Wings of the Morning

by Beryl Matthews

  ‘Annie Webster.’

  Bouncer’s eyebrows nearly disappeared into his hair. ‘Paul’s girl?’

  ‘That’s the one.’ Reid gave a gleeful grin. He didn’t completely understand why he kept pursuing her, but in a strange way he was thoroughly enjoying the chase.

  ‘Well, if the vivid green ink is anything to go by I’d say you’ve really upset her. What did you do?’

  ‘I was rude and shouted at her,’ he admitted honestly. ‘I was shattered by Paul’s death and her composure irritated me.’ Reid grimaced in disgust. ‘But that’s no excuse for the way I treated her.’

  Have you thought about apologizing?’ his friend asked with a wry smile.

  ‘I did that after the funeral, and got soaking wet for my trouble. She wouldn’t get into the car with me and it was pouring.’ That walk in the rain amused Reid whenever he thought about it. Annie Webster was a spirited little thing, but he still didn’t understand why he hadn’t stayed in the car and left her to it. He just hadn’t been able to leave the stubborn girl.

  A deep chuckle came from Bouncer. ‘I’m beginning to like the sound of her, and it doesn’t look as if your usual charm had any effect.’

  ‘Oh, she said she forgave me, then more or less told me to get lost.’ The corners of Reid’s eyes crinkled in amusement. From his brother’s description, he’d gained a completely different impression of her but Paul had got it wrong, Annie Webster was not a timid, dependent woman. Behind the gentle façade there was a fire burning, and he’d love to get close enough to feel the heat.

  ‘Then why are you still writing to her?’

  ‘Bugger if I know.’

  His friend struggled to strike a match with one hand, and when he had succeeded lit a cigarette and drew on it, his eyes never leaving Reid’s face. ‘Pretty, is she?’

  He opened a drawer and took out the framed photograph Paul had always kept beside his bed. It hurt to look at it when he remembered just how much his brother had adored this girl, and he couldn’t understand why he was holding on to it. ‘I ought to give this back, I suppose?’

  Bouncer took the picture out of his hand and whistled. ‘No wonder Paul was crazy about her. I’d like to meet her. Tell you what, let’s go and return this now.’

  ‘I’ve only got a few hours free and, anyway, I’ve just found out she’s been transferred to this hush-hush place, and I don’t suppose we could get in.’

  ‘Oh?’ Bouncer was clearly intrigued. ‘What does she do, for heaven’s sake?’

  ‘Wireless operator, and speaks French and German.’

  ‘Does she now?’ Bouncer prowled over to the window to watch the planes taking off, then turned and sat on the windowsill. ‘I heard about these agents … do you think she’s one of them?’

  Reid tipped his head back and laughed at the ludicrous idea. ‘Where on earth did you get that daft notion from?’

  ‘Just a thought.’ Bouncer grinned. ‘Well, are you going to take me to meet her?’

  ‘I’ve told you, there isn’t time.’

  ‘Reid, I know you’ve got your Lysander here doing nothing, and the weather isn’t too bad, so can’t you find somewhere you need to visit urgently – with your second in command?’ he added.

  ‘Well …’ Reid only hesitated for a few moments because the expression on his friend’s face decided him. Being grounded was purgatory for Bouncer. Reid knew that every time the Spitfires took off his friend’s soul went with them. He stood up and shoved the photo into his pocket. ‘Come on then, I’ve promised to pop in and see the station commander at Duxford to discuss a meeting of top brass we’ve been ordered to attend.’

  ‘Ah.’ Bouncer’s eyes gleamed with amusement. ‘Want to get your story straight beforehand, do you?’

  ‘We’re not sure what it’s about but we don’t want to be caught out with questions we can’t answer. Once that’s done with I’m sure he’ll let us borrow a car. This place Annie’s in is only about an hour or so from there, I think.’

  Bouncer wasn’t as nimble on his feet as he had been but he beat Reid to the door, and waited impatiently for Reid to obtain permission from Duxford and file his flight plan. ‘Where is this place?’ he asked when they reached the plane.

