The Iron Storm

by CW Browning

  “I will.”

  Chapter Four

  Evelyn glanced at her watch as she went through the door to the hotel. After her meeting with Bill, she had met her friend Maryanne for lunch before going shopping. The hours spent in her favorite boutiques had done much to restore her good-humor and, but the time she went to the London house to drop off the purchases and change for dinner, she was feeling very close to her old self again. Dressed in an evening gown of shimmering silver, Evelyn felt as if she could face anything with composure, even a German SS soldier. Thankfully, there was no possibility of having to do so this evening.

  She was halfway across the lobby when someone called her name in surprise. Turning, Evelyn saw a tall man with dark hair striding towards her, an easy grin on his handsome face.

  “Stephen!” she exclaimed. “What are you doing here?”

  “I could ask you the same thing,” Stephen Mansbridge replied, grasping her outstretched hands and bending to place a chaste kiss on her offered cheek. “I thought you were off on a sooty old air base somewhere up north.”

  “I’m at Northolt now,” she said with a smile. “I had to come into town for some shopping.”

  “How’s your mother? And Robbie? Is he still flying those Spitfires of his?”

  “Oh yes. He loves it, of course. Everyone’s well. I haven’t seen you in ages!”

  “I’ve been swamped with work since the war took off,” he said. “You wouldn’t believe the things they have me doing. I’ve just returned from Zurich, as a matter of fact.”

  “How exciting!”

  “Why don’t we go into the bar and have a drink? We can catch up and I’ll tell you all about it.”

  “Oh, I’d love to, but I’m meeting someone for dinner in the Grill.” Evelyn glanced at her watch. “I’m already running a little behind, I’m afraid.”

  “Why does that not surprise me?” he laughed. “You never could be on time, could you? Very well. We’ll do it another time. Give Robbie my regards, will you? We really must arrange an evening for all of us.”

  “Yes, we must!” Evelyn smiled and reached down to gather her skirt in one hand, preparing to continue towards the restaurant. “I’m terribly sorry. It was lovely to run into you!”

  “I’m so glad to see you looking well. Now off you go! Enjoy your supper!” He waved her away cheerfully and Evelyn turned to walk the rest of the way across the lobby.

  Her lips curved faintly. She’d grown up with Stephen. His father was posted in Hong Kong at the same time as hers, and they had been childhood playmates. As the years went by, both their mothers hoped the friendship would develop into a lasting relationship, joining the two families. However, it was not to be. Evelyn never felt anything but a sisterly affection for Stephen, and the feeling was entirely mutual. They had remained good friends, however, and she reflected that she hadn’t seen much of him at all since her father died. It was a shame. The war was to blame, of course. Nothing would ever be the same as long as it was going on.

  All thoughts of Stephen evaporated a moment later when she approached the restaurant entrance and saw Miles Lacey waiting just outside. He had his RAF cap under his arm and a silk, spotted scarf tied carelessly around his throat. His height drew attention and, as she approached, she saw a woman near the coat check throw him an appreciative glance. He did look striking in his distinctive blue uniform with his thick brown hair falling over his forehead in a careless wave. He had the air of a man used to being respected and confident with his station in life. Evelyn felt a surge of emotion go through her, her stomach fluttered, and she wondered if she would ever not feel this way when she saw him.

  He turned then and saw her, his lips curving into a slow smile. His green eyes met hers and an answering smile spread across her face.

  “I’m so sorry I’m late,” she said, joining him. “I was shopping, and I’m afraid it took a trifle longer than I anticipated.”

  Miles slid an arm around her small waist and lowered his head to kiss her offered cheek. His lips lingered a little longer than usual and she couldn’t stop a little sigh of contentment from escaping. This was what she had been looking forward to all day, the feel of his arm around her and the musky scent of his cologne that she was beginning to associate only with him.

  “It’s quite all right,” he said, straightening and smiling down at her warmly. “You look beautiful. Is that one of today’s purchases?”

