A Mother's Love

by Katie Flynn

  Evie was grinning gleefully at her.

  Ellie scraped her chair back and ran out of the NAAFI. Entering the ablutions at breakneck speed she felt the sick begin to rise in her throat, and hurtling into an empty cubicle she vomited down the toilet.

  Gwen, who had seen her friend’s flight, rapped on the door with her knuckles. ‘Ellie? Is everything all right? Only you left the NAAFI like summat was on fire.’

  ‘It was that stupid drink,’ Ellie said miserably. ‘And before you say I told you so, I don’t mean the one Aidan bought me, but the one Evie bought. I assumed it was Barclays, which is bad enough, but it wasn’t. It was vile, and it burned my throat.’

  Gwen peeped round the edge of the cubicle door. ‘It all tastes nasty if you ask me, although I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone saying it burned them before. Can I get you anything? A glass of water, perhaps?’

  Ellie shook her head, then nodded. ‘You can get me my dignity back if you like. I think I left it at the table with Aidan and Evie.’

  ‘Bugger that,’ Gwen said firmly. ‘You’re comin’ with me. You can’t leave him out there on his own with her, she’ll have him for brekker.’ A thought struck her. ‘You don’t s’pose she put summat else in that drink, to make you sick on purpose? That’d explain why it tasted so bad.’

  Ellie frowned. ‘She’d be taking a bit of a risk. What if Aidan had picked it up instead of me? Besides, what could she put in beer which would make it undrinkable?’

  Gwen looked astutely at her friend and tapped the side of her nose with her forefinger. ‘People like her would do anythin’.’ She turned the cold tap on. ‘Wash your mouth out with some water, go back in there and show her she can’t get rid of you that easily. I’ll be by the dance floor if you need me.’

  Ellie smiled gratefully. ‘You’re a real pal. I feel such a fool for rushing off like that. What must Aidan think?’

  Gwen shrugged. ‘That you really needed the loo?’

  Ellie gave a mirthless laugh. ‘He won’t be far wrong then, will he?’

  Entering the NAAFI once more, Ellie walked over to the table where Aidan was seated and looked shyly at him from under her lashes. ‘Sorry for rushing off like that.’ She glanced at the empty chair. ‘Where did she go?’

  Aidan laughed. ‘I think I must have some strange effect on women. They can’t wait to get away from me.’

  Ellie’s stomach went into a painful knot. ‘I’m sorry, Aidan, but that drink Evie gave me didn’t agree with me at all. My tummy’s lurchin’ summat awful. I think it might be best if I got an early night.’

  Aidan looked at her kindly. ‘There’s no need to apologise, alanna. Tell you what, I’m not much of a one for dances, so how about you and me meet for coffee tomorrow at Bumbles, say ten a.m.?’

  Ellie smiled happily. ‘Sounds good to me.’

  The next morning Ellie was in the ablutions brushing her teeth when Evie walked in behind her. ‘Ellie! I’m so glad to see you’re feeling better. It was such a shame that you had to rush off last night. Someone said it was because of the beer? I do hope it wasn’t my fault; I’d hate to think I’d made you sick.’ Her tone oozed with false sympathy. ‘Still, every cloud and all that, at least I got to know Aidan a bit better. I must say I think he’s a real charmer, and clever to boot. I’m surprised you never found him attractive.’

  Ellie shoved her toothbrush back into her small wash bag and looked up at Evie with an air of defiance. ‘What beer did you give me? Only I’ve never tasted one like it before.’

  Evie’s face was set with a fixed smile. ‘It was Barclays.’

  ‘No it wasn’t,’ snapped Ellie. ‘I had Barclays earlier and it tasted nothing like that.’

  Evie’s eyes narrowed, but the smile remained. ‘I hope you’re not accusing me of lying, Ellie? I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you, you know that.’

  ‘All I know is it tasted different to me, and I think you’d do anything to get your hands on a pilot.’ She had turned to leave when Evie held out a hand.

  ‘He asked me out on a date. I said yes, of course. I do hope you don’t mind?’

  Pushing Evie’s hand to one side, Ellie left the ablutions to the sound of Evie’s laughter, the tears that brimmed in her eyes beginning to trickle down her hot cheeks. How could he? she thought miserably. Anyone would be better than Evie. Didn’t he realise how mean and nasty the other girl could be? Surely he could see that she was only after him so that she could show him off as some sort of prize catch? Remembering her promise to meet him at Bumbles, she decided she would take the opportunity to warn him off the wretched girl.

