Intimacy of any sort was something she knew little about. She’d married almost straight from school and her mother had just told her that what happened between her and David would produce babies. Exactly how this miracle took place wasn’t discussed and her wedding night had been a startling and unpleasant revelation.

  David had stopped visiting her at all after the doctor had told them further children would be impossible. To give him his due, he’d never blamed her for not giving him an heir. She frowned as she recalled a conversation that she’d had with him just before he was recalled to his regiment last year.

  He’d told her that if anything happened to him, the title would go to a second cousin but the estates and house would come to her and Sarah. He’d seemed remarkably unbothered at the prospect of his own demise.

  ‘Mummy, you’re daydreaming. I asked you if there’s anywhere particular that you think we should visit when we go.’

  ‘To be honest, darling, I’ve rarely been to Hastings. Your father didn’t like it. We did go to town quite frequently so he could visit his lawyers and his bank. Of course, he dealt with a local branch for day-to-day matters. It’s those people who are being so difficult and refusing to give me any information about our finances.’

  ‘We can manage with what we’ve got as long as we take in at least six girls. Heaven knows what would happen if we needed anything repairing or replacing.’

  ‘That’s not your worry, darling. If you do manage to get a bursary or scholarship of some sort and go to London in September then I’ll manage perfectly well here with Betty and the other ladies from the village.’

  Brave words, but Joanna knew her own limitations and without her daughter’s support and company feared she wouldn’t be able to cope.

  Angus scarcely had a moment to himself for the next few days. The Blenheims were flying regular patrols over the Channel in an attempt to keep the German U-boats at bay. They were also doing brief reconnaissance flights into the low countries to see what Hitler was up to. The squadrons of Hurries went up a couple of times to enact mock dogfights. Neither he nor any of the blokes had fired a bullet in anger and no amount of friendly dogfights could really prepare them for what was coming. He led one flight and Jimmy the other.

  They now had a fully functioning NAAFI van that would be invaluable when there were more kites on the base. When the men couldn’t get back to the mess they could get tea and a wad from the van. He’d been summoned to the blower an hour ago and told he was now going to have accommodation, ablutions and mess for a contingent of WAAF. It would help if the bigwigs would make their bloody minds up.

  So far, the benefits of being in charge were his promotion to squadron leader, the extra pay, and the fact that he could give himself permission to leave the base for a day. He was making sure all the blokes also got regular time off as he was damn sure in the not too distant future everyone would be permanently on duty. The new adjutant, Flight Lieutenant Barry Simmons, was a couple of years older than him and also a regular. He’d had a nasty prang which had left him blind in one eye and therefore not fit to fly. He was proving an excellent second in command.

  ‘Enjoy yourself, Angus. You’re looking a bit jaded and a day out with your pretty young filly is exactly what you need.’

  ‘Don’t bugger everything up whilst I’m out. There’s a delivery of parts for the Hurries coming sometime today in an Annie, but nothing else of note.’

  ‘Good show – we need to have everything in place because once it kicks off, Manston will be pretty damn busy.’

  ‘As long as the Hillman doesn’t die on me, I’ll be back before lights out.’

  Sarah must’ve seen him coming down the drive as she was waiting when he pulled up. He’d only known her a few weeks, but he could see a change in her. She carried herself more confidently, even had a splash of red lipstick on today, and he rather thought he might have been the reason for this.

  ‘I’m so looking forward to having lunch out with you, Angus, but we’ve got to be back before eight as there’s nobody else to do the horses.’

  ‘That’s a shame, I was hoping we might have dinner as well. Let’s get going as our time is obviously limited. What about these land girls? I thought they’d be here by now and able to help out.’

  She reached the passenger door before he could open it for her. He loved this determination to be independent, to not rely on anyone but herself.

  He’d left the engine running so there was no danger of the Hillman refusing to start. The sun was out, the snow had gone, he had a lovely young lady at his side, so why wasn’t he feeling on top of the world? He glanced sideways as he negotiated the entrance to the drive. She was looking at him speculatively.

