Minerva

by June Hirst

  ‘That is enough talk about war. When can we have another dance’? Victoria asked. ‘We need to raise the morale of the new recruits.’

  ‘Yes the poor things were thrown in at the deep end, having to experience the raid on their first night,’ Minerva added.’ It won’t have to be just for officers though. There are four dozen Air Craft Women plus sergeants and officers,’ Minerva told them.

  ‘Leave it with us my sweet and we’ll drop a few words in the right ear holes,’ Ricky replied as he nuzzled Minerva’s ear and breathed her fresh fragrance.

  ‘A Springtime celebration would be appropriate now that April’s here,’ Victoria said. ‘The cookhouse is big enough, if we cleared the tables, but it would smell of stale food.’

  ‘When everyone is smoking, it will clear the smell of food and the bar can easily be transported into there. That is a good location my darling,’ Parky replied.’ Some of the chaps have already formed a dance band, they play in the recreation den. I’m sure that they are ready for a public performance.’

  ‘The sun has set now and it’s very romantic in the twilight. How about a walk, before we turn in. I’m sure that we can find a cosy corner before bedtime,’ Ricky said. Sunny, Tommy and Angela were keeping Vanessa company ,who was on bar duty, as the four lovers departed into the Spring twilight. They showed their passes at the barrier and strolled along the country road holding hands. The new moon was just rising.

  ‘ Oh! Look, there is a new moon. We should turn our money over and make a wish. It’s supposed to be lucky,’ Minerva told them.

  ‘We could do with all the luck we can get, if we are going to win this war,’ Ricky said, ‘so turn your money over everyone and make a wish.’ They all felt in their pockets and turned over their money, as they made a wish.

  ‘Wishes have to be sealed with a loving kiss,’ Parky said and both Airmen swept the two girls into their arms and kissed them passionately.

  ‘Look out a vehicle is approaching I can hear it,’ Parky said. The middle of the road is not compatible to love making. Quick! climb over this stile.’ They peeped through the hedge as the car passed by.

  ‘That is the Commanding Officer’s car and he’s got a popsy in with him,’ Parky whispered.

  ‘It’s Fiona Felman,’ Victoria whispered.

  ‘What are we whispering for they can’t hear us,’ Ricky said and they all laughed.

  They found themselves in a field of fragrant hay, which was ripe for harvesting and which would make cosy love nests, so the two couples parted to find their own personal oasis. Minerva’s body was tingling with anticipation, but again images of Martin Moxon flashed into her innermost mind. She concentrated on Ricky’s merry face and his crinkly brown hair, as they lay down together in their love nest, protected as before in their greatcoat cocoon and Ricky skilfully caressed and kissed her

  ‘Minerva my sweet Yorkshire rose, I live for these moments,’ he whispered, as he covered her face with butterfly kisses and they nestled together. He removed her tie and undid her shirt buttons. Her detachable collar tickled his nose, before he buried his face into her soft breasts, kissing their rosy tips. His manhood throbbed as it tried to be released. He stroked her soft white thighs above her woollen stockings, before removing her regulation bloomers and burying his face in her golden nest. Minerva, moaned as the delicious sensation spread through her body. She trembled and moaned, as she released his manhood and he deftly donned the protection. Their bodies blended in a joyful rhythm and reached a crescendo together. They clung to each other in their pastoral paradise. When Minerva opened her eyes, the new moon peeped out from behind a cloud, making wonder if the man in the moon, of her childhood nursery rhyme was watching her. She remembered how she used to gaze through the window at the Orphanage and talk to the man in the moon. How she had longed for someone to love her, during those barren days. Someone to put their arms around her and cuddle her as a mother would. She had never experienced close contact with another human being, until she had danced with Martin Moxon. And then Ricky transported her to the pinnacle of ecstasy. Ricky stirred,

  ‘I have something to tell you Minerva my sweet. I have some exciting news. While we were at R.A.F. Bilton, Magic Moxon allowed us to fly his precious Spitfires and we have been accepted as Spitfire pilots.’

  ‘Does that mean that you will have to be transferred to Bilton?’ Minerva asked.

