Fenthorpe, but I’m sure you must all miss her.’
‘A friend from home, actually.’ Billy held out his hand to Jenny. ‘Billy Haywood. I expect Thea’s told you all about me.’
‘Jenny Hazleton.’ She shook Billy’s hand, and seeing her touch him made Thea feel sick. ‘She hasn’t mentioned you, but Thea doesn’t generally talk about her home much.’
‘Why doesn’t that surprise me? So you’re at RAF Fenthorpe now?’ Billy shot Thea a significant glance. ‘I’d forgotten where you’d moved to. It’s nice to know you’re settling in well and making friends.’
Although his tone was smooth, there was a definite threat there, and Thea wondered if he suspected what she had done on the night he had been arrested.
Jenny appeared oblivious to the undercurrents. ‘It was lovely to meet you, but we’ve got a bus to catch.’ She moved away, clearly expecting Thea to follow.
Billy, however, intervened. ‘I won’t keep you long, but I was hoping to have a quick word with Thea. In private.’
Thea wished more than anything she could get away, but, now Billy knew she was at Fenthorpe, there was a real risk that he would show up there and make trouble for her. It hadn’t escaped her that Billy had evaded the question of where he was based, but it seemed likely he was also near Lincoln. If she left now, she would be living in constant fear of seeing him again soon. ‘Just give me a minute, Jenny. Take the boxes and I’ll catch you up.’
Jenny didn’t look happy, but took charge of the packages and headed off for the bus station. Once she was out of earshot, Thea turned to Billy. ‘Tell me what you want.’
‘What I want? You make me sound so mercenary. Isn’t the pleasure of your company enough?’
Thea simply folded her arms and glared at him.
‘Oh, very well. I think your friends at Fenthorpe would be very interested to learn just what you got up to in Shrewsbury that had you running to the WAAF.’
Thea felt sick. This was clearly an attempt at blackmail, and, while she knew giving in to him once would only be inviting him to return for more, she couldn’t think of any other way of getting rid of him. ‘How much do you want?’
‘I’m a reasonable man. Shall we say twenty pounds?’
Thea gaped. ‘You’ve lost your mind. I haven’t got anything like that kind of money.’ This was nearly a third of her annual income.
‘I said I was reasonable. I can take it in instalments.’
But in a flash of insight, Thea knew that if she agreed now she would never see the last of him, and she decided to take her chances. ‘Forget it. You’ll have to top up your wages elsewhere, because I can’t afford it.’
Before Billy could respond, she stalked away, and joined Jenny in time to scramble onto the bus just before it departed. She was able to distract Jenny from asking about Billy by changing the subject to Pearl and her reaction when she saw the wedding gown. Yet although Jenny seemed to quickly put the new acquaintance out of her mind, Thea couldn’t shake off a growing unease that she hadn’t seen the last of Billy Haywood.