Into The Unknown

by Lorna Peel

  “I’ll be as gentle as I can.”

  “No, Charlie.” She took his face in her hands. “If you’re hurting me, I’ll tell you.”

  “All right.” He got undressed and she pulled off her nightdress, then they sat looking at each other.

  “If we sit here much longer wondering how, where, and what, we’ll get nowhere,” she said. “I always liked us making things up as we went along,” she added and they both laughed.

  “Bloody hell.” Charlie shook his head. “Just looking at you has given me an erection.”

  “Then lie down,” she instructed.

  She waited for him to obey before straddling him. Charlie lifted his erection, she lowered herself little by little onto it, and they both groaned. She felt so full of him again. His breath caught as she began to rock back and forth, bending over him, letting her full breasts sway with the motion. He raised himself up and sucked gently on one nipple but she pulled his head from her breast, clasping his lips with her own. Her rocking was quickly becoming urgent as their kiss deepened.

  “Slow down,” he whispered, breaking off the kiss. “Let’s take it slow but steady.”

  She allowed him to slide his hands up her legs – slowing her movements – and thrust up into her, drawing a short moan from her each time. Kate pushed her body down against his, her muscles tightening around him, making him grunt and begin to pick up the pace. His control could only last so long, and she sensed he was on the edge. With a small cry, she threw her head back as she came and in two more thrusts, he followed with a long low groan.

  For her it was perfect, and as she rested on her arms on top of him she knew by his smile it had been for him, too. She felt his hands, one moving down her back, the other smoothing over Bump and exhaled a contented sigh.

  “I love you,” he whispered. “You are so sexy and beautiful.”

  “I love you, too, Charlie Butler.”

  Three days later, she waved him off to his base. He had heard nothing from the Medical Board and he had plucked up the courage to go and see his CO. She knew he was nervous and she was nervous for him. If he wasn’t deemed fit, or the RAF wouldn’t take him back at all, she didn’t know what he would do.

  Charlie left her strict instructions not to do anything strenuous, so she went to see Lucy and John. John was away, but Lucy was delighted to see her and brought her into the vicarage drawing room.

  “Mr Gibson said you were back. You’ve got so big.”

  “In a month?”

  “Yes. Is the baby kicking hard now?”

  “Oh, yes.” Kate laughed.

  “I was delighted when you said you were taking Charlie to Ireland with you. How was it?”

  Kate sat down on the sofa and stroked Bump. “Charlie and I are back together again – and not just for the baby – really together.”

  “That’s wonderful.”

  “I love him. I know he must have been very ill and under a great deal of strain. It changed him, but thanks to Dr Eliot, the old Charlie is back.”

  “Where is he today?” Lucy asked.

  “Gone to see his CO about going back to the RAF.”

  “Oh?” Lucy sounded surprised. “But what about you?”

  “I’ve come to offer you my services.”

  Lucy smiled. “I’d be delighted with your help, Kate, thank you.”

  “I just don’t want to sit at home all day doing nothing but Charlie doesn’t want me doing anything strenuous.”

  “He’s right. Well, I won’t be letting you do anything strenuous either. We’re having a New Year’s Eve dance again in aid of the Red Cross. Last year’s was a huge success, lots of people from the services came. Hopefully, they’ll come again.”

  “We were always eager for a night out.”

  “Will you miss the WAAF, Kate?”

  She sighed. “I suppose so, at first. But I’ll be good at taking orders from you.”

  That evening when the front door closed, Kate left the potatoes boiling on the hob and went out to the hall. Charlie hung up his hat and overcoat before smiling at her.

  “My CO has recommended that I go back.” He grinned. “The Medical Board is going to get in touch in the next few days. Oh, and I’ve arranged that a telephone be installed as soon as possible. How are you?” he asked, his hands caressing Bump.

  “I haven’t been as busy as you.” She kissed his lips. “Dinner’s almost ready.”

  “Kate?” He followed her into the kitchen. “How do you feel about me going back and not you?”

