Valors way, p.15
Valor's Way, page 15
"Actually it makes me feel rather embarrassed," he said while they made their way through the station.
When they reached the entrance to the platforms, Lynette asked, "When do you think we can see each other again?"
"Possibly tomorrow, if the Met Report is correct. That and if we're grounded again. If so we can plan something."
"One more thing, don’t salute me on a date," she said with mock sternness.
"Yes, Ma’am. I understand," he said trying to look serious.
Lynette gently touched his lapel. "Now say goodnight to me properly."
Talbot looked into her eyes and knew he was lost. The world ceased to exist the moment their lips touched. All he wanted was for her to stay in his arms, but reality intruded.
A passerby made a loud comment. "Get a room already!"
Lynette giggled. "I suppose this would come under the heading of conduct unbecoming an officer."
"I think one of your kisses is worth a night in the guardroom," Talbot said as they headed to their platforms.
While the train increased his distance from her, he replayed every second of the evening—the conversation, the dancing, holding her close, and the most perfect kiss he ever felt.
When he arrived at his station, he rang up Swanson, who showed up after a short wait.
"Well, how did it go?" Swanson asked impatiently.
"Very well actually, one could say it was perfect."
"Going to see her again?"
"Next time I get the chance. Probably tomorrow if this rains stays around. So did you ask Midge out?"
"She was on duty. Sloane decided that with the rain, it would be a good time to get some extra work done on the kites. So we talked during her dinner break."
Talbot was looking forward to the next time he would see Lynette. He crawled into bed glad he had met her by the chai van at Wittering.
#
Next morning proved to be just as miserable as the previous day. The Meteorological Report stated the rain would continue over Albion and western Europa until late in the evening. The squadron was still grounded.
"Here’s your fiver back, I didn’t need it." Talbot handed the note back to Redding.
"Everything go all right?"
"Yes, actually it was more than all right."
#
Talbot lay on his bed, catching up on the sleep he owed his body, when he heard the telephone ring in the common room. He was about to get up and answer it, when it stopped. A few seconds later there was a knock on his door. "Telephone call, John."
"Thanks, I'll be right there." He sat up and rubbed the sleep from his face before walking down the hall.
"Pilot Officer John Talbot here," he said into the handset.
"Have you had a chance to look at today's Met Report?" Lynette asked.
"Yes, I did. I was going to ring you up in a bit."
"So, any plans for tonight?"
"I know what I'd like to do and what I said I wanted to do. But to be truthful, I've miscounted my funds and I'm a little light right now."
"Then let me pay for tonight. Or are you one of those types who doesn’t believe a woman should pay for a date?" Lynette's voice carried a hint of suspicion, almost a dare.
"No, I’m not. Are you’re sure you want to?"
"Yes, and I know just the place. Meet me at the Piccadilly Circus information counter at 1800."
"All right. Sounds good," he said.
"Good, I’ll see you then."
#
"So what's the nightlife like around here?" Pender asked between forkfuls of lunch.
"Not much, Officer's Mess or the local pubs. There've been a few dances in the nearby towns organized by the local churches. We don't stand down until almost sundown."
"So what are your plans for tonight?"
"I'm meeting Lynette again for dinner. One has to make the best of the time given. By the way, I enjoyed your little joke about landing on a stationary runway."
"Can you hold a secret?"
"Yes."
"It really wasn't a joke. The carrier's Air Officer more or less ordered me to volunteer."
"Why would he do that?"
"I started getting sick after landings." A pained look crossed Pender's face. A fresh wound was being jabbed. "A carrier's deck is constantly moving. Rolling port and starboard, pitching fore and aft, plus up and down, all of this in some combination, all the time. I don't know what brought it on or why it started. I could feel my stomach churn whenever I came in for a landing. As soon as I climbed from the cockpit, I'd be running for the rail and being sick."
"What did your M.O. say?"
"Nerves, or as he was going to put in my fitness report, lack of them. The day they were going to ground me this came up. It was a perfect out and nobody's the wiser. This stays at the table, John. I don't need for Ramsey or anyone else to know."
"Then why tell me?"
"I needed to get it off my chest."
"This conversation never took place, Geoff."
#
"We'll have a bit of company on our drive, I'm picking up Midge. We're going out after I drop you off," Swanson said, as he put the Popular into gear.
"When we get to her barracks, I'll get in the back seat," Talbot replied.
When the car pulled up in front of the Enlisted WAAC's Quarters, he quickly changed seats. At the same time, two figures exited the building and ran through the rain toward the car.
He looked over as the rear door opened and Colleen climbed in. "Well, John, this is a pleasant surprise. I had no idea this was to be a double-date."
"Terry, I hope you don't mind. I asked Colleen to join us tonight," Midge said. "So I guess this really could be a double-date."
"Actually, I'm dropping John at the Underground station. He already has plans." The Popular made its way through the streets and headed for Theydon Bois.
"And what kind of plans would that be then, John?" Colleen asked as she edged closer.
Why can't my life be simple anymore?
"I'm meeting someone for dinner."
