Minerva

by June Hirst

  ‘Minerva my sweet if only we could lie naked in a warm cosy bed’ Ricky murmured as he kissed her deeply. His manhood was throbbing unbearably and Minerva instinctively undid his buttons and released it. He groaned as her tender stroking aroused him further. His hand crept further up her thigh until it reached her soft golden nest. Minerva had never experienced such abandoned passion. Gently he parted her secret place and stroked her gently. When he found her inner core, Minerva cried out,

  ‘Ricky, oh Ricky please don’t stop,’ Ricky controlled himself and rolled on his protection, before gently entering her. She cried out just once and then abandoned herself to their joint rhythm. They rose to a crescendo together cocooned inside their air force blue nest, then snuggled together in pure unadulterated joy.

  ‘This is a magic fairy ring my love’ Ricky whispered ‘I wish that we could stay here for ever, but we have a war to win. Let me put your ‘twilights’ back on.’ Minerva giggled as he tugged on the knickers, pausing to flutter butterfly kisses on her golden nest.

  ‘Oh my God Minerva you are beautiful,’ he whispered. When they were dressed Minerva struggled to roll up her hair and Ricky gently kissed the back of her neck, before replacing her hat. All four happy, glowing Air Force personnel returned to the camp in blissful euphoria. It was not until Minerva snuggled down in bed, that she began to reflect on her joyous afternoon’s activities and once again an image of Martin Moxon invaded her thoughts. She really had been unfaithful to his memory now. She had experienced what the mill girls used to whisper about and found it truly blissful. She realized that she may never see Martin again. He would remain locked in her heart forever and if their paths should cross again then fate would take its course.

  Chapter 9

  As winter changed into spring the W.A.A.F.s became accustomed to the heavy bombers taking off. They always anxiously awaited their return and counted them in. Parky and Ricky were still on reconnaissance and were becoming more and more reckless, as they photographed enemy territory. Minerva and Victoria could recognise their engines and always breathed a sigh of relief and crossed themselves, as they said a silent prayer of thanksgiving. The German armies, swept across Europe, invading Denmark, Holland, Norway, Belgium and Luxembourg and suddenly the threat of invasion seemed nearer.

  Minerva and Victoria had decided to remain as duty drivers. They were driving every day now and were very familiar with the unmarked roads. The other drivers no longer patronised them as’ the little women,’ but accepted them as equals. Sergeant Jenkins still looked longingly at Minerva, but knew that he could not compete with the dashing flying officer.

  At last the new W.A.A.F.s were expected and this time they would be collected from York station by two Leading Aircraft Women. Angela volunteered to light the stoves in the three empty huts, so Vanessa and Mary helped her to mop the floors and dust the window sills and cupboard tops. They were determined that the girls would be made more welcome than they had been

  When Minerva and Victoria arrived at the railway station, they discovered a group of new recruits, standing under the clock, where the first recruits had assembled six months earlier. The two Leading Aircraft Women marched smartly towards twenty four anxious young women.

  ‘Good morning, everyone and welcome to York. I see that you all have your gasmasks. I am Leading Aircraft Woman Wood and this is Leading Aircraft Woman Jenkins Jones.’ Minerva announced.

  ‘Please organise yourselves into two groups of twelve and we will escort you to your transport and drive you to the camp.’ Victoria added.

  The new recruits were transported to the camp much more smoothly than the first recruits had been. Their arrival was taken for granted and there was no male audience this time. Sergeant Benson was waiting for them. Minerva and Victoria curbed the urge to giggle and presented serious faces, as they saluted and stood to attention.

  ‘Welcome to R.A.F. Brackston,’ Benson bawled. ‘Form into three groups of eight and we will escort you to your billets.’ There was pandemonium as the girls giggled and chattered. Victoria and Minerva waited for Sergeant Benson to respond.

  ‘At the double! This is a working Air force base in wartime, not a school playground,’ she bawled. The girls stood still and stared. Minerva and Victoria quickly sprang into action and organised the girls into groups.

  ‘Thank you Leading Aircraft Women, I can see that we have a lot of work to do. Now in your groups get into twos and then we shall march to your quarters. Ready, quick march. Left, right, quiet! The bewildered girls followed in a muddled formation, which made Minerva and Victoria realise how far their group had progressed.

