For the remainder of the time before dinner both senior officers went out of their way to make Perys feel at home in the august company present at the Royal Flying Corps’ French headquarters. When word was passed around that Perys was a close friend of General Ballard’s daughter, and had been instrumental in saving the life of Brigadier Palmer, his acceptance by the other senior officers was assured.
Later, after they had eaten, General Ballard asked Perys to take him to see the aeroplane in which they would be flying. Outside the chateau he suggested that they walk to where the BE2c was being kept. ‘It’s a fine night and it’ll be good to get some of that tobacco smoke out of my lungs. It’s bad enough when everyone is smoking English cigarettes. I would have thought that smoking the French varieties would make a man immune to poison gas before very long.’
Perys smiled in sympathy. He had noticed that General Ballard did not smoke.
As they walked together, the general said, ‘Have you heard from Grace recently?’
‘I had a brief letter a week or so ago,’ Perys replied, ‘but I don’t think she has much time to write. She is being moved around so often that few of my own letters seem to have caught up with her yet.’
‘Her mother complains about exactly the same things,’ the general said. ‘But Grace has been able to make a telephone call to me at the War Office on two occasions. When we last spoke she was expecting to be in Paris with a hospital train sometime this week. I told her I would send a letter to our Embassy there, giving her details of my visit to France. I hope she was able to pick it up and that I might find her waiting for me somewhere along the way.’
‘I’m sure that would be very nice for both of you, sir. I hope I might also have the opportunity to meet up with her.’
‘I would never hear the last of it if the two of you were not able to spend a little time together!’ General Ballard gave Perys a sidelong glance when he added, ‘Grace is very fond of you, you know.’
‘And I of her,’ Perys affirmed. ‘I only wish she was working somewhere safer than a field hospital. Some are situated frighteningly close to the front, especially when a major battle is taking place.’
‘Her mother and I are concerned for her too’ The general spoke as a father and not as a soldier. ‘She could have remained at Saint Thomas’s in London, but this is what she wanted. I could hardly insist it would be too dangerous when other nurses are out here doing the same thing.’ He remained silent for a couple of minutes before asking, ‘Have you and Grace ever discussed what the future might hold for the pair of you?’
Perys was aware that the general had been replaced by the father once more and he replied, ‘I don’t think either of us has looked beyond the duration of this war, sir. For Grace it must seem that every man who is sent into battle is going to eventually pass through her field hospital - and I have no illusions about my own chances of survival. I have been with my squadron for less than six months, but am already one of its longest-surviving pilots. No, sir, even thinking of a future would be tempting fate.’
‘You are a level-headed young man, Perys - and a realist. As Grace’s father that is very comforting. Nevertheless, although our casualty rate is horrifyingly high, a great many young men are going to survive the war. Young men like yourself, who have experienced war at its most desperate, will be the senior officers of the future. The RFC will have need of you.’
‘Thank you, sir.’ Perys realised the purpose of General Ballard’s questions, but he had decided he liked Grace’s father and felt he should be honest with him. ‘Unfortunately, my service pay will probably be all I have to live on. It won’t exactly keep a wife and family in luxury.’
The general gave Perys an appreciative glance. ‘I know exactly how you feel. Do you know, I had very similar thoughts when I first met Grace’s mother. She is the daughter of an earl - has Grace told you that? Well, she is. When I met her I was a young lieutenant on a salary far less than yours. We married - against her parents’ wishes - when I was promoted to captain. For a few years things were hard, but we survived. More than that, we were happy. Very happy - and still are. Please don’t misunderstand me, I am not suggesting you should rush off and ask my daughter to marry you. Indeed, Grace would be extremely embarrassed were she to know I was having this conversation with you. However, should you feel strongly enough about Grace to contemplate marriage, I am pointing out that you should not allow financial considerations to stand in your way. Money will not be the primary requirement for any man Grace might wish to marry. I hope I have made myself clear?’
Perys felt that General Ballard would hardly have been so forthcoming had he not believed that Grace was herself seriously contemplating marriage with him. He appreciated her father’s forthright way of dealing with the situation.
‘Thank you, sir, I really do appreciate being able to have this talk with you.’
‘Good. Now, here we are at the hangar. Let’s have a look at this aeroplane of yours . . .’
Chapter 49
The next few days were busy ones for Perys. Major General Sir Giles Ballard had come to France with instructions direct from the Prime Minister to learn the truth about the shortages being experienced by men at the battle-front.
Some of the shortages were of a purely local or temporary nature. However, others, in particular the lack of artillery shells, were far more serious.
During his tour General Ballard was able to relieve the immediate situation slightly - by ordering the relocation of some stocks, and persuading the French to part with some ammunition that was capable of being fired from British artillery pieces, but such amounts were not significant.
What was apparent was that the production of shells in Britain fell far behind that of France which, in turn, could not match the output of the German factories. It was a dire situation that needed to be redressed immediately and General Ballard worked well into each night compiling his reports and recommendations.
