The teacher evacuees, p.28
The Teacher Evacuees, page 28
‘I expect they’d both understand that curtain is—’ Victoria stopped as a pounding sounded on the downstairs front door.
‘What on earth? It can’t be the warden already.’ Nell tugged at the blackout with a frightened expression.
‘Surely not.’ Victoria took the lamp from the middle of the table. ‘Get that cricket bat Miss Addie brought out for Albert. It’s still by the scullery door.’ After her experience with Walter Clarke, Victoria wasn’t taking any possibly foolish chances.
Holding the lamp in one hand and her torch in the other, Victoria went down the main staircase. As the pounding continued, Miss Hetty’s bedroom door opened and then Miss Addie’s, and they stood in the hall in their nightcaps with Lady wagging her tail between them.
‘I’m sure it’s nothing, but stay where you are for now.’
‘Not much of a watchdog, is Lady?’ Nell – who must have taken the servants’ stairs and sprinted from one side of the manor to the other – muttered as she re-joined Victoria in the front hall with the cricket bat.
‘With planes overhead at all hours that poor dog doesn’t know when to bark or not. Here.’ Victoria handed Nell the lamp in exchange for the bat. ‘Who is it?’ she called through the front door.
‘Two of the kiddies are missing and we’re forming a search party.’ Bob the publican’s voice rang out from the other side.
‘Two kiddies?’ Victoria flung open the door, thankful she was still dressed in her skirt, blouse and sturdy shoes. ‘Which ones?’
‘Albert and Diana. Two of them evacuees from the vicarage.’ Bob’s usually florid face was pale.
‘Put out that light.’
‘Now, Herb. Give us a minute,’ Bob began again.
‘Get the light out now.’
Victoria and Nell joined Bob outside and closed the door behind them. ‘The warden’s right, and I didn’t think. I’ll come with you.’ As Nell made to follow her, Victoria shook her head. ‘Stay here with the Misses Grainger and put the kettle on. The children can’t have gone far. It’s only beginning to get dark.’
Although it was a warm night, Victoria shrugged into the cardigan she’d had around her shoulders and joined Bob to hurry back towards the village, their shaded torches, covered with tissue, illuminating the grasses waving eerily from both sides of the lane. ‘Tell me exactly what happened. Who discovered the children were missing?’
‘Mrs Russell. She said Diana and Albert were playing in the garden, and she only went inside the vicarage for a minute to answer the telephone, but when she came back out again they were gone. The fellows that were in the pub are checking the pond. I left my missus to close up and knocked on doors as I went.’ Bob shook his head. ‘I mind the time a little lad, only two he were, wandered off from one of the farms in winter. He froze to death before anyone found him.’
‘It’s not winter and Diana and Albert are older, so more sensible.’ Victoria hoped they were. ‘What about Wilf, Albert’s elder brother?’
‘He were reading in his bedroom. The lad’s right cut up as you’d expect but he insisted on going to the pond with the men.’
As they approached the village crossroads, a vehicle came towards them and drew to a stop.
‘Victoria?’ From the front passenger seat, Louis peered around Constable Smith through a half-open window.
‘It’s Diana and Albert.’ Her legs trembled and she took a step nearer the car. ‘They’re lost and we have to find them. We’re forming a search party.’
‘I’ll help.’ Louis was out of the motor before Victoria finished speaking. ‘We’ll find them, I promise.’ He held her gaze for a brief moment and then turned back to Bob and Constable Smith.
Adrenaline surged through Victoria. It didn’t matter why Louis was here or her discomfort at facing him again, especially so unexpectedly.
Nothing mattered except Diana and Albert. Two children who weren’t only her pupils, but whom she loved with the same fierce protectiveness as if they were her own flesh and blood.
* * *
An hour later it had gone full dark, and from where Victoria stood outside the village hall, grey clouds and misty fog obscured the shadowy sliver of moon.
‘Bob and you lot, go back to the woods. The rest of us will head towards the stream and outlying farms.’ Constable Smith had taken charge of the search party, but despite combing the village, pond and nearby outbuildings, Diana and Albert were still nowhere to be found. ‘Anyone know where Mr Grainger got to?’
‘Last I saw, he were with the vicar and them going up towards the Clarke farms. Wilf says Albert’s mighty fond of Frank’s dog, Captain.’ Herb, the ARP warden, had joined the searchers and slung a coiled rope over one shoulder.
Victoria sank onto a wooden bench and buried her face in her hands. There was no reason for the children to go to Upper or Lower Yarrow Farm in the evening, but presumably the men had to consider every possibility.
