The Codebreakers

by Alli Sinclair

  He returned and handed her a glass of lemonade. ‘Do you like it here, Bug?’

  ‘It’s gorgeous.’

  ‘But?’

  ‘Why do you think there’s a “but”?’

  ‘Have we just met?’

  ‘Fine,’ she said. ‘It just seems odd to be enjoying myself when so many others are away fighting.’

  ‘Do you think we should be at home wallowing in misery?’

  She kicked out her feet and crossed her legs at the ankles. ‘I don’t know.’

  ‘Don’t get me wrong, I often feel guilty having a warm bed and hot meal when others are sleeping in trenches in the rain. But it’s not like we’re not doing our bit.’

  ‘True.’ She gazed at the patrons enjoying themselves. ‘It just doesn’t feel right sometimes.’

  ‘Well, hello,’ said a deep voice.

  Ellie looked up and saw a tall, dark-haired man sporting the uniform of the Royal Australian Air Force. He could easily give Clark Gable a run for his money.

  Louis stood and enthusiastically shook hands with the fellow then playfully slapped him on the back.

  ‘They’ll let anyone in here.’ Louis turned to Ellie. ‘Harry Kinsman, I’d like you to meet one of my oldest friends, Elanora O’Sullivan.’

  ‘It’s very nice to meet you, Miss O’Sullivan.’

  ‘It’s nice to meet you, too, Mr Kinsman.’ Heat rushed across her face.

  ‘I’m just plain old Harry.’ The lights of the chandeliers sparkled in his eyes.

  ‘And I’m just plain old Ellie,’ she said.

  ‘There’s nothing plain about you.’ If any other man had tried that line, she would have rolled her eyes, but there was something about Harry Kinsman that seemed genuine. ‘Would you like a dance?’

  She looked over at Louis, who held his glass up in a toast.

  ‘Yes, that would be lovely, Mr … Harry.’

  He led her onto the dance floor, and they turned to face each other. Harry lightly rested his hand on her lower back then he gently guided her across the floorboards to the leisurely ‘Let’s Get Away from It All’ by Frank Sinatra.

  Harry moved like a man who had been on the dance floor all his life. He danced with consideration, his body subtly giving hints about which direction they’d go, which move they’d execute next. The easy connection excited Ellie but it also unnerved her. The only other time she’d felt like this was with Louis, and she’d been dancing with him since they were kids.

  ‘You have a beautiful smile,’ said Harry.

  ‘Thank you.’ She looked at her tan shoes, unable to meet his gaze.

  Harry lifted his hand and she spun underneath his arm, then twirled back into his embrace once more. She inhaled a subtle scent of soap and hair lotion.

  The dance floor grew crowded, but Ellie didn’t mind. The shift work at Qantas had taken its toll and her life had been a rotation of work, sleep and reading at home or helping Mrs Hanley with the garden. Not to mention the monumental decision to join Central Bureau. It was nice to get out. Louis was right—she was doing her bit for the war effort and there was no harm in stepping out every so often to embrace a moment of happiness.

  The set finished with a flourish and the orchestra and band leader left the stage. The dance floor emptied quickly.

  ‘Shall I get you a drink?’ he asked.

  ‘Yes, thank you.’

  ‘I’ll meet you over there.’ He nodded towards Louis, who was now talking to a trio of women who crowded around him like he was a movie star.

  Ellie bounced over. ‘Don’t believe a word he says.’

  The women looked at her and the shortest one with red hair and bright pink lips laughed. ‘I gathered as much.’

  Louis feigned a glare at Ellie and continued with his story about how he and Robert were the best cricketers in their hometown and could have played for Australia if it wasn’t for the war. Two of the women seemed to buy his tall tale whereas the redhead looked sceptical.

  Harry arrived with drinks and handed one to Ellie. Introductions were made and the women said they were members of the Red Cross.

  ‘Ellie has just joined AWAS,’ said Louis.

  ‘Really?’ asked Maude, the redhead. ‘What are you doing with them?’

  ‘I haven’t started yet so I’m not entirely sure.’ She turned to Louis. ‘Why don’t you tell them how you started flying?’