  ‘If you’ve changed your mind about taking me out, that’s fine. I won’t be offended, but for some reason you obviously are.’

  He stopped the car, pulled on the handbrake and turned to face her. ‘Of course I haven’t changed my mind. I’m not offended – whatever gave you that idea? I intended to open the door for you, as a gentleman should, but you beat me to it and that somewhat surprised me.’

  ‘Oh, is that all? I’m afraid I’m not familiar with the etiquette of car doors. I thought my saying I had to be back early had upset you.’

  ‘Etiquette of car doors? I love that idea. I’ll make sure I’ve filled you in on everything I know about doors of all sorts by the time we reach Hastings. Perish the thought that your ignorance of such weighty matters will make me look disapproving again.’

  Her smile was everything he’d hoped. ‘I might be the daughter of a minor aristocrat but I honestly think sometimes that I’ve been born into the wrong family – perhaps there was some mix-up at the hospital and my mother brought home the wrong baby.’

  ‘Hospital? You weren’t born in the ancestral pile?’

  ‘Actually, I was born in a very expensive and exclusive clinic somewhere in London. My parents were living in Mayfair then.’

  ‘I did wonder why you don’t look like your mother and now you’ve explained the mystery to me. The real Sarah Harcourt is growing up elsewhere. Mind you,’ he said as he engaged the gears and pulled away smoothly, ‘that doesn’t really wash, you know. Any baby born at an exclusive clinic will be the progeny of an upper-class family.’

  ‘I can remember Mummy saying she was surprised there were the wives of incredibly rich industrialists having their babies there. So you see, it’s perfectly possible I’m really the daughter of an ordinary family which is why I don’t like all the rules associated with my position and am so much happier being able to be myself.’

  ‘To return to something more sensible. I asked you when the land girls are coming and you didn’t tell me.’

  ‘Didn’t I tell you? They aren’t coming for a while. Instead, I’ve some very hush-hush and exciting news. We’re to host a family from France. They recently arrived in Ramsgate by boat and the mayor has asked us to accommodate them until they can find something more permanent.’

  He glanced across at her, intrigued by this snippet of information. Could these be refugees or diplomats coming to set up a link between France and England?

  ‘How the hell did the mayor know you were offering accommodation?’

  ‘Mrs Thomas, the dreadful woman who runs the WI, is related to him somehow. She must have mentioned it. Although we can’t understand why they didn’t put them all up at the hotel we went to. All very mysterious and very exciting. We only heard last night so really I should be at home helping to get the rooms ready.’

  He slowed to allow a herd of cows to cross the road and she continued her story.

  ‘Mummy’s thrilled because she can practise her French. They arrive tomorrow morning, but the tricky thing is we don’t actually know how many of them there are or if any of them are infants. Betty has been searching the attics for small beds, cradles and so on just in case.’

  ‘Good luck with them. By the way, in case you’re wondering, I rang my uncle but couldn’t speak to him. I left a message with his secretary but so far he’s not returned my call. I take it you’ve not heard anything?’

  ‘Goodness me, I don’t expect to hear for several weeks. I’m not thinking about it. I don’t suppose you know anybody who would like to buy or permanently borrow two magnificent hunters, do you? Starlight, my mare, will be really useful when petrol becomes rationed but the others are just extra work for no return.’

  ‘I might know somebody who would have them, but it would be a problem getting them there. My sister’s brother-in-law is one of the red-coated brigade and hunters of that quality are not easy to come by.’

  ‘Exactly where would they have to go?’

  ‘Surrey, somewhere near Guildford, I think.’

  ‘That’s about a hundred miles from here. I could ride them there in three days.’

  He laughed, thinking this was another joke, but she was serious.

  ‘Both geldings are fit, I’ve been exercising them every day and they can easily cover thirty-five miles a day and continue to do so for days without causing them undue stress.’

