Spitfire Girl

by Lily Baxter

  Susan recovered quickly and her enthusiasm for flying was even greater after the accident than it had been before. She had had a taste of aviation and it had left her hungry for more. Her desire to conquer the air had won Elspeth’s approval. So much so that when the Moth was repaired and restored to its owner, thanks to Cyril Colby’s intervention and the possible pulling of a few strings at the Air Ministry, Elspeth offered to take her up again. Perhaps it was a test of her nerve, but Susan leapt at the chance, and when Elspeth allowed her to take over the controls she was at once terrified and elated. She had studied the manual that Tony had given her until she knew it word for word, and she discovered to her delight that she was a natural pilot, even earning praise from Elspeth. In spite of all her obvious faults, Susan found that she was beginning to admire her employer. At times she almost liked her, but then Elspeth would have a tantrum or make a catty remark that destroyed her credibility as a nice person. She was also quite ruthless in her pursuit of Colin.

  At first, Susan had thought that it was Colin who was chasing Elspeth, but as the year progressed and spring evolved into summer, she began to realise that it was Elspeth who dictated the running in the affair. She alternately charmed, wheedled and bullied the men in her life, and that also included her father and Patrick. Elspeth was spoilt, selfish and arrogant, but Susan had a sneaking admiration for the single-minded way she went about getting what she wanted. Added to that, Elspeth was fearless in the air and Susan suspected that she was only truly happy when she was flying her aeroplane.

  The chalet next to the hangar where the Moth was kept was Elspeth’s hideaway. It was where she went when she wanted to be alone or when she decided that she would allow Colin to come and spend an afternoon with her. He telephoned almost every day and sometimes she would speak to him and at other times she refused, instructing Susan to say that she was otherwise engaged. She seemed to be playing a cat and mouse game with him, but occasionally he arrived unexpectedly and demanded to see her. The ensuing row could be heard throughout the house and probably outside too. Mrs Harper seemed used to such goings-on and merely shrugged her shoulders. Susan was upset and worried at first, especially when she had to clear up the china figurines and glass ashtrays that Elspeth had hurled at her lover’s head. Gradually as the summer wore on it became part of her job and she was able to ignore the screams and shouts, often followed by the sound of enthusiastic love-making that shook the ancient floorboards.

  That summer Susan divided her time almost equally between the pub and the Petersons’ house. She had become close to Roz, listening to her confidences with growing anxiety as the affair with Patrick became more intense and their feelings for each other were ever more difficult to conceal. Almost every afternoon, if he could get away from the surgery, Patrick met Roz at the riverside cottage. On these occasions Roz shimmered with happiness like a diamond sparkling in the sunlight, but on the days when they were apart, for whatever reason, she found it hard to raise a smile. At first her father seemed to think that she was sickening for something, and at other times he quizzed Susan anxiously, asking if anyone in the bar had upset his beloved daughter. She found herself caught up in the middle, and it was not a comfortable place to be.

  Susan grew to rely more and more on Tony’s cheerful company as an antidote to the intrigue and deception that surrounded her. She suspected that he visited the pub with the intention of seeing Roz rather than herself, but she had long given up all ideas of romance. She had seen first hand how complicated life could be when someone fell in love with the wrong person, and she had no intention of becoming a victim. She managed to convince herself that Tony was the big brother that she had always longed for. Sometimes, on the long summer evenings when she had finished her chores, she joined Tony and Danny in the beer garden. She drank shandy and laughed at their jokes. It had been a poor summer generally, but there were occasional warm nights when the air was scented with roses and honeysuckle, and it was good to be alive, despite the threat of air raids and the grim stories in the newspapers and on the wireless.

  Despite the terrible bombing that London had sustained during the winter and spring the shop in Swiss Cottage had been spared. Susan had written to Dave soon after she settled in with the Fullers. She had thanked him sincerely for everything that he had done for her and apologised for leaving in such a hurry. He had written back to say that he understood perfectly and was relieved to know that she was safe and well, and to keep in touch. It had been a huge weight off her mind, and she never revealed the true reason for leaving London to Tony. She kept quiet about Colin’s involvement with Elspeth, although she suspected that he already knew or at least suspected that his fellow officer was having an affair with Patrick’s wife. Everything was so complicated, and Susan had to continually watch what she said in case she let something slip. The only time she could completely relax was when she took Charlie for long walks by the river, although there was the ever present threat of air raids on Southampton or the airfield. Danger was always lurking just around the corner.

