‘Can’t wait. I’m going to find myself a bluebell field and run through it with bare feet.’ Dora chuckled at the thought.
By this time they’d reached the fence. It was just the other side of the camp’s perimeter and already broken down in places, so they reached through the wire to collect all the loose bits, then hurried back to the hut. They didn’t want to be accused of stealing on their first day.
The girls fell on the wood as soon as they staggered in, and started feeding it into the stove. It soon made a lovely blaze. Two other girls had been foraging while they’d been out. One had cadged some bread and margarine from the cookhouse, and another produced a tin of cocoa and some powdered milk. They were obviously going to be an enterprising bunch.
The water was just coming to the boil when Kath erupted through the door clutching a jar of jam.
‘Where’d you get that?’ Ruth wanted to know.
‘From the NAAFI.’ Kath waved the jar in triumph.
Ruth looked puzzled. ‘What’s that?’
‘The Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes,’ Dora explained. ‘It’s a shop, canteen and a place to meet and have fun.’
It was a happy feast of toast and a welcome hot drink, and if the cocoa was rather watery no one complained. They had survived the first day and were happy.
At lights out, Annie slipped into her bunk. It had been so hard to leave her job at the magazine, and even harder to leave her family. She’d felt that the only choice she had was in deciding which branch of the services to join, but after today she felt this was the right one. She was going to miss her family dreadfully, of course, but everyone had to make sacrifices now. She smiled in the darkness; things were going to be all right. She’d had doubts about signing the final papers but now she was glad she had.
‘What do you think this is all about?’ Kath asked Annie, as they filed into the room.
‘I haven’t got a clue. Another lecture, I expect.’
‘Whatever it is, it’s better than square-bashing.’ Dora collapsed on to a chair with a groan. ‘I don’t think my blasted feet can stand any more, the last three weeks have been purgatory.’
Annie ignored her friend’s exaggeration. The basic training had been tough at times, but they’d had fun as well. They had been confined to camp most of the time, but they had been able to get out occasionally, and they’d been to a lively dance in the NAAFI canteen one night. Once she’d got used to living in a hut with lots of other girls Annie enjoyed the whole experience.
At that moment two RAF officers came in and the girls leapt to attention. They had soon discovered that it was wise to move sharply, and if in any doubt about the rank, to salute. They had made some blunders at first, much to the hilarity of the men, but it was better to be safe than sorry. You could be put on a charge for any small misdemeanour, regardless of how new you were.
‘I’ve never seen those badges before,’ Dora whispered. ‘The design looks like lightning.’
‘At ease, and be seated,’ the most senior of the officers ordered. When they were settled he nodded to his fellow officer who uncovered a machine and started to tap out Morse code.
Annie was fascinated and sat forward in her seat, listening intently. When he had finished she looked up and found the officer watching her. She felt slightly uncomfortable under his piercing blue gaze, but refused to be the first to break the contact. A slight smile touched his mouth but was quickly controlled, and Annie was shocked at how much she felt drawn to him. Some people you took to immediately and some you disliked at once, but she had a strong feeling that this man was special. She gave a mental shrug; all that square-bashing must have gone to her head.
He looked away and turned his attention back to the whole room. ‘You have now finished your basic training and will soon be shipped to new camps, but first we have to decide the best way to use your talents.’ A snicker rippled round the room, which he ignored. ‘You all know what you’ve been listening to, I presume?’
‘Oh, yes,’ Dora spoke up. ‘Messages can be sent and received like that, though how anyone can understand that jumble of bleeps is a mystery to me.’
Dora always spoke her mind and Annie expected the officer to reprimand her, but much to her surprise he merely smiled. He looked a very calm man and not at all like some they’d met since they’d joined up. She’d never believed people could have such loud voices.
‘Well, let’s see just how many of you can distinguish between the dots and the dashes, shall we?’
Annie found the next hour intriguing. First they had a short lecture, then had to listen to each sound and note down what they thought it was. Right at the end they had to try to decipher a very short burst.
After that there was a fifteen-minute wait while the men went through the results.
‘Ann Webster,’ the officer said suddenly.
Annie sprang to her feet. ‘Sir!’
He gave a satisfied smile. ‘You stay, the rest of you can go.’
‘Oh, oh.’ Dora whispered in her ear. ‘I knew he was after you; he’s been staring at you ever since we came in. You know the golden rule – never volunteer for anything. Whatever he wants, say no.’ She gave the tall, elegant man a studied glance. ‘On second thoughts …’
Annie gave Dora a push to send her on her way and looked down to hide her smile. She was incorrigible, but they got on well together and had laughed a great deal during basic training. Even when they’d been tired and fed up Dora could still make the girls smile. She was a great asset.
As the door closed behind the others Annie looked up again, eager to know what this was all about.
The officer had perched himself casually on the edge of the desk and pointed to a chair in front of him. ‘My name’s Graham. Sit there, please.’
She obeyed, eyeing him surreptitiously. Dora was right; he was dishy but not as young as she had first thought. He must be like her brother-in-law and have some special qualifications.
‘You had a pass rate of ninety-five per cent in that test,’ he told her.