  ‘Halt,’ Sergeant Benson commanded and all the girls bumped into each other and shrieked with laughter. Victoria and Minerva waited expectantly.

  ‘Quiet! You are like a set of giggling school girls. This is not a playground game. We are at war and every day might be our last. You will deposit your belongings and then we will escort you to the cookhouse for lunch.’ The girls silently obeyed orders.

  After lunch the girls were settled into the three huts and then instructed to go to the stores to collect their uniforms. Minerva and Victoria realised that progression had been made in the six months since their arrival and at least the new recruits would look like W.A.A.F.s, immediately, which would be good for training and discipline.

  Minerva’s group were first to line up at the stores to collect their equipment. The eight girls were all eighteen and nineteen years old and they seemed very young but eager. They were greeted in a friendly manner by Angela and Mary. Minerva began to instruct them.

  ‘Put your shoes in the bottom of your kit bag and then you can put in your underwear, stockings, shirts, pyjamas and ablutions bag. Put your knife fork and spoon into your ablutions bag. Right, well done, now put on your great coat and hat, so that you can carry your uniform over your arm and your kit bag over your shoulder. The girls staggered back to their hut like an over loaded camel train. By now Minerva realised that they were feeling apprehensive and homesick.

  ‘Come along everybody you’ll soon settle in. We all feel strange at first. I suggest that you put on your uniforms and then you will feel like W.A.A.F.s. You may keep on your own underwear for today, but replace your silk stockings with the woollen ones. I assure you that you will soon get used to them. She held up the grey woollen knickers and the black silky ones.

  ‘You will be glad of your, ‘twilights and blackouts, ‘when you are on the Parade Ground. The North wind blows straight across there.

  ‘You must be joking,’ one of the braver girls replied,’ are we expected to wear these.’

  ‘Yes you are and you will have a lecture about keeping them on as well,’ and Minerva blushed, remembering how Ricky had removed hers and all the girls laughed, which helped them to relax.’ I suggest that you make a rota for lighting the stove and keeping it burning. Even though it is spring, it will be very cold in here at night. There are many rules and regulations and the sooner you get used to them, the sooner you will settle in.’ Minerva continued her lecture. ‘Always make sure that no light is showing through the blackout curtains. You will have heard that one of our R.A.F. stations has been bombed, so you will be shown the air raid shelter after dinner. If you hear the siren you grab your gasmask and get in there at once.’ The girls were listening intently and Minerva realised how far she had progressed. ‘Are there any questions?’

  ‘It’s very basic in here .They don’t believe in home comforts.’ One of the girls said.

  ‘I can assure you that it is much better than it was six months ago when we arrived. You must keep the hut clean and tidy and look after your kit. If you lose any of it you will have to pay for a replacement and if you do not pass inspections, you will be on a charge.’

  ‘What does a charge mean miss?’ one of the girls asked.

  ‘It is a punishment and it will be made to fit the crime,’ Minerva replied. ‘Now that you are all dressed we will go and inspect the ablution block. Your bl
ue bag contains your ablution kit, but you may use your own toiletries as well while they are available. Check that you have a bath plug.’ All the girls pulled out a chain fastened to a plug and looked bewildered. ‘That is a precious object, so guard it or you won’t be having a bath.’

  After they had inspected the ablutions Minerva left them, but told them that she would be back before dinner. She closed the door and stood with her back to it breathing a sigh of relief and once more considered how her life had changed in six months. She was in charge now and she was respected. She felt a warm glow of contentment as she walked down the path. She could see the two reconnaissance planes returning. Ricky swooped down low, before circling and landing. She made her way to the N.A.A.F.I. which was their meeting place. She knew that he would be there, as soon as he had handed in his reconnaissance film and her heart fluttered in anticipation. Never before, in her austere life, had she been cuddled and kissed by another human being. The lecture that she had given to the new recruits had made her thirsty, so she ordered a large mug of tea, while she waited. She knew that she was very fond of Ricky, but she also knew, that to fall in love with him could be heart breaking. Flying officers lived on the edge, when every day could be their last. He was so gentle and kind and he made her laugh over and over again. He had been educated in a prestigious public school, so he must be from an upper class family, but admitted that his academic achievements had been poor. All he had wanted to do was to escape to the local airfield for flying lessons. She knew that she had far more knowledge than he and she thanked the time that she had spent in Heatonfield library, which had been her solace during her lonely days. That lifetime seemed a million miles away, although she dutifully sent a letter once a month to her foster parents. She knew that Muriel kept them all in a box and read them to everyone in the pub and Ben read them to the girls at the mill. She had sent them a photograph, which took pride of place on the sideboard. She was deep in thought when Ricky kissed the back of her neck and made her jump.