"In Londinium?"
"Yes, in Londinium."
"You'd rather have dinner with someone you've just meet, instead of me?"
"I've known her longer than you." That's not a lie. It's absolutely true by a few days.
Talbot noticed Midge was now turned in the front seat to apparently watch the unfolding story.
"So, is it because you're an officer now?" Colleen's eyes narrowed slightly as she stared at him.
"Absolutely not. I never knew if you were serious or joking, especially after that little bet. I assumed it was all a joke and became involved with someone else."
Colleen continued staring at him. "Be glad I don't have my way with you right here in the back seat." She edged away from him, back toward the door. "You'd be having a tough time explaining the big smile on your face to your girlfriend, John Talbot."
"I'm sure I would," he replied, with a silent sigh of relief.
Midge attempted to ease the atmosphere with a few jokes she heard for the first time that day. The laughter seemed to ease any lingering tension from Colleen. After the third one, Swanson pulled up in front of the station.
"Thanks for the ride, Terry. I'll ring you up when I get back. Good night, Colleen. Good night, Midge."
"Pilot Officer Talbot?"
He looked over at Colleen.
She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "Have a nice evening, sir."
Midge stared at him. Swanson nonchalantly rubbing his cheek with his finger.
"Thank you, Colleen. I'll try."
He immediately went to the station's washroom. Standing in front of the washbasin, he rubbed the dark red lip color off his cheek with a wet paper towel. Where did she get the lip color? WAACs aren't allowed to wear make-up and I didn't even notice.
Face finally cleansed, he waited only a few minutes for the train. Lost in thoughts of the previous night, he stared out the underground coach's window and almost missed his stop. He exited just before the doors closed.
Standing at the requested spot, he patiently waited for her arrival. Last night's nervousness was gone. He knew she would be there and he knew he wasn't late. He only needed to remind himself once to remain calm. She would show up.
He walked over to meet Lynette as she came up the escalator. She smiled when she saw him and they kissed hello.
"I hope I’m not being too forward," he said.
"No, not at all. I thought about you last night."
"I kept thinking about you, too," Talbot said looking into her eyes, wanting to kiss her again and again. "So where are we going?"
"The Hotel Cavendish. They have an excellent dining room and a larger band. It’s just a short walk away."
As if by some unspoken command the rain stopped as they emerged at street level. They made their way through the streets avoiding the puddles as much as possible. The ominous clouds opened up again as they entered the hotel.
"Do you think we’ll ever go out when it isn’t raining?" Lynette asked.
"Of course. I'm sure of it."
A short stroll through the elegant lobby and they entered the dining area. The large room was decorated with richly paneled walls and ornate window dressings. Even the blackout curtains were crafted to enhance the room’s beauty. The dance floor was over three times the size of the other one and the raised dais for the band took up one entire wall.
As they were shown to a table, Talbot noticed a gentleman standing at the bar paying close attention to them. A tall man, with blond hair combed straight back.
As the waiter walked away with their drink order, the tall man approached their table. "Hello, Lynette. It has been awhile, hasn’t it, my dear?"
Lynette's look of surprise changed to anger. "Please go away, Charles."
"Please go away? My dear, I would hope that you would have something nicer to say to your ex-husband. Taking a nephew out to dinner, I see.
"Really, don’t you think the Flying Corps costume is a bit much?" he asked looking right at Talbot. "Or did Lynette talk you into it?"
Talbot held his tongue and watched Charles. The fingers of his right hand started to slowly open and close on the white linen tablecloth.
"This is Charles—my ex-husband." Lynette continued to glare at the intruder. "Would you just leave and find a rock to crawl under."
"After all we meant to each other, you greet me like this?
"By the way," he looked at Talbot again, "That really is a bad costume, you should get your money back. So which side of her family are you from?"
The fingers of Talbot's right hand no longer flexed, they were tightly closed.
"He’s not my nephew, Charles. He’s my boyfriend. Now please leave."
The intruder started to laugh.
"Excuse me, Charles, but Lynette has politely asked you to leave, so please do. Not that it’s any of your concern, but this is a real uniform."
"Be quiet little boy, or I’ll squash you like a bug."
Talbot's knuckles were now as white as the tablecloth. He kept his voice low and level, but the malice was unmistakable. "Look you stupid bugger, we’ve asked you politely to leave. Now I’m telling you. I fly a Hurricane, and if the Huns don't scare me, what makes that marble-sized brain of yours think you could?"
Talbot stared into Charles’s eyes and beyond, making the tall man take a step backward.
Looking noticeably pale, he stammered, "G—Good-bye, Lynette, I'll see you again sometime."
Talbot watched Charles retreat to the room's entrance. "I'm sorry, Lynette. I didn’t mean to act like that."
"There’s no need for you to apologize."
They ordered dinner before walking onto the dance floor. Talbot looked around, but saw no sign of Charles.
When they started dancing Lynette kissed him on the cheek and said, "Thank you."
"You’re welcome. What did I do?"
"Thank you for convincing Charles to leave us alone."