  Bursting into the hut, she rushed over to Gwen, who was reading a copy of Woman’s Own, and told her friend about her encounter with Evie and her intention to warn Aidan.

  Sliding off the top bunk, Gwen shook her head. ‘I wouldn’t, if I were you. He might think you’re interferin’ or being nasty, and you’ve got to remember how charming Evie can be when it comes to men. You’re far better off lettin’ him find out of his own accord. Besides, you already told him she were only after a feller with stripes – or in his case wings – so he’s already got the heads-up.’

  Ellie chewed her lip thoughtfully. Was Gwen right? Would Aidan really think of it as interfering or would he see it as it was intended, to stop him from making a mistake? If he did think it was interfering she might be driving him, albeit unintentionally, into Evie’s arms. She glanced at Gwen. ‘So what do I do? Just leave her to sink her claws in even deeper?’

  Gwen pulled a face. ‘I don’t see that you’ve got any choice. But if you take my advice, you’ll leave well alone. Least said, soonest mended, as the saying goes.’

  Ellie sat down on the edge of her bed. ‘So I’m supposed to go to Bumbles and not mention Evie?’

  ‘Yup.’

  ‘What if he mentions her to me, asks me about her? What am I meant to say then?’

  ‘As little as possible. He’ll soon find out what a nasty little cat she can be.’

  Ellie was disappointed. She had wanted an excuse to warn Aidan off the horrid Evie, and Gwen’s answer was not the one she had been hoping for. ‘What about Baggy? She was horrid to him. Aidan loves animals – he wouldn’t like it if he knew how nasty she’d been. I thought you’d be on my side, if only for Baggy’s sake.’

  Gwen smiled sympathetically. ‘I am on your side, that’s why I’m tellin’ you to let him work it out for himself. He will in the end; they always do, that’s why she keeps moving on from one feller to the next. It’s not her that dumps them, it’s the other way round.’

  Ellie drew a small bag of humbugs from her pocket and handed one to Gwen. ‘I know you’re right, but keeping my mouth shut is going to be hard.’ Popping one of the sweets into her mouth she smiled at Gwen. ‘Maybe these will help. Thanks for the advice.’

  Gwen stowed her humbug into one cheek. ‘That’s what pals are for. Now off you go and have your cuppa with Aidan.’

  Bumbles was a popular haunt and Ellie was not surprised to see that the small café was already crowded. Choosing a seat by the window, she informed the elderly waitress that she would order when her friend arrived. Looking up the tree-lined street, she watched as a strong gust of wind picked up the crisp autumn leaves and sent them swirling down the pavement. A small boy ran past the café window as he tried to snatch a handful of the leaves, and his mother who was trotting along behind him bent down to pick up the school cap that had blown from his head. Ellie thought back to the times when her mother had walked her to school. Ellie would be holding her hand whilst trying to avoid stepping on the cracks between the paving stones, which involved taking giant leaps over some whilst dodging round others. Millie had often complained. ‘You’ll have me arm out of its socket if you keep leapin’ about. It’s like trying to walk a hare to school.’

  Watching as the mother caught up to her son and the two joined hands, Ellie wondered if the boy ever played the same game.

  The bell above the café door
rang sharply, making Ellie jump. Glancing up, she saw Aidan closing the door firmly behind him.

  He grinned at her. ‘Mornin’, queen. How’s your stomach?’

  Ellie groaned. She had been so busy worrying about Evie and Aidan getting together, she had quite forgotten the foul drink. ‘Don’t mention that awful stuff. I reckon it must’ve gone off or summat; it really upset my tummy.’

  Aidan sat down next to her. ‘I must admit we both wondered about that, because mine was okay and so was Evelyn’s. I was going to taste yours, but Evie knocked it over by accident. That’s why she rushed off, to mop herself down.’

  Ellie pursed her lips. She’d bet a pound to a penny that Evie had realised he intended to take a swig and pushed it over before he had the chance, the crafty cow.

  Aidan raised his hand to gain the waitress’s attention. ‘Pot of tea for two and a couple of your lovely scones, please, Clara.’

