The Secrets of Latimer House

by Jules Wake

  ‘You’re going to have to keep reminding me of that. My knees are shaking at the thought of facing everyone.’

  ‘Yes,’ said Judith, going to link her arm through Betty’s, ‘but you’re not going to be on your own. We’ll be with you.’

  ‘Promise?’

  ‘Absolutely,’ said Evelyn, moving forward to link with Betty’s other arm, so that they both flanked her.

  ‘Always,’ said Judith. ‘I promise we won’t leave you.’

  ‘Oh God, I’m going to cry again. I’ve turned into a terrible watering pot. Why are you two so nice? What did I do to deserve friends like you?’

  ‘I told you before, you have die Helligkeit.’

  Betty gave a soft laugh. ‘You talk rubbish but I’m going to believe you, otherwise I’ll never get out of here. And thank you for rescuing my dress; I will wear it. In the hospital I never wanted to see it again, but life goes on. And I spent eleven flipping clothing coupons on it.’

  They all laughed.

  ‘What about you, Judith? What will you wear?’ Betty began to look her up and down and Judith cringed at the business-like assessment. She could tell Betty was going to attempt to make her over again. ‘I never thought about it. I don’t have a dress.’

  ‘I have just the thing,’ said Evelyn with sudden enthusiasm, and she ran to the trunk nestled in the corner of the room and began to rummage, before pulling out a black polka dot-dress in a shiny fabric with a full skirt. She thrust it at Judith before she could say no.

  As soon as her fingers closed over the soft, rich material, any thought of saying no went up in smoke. She’d never worn anything as beautiful or stylish like it in her life.

  ‘Are you sure? It’s very glamorous.’ Judith stroked the dress, unable to help herself. Her clothes had always been serviceable and practical. This was like something out of a fashion magazine. She was almost too scared to say yes.

  ‘Try it on,’ urged Evelyn.

  ‘Oh yes, that neckline will be perfect on you,’ said Betty with sudden animation. ‘And if we put your hair up in a roll, it will show off your neck and shoulders beautifully, and a bit of lipstick.’

  Judith gave Betty a rueful smile, rolling her eyes. ‘I knew you were going to start.’

  ‘You love it really. I bet Walther liked it when I did it for you last time.’

  ‘I liked it and that’s what counts.’ She blushed because Walther had liked it and she’d enjoyed his quick appreciation.

  ‘What are you going to wear, Evelyn?’ asked Betty.

  ‘I thought this.’ With a flourish, she pulled out a glorious, almost floor-length, bias-cut, shot-silk dress in a deep shade of pink with tiny cap sleeves. The delicate fabric swished through the air, as light as gossamer, and Judith could imagine it flaring out on the dance floor. ‘If we’re going to be late, we might as well make an entrance. We’ll be the belles of the ball.’

  Judith gulped. She’d never been the belle of anything but she was willing to give it a try.

  ‘Let’s do it.’

  ‘Half an hour, ladies,’ declared Evelyn and the three of them began to scramble out of their clothes to get ready.

  ‘Are you sure this is the right place?’ asked Betty as they drove up to where they had been directed by the guard on the gate. He’d said that the block at the far side of the car park was the entertainment hall and they couldn’t miss it, and have a dance for him as he wasn’t off duty for another couple of hours.

  ‘It must be,’ said Evelyn, killing the engine.

  Even Judith frowned; there was no sign of life anywhere apart from a few military jeeps in the car park.

  ‘It’s always difficult to tell with black-out blinds in place.’ Evelyn had already stepped out of the car.

  ‘But I can’t hear any music,’ said Betty, leaning out of the passenger door. ‘Not that I’m supposed to be dancing.’

  Judith got out and tilted her head, straining to hear and then, there, on the edge of the breeze, a very faint beat. ‘I can hear something.’

  ‘Gosh, I hope it was worth coming,’ said Betty, shaking out her skirt as she stood up. ‘After all the effort I went to, to get this dress.’ She grinned at the other two. ‘Doesn’t sound much of a party.’

  ‘Well, we’ll liven it up,’ said Evelyn. ‘Come on.’

  The three of them carefully picked their way across the car park to the long, low building. Across the field they could see the dark-green hangars, sheltering the planes from overhead observation, and the white control tower.