  ‘In Bedford, near a place called Shefford.’ Reid helped Bouncer into the plane and snapped his harness into place. As well as having badly injured his arm, he had also made a mess of one hip, which made manoeuvring into small places difficult.

  ‘I’ll fly,’ Bouncer announced, his expression animated.

  ‘No, you won’t,’ Reid told him. ‘You’re grounded, remember?’

  ‘Oh, come on, you rotten blighter,’ he growled. ‘Who’s going to know?’

  ‘I’ll make a bargain with you.’ Reid eased his tall frame into the pilot’s seat, well aware that his friend was desperate to get his hands on the controls of any plane again. ‘You can fly her, but I insist on landing.’

  ‘You’ve got yourself a deal.’

  It was not the smoothest take-off Reid had ever experienced, and he breathed a sigh of relief as they levelled out. Once they were flying in a straight line he relaxed and listened to Bouncer singing at the top of his voice.

  He was only doing this trip for his friend’s sake, he told himself. It certainly wasn’t because he wanted to see Annie again; he had promised his brother he would see she was all right, hadn’t he? He couldn’t just abandon her, even if she was more or less telling him to bale out without a parachute. His quiet chuckle of amusement was drowned out by the sound of the engine and Bouncer’s happiness.

  It didn’t take Reid more than thirty minutes to talk over the forthcoming meeting with the station commander at Duxford, Simon Stratton, and he was only too happy to put an air force car at their disposal.

  When they arrived at Chicksands their papers were scrutinized, and permission to enter took a while. Bouncer pulled his collar up and shoved his hands into his pockets in an effort to protect himself from the cold wind.

  ‘Good Lord,’ he complained. ‘What is this place?’

  ‘I told you it was going to be difficult to see her, didn’t I?’ Reid stamped his feet and blew on his fingers, wishing he were back at base. It had turned much colder since they’d left and he was concerned for Bouncer. This was a crazy idea.

  ‘I thought that uniform you’re sporting would get you in anywhere,’ his friend muttered.

  A sergeant came up to them and saluted. ‘Would you follow me, please?’

  He led them to a small, sparsely furnished room, which was like an icebox, then left them, closing the door firmly behind him.

  ‘We’ve been arrested!’ Bouncer roared. ‘I bet he’s locked the door.’

  Reid laughed, opened the door and looked out. ‘It isn’t locked but there is a guard outside.’

  ‘What do they think we’re going to do, blow the place up?’

  Reid paced the small room. ‘I should never have let you talk me into this crazy scheme. She won’t see us, anyway.’

  His friend looked astonished. ‘So, it’s my fault now, is it?’

  ‘I’ve got to blame someone.’ Reid grinned. ‘And I’m flying the plane back.’

  The stream of colourful language was cut off sharply as the door opened and Annie came in.

  She saluted in front of Reid. ‘You sent for me, sir?’

  He ignored Bouncer’s smothered laugh. If that was the way she wanted to play, then he’d go along with it. He took the photo out of his pocket. ‘Yes, Webster. Paul always kept this beside his bed and I thought you might like it back.’ He handed it to her and moved away. ‘But if I’d known you were going to greet his brother so rudely I wouldn’t have bothered. You do know how to hold a grudge, don’t you?’

  As she looked at the photo her military bearing sagged, he saw tears clouding her eyes and she was fighting for control of her emotions. This was the first glimpse he’d seen of how much she had cared for Paul, and seeing the special photograph again had caught her off
guard. He had been, and still was, treating this woman in a disgraceful way but he couldn’t seem to help himself. There was something about her …

  ‘Thank you,’ she said quietly.

  He reached out to comfort her, but Bouncer stepped in front of him and blocked the gesture.

  ‘It’s a beautiful picture,’ he told her kindly. ‘Paul was always very proud of it, and you.’

  She smiled at him. ‘He was a good man.’

  ‘And a brave fighter pilot.’

  ‘You all are,’ she told him with obvious respect.

  Bouncer nodded towards Reid, who was sitting on the edge of the table watching his friend turn on the charm. ‘And Paul’s brother, over there, is one of the finest you could ever know.’

  ‘I’m sure he is.’ Annie ran her fingers round the edge of the frame, but didn’t look up.