  Looking down at his hands as they stroked Bump again, she covered them with hers. “I’m happy for you, Charlie. Lucy says there are lots of things I can help her with. Don’t ever think I’m jealous. I’m proud of the fact you’re going back.”

  The telephone and the letter from the Medical Board followed in quick succession. It was wonderful not having to walk up the street to the telephone box outside the Post Office.

  When the letter came, Kate lifted Charlie’s uniform out of the wardrobe, brought it into the living room and reached for the sewing box.

  “What are you doing?” he asked.

  “I’m going to sew your DFC ribbon on.”

  “Oh.”

  “Don’t you want me to?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t want to be seen as the wounded hero. I’m not a hero, Kate.”

  “But you were given a medal all the same. And people will look at you – your eye, your limp – there’s nothing you can do about that. You can tell them how you want to be treated, you know? You don’t have to wait to be treated in a certain way.”

  “Hmm.” He pursed his lips thoughtfully. “So it should go on, then?”

  She ran her thumb over the violet and white diagonally striped ribbon. “I think so, but it’s up to you.”

  “All right.”

  She smiled and kissed his cheek. “You’ll look so smart. Did you borrow John’s typewriter?”

  “Yes.” He gave a short laugh.

  “Don’t laugh. Typing will come in very useful.”

  She held up the tunic when she finished and he stared at the ribbon.

  “Thank you,” he said quietly.

  Kate was on tenterhooks the day Charlie had to see the Medical Board. When the front door slammed and he limped as fast as he could to the living room, she saw the excitement in his face and knew he’d passed the medical examination.

  She couldn’t teach him to type in a week, but if he knew the basics…

  “All right.” She stood behind him, placing his fingers over the keys. “A. S. D. F. Press them one at a time to strengthen your fingers.”

  “My hands are too big,” he complained.

  “No, they’re not. Come on, your fingers will strengthen in time.”

  “Oh, God.” He shook his head. “This is hopeless. You show me.”

  They swapped places and she began to type. It became clear he wasn’t watching when she felt his lips on the side of her neck. She smiled and closed her eyes.

  “Teacher’s getting angry. She’s going to give you lines.”

  “Oh.” He didn’t sound too bothered, slid onto the stool behind her, and began to caress her breasts. “You are so beautiful,” he whispered.

  “Do you want me, Charlie Butler?” She twisted around. “I’m trying to—” she began but he kissed her and she got no further.

  A week later, she cleared away the breakfast dishes and put them in the sink. Charlie was nervous; he had eaten in his dressing gown then had gone to get dressed.

  “I’m ready.” He stood at the door in his uniform ten minutes later, cap in hand.

  She gazed at him for a moment before smiling. “I have a good mind to get you to make love to me right now,” she said softly, taking his face in her hands and kissing his lips.

  “In retaliation for the other night?” he asked with a sudden grin and she laughed.

  “I love you, Flight Lieutenant Butler.”

  “I love you, Kate Sheridan. Now.” He
squeezed her hands. “I’ll telephone you as soon as I get there and give you a number to call if there’s anything. Don’t lift anything heavy, will you? Lie down if you’re tired—”

  “Charlie.” She broke away from him and handed him his overcoat and keys. “I’ll be fine. Go.” She kissed his lips again. “Go.”

  She waved as he drove away, then walked into the living room. The cottage was quiet already, so she put the radiogram on, turned the volume up, and went to wash the dishes.

  Putting the last dish away, she jumped when she saw a figure at the kitchen window. It was Jean, holding her hands over her ears. Kate hurried to the radiogram, turned it off, and opened the back door.

  “Jean,” she cried and hugged her.

  “I knocked at the front door, but you didn’t hear. I’ve got thirty days’ leave, but I couldn’t go home without seeing you. All of you.” Jean’s eyes widened. “You’re huge.”

  Kate laughed. “I’m seven months now.”

  “You look well.”

  “So do you. Come into the living room and tell me all the gossip.”

  “Where’s Charlie?” asked Jean as they sat down.

  “You’ve just missed him. It’s his first day back.”