Her eyes opened wide in surprise. She’d loved doing it but had no idea she’d got that much right.
‘Don’t look so startled,’ he told her. ‘It was the very result I was hoping for. I have been reading all the new recruits’ records and decided that you were just what we were looking for, but we had to find out if you had an ear for Morse code.’ He smiled warmly. ‘And you most certainly do.’
He picked up a folder from the desk and started to read it. ‘I see that you didn’t go on to university but the grades from your secondary school are excellent, with art and languages your strong points.’
‘Yes, I was lucky with my tutor. He said I had a good ear for languages, and he used to set me extra lessons.’
He continued reading her records and Annie waited patiently. When he spoke again it was in German, which threw her for a moment, but she quickly gathered herself together and answered in the same language. There was no doubt he was testing her for something and she became tense with excitement. What was this leading to?
He then reverted to English and started talking about films and books, and everyday things. When he switched to French, a language she was very much at home with, she talked for a while, and then could stand it no longer.
‘Will you tell me what this grilling is for … sir?’ It was always best to tack that word on the end.
He threw the folder down, folded his arms and grinned with pleasure. ‘We need wireless operators, and your languages could be useful as well. Your concentration is good and your German, though a bit rusty, is adequate; but your French is excellent. Where did you learn to speak it so fluently?’
Annie explained about Chantal and watched him scribble notes in her file.
‘We would like to train you for this, but I must warn you that it is a very secret occupation; the work will be arduous and the hours long at times.’
‘I understand.’ Annie couldn’t contain her excitement. ‘When do I sta
rt my training?’
‘At once. We are in desperate need of operators. You will have to learn not only to receive and send in Morse code, but you will also have to be able to repair your machine should anything go wrong with it.’
‘And how long will this take?’ she asked.
‘In normal times it’s a lengthy process, but you will have to become proficient in just six months. Quite a daunting task, I admit, but I believe you are capable of doing it.’
‘Where will I be going?’ Annie was bursting with excitement and many questions. She had never imagined she would be asked to do anything like this.
‘Your training will take place at Compton Bassett in Wiltshire.’
‘And after that?’
‘You will be told when the time is right and not before. There’s a lot of hard work in front of you.’ He smiled again and looked at his watch. ‘You have thirty minutes to pack your kit and meet us outside.’
‘Er … I thought we were due some leave now?’
‘Not you, I’m afraid. We have to start your training immediately.’
Annie ran back to the hut and found all the girls waiting anxiously for her. She was too excited to be disappointed about having her leave cancelled.
‘What happened?’ Dora asked as soon as she was through the door. ‘Does he want you for that tap tap stuff?’
‘Yes, I’ve got six months’ training ahead of me and I have to start at once.’ She grabbed her bag and began stuffing her possessions in it without bothering to fold the clothes properly. ‘I never thought I’d get such an exciting job.’
‘How did you do in the test?’ Kath wanted to know.
‘Ninety-five per cent correct.’
‘Wow! No wonder he wanted you.’ Dora looked sad. ‘This means we’ll all be splitting up.’
‘I’m afraid so, but it has been fun and we must try to keep in touch.’ Annie would be sorry to lose Dora’s companionship. ‘What will you be doing, Dora?’
‘I’ve signed on as a clerk because I thought it would help me get a better job after the war. I don’t want to go back into a factory after this.’
‘That’s a good idea. My sister learnt to type in the WAAC during the last war, and it was very useful to her.’
‘Ah, well, I’ve definitely done the right thing. Don’t forget you promised to introduce me to her some time.’
‘I won’t forget.’ Annie laughed at Dora’s eagerness. ‘What’s everyone else doing?’ she asked.
While Annie continued to pack, the girls spent the next half an hour talking about their various jobs and postings, then they said goodbye, and one or two tears were spilt. After that, Annie headed for the truck waiting to take her to her new posting.
Officer Graham was standing by the vehicle, talking quietly to another man, and when she hurried up he looked at his watch. ‘Right on time.’
He threw her bag in the back of the lorry, then the three of them clambered in the front and set off. As the countryside sped by her Annie couldn’t help wondering what she was heading into.
*
‘Hello, Rose.’ Annie popped her head around the kitchen door and grinned at her big sister, who was sitting at the kitchen table with a book in front of her, as usual. She’d been away from home for nearly four months and it was so lovely to see Rose again. She was wearing a dark red frock, which suited her beautifully; a shaft of the warm May sunshine was resting on her hair, making it shimmer blue-black.
Rose looked up from the book she was reading, smiled broadly and stood up to hug her young sister. ‘When did you get home?’
‘Just arrived. I’ve got a seven-day pass.’ Annie did a graceful pirouette. ‘What do you think?’ She’d managed to have some alterations done to the tunic and now it fitted a treat; of course, the stockings and heavy shoes were unflattering, but with the complete uniform it wasn’t too bad. The air force blue suited her as well.
‘Very smart.’ Her sister stood up and put the kettle on the stove. ‘I’ll make some tea and you can tell me how you’re getting on.’
Annie sat down and picked up the book Rose had been reading. It was the Bible her sister had won at the age of eleven for coming top of the school.
