A Mother's Love

by Katie Flynn

  ‘Room four, please, Edward.’ The receptionist turned to face them. ‘Breakfast is served between six and nine. Here is your room key. I do hope you enjoy your stay.’ She handed over a large brass key ring engraved with the hotel’s name.

  Ellie stepped forward as Edward struggled to pick up one of the bags, but he waved her back politely. ‘’S’all right, miss, I can manage,’ he puffed, his cheeks reddening. Gwen, who was also itching to help, stood by wincing as the boy, practically on his knees, placed the bag on his shoulder. Bracing himself, he managed to stand up briefly before toppling over backwards and landing heavily on the bag.

  The receptionist opened the hatch on the counter and pulled Edward to his feet. ‘For goodness’ sake, Edward, stop messing about.’ She turned apologetically to the two women. ‘I’m so sorry. I hope there was nothing fragile inside.’

  Edward pouted indignantly. ‘Give me another go. I wasn’t ready for it the first time,’ he said, but Ellie had already swung the bag into her arms. Leaning down, she ruffled the boy’s hair. ‘No harm done, and thank you for trying, but I think we’d better take our own bags. We’re used to them, you see.’

  ‘Only if you’re sure, miss,’ said Edward, although Ellie noticed he appeared highly relieved. ‘If you’d like to follow me, I’ll show you to your room.’

  As they left the debriefing room, one of the Waafs handed Aidan a piece of paper. ‘Telephone message, sir.’

  Aidan’s brows rose as he read the note. He grinned at Connor. ‘Ellie and Gwen arrived at the Saracen’s Head last night, and they want to know if we’re free over the next couple of days.’

  Connor yawned. ‘Sounds good to me, but at the moment all I want is bacon and eggs, followed by a bit of kip in a soft comfortable bed.’

  Aidan beamed. ‘I’ll give them a ring before we call it a night, see if we can arrange something, maybe a walk followed by a spot of lunch?’

  ‘You do that, but in the meantime …’ Connor’s nostrils quivered as he inhaled, ‘I smell bacon!’

  Chapter Twelve

  ‘Married? When and where and why didn’t you tell me sooner?’

  ‘He popped the question Saturday night. I’d far rather tell you face to face, and with you arriving in a few days I thought it not too long to wait. As for when, we’re still working on the date. Obviously we want as many there as can make it, but with three sisters all in the services it’s going to be tough going. As for where, the register office in Brougham Terrace, and therein lies another problem. Mam rang to see when the next available date was and they said it’s months away. What with it being summer an’ all, they’re already chocka with people gettin’ wed.’

  Ellie beamed. ‘I can’t believe me bezzie’s gettin’ married! How did he pop the question? I hope he got down on one knee!’

  Arla grinned. ‘We’d nipped into the Old Crowne for a nightcap on our way back from the theatre. The place was packed and Archie was having trouble getting served, so when he started to shout I assumed it was to get the barman’s attention, but then I realised he was calling for silence. I didn’t think anyone would take any notice, but within a moment or two you could’ve heard a pin drop. Every person in that bar was staring at Archie when from out of nowhere he drops down on one knee and produces a jewellery box. You could’ve slapped me with a kipper there and then, and when he asked me to marry him … everyone was staring at me, Ellie, all waiting to hear what I’d say. I’m sure my face was like a beetroot. When I finally found my tongue, of course I said yes, and you should’ve heard ’em all cheering. The landlord give me an’ Archie a free drink to celebrate, then everyone started buyin’ us drinks after that. I don’t think Archie had to put his hand in his pocket once.’ Arla held out her hand so that Ellie and Gwen might admire the silver-banded gemstone. ‘It was his nan’s. It’s real silver.’

  Sniffing loudly, Ellie embraced her friend. ‘I’m ever so happy for you both. I can’t wait to see you …’ she paused, ‘are you havin’ a dress?’

  Arla shook her head. ‘We’ve decided to get married in uniform, ’cos if it weren’t for the ATS we might never have got together.’ Taking a large bite of toast, she pushed it into her cheek and continued to talk. ‘Have you spoken to the boys?’

  Ellie nodded. ‘We’ve not set anything in stone, but they know we’re here. Have you heard any more gossip about Aidan and Evie?’