  Bouncer tilted her chin up. ‘I can hear a “but” there.’

  ‘I don’t like him very much,’ she admitted, talking to Bouncer as if he was the only one in the room.

  ‘Ah, well, I agree he can be an awkward devil, but he grows on you, if you give him a chance.’

  ‘Will you two stop talking about me as if I wasn’t here,’ Reid demanded, getting to his feet. ‘I don’t need you to fight my corner for me, Bouncer.’

  ‘Oh, oh.’ Bouncer winked at Annie. ‘That’s torn it. Is there a pub where we can buy him something to eat and a large beer?’ He rubbed his left arm. ‘And a huge fire. I swear I’m frozen to the marrow.’

  Annie looked at his left arm hanging useless by his side. ‘I’m so sorry, they should have found you somewhere warmer to wait.’

  Bouncer gave her one of his most beguiling smiles. ‘I thought they’d arrested us when they put us in this cell-like room.’

  Annie laughed. ‘The Red Lion pub always has a log fire, but it’s about three miles from here.’

  ‘That’s all right, the station commander here has borrowed a car.’

  ‘In that case I’ll explain how you get there.’

  ‘I suppose you couldn’t come with us, could you?’ Bouncer asked, giving a plaintive sigh. ‘I was a friend of Paul’s and have always wanted to meet his girl. It would be nice to have a chat. Somewhere warmer than this,’ he added, rubbing his hip this time.

  ‘Lying sod,’ Reid muttered quietly under his breath. His friend had left a string of broken hearts, and goodness knows what else, he thought wryly, and he was damned if he was going to let him get Annie in his clutches.

  ‘Well’ – she looked at her watch – ‘I do have a couple of hours, so let me tell them I’m leaving the base, and I’ll meet you outside.’

  Bouncer treated her to the full smile.

  When she’d left, Reid turned on his friend. ‘And what the hell do you think you’re doing?’

  ‘Digging you out of a hole, old chap. That was about to turn into a slanging match and the poor girl was already upset.’

  ‘I know she was, and I was about to apologize until you stepped in with your phoney charm.’

  Bouncer shook his head. ‘You don’t get it, do you? She can’t stand you, and if you’d dared to touch her she’d have floored you.’

  ‘You’re exaggerating.’ Reid opened the door and waited for his friend to follow.

  ‘What about the unarmed combat you told me she can do?’

  Reid laughed. ‘You don’t believe that nonsense, do you? I don’t think she could do me much harm.’

  Bouncer’s limp was more pronounced now he was cold. ‘I think, my friend, that she could do you a great deal of harm.’

  ‘And I think the cold wind has seeped into your brain,’ Reid chided as he opened the door of the car. ‘Get in before you turn into a gibbering idiot.’

  ‘Ah, here she comes.’ Bouncer eased himself into the back of the car. ‘She really is very beautiful. I think I might make a play for her myself.’

  ‘Don’t you dare,’ Reid warned.

  When Annie reached them he held open the front passenger door for her, but she ignored him and got in the back with Bouncer. She really knew how to snub a man, he thought, highly amused by her continued hostility. She was wasting her time because it only made him more determined to break through her defences.

  On the short journey, Reid decided that he wasn’t going to let her get away with this for much longer. Her anger at him was understandable, but he’d apologized, damn it. He thought about his brother and a lump came into his throat. I’ve made a right mess of my promise to look after your girl, Paul, he said to himself.

  The pub had a blazing log fire in the grate so they pulled up a table and chairs and settled down with a drink.

  Bouncer held his leg out to the warmth and groaned in relief. ‘Oh, that’s heaven.’

  How did you tell a man like him that he would probably never fly in combat again? Reid thought, his heart aching for his friend. Bouncer was like a fish out of water when he was on the ground and he made no secret that he was determined to get back into the fight.

  ‘Rest your leg on here.’ Annie dragged another chair over. ‘You might find it more comfortable.’

  ‘Thank you.’ Bouncer gave her an approving smile. ‘You’d make a good nurse.’

  A brief moment of sadness flashed across her face. Reid was curious to know why a casual remark like that should have caused such a reaction. He was beginning to wish he knew more about her.