  “It is, as a matter of fact,” she said with a laugh. “Do you like it?”

  “Yes, and it more than makes up for you being all of four minutes late.” He turned towards the desk where the maître de waited discreetly, not removing his arm from her waist. “Really, I wouldn’t have even noticed if you hadn’t said anything.”

  “No? Then next time I won’t say a word!”

  Miles gave his name to the man behind the desk, and he smiled and nodded.

  “Of course, Mr. Lacey. It’s good to have you back. I have a table ready for you.”

  They followed him through the restaurant to a table along the wall, partially concealed by a large pillar. After they were seated, he promised to send someone over from the bar and departed.

  “I’ve been looking forward to this since we spoke yesterday,” Miles confessed, the faint dent in his cheek appearing with his warm smile. “It’s been too long since I’ve seen you. We really must get better at meeting more frequently.”

  “I just had this very conversation with Robbie,” she said. “We’re not very far from each other, after all.”

  “Yes, he told me. He’s coming by later for drinks. He and some of the others came up to town as well. They’re dining at a pub, I believe.”

  “Did you all drive in together? That must have been a merry drive.”

  “I drove myself,” he said. “Robbie drove the others. It would have been a bit too crowded with me as well. Anyway, I didn’t know if you’d need a ride back to Northolt. Do you?”

  “Actually, I’ve been staying with my mother for the past few days. I’m not due back to Northolt until tomorrow, so I’ll spend tonight here in town and then take the train back to Northolt in the morning.”

  Miles looked at her in surprise. “You haven’t gone back yet? I thought you were home only for the weekend. That’s what Rob said.”

  “I don’t know why he thought that,” she said. “He knew I’d been there for a few days. At least, I think it was mentioned. Perhaps it wasn’t.”

  “How strange. I thought you wrote that you were due back at Northolt on the twenty-fifth.”

  “Did I?” she asked airily.

  “Yes. I’m almost positive.”

  Evelyn swallowed uncomfortably. Miles was looking at her with a question in his face, and a surprisingly keen look in his green eyes. He smelled a rat, and rightly so. How could she have forgotten that blasted letter she wrote while she was in bed in London after returning from Norway?

  A server approached to take their drink orders and she turned to him in relief. Miles ordered a whiskey and soda, then looked at her with his eyebrows raised in question.

  “I’ll have a...oh, I think I’ll have a sidecar,” she said, waving a hand vaguely. As the server left, she gave Miles a careless smile. “I don’t really know what I want tonight. Strange, isn’t it?”

  “I don’t think so,” he said with an easy smile. “So why the delay returning to Northolt? Did you take some overdue leave?”

  “No. I...” Evelyn exhaled. There was no help for it. She was going to have to tell him at least part of the truth. “Well, to be honest, I wasn’t very well. When I was on my training course in Wales, I became ill. The flu, they think. When I returned, I was quite poorly, so I was sent home on a kind of sabbatical.”

  As she spoke, she felt her stomach clench and her heart drop. She hated lying to Miles, especially when he was looking across the table with such concern in his eyes, as he was now. He could never know the truth, and she’d accepted that from the start, but as the weeks went
by, it was becoming harder and harder to lie to him without this crushing feeling of guilt.

  “Why didn’t you tell me on the phone yesterday?” Miles asked, reaching across the table and taking one of her hands in his. His strong fingers closed around hers. “You shouldn’t have come all the way to London if you’re not feeling well.”

  Evelyn smiled into his eyes, enjoying the warmth and the strength of his hands around hers.

  “I’m feeling much better now,” she assured him. “I just needed some rest. I’m right as rain now.”

  “Hm.” He didn’t sound convinced and made no move to pull his hands away. “How long were you in Wales in the end?”

  “Just shy of three weeks.”

  “That’s a long time, isn’t it? All your courses aren’t that long, are they?”