  As they drew closer the sound of the music rose but even so, Judith frowned. It didn’t sound like a live band to her.

  When they opened the door to a small lobby area, an American soldier jumped to his feet from a wooden chair just inside, and it was almost comical the way that the hope on his face faded away as if the sight of the three of them was a huge disappointment.

  ‘Hello,’ said Betty with her usual bright smile, ignoring his change of expression. ‘We’re here for the dance.’

  ‘Gee, sorry, ladies, welcome to USAF Bovingdon. I’d really like to have given you a warmer welcome. I was kinda hoping you were the rest of the band arriving. We’re missing a piano player and one of the singers. They ain’t arrived yet.’ He pulled a ghoulish face, ‘We’re relying on the Squadron Commander’s gramophone at the moment.’ Then he brightened as took in the sight of all three of them in their finery. ‘But you’re most welcome, ladies, and don’t worry, folks are still having a good time. Come join the party.’

  He led them across the lobby to a set of double doors. ‘The party’s through here. Have a good time, ladies.’ The three of them hovered by the door for a second and Judith noticed that despite her earlier bravery, Betty hung back, ducking her head a little. It had to be so hard facing the world for the first time. Judith reached out and gave her arm a squeeze. ‘You can do this. We’re with you. Remember, you have die Helligkeit.’

  Betty let out a nervous laugh. ‘I think you made that word up to make me feel better.’

  ‘Tell her, Evelyn.’ Judith nudged her.

  ‘It’s a real word. And we’re here with you. We’re not going anywhere.’

  ‘I know, I’m a bit… It’s like all the butterflies in my stomach have gone into battle and my knees have forgotten what they’re supposed to do.’

  ‘We’re the belles of the ball, remember,’ said Evelyn, linking arms with her as Judith did the same on the other side.

  The three of them walked into the room, which had been dressed up with cheerful bunting and flags hanging everywhere, along with a glitter ball hanging from the ceiling, bouncing tiny glittering flashes all around the walls. Despite the rather magical effect of the flickering light, the mood inside was a little sombre and Judith sighed and lifted her chin. They’d made all this effort to get here, and she was determined they were going to have fun. The three of them had made a pact – to enjoy themselves for all the women that couldn’t.

  ‘It’s a bit sad,’ volunteered Betty as she looked around the room, pleased to see that without exception, all of the women were dressed to the nines, their hair immaculately arranged, wearing slim-fitting dresses with sharp shoulder pads and short sleeves in bright, solid colours. Most people were standing around the edge of the dance floor and while a few brave souls were making an effort to dance to the tune that was playing on the gramophone, far more were grouped in round-shouldered huddles. Freddie, who’d obviously been looking out for Evelyn, immediately crossed the dance floor, not even bothering to heed the sparse dancers as he barged his way through.

  ‘Bit of a washout,’ he muttered as he came to stand in front of them, his gaze zeroing in on Evelyn, not even acknowledging the other two. With a twinge of sympathy Judith eyed him; he clearly adored Evelyn and had no idea that her heart was already taken.

  ‘Freddie, nice to see you. These are my friends, Judith and Betty.’

  Freddie, realising that he’d been gently reminded of his manners, immediate
ly turned and included both of them in his wide smile. ‘I do apologise, ladies. Very nice to meet you.’ Judith gave him credit for gamely ignoring the train track of stitches cutting into Betty’s forehead and the white dressing covering her cheek, as he averted his eyes almost immediately. Although that might have been because he had eyes for no one but Evelyn. ‘It’s a shame that the band haven’t turned up. They’ve played all three dance records three times. It’s wearing a bit thin.’

  ‘Oh dear,’ said Evelyn, glancing around the room. ‘People do seem a bit cheesed off.’

  ‘Everyone’s been looking forward to it for so long.’ Betty peeped around the room, still keeping her head down, which Judith didn’t really blame her for. ‘What a shame.’

  It was a shame, for everyone, not just the three of them who had screwed up their courage to come. Everyone at CSDIC worked so hard, the workload had been relentless for the last three months. Judith caught sight of some of the ATS girls from her section. She remembered their excited chatter over tea a few days before. No wonder they looked so disappointed. Judith would never forget how wonderful it had been to dance with Betty and Evelyn at Evelyn’s home. If she were completely honest with herself, she’d been looking forward to having another go, looking forward to enjoying that rush of happiness.