  ‘Nope.’ Arla looked around, then spoke quietly. ‘Although we do think Evie’s seein’ someone else in a desperate bid to make Aidan jealous, but I’m not sure I believe it, mainly because the man she’s supposedly seeing … well, let’s just say Aidan wouldn’t be jealous, especially if he knew the facts. If anything it would make him run for the hills.’

  Ellie started to shake her head, then stopped abruptly. Leaning forward, she hissed, ‘Not a married man?’

  Arla nodded conspiratorially. ‘Although I daren’t say who, just in case I’m wrong. The repercussions …’

  ‘I bet it’s Sergeant Barton!’ said Gwen. ‘We thought she was seeing him in training, and remember how she was always wangling favours in Liverpool?’ She paused to pat Arla, who had started to choke, on the back. ‘Am I right?’

  Regaining her composure, Arla stared at Gwen. ‘Blimey, you’ve got no hairs on your tongue, have you? And yes, you’re right, but for goodness’ sake don’t go repeatin’ it to no one else. We haven’t got any proof. It’s just that they’ve been seen together, and why would he come all the way over here if nothin’ were goin’ on?’

  ‘Is Aidan seeing anyone else?’ Ellie asked.

  Arla shrugged. ‘Connor’s not mentioned owt, and if I’m honest I’d rather keep out of it. If you take my advice you’ll ask him directly. I spoke to him last night and he suggested that we pop round for a visit one afternoon.’

  Ellie turned to Gwen. ‘What do you think?’

  Gwen shrugged. ‘I’m easy, but I think it would be good if you saw Aidan as soon as possible, grasp the nettle before you change your mind.’

  ‘How about we go for a walk up there tomorrer mornin’?’ Arla suggested. ‘We can call in on the boys around lunchtime, and if they’re free we can go to the Jockey for summat to eat.’

  Taking a deep breath, Ellie nodded. ‘Sounds like a good idea. As Gwen’s already said, the sooner the better, before I get cold feet. Only let’s surprise them. That way, if I change my mind …’

  As they approached RAF Waddington, Ellie’s nerves started to get the better of her. Her fingers were twisting around themselves and her mind was beginning to race. It’s too soon, she thought. I’m not ready. I never should have let the girls persuade me; we should have left it until later in the week. I’d better tell Arla before … But it was too late. Arla was already chatting to the guard on the gate.

  ‘Wotcha, Benny. Have you seen the boys today? Only I’ve brought them a couple of surprise visitors.’

  ‘How do, Arla.’ Looking past Arla, he waved to Ellie and Gwen. ‘Who’re these fine-lookin’ ladies?’

  ‘These are my pals from Liverpool, Ellie and Gwen. Is it okay for us to go and see the Murrays?’

  He opened the gate. ‘Course it is. I bet the fellers will be pleased to have a bit of company.’

  Walking towards the small stone cottage, Ellie drew her friends to a halt. ‘It’s not a good time. I think we should go back; my mouth’s gone dry.’

  Gwen was having none of it. ‘Strike while the iron’s hot, there’s no time like the present … I can carry on if you like, but you know yourself that you’d only be puttin’ off the inevitable.’

  Whilst the two girls talked, Arla walked briskly to the cottage door and without pausing rapped a tattoo with the knocker. Ellie’s heart raced at the sound of approaching footsteps. Gwen laid a reassuring hand on her shoulder. ‘We’re with you, cariad. You’ll be fine.’

  The door was flung open and a rather flustered-looking Connor stood before them. As soon as his eyes met Ellie’s his face was wreathed in smiles. ‘Thank
goodness it’s you. Come on in.’

  Ellie hesitated. ‘Were you expecting someone else? We can always call back if it’s inconvenient.’

  ‘No, no, not at all—’ he began, only to be interrupted by Gwen.

  ‘Since when did you gain your wings? I didn’t know you’d passed muster,’ she said curiously.

  Standing back, he ushered the girls inside. Aidan, who had been lying on his bed, jumped to his feet and cleared the clothing from the chairs. ‘Sorry it’s a bit of a mess; we weren’t expecting company. Can I offer anyone a drink?’

  Her eyes narrowing, Arla folded her arms across her chest. ‘Never mind drinks … Gwen’s right, only I know full well you’ve not been promoted, Connor Murray, so I’m assuming you’re wearing your cousin’s uniform?’ She eyed him accusingly. ‘Come on, out with it, but you’d better make sure it’s the truth. I’ll know if you’re tellin’ me porkies!’