  Ellie was bemused. ‘How on earth do you know the waitress? You only arrived the other day.’

  Aidan tapped the side of his nose. ‘First thing you do when you get to a new station is find out the best caff in the area and make friends with the staff.’

  The elderly waitress brought a tray over and began to distribute the cups and plates on to the table. Aidan rubbed his hands together gleefully. ‘Just what a feller needs to set him up for the day ahead, this is.’ He glanced at Ellie. ‘You could march an army on Clara’s food. You’d never know rationin’ restrictions applied in her kitchen. Tasty, too.’

  Clara tutted and shook her head with a wry grin. ‘You’re a charmer, Aidan Murray, just like your cousin.’ She glanced expectantly out of the window. ‘He not joinin’ you this mornin’?’

  Aidan grinned. ‘He’s still tired after all the dancin’ he did last night. He was like Fred Astaire, or at least that’s what he keeps tellin’ everyone.’

  The old lady chuckled as she made her way back to the counter. Ellie looked curiously at Aidan. ‘I’ve been here for a while now, yet I didn’t know Clara’s name until today. You put me to shame, Aidan Murray. Anyone’d think you’d known her all your life.’

  Aidan winked. ‘Always important to make friends with the locals, especially when they’re the ones providing food.’

  Outside, another gust of wind threw a pile of leaves up against the glass, and Ellie nodded towards the window. ‘Won’t be long till the bad weather sets in … I hope we have a green Christmas. I don’t fancy the idea of being on a battery with a foot of snow on the ground.’

  Aidan shrugged. ‘Depends on your point of view. Heavy snow means no flying, and that applies to them as well as us; it’s a bit of a double-edged sword, I suppose.’

  She looked up guiltily. ‘I didn’t think of that. In that case I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed for a white Christmas.’

  Aidan was about to take a bite out of his scone when he appeared to remember something. ‘We had word today that we’re goin’ to be headin’ back to Waddington sooner than we thought, probably in a few days, so I’m afraid we won’t have much time together.’

  Ellie’s shoulders sank. ‘It’s not fair. You only just got here, and I miss having my old friends around. You and Connor are so lucky to be working together.’

  Aidan nodded. ‘I must admit, life’s a lot more pleasant now that Connor’s joined us.’ He leaned forward and lowered his voice. ‘Don’t tell him I said that, though! Speaking of work, I told you about our old bomber, the Blenheim Beauty? Well, the reason we came to Speke was to pick up a new one. It’s a Lancaster. Why don’t you come and have a look at her? I can’t show you around today, because – well, I’ve got stuff to do – but how about tomorrow? I could pick you up around ten, if you’re free, that is?’

  Ellie, who had just taken a large bite out of her scone, nodded enthusiastically whilst covering her mouth with her hand so as not to spray him with crumbs. ‘I’d love to! I’ve never seen a bomber up close, you know – well, I have a Heinkel, but that doesn’t count.’

  Aidan’s brow furrowed. ‘You’ve seen a Heinkel up close? How come?’

  Ellie waved a dismissive hand. ‘I’ve not actually seen one for real. It was a dream, I suppose, but it was incredibly detailed …’ She explained her ‘encounter’ with the Heinkel and its pilot during the May blitz, and how she had realised that even the enemy had families who would grieve for them every bit as much as she grieved for her own mother if anything happened.

  Aidan eyed her curiously. ‘Wow. It sounds like some kind of out-of-body experience. I’ve heard of those, but I’ve never met anyone who’s had one. Do you think it could have been that?’

  Ellie frowned. ‘I really don’t know, and perhaps I’ll never be sure. I’m just glad it hasn’t happened again … fingers crossed,’ she added hastily.

  Aidan shuddered. ‘Real or not, it’s jolly unpleasant staring into the eyes of the enemy. I should know – I’ve done it more than once.’

  Ellie reached across the table and took hold of his hand. ‘I think you’re ever so brave. I’d be terrified if it were me.’

  He squeezed her fingers. ‘I’d be a liar if I said I wasn’t scared, we all are, but in a strange way that’s what keeps you going.’ He gazed thoughtfully out of the window. ‘But let’s not talk about it.’ Leaning back, he took a swig from his teacup. ‘I know you said your old landlord had been bombed out of his premises, but has anyone seen him since? He’s not knockin’ about the city, is he?’