  ‘All right – let’s suppose this chap wants your horses and you decide to ride them. Where will you spend the nights? How will you feed them? I think thirty-five miles a day is pushing it – don’t forget how short the days still are. What if it snows again or rains?’

  ‘Don’t worry about it, Angus, we don’t even know if this man wants the geldings. I thought we were going to talk about doors?’ She nodded solemnly before continuing. ‘I know a gentleman is supposed to hold a door open for a lady, but kindly explain to me the etiquette for a revolving door such as one might encounter at a grand hotel?’

  She was irresistible when she was like this and he pushed aside his unease about her ludicrous suggestion that she could actually take the horses herself.

  For the remainder of the journey they talked mainly nonsense and when they arrived at the outskirts of the town they were both relaxed and enjoying each other’s company.

  ‘Shall we head for the coast? Or is there somewhere else we should see?’

  ‘Hastings and St Leonards used to be a very fashionable resort in Regency times. I think the advent of the train changed all that and they now cater for day trippers from London. Not that there will be many of those in the winter or probably in the summer either now there’s a war on.’

  ‘That doesn’t answer my question, sweetheart. I need to know where I’m going.’

  ‘Then head for the beach – I do remember being sadly disappointed there was no sand. It’s pebbles and very uncomfortable to walk on. What I did enjoy was the horror with which my parents viewed the lines of washing tied between the fishing boats. They thought it frightfully vulgar.’

  ‘One of the chaps told me Hastings used to be one of the Cinque Ports, which would have made it a significant town in the past. Didn’t William the Conqueror land somewhere near here? There was certainly a Battle of Hastings at which Harold received an arrow through his eye.’

  ‘You’re right and I’m sure there are rows of tall black wooden fishing huts where the men store their nets and so on. I don’t suppose there’s a lot of fishing going on at the moment or if we can even get near the beach.’

  They were forced to park in a side street and walk the rest of the way because of the army restrictions on motorised vehicles. Everywhere you looked there was evidence of the war. Not only were the shops, restaurants, cafés and hotels striped with brown paper in the windows but there were hundreds of sandbags and signs pointing to communal shelters.

  He scarcely noticed these sorts of changes and she didn’t comment either. It wouldn’t be long before all this preparation would be put to the test.

  He took her hand and was pleased she didn’t pull hers away. They were both wearing gloves so there was no actual skin contact. Things were moving fast; he was ready for the next step, but was she too young to make a commitment to him?

  ‘Golly, you can see France today. It makes you realise just how vulnerable England is if Hitler wants to invade.’

  ‘He’s got to conquer the whole of northern Europe before he can think about coming here. Let’s not worry about it today.’

  She grabbed his arm with her free hand. ‘Look, it’s just as I remember. I know we can’t go on the beach but do you mind awfully if we walk along the promenade? It’s hideously windy but invigorating.’

  He put his arm around her waist and drew her closer to him. ‘I think I’m going to have to hang on to you in case you get swept away.’

  She pressed closer and looked up at him, her eyes shining, and he couldn’t resist the temptation. He pressed his lips against hers, tasting her lipstick. To his delight and astonishment, she stepped into his embrace and rested her head against his shoulder. It was as if he’d been waiting for this all his life. She belonged in his arms and he closed his eyes and revelled in the moment.

  He didn’t attempt to kiss her again. No need to rush things, for she was so very young, after all. ‘I shouldn’t have done that, sweetheart, but you’re incredibly lovely and the more time I spend with you, the harder I’m finding it to keep my distance. I know you’re not comfortable with physical intimacy.’

  She sighed audibly and then swivelled and leaned back so she was looking up at him with his arms around her. ‘I didn’t think I was and I didn’t know that you realised that.’ Her smile was enchanting and he moved a little closer to the precipice which once fallen over would be impossible to climb back up. He really didn’t want to fall in love with her but he rather thought that horse had bolted. She was everything he’d dreamed of – brave, intelligent, funny, kind and also the most beautiful girl in the world.