Sometimes there were as many as four conferences in a day, and when the BE2c landed at each location both Perys and the general had hopes that Grace might be there to greet them. They were to suffer disappointment until the final day of the general’s tour of France.
Perys landed the BE2c at an airfield on the outskirts of Paris for the final meeting with high-ranking French government and military officials. It was to be held at the British Embassy in the city.
An Embassy car was waiting at the airfield, and after Perys had passed responsibility for the aeroplane to a British liaison officer, General Ballard insisted that he accompany him into Paris. When the meeting was over the general would be returning to England - by train.
It was the first visit Perys had made to the French capital and he was impressed both by the wide boulevards and the magnificent buildings that flanked them.
Learning that Perys had never been to Paris before, General Ballard delighted in pointing out places of interest along the way.
Eventually the motor car turned off the boulevards and passed through massive gates, beyond which was Great Britain’s Embassy, shut off from the outside noise and bustle of the city.
There they found Grace waiting for them.
Her delight at discovering that Perys was accompanying her father was apparent to everyone who witnessed the reunion. The greeting for her father was less inhibited, but her expression when she greeted Perys told her father far more about her feelings for him than any words.
She looked at her father accusingly. ‘You said nothing in your letter about bringing Perys with you.’
‘That’s because I did not know at the time whether he would be available to pilot me around France.’ he protested. ‘However, I could not have chosen a more considerate pilot. He kept me well clear of danger, allowing me no more than a high-altitude view of the front-line trench system. As a result of this glimpse of the front, I will return to London with a much greater awareness of the difficulties experienced by the troops on the ground. My only regret is that Perys
refused to allow me to have a machine-gun mounted in my cockpit in order that we might go in search of enemy aeroplanes.’
‘I should think so!’ Grace pretended to be shocked. ‘But how long am I going to be able to enjoy your company?’
‘Well now,’ said her father, ‘I am about to go into a conference with some very senior French army officers. We will have a number of policy matters to thrash out. My hope is that all will be resolved by this evening. If it is, then I will take you both out to dinner and return to London on a train in the morning. Until this evening you will need to entertain each other, but I doubt if that will pose too much of a problem here, in Paris, especially as it is Perys’s first visit.’
* * *
Perys and Grace had lunch only a couple of streets away, in a restaurant recommended by one of the Embassy staff. From the outside, with its peeling paintwork and indifferently cleaned windows, it seemed the sort of establishment that should be avoided. However, the food was truly delicious, and the presence of an English pilot and his nurse girlfriend prompted the chef to new culinary heights.
The other diners in the restaurant were equally eager to please them and more drinks were offered to the young couple than they could possibly consume.
Perys had a good command of the French language and, aided by Grace, who had spent some time in the country, he was able to refuse many of the offers without causing offence, by pleading that he would be flying again later in the day.
Eventually, the gourmet meal came to an end and the restaurateur earned the applause of the diners by refusing to accept payment for the memorable meal enjoyed by the happy pair. They finally escaped from the restaurant, but not until Perys had shaken hands with all the men present and been kissed by the restaurant owner’s wife, the waitresses and every female diner.
Perys and Grace realised there was no sense in returning to the Embassy before late afternoon and they decided to take advantage of the Paris sunshine. After crossing the spacious and impressive Place de la Concorde, they walked along the north bank of the River Seine as far as the lie de la Cite and the splendour of the Cathedral of Notre Dame.
Uniforms were very much in evidence on the streets of Paris, yet the British pair still attracted a great deal of interest from those they met along the way, and there were smiles of approbation from most.
Returning to the Embassy in the Rue du Faubourg St Honore at about four-thirty, they found Major General Ballard uncharacteristically flustered.
Speaking to Grace, he said, ‘Darling, I am afraid there has been a change of plan. We will not be able to enjoy dinner tonight after all. Field Marshal French was visiting Paris today and he decided to attend the meeting. He read my report and wants me to travel with him to London tonight to place some of the points I have raised before the War Cabinet in the morning. We are leaving by train this evening. In fact, I should be on my way right now. The Embassy motor-car has been waiting for some twenty minutes. I am so very, very sorry, my dear.’
‘I am too.’ Grace seemed close to tears. ‘I was so looking forward to spending an evening with you. But I do understand - and you must not keep the field marshal waiting.’
Field Marshal Sir John French was the commander-in-chief of the British army in France.
‘Thank you, my dear. But, here . . .’ Reaching into a pocket, the general thrust a wad of notes into her hands. ‘When an opportunity arises, treat yourself and your friends to a really good meal.’
Holding out a hand to Perys, he said, ‘It has been a very real pleasure to get to know you, Perys. You took care of me splendidly. I look forward to welcoming you to our home in Oxfordshire in the not-too-distant future.’ With this and a final hug and kiss for Grace, he hurried away to the waiting motor-car, leaving Grace standing on the Embassy steps. Perys thought she looked very vulnerable and forlorn.
‘I am very sorry your evening has been spoiled, Grace, but I know your father is equally disappointed. He was really looking forward to spending some time with you.’