  Judith glanced across the floor and could see the band clustered together in a group by the makeshift stage like lost souls. Walther was standing with them, holding, of all things, a saxophone.

  That was his surprise. Of course. He was so musical, why hadn’t she ever asked him if he played an instrument? Guilt pricked at her when she thought of all the questions he’d asked about her, and her own reticence. Had she shown so little interest in his life? She really didn’t deserve him. It was time she took charge of her life, stopped hiding and started living.

  With sudden decision, she grabbed Betty’s arm. ‘Come on.’

  ‘What are you doing?’

  ‘Taking charge. And starting the dancing.’

  ‘But I’m not supposed to dance unless it’s very gentle.’

  ‘We’re not dancing. We’re going to play and sing. Come on.’ Judith caught the eye of Evelyn, who gave her a slow nod and a big smile before mouthing, ‘Perfect.’

  ‘But I can’t.’ Betty’s hand went protectively to her face. ‘I can’t sing in front of all these people.’

  ‘Yes, you can,’ said Evelyn, flanking Betty’s other side.

  ‘It’ll get it out of the way,’ said Judith a touch ruthlessly. ‘It’s for your own good.’

  Even Evelyn looked at her with surprise while Betty stared at her, pursed her mouth and then rolled her eyes, her mouth touched by the faintest of smiles. ‘Who knew you’d turn into such a bossy boots? What the heck. Why not? In for a penny. Everyone’s dying for a gander. You’re right, this will get it over with. They can all have a good gawp. I’ve got nothing to hide.’

  ‘Atta girl,’ said Evelyn. ‘And they’re going to be so bowled over by your voice, they probably won’t even notice.’

  ‘I think that’s doing it a bit too brown, Evelyn darling,’ said Betty, rolling her eyes again. ‘But I appreciate that both of you are trying to help. But you’re right. I’m going to have face them all at some point. At least, if I make a complete fool of myself, they’ll feel sorry for me rather than booing me off the stage.’

  ‘Exactly.’ Judith grinned at her, unexpected confidence blooming inside her. ‘Come on.’ She grabbed Betty’s arm and towed her with mulish strides across the dance floor, as if daring anyone to get in her way. When she came face to face with the group of musicians milling around the front of the stage, looking to all the world like lost sheep, she pushed her way through to the middle, pulling Betty with her and Evelyn following. Walther, standing with his back to her, turned and his eyebrows rose in surprise. ‘Judith.’

  ‘Walther.’

  She stared at the instrument. ‘You didn’t tell me you played.’

  ‘I … I wanted to surprise you. But I didn’t think you were coming.’

  ‘I’m sorry.’ She held out a hand and touched his fingers resting on the keys of the saxophone. ‘It took me a while to come to my senses. Can you forgive me?’

  ‘Always,’ he said and she knew that he meant it and no further apology was necessary, because he was that sort of man.

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘Well, now you’re here, perhaps you could make yourself useful.’

  She grinned at him and just like that, no further conversation was needed. He turned to the other band members.

  ‘Everyone, this is Judith, she’s one heck of a pianist.’

  ‘You are?’ asked one of the men. ‘Hallelujah!’

  With a modest smile, Judith shrugged. ‘I can play a few things and Betty here can sing one,’ she paused at the unfamiliar word, ‘heck of a tune. Our repertoire is limited and we’re not particularly polished but,’ she paused and then said with no small amount of pride, ‘I think we can liven things up.’

  Walther gave her a second look, his eyes twinkling. Taking charge of things was … actually it was rather wonderful.

  He winked at her. ‘I don’t know. I’ve heard you play. I think you’ve got a few tunes in your sleeve.’

  ‘Do you need to warm up or anything?’ asked one of the band, looking very relieved. ‘Because if we don’t get started soon, we might get lynched.’

  Betty lifted her shoulders, an alarmed question in her eyes as she sought Judith’s. ‘Are you sure? This is a big crowd.’

  ‘And you have a big voice. Remember the hospital. They loved it. This is going to be a breeze and we’ve got a band to hide behind.’ Several of the musicians nodded and Betty shot Judith a swift, resigned smile.

