Charlie cleared his throat. ‘It’s getting late … and I thought you and my sister were just friends?’
Reid stood up. ‘We are, but I’m working on it.’
Annie didn’t miss the look of amusement on her brother’s face.
27
Annie had been in hospital for nearly four weeks and was bored to tears. The first couple of weeks had been painful and she’d felt too ill to take much notice of what was going on around her, but now she felt fine. As her health had improved the restrictions forced on her by the broken ankle and arm were enough to drive her mad! She had been told not to attempt to move without the nurses’ help; she was considering having another go at standing up, when a visitor walked in.
‘Will!’ Annie exclaimed in pleasure. ‘When did you arrive home?’
‘Last night. Our ship’s in dock to have some new equipment fitted.’ Her brother sat on the bed next to her chair. ‘And just in time too. Dora had a girl in the early hours of this morning.’
‘Oh, how wonderful!’ She clasped his hand. ‘Congratulations. Are they both all right?’
He smiled proudly. ‘They’re just fine.’
Annie was sitting in a chair beside the bed and stamped her uninjured foot in frustration. ‘When am I going to get out of this place? I’m missing everything, and I want to get back to work.’
Suddenly Sam walked into her room. ‘You won’t be fit enough for duty until the new year.’ He sat beside her.
‘Why not?’ Annie waved her right hand at him. If she had to endure much more of this idleness she’d go crazy! ‘Look, there’s nothing wrong with this, I can still operate a wireless.’
‘The injury to your ankle is very bad and you can’t walk yet,’ Sam pointed out. ‘And you won’t be able to use crutches with a broken left arm.’
Annie felt like screaming, but he was right, blast him. She’d tried walking with a stick and would have fallen if a nurse hadn’t been holding on to her.
‘You’ve got to be patient,’ Will told her. ‘You’ve had a serious accident and recovery is bound to be a slow business.’
‘I’m trying to be patient.’ She sighed, laid her head back and closed her eyes. ‘What are you going to call your daughter?’
‘We haven’t decided yet. Dora wants to call her Rose, but I’m not sure about that.’
Annie opened her eyes. ‘Why not? It’s a nice name and Dora admires Rose very much.’
‘I know.’ Will frowned. ‘But Rose is a unique woman, and I’m not too keen on giving our little daughter the same name. She might be constantly compared with our Rose and that wouldn’t be right for her.’
‘Hmm.’ Annie could see Will’s point and it would seem strange having another Rose in the family. ‘What about Emily, Rose’s other name?’
‘What a good idea.’ Will beamed at his sister. ‘I’ll suggest it to Dora when I see her this afternoon. I’m sure she’ll like that.’
‘I wish I could see her as well.’ Annie’s mood plummeted into gloom. It was terribly difficult to keep depression at bay when she felt so helpless. ‘Give Dora my love and kiss little Emily for me.’
‘I think Emily’s a lovely name,’ Sam told Will in approval. ‘What did she weigh at birth?’
‘Seven pounds exactly.’
Annie watched Sam’s face as he talked to Will about the birth and wondered what he was thinking. He’d never seen Jacques as a baby, or taking his first steps, or heard his first words …
She felt it was time to change the subject. ‘Tell me what’s going on in the outside world, Sam.’
‘Well, you know that Italy declared war on Germany three weeks ago.’ Sam couldn’t contain his excitement. ‘And this country is filling up with troops and equipment …’
‘Ready to launch an invasion?’ Annie asked.
He nodded. ‘Next year! It must be next year.’
‘Oh, damn, damn!’ Annie moaned. ‘I’ve got to get out of here, Sam.’
‘How does next week sound?’ A doctor strolled up to her. ‘You’ve made an excellent recovery and we’ll be able to remove the plaster from your arm in a few days’ time. However, you will still have to keep it in a sling for another couple of weeks.’
‘What about my ankle?’ she asked. She could manage with one arm but the ankle was causing her concern.
‘That will have to wait a while longer. We want you to come back on January the 3rd and we’ll have a look at it then.’
‘Thank you, doctor.’ Annie’s sigh was heartfelt. ‘I’m going round the bend being cut off from everything.’
He laughed. ‘So I’ve noticed but you’ll still have to take things very easy for a few more weeks.’