  ‘I suppose it does my sweet, as ours is a bomber station, but it’s not far and Parky has a car.’ Minerva felt sick, as the nerves of her stomach contracted. He really would spend a lot of time with Martin Moxon now. She struggled to sit up and shivered.

  ‘Are you cold my sweet .Shall we have a repeat performance?’

  ‘No Ricky we must return to camp. We don’t want to be stripped of our stripe on our first day.’ They quickly dressed and Ricky sent a signal whistle to Parky. The two couples met by the stile and returned to camp, each silently thinking their own thoughts.

  When Minerva and Victoria reached their billet the other girls were sitting up in bed talking.

  ‘Here come the lovers .Where have you been?’ Vanessa asked.

  We went for a walk, etcetera!’ Victoria replied,’ but it might be our last. They are going to be transferred to a fighter station. The lady Spitfire has tempted them away from us.’

  ‘Oh that’s a shame .The bar won’t be the same without them.’ Vanessa replied

  ‘Every cloud has a silver lining. They are going to organise a dance, in the canteen to welcome all the new recruits and because it is so big everyone is invited.’ Minerva announced. All the W.A.A.F.s greeted this news with great joy. Minerva had mixed feelings. The dance would be marvellous and she was sure, that the band would be playing Glen Miller tunes, which she loved she loved. If Ricky loved her he would have stayed here and not been tempted by the glory of the Spitfire. There was a war on, as they kept being told and nothing was permanent in wartime. Their love making had been ecstatic and exciting while it lasted. The physical contact had been wonderful, but was that being in love she asked herself and she did not have the answer. There was the dance to look forward to and she was a corporal now, so she would be very busy. She drifted into sleep, but two faces hovered in her dreams.

  Next morning, during breakfast, Sergeant Benson and Sergeant Harris congratulated Minerva and Victoria on their promotion and told them to report to their office at 900 hours to discuss duties. Both sergeants were forty five, which seemed old to the two twenty one year olds. When the two corporals knocked on the door, Sergeant Benson opened it and smiled at them.

  ‘There is no need for formality when we are on our own,’ she said. ‘Come in and sit down. Marion and I are pleased to welcome you to the None Commissioned Officer class. We have been vastly over worked since we arrived here, so we are looking forward to your help.’ The two new Corporals sat down, expectantly, waiting for orders and information.

  ‘There is a large amount of paper work,’ Sergeant Harris told them. ‘You, Victoria, had an upper class education, but you Minerva have proved that your education was adequate and it was noted that you used to spend all your spare time in the library, before you volunteered.’

  The girls remained silent, not knowing how to respond, to this change of attitude from the two sergeants. Sergeant Benson continued , ‘ We shall have to do many more jobs to release the men, who will be training as bomber crew and some will be re-located to train as fighter pilots. The Luftwaffe have to be defeated, if we are going to prevent invasion. The Armament factories are working day and night to produce more planes. We have had a period of reasonable calm, but the storm is about to begin. There is a tremendous amount of administration, which we are finding it impossible to cope with, so we propose to pass some of it onto you. As your duties do not commence until May 1st you are allowed leave of one week before then.’

  The two Corporals could not believe their ears. Leave for a whole week! ‘Thank you sergeant ,’ they both replied.

  ‘Now
you had better go and tell Sergeant Jenkins that you will not be available for driver duties from May 1st and that you are going on leave.’ Sergeant Benson told them. ‘Also I shall not be inspecting the new huts anymore, as that is your duty straight away. Welcome on board.’ She smiled and held out her hand, as did Sergeant Harris and the four None Commissioned Officers shook hands.

  Sergeant Jenkins was not happy to lose his favourite drivers, but congratulated on their promotion once again.

  ‘I’ve heard on the grapevine that a Springtime Celebration is to be held in the canteen. My mate Jimmy is leader of the dance band. He can make his saxophone talk. Will you both please reserve one dance for me? Now that you are Corporals you will have to fraternise with all the personnel and make sure that everybody is enjoying themselves . Some of the officers will be attending, but this dance is really for ordinary ranks and N.C.O.s.

  ‘O.K. we would love to dance with you.’ Victoria said.

