Minerva

by June Hirst

  ‘In future when I come to inspect you will stand to attention on the left hand side of your beds, when I say attention. Show me. Attention!’ The girls quickly fell into positions, heads held high, feet together and arms by their sides. The Sergeant saluted and they returned the salute, before she marched out.

  ‘That was a close shave, girls. She must have been in a good mood. She nearly laughed,’ Vanessa said.

  ‘I’m not surprised, these knickers would make a cat laugh. They certainly are passion killers,’ Victoria replied. ‘They will certainly cool a fellow’s ardour.’

  ‘What do you mean Victoria? How will the men see our knickers?’ Molly asked.

  ‘Oh, you little innocent, where have you been all your life?’ Victoria said. ‘They are all the same. They take you out to dinner and take you home in their car or a taxi. As soon as they can, they start to kiss you. Then their hands wander to your breasts. Before long they are creeping up your thigh and into your knickers. Now if you really like the guy, he will arouse incredible sensations and you will find yourself responding to his hungry passion. Stop then, before it is too late. You saw those horrendous pictures of sexual diseases. Always make sure that you know where he has been before.’

  Vanessa laughed, ‘Hark at her, no bloke ever took me out to dinner or in his car, but I had to stop many a fumble behind the pub and in the pictures. Victoria is right though. I reckon that the government has issued these knickers as our secret weapon girls.’

  Molly’s eyes were like saucers. Minerva was sitting crossed legged on her bed just like Martin Moxon had been sitting on the rock on the moors, dreamingly thinking about floating around the dance floor in his arms. If only they could have walked home together. He would have kissed her goodnight and she might have experienced the hungry passion that Victoria was talking about. She shivered as she thought about how she would have responded. She would have run her hands over his broad muscular back and pressed her body close to his, as he kissed her slowly and deeply with his strong arms around her and his passion rising. The other girls were staring at her. Vanessa put her hand on Minerva’s shoulder,

  ‘Minerva, we are talking to you. Where are you?’ she asked. Minerva came back down to earth with a bump and gasped for breath.

  ‘Sorry girls I was miles away. What did you say?’ she asked.

  ‘We said its dinner time and there is no coal in the bucket. Where is the coal shed?’

  ‘I’ll go and fill it. It’s by the ablutions, but you will all have to take turns looking after the stove. I’ll make a rota.’ She said.

  After dinner all twenty-four girls assembled together in the recreation hall. A section had been separated with portable screens and two table tennis tables were available. Two female sergeants were on duty, to make sure that the men kept their distance. There was a gramophone and soon the music of the wonderful Glenn Miller dance orchestra filled their section and while some girls played table tennis, others danced and some just sat dreaming. They had completed two very hectic days in the W.A.A.F.

  Chapter 5

  Minerva awoke first as usual. Her arm was aching. She yawned and stretched. Eight pairs of black bloomers were hanging at the bottom of the beds like large black crows. She pulled back the blackout curtains and stifled a giggle, as she padded over to the stove, where she once more raked out the ashes and re-lit it.

  ‘Come on wakey wakey everybody,’ she shouted as she put on her new Air force blue great coat on top of her pyjamas. ‘I’m off to the ablutions.’ She slipped her bare feet into her new regulation black laced shoes and left the hut. The other girls were groaning and grumbling as they followed suit. They were first into the ablutions. Vanessa started to laugh,

  ‘Just look at us. These are blokes’ coats. We look like nothing on earth or pre-historic monsters.’ And she prowled around growling and grimacing, while all the girls shrieked with laughter.

  ‘A good laugh is better than a bottle of medicine we always used to say at the mill,’ Minerva said.

  ‘You’re right there,’ Vanessa replied, ‘and I’ve a feeling we’re going to need it.’

  After breakfast the twenty-four new W.A.A.F.s presented themselves on the parade ground for their first drill. A chilling north-east wind was sweeping across the flat plain. The girls huddled together, chatting cheerfully, glad of their great coats. Across the parade ground the windows were open in the barrack block and airmen were leaning out shouting and whistling. Suddenly Sergeant Benson arrived,

  ‘Get inside and close the windows or I’ll make you join this lot!’ she bellowed. ‘Attention! Fall in!’ She ordered.