  The only place she felt completely safe was in the air, and she had Elspeth to thank for that. Somehow, and probably thanks to her rich and influential father, Elspeth had enough fuel to take the Moth up whenever she felt so inclined. It was probably highly illegal but it was not Susan’s problem, and she always jumped at the chance when Elspeth offered to give her a flying lesson. It seemed to please her that Susan was so enthusiastic and was proving to be a good student.

  At the end of a particularly enjoyable flight Elspeth had allowed Susan to take the controls for the landing. Her heart was hammering away inside her chest and the blood racing through her veins as she concentrated on the task in hand, but she managed to land the Moth with barely a jolt. As they climbed out of the cockpits Elspeth took off her helmet. ‘That was well done. You’re a quick learner, Susan,’ she said, smiling. ‘An apt pupil.’

  ‘I’ve had a good teacher, Mrs Peterson.’

  ‘Yes. I’m the best. You’re a lucky girl.’ Elspeth headed for the chalet. ‘I’m going away for a couple of weeks, Susan. I want you to check on the Moth every day, and make sure that everything is okay.’

  ‘Of course.’ Susan hurried after her. ‘Are you going somewhere nice?’

  ‘White Waltham.’ Elspeth glanced at her over her shoulder. ‘You know what that is, don’t you?’

  ‘Yes,’ Susan said breathlessly. ‘The women’s branch of the ATA is stationed there.’

  ‘Keep this under your hat, but I’m going to join up. My friend Pauline suggested it ages ago. I only hesitated because Patrick and my father were dead against it.’ She let herself into the chalet, tossing her helmet and gloves onto the sofa. ‘However, I’ve decided to do what I want for a change.’ She went to the side table and poured herself a stiff gin, adding a splash of tonic water. ‘I won’t offer you one, since you’re under age. How old are you exactly, Susan?’

  ‘I’m nearly nineteen, Mrs Peterson. My birthday is next month.’

  ‘August. So you’re a Leo.’

  ‘No. I’m a Virgo.’

  Elspeth threw back her head and laughed. ‘A little virgin. Of course, I should have guessed.’

  Susan stared at her, baffled. ‘Sorry?’

  ‘Take no notice of me, my dear. Astrology is one of my interests. I believe that our lives are ruled by the stars. I know mine is.’ She gulped her drink. ‘It’s a short life, make every second count. That’s my motto.’

  Susan slipped off her borrowed Sidcot suit. ‘Will there be anything else today, ma’am?’

  Elspeth downed the last of her drink and poured another. ‘No. That will be all. I’m leaving first thing in the morning, so I’ll see you in a couple of weeks’ time.’ She turned away, and Susan found herself dismissed. As she walked slowly back to the house she realised that now she had another secret to keep. She had promised not to tell anyone of Elspeth’s plans, and that must include Roz. Although they were now more like sisters than mere friends, Susan k
new that Roz would be unable to keep anything from Patrick, especially if it concerned his wife. Whether it was born of jealousy or resentment, Roz made it obvious that she hated Elspeth with a passion. Susan was fairly certain that the feeling was mutual, although she sometimes doubted whether Elspeth felt anything deeply, other than her love of flying and her adoration of the Moth. It might be a structure made largely of wood, glue and canvas, but to Elspeth it was a living, breathing entity. The Moth was the true love of her life and flying her obsession.

  With Elspeth away, having informed everyone that she was going to stay with an old school friend in Gloucestershire for a fortnight, Susan had little to do in the big house. Mrs Harper was taking a well-earned rest as Patrick used the excuse of his wife’s absence to eat at the pub every day. Roz could not have been happier as she made preparations for the party to celebrate her twentieth birthday. When she realised that she and Susan had been born on the same day and only a year apart, she doubled her efforts to make it a day to remember.

