They could hardly refuse their commanding officer and the ballroom was filled with music. He drew her into his arms and then they danced. He’d waltzed with her before but somehow being in this place made it even more special. They made the perfect couple and for a few blissful moments he was able to forget the war, the fact that they would soon be parted, and revel in the joy of holding the woman he loved close to his heart.

  ‘There you both are. We need to be in the hall to greet our guests. People are beginning to arrive.’

  ‘Yes, Mummy, we’re coming.’ Sarah’s smile was sufficient compensation for the dance being interrupted.

  ‘I thought this was an informal sort of do. A greeting line?’

  ‘Angus, don’t be a spoilsport. There isn’t going to be a line like a wedding or a ball; we just have to be visible and ready to say hello as our guests come in.’

  ‘Will there be raffle tickets and clothes pegs handed out like there were at the social?’

  ‘For a fighter pilot, Squadron Leader Trent, you’re remarkably unobservant. There are rows of trestle tables down each side of the hall. I worked out there’s more than enough room for over a hundred coats and I don’t think there’ll be that many.’

  ‘Anyone from the base will be travelling in the lorry so I doubt they’ll wear their greatcoats. I did notice the trestles, but didn’t register the reason for them being there. Being dim is far worse than being unobservant.’

  He kept his arm firmly around her waist as they hurried down the draughty passageway and into the hall. ‘Good God – when did the notices appear? Surely I didn’t miss those as well?’

  ‘One of Betty’s team of helpers put them up after you arrived. Our guests need to know where the lavatories are, also where the bar is. Everything else I’m sure they’ll find for themselves.’

  ‘Actually, I was referring to the ones with the big arrows pointing to the trestles, saying “Coats On Here”. I suppose making things clear is easier than having to repeat yourself a dozen times.’

  He loved these discussions he had with her – they were definitely on the same wavelength and shared a similar sense of the ridiculous.

  The front door couldn’t be left open or the hall would be impossibly cold. She told him there was another notice pinned to it telling people to come in. The sudden influx of guests, dozens and dozens of them, made him smile. In between nodding and smiling to everybody he drew her aside to share his observation.

  ‘I think they must have walked up here in a crocodile, like a school trip to the park. I wish I’d seen it.’

  ‘I’m sure you’re right. Now, from the sound of it your lot are arriving.’

  There was no need to remain in the hall for more than half an hour as by then everybody was there. The tables were laden with neatly arranged coats; the bar was the busiest place but everywhere else was pleasantly full of happy partygoers. Surprisingly, they’d received very few congratulations, and this bothered him.

  ‘Sarah, why aren’t people mentioning our engagement? I thought this was supposed to be a celebration for us.’

  ‘I asked Mummy not to make a big thing of it. I’m sure everybody knows but equally they know that I’m going to be going away shortly. It’s unusual for a couple to become engaged and not have a wedding date planned.’

  ‘Everything about our relationship is unusual. I’m surprised you haven’t heard from the Royal Free – do you want me to get hold of my uncle and ask him what’s going on?’ She looked away but not quick enough. ‘What’s wrong? You’re upset. Tell me, I’m on your side, whatever it is.’

  ‘We’re not getting any land girls after all – at least not for the next few months – so I can’t leave even if I’m offered a place. My mother can’t manage on her own.’

  ‘Does it have to be land girls?’

  ‘It does really as I need somebody to take care of the livestock and my mare.’

  ‘There must be a youngster in the village, somebody who’s just left school and is too young to be conscripted, who’d be only too happy to work here. Didn’t you say selling the hunters meant you didn’t actually have to take in lodgers for a while?’

  ‘It’s not just that. I don’t think she’ll cope by herself in this huge house. Would you like to live here on your own? I certainly wouldn’t – it’s bad enough with both of us.’

  ‘We’re getting some WAAF after all – we need more catering staff, admin help, and it seems there might be some trained drivers coming at some point. Did you know they are even training girls to be ground crew?’

  ‘I didn’t but it makes sense. I really like the six we had initially and it’s a shame they couldn’t have stayed as they’d already made friends with everybody. I thought you were building accommodation for them?’

  ‘We’ve got a Nissen hut fully equipped with its own ablutions but so far we’ve not got a recreation room or anywhere for them to eat. We don’t want them fraternising with the airmen as that’s a recipe for disaster.’

  ‘So if you get the girls before these other things are completed they could come here? That would solve a problem and hopefully the land girls will be forthcoming by the end of the year.’

  ‘We haven’t got a drink as yet – do you want one?’

  ‘No, I’d much rather dance with you again.’

  They made their way, hand in hand, to the crowded ballroom, where Angus’s men were much in evidence. He was forced to relinquish his partner several times which gave him the opportunity to watch her dancing. She was without doubt the most beautiful girl in the ballroom and he didn’t think he was just biased because he was in love with her. She positively sparkled and it didn’t matter who she danced with, she gave them her undivided attention.

  ‘There you are, Angus. We’ve not danced together – as your future mother-in-law I think you’re obligated to do so.’

  ‘It will be my absolute pleasure, my lady…’

  ‘I refuse to be addressed by my title. My name’s Joanna, as you very well know. Hurry up, I see Mrs Thomas approaching at speed and I refuse to give up my partner to her.’