‘Don’t lose hope.’ Beatrice patted Victoria’s shoulder. After Bob had raised the alarm, the church young people’s meeting had broken up and Beatrice had joined Victoria in the search. ‘Are you sure you won’t return to the manor? As Constable Smith said, the two of us can’t do anything more.’
Victoria shook her head. ‘I need to stay. The village hall is the designated meeting point so when the searchers find Diana and Albert, I have to be here. They’ll be tired, cold and frightened, and wanting their mums.’ She choked back a sob. ‘I’m a poor substitute for their mothers but they’ll need me.’
If the children were found. No, she couldn’t let herself think such a thing.
‘I understand.’ Beatrice’s usually guarded face was soft with compassion. ‘Between us, Nell and I will manage your infants’ class tomorrow, but go inside the hall and drink some tea.’ She set the flask Mrs Meldrum had provided on the bench at Victoria’s side. ‘You’ll catch a chill out here.’
Victoria stood and faced Beatrice, senior teacher but also her friend. ‘Diana and Albert can’t have vanished into thin air.’
‘No, so there has to be somewhere or something we haven’t thought of.’ Beatrice’s brows wrinkled. ‘I’ll go back to the vicarage and speak to Wilf. Perhaps he’ll have another idea. The poor fellow will likely be glad to see me, and although Mrs Russell is being a brick, she really shouldn’t be left with only Ivy right now.’
‘Before I go indoors, I’ll check around the hall and allotments again.’ Victoria had to do something except drink tea and sit and wait, or she’d go mad.
After Beatrice went in the opposite direction to the vicarage, Victoria, with new resolve, put the flask of tea inside the hall, then gripped her torch and pointed it towards the allotments. Since Albert and Diana enjoyed working in the school garden, it was one of the first places the men had searched earlier.
Apart from the dim light cast by the torch, owing to the clouds and fog, the usually familiar world outside her classroom was shrouded in shadows. Although the Germans had begun to send over more bombers at night, surely tonight they’d struggle to find their way, just as she was doing. Still, she listened for the sound of any approaching aircraft, ready to find shelter or dive to the ground if needed.
Picking her way through the darkness, Victoria rounded the rear corner of the hall and squat lavatory building, inching forwards to avoid wrenching her ankle in a hole or tripping over an edge of one of the raised beds.
At the entrance to the allotments, a profusion of bean vines covered a trellis and beyond, tomatoes tied to supporting stakes stood tall and proud. From the school plot several rows back, and behind a potato patch, the corn Victoria had planted with the children grew thick and high almost as it did in her mother’s garden in Canada.
A lump formed in Victoria’s throat, and she had to force herself to keep going, around Mrs Meldrum’s carrots and then Mrs Mann’s allotment, now being cared for by the postmistress. When, if ever, would the other teacher return to Hazelbury? That was something else Victoria couldn’t let herself think about.
A low hum of voices echoed from the corn, and Victoria stopped, a chill prickling along her spine.
‘We all, young and old, have to do our duty for king and country.’
‘But what if it’s too hard?’ Diana’s high treble answered Louis.
‘When it’s hard and others doubt you, that’s when staying steadfast and doing your duty is even more important,’ Louis said.
Frozen in place, Victoria put a hand to her chest as shame rolled over her. She’d doubted Louis. And she’d been wrong. So very, very wrong.
‘We thought we were doing our duty and a kitten would help Mrs Russell feel better after Mr Gilbert’s aeroplane was shot down. We didn’t mean to get lost, Sir.’ Albert’s voice was unusually meek.
‘Or fall asleep,’ Diana added. ‘Except it got dark and in the fog and blackout we didn’t know which way to go home. Is everyone cross?’ A small sob erupted.
‘No, not cross but terribly worried. Here, put your arms around my neck and I’ll carry you. There’s a handkerchief in my breast pocket. Keep hold of my jacket, Albert. There’s a good boy.’
‘I want me mum.’
At Albert’s hoarse cry, Victoria made her frozen limbs work and darted forwards.
‘I’m here, darlings. You’re safe.’ She crashed through the corn stalks to where Louis huddled with the children. ‘We’ll have you home soon.’
‘Miss McKaye.’ Diana cried harder. ‘We followed a kitten and got lost. We were afraid the Germans would get us so when we couldn’t find our way back we hid in the corn and then Mr Grainger found us when Albert sneezed and…’ Whatever else she said was drowned out by more sobs and then, as Victoria crouched on her knees, Albert and Diana were in her arms.
‘Oh, Louis. Thank you for finding them.’ Over the children’s heads, Victoria’s gaze connected with his.
‘I promised – and I never break my promises.’ His voice was gruff.
‘I know, and I was mistaken. Please won’t you believe me? I’m sorry. I was foolish and misjudged you and I… Forgive me?’ She stuttered to a stop when Albert raised his tearstained face and looked between them.