  The girls jumped to attention and formed into their groups of eight, laughing and whispering.

  ‘Quiet! Stop talking! Hut one in the front line, hut two behind them and hut three at the back.’

  There was commotion as the girls followed the order.

  ‘You, you and you’ Benson said, as she pointed to the three tallest girls.

  ‘Get to the end of the lines, and you, you and you’, as she pointed to the three smallest girls. ‘Get to the other end’.

  Victoria was at one end of the front line and Molly at the other. With much pushing, shoving, and laughter, the girls arranged themselves in order of height. Sergeant Benson, hands on hips, stood watching them. Three lines of W.A.A.F.S stood to attention.

  ‘Very good, you have conducted yourselves in a passable manner. You will stand in that formation every time you assemble in the parade ground’.

  Minerva, second tallest, stood next to Victoria, then Vanessa Christine, Patricia, Shirley Angela and Molly.

  ‘Now, when I say ‘Right Dress’ you space out, put out your right arm so that your knuckles touch your neighbour’s right shoulder. Right Dress!’ The girls followed the command. Sergeant Benson was impressed.

  ‘Good. Now we shall learn how to stand to attention correctly. Stand on the balls of your feet, heels together, and feet placed at forty-five degrees. Head up, shoulders back, arms at the side, stomach in, knees back. Good. Elbows in, fingers curled with the thumb on top of the first finger.’

  Sergeant Benson marched up and down the three lines and occasionally poked a girl with the stick. They all managed not to laugh. She took up her position in front of them.

  ‘Next we learn how to stand at ease. Watch me. Place your left foot , a foot away, from your right foot. At the same time put your arms behind you and relax your shoulders. Place your right hand in the palm if the left with the thumbs crossing like this,’ and she turned with her back to them. ‘Right! Stand at ease.’

  Again the girls followed the command without any mistakes and the Sergeant inspected the lines. Although there had been much hilarity in hut one when they had donned the black bloomers and thick woollen stockings, they were glad of their warmth. They practised the three commands again and again until Sergeant Benson was satisfied that they could salute left turn and right turn on the spot before they started marching. Then she led them across the parade ground barking ‘Left, right, left, right...’ as they all marched in step, swinging their arms. Minerva, concentrating hard, felt a warm glow of pride, as they marched together across the parade ground, obeying the commands left turn right turn and finally halt!

  ‘Squad dismiss to recreation,’ Benson commanded to the very relieved W.A.A.F.S.

  ‘Attention! I think that it is time that we discovered the N.A.A.F.I girls, so hut number one are you in agreement?’ Victoria said imitating the Sergeant.

  ‘Yes,’ they all replied together.

  ‘Good, come along then I’m paying,’ Victoria told them. Sergeant Benson had heard her,

  ‘Jones and Wood come here at the double,’ she shouted.

  ‘Oh heck we’re in trouble,’ Minerva whispered.

  ‘You two girls must get that hair cut as soon as possible. You are W.A.A.F.S not film stars. Your hats arrive next week and your hair must be above your collars.’

  ‘Yes Sergeant,’ they both replied and
saluted smartly as she had shown them as Benson marched off.

  ‘I have had a word with Sergeant Jenkins and he says that there is a hair dresser in the next village Minerva, so when you go out for your driving lesson this afternoon we’ll have to make a big sacrifice and have a trim.’

  ‘I had to keep my hair covered at work mainly to keep it clean and stop it getting in the machines and later, so that Martin Moxon would not recognise me.’

  ‘Oh yes and who is Martin Moxon?’

  ‘He is the mill owner’s youngest son and he is gorgeous. All the girls adored him, but of course he was beyond our reach.’

  ‘Why was that Minerva?’

  ‘Oh come now Victoria, mill owner’s sons do not socialise with mill girls.’

  ‘Why didn’t you want him to recognise you then?’

  ‘I met him twice and I have never had feelings like that before. My mouth was dry, my knees and legs trembled and my heart fluttered like a caged bird. He was sitting on a rock wearing shorts and a vest. He was beautiful. I could hardly breathe.’

  ‘That was love at first sight Minerva. Why did you let him escape?’

