The Girls in Blue Read online

  Roy had a tendency to moan but always did it with a smile. They found somewhere to stay, dumped their overnight bags on the candlewick-covered beds and then went in search of some lunch.

  ‘Over there, that looks promising. I just saw a group of WAAF go in so we won’t be the only ones in blue.’ Roy had a keen eye for the ladies.

  Oscar smiled. ‘I didn’t notice. However, as long as we get out of this filthy weather and find something hot to eat, I don’t really care where it is.’

  The entrance to the restaurant was narrow but it opened up into a substantial space with two dozen tables. He stumbled and both he and Roy went crashing forward into the lectern where the head waiter was standing checking the reservations book before sending people to unoccupied tables.

  The lectern, the waiter and the two of them tumbled inelegantly to the carpet in a tangle of arms and legs and a great deal of bad language – from the waiter.

  The resulting chaos caused every head to turn in his direction. From his position flat on his back with Roy trapped underneath him he watched as the reason for the accident, Jane Hadley, recognised him. Her eyes widened. Then she was on her feet and hurrying towards him.

  ‘My goodness, Oscar, are you injured? What on earth happened?’ Her friend arrived and appeared to enjoy helping two RAF officers regain their feet – their dignity was long gone.

  ‘Jane, I can’t tell you how surprised I was to see you.’

  She laughed – a wonderful, joyous sound – and in that moment he knew he was lost. She was the one for him and he intended to persuade her to become his girlfriend.

  ‘You don’t have to tell me. Everyone in here is well aware how surprised you were.’ Jane seemed different somehow, more confident, more grown up than when they’d met last time.

  Roy was laughing too. ‘Very pleased to see you again, Miss Hadley, and this time you’re not unconscious on the ground. Not sure anyone else is pleased at our somewhat unconventional arrival.’

  Oscar couldn’t stop smiling and to his delight she was smiling back at him. He turned to the unfortunate chap he’d flattened. ‘I do beg your pardon. Incredibly clumsy of me. I hope this will help improve the situation.’ He handed over a pound note and the waiter seemed somewhat mollified.

  ‘Do you have a reservation, sir?’

  ‘I’m sorry, I don’t. I’m hoping that you can squeeze us in somewhere.’

  The waiter smiled and nodded at the table Jane had left. ‘Perhaps the young ladies, as they are friends of yours, would allow you to join them?’

  ‘That would be splendid. What about it, Jane? Will you take pity on two freezing officers?’

  Jane looked at her friend who nodded. ‘It’s true, we do have a table already laid up for four.’

  ‘Then we’ll join you. This will be our treat as we’ve foisted ourselves on you uninvited.’

  A young girl in a maid’s uniform took their greatcoats. As every uniform was labelled with the owner’s number it should be no problem reclaiming them when they left.

  Jane looked pleased to see him, which surprised him almost as much as the fact that she was by some miracle in the same restaurant as him. There was no time to say anything personal before they arrived at the table.

  ‘This is Elizabeth. Elizabeth, meet my special friend, Oscar, and his friend Roy.’

  There was a mutual greeting and shaking of hands and then he took the seat next to Jane, and Roy the one remaining next to Elizabeth.

  ‘We’ve only just arrived,’ Jane said. There were only two menus on the table so he shared with her.

  ‘I’m surprised they still have any choices now rationing has started. This will probably be the last time we can eat like this so shall we push the boat out?’

  Roy had picked up the wine list, which was equally extensive. ‘Blimey! A bottle of wine is the same as a week’s wages. They don’t appear to have beer.’

  The girls exchanged glances. ‘Actually,’ Jane said, ‘neither of us drink much and certainly not in the middle of the day. We thought we would order coffee – that’s soon going to be a luxury item too.’

  ‘A large jug of coffee would be perfect. Remember this is our treat as we’ve gate-crashed your luncheon. Are we having three courses?’

  ‘We’ll pay for the drinks. We can hardly expect you to foot the bill when you didn’t actually invite us out,’ Elizabeth said with a smile at Roy.

