by CW Browning
Bill grinned. “I think he rather enjoyed it,” he said. “That’s the most excitement Oslo’s seen in a long while. And you weren’t the only cause.”
Evelyn raised an eyebrow questioningly. “Oh?”
“I shouldn’t be telling you this either, but Daniel told me you were trying to get information from a couple of scientists there, so I think you’ll find this interesting. He received an anonymous report after you left. It was written by, we believe, a German scientist. We’re calling it the Oslo Report, for lack of a more imaginative name. If the information checks out, it may very well be a God-send for us.”
Evelyn thought of the nervous scientist she’d met who had backed out of their dinner date and smiled.
“It’s amazing that someone had the courage to do it,” she said. “I was to have dinner with a scientist, but when I went, he’d left a note crying off. He was very afraid of the Gestapo and thought having dinner with a reporter without the permission of the Propaganda Ministry could lead to reprisals. I got the impression that most of them were of the same mind.”
“Well, someone went through some lengths to get the information to us. We have people going over the information. At least one if the items has since been proven to be true, so it’s looking quite hopeful. Anyway, as you see, you’re not the only source of excitement for Carew.”
Evelyn grinned. “Even though I cost him one of his best translators?”
Bill chuckled. “I don’t think you cost him anything, my dear. I believe he has plans for Anna, and you facilitated them.”
She thought of the young woman who had been such a great help to her.
“She will make someone an amazing agent,” she said slowly. “I’m glad she’s safe.”
“And I’m glad you’re safe.” Bill finished his tea and picked up the microfilm and roll of papers, tucking them into the inside pocket of his overcoat. “It seems that once again I must extend my apologies. This was supposed to an easy assignment to get your feet wet. It turned out to be anything but.”
Evelyn stood with him and gave him a twisted smile.
“That’s hardly your fault. I’m considering it as on-the-job training,” she told him. “The things I’m learning now may very well save my life another day, so I shan’t complain.”
He nodded and turned to walk with her out of the kitchen and down the hallway to the front door.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, bright and early at nine o’clock. Don’t be late,” he said as they reached the door.
She nodded and reached for the handle.
“Thank you for the groceries. They are very much appreciated.”
“As are you, Jian. Welcome home.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
4th December, 1939
Dear Evelyn,
It was wonderful to finally hear from you. Have things calmed down a bit now? I can’t imagine being stuck in the highlands for three weeks. I hope the training was worth it. Glad you’re back at your station and able to catch up on the important things - such as writing to me.
Things have been fairly uneventful around here. Flying every day and some nights, waiting for things to get started. All the action in this war seems to be happening everywhere but here. Now Finland is in the thick of it. Did you see that Stalin attacked them? Rather surprising, that. I suppose that means that Norway or Sweden will be next. Somehow, I don’t think this war will be over by Christmas as everyone said, do you?
We did have one bit of excitement the other day. The American had a bit of trouble with his landing gear and was forced to land his plane on its belly. It was rather hair-raising, and I don’t think any of us thought he’d actually pull it off without blowing himself to kingdom come, but the blighter actually managed it! Fantastic flying, or rather landing. The whole thing did make me think that half of flying is really just plain luck. Sobering thought, really.
I’m so glad you’re able to take leave over Christmas. I’m looking forward to seeing you. It’s a shame you and Rob have to be back on station on Boxing Day. He’s put out that the traditional hunt won’t happen, but at least we’ll have Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I was lucky enough to get Boxing Day as well, so I’ll be able to drop in on the pile up in Yorkshire and do the duty to the elders before heading back to the squadron.
You know, when this war does get going, it will be harder to manage meetings like this. If you were closer, we could perhaps meet for dinner occasionally. What are your thoughts on trying for a posting closer to London? It must be tiresome to be so far away in Scotland.
Yours,
FO Miles Lacey
RAF Duxford
Christmas Eve, 1939
The train rocked to a stop in the station as Evelyn made her way down the aisle to the door, a single case in her hand. The conductor nodded to her with a smile.
“Happy Christmas, miss,” he said, touching his cap. “Watch your step now.”
“Thank you. Enjoy your Christmas!”
She held onto the vertical railing on the side of the door with one hand while she looked out over the platform, searching for Rob. After missing her original train from Scotland, she’d had to catch a later one, and she was a full four hours later than anyone expected. Rob had been going to pick her up from the earlier train, but she had no idea if anyone had come to meet this one.
Not seeing her brother in the crowds waiting on the platform, Evelyn moved down to the last step above the platform. Just before stepping off the train, she looked up again and her breath caught in her throat. A little flutter of butterflies stirred in her belly as a rush of excitement went through her.
Miles was making his way through the throng, standing a full head over those around him. He was dressed in his RAF blues with a spotted blue silk neckerchief tied carelessly around his throat, looking rakishly elegant despite being in uniform. He caught sight of her just as she looked up and a smile curved his full lips.
“Ahem!”
Evelyn started as a woman cleared her throat behind her. Murmuring an apology over her shoulder, she stepped off the train quickly and moved towards Miles.
“Hallo!” he greeted her, reaching for her suitcase. “You finally made it!”