  ‘Oh, these lovely ladies wouldn’t be interested in that.’ His self-deprecating tone had the women begging him to tell them. ‘Well, it all started with my dad, who was a Qantas pilot. When I was knee-high to a grasshopper he took me on my first flight.’ Louis leaned against the pole. ‘There’s something magical about seeing the world from above.’

  He talked about growing up in Longreach and how he’d spent his weekends at the airfield. The women hung on to his every word.

  Ellie bit her lip, trying to contain her amusement. Louis was handsome, kind and caring, an interesting conversationalist … yet he never really noticed women swooning over him. That probably made him more attractive.

  She glanced at Harry.

  His eyes met hers.

  She concentrated on the glass in her hand, her body flooding with heat.

  ‘Miss O’Sullivan, perhaps you would like another dance?’

  She looked up. He really did have beautiful eyes. ‘I’d love to.’

  They went to the dance floor. The music slowed and her shyness disappeared as she found comfort in Harry’s arms.

  The set ended and the crowd clapped while the orchestra and conductor left the stage. Harry ushered Ellie over to where Louis was deep in conversation with Maude. Her friends were nowhere in sight.

  Louis looked up as Ellie and Harry approached. ‘The band’s finished?’

  ‘A few minutes ago,’ said Ellie.

  Maude fiddled with the hem of her jacket.

  Louis frowned, like he was grappling for words.

  ‘Do you come here most weeks, Maude?’ asked Ellie.

  She looked up, her smile going all the way to her eyes. ‘I’m usually here every Friday with my friends.’

  ‘Then perhaps we’ll see you next Friday.’ Ellie doubted it would be difficult to get Louis here again, although with her new life at Central Bureau would she have time to socialise?

  ‘I’m here most Fridays as well,’ said Harry.

  Ellie chose not to worry about the unknown and let a ripple of happiness shoot through her. With a hint of cheekiness, she asked, ‘Shall I leave my dance card free?’

  Harry grinned. ‘I certainly hope so.’

  CHAPTER SIX

  What on earth was she thinking?

  Ellie lugged her suitcase down the dirt road towards 67 AWAS Barracks in Chermside. Despite the early hour and damp air, clouds of dust swirled around her feet. Although she wanted to slow down and let it all sink in, time wasn’t a luxury she had. Besides, she’d made this commitment and she was going through with it, no matter how scared she felt.

  Leaving Mrs Hanley and Kat had been difficult. Even though Ellie had promised to visit, she had no idea when that would happen as she suspected her workload would be huge. The one thing she did know is that her shifts at Central Bureau would start at 8 am, noon or 10 pm and the rotations would vary. Somehow, Ellie would definitely find the time to visit her Brisbane family.

  Although she’d only had a couple of days to get used to the idea of her new appointment and all the rules and regulations that came with it, it hadn’t overwhelmed her. But now, as she crossed a gully and carefully walked over a cattle grid, the reality hit her. Life as she knew it was about to change forever.

  She arrived at a gate and set down her suitcase. A barbed wire fence surrounded the camp and inside the property were small fibro huts that looked like someone had slapped them together on a tea break.

  A familiar figure walked towards her.

  ‘Bright and early, I see.’ Florry came over to the gate and unchained it.

  Ellie took
a deep breath and stepped across the threshold.

  She refused to look back.

  Florry put an arm around Ellie’s shoulders and guided her towards a large hut with louvres that opened horizontally. Voices from inside chatted away merrily.

  In the distance a couple of men carted chopped wood and placed it in a pile next to large coppers.

  ‘They’re the only men here and they do mostly maintenance.’ Florry pointed at the coppers. ‘That’s where we wash our clothes. You’ll need to watch out for snakes and frogs throughout camp, especially near the latrines.’

  Ellie closed her eyes and drew a deep breath.

  ‘It’s a lot to take in, I know,’ said Florry, ‘and you’ve given up a nice comfy home to be here. Though with the work we do it’s better for us to be together. So,’ she continued, pointing at a fibro hut across the way, ‘you’ll be sharing with two other girls. I’m in the one next door. I’ve left your uniform on your bed so if you can get changed and meet me here in a few minutes, that would be great.’

  ‘We’re starting today?’