  Evelyn resisted the urge to squirm. “Not as a rule, no. Some are much shorter than others. It depends on who I’m training, really, and what they’re experience level is. This time it was an entire group of complete novices. They’d never even heard of...well, what we do, and so it was much more comprehensive. And then, of course, sometimes things happen that we can’t possibly foresee or plan for.”

  “Such as?”

  “Well, such as the equipment not working properly. If I have to get someone in to fix it, that can add a few days delay sometimes.” She swallowed and smiled at him teasingly. “I feel like I’m being grilled. Why the sudden interest?”

  “I’m always interested, but this is the first time you’ve told me anything about what you do,” he said with a grin. “I wasn’t about to stop you.”

  Evelyn laughed and pulled her hands away from his as the server returned with their drinks.

  “And that’s where I stop,” she said. “I’ve already said too much.”

  Miles sat back in his chair watching her face pensively as the server set the drinks down. As soon as the man had left again, he leaned forward.

  “Will I ever learn everything there is to know about you?” he asked.

  She gave him a look of mock-horror. “Heavens, I hope not!” she exclaimed. “If you do, you’ll discover what a boring old maid I am and stop asking me out to dinner!”

  “I sincerely doubt that,” he said, picking up his drink. “I hope the WAAF knows what a loyal officer they have in you. I know several Squadron Leaders who love nothing more than to discuss things they shouldn’t. You’re a gem among officers, Assistant Section Officer Ainsworth.”

  “And they say it’s the women with the loose tongues,” she said with a laugh.

  “That’s certainly not one of your vices.” He lifted his glass in a silent toast. “Continue proving them wrong, m’dear.”

  Evelyn lifted her glass with a smile, sipping her drink. Oh, if he only knew! She was privy to information and intelligence that most of the members of government didn’t know.

  “I shall.”

  “Do you have any vices?” Miles set his glass down and the sparkle was back in his green eyes. “I’ve yet to see any indication of one.”

  Evelyn pretended to think.

  “I do enjoy shopping a bit much,” she finally said, “and I’m sure Robbie would say that I can be a little too reckless on occasion.”

  “If your shopping excursions end in frocks like the one you’re wearing, I’d hardly call that a vice,” he said with wink. “And as for being reckless, I rather think that’s more of an attribute than a vice. Lord knows I’m reckless enough.”

  “Yes, but that’s different. You’re a pilot. You’re supposed to be.”

  “So they tell me.” He toyed with his glass with one hand. “I’ve heard things aren’t going very well in Norway. The Germans are pressing north now, and they have complete control of the south. I wouldn’t be surprised if we start evacuating some of our troops.”

  Evelyn thought of what she’d learned this morning from Bill, shaken at how close Miles was to the truth. Remembering the sight of German troops pouring out of Trondheim and into the countryside, she repressed a shudder.

  “They were completely unprepared for an invasion,” she said before she could stop herself. “It wasn’t a fair fight from the start.”

  Miles looked up, his eyes pinning hers. “Why do you say that?”

  Evelyn reached for her drink. Good grief, what was wrong with her tonight? She was slipping left and right, and Miles was too astute for this. Already she’d caught more than one assessing glance from those green eyes of his. She had to get a hold of herself.

  “Isn’t it obvious?” she asked, her eyes wide. “They didn’t see it coming. They never even began rearming their military. They believed Hitler’s promise to respect their neutrality. They just weren’t prepared at all.”

  “That’s true enough,” he agreed, reaching for his glass. “There are a lot of accusations in the House towards Chamberlain for not moving to do more to prevent it. My father sits on the House of Lords, you know. He wrote that he’s never seen such division in the party.”

  “What does he think will happen?”

  Miles shrugged. “He seems to think that Chamberlain will have to step aside. We need a united government right now, not one that refuses to support the Prime Minister.”

  “If Chamberlain is forced to step down, Lord Halifax will succeed him and I don’t know that that’s any better,” she said slowly. “He’s just as committed to taking a soft road in this war.”

  “Yes.” Miles frowned. “It’s a right mess, isn’t it? I don’t know how we’re supposed to win a war with Germany when Parliament can’t even agree with each other.”