  Sarah was almost glad when the last guest finally departed. ‘I’m going to change, Mummy, and then I have to do the horses and chickens. I can’t believe Betty and her ladies managed to wash up everything before they left. Thank goodness they shared the food that was left over or we’d be eating it for days.’

  ‘Take the puppy with you as he hasn’t been out all day. I expect we’ll be finding unpleasant surprises in unlikely corners because of that.’

  ‘I let him out once and I’m sure Betty did too, so all tickety-boo on that front. I’m absolutely exhausted but I loved every minute. Why don’t you change into something less elaborate and then we can put our feet up in the sitting room? I didn’t eat much so I’ll make us an omelette if you like.’

  ‘Thank you, darling, I’m really getting too old for all this nonsense.’

  ‘You’re in your mid-thirties and if you say that you’re old again I’ll throw something at you.’

  ‘I’d rather you didn’t. I’ll be in the sitting room when you’ve made us something to eat.’

  Her mother had drifted about the place looking elegant but hadn’t lifted a finger to do anything useful. By rights, she should be the one making the supper. Heaven knows how she’d get on if they actually did have half a dozen boarders and there was no one there to help her in the evenings.

  Perhaps when she went into the village tomorrow she’d put a card in the newsagent’s window asking if there was anybody interested in a part-time outside job; she would also advertise for a live-in maid. If there were boys looking for work there must be girls doing the same. There were no factories within walking distance and at fourteen years old they weren’t able to volunteer for any of the services.

  By the end of the month she’d managed to find a brother and sister, twins of fourteen years of age. They’d been sent to live with their grandmother in the village when their mother had died in a tragic accident caused by the blackout. The unfortunate woman had been run over by a bus in the darkness. There apparently was no father in the picture.

  Liza and Joe had been desperate to escape from their new home and their grandmother was equally pleased to be rid of them. Joe knew nothing at all about horses, chickens, ducks or geese but within a few days was competent and confident taking care of them. Liza had been doing housework, cooking and laundry since she was old enough to reach the sink. She too was proving to be the perfect fit.

  The two of them had taken over the attic rooms used for live-in servants many years ago. Sarah had been worried about putting them in somewhere so unappealing.

  ‘We ain’t used to anything fussy, miss, we shared a bed with our ma and a bog with a dozen others,’ Liza had said when she was shown the new accommodation. ‘I reckon we’ve died and gone to heaven being here. We’ll make it ever so cosy and we won’t let you down.’

  Within a week of their arrival, Sarah wondered how they’d ever managed without the twins.

  Angus rarely got more than an hour or two free so he just drove to her and they spent what time they had in the sitting room that was previously used by the paying guests. He telephoned as often as he could and those moments spent talking or together were precious.

  ‘I spoke to my uncle yesterday and he’s certain your application never arrived or he would have seen it by now as you’re applying for a bursary,’ he’d told her in one of his flying visits.

  ‘Golly, I really should have done that myself – not contacted your uncle, of course – but checked they actually got it. I’ll do it again this afternoon. I’ve got so little to do now that I’m attending WI and WVS meetings with my mother just to fill in the time.’

  Angus handed her a piece of paper with a name and address scribbled on it. ‘He said send it to him directly. He was encouraging, not to say enthusiastic, about reading it and bringing you in for an interview. He said if you’ve passed all the St John’s exams then you’re already qualified to work on the wards. They have several nurses doing exactly that – they just have to do a year’s practical experience and then they can take their SRN examination.’

  ‘I really want to become a doctor, not a nurse.’ She hesitated and then decided to tell him what she planned if she didn’t get the finances she needed to study and live in London. ‘I’m going to sell the jewellery. I won’t tell my mother and once either she or my father discover what I’ve done it will be a fait accompli and too late to do anything about it.’

  He wasn’t dismayed by her announcement but agreed with her. It had taken her these weeks to make the hard choice but she was sure it was the right one. Keeping her mother in the dark was difficult but there was no other option.

  ‘That’s the right decision. I promised you a night out in London. Why don’t we combine the two things? I’m going to give myself a forty-eight-hour pass as I’ve not had more than a few hours away from the base for weeks.’

  ‘That sounds absolutely spiffing. I’ll get my application off and then hopefully I’ll get an interview soon. Then we can do all three things whilst we’re in town. I read somewhere that it’s going to be impossible to see Gone with the Wind as all the seats have been booked. Do you think that the fact there’s now meat rationing will make it difficult to get a decent meal?’

  ‘I doubt it. If you’ve got the money then you can get anything. I’m absolutely rolling in it at the moment as I’m not a big drinker and that’s where most of the men spend their meagre wages.’

  ‘I’ll have the money from the jewellery so I’ll be even richer. Shall we book into the Savoy or the Ritz? We might never have the chance to do anything like this again for years. I’m certain I’ll be a medical student as I was offered a place at Oxford. So I can’t see me not being accepted at the Royal Free if I can pay my own way.’

  ‘Two rooms will be prohibitive even for us.’ He took her hands and she guessed what he was going to ask. Did she want to share a room with him? Yes – but sharing a bed wouldn’t be right.