As the doctor walked away Will said, ‘You can go down to Wales and spend Christmas there.’
‘That would be lovely. George has written several times insisting that I come home and be looked after properly.’ Then her smile faded. When she thought of the journey on a crowded and cold train, she wasn’t at all sure she had the strength to cope with it. She was feeling shaky and weak. ‘But how on earth am I going to get there? I’ll never manage on the train.’
‘I’ll fly you there.’ Reid strode into the room.
She looked at him in disbelief, and then closed her eyes for a moment. He really was a stunning man: tall, straight, with his dark hair and eyes almost the same colour as his uniform. ‘You’re joking?’
‘No, I’m not. I’ve still got my own plane and I’m sure I can get permission to use it on this occasion. There’s a small airfield near Pontypool.’ He shook hands with Will and Sam. ‘I can squeeze another one in, if anyone wants to come.’
‘Not me, I’m afraid,’ Will told him with obvious regret. ‘I’d love to see everyone but I’ve only got a three-day pass, and I want to spend as much time as possible with Dora and the baby. God knows where I’ll be at Christmas.’
‘I’d like to take you up on the offer,’ Sam said. ‘I could help with Annie and it would give me a chance to see my son.’
‘Son?’
Sam explained briefly and Reid listened, a deep frown furrowing his brow.
‘Of course you must come,’ he said when Sam had finished talking. ‘I’ll bring you back as well, if that would help?’
‘It certainly would, but I’d like to stay for a couple of days.’
‘I think I can wangle some leave,’ Reid told him with confidence.
Annie looked at the three men as they made arrangements without consulting her. ‘Just hold on a minute. Don’t I have any say in this? And what are you doing here, don’t you ever do any work, Squadron Leader?’
‘Now and again,’ he replied, a slight smile on his face at the demotion again. ‘I’ve left Tangmere in the hands of my deputy for a few days.’
‘If you don’t want to fly,’ Sam said with a mischievous grin, ‘I could always take you down by truck.’
Annie held up her hand in horror. ‘Oh, no, I’d rather fly than risk you behind the wheel again.’
‘Good, that’s settled then.’ Reid noticed the sweets on her bedside table. ‘Where did all those come from?’
‘I’ve had a constant stream of American soldiers bringing me treats. Warren said his buddies wanted to cheer me up and let me know how sorry they were that one of them had hurt me so badly.’ She gave a delighted grin. ‘I’ve even been given two pairs of nylons.’
Sam glanced at Reid and pulled a face. ‘We must definitely get her out of here or we won’t be able to get in the door for American soldiers.’
Reid spun on his heel. ‘I’ll go and find out when we can move her.’
Four days later Reid carried Annie into The Haven and laid her on the settee. She rested her head back and closed her eyes. Although Sam and Reid had done everything they could to make the journey to Wales as quick and comfortable as possible, it had taken a lot out of her. It was a blessed relief to be there.
Rose pulled a stool over and lifted Annie’s injured leg on to it. ‘We’ve
made up a bed for you downstairs, and there’s a toilet and washroom right next door.’
‘Thank you, Rosie.’ Annie smiled. ‘How are the children?’
‘They’re fine.’ Rose turned to Sam. ‘Jacques is settling in very well. He’s having his afternoon nap at the moment.’
Just then the door was pushed open and Jacques trotted in carrying a toy rabbit by the ear. He stopped suddenly when he noticed Reid, then looked at Sam.
‘Daddy?’ He spoke the word exactly as Kate did, and it was clear he’d been listening to her very carefully.
Sam knelt down and hugged his son, and Annie was delighted to see that the child did not pull away. Progress was being made.
Annie smiled, holding out her hand to him. ‘Hello, Jacques, do you remember me?’
‘You’re Auntie Annie,’ he said in clear English.
He sidled past Reid and stopped by the stool, reaching out to touch the plaster on her ankle. ‘What’s that?’ he asked.
‘I’ve broken my ankle and have to keep that on until it’s healed,’ Annie told him.
Annie was surprised at how well Jack had picked up the language. ‘You speak English very well now.’
‘Auntie Rose ’elped me,’ he told her as he climbed on to the settee beside her, still clutching his toy.