  They were silent for a moment, then he shook his head and laughed ruefully.

  “And there I go lamenting the state of the world again,” he said. “I promise I didn’t invite you out to dinner only to discuss war and politics.”

  Evelyn looked at him and smiled. “You can discuss whatever you like,” she told him. “I’m just happy to hear your voice and see your face. “

  He smiled slowly and pushed his chair back.

  “I can do better than that,” he murmured, standing and reaching out his hand. “Come dance with me, and let’s forget all about the war.”

  She laid her hand in his and allowed him to pull her to her feet, a rush of warmth going through her straight to her toes. His arm slid around her waist as he led her towards the dance floor and Evelyn sighed. This was what she needed above all else: his arms around her, and the feeling of belonging that they invoked. When she was with Miles, it didn’t matter what tomorrow would bring, or what yesterday had wrought. All that mattered was that they were together, and together they could face anything.

  RAF Northolt

  May 1

  The door to Evelyn’s small office opened without warning and she started, looking up as a pilot strode in, his light brown hair wind-tossed and his blue eyes bright from the fresh air.

  “It’s about time you decided to show your lovely face around here again,” he exclaimed. “I thought you’d run off with that pilot fellow, Mark.”

  Evelyn gurgled with laughter, watching as he kicked the door closed and tossed his hat onto a hook on her coat stand.

  “His name is Miles, as you well know, and of course I didn’t run off with him. There is a war on, you know.”

  “Yes, I’d noticed.” Flying Office Fred Durton crossed to her desk and perched on the corner, swinging his leg carelessly. “Where’ve you been, then? Off training little chicks again?”

  “Yes.”

  “You were gone for ages! Where were they? Timbuktu?”

  “Wales.”

  Fred grimaced comically. “Would’ve been better off in Timbuktu,” he announced. “It’s been jolly dull around here without you, y’know. There was a party at the officer’s last week and I’ve never seen a more depressing collection of moon-faced marching women in all my life.”

  “Fred!” Evelyn frowned at him reprovingly. “That’s a horrible thing to say!”

  “True, though,” he
said, unrepentant. “Why can’t more of them look like you? Is that too much to ask?” He tilted his head suddenly, looking at her. “Although, you’re looking a bit peaked, m’dear. Are you all right?”

  She sighed in resignation. “I had a bout with the flu,” she said. “I’m fine now, but I’m afraid I’m not up to my usual self yet, no.”

  “Good Lord, sorry to hear that. That’s Wales for you. Cold, damp place, or so I’ve heard. Never been myself. Couldn’t pay me enough.”

  “Really, Fred, you’re too much,” she exclaimed, laughing despite herself. “Wales is beautiful. Wonderful countryside and rolling hills.”

  “Exactly. Hills. Country. Who wants that? I see enough of that in my own part of the country.” Fred grinned. “Give me London any day.”

  Evelyn shook her head, smiling.

  “What have you been doing with yourself?” she asked, sitting back in her chair and accepting that her correspondence would have to wait. “I know you must have got into some kind of trouble while I was gone.”

  “Not a’tall. We’ve been flying every day, patrols over the channel, you know. Nothing going on up there, at least that I’ve seen. The Jerries aren’t even poking their wings out.” He picked up a pen absently, twirling it in his fingers. “I did have a bit of a scrap down at the pub with a few of the others. Some Reds were droning on about inequality and how the upper classes would never get their hands dirty with actual fighting. You know the lines, I’m sure. Anyway, they were being bores, so we took them outside and showed them a thing or two.”

  “You didn’t!”

  “‘Course we did. Well, stands to reason we can’t have that kind of talk in the pub, can we? Next thing you know, the whole bloody place will be decked out in propaganda and hammer and sickles. Can’t think of anything worse.”

  “Oh Freddie, you can’t just go around settling those things with your fists,” she said, rubbing her forehead. “Don’t you understand? You’re just proving their point, that people like you have the power to do as they like.”