  Bouncer had put a cigarette in his mouth and was trying to light a match with one hand. Annie took it from him, struck the match and held it up so he could light his fag. He nodded his thanks, drew deeply, and blew the smoke up to the ceiling.

  Reid was highly amused, because if he’d offered to help he would have been put very firmly in his place with ‘I’m not a bloody invalid’. But his friend was certainly playing for full effect now, the crafty devil. Bouncer had a real way with women when he set his mind to it.

  He was brought out of his musing when Bouncer asked a question.

  ‘That’s right, isn’t it, Reid?’

  ‘Sorry. What were you saying?’

  ‘I was telling Annie that I should have baled out.’

  ‘It would have been wise,’ he remarked drily.

  ‘The thing is,’ Bouncer turned his attention back to Annie again, ‘the thought of trusting my life to a flimsy bit of silk terrifies me.’

  ‘Many pilots are alive today because they did just that,’ Reid pointed out. He’d lost count of how many times he’d said this to Bouncer. On one occasion he’d even managed to get him up in a DC3 and promised to jump with him, but no amount of urging had made his friend take that step into thin air. He found it quite exhilarating himself, and had even made a couple of jumps before the war. He was sure Bouncer only needed to jump once and then he wouldn’t mind doing it again, but persuading him had proved an impossible task.

  ‘I know, but they’re braver than me.’ Bouncer grimaced in self-disgust.

  ‘I don’t believe that,’ Annie told him. ‘Everyone is scared of something and yours just happens to be jumping out of planes.’

  ‘You’re right, of course. Have you ever jumped?’ Bouncer asked, his face a picture of innocence.

  There was a slight hesitation before she spoke, then, ‘I jumped out of a balloon once.’

  Reid frowned. Was this another tall tale, like the one about being expert in unarmed combat? ‘Why would you do that?’

  She gave him a cool look. ‘To see what it was like, of course.’ Then she turned back to Bouncer and smiled. ‘It was frightening but I would do it again.’

  Reid listened to her telling his friend all about it, heard her soft laugh, and started to reverse his opinion of her.

  First impressions were definitely misleading. He narrowed his eyes and tried to see beyond Annie’s apparent delicate façade. This was no weakling; there was a formidable strength of character radiating from her. Before the war she had probably been that rare creature, a career woman, or else she would have married before now. And
she was clearly intelligent. He also doubted that she would be swayed by anyone else’s opinions, and that was why Paul had never been able to persuade her to marry him. She would make her own decisions in life.

  He sipped his beer thoughtfully, feeling a stirring of interest.

  He liked her!

  20

  Annie removed the headphones and stretched her arms above her head, giving a groan of relief. It seemed as if she’d been sitting there for days.

  ‘Come on.’ Sam pulled her out of the chair. ‘Let’s see if they’ve got any food left in the mess.’

  ‘I jolly well hope they have because I’m starving.’ They walked outside and she breathed in deeply, enjoying the cold evening air.

  ‘Looking forward to your leave?’ he asked.

  ‘Oh yes, it’s an age since I’ve seen my family. Things have been so hectic we seem to have gone from winter to summer and back to winter without me noticing.’

  ‘Do you even know what year it is?’ he asked with obvious amusement.

  ‘I think it’s 1942, but the way I’m feeling at the moment, you’d better confirm that,’ she joked.

  ‘November 1942, to be exact.’ He chuckled at her confusion and opened the mess door for her. ‘You’ve been shut away for too long, Annie, and that’s what you get for being so good at your job.’

  ‘Oh, I enjoy it, but I just wish they wouldn’t keep dragging me out of bed whenever there’s a flap on, except for last night, of course.’

  ‘Yes.’ He rubbed his hands together in excitement. ‘Montgomery’s victory at El Alamein is a real boost to the spirit. This is the turning point, Annie, you can be certain of that.’

  ‘I’m sure you’re right.’ She yawned. Everyone was so excited by the news that the Germans had been ousted from El Alamein. It was a tremendous boost to morale. ‘But I’m so tired, Sam.’

  ‘Well, from tomorrow you can forget everything for seven days and sleep the clock round.’