When Skies Have Fallen

by Debbie McGowan

  ***

  “…enough?” Jim asked.

  “Hm?” Arty had been watching the world whizz by and only half heard the question. He gave Jim an enquiring look.

  “Are you warm enough?”

  “Oh! Yes, I’m fine. Changeable, isn’t it?”

  Jim laughed. “You could say that. Didn’t you hear the storm last night?”

  “Can’t say I did. Does Captain Taylor know I’m coming?”

  “Everyone at Minton knows you’re coming. Didn’t I tell you? You’re a hero.”

  Arty returned his gaze to the road ahead. “I did what any one of us would’ve done.”

  “Maybe, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Jim turned out onto the lane up to Minton, slowly accelerating to a steady twenty-five miles an hour. Arty shifted position and grimaced. “Too fast?” Jim asked.

  “No. Just…stop worrying. I’m perfectly fine.”

  Jim reached over and squeezed Arty’s hand. “Sorry,” he said. The road had quite a few bends, and Jim attempted to take them one-handed, but eventually had to relent. He released Arty’s hand and gave him a quick smile.

  “You and Matron,” Arty said.

  “We go back a way.”

  “I gathered. How d’you know her?”

  “From the Palais. Remember the girl I was dancing with that first night at Minton?”

  Arty thought back, trying to recall. “You pretty much danced with every WAAF that night, love.”

  Jim chortled. “You got a point there. Daphne and I were dancing when you went outside and I followed you.”

  “Daphne…ah, yes. Corporal Buchanon. I thought you meant you were dancing with the matron.”

  “Not at all. Daphne and Molly—sorry, Matron Reagan—are, shall we say, confirmed spinsters.”

  “Oh.” Arty didn’t have much to say to that.

  “Mol knows about us.”

  “Hm, yes, well, if she didn’t before I landed in hospital she certainly does now,” Arty griped. Jim grinned sheepishly, and Arty shook his head. “Please tell me not everyone at Minton knows.”

  “Good God, no. I mean, I don’t give a damn, but I know you do, so…” Jim turned off the lane into the base, acknowledging the two men on gate duty with a smile and one of his lazy salutes, before driving past the main barracks to the mess hall. He stopped the jeep and pulled on the brake.

  “So?” Arty prompted.

  “So…” Jim frowned thoughtfully, planning what he wanted to say. Whatever it was, Arty had the feeling he wasn’t going to like it. “Maybe we should tell ’em.”

  “Jim—”

  “Or not.” Jim took Arty’s hand again. “It was only an idea, darlin’. I hate we gotta spend today pretending we’re just pals. Charlie’s spoiling for a fight as it is, but like I say, it was an idea. Don’t get all worked up on me and bust somethin’.” Jim made a feeble attempt at a smile. Arty squeezed his hand.

  “Right, Jim Johnson. How about this? You stop fretting about every little bit of excitement finishing me off and—”

  “You’re asking for the impossible. You know that?”

  “As are you, but I’m prepared to give it my best shot if you are. However, I need to talk to Charlie first.”

  “I understand. He’s your buddy.”

  “More than that, Jim. Charlie’s mad for Jean. He always has been, which is why he can’t stand the sight of you.”

  “Aw, jeez. I’ve seen ’em flirt, an’ all, but I thought it was a bit of fun. Why didn’t you say?”

  “I was planning to talk to you about it before the accident, because I don’t know how he’ll take it. We’ve been friends for six years, Charlie and me, but he’s always assumed I like the fairer sex just as much as he does. I could’ve put him straight, I suppose, but…” Arty turned to Jim with a smile and a helpless shrug. “Until I met you I never had any intention of doing anything about it.”

  “So, either I made an honest man of you, or I’m a bad influence.”

  Arty laughed. “A bit of both. Are you all right with me telling Charlie?”

  “Sure,” Jim agreed, though Arty could see it still bothered him and waited for him to say more. Jim smoothed his chin and frowned heavily. “Trouble is, you tell a lie so long it just keeps building on itself, and I been trying real hard to make it look convincing for your sake. If Jean takes up with Charlie everyone’s gonna think she’s easy.”

  “I know,” Arty agreed. “But she went into it with eyes open. In fact it was her idea, so I’m not too worried about Jean, or not on that score. She’s tough as old boots, that girl.”

  “She sure is. So it’s Charlie we need to think about today.” Jim nodded. “All right. Just good pals, huh?”

  Arty smiled. “I love you.”

  “I love you too. And if you need me there when you talk to Charlie, just say the word.”

  “Thanks, but it’s probably best if it’s just the two of us. I’ll try and snatch a minute with him later.” A group of airmen and women wandered past the jeep, all of them laughing and joking. Arty watched and smiled. How good it was to see everyone again, and looking so happy. “We should probably go in.”

  “Yeah. Let’s do it.” Jim climbed out of the jeep and collected the chair from the back on his way around to Arty’s side. He leaned in and put one arm under Arty’s knees, the other behind his back. Arty grabbed on and Jim hoisted him with ease, sneaking a kiss as he gently lowered him into the wheelchair.

  “I saw that, Sergeant Johnson,” a voice called from behind him. Arty peered around Jim and grinned broadly.

  “Morning, Jean.”

  “Good morning,” she replied, giving Arty a warm hug and a kiss. “You look so much better, Arty.”

  “I am,” he said sincerely, keeping hold of her a little longer and whispering, “I’m so sorry, Jean.”

  She patted his back and released him, her eyes glassy but she smiled through. “Forgiven and forgotten. Come on, let’s get you inside.” Jean looked up at Jim and winked, which worried Arty a little. He had the impression they were scheming something, and if that proved to be the case, he’d be having it out with them both later.

  * * * * *