  ‘I’ve told you. I was a mill girl in his mill. Then I met him again at the Town Hall dance, the night before war was declared. It was the most wonderful time of my life. It will stay locked in my heart forever, but I had to do a Cinderella and disappear from the ball.’

  You poor darling, your heart must be broken. All the debutants delights that I met during the season left a lot to be desired. I would not look at any of them. Come along let’s go to the N.A.A.F.I until lunch time.’

  After lunch all the girls had to report to their jobs. Minerva and Victoria went to the garage, where Sergeant Jenkins greeted them joyfully. The garage was full of vehicles, each one being attended to by an airman in blue overalls. They all stopped work and stared at Minerva and Victoria beaming from ear to ear, but they were all silent. Sergeant Jenkins had warned them and threatened them with ‘jankers’. Victoria tossed her head and her auburn curls cascaded down her back. Minerva followed suit. She was learning quickly. The Sergeant greeted them,

  ‘Good afternoon girls, you are both welcome. You’re like a ray of sunshine.’

  ‘Good afternoon Sergeant,’ they both replied and smiled at everyone.

  ‘Sergeant Jenkins,’ Victoria said, ‘Sergeant Benson says that we have to have our hair cut, but she did not specify where, so please could Minerva’s driving lesson take us to the hairdresser that you mentioned.’

  ‘I think that can be arranged. It would be sacrilege to let the barber loose on those two crowning glories,’ he replied.

  ‘Thank you Sergeant Jenkins.’

  ‘Bates, is that staff car ready for the road?’

  ‘Yes Sergeant,’ Bates replied, grinning at the girls. Sergeant Jenkins took the driving seat with Minerva beside him and Victoria in the back seat. Minerva was very thankful for his consideration. She had been dreading backing out of the garage with an audience. They changed places, when they were out of the gates and Minerva thanked him.

  ‘You’re going to be a very good driver Wood. I’ll pop into the pub while you two have your hair cut, but remember this journey is our secret,’ the Sergeant told them. Just then three fighter planes swooped down low over the village on their approach to the airfield.

  ‘The nosey beggars they did that on purpose to have a closer look at us. Beware of the pilot officers girls, as they have no scruples. ‘Live for today,’ is their motto and before long the poor beggars will be in combat. I’ve just time for a swift half, before the pub closes, then I’ll wait in the car.’

  ‘Thanks Sergeant,’ they both replied.

  ‘That is not normal Sergeants behaviour Minerva. He really fancies you, so that is to our advantage. We are not supposed to be here you know.’

  ‘Oh dear, do you really think so. How do you know it’s not you that he fancies?’

  ‘He can’t take his eyes off you Minerva and he is Yorkshire born like you. He is also quite handsome. We are at war darling.’ Live for today,’ is a good motto. Come along. Let’s take the plunge. Think of it as making a sacrifice for our country,’ and the two girls taking a deep breath entered the hairdressers salon.

  It was small but cheerful and clean. The owner was perming a client’s hair. She turned to greet them and Victoria explained their problem.

  ‘Oh ladies, it is sacrilege to cut off such beautiful hair, but there is a war on, as the saying goes. I have some hair bands for sale. I believe that women in the forces have to roll their hair over them, so that it does not touch the collar,’ she told them, ‘I could cut off some of the length and show you how to roll your hair into a sausage shape over the hair band.’

  When the girls emerged Sergeant Jenkins hardly recognised them. Gone were the abundant tresses and what was left was rolled up like a sausage, but he was glad to see that they still had curls on top of their heads. He realised that they were upset and kindly complimented them.

  ‘Here comes two very smart W.A.A.F.s’ he said, ‘your hats will be here by next week. Your shirts have arrived today.’ The subdued girls just smiled and Minerva drove back to the camp.

  When they entered Hut Number One they found the other six girls wearing blue shirts and trying to fix on the loose collars with a collar stud.

  ‘Just look at these. They are blokes’ shirts. How are we supposed to fix on these bloody collars?’ Vanessa shouted.

  ‘Language Vanessa,’ Angela primly answered.

  ‘Well! These would make a sailor swear! Wow! Where have you two been? What has happened to your hair?’ Vanessa asked, noticing Minerva and Victoria had arrived back.

  ‘We were told to have it cut, so this is how we shall wear it from now on,’ Minerva replied.