  ‘Yes we would. I am very grateful to you for teaching me to drive. After the war I might even be able to buy a car.’ Minerva added.

  ‘If we survive this war and if we win there will be many changes in this country.’ Sergeant Jenkins said.

  ‘I agree Sergeant .I have been telling Minerva that there will be more opportunities for women just like there were after the last war.’

  Victory and Peace is a long way ahead ladies. This is going to be a long and perilous war and bombing will increase. Before long civilians will be bombed as well as military targets.’

  ‘Surely not sergeant, that does not bear thinking about.’ Minerva was horrified.

  ‘It’s true, love. It will happen. Hitler is determined to take over the whole of Europe. He is a power crazed maniac. He only has to conquer France now and then we stand alone. Anyway let’s not think about him. Are you due some leave, now that you have been promoted?’

  ‘We sure are sergeant and we can’t wait .I’m taking Minerva to visit my parents and then I’m going to show her London. Sergeant Jenkins smiled at Minerva. He knew that she had never been out of Yorkshire. That will be marvellous .I hope that you both enjoy your leave,’ he said.

  ‘We’ll see you at the dance and once again thank you very much for everything, James,’ Minerva said.

  ‘That’s alright love, it was a pleasure. Take care in London.’ Sergeant Jenkins replied and the two girls returned to their billet.

  Chapter 11

  The two Corporals were very busy helping with administration, inspecting and drilling as well as driving the vehicles. There was great excitement amongst the girls, as the day of the springtime celebration approached. Dresses were rescued from the back of cupboards and pressed.

  Minerva and Victoria had not seen Ricky and Parky for days and Sunny said that they were away on an assignment. The two girls realised, that this meant training in Spitfires. As they returned to their hut to prepare for the dance Victoria looked up and scanned the empty sky,

  ‘I don’t think that they are going to be back by tonight Minerva.’

  ‘No I don’t think so either, but remember we wouldn’t be able to dance with them much, because we are on duty. We have to dance with different partners every dance.’

  ‘I think that they will have gone to R.A.F. Bilton Min. You know that they will have met your secret love, don’t you?’

  ‘I know and I don’t know how I shall react if they have.’

  ‘Well, forget about them. Tomorrow is another day and we are going on leave tomorrow, a glorious week of leave. Mummy and Daddy are looking forward to meeting you.’

  ‘I hope that they will like me Victoria and I hope that I can fit into your home life.’

  ‘Don’t be silly I’ve told you before that you are a very beautiful, very efficient Corporal in the W.A.A.F. and soon you will be a Sergeant’ and the two girls hugged each other.

  After dinner the Airmen cleared the canteen and made a stage from blocks of wood, where the band, Jimmy and the Jackdaws, set up their instruments. The blackout curtains were drawn, to shut out the extended daylight, and coloured streamers were pinned to them. A few tables remained at the sides of the room and jam jars full of Daffodils were placed on them. Sergeant Jenkins was in charge. The bar was set up and everything was ready, as the rest of the Airmen began to arrive.

  The four dozen W.A.A.F.s had agreed that they would all arrive together, so led by Minerva and Victoria they drifted into the transformed canteen in a colourful collection. At once the band started to play Minerva’s favourite, the beautiful Moonlight Serenade and Sergeant Jenkins and Sergeant Brown whisked Minerva and Victoria, onto the dance floor, immediately, followed by all the other girls and their partners.

  ‘You have transformed the canteen into a springtime ballroom, Sergeant,’ Minerva said. ‘It’s very pleasant in here. We could almost forget where we are.’

  ‘Thank you Minerva. I’m glad that you like it. We all need some entertainment and all the girls are beautiful in their colourful dresses. Please save another dance for me,’ he said as the music stopped. Vanessa, Angela and two more girls surprised everyone by joining the band and singing the very popular ‘ A Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square’. During the interval everyone was served drinks from the bar and everyone mixed and chattered together. At that moment Assistant Section Officer Fiona Felman and a few other officers arrived. All the Sergeants, went to greet them.

  ‘You have created a very attractive venue, Sergeant Jenkins. It is much appreciated,’ A.S.O. Felman said.

  ‘Thank you Ma’am,’ he replied.