  ‘You were miles away my little Yorkshire rose.’ He plonked his mug of tea on the table spilling some of it. ‘I could see you in my mind when I was flying. When we have won this war, I will take you flying .It’s the most wonderful sensation, but not as wonderful as our love nest in the woods my darling. Please can we return there soon,’? Ricky whispered. Minerva swallowed hard, as she remembered and blushed.

  ‘I love it when you blush my sweet, you are more beautiful than ever. I long to bury my face, into your golden curls.’ Minerva felt immoral, but with reckless abandon whispered

  ‘Same time same place Ricky love.’

  ‘How about a few cuddles tonight it’s a long time to Sunday,’ he replied.

  We’ve brought the new recruits in today and I have to inspect them before dinner and then I’m free, so I can meet you in the bar at twenty hundred hours.’ Minerva told him.

  ‘That’s a date my love I know a secluded corner, behind the tennis courts, where we can snuggle up together. We shall not be breaking any regulations, so don’t look so worried. I’ll see tonight then my precious.’ After a quick kiss they both returned to duties.

  When Minerva returned to the hut, there was chaos. Jackets and great coats were on the floor and the beds were full of clothes.

  ‘Attention!’ she shouted and all the girls stopped what they were doing and looked up.

  ‘You had better get used to discipline. When I say attention! You stand up straight with arms by your sides and listen. Right! We will start again. Attention! This time the girls responded.

  ‘Now you have half an hour to clean up this mess and then we will go to dinner. Where have you put your irons? which means your knife, fork, and spoon. I suggest that you keep them in your ablution bag, until you can make a special bag to keep them in. If you lose them you will have to buy new ones, but you will be punished as well.’ The girls scuttled around putting away clothes and finding their precious irons. Some of them had photographs, which they displayed on their bedside cupboard. Minerva would have liked to look at the photographs, but remembered, that she must remain aloof and in charge.

  ‘When do we get to meet all the gorgeous hunks in Air force blue?’ one of the girls asked. Minerva forced herself to look strict as all the girls whistled and whooped.

  ‘What is your name Aircraft Woman Second Class,’?

  ‘Marilyn Miss,’ she replied.

  ‘You will remember that our motto is, DIGNITY AT ALL TIMES. There are two hundred men out there. When we came six months ago they were like a pack of sex starved maniacs and we had to prove that we were not sex objects. You will be having your first lecture on sexual subjects tomorrow, so I will say no more on that subject.’ They all looked suitably reprimanded.’ After dinner you may all go to the W.A.A.F.s recreation room. Assistant Section Officer Felman stood up to the Commanding Officer, who is male of course, and insisted that we should have a recreation room of our own. She is alright. You will meet her tomorrow. If she speaks to any of you individually you will address her as Ma’am.

  ‘Yes Miss,’ they all replied.

  ‘Remember to keep the stove going. It is still very cold at night. We painted the face on him to cheer us up. He is called Samson. They all laughed and Minerva felt that she had passed her first in ‘in charge’ assignment. She escorted her charges to the cookhouse and then joined Victoria and Vanessa.

  ‘How did you get on’? Vanessa asked.’ Victoria was alright.’

  ‘I think I passed I didn’t bawl at them, but their response was satisfactory.’ Minerva could hardly eat her dinner, as every time she thought about her evening with Ricky, her mouth went dry and her stomach contracted.

  ‘I’m meeting Ricky for a drink after dinner,’ she said.