  ‘Fair enough. If we fill up now, we won’t want more than a sandwich tonight.’ He waited for either of the girls to tell them that they had other plans but they both nodded. ‘Roy and I intend to go to the pictures – is there anything you two particularly want to see?’

  ‘We rather wanted to see The Four Feathers with John Clements and June Duprez, as both Elizabeth and I have read the book. It’s based on the novel with the same name by someone called Mason.’

  ‘Never heard of the author or the film. What’s it about?’

  Jane giggled. ‘To be honest, I thought the book deadly dull. I do remember it’s full of action and romance.’

  He raised an eyebrow and she pulled a face. She really was the most adorable young lady.

  ‘Sounds fine to me. As long as the cinema’s close by, I don’t really mind what we see. There’s a cartoon and a newsreel as well if we don’t like the film.’ Roy put down the menu he’d been perusing.

  ‘I’m having potato and leek soup, steak and kidney pie and any sort of cake that’s available.’

  A waiter appeared with his pad and to keep things simple they all selected the same meal. They also asked for a jug of coffee immediately and another one with dessert.

  Elizabeth, who was half a head shorter than Jane, had abundant platinum blonde curls and startling blue eyes, and seemed taken with Roy, which gave him the ideal opportunity to talk quietly to the girl he had just fallen head over heels in love with.

  ‘My squadron has moved to Debden and I’ve been promoted to Flight Lieutenant. I’ve got until tomorrow afternoon. Now – your turn.’ He’d deliberately kept the information brief and hoped he’d given no indication of his feelings.

  ‘I’ve just been posted to Bentley Priory, and as we don’t start our shift until tomorrow night, I’m also free until lunchtime tomorrow. I’m now an ACW2.’ She didn’t tell him what she was doing and he didn’t ask. There was no need for him to get the specifics as any WAAF working at Fighter Command headquarters must be doing something hush-hush.’

  ‘Special duties?’

  ‘Yes.’ Her cheeks coloured slightly and she looked down. Then straightened her shoulders and turned to look at him directly. ‘I’m sorry I ran away from you. I expect you know what happened. I’ve only been a WAAF for just over three months but I’ve changed a lot. I was a shy, silly schoolgirl when I joined up but am now finding my feet.’

  13

  Jane’s heart was thudding uncomfortably and her palms were clammy. Whatever had made her say something so outrageous? Would he get the wrong idea and expect her to kiss him and possibly other things that she couldn’t bear to think of? His expression didn’t change; he merely nodded and gave her one of his charming smiles. She was actually enjoying his company and really pleased they’d bumped into each other again, which surprised her.

  ‘Excellent. I can see the change in you. I hope that means you’re prepared to write to me and meet up whenever we get leave that coincides.’

  ‘I would like that.’ Should she tell him why she was prepared to be his long-distance girlfriend or would he be offended? If only she wasn’t so scared of getting close to anyone, wasn’t so damaged, she would love to be his girlfriend. There was something about him that made him very special and his smile made her feel warm inside.

  ‘I do like you, Oscar. I’m not ready for anything serious, but I’m surrounded by hundreds, possibly thousands, of airmen and it will make things so much easier for me if I can say with some degree of honesty that I have a boyfriend.’

  ‘That arrangement will suit me too. Thing
s are going to get busy soon and neither of us will have time for socialising. Knowing that I can write to you and that we can occasionally meet in London will be perfect.’

  ‘It might not be safe to come to London once the bombing starts. Maybe we can meet somewhere safer when that happens.’

  ‘Let’s not worry about that now – let’s enjoy today.’ He was about to compliment her new hairstyle when he overheard something Roy was saying to Elizabeth.

  ‘Things are already hotting up at sea – did you hear that a tanker was sunk in the Thames estuary this morning?’

  She really didn’t want to think about the war but enjoy the moment, pretend that she didn’t have a dark secret, that she wasn’t really terrified of getting close to any man in case he hurt her.

  Oscar picked up on her disquiet and put his hand over hers. Her instinct was to snatch it back but somehow the warm weight of it was comforting.

  ‘Keep it light, old bean, no shop talk today. Good, the soup’s coming.’