  ‘This might be the last celebration for a while. We are celebrating springtime and the approach of warmer weather, but bomber crews will be otherwise occupied this summer,’ Assistant Section Officer Felman announced. ‘It is nearly the first anniversary of the W.A.A.F. and you are all doing a fine job.’

  ‘Thank you Ma’am’ all the W.A.A.F.s replied and the A.S.O. and other officers departed.

  The band started to play again and Vanessa sang,’ You Are My Sunshine’ and every one joined in the chorus. Everyone agreed that it had been a splendid occasion and morale was high, as they all joined together to sing the National Anthem, before returning to their quarters, in pitch darkness.

  Next day Minerva and Victoria hitched a lift to the station, on the supplies wagon, and squeezed onto a crowded troop train, travelling to London. They managed to get a seat and Minerva was entranced, as she gazed through the window. The train travelled through the English countryside, which she had never seen before.

  When they arrived at Kings Cross station, Minerva closely followed Victoria down into the tube station. Victoria was at home, but Minerva was amazed, as she descended the escalator and then watched the train come hurtling out of the dark mouth of the tunnel onto the platform. The doors opened and the girls were jostled in. Minerva could hardly believe her eyes. She hung onto a strap with her kit bag between her feet as the underground tube train, hurtled and swayed from stop to stop. It seemed like a dream. She blinked, as they emerged into the daylight. Victoria sniffed.

  ‘I had forgotten what London air smells like, after being in the country,’ she said. We’ll walk from here it’s not far. This part of London is called Knightsbridge.’ The two girls slung their kit bags over their shoulders and strolled along. Victoria stopped outside a large house.

  ‘Home sweet home,’ she said as she climbed the steps and rang the bell. The door was opened by a very immaculate elderly gentleman.

  ‘Welcome home Miss Victoria. Welcome Miss Minerva,’ he said. Your mother is in the drawing room.

  ‘Hello Robson. It’s lovely to be home. Come on Minerva,’ Victoria replied. Minerva was wide eyed and speechless. She gazed around the magnificent hall, as she followed Victoria, who pushed open an ornate door and called,

  ‘Hello Mummy, we’ve arrived.’ A tall attractive lady switched off the vacuum cleaner and rushed across the room, arms outstretched.

  ‘Welcome home my darling. We have been c
ounting the days.’ Minerva watched shyly and reflected how she had missed the welcome arms of a mother.

  ‘This is my very best friend Minerva, Mummy’

  ‘Welcome to our home my dear. We have heard so much about you. Thank you for taking care of Victoria,’ and she hugged Minerva and kissed her. Minerva felt tears prickling behind her eyes. She had never experience mother love before.

  ‘Thank you for inviting me,’ she replied.

  ‘You must be hungry and I have some bacon and eggs in the kitchen.’ Victoria’s mother said.

  ‘We’ve brought a ration card with a week’s rations on it, Mummy.’

  ‘Oh good that will be a help. We only have a daily help now, plus faithful old Robson of course. He is very helpful, but he is very frail now. I am learning to cook..’

  ‘Minerva is going to show you how to make a Yorkshire pudding, if we can buy some eggs.’

  ‘I’ll look forward to that.’ Minerva stared around the gleaming kitchen. It was bigger than the whole ground floor of her foster home. Mrs Jenkins –Jones cooked the bacon and eggs, which the girls devoured, appreciatively.

  ‘Daddy will be home for dinner. He is at the Foreign Office. There is a big hush, hush, discussion.’

  ‘Oh good I’m dying to see him. Now if you’ll excuse us mummy, we’ll go to my room and slip into something more comfortable.’ Again Minerva stared as they climbed an elegant sweeping staircase and entered Minerva’s bedroom. Minerva gasped,

  ‘This is a beautiful room Victoria!’ There were twin beds, a white and gold dressing table and floor to ceiling white and gold wardrobes. The carpet was pink with deep pile and the bedspreads were white with sprays of pink roses.

  ‘I admire you Victoria for settling so well into our bare barracks after being used to this.’

  ‘Ah yes, but don’t forget I went to boarding school too.’ Minerva looked out of the window into the garden.