  ‘Right-ho. In for a penny, in for a pound.’

  ‘Right.’ Judith quickly gave the band a rundown of what she and Betty could play and they quickly agreed which songs they would play and in what order.

  ‘We’re really doing this?’ asked Betty, looking around the room. So far no one had noticed them or the little buzz around the musicians, all of whom had straightened up from their drooping postures as if they’d been switched back on.

  ‘Yes.’ Judith put her shoulders back. ‘Let’s play some music.’ The musicians began to file up the steps on the left of the stage and she followed them, waiting halfway up the stairs for Betty to follow.

  Betty hovered on the bottom step, her teeth catching her bottom lip. Evelyn was standing beside her.

  ‘We can do this,’ urged Judith. ‘But you don’t have to if you really don’t want to.’

  With a small huffed-out laugh, Betty shook her head. ‘I don’t want to, but I have to.’

  She and Evelyn followed Judith up onto the stage where the piano sat beside the microphone on the stand. There was a growing hush among the crowd as they realised that there was movement on the stage.

  ‘I’ll be right beside you,’ promised Judith.

  ‘And I’ll be in the wings,’ said Evelyn. ‘Look at me if you need to.’

  ‘I know, but I’m scared.’

  ‘Of course you are.’ Evelyn took both of her hands and squeezed them. ‘But I promise you, every single person in this room will be on your side. You can do this.’

  Betty narrowed one visible eye to give Evelyn a rueful look as Judith sat down at the piano. ‘If I bomb, I’m blaming you and you have to lend me that dress.’

  Evelyn laughed. ‘Atta girl. I’ll give you this dress.’

  ‘Seriously?’

  Evelyn nodded. ‘Why not?’

  Betty looked over at Judith. ‘What are you waiting for?’

  With a laugh and a roll of her eyes, Judith sat down at the piano stool.

  ‘Hey, I’m still as frivolous and shallow as I ever was. This doesn’t change it.’ Betty tapped her face.

  ‘You’re not any of those things,’ said Judith softly. ‘You’re a part of the Stern and Connors duo and we’re about to bring the house down.’

>   ‘Connors and Stern, I think you’ll find,’ teased Betty, lifting her nose and sniffing.

  ‘Whatever, girls, but the band is ready.’ Evelyn nodded towards the other musicians who’d all climbed back on stage. Judith realised that the brass players and the drummer were waiting for her signal.

  ‘Right-ho. Let’s do this.’ Feeling nerves and excitement thrumming through her, she gave a brief nod and the drummer counted three on his sticks and, as if they’d been practising together for months, they launched with gusto into ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’. As one the whole crowd straightened, as if an electric current had raced around the room, and in seconds the dance floor began to fill. Judith’s fingers danced across the keys, her heart in her throat as she watched Betty waiting for the intro to finish. She needn’t have worried, Betty launched into song exactly on cue and the electricity in the room spiked even higher. Suddenly the entire atmosphere transformed, the lethargy replaced with burning-bright energy as uniformed men grabbed partners to spin and twirl. The room came alive, the mirror ball spinning, refracting a kaleidoscope of light over the dancers’ brightly coloured dresses, as limbs and bodies whirled and twirled, brilliant smiles and joyful laughter lighting up the place instantly.

  Judith beamed, happy to see the sheer delight on the dancers’ faces. She glanced over at Betty and almost stopped playing. It was as if the other woman had blossomed right in front of her. Gone was the shy, diffident, ducked head; now she stood bold and strong, singing out at the audience, her voice soaring clear and bright. The Helligkeit was back. Betty’s confidence burgeoned before her eyes. By the second verse, Betty faced the crowd and was flirtatiously hamming it up, playing up to the audience as if she were one of the Andrews Sisters herself.

  Judith thought she might burst with pride and happiness. How had she forgotten the pleasure of playing to an audience? It gave her so much joy. It was as if she’d been lit from the inside. She’d missed this. When she surreptitiously glanced over at Walther, who was playing the saxophone, his eyes met hers and she couldn’t help beaming at him. There was something about playing in harmony with other people that couldn’t be matched. With a burst of euphoria, she realised this was genuine happiness and it felt wonderful.