  ‘How do you feel about what happened?’

  ‘I enjoyed it. That was my first kiss and I’m so glad it was you. Whatever happens in the future, Angus, I’ll always remember you.’

  ‘I’m rather hoping that your future includes me.’

  Her eyes widened. ‘Are you saying that you want to be more than just a casual boyfriend? We’ve only known each other a few weeks and this is only the second time we’ve been out.’

  ‘I kissed you. As far as I’m concerned, a gentleman doesn’t kiss a young woman unless his intentions are honourable.’ No sooner had he spoken than he regretted his pomposity. He sounded like his father, not a young, red-blooded RAF officer.

  She stretched up on tiptoes and pressed a fleeting kiss on his mouth then laughed. How he loved to hear her laugh – it was joyous and infectious.

  ‘I love the fact that you’re so old-fashioned but honestly, dearest Angus, you don’t have to worry about my sensitivities. I want to enjoy these weeks we’ve got together and am looking forward to being kissed several more times before either of us is forced to leave.’ She batted her eyelids at him and pouted provocatively. ‘However, I can assure you that I don’t intend to sleep with you. I’m sufficiently old-fashioned to think that’s something better kept until the wedding night.’

  ‘We’d better find somewhere to eat lunch before this conversation gets out of hand. I was being an arse – forgive me – I’ve absolutely no intention of marrying you. Do you feel more comfortable now?’

  ‘Absolutely, Squadron Leader Trent, as that fits my plans perfectly. I’ve absolutely no intention of marrying you either – well – at least not until I’m a qualified doctor. If you’re still alive, I might consider your proposal then.’

  He swept her off her feet and held her in mid-air. ‘I’ve never known anyone like you, Sarah Harcourt, and find you, in equal measures, both irresistible and impossible. Shall we agree that we’re not getting married and just enjoy what we do have?’

  ‘Put me down, Angus, you’re making me look quite ridiculous.’

  He did so and slung his arm around her shoulder. She made no objection. He wanted to punch the air, shout out his excitement to all those they passed. There was no need to say anything else – she was falling in love with him too.

  16

  Sarah felt as if she’d just swallowed a mouthful of sherbet. Her insides were fizzing and for some reason the sun seemed brighter, the sky bluer and having Angus beside her was the best thing in the world. Had she fallen in love with him? She wasn’t entirely sure how this should feel – but if it meant wanting him to kiss her again, to smile at her in that toe-curling way, that she’d never been happier than she was at this moment – then she was in love. He was the kindest, most supportive person she knew and this was more important to her than his good looks.

  ‘If we walk along Marine Parade towards the pier with the pavilion then I’m pretty sure we’ll come to the Queen’s Hotel. It isn’t that far. It’s a huge white building, five stories high, and I think we’ll probably see the Union Jack flying from the roof before we get there.’

  ‘That sounds perfect. I hope we can get a table as if it’s got so many rooms the residents might well have reserved them all.’

  ‘I don’t suppose there are many residents or visitors now. Not just because of the war, but because it’s still far too cold to wander along the parade.’

  ‘It’s always possible it’s been taken over by the army, navy or RAF. The War Office can commandeer any building they want. I’m pretty sure several hotels are now used to train WAAF recruits.’

  ‘It really doesn’t matter if we can’t get a splendid lunch in a grand hotel. I’ll be happy eating fish and chips on a bench somewhere. In fact, I’m having such a lovely time I really don’t mind if we just have a sandwich and a cup of tea.’

  His arm tightened and she looked up at him. ‘Why are you enjoying yourself so much?’

  ‘I just love being with you. Going out with a boyfriend is something I never expected to do. I always imagined that I’d be introduced to somebody suitable by my parents and that would be that. I’m quite sure they never went out like this before they were married.’