  Connor glanced at Aidan, who held up his hands. ‘This is nowt to do with me. I told him it was a bad idea from the start.’

  Taking a deep breath, Connor sat down on the end of Aidan’s bed. His voice pleading, he smiled sheepishly at the girls. ‘First, please don’t tell anyone. Aidan and I could get into a lot of trouble if someone found out, and it was never meant to go this far.’

  Ellie looked from one to the other, and seeing the grave concern on both faces she nodded. ‘You know we’d never tell on you, I’m sure you have your reasons, although I can’t think what they could be.’

  Connor exhaled. ‘It all started that first night when Aidan and me met you two in the NAAFI. I think I’d probably been there for about an hour when Evie came up to me at the bar. She started talking to me right away, and it was as if we’d known each other for years. She was full of smiles, and so friendly we had a rare old time, so much so that we arranged to meet the next day. It was only when she said goodnight and called me Aidan that I realised she’d been thinking I was him the whole evening. I know I should have put her right there and then, but I’d’ve felt a fool telling her she’d made a mistake.’ Connor, his face a picture of guilt, continued to explain himself to his small audience. ‘Within minutes of her leaving, Aidan came outside and I told him what had happened. He thought it was hilarious – said something about wondering where she’d disappeared to. Then he told me that she was one of those girls that’s only after officers. Of course that was me well and truly out of the running, but then I remembered that I’d arranged to meet her the following day. I asked Aidan what he would do and he said to come clean, turn up and see what happened. If she really liked me it wouldn’t matter how many wings I had, and if it did matter, then I was better off without her. But I really liked her, and didn’t want to mess things up so soon, so I persuaded him to lend me his uniform just for that one date.’

  Arla’s mouth twitched with amusement. ‘I think we all know where this is going.’

  Connor nodded miserably. ‘I met her in Aidan’s uniform, and we had a wonderful time. I took her to Lyons café for tea, then we went to the cinema and watched Gone with the Wind, everything was perfect, and when I asked if she’d like to meet again before I went home, I was delighted when she said yes. I thought she liked me enough not to care about my rank, but Aidan had been talking to some of the fellers on the station and they had warned him about the trail of Evie’s men who’d seen the error of their ways. The more we talked the more I realised that the relationship was doomed. I told Aidan that I’d meet her anyway and explain what I’d done, but Aidan was worried that she might be angry that I’d played a trick on her and cause a lot of trouble for us both. He said there was no sense in rocking the boat when we were leaving at the end of the week, so I may as well borrow his uniform for that last meeting and when we left Liverpool I could just let things peter out.’

  ‘Only she got drafted to Lincoln …’ Ellie began, trying to keep the smile from her face.

  He nodded miserably. ‘I thought I’d got off scot free until she arrived in Waddington. I made lots of excuses, but she wouldn’t listen. What’s worse, she’s turned into a real whinge bag. I tell you something for nothin’: once you get past those big blue eyes there’s nothing but a thorny nest. Especially for someone like me who hasn’t got the money to take her to fancy places.’

  ‘I take it you were on your way to see her just now?’ said Gwen, who had been sitting in silent fascination on the end of Connor’s bed.

  ‘I thought I’d pop over and tell her I was leaving for Africa and that I had no intention of carrying on a long-distance relationship, but she’d gone into the city with one of her friends.’

  Ellie shook her head. ‘What a tangled web we weave when first we practise to deceive. Africa indeed! Haven’t you learned anything? What if someone sees you around Lincoln, what will you say then?’

  ‘Aha! But this time I’m not lying,’ Connor said, with a satisfied grin. ‘We really are off to Africa. Not for a while, I admit, but there’s no point in carrying on with a—’ Seeing Ellie’s face, he stopped abruptly. ‘Are you all right, Ellie?’

  Ellie was staring at Aidan, her eyes rounding. ‘But you can’t. It’s too dangerous. When will you be back?’

  Aidan shrugged. ‘Depends how long we’re needed, but I shouldn’t think we’ll be back for a year at least. That’s why—’

  Ellie ran outside.

  Aidan gaped at Arla. ‘What’s up with her?’

  Rolling her eyes, she pointed to the door. ‘What do you think? She doesn’t want you to go, you twerp. Now go after her.’

  ‘Hang on a mo—’ Connor began, only to be hushed into silence by the two women.