  Susan was delighted but also a little nervous. Birthdays had been low key affairs at the children’s home, marked by a single present from the house mother, and greetings cards made by her special friends. There had been a cake of sorts with the requisite number of candles and a special tea, consisting mainly of jam sandwiches, sticky buns and jelly, which was a great treat. Susan was not prepared for the sort of party that Roz had in mind, although her efforts were hampered greatly by rationing which was becoming stricter with each passing month.

  However, nothing was going to stop Roz from putting up bunting in the pub garden and persuading her father to provide free beer and sandwiches for their guests. Finding enough ingredients for a birthday cake was quite a problem, but Susan remembered a pudding that she had enjoyed in the orphanage, and although she did not have a recipe, she made what they used to laughingly call navvies’ wedding cake. As far as she could work out, this had consisted mainly of stale bread, soaked in milk, to which was added cinnamon, mixed spices, sugar, dried fruit, and beaten egg. The aromatic mixture was baked in a roasting tin, and at the home it would have been cut into squares and served warm with custard. It was a stodgy but filling favourite amongst the children. She could not afford to experiment and so she crossed her fingers, hoping that the improvised recipe would work. The end result smelt appetising, and when decorated with some of the tapers used to light the gas stove cut down and used as candles it looked suitably festive, even if it was heavy enough to sink the proverbial battleship. Susan finished it off with a red ribbon tied in a bow.

  Roz had spent a couple of hours getting ready for the big event and she left it until the bar was packed with guests and customers before making a grand entrance. She wafted into the bar wearing a low-cut crimson satin gown that flattered her curvaceous figure and made all the men stare at her open-mouthed. She tugged at the décolletage, turning to Susan with a worried frown. ‘Is my neckline too low?’

  Susan smiled. ‘Don’t worry about it. You look super.’

  Roz tugged at her bodice again. ‘I seem to have put on weight up top.’ She indicated the swell of her breasts. ‘I can’t think why.’

  Susan was about to reassure her when she remembered Flossie Boxer, a girl at the children’s home who was not the brightest soul in the world, and had a habit of showing her knickers to the boys. One day when the girls were taking their daily shower someone had pointed to the fact that Flossie’s boobies were getting bigger, and her tummy looked as though she had swallowed a football. The house mother had overheard the conversation and Flossie had been whipped off to the sanatorium. The shocking news had flown around the establishment in a series of Chinese whispers that had poor Flossie blown up like a barrage balloon and finally popped with a pin. The truth had come out later that Flossie had given birth to a bouncing baby boy in a home for unmarried mothers. What happened to her after that had been pure conjecture.

  ‘I’m talking to you, Susan,’ Roz said impatiently. ‘You were miles away.’

  She came back to the present with a start. It must have been making the wretched cake that had stirred up childhood memories. ‘Sorry. What did you say?’

  ‘Do you think I should go upstairs and change into something less – revealing?’

  Susan was about to answer when the pub door opened and Patrick breezed in. His face lit up when he saw Roz. ‘Wow. You look beautiful tonight, Miss Fuller. Happy birthday.’ He fished in his jacket pocket and took out an oblong jeweller’s box. He presented it to her with a flourish. ‘For you.’

  Susan was uncomfortably aware that they were being watched. She had heard whispers in the village shops concerning Roz and Patrick, but the conversations had always ceased abruptly when her presence was noted. She knew it was only a matter of time before the rumours reached Elspeth. She glanced anxiously at Roz, who was beaming with delight as she unwrapped the gift. Her long, dark lashes fluttered and her generous mouth widened in a smile as she took a gold locket from its velvet bed. She held it by the slender golden chain and her eyes shone as she leaned across the bar to kiss Patrick on the cheek.

  Susan heard a gasp ripple round the women guests and saw the knowing nods and winks exchanged by their partners. ‘Roz,’ she said in a low voice. ‘Everybody’s looking at you.’