“At last!” she agreed with a laugh, looking up into his sparkling green eyes. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here. Where’s Robbie?”
“I offered to come collect you,” he said, turning to walk beside her. “I hope you don’t mind.”
“Of course not! It’s lovely to see you. When did you arrive?”
“Rob and I drove up from London and got here just in time for lunch.” He glanced down at her. “We all thought you were getting in earlier. When you weren’t on the train, Rob decided you’d missed it. Did you?”
Evelyn laughed sheepishly. “Yes, I’m afraid so. I got caught up with work and had to wait for the next one. I thought I’d never get here.”
“Never mind. You’re here now.”
His voice rolled over her warmly and Evelyn felt a rush of warmth go through her as she realized that this was what she’d been looking forward to all week. It wasn’t spending Christmas with her family, although she was happy to do that as well, but it was the anticipation of seeing the sparkling green eyes that had haunted her for two months. And the reality was far better than she’d expected.
They walked out of the station and a blast of icy wind greeted them. Evelyn gasped and tucked her arm through his, leaning closer to him with a shiver.
“Please tell me you have a car here,” she said, hunching her shoulders.
“I have a car here,” he replied promptly, steering her to the parking area to the right. “And it has a heater.”
“Thank goodness!”
He looked down at her and pulled her closer as another shiver went through her.
“Perhaps next time you’ll remember your coat,” he said with a grin.
She shot him a disgruntled look. “You’re not wearing one,” she pointed out.
“I
’m not the one shivering with cold.”
“I did bring it, actually, but it’s in my case. It was unbearably warm on the train. Tell me, am I the last one to arrive?”
“I’m afraid so. Your mother was starting to fret that you weren’t coming.” Miles grinned. “Your brother didn’t help matters when he offered the theory that your train had derailed.”
“He didn’t!”
“He did. Don’t worry. Mr. Buckley managed to convince her that you weren’t laying in a ditch somewhere.”
“Bill and Marguerite are there too? Oh wonderful! It’s just like...” Evelyn’s voice trailed off suddenly and Miles looked at her.
“Like what?”
She shrugged and shook her head. “I was going to say it’s just like last year, but of course it’s not,” she said. “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to coming home and Dad not being here.”
He squeezed her arm gently. “Perhaps not, but it will get easier,” he said softly. “Or so I’m told.”
“I do hope so.” Evelyn raised her eyebrows as they approached a low, green two-seater Jaguar SS100. “Is this yours?”
“Yes.”
“It’s beautiful!”
“Do you like it?” He opened the passenger door for her. “That’s right. I forgot you said you like fast cars.”
She laughed and got in, twinkling up at him. “And reckless pilots.”
He grinned and winked. “That I didn’t forget.”
He closed the door and walked around the back to set her case in the small luggage boot. When he got behind the wheel, Evelyn smiled at him.
“I’m glad you came to fetch me.”
He looked at her. “Because I drive a fast sports car?”
“Because I really didn’t fancy walking all the way home.”
Miles laughed and the engine started with a low growl. Evelyn rubbed her hands together in the dark briskly, a smile playing with her lips. She’d forgotten how easy it was to banter with him, and how comfortable it felt to do so. It was as if they’d known each other all their lives, rather than just a few months. It was so strange, this connection that they seemed to have with each other. It was like nothing she’d ever felt before, but she wasn’t about to question it.
She relaxed in the expensive leather seat as he reversed out of the parking spot and pulled out of the lot. His broad shoulders seemed to fill the car, making it seem much smaller inside. Leather mixed with the musky smell of him and she felt the tension flow out of her.
“And how have you been, Assistant Section Officer?” Miles asked after a moment of silence.
“I’m doing much better now that I’m here,” she answered, turning her head on the seat to look at his profile in the moonlight. Heat was pouring out of the vents now and her shivering had stopped. In its place was languid contentment. “How are you faring up in the great blue?”
“Piece of cake,” was the flippant answer, drawing a smile from her.
“No more landings without wheels?”
He shook his head. “No, thank God.”
“How is that possible? To land without wheels?” she asked, her brows knit together thoughtfully. “It doesn’t seem like it would work very well.”
“It usually doesn’t,” Miles said bluntly, glancing at her. “The Yank was bloody lucky. His fuel was low and Bertie thinks that’s what saved him. When you come in without landing gear, you see, you have to land completely on your belly. If you tilt one way or the other, the wing goes into the ground and, well, then it’s all over, isn’t it? It’s jolly difficult to do.”
“Have you ever had to do that?”
“No, and I hope to God I never do. Chris said it was terrifying. He doesn’t even know how he did it and says he couldn’t do it again if his life depended on it.”
“It sounds like his life will depend on it if it ever happens again,” Evelyn murmured, turning her gaze out her window. “I’m glad he made it.”
“So were we all, but let’s not talk about that anymore. How are you getting on with your training?”
“It’s going well, actually. The girls are doing well.” Evelyn said, swallowing the pang of guilt at the ongoing lie.
“Any possibility of getting out of Scotland?”