  ‘Our unit started at Central Bureau two weeks ago and most of us have been together since Bonegilla or Melbourne. Don’t worry, though, the girls are friendly, and you’ll be welcomed with open arms.’

  ‘I’m sure they’re lovely,’ Ellie said.

  ‘But?’

  ‘But I don’t think it’s sunk in yet.’

  ‘Time is all you need.’ Florry looked at her watch. ‘Speaking of which …’

  ‘I better get to it, huh?’

  ‘The others are inside the rec hut having breakfast. When the truck comes, I’ll do the introductions.’

  Ellie picked up her case and walked over to her new home. She opened the door and stepped in. There was a hint of powder and the place was tidy and sparse. Hooks had been hammered into the wall at various intervals and uniforms and some civilian dresses hung from them.

  She placed the suitcase under the bed and changed into her AWAS uniform. She donned the hat with the rising sun badge, laced up her shoes and put on the gloves that stopped at her wrists.

  Ellie was now with the Australian Women’s Army Service. Working in the cipher office. For Central Bureau.

  She sucked in her breath.

  The magnitude finally registered.

  The door creaked open and Florry appeared. ‘Are you ready?’

  Ellie smoothed down her uniform, surprised at how comfortable it was. ‘Yes?’

  ‘You look the part.’ Florry waved her over and held her hand. ‘I’m really glad you’re here.’

  ‘Me too.’ Ellie wrapped her arm around Florry. ‘I’m looking forward to beating you at gin rummy tonight.’

  ‘Ha! I’ve been practising. Just you wait.’

  ‘Nah, you’ll never beat me.’ The playful banter warmed Ellie’s heart. She’d missed Florry more than she’d realised.

  ‘We’ll see, we’ll see.’

  ‘Hey, your mum is good, right? She’s not actually sick like you told me.’

  Florry closed her eyes briefly. ‘I am a bad person going to hell.’

  ‘No, you’re not. You just made up a story …’ She studied Florry’s pained expression. ‘What’s wrong?’

  ‘I made up a stupid lie about going home to visit my sick mother because I couldn’t tell anyone where I was going or what I was doing.’

  ‘Knowing what I know now, it’s understandable.’

  ‘But she got sick.’ Florry’s voice cracked.

  ‘When?’

  ‘Three months after I made up the lie. She’s got emphysema.’ A tear ran down Florry’s check and she wiped it away. ‘I made her sick.’

  ‘Oh, Florry. No one—not even someone as clever and brilliant as you—has that kind of influence on people. It was just bad timing, that’s all. You did not make her sick. I can say this with one hundred per cent confidence.’

  Florry rested her head on Ellie’s shoulder. ‘I’ve missed you.’

  ‘And I’ve missed you, chickadee.’

  Florry looked at her watch and took a deep breath. ‘We better get going.’

  Ellie followed Florry over to a truck parked near the entrance. Ten women were already sitting in the back chatting happily, like they were off to a dance.

  Florry braved a smile and motioned for Ellie to get in. She took a seat next to a reedy woman with chestnut hair.

  ‘Everyone,’ Florry said loudly over the engine, ‘I’d like you to meet our newest recruit, Elanora O’Sullivan.’

  The women smiled and said ‘hello’ or ‘welcome’.

  She gave a wave. ‘You can call me Ellie.’

  ‘Hello, Ellie,’ a few said.

  The truck took off and a woman who was staying at the barracks closed the gate behind them. Ellie’s new colleagues chatted about movie stars, the latest news from their beaus and who went to which dance on the weekend.

  The short blonde woman opposite Ellie held out her hand as they bounced along the dirt road. ‘I’m Lillian Carter.’

  ‘Nice to meet you.’ The truck hit a pothole. Ellie’s hands flew up and grabbed the roll bar while others screamed then burst out laughing.

  ‘You’ll get used to it, don’t worry. Once we get onto the bitumen it’s a smoother ride.’

  ‘I’m Cassandra.’ The woman with chestnut hair smiled.

  ‘Hello.’

  Lillian started humming ‘Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree’ and a few bars later others joined in, the truck filling with a sweet melody.

  Florry leaned towards Ellie. ‘It’s a chance to shake everything out before the serious work begins.’