  Cautiously, Aidan peered round the corner of the door. Ellie was leaning against the wall of the cottage, her hands covering her face. Closing the door softly behind him, he put a hand on her shoulder. ‘We’re not off for a while yet, so we’ve plenty of time before we need to say t.t.f.n.’

  Ellie stared up at him, her face streaked with tears. Pulling a handkerchief from his pocket, he began to gently wipe the tears away, but stopped midway when Ellie placed her hand over his. ‘You don’t understand. I don’t want you to go at all, not ever, I thought you were with Evie, you see …’ Her voice trailed off as she tried to find the words.

  Placing a finger under her chin, he looked into her eyes. ‘No, I don’t understand. I thought you didn’t want a relationship with me. You never denied it.’

  Ellie sniffed. ‘Denied what?’

  ‘When Evie said you were annoyed that she thought we were together.’

  Ellie knitted her brows. ‘But we weren’t together, and the way she put it she made it sound seedy somehow, and that’s not how I see you.’

  ‘I should hope not!’ He looked into her eyes. ‘So are you saying that you wouldn’t be utterly repulsed by the thought of us getting together?’

  Ellie sniffed as she giggled. ‘No, of course I wouldn’t, but what about all those beautiful women like Evie who would willingly be seen on your arm?’

  ‘Women like Evie are ten a penny, but I don’t want a woman like Evie. You’re the one I want.’ Smiling into her upturned face, he gently brushed her hair back. ‘What I’m trying to say is, will you be my girl?’

  Ellie’s heart sang. ‘Of course I will.’

  With a small whoop of joy, he lifted her up and swung her round before gently placing her back down, only before her feet could touch the ground his mouth had met hers and Ellie, who had never been properly kissed before, felt as though she was going to melt into a puddle. His soft lips were gentle yet firm, and his green eyes burned with passion.

  There was the sound of someone clearing their throat. It was Connor. ‘I’m pleased for you both, of course, and I did try to stop you before you left, but I think you should put on more clothes to go outside than your vest and pants, pal.’

  Looking down, Aidan chuckled. ‘Blimey! Let’s get inside before tongues start wagging.’

  With little time to spare before the boys were back on duty,
the group headed into Lincoln to celebrate the new relationship between Ellie and Aidan. ‘How about we go for a drink in the Wine Vault first, and then a meal in the Saracen’s Head?’ Aidan said, clutching Ellie’s hand tightly in his.

  After the Wine Vault Gwen, Arla and Connor had offered to let the other two have some time alone, but Aidan and Ellie had both refused. ‘This is the start of our life together, and we want our friends with us to celebrate,’ Aidan said as they headed for the Saracen’s Head. ‘Besides, I’m planning to take Ellie for a look around Lincoln on Thursday, then nip over to Waddington for a meal in the Horse and Jockey, followed by a lazy stroll down by the river.’ He looked across at Gwen. ‘I hope you don’t mind. I’m sure you didn’t exactly plan on coming here just to have Ellie whisked away from you.’

  ‘Shows what you know. That was my plan all along.’ She winked at Ellie. ‘Besides, Arla and Connor will keep me company. I’m sure there’s plenty to do in Lincoln. We could go dancing.’

  Arla nodded. ‘My Archie can come too. That way no one feels left out.’

  As they walked through the entrance to the hotel, Gwen pointed to a solitary figure coming down the stairs. ‘Blimey. Fancy seein’ her here!’

  Ellie hastily grasped hold of Gwen’s elbow to tow her away before they were spotted by the approaching Evie, but she was too late. ‘What the hell are you doing here?’ Evie hissed, her face reddening.

  A man who had been descending the stairs behind her appeared to change his mind halfway down. Turning, he had started to go back up when Gwen called out, ‘Sergeant Barton, what are you doing here?’ She looked accusingly at Evie. ‘How many more have you got up there?’

  Sergeant Barton froze mid-step before changing his mind yet again and heading down once more. Standing beside Evie, he smiled awkwardly. ‘Lancton, Jones, what a coincidence this is.’

  Evie pointed an accusing finger at Connor. ‘Why are you wearing an air gunner’s uniform?’ Her eyes darted from him to Aidan and back again, and then, her voice sharp, she did not attempt to hide her anger. ‘What the hell’s going on? And why has he been wearin’ your uniform?’