“You know, if I didn’t know better, I’d think you were psychic. I’m getting reassigned after Christmas.”
He looked at her in surprise. “No! Are you?”
She laughed at the look on his face and nodded. “Yes.”
“Where?”
“I don’t know yet, but somewhere closer to London. So, you just might get to meet me for dinner once in a while after all.”
The smile on his face went straight through her and she felt it right down to her toes.
“Do you know, Assistant Section Officer Ainsworth, I think you’ve just made my Christmas.”
She leaned her head back on the seat again, smiling.
“You might regret that,” she warned. “For all you know, I might be nothing but trouble.”
He glanced at her, his lips curved and his eyes warm.
“I’m a fighter pilot, m’dear. I live for trouble.”
“Evelyn! At last!” Mrs. Ainsworth got out of her chair and moved across the drawing room quickly to wrap Evelyn in a scented, warm embrace. “I thought you’d never get here!”
“So did I, Mum,” Evelyn said with a laugh, returning the hug. “It’s so good to see you!”
“Miles got you here in one piece, I see,” Rob said with a grin, setting his drink down and coming over to take his turn embracing her. “Miracle, that.”
“This coming from the man who rolled into a ditch last week,” Miles drawled from the doorway.
“Rolled into a ditch? You didn’t!” Evelyn pulled away from her brother and stared at him. “Tell me he’s joking.”
“Afraid not,” Rob said cheerfully. “Can’t see a damn thing on the ground when you’re in the cockpit. How was I to know they’d dug a trench there while I was up?”
She burst out laughing. “Oh Robbie, it’s so good to see you again!”
Her brother grinned and looked down at her fondly. “I’m glad to see you too, Evie,” he said. “I’m glad you finally made it. Did you miss the train?”
Evelyn shot Miles a glance over shoulder and he winked.
“Yes, as you well knew because you ratted me out to Miles,” she said. “But I’m here now.”
“Yes, and you’ll want to change and freshen up,” Mrs. Ainsworth said. “Bill and Marguerite are here as well. They’re just dressing for dinner.”
Evelyn looked at her watch and kissed her mother on the cheek. “I’ll be as quick as I can,” she said, turning towards the door. “Robbie, have a drink waiting, will you?”
She smiled at Miles as she passed him and ran lightly across the large, square hallway to the wide stairs. It was lovely to be home, even if it was only for a short time. The house she grew up in was like a welcoming port in choppy seas, and she truly felt as if the war couldn’t touch them here. It was absolute nonsense, of course. The effects of the war were already beginning show, even this far away from London. At the station, she’d noticed the increased number of military uniforms crowding the platform, and on the drive out to the Ainsworth Manor many of the homes were observing the blackout. Even in this remote part of Lancashire, the world was beginning to change.
Evelyn started up the stairs, her hand on the banister, and resolutely put thoughts of the war out of her head. For the next twenty-four hours, she didn’t have to think about it. She would simply enjoy her mother and brother and forget the shadows that she was beginning to accept as her new reality.
A small flash of excitement surged through her and she couldn’t stop the small smile that crossed across her face. And for the next twenty-four hours, she had Flying Officer Miles Lacey all to herself.
“Evelyn! My dear!”
A voice interrupted her thoughts and she looked up to see Bill and his wife, Marguerite, approachin
g the top of the stairs. Marguerite moved forward, her hands outstretched.
“Hallo Mrs. Buckley!” Evelyn said with a smile, running up the remainder of the steps and grasping her hands. “It’s wonderful to see you again!”
“You look so official in your uniform!” Marguerite said with a laugh, kissing her cheek. “Your father would be very proud. Did you just arrive?”
“Yes. I’m afraid I missed my train and had to catch a later one.” Evelyn turned to Bill with a smile and held out her hands to him. “It’s so nice to see you again! It’s been absolute ages!”
Bill grinned and took her hands, leaning down to kiss her cheek affectionately. As far as his wife, and indeed anyone else in the house, was concerned, he hadn’t seen her since the funeral.
“How are the WAAFs treating you, Evelyn?” he asked cheerfully, releasing her hands. “Not working you too hard, I hope?”
“Not in the slightest,” she assured him with a twinkle. “I spend most of my day trying to make sense of regulations that contradict each other.”
“And the rest of your day?”
“Spent stopping my girls from sneaking out to the pub with pilots,” she returned promptly, drawing a laugh from both of them. “I must go and get changed before Rob wastes away to nothing. You know he’s always starving.”
“Go, my dear. We’ll see you downstairs,” Marguerite said, waving her away.
With a final smile at both of them, Evelyn hurried down the carpeted hallway to her room. It was lovely to see Marguerite again, but trying to keep a straight face while pretending not to have seen Bill in months was a challenge. He hadn’t shown by even the slightest flicker that he had just seen her last week in London following the completion of a short, weekend training course in the city. Shaking her head, she reached for the handle of her bedroom door. It was easy to lie to strangers, but something entirely different to act a part in your own house. That might end up being her biggest challenge.
Evelyn went into her room quickly, startling the maid who was in the process of unpacking her bag. As she entered, the young woman turned in surprise.