  The first few mouthfuls were hard to swallow but gradually her throat relaxed and she began to enjoy her meal. Elizabeth was chatting to Roy as if they were old friends and she envied her new friend’s confidence.

  By the time they were ready to leave she and Oscar were getting on equally well. Like the charming, gallant gentleman he obviously was he assisted her with her heavy coat before putting on his own. When he offered his gloved hand, she didn’t hesitate. After all, she too was wearing gloves so there would be no skin contact to set alarm bells ringing.

  The snow was crisp underfoot but no longer falling. Every icy breath was invigorating and she couldn’t stop smiling. This was what being a normal girl felt like and she wished it would go on forever.

  Oscar bought her ticket to see The Four Feathers and presumably Roy did the same for Elizabeth. Unfortunately, the film was as tedious as the book but she enjoyed the cartoon and the newsreel made everything seem positive. Even the fact that the British Expeditionary Force were having a horrible time in the snow in France was made to seem jolly good fun. How the soldiers must have hated being forced to throw snowballs and smile as if they weren’t freezing cold and missing their families dreadfully.

  They stood in the foyer putting on their outdoor things whilst they discussed what they were going to do for the remainder of the evening.

  ‘Shall we find a convivial hostelry or would you ladies prefer something grander?’ Roy asked the question but from his expression he was rather hoping they would choose a pub over a hotel.

  Elizabeth shook her head. ‘I don’t want to do either. The hotel we’re staying in tonight has a bar and a small restaurant. Why don’t we go there?’

  ‘We can’t expect Oscar and Roy to find their way back to their own hotel in the blackout. Wouldn’t it be better to find somewhere halfway between Piccadilly and Westminster?’

  His smile made her feel warm all over. ‘We’re big boys, walking a mile or two in the snow in the dark is nothing to a brave fighter pilot.’ He struck a ridiculous pose and she snorted with laughter.

  ‘In which case, I think Elizabeth’s idea is a splendid one. If we hurry, we might get there before we are falling over our feet in the dark.’

  The doorman ushered them through the blackout curtain and, once they were safely in the small space between that and the outside, he opened the doors for them.

  ‘If we hurry you won’t need to use up the precious batteries in your torches.’ She turned too quickly and with a despairing wail her feet slid from beneath her. She braced herself for an embarrassing and painful fall onto her bottom but Oscar got to her first.

  ‘Not so fast, young lady. No broken bones allowed tonight.’ He put his arm firmly around her waist and drew her close. He was only being a gentleman and keeping her safe so there was nothing for her to panic about.

  The pavement was so treacherous they had to pick their way through the snow and on several hysterical occasions they almost lost their footing. She was sorry when they reached the hotel. She couldn’t remember ever having enjoyed herself so much. Being with him made her feel different, made her forget her miserable past.

  After negotiating the complicated blackout curtain arrangement, they emerged into the foyer. There was buzz of conversation coming from the bar, but an unpleasant fug of cigarette and cigar smoke caught the back of her throat.

  ‘If you don’t mind, I’d much prefer not to go in there with all the smoke. I’m afraid I don’t like the smell of cigarettes and so on.’

  ‘Neither do I, Jane. Maybe there’s a table free in the dining room and we can get something light to eat.’

  ‘If you don’t mind, you two, Elizabeth and I are going to have a beverage or two. Are you sure you won’t join us?’

  ‘No, Roy, thank you. We’ll be more comfortable away from the blue haze in there.’

  ‘Elizabeth, give me your things and I’ll run them upstairs to our room.’

  With her arms full of coats, hats, scarves and gloves she’d raced up the two flights of stairs before remembering she’d not asked for the room key. She was about to stagger back downstairs when Oscar appeared waving it in front of him.

  ‘I think you’re going to need this, sweetheart. The concierge asked me to bring it up.’

  ‘Good heavens – I’m surprised he allowed you anywhere near our bedroom.’

  He laughed as he deftly turned the key and pushed open the door. ‘Only on the strict understanding both of us would be back downstairs within five minutes. I expect he’s timing us so we’d better get a move on.’

  She tossed the items on the nearest bed and they were running downstairs together moments later.