  Ellie shrugged. ‘My guess would be that he’s either signed on as a docker or joined one of the services.’ She gave a mirthless laugh. ‘I can’t imagine anyone’d take him on, though, unless it was to clean the latrines.’

  ‘Well, if you should bump into him and he starts giving you grief just you let me know. I’m sure I can persuade him to leave you be.’

  Ellie smiled. ‘Just like your cousin, comin’ to a girl’s rescue. I’ll have had two knights in shining armour then. It’s almost worth bumping into Sid.’

  Chuckling, Aidan glanced at his watch. ‘Damn, I’ll have to be off in a mo. Did you say you were all right for tomorrow? I can pick you up from camp, ’cos the crew have got shares in a small motorcar. I kind of hoped you’d say yes, so I already asked them if I could have it in the morning.’

  Ellie nodded eagerly. ‘I’m on lates all this week, so I’m free for most of the day.’ She studied his face. It wasn’t just his hair and beard that had changed; his brow had acquired thin lines which made him look more mature. She gazed into his twinkling green eyes and marvelled that the war had not doused the spark that lay deep inside, as it had in so many of the other men she had encountered. Aware that she was staring, she turned her gaze to the crumbs on her plate. ‘Those scones were delicious, but I don’t reckon they’re a patch on your mam’s.’

  He leaned forward. ‘Neither do I, but I’d never admit it to Clara,’ he said, his voice just above a whisper. ‘She might stop givin’ me extra butter and jam if she knew the truth.’

  Ellie smiled cheekily. ‘Clara’s got you bang to rights. You are a charmer, Aidan Murray.’

  ‘You look like the cat that got the cream,’ observed Gwen. ‘I take it all went well?’

  Ellie nodded. ‘He didn’t make me feel at all embarrassed about my dicky tummy last night, and he’s picking me up tomorrow mornin’ at ten o’clock to go and see the Lancaster Lass – that’s his new bomber.’

  Gwen pulled a face. ‘Did he mention Evie?’

  Ellie pursed her lips. ‘Only to say that she knocked my drink over by accident, so I reckon you were right, and she had slipped something into my glass.’

  Gwen grimaced. ‘Can’t say I’m surprised. Did he mention taking her out?’

  Ellie shook her head. ‘I don’t know what she was on about this morning and I don’t care. I don’t believe Aidan would ever—’

  Gwen held up a hand. ‘Before you go on, she’s off to meet him now. In fact, I think she left about five minutes ago.’

  Ellie sank into
the chair next to Gwen’s. ‘Are you sure? What exactly did she say?’

  ‘She said he’d told her he was busy this morning but would meet her around eleven thirty.’ They both glanced at the clock above the NAAFI door. It was eleven forty.

  Deflated, Ellie looked appealingly at Gwen. ‘Why didn’t he tell me he was meeting her?’

  Gwen shrugged. ‘Where did he say he was going, after you, I mean?’

  Ellie thought back. ‘He didn’t say exactly, just that he had some stuff to do.’

  Gwen shook her head disapprovingly. ‘I don’t think Evie would like it if she knew that he was referring to her as “stuff”.’ She eyed Ellie cautiously. ‘Are you still going to meet him tomorrow, or …?’

  ‘I suppose so. It’s not as if he’s done anything wrong, is it? I just wish he’d told me, but then again, I didn’t ask.’

  ‘You feel like you’ve been betrayed, though, am I right?’ Gwen said.

  Ellie nodded. ‘Only because he never mentioned her, but then I did tell him that we weren’t friends, and I suppose I was a little bit uncomplimentary when it came to her relationships with other men, especially those with wings or stripes …’

  ‘That’ll be it then. He hasn’t told you because he knows you wouldn’t approve, but does that make it feel any better?’

  ‘Not really,’ said Ellie, ‘but it’s my fault that he feels he has to keep me in the dark in the first place.’ Placing her elbows on the canteen table, she rested her chin in her hands. ‘What shall I do? The last thing I want is for Aidan and Evie to get serious about each other.’

  ‘Why? Do you want him for yourself or not? Before he arrived you weren’t sure of your feelings towards him. Do you know how you feel now?’

  ‘Not really. I hardly spent more than ten minutes with him last night, and only an hour and a half this morning,’ she said.