"I just did what I thought I had to, that’s all."
"Is that how you view everything?" Lynette stopped and bit her lip. "I'm sorry, that didn't come out like I meant it to."
"I've changed a little over the past month. I go on the offensive when I'm defending something, or someone."
"I didn't mean to put you on the spot. I'm just trying to learn more about you. I guess I need to tell you about Charles."
"I am curious, but I wasn't sure how to raise the subject."
"Charles entered my life when I was seventeen. I fell madly in love with him, and we were married soon after I turned eighteen. Less than six months later we divorced. He thought he could use my family's connections. All the while he had a girlfriend. In fact, he spent the night before our wedding in her bed, and quite a few nights after that as well. I was young and stupid and fell for him completely. After the divorce, I was pretty shaken up, so my uncle suggested I join the WAAC. He said it would add some stability to my life, and so here I am. I started out as an Aircraftwoman 2nd Class and was selected for officer training. I’ve managed to straighten myself out, and I have a job I like, that I’m good at. Now, you know my whole sordid past. I’m one of those divorced women."
"It’s not all that sordid, and I don’t understand what you mean by ‘one of those divorced women’?"
"Some people look down on divorced women as having failed."
"I’m not one of them."
A motion from their waiter and they returned to their table. Dinner was served and as they ate, Lynette said, "I may hate myself later for asking this, especially if it spoils the evening."
Talbot stopped eating and waited for the question.
"When Charles was here I said something I thought you would pick up on. But you haven’t mentioned it. Now I’m curious if you even heard it or just aren’t interested?"
"You called me your boyfriend."
“Yes, you did hear it then.”
"I thought it was something you were saying to get him to leave. That's why I didn’t mention it. I didn’t want to assume something and embarrass myself, but yes, I am interested."
"It's only our second date. You don’t think we'd be getting ahead of ourselves?"
"I've only had one serious girlfriend. I really don’t have anything to gauge a relationship by."
"I’ve told you about my failed marriage. Now tell me about your first girlfriend."
"About a year ago, I was getting my pilot’s certificate and needed every spare moment to study. She wanted to go out all the time. The day I passed the examination, I went to see her. I saw her with a friend of mine and it was quite clear I was no longer of interest to her. I saw no reason to confront them. It wouldn't have done me any good, so I just walked away. Doesn’t equal what you went through, but that’s my tale."
"What if you saw her tomorrow?"
"I saw her on leave, we talked, and she wished me luck. I wouldn’t start up with her again." Talbot paused and took a breath. "What I really want to do is spend more time with you and see where it leads."
"I'd like that too."
When they finished eating, they returned to the dance floor. Talbot enjoyed the feel of her in his arms as they danced. They moved as one with the music. Singers, three men and three women, accompanied the small orchestra, adding a special charm to the evening. He pushed the war from his mind and all that mattered now was her in his arms. They danced like that for the rest of the band's set before returning to their seats.
They spent the time waiting for the band to resume playing in small talk. He found her easier to talk to now and opened up about his life in the squadron.
They danced to one more set of music, then left. They both looked at the stars in the clear, dark blue sky. Lynette took his arm and they walked down the street.
"Let’s stop here for a minute," Talbot said, and pulled her into the darkened doorway beside him. He placed a hand under her chin and kissed her deeply. They stood there for a time, holding each other and kissing, not wanting their time together to end.
With great reluctance, he reminded her and himself of his need to catch a train. They checked each other's appearance before continuing their walk to the station.
The platform was full of people, some heading home, and some heading out for a night of enjoyment. They stood at the back, against the wall, away from the others.
"Ring me up when you can, I know you're going to be busy," Lynette said. "I miss you already."
"I'll be thinking about you tomorrow and every day after that."
"Don't—please."
"Why not?"
"If you're thinking of me, then you're not paying attention to what you're doing. Something bad may happen and. . .." A worried look crossed her face.
"I promise I won't think about you until I've landed, shut down the engine, and the wheel chocks are in place. How's that?"
"Give me the name of your rigger, so I can ring him up and check to be sure you're not cheating and thinking of me."
At that inopportune moment, her train showed up. A quick kiss and a ‘see-you-later’, and she was on the train speeding away from him.
Talbot walked over to his platform and caught the next train in the opposite direction back to Stapleford.
He replayed the evening over and over again in his head. All his thoughts and counter-thoughts rebounded off one another to end up with one conclusion. He was falling in love.
An increase in enemy activity is anticipated
The Thirteenth day of Eighth month dawned with little fanfare. Over the south counties the skies were mainly clear, with an occasional lonely cloud. The Estuary was topped by a five-tenths cloud cover, while the Channel and northwest Europa had thick clouds floating four thousand feet above the ground.
Talbot found the few days since seeing Lynette strangely quiet. Enemy activity was non-existent except for reconnaissance flights. The fair weather brought with it late stand-downs and his only contact with her consisted of telephone calls. His promise to not think of her while flying soon lay in pieces.
#
The squadron made a turn near Orford Ness and settled on the last leg of the patrol.