‘That’s a nice rabbit,’ she said.
‘Kate give me.’ He squirmed about until he pulled a small toy soldier from his pocket and showed it to Annie. ‘James got lots of these and ’e let me play.’
Sam knelt down in front of his son. ‘Are you happy living here, Jacques?’
He nodded. ‘Auntie Rose is nice. Grandpa Wally and Grandpa George play with me, and Grandma Marj read me stories. Kate and James say I can be their brother.’ He gave his father an uncertain look, then tugged at the ear of his rabbit as a glimmer of tears shone in his eyes.
Sam and Annie were talking to Jacques in his own language now, and Reid watched the scene with narrowed eyes. He could see why Sam wanted Annie for his wife; she would be perfect for him and his son. The boy was obviously still troubled and was holding on to Annie with one hand and gazing at his father anxiously.
Reid’s heart ached with pity for this poor little boy; he was so clearly confused and troubled.
Not being able to stand seeing the three of them together any longer, Reid walked out of the room, through the kitchen and into the garden. He leant against the house and lit a cigarette, ignoring the cold wind.
Now he understood how his brother had felt about Annie. Paul had been clinging on to an elusive dream – a dream out of reach. He drew in deeply and blew the smoke out, watching the wind snatch it away. Was he doing the same thing? It had taken him a long time to really fall in love, and now he felt as if his hopes were as insubstantial as the smoke. Oh hell!
‘Don’t give up.’ Rose came and stood beside him, pulling her coat close around her. ‘Sam and Annie have been through a lot together, but quite what, only they know. They like and respect each other but I don’t think it would be right for them to marry.’
Reid offered her a cigarette, and when she refused he said, ‘They look happy together, so why do you say that?’
‘Haven’t you noticed that Sam hardly ever touches her? Annie wouldn’t like that; she’s always been very tactile. But there’s more to it than physical attraction,’ Rose said. ‘I believe he only sees her as a suitable mother for his son.’
Reid was angry at the thought of a man using Annie like that. She deserved better. You couldn’t just label her as a suitable mother; she had feelings and needs of her own. She was a complex and adorable woman …
Rose gave him a speculative glance. ‘I’ve seen the expression in your eyes when you look at her, so don’t give up. It took Bill ages to persuade me to marry him, but he won in the end, in his usual quiet way.’
‘How did he manage it?’ Reid asked. It was unusual for Rose to open up like this and he was hoping she would keep on talking. He wanted to know all about this family Annie loved so much.
‘He kept going away, leaving me to get mad with him, then he would return and pick up where we’d left off, as if it had been only yesterday.’ Rose gave a quiet chuckle.
Reid grinned, remembering the tall captain who had the respect of all his crew without ever raising his voice. ‘He knew what he was doing.’
‘Bill always does.’ Rose smiled back at Reid. ‘But I’m glad he never took “no” for an answer.’
‘Why hasn’t Annie ever married?’
Rose shoved her hands in her pockets and frowned. ‘I’ve always assumed it was because she had a career she enjoyed and didn’t want to be tied down with a family of her own just yet, but I believe the real reason is that she hasn’t met anyone she could love with passion.’
‘And you believe that’s important to her, do you?’ Reid asked.
‘Yes. As a small child she was always outgoing and affectionate, loving people in a way I could never understand.’ She laughed softly. ‘As soon as I turned my back she would be sidling up to the men I knew, giving them an appealing smile until they lifted her up. I know she would never marry unless she felt absolutely sure it was right, and in the absence of that special man in her life she has showered her family with love.’
Reid tried to imagine Annie as a small child and it wasn’t difficult to do; she must have been a real charmer. And although she was a grown woman now, she had retained an air of innocence that was damned appealing. Whenever they were together he found himself watching the way she responded to people; the ready smile and gentleness he often glimpsed in her eyes. His brother had been right – Annie Webster was a very special woman and he wanted her! He looked at Rose and smiled, dragging his mind away from the girl who was starting to fill his every waking moment. ‘Charlie told me that you have another brother who ran away to sea as a boy and ended up in Australia.’