  ‘Then book one and you can sleep on the floor.’

  ‘Excellent. We’ll have to masquerade as a married couple. They won’t let us share otherwise.’

  ‘I’ll spin my engagement ring around. How incredibly risqué of us!’

  He flashed one of his toe-curling smiles and her stomach clenched. It was a good thing she trusted him as if he looked like that when they were alone she might not be able to resist.

  22

  Joanna was enjoying being a lady of leisure again and having both Betty and Liza to do the things she’d rather not do. She wasn’t entirely sure allowing Sarah and Angus to spend time alone upstairs in the guest sitting room was a sensible idea.

  He was a virile and attractive young man and her daughter was completely inexperienced with men of any sort – which was exactly as it should be for a young lady from her background.

  The only thing that neither of the indoor staff were prepared to do was answer the telephone. Therefore, she had no alternative but to answer the noisy thing herself.

  ‘Good afternoon, Lady Harcourt speaking. How can I be of help?’

  ‘I apologise for intruding, my lady, but Squadron Leader Trent is needed back at the base urgently.’

  ‘Then I shall fetch him immediately. Goodbye.’

  An emergency at the base couldn’t be good news. She prayed none of the young men, the brave pilots, had crashed their aircraft. There was no need to knock on the door as, quite rightly, it had been left open.

  ‘Angus, you’re required at the base. An emergency of some sort.’

  ‘Thank you, Joanna, I’m on my way.’

  He nodded, but scarcely acknowledged her presence, and was down the stairs two at a time. The front door slammed scarcely a minute after she’d called his name.

  She waited for Sarah to join her. ‘I hope nothing serious has called him away.’

  ‘He’ll ring and tell me if he can. By the way, my application never arrived so I’m going to do it again and then ride down to the village and post it.’

  Joanna was forced to admit that Sarah was no longer under her control, did exactly as she pleased, and whatever was said to her would be ignored unless it was something she agreed with. There was a war on and things were going to be dangerous for those actively involved in fighting it. However, in her opinion, this didn’t mean standards should be lowered at Goodwill House. From now on, they could sit in the drawing room and not come up here where temptation might well overtake their scruples.

  Angus drove at a reckless speed to the base, fearing the worst. He would only be recalled under the direst circumstances. There were none of his kites up and he was dammed sure he’d have heard if a plane had crashed as the base was less than a mile away as the crow flew.

  He fell out of the Hillman, leaving the engine running and the door open, and tore into the building. He yelled at the clerk in the main office.

  ‘What’s wrong? Why am I needed so urgently?’

  The airman scrambled to his feet and shook his head. ‘No idea, sir, I didn’t send for you.’

  ‘Then who the hell did? For Christ’s sake, I only leave here for a couple of hours a week and don’t expect to be called back on a fool’s errand.’

  ‘There you are, old boy, sorry to drag you away from your little popsy but this is only a flying visit.’ The speaker was a wing commander with a terrifying walrus moustache. ‘Flying visit? Good, what?’

  Angus took a steadying breath and barely restrained himself from punching his superior officer on the nose. To give himself a few more moments to recover his temper he turned to the nervous airman watching from the office door. ‘Deal with the Hillman.’

  ‘Yes, sir.’

  ‘Wing commander, to what do we owe the honour of this unexpected visit?’

  ‘Shall we go to the mess? I could do with a snifter.’

  The new officers’ mess and billets could be accessed from a door at the rear of the admin building.

  The last thing he wanted was a drink with this buffoon but he had no option. He supposed he’d better find out why the old fool had come to Manston. He still didn’t have his name and was damned if he was going to ask. He’d address him as sir and then he wouldn’t need to know.

  ‘I say, old boy, I’ve heard that this new building is a wizard show. Wanted to see it for myself after hearing the gen about it.’

  Surely he hadn’t been dragged back just to show the new premises? He glanced across at the apron and saw an Annie parked there. Presumably, this unwanted visitor had arrived in that.

  ‘We’re very happy with our new accommodation, sir. Everything’s in place for when the balloon goes up. There are hundreds of brown jobs manning the guns around the perimeter and I have a nasty feeling they’re going to be essential fairly soon.’

  Angus led the way into the mess and was relieved to find there were only a couple of blokes in there. He didn’t want to give the impression his men were spending more time drinking than preparing for battle – although that was probably the case.

  He got the wing commander a large whisky and ordered himself a coffee. He told the men not to drink when they were on duty and he couldn’t expect them to follow the rules if he didn’t.

  ‘I don’t want to hurry you, sir, but it will be too dark to fly soon unless you’ve got an RAF flyer and not an ATA pilot.’

  ‘Good thinking, my boy. I was sent to sound you out about your request for a transfer. Are you quite sure you want to leave this cushy number and take command of an active squadron of fighters?’

  ‘Absolutely certain. I’m an experienced flyer and wasted here. Being CO somewhere like this isn’t a posting for a young man unless he’s no longer able to fly. I appreciate being given this opportunity, but I’ve done as much as I can here and somebody else can take over. If I have a choice, I’d prefer to join a squadron of Spits.’