  Victoria held up a shirt,

  ‘These are as bad as our bloomers, but at least our bloomers don’t show,’ she said.

  ‘We have to wear these shirts and ties for dinner tonight,’ Vanessa told them, ‘so I suppose we are beginning to look like W.A.A.F.s We have to mark our service number on every shirt and collar and if we lose any, we have to pay for it. I shall be glad when we get paid, I’m broke!’

  ‘Sergeant Benson asked where you were,’ Angela said, ‘I said I didn’t know, so you’ll be in trouble.’

  ‘We shall not be in trouble, we were with Sergeant Jenkins. Minerva was having a driving lesson. Do I detect a trace of envy Angela? I do not want to hear it again,’ and Angela blushed. She and Molly had been in the cook house all afternoon and Angela was feeling tired and jealous. The door banged open and Sergeant Benson entered,

  ‘Stand by your beds at the double,’ she bawled. ‘What have we here?’ she asked, sarcastically, as she noticed Minerva and Victoria. ‘The film stars have disappeared, I am glad to say. At least you are all starting to look like W.A.A.F.s.’

  ‘Thank you Sergeant,’ they all replied and saluted smartly, much to Benson’s amazement. She decided not to ask where Victoria and Minerva had been.

  ‘As you were,’ she commanded and marched out.

  ‘I’ve got some good news,’ Vanessa announced, ‘you can eavesdrop when you are cleaning the officers’ mess. We are having a dance on Saturday night. Apparently it will be good for the men’s moral, if they’ve got girls to dance with.’

  ‘I suppose they think we are objects to amuse the men,’ Angela said. ‘I’m not going.’

  ‘Don’t be such a narrow minded prude,’ Victoria told her, ‘we can pick and choose. There are only twenty four of us plus Sergeants and Assistant Section Officer Felman. We can dance with who we fancy and I know who will be dancing with Minerva,’ she laughed.

  ‘Oh Victoria, don’t tease,’ Minerva replied. Sergeant Jenkins is not Martin Moxon, she was thinking. He did not have Martin’s startling blue eyes and his soft musical voice that made her toes curl. When Sergeant Jenkins touched her arm, he did not make her yearn to put her arms around his neck and press her body against his,
as she felt sweet pleasure sweep through her.

  ‘Hello? Minerva? Is anybody there?’ Vanessa asked, startling Minerva out of her day dream.

  ‘Sorry girls I was miles away. What did you say about a dance Vanessa?’

  ‘It’s on Saturday night and as our complete uniforms have not arrived yet we can wear ‘civies’. It’s good eavesdropping.’

  ‘We can let our hair down literally Minerva and we shall have a good time. Remember the pilot officers motto, ‘Live for today’, I’m going to get myself one of those,’ Victoria said.

  ‘Remember what the medical officer told us about sexual diseases,’ Angela told her.

  ‘Oh shut up Angela! We can have a good time without dropping our knickers,’ Vanessa replied, ‘and I’m not wearing black bloomers on Saturday night. Come on its dinner time. Pick up your irons and let’s go.’

  In spite of Angela’s comments, all the girls were looking forward to Saturday night. They had been W.A.A.F.s for a week and Minerva could hardly believe the change in her life. She felt as though she had only existed before and now a new life had begun. That morning in the garage and airman had instructed the two girls how to change a wheel. They were told that if they were driving an officer and had a puncture, it would be their job to change the wheel. Minerva was used to getting grease on her hands and quickly mastered the technique. Sergeant Jenkins came to inspect and praised Minerva and at the same time asked if he could meet her at the dance.

  Friday night had been bath night when twenty four girls had to share six baths. It had been chaotic. Minerva had experienced this in the Orphanage and told everyone, that in future two baths would be allocated to each hut and there would be a rota when each girl could have her bath.

  They decided that Friday would be the day that they would do their washing. There were sinks and drying cupboard in the laundry room and a good supply of Rinso soap powder. They had marked their service number on all their clothes.

  Minerva was pleased that she had brought her blouse, cotton flowered skirt and her precious silk stockings. Victoria was very glamorous in her green silk dress. All the black bloomers had been discarded. Just as they were ready for going to the dance the door banged open which meant Sergeant Benson had arrived.