‘Yes, Bob.’ Rose grimaced. ‘He was difficult as a child and he did the right thing by leaving. He’s made a good life for himself out there; but at the moment he’s in this country with the Australians. We’ve got two more sisters: Nancy and Flo. They are settled with their own families and we hardly ever see them now, which makes Mum sad, but that’s the way with families, isn’t it?’
‘Yes.’ Reid looked at the tall, beautiful woman beside him, and could understand why Bill had pursued her with such determination. Suddenly he felt better; Rose knew Annie better than anyone else, because she had practically brought her up during those tough years in Garrett Street. He didn’t know the whole story but he’d gathered that Annie could have died very young if it hadn’t been for Rose’s care. If she believed that Annie and Sam weren’t in love with each other, then that was good to know. ‘Thanks for talking to me, Rose.’
‘It was my pleasure.’ She walked towards the kitchen door. ‘Are you coming in now? It’s cold out here and tea will be ready soon.’
Reid followed her into the warmth of the kitchen with its tantalizing smell of freshly baked bread, then on through to the lounge again. The cold air and the talk with Rose had cleared his mind.
Jacques gave Reid a doubtful look when he back came in but Sam told his son, ‘He’s a pilot and flew us here today.’
The little boy’s eyes opened wide and he fired rapid questions at his father in their own language.
‘He wants to know if he can see your plane?’ Sam told Reid.
‘I’ll take him tomorrow.’
At that moment there was the sound of children’s voices and Jack scrambled off the settee. ‘Kate and James home from school.’ Then he was off as fast as his legs would carry him.
No sooner had the boy left the room when he was back again, trailing after Rose’s two children.
‘Auntie Annie.’ Kate came and kissed her gently, making sure she didn’t knock her arm or leg.
‘Can you walk?’ James asked as he examined the bulky plaster on her foot and ankle.
‘It’s difficult, but I can manage.’ Annie
put her foot to the floor and stood up. ‘See, they’ve put something on the bottom of the plaster so I can stand on it.’
‘Tea’s ready!’ Rose looked into the room. ‘I’ll bring yours in here, Annie.’
‘No, you won’t. I’ll eat with the rest of you.’
Reid stepped forward as she tried a step, but she waved him away. ‘I’ve got to do this myself. I can’t be forever calling for help.’
When Annie reached the table she collapsed on to a chair and gave a triumphant grin. ‘Made it! I knew I could do it. And it’s no good you looking so disapproving, Squadron Leader, because I’m determined to fend for myself while I’m here.’
‘I’ve been demoted again, have I?’ Reid asked, smiling at her dangerously.
‘Well,’ said George, changing the subject quickly to avoid a row erupting, ‘it looks as if we’ll soon be ready to invade France. Will you go home after the war’s over, Sam?’
Jacques stopped chewing and fixed anxious eyes on his father. ‘Home?’
‘Yes, Jacques, but not until all the Germans have left,’ Sam told him.
The boy swallowed. ‘We find ma mère?’
‘What does that mean?’ James whispered to Annie.
‘His mother,’ she told him, anxious that the little boy should have asked such a question.
Jacques looked at his father. ‘I want nice mummy, like James and Kate ’ave got.’
‘I promise you shall have one.’ Sam’s voice was husky with emotion.
‘Don’t make promises you might not be able to keep, Sam,’ Rose reprimanded firmly. ‘It isn’t right to give the boy false hopes.’
‘I’ll keep my promise, Rose.’ Sam had a look of sheer determination on his face. ‘I’ll do anything to make my son happy.’
Reid could feel Annie slipping away from him with every word from the grim-looking man sitting opposite him.
The next morning was a Saturday so the three children, Sam, Wally, George and Reid, crammed themselves into George’s car and went to the airfield to see the plane. Before the war it had been a private airfield and there were still a good many small planes parked there for the duration. Because of his rank, it hadn’t been difficult for Reid to obtain permission for this brief visit. James was soon inside Reid’s Lysander asking a stream of questions, but Kate and Jacques didn’t seem too keen and only wanted to view it from the field. Reid studied the two children and couldn’t help noticing that Kate, at seven years old, was beginning to show a hint of her mother’s dark beauty, and Jacques, only three years old, appeared frightened to be out in the open. Poor little devil!
Wings of the Morning Page 27