‘I realise it is not his fault,’ Grace said, with a resigned shrug. ‘He had no way of knowing Field Marshal French would be here, and Father is a soldier. It’s his life. He can’t say, ‘Sorry, Field Marshal, I am not coming back to London with you because I have promised to have dinner with my daughter, whom I haven’t seen for months.’
Despite her apparent understanding there was bitterness in her voice, and Perys said, gently, ‘You’re right, Grace. He can’t say that, much as he might wish to. Your father has worked hard on his report. Field Marshal French obviously thinks it is important. So do I. You do too, really.’
‘Yes . . . yes, I do. It’s just . . . oh, I don’t know, it’s so disappointing, especially as I have been given a few days off. One of the French nurses I work with has given me the keys to her flat here in Paris, in the hope that Father might have been able to spend a while with me . . .’ She shrugged, unhappily. ‘We have got to expect such things to happen in wartime.’ Giving Perys a weak smile, she added, ‘I suppose now that Father is on his way back to England by train you will need to get back to your airfield?’
‘Actually, no!’ Perys said. ‘In fact, I too must obey the orders of a senior officer. My squadron commander told me I should take a few days leave in Paris before returning to duty,’
It took a few moments for his words to sink in, then a disbelieving Grace said, ‘You mean . . . you can stay in Paris for a while?’
‘That’s right. Look, I saw quite a pleasant hotel just along the road from here. Why don’t I book in there and telephone the liaison officer at the airfield. I’ll ask him to take care of my aeroplane for a couple of days and send my belongings along to the hotel. Then I can take you out to dinner tonight and we can make plans to spend some time together over the next few days.’
‘Perys, that would be wonderful! But I will take you out to dinner with the money my father gave to me.’
‘I won’t argue with that, Grace. Now, let’s see if they will allow me to use the Embassy telephone . . .’
Chapter 50
The liaison officer at the Paris airfield told Perys the BE2c would be perfectly safe where it was for as long as he wished to leave it there. He would send a driver right away to deliver Perys’s single piece of luggage to the Hotel Castigliane, where Perys had no difficulty in booking a room.
For their evening meal, Perys and Grace chose another unpretentious but superb restaurant that had been recommended by the French nurse who had given Grace the use of her flat.
Once again, the presence of an English pilot and nurse appealed to the romantic and generous nature of the Parisians. The proprietor insisted that the wine be enjoyed as a present from the establishment. Then, after a superb meal and a delightful evening together, the young couple discovered that their bill had been settled by one of the other diners who had left without making himself known.
Outside, in the narrow Paris street, Grace took hold of Perys’s arm and hugged it to her. ‘It has been a wonderful evening after all, Perys, exactly as Paris should be. This is a truly magical city.’
Perys agreed, then, becoming practical, he asked how she was planning to make her way back to the flat where she was staying.
‘Oh, it’s not very far away,’ was her reply. ‘I was hoping you would walk me there.’
‘I would like that very much.’ Perys was delighted at the opportunity to make the happy evening last for as long as was possible.
Their route took them alongside the river which seemed to have attracted all the lovers in Paris. They walked hand-in-hand, arm-in-arm with arms about each other’s waists, or stood kissing on the wide stone walkways that followed both river banks. Others occupied shadowy recesses in the walls that rose high above the river walks to the roads above them.
‘The war seems so far away from here,’ said Perys, as a water bus glided past them with a party on board who were lustily singing a popular music-hall song of the day.
‘Shh!’ Grace put
a finger to his lips. ‘Talk of war is not allowed for as long as we are in Paris together . . . By the way, how long will you be able to stay here?’
‘Three or four days. How about you?’
‘I have another three days before I need to be back.’
Grace had forbidden all mention of war, but speaking of the time she and Perys would have together in Paris was in itself a reminder of what they would be returning to at the end of their time together. Sensing her sudden unhappiness, Perys freed his arm from hers and put it about her waist, pulling her closer.
They were passing beneath a bridge and, without a word being spoken, they stopped and kissed. When they resumed walking, with arms about each other, they said very little, each content in the nearness of the other.
Soon, Grace guided him towards a flight of steps that led away from the river. Leaving behind the Seine and the wide boulevards that flanked it, they walked through ever narrower streets until, beside a wide-fronted church, Grace stopped before a tall building.
Pointing to a door of impressive proportions, she said, ‘This is where I am staying. Yvonne’s flat is on the first floor.’
Reluctant for the evening to come to an end, Perys said, ‘This has been a wonderful night, Grace. The most enjoyable I have ever spent.’
It seemed that Grace was equally disinclined to bring the evening to an end. ‘Would you like to come up for a coffee, Perys? I haven’t yet learned to make it as the French do, but I promise it will be reasonably drinkable.’
The stairs were narrow, uneven and complaining, but as soon as Perys followed Grace into the first-floor flat he realised that Yvonne possessed both money and considerable taste. The flat was luxuriously yet stylishly furnished.
When Perys aired his observations aloud, Grace smiled. ‘The flat is a present to Yvonne from an elderly but extremely wealthy lover.’
The Lost Years Page 25