  “Back in the RAF?”

  “Yes, he wanted—” The telephone rang. “Oh. Talk of the devil.”

  She went out to the hall to answer it and Charlie gave her a contact number. He didn’t know what he was going to be doing yet and shouted hello to Jean.

  “How do you feel, stuck here with your huge friend?” Jean gestured to Bump as Kate returned to the living room.

  “I’m proud of Charlie,” she replied. “I’m glad one of us can do something. I’m going to help the vicar’s wife with the New Year’s Eve dance. Will you be able to come?”

  “I’ll be back from Scotland so, yes. Charlie hasn’t been given a position yet?”

  “No, but I tried to teach him to type. What a disaster.”

  “So you’re happy?” Jean smiled.

  “Very.” She smiled back. “Now, come on, gossip.”

  As Jean gave her all the gossip, who was seeing who, who had left and the names of those who had arrived, Kate surprised herself. She didn’t miss the Sector Station. Not even a little bit. Apart from Jean and a couple of others, there had been a huge turnover of personnel. How could she miss people she didn’t even know? She never thought she would think it, especially so calmly, but the WAAF was now in her past.

  She didn’t know what time Charlie would be home so she ate her supper, left his in the oven, and went into the living room to listen to the radiogram. At half past six, she heard the front door close and a few moments later he came into the room. He looked tired, but smiled and sat down beside her on the sofa, kissing her, then Bump.

  “How was it?” she asked.

  “I’m assistant to the Adjutant and I’m getting acquainted with all the personnel files.”

  “Assistant Adjutant? Congratulations.”

  “It’ll take a lot of getting used to,” he admitted. “Sitting at a desk, I mean. The lads looking at me too. My eye, my limp, my illness…”

  “Come here,” she whispered, held out her arms, and he rested his head on her shoulder. “It’ll get better when the curiosity wears off.”

  “Yes.” He sighed. “It’s just that when I walked into the Officers’ Mess and found it full of Yanks who looked like they were about twelve years old, I knew I’d never be one of the lads again. Anyway,” she felt him shrug, “how’s Jean?”

  “Fine. She’s on her way home to Scotland. She told me all the gossip.”

  He was silent for a moment. “How was it? Hearing all the news about everyone?”

  “Charlie.” She stroked his hair. “The WAAF is in the past. She was telling me about people I didn’t even know. I don’t miss it. I thought I would, but I don’t.”

  “Honest?” He lifted his head.

  “Honest. Now, come on. Your dinner’s in the oven; eat it before it gets even more dried out.”

  She watched him eat, then led him back to the living room. Settling on the sofa, she leaned back against him.

  “I love you so much,” he whispered.

  “I love you.” She brought his hand up to her mouth and kissed it. “It will get better.”

  “I know.”

  “You’ll tell them all about the New Year’s Eve dance?”

  “I promise. Billy will be all for it, anyway.”

  “Good.” She smiled. “How was he?”

  “Delighted we’re back together.” Charlie’s hands caressed Bump, then he got up and switched the radiogram on for the news.

  Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin were meeting at Tehran in Iran and Berlin was bombed again.

  Kate was silent long after the radiogram was switched off.

  “What is it?” Charlie asked.

  “Remember that night in the shelter when Dunstan Street was bombed for the first time?” she replied and he nodded. “And I wondered about the people in Germany who don’t support Hitler, but who are still being bombed?” He nodded again. “Well, I’m still wondering, and the number of bombs the bombers are dropping…” Tailing off, she splayed her hands protectively over Bump.

  “We have to win this war, Kate.”

  “I know.” She stroked his face, knowing what he was thinking; that everything they had been through must not have been in vain.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Charlie leant back in his chair, rubbing the side of his neck. It was a week until the fifth Christmas of the war and he and Jim, the Adjutant, had just finished the list of personnel being granted Christmas leave. It was a long list, but there would be many disappointed faces. There was a sharp knock at his office door and Billy came in.