  Roz tossed her head and her shining hair swung about her shoulders in a dark cloud. She looked like a film star, there was no denying it. Love and happiness had made her beautiful and Patrick was her slave. His expression was one of open adoration and Susan half expected him to leap across the bar and take her in his arms. She nudged Roz in the ribs. ‘Your dad’s coming.’

  She slipped the pendant back in its box and thrust it into Susan’s hand. ‘I love it, Patrick,’ she murmured. ‘But I’d best keep it out of sight for a bit.’

  He nodded, still keeping his eyes fixed on her face as if he could not bear to look away. ‘I understand.’ He mouthed the word ‘darling’ before turning to greet Bob who had walked into the bar. ‘Good evening, squire. What will you have to drink? I gather we’re celebrating two birthdays today.’ He winked at Susan. ‘Happy birthday, Mrs Mopp.’

  ‘Thank you, Patrick.’ She smiled. It was impossible to be cross with him for long. He was obviously head over heels in love with Roz and she with him, but it seemed as though they had no idea of the trouble they would be in if her suspicions were confirmed and Roz was indeed pregnant. She slipped the gift box into the pocket of her apron. She had not yet had time to change into her one and only good frock, but she was well aware that she would look like a sparrow compared to Roz’s bird of paradise plumage, but she did not care. They might share a birthday but this was Roz’s night.

  ‘I’m here now, Susan,’ Bob said, lifting the hatch and joining them behind the counter. ‘Go upstairs and put your glad rags on, love. It’s your party too. No work for you tonight. You’ve done enough today.’ He held the hatch, giving her a means of escape.

  ‘Thanks, Bob.’ She flashed him a grateful smile and was about to head to the kitchen when Tony and Danny burst in through the pub door.

  ‘Happy birthday, Susan.’ Tony caught her round the waist and kissed her on her lips. He held her rather longer than was necessary, looking deeply into her eyes until Danny pushed him aside.

  ‘My turn, if we’re in the kissing game.’ He planted a kiss on Susan’s mouth.

  She drew back wrinkling her nose. Danny was a smoker and his kiss tasted of stale tobacco. Susan’s heart had quickened a beat when Tony embraced her, but she drew away from Danny, embarrassed by the sudden physical contact. With Tony there was still that indescribable tug of attraction that she had felt the first time they met. She mumbled an excuse and hurried from the room to the quiet of the kitchen where Charlie, now fully grown, lay curled up with his good friend Orlando. She smiled at the sight of the marmalade cat and the yellow dog, matched like cushions on a sofa, with all their animosities forgotten. She did not think that would have happened with Binkie-Boo; never in a milli
on years.

  She picked up the large platter of Spam sandwiches and with it still wrapped in a damp tea towel to prevent the crusts from curling up, she carried it carefully into the bar. She arrived just as Elspeth walked into the pub looking cool and elegant in a slim-fitting white linen dress with a scarlet belt that emphasised her tiny waist. Her hair was brushed up into a sleek victory roll and she looked like a fashion plate. Susan hesitated, watching in some trepidation as Elspeth walked slowly towards the bar. The crowd parted to let her through. She might, Susan thought, have been the Queen of Sheba processing through a gathering of devoted subjects. There was complete silence apart from the tip-tapping of her high-heeled sandals on the quarry tiles as she sashayed towards her husband.

  ‘Elspeth,’ Patrick said, making an obvious effort to sound pleased. ‘I wasn’t expecting you back tonight.’

  ‘Obviously, darling,’ Elspeth drawled, fixing her gaze on Roz. ‘I can see why you wouldn’t want your wife cramping your style.’

  ‘Elspeth, this isn’t the time or place …’

  She held up a gloved hand. ‘I realise that, darling.’ She turned her limpid gaze on her audience. ‘What man would want his wife present at the birthday party of his mistress?’

  A gasp rippled round the room. Men and women alike seemed frozen to the spot, gaping at Elspeth in horror. She turned slowly to face Roz. ‘His pregnant mistress, unless I’m very much mistaken.’

  Chapter Fourteen

  The colour drained from Roz’s face and she clutched the bar counter for support. ‘It’s not true. She’s just come to make trouble. Get her out of here, Patrick.’