  ‘There’s no space in the dining room but there’s a small coffee lounge we can use. Smoking isn’t allowed in there.’

  There was a dainty plate of sandwiches and a large silver coffee jug waiting for them. There were two other couples and two elegant matrons enjoying the relative peace of this reception room. They all looked up and smiled and nodded and then, apart from the ladies, returned to their own conversations.

  ‘Good evening, my dears. Forgive me for intruding on your evening,’ the older of the two said quietly, ‘but seeing you two so happy together has made my evening. Bless you both, and I hope, when this dreadful war is over, you will have come through it safely and can be together for the rest of your lives.’

  *

  Oscar saw Jane’s expression change and quickly stepped in to disabuse the speaker. ‘Just good friends, ma’am, enjoying an evening out.’

  The old lady smiled knowingly, unabashed by his denial. ‘That’s what you think now, young man, but if you both survive this dreadful war, I’ll eat my best hat if you’re not together.’

  Her remark was so outrageous he laughed and luckily Jane saw the funny side too. He turned his back on the two women and winked at Jane. She blushed and hastily helped herself to sandwiches, keeping her head lowered, and left him to pour out the coffee.

  ‘I’m not sure which you thought was the worst option, not surviving or finding yourself saddled with me.’ His remark was meant to make her laugh but it did the reverse.

  ‘Don’t say that – don’t even joke about not making it through. I can’t bear to think of you or Roy being killed.’

  ‘Sorry, you looked so horrified at the thought of us being a couple…’

  ‘To be honest, I don’t see myself with anyone. However, if I was to become serious about anybody, I’m sure it would be you.’

  A somewhat contradictory view but he’d take what he could get. He had a feeling that something had happened to her that had made her reluctant to become close to anyone. Hopefully, when he got to know her better, she would trust him and tell him what it was.

  As she couldn’t discuss her duties in the WAAF and obviously didn’t want to talk about anything personal, it was down to him to talk about himself and his life in the RAF.

  ‘I’m not surprised you wanted to be a fighter pilot rather than a bom
ber. I know it’s going to be incredibly dangerous but, to be honest, flying a Spitfire or Hurricane seems exciting and somewhat romantic.’

  He choked on his coffee, spraying the immaculate white tablecloth with brown drops. She jumped to her feet and began to thump him on the back. When he’d recovered his breath, he grabbed her hand and held it for a moment.

  ‘Enough, for heaven’s sake, your help is worse than the complaint.’

  ‘Look at the tablecloth – I hope we don’t have to pay for the laundry,’ she said as she resumed her seat next to him. She sounded genuinely worried.

  ‘Absolutely no chance of that. Don’t you want to know what made me splutter all over the table?’

  She nodded.

  ‘It was your description of my work as being romantic. Is that really how you girls see us?’

  ‘Not me, I don’t find any man romantic. But it will certainly do no harm to my reputation to have my name linked to a flight lieutenant who is a fighter pilot. I don’t suppose going out with a lowly ACW2 will improve your standing?’

  ‘Going out with an intelligent, stunningly beautiful WAAF will certainly make me the envy of my squadron.’

  He loved the way her cheeks coloured at his compliment. Her smile was quite enchanting and it took all his self-control not to lean over and kiss her.

  ‘Thank you, Oscar. I’m glad that you put my brainpower before my looks in your assessment. The fact that you’re not only a fighter pilot – a flight lieutenant – but also very attractive will make every girl who knows I’m your girlfriend incredibly jealous.’ She was laughing as she counted off his good points on her fingers and he joined in.

  His strict church upbringing had kept him on the straight and narrow whilst at school but since he’d left home he’d had a couple of brief liaisons so wasn’t entirely inexperienced in the bedroom department. One thing he was certain of – he would remain celibate until he could make love to her. That wasn’t going to happen without benefit of clergy. There were girls you slept with and didn’t marry but she wasn’t one of them.

  Roy and Elizabeth joined them, both a bit tiddly, but he really enjoyed the remainder of the evening and both he and Jane were just as silly as them despite the fact they’d consumed no alcohol.