  “Sorry, Charlie, but this is the third Christmas running I haven’t got leave. I know it’s not your fault, but I was hoping…”

  “There’s always the Market Kirby New Year’s Eve dance in aid of the Red Cross. Lots of women going, according to Kate.”

  “A parish dance?” Billy’s lip curled. “They’ll all be there with their mothers.”

  “Go all the same, it’ll be a change of scene. Kate’s told her friend, Jean, and there’ll be plenty of WAAFs there.”

  “How is Kate?”

  Charlie smiled. “Big. There’s a month and a half to go. Would you consider being a godfather to the baby?”

  “Me? What about Clive and Toby?”

  “They’ll be godfathers, too. We’re having four. Clive, Toby, Jean and you, if you’ll agree?”

  “Blimey.” Billy looked and sounded flummoxed. “It’d be a pleasure.” He shook Charlie’s hand. “Thanks for asking.”

  “You’ve been a good friend from way back. I owe you a lot – a hell of a lot. Thank you.”

  Billy shook his head dismissively. “You just make sure I get a pass out of here on New Year’s Eve so I can thank Kate. Will Clive and Toby be home for Christmas?”

  “I’ve no idea, but at least they can telephone us at the cottage now whenever they’re free.”

  “How are they getting on?” Billy asked.

  “They’re both on bombers, giving hell to Berlin. I have a picture of them somewhere.” Pulling it out of his wallet, Charlie handed it to his friend.

  “Good God.” Billy snorted. “Clive looks just like another C. Butler I used to know. And Toby… they’re both so grown up.”

  “I know,” Charlie murmured, staring at the two young men before putting the picture back in his wallet.

  “Well, I’ll leave you to all that.” Billy nodded to the paperwork on the desk. “If I don’t see you before, I’ll see you at the dance. Merry Christmas, Charlie, and thanks.”

  Charlie drove home as early as he could on New Year’s Eve. Kate was coming out of their bedroom wearing a new blue maternity dress as he closed the front door.

  “Come and eat your dinner,” she told him. “The band is arriving at eight and the hall looks lovel
y.”

  “So do you.” He kissed her lips and she laughed.

  “I feel as big as the hall.”

  “If you feel tired or anything, tell me, and we’ll come straight home.”

  “And miss it all? I’ll rest, don’t worry. I don’t think I’ll be doing too much dancing.”

  They walked to the hall adjoining the church at a quarter to eight. The hall was decorated with streamers, balloons and the flags of the United Kingdom, France, Poland, The Netherlands, Australia, Canada, The United States and – Charlie grinned at Kate – Ireland.

  “Where did you get all the flags from?”

  “Lucy contacted as many clergy wives as she could. I asked Jean and, between us, we rounded up all of these.”

  “Well, it looks terrific.”

  The dancing began at eight-thirty and Lucy and Kate were delighted at the high attendance. Kate introduced Lucy to Jean just before the three women turned and stared, hearing a commotion.

  “Oh, my God.” Jean looked past Kate with wide eyes. “Who is that?”

  Charlie turned to see Billy, draped in a Union Jack flag, doing the can-can.

  “That,” he told her, “is a fellow godparent of yours. Billy?” He roared above the music as Kate dissolved into helpless giggles. “Come here.”

  Billy approached them with a grin. “Best dance ever, Kate. Charlie’s annoyed. He thinks I’m showing the base up.”

  “I’m not annoyed.” Charlie laughed. “I just wanted to introduce you to Jean. Jean’s going to be a godparent, too.”

  “Jean. At last.” He bowed theatrically and kissed her hand. “May I have this dance?”

  Jean nodded and Charlie watched them walk out onto the floor, disappearing into the crowd.

  “He can’t be drunk already?” Kate shouted above the music.

  “No, he just hasn’t got out much recently. Are you all right?”

  “We’re fine.” She smiled and he put an arm around her. “John says there are two hundred and twelve people here,” she told him. “We’ve made a fortune for the Red Cross.”

  “Good.” He kissed her temple. “Do you want to dance? Do you feel up to it?”

  She laughed. “I thought you’d never ask.”