‘You still read it, then?’ she asked, as Rose sat beside her.
‘Oh, yes, and I’m still trying to understand it.’
‘So I see,’ Annie laughed, looking at the dog-eared, well-worn book in front of her. There was hardly a margin where Rose hadn’t scribbled a comment or two. She remembered when she’d been very little finding her sister studying well into the night, with this book never far from her hand. The fact that she was reading it now alerted Annie. ‘You’re worried about something. Is Bill back at sea?’
‘I’m afraid so. I knew it was going to happen, of course, but I couldn’t help hoping the navy would change their mind and give him a shore job. He went through enough last time, and I’ve got a nasty feeling this could be even worse.’
Annie wanted to reach out and hug her big sister, but she knew Rose didn’t like to be fussed over, so she picked up the Bible again. ‘We’ll pray for everyone’s safety. What were you underlining when I came in?’
‘That.’ Rose pointed to a psalm.
Annie read the sections marked in red ink.
Whither shall I go from thy spirit?
Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there:
If I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
‘Oh, that’s lovely,’ Annie said when she’d finished reading, ‘and so appropriate.’
‘Yes, it’s one of my favourite passages. Now,’ Rose settled back in her chair, ‘tell me all your news; you haven’t said much in your letters. We expected you home sooner than this.’
‘I should have been, but when I’d finished my basic training I was posted immediately. I’ve hardly had time to draw breath since then.’
‘What kind of a job have they given you?’
‘Wireless operator.’ Annie grinned and started to tap out Morse code on the table. ‘Seems I’ve got an ear for it. I’m only halfway through my training, but when I start as a qualified operator I won’t be able to talk about the work.’
‘I understand. How are you finding things in general?’
‘All right.’ Annie then started to tell her sister about their first day at camp and the awful underclothes; the mess they’d got into when first on parade, all turning in different directions until the sergeant had been almost crying with frustration. She went through everything in great detail, and by the time she’d finished they were both roaring with laughter.
‘Oh, you’ve cheered me up no end.’ Rose wiped her eyes.
‘I could hear you laughing from my kitchen.’ Annie’s mother walked in and kissed her, holding on as if she didn’t want to let her go. ‘It’s so wonderful to see you. Sorry I wasn’t here when you arrived. How long are you home for?’
‘Seven days.’
‘Oh, lovely, you look tired though. A few days relaxing in the garden will bring the colour back to your face.’ Marj smiled happily at her daughter, sat down and poured herself a cup of tea. ‘I had a letter from Charlie yesterday, and he seems happy enough in the air force, but I haven’t heard from Will for some time. I wish he hadn’t gone into the navy, but he was sure that was what he wanted.’
‘They’ll be all right, Mum,’ Annie assured her.
Wally came in then. ‘Annie!’ he exclaimed. ‘Good to see you again, we’ve missed you. Now, I don’t suppose you’ve got a pitchfork or an old sword, or anything I can use as a weapon?’
‘What on earth would we be doing with such things?’ Marj asked her husband. ‘What are you up to?’
‘I’m going to join the Local Defence Volunteers, and they haven’t got any guns
yet, so we’ve got to improvise.’
‘The LDV? You?’
Wally sat back with a huge grin on his face. ‘You only have to be capable of free movement to join. And I’ll have you know, my dear wife, that many of the men volunteering are a lot older than me, but as long as we hold our parades within easy walking distance of the pub we should be all right.’
Annie and Rose started to chuckle as their mother muttered, ‘God help us!’
Just then James tumbled through the kitchen door, flushed with excitement.
‘What are you doing home?’ Rose asked. ‘I thought you were spending the day on the river with John’s father?’
‘He’s had to take the boat somewhere. It’s been comm … comm … taken over by the navy. There’s hundreds of them all going up the Thames!’ He was jumping up and down with excitement.
‘The word you’re looking for is “commandeered”,’ his mother corrected, standing up quickly.
‘What would the navy want with a load of small boats?’ Wally asked with a worried frown.
‘I don’t know, but I’m going to find out.’ Rose swept out of the house with a determined look on her face.
‘John and me wanted to go with his dad but he wouldn’t let us. He said he didn’t know what it was all about and it might take some time.’ James scowled in frustration. ‘It’s rotten being a kid, you get stopped from doing anything exciting, and no one tells you anything.’
Annie hid a smile and stood up. How like Rose her nephew was, always wanting to know, always looking for answers to his unstoppable questions. ‘I’ll just go and unpack my bag.’
She had no sooner reached her room than she heard Wally calling.
‘Annie! Rose’s back and she’s got some news.’
She didn’t like the tone of urgency in his voice. She had not been taking a great deal of notice of James’s excitement, putting it down to childish exaggeration, but now she was worried. She ran across the garden and into Rose’s house, looked at her grim expression and sat down, waiting for her sister to tell them what she’d found out.
‘It’s bad, I’m afraid.’ Rose paced the room. ‘I’ve had a hell of a job prising information out of people, but fortunately I’ve still got some good contacts. Our army is trapped on the beaches at Dunkirk. Mum, will you look after the children for me?’
Wings of the Morning Page 4