  ‘I thought it would be sombre all the time,’ said Ellie.

  ‘Sombre, no. Serious, yes. Just you watch. The second we get to 21 Henry Street things will change.’

  ‘What’s at 21 Henry Street? Where’s that?’

  ‘Ascot. Lieutenant Andrews didn’t tell you?’

  Ellie stared at her friend for a moment. ‘We’re not going to the small house I went to for the test?’

  ‘No, but it’s close by.’

  As the truck wound its way to Henry Street, they passed a park where US servicemen camped. The women around Ellie waved out the back of the truck while the servicemen whistled and blew kisses.

  The scenery changed from outer suburbia to large houses and they turned onto a street where jacarandas formed a wide arch. It would be absolutely stunning when they bloomed later in the year.

  The truck pulled up out the front of a high fence that surrounded a two-storey mansion. The large building blocked out a chunk of blue sky, and a verandah with wrought-iron filigree hugged the light-coloured stone walls.

  Two armed soldiers stood at attention on either side of the gates. One of them spoke with the driver, and Ellie’s heart raced. She loved that Florry and Lieutenant Andrews had faith in her doing this job well but what if she failed? What if she made some horrible mistake that set off a catastrophic chain of events? What if—

  ‘It’s beautiful, isn’t it?’ asked Lillian.

  ‘Pardon?’

  ‘The house. It’s beautiful.’

  ‘Yes, yes. It is.’ Ellie needed to get herself together so she had a clear head.

  ‘It’s called Nyrambla and was built by a banker in the 1880s. It was later converted into flats at the end of the twenties. And now …’ Lillian threw her arms wide. ‘Central Bureau is here helping win this war.’

  The soldiers opened the gate and the truck rolled in. Ellie stepped down and studied the dark blue and white tiles on the verandah floor. On the left of the house was a large door with red glass panels on either side. Each one had a woman who looked like an ancient Greek goddess etched in white and above the door was a wooden arch made of glass in an array of colours. It was welcoming and daunting at the same time.

  The women ahead of Ellie disappeared around the corner.

  ‘Are you ready for your first big day?’ Florry stood beside her.

  ‘I thought …’
she cocked her head in the direction of the door.

  ‘We worked in the house?’ Florry laughed then stopped. ‘Oh, Ellie. I’m sorry. I should have warned you. I got a shock when we first arrived as well.’

  ‘So, if we’re not in the house then where are we working?’

  ‘Come on.’ Florry grabbed Ellie’s hand and they hurried across the gravel and around the back of the house. ‘This is where the magic happens.’

  Ellie halted and took in the sight before her. To the right was the mansion, a sprawling expanse of opulence and comfort. To the left, opposite the courtyard of the large house, was a small fibro garage with a corrugated roof. At a pinch, the garage could fit three large cars.

  She turned to Florry. ‘We’re working in a garage?’

  ‘It beats the hot tarmac.’

  A man clad in an army officer’s leather jacket roared to a stop on his motorbike. He dismounted, unzipped his jacket and took off a pouch that was strapped to his torso. Before he went up the steps, he waved at Florry, who returned the gesture.

  ‘Who’s he?’ asked Ellie.

  ‘A messenger.’

  ‘What’s he delivering?’

  ‘Messages. They’ll be from outposts and flown into Eagle Farm, the American airfield up the road.’ Her eyes met Ellie’s. ‘It’s not for us to know the details. We just need to concentrate on our own work and not worry about anyone else.’

  ‘The departments don’t work with each other?’

  ‘They do but unless you’re high up the chain, you’re not informed about what goes on. It’s all on a need-to-know basis. You’ll find a lot of what you do won’t make sense but for someone in there’—she nodded towards the house—‘it could mean the difference between Australia getting bombed again or not.’

  Ellie nodded. She felt like a bird being fed breadcrumbs but not enough for a full meal.

  She followed Florry through the garage door and came face to face with a wall of industrial baffle. To enter the room, one had to step right or left. The floor was covered in linoleum, although it had worn in places and the dirt underneath had found its way to the surface. Florry took a card with her name on it, punched it into the machine and put it back on the stand. Ellie found her card and did the same.