  ‘Oh yes I see that they have planned it I’m meeting Parky,’ Victoria replied.

  ‘And I’m meeting Sunny Saunders,’ Vanessa announced.

  ‘Really! You three, do you think of anything else except flying officers? I don’t know how you do it.’ Angela primly told them

  ‘Catch one for yourself and they will show you how to do it,’ Vanessa crudely replied.

  ‘ Vanessa, I don’t know what you mean,’ Angela replied, blushing.

  ‘Stop it you two. I thought we were friends.’ Minerva said.

  ‘We are, but she’s as bad as concrete knickers Benson. Kisses and cuddles are worth a lot to the Flying Officers. It is our duty to comfort them.’ Vanessa said and they all laughed. Minerva felt guilty. She had gone further than a kiss and a cuddle and she knew that Victoria had too. Once again she remembered Martin Moxon and wondered what fate had in store for her. As well as’ Dignity At All Times,’ they had adopted another motto influenced by ‘Gone With The Wind,’ which they still discussed; ‘Tomorrow is another day.’

  ‘Angela, why don’t you come to the bar with us and we’ll introduce you to one of the other officers. They are always hanging around when we are talking to Ricky and Parky?’ Minerva asked.

  ‘Oh dear I don’t know if I can. I wouldn’t know what to say,’ Angela replied.’

  ‘They have enough to say .You could just smile and listen and you never know you might like one of them,’ Victoria told her.

  ‘Yes come on. It’s time you loosened up a bit,’ Vanessa added.

  ‘Alright then I will,’ Angela agreed, so together the four friends made their way in the pitch darkness to the Officers Mess, where Ricky, Parky and Sunny were waiting for them.

  ‘Ah here they are chaps the sunshine of our lives,’ Sunny said as the three men came to greet them. ’Who have we here then?’

  ‘This is Angela,’ Vanessa replied.

  ‘Welcome to our den Angela. What will you have to drink? I’m buying.’

  ‘She’ll have a port and lemon like the rest of us Sonny please,’ Vanessa told him.

  ‘O.K .port and lemon it is, my little sunshine.’

  ‘O.K.! What does that mean Sunny?’ Vanessa asked.

  ‘Ah, it is an e
xpression that the Americans use in films. It means alright.’

  ‘Trust you to know it,’ Vanessa replied.

  They settled down with their drinks and another group of Flying Officers joined them. Soon they were laughing and telling jokes and Angela felt comfortable and part of the group. Minerva noticed and was glad, especially when Tommy, who always looked sad, asked Angela if he could if he could buy her a drink. The conversation became serious when the men started discussing the German advance. Tommy and Sunny had bombed German Naval Bases and Ricky and Parky discussed their reconnaissance photographs. The girls sipped their drinks and listened.

  ‘There is only France left now and they won’t put up much resistance,’ Parky said.

  ‘Goering wants his Luftwaffe to take control of the sky. Our fighter squadrons must defeat them,’ Ricky added.

  ‘Do you think invasion is imminent?’ Minerva asked.

  ‘When we fly over the coast we can see the preparation. There are concrete pill boxes and lethal barbed wire all along our beaches,’ Ricky told her.

  ‘What is a pill box Ricky?’ Vanessa asked.

  ‘It is a fortified concrete box, with slits for shooting through, if the enemy lands.’

  ‘So invasion could happen then and preparations are made, but the British Expeditionary Forces are all in France,’ Minerva said.

  ‘The local defence volunteers would soon be mowed down. They are all old men and young boys with makeshift weapons, but let’s look on the bright side. We are an island and our Navy is strong and of course they have to get past the Air Force first. The factories are working flat out to produce more planes,’ Sonny said and he drank his beer.

  ‘That was a long speech Sonny, so on that serious note I think it is time to walk the girls home,’ Parky announced.

  ‘Will you stay and have another drink with me?’ Tommy asked. Angela looked hesitant.

  ‘Make sure that she is back in half an hour Tommy,’ Minerva answered for her. The three couples left the bar and dispersed into their own discreet corners through the pitch darkness. Ricky and Minerva settled, behind the tennis club, hut in a snug corner.