‘If you want to kiss Miss McKaye, Sir, I won’t tell nobody.’
‘You won’t tell anybody,’ Victoria said and then gave a choked laugh. ‘What are you saying, Albert? I’m sure Mr Grainger doesn’t want to kiss me. Come, take my hand. If Mr Grainger carries Diana, we’ll have you back at the vicarage in—’
‘Would one of you let Mr Grainger get a word in?’ Louis’s eyes twinkled as he took Diana from Victoria’s embrace.
‘I… oh… sorry.’ Victoria’s face burned.
‘Mr Grainger can speak for himself, and you, Miss McKaye already said you were sorry.’ Louis lifted Diana so her curly head rested on one of his broad shoulders.
‘I need you to know I mean it.’ Victoria held Albert’s hand tight as they made their way out of the garden.
‘I do know.’ Louis’s smile told Victoria she had all the forgiveness she could ever need, and more. ‘I made a case to my commanding officer for a twelve-hour leave pass so I could come here and see you. Speak with you, and tell you…’
He stopped and Victoria’s heartbeat sped up.
‘Tell Miss McKaye what?’ Diana asked from the safety of her perch, distress and fear seemingly forgotten.
‘I have a great deal to tell Miss McKaye – but in private.’ Once again, Louis’s gaze locked with Victoria’s, and the promise and longing in his face sent heat flashing through her.
‘If you and Miss McKaye get married, may I be a bridesmaid?’
‘Diana!’ Victoria let out a horrified gasp and jerked her attention away from Louis.
‘In lessons last week you said we should ask for what we want. I want to be a bridesmaid.’
‘I meant that Sheila should ask for a new pencil rather than taking Margaret’s.’ Thank goodness it was dark because Victoria must be all shades of red.
Louis’s warm laugh rolled out. ‘You two listen to your teacher, and when it comes to choosing bridesmaids we will certainly keep you in mind, Diana.’
‘Told you Mr Grainger was sweet on Miss McKaye.’ Albert nodded up at Diana. ‘I don’t tell no lies.’
Victoria put a hand to her mouth. She’d forgo correcting Albert’s grammar and everything else right now. Louis had said ‘when’ not ‘if’ they chose bridesmaids, which must mean he still loved her.
Like she loved him. With that love, and although they only had a few hours left in his leave, they’d work everything else out.
A piercing miaow sounded from somewhere near Louis’s chest.
‘What on earth?’ Victoria looked around.
‘It’s the kitten, Miss McKaye. When we found it, I put it in the pocket of my dress and…’ Diana’s eyes filled with tears again. ‘I didn’t hurt it, did I?’
‘No, it’s fine.’ Louis extracted what at first glance appeared to be a scrap of tortoiseshell fur and held it in his palm. ‘Everything will be all right now, darling, you’ll see.’
Although he spoke to Diana or maybe even the kitten, Victoria sensed his words were also meant for her.
Chapter Forty-Five
Victoria glanced at the longcase clock that stood in one corner of the front hall at Hazelbury Manor. Its hands pointed to just before midnight. The search party had been called off, Diana and Albert had been delivered to the vicarage, and then – following tea and biscuits with Beatrice, Nell and the Misses Grainger – she and Louis were finally alone. ‘You need to get some sleep before you have to leave again.’
‘Sleep can wait.’ He took both her hands in his. ‘I love you still, and I’ll love you always. When Aunt Hetty wrote to me, I let myself hope that you… well, I had to try again.’
‘I love you too and I’ve been such a fool. I… no wait.’ When Louis would have drawn her into his arms, Victoria stopped him. ‘I need to tell you the truth, every part of it.’
‘All right.’ He drew her over to one of the hall chairs and, once she was sitting, sat beside her keeping hold of one of her hands.
‘I know you can’t tell me about your work and it’s fine. It has to be secret but I… I was using your work and that need for wartime secrecy as an excuse. After Roy, I was afraid to truly trust anyone, even you. I thought I had to protect myself from being betrayed again.’
‘That makes sense, but if you remember Evelyn betrayed me as well. Then, that business with Walter Clarke had her fingerprints all over it. She was disloyal and treacherous yet again, but to her country, not only me.’ Louis rubbed his free hand through his hair. ‘She also attempted to get me to disclose military and other classified information at parties and such.’
‘How vile.’ Victoria squeezed his hand tight and moved closer.
‘By that point, we already had Evelyn and the others under surveillance but still… That day in Norwich when you implied you couldn’t trust me, I was hurt and angry. But I also understood and then I cursed my job and this godforsaken war.’
‘They don’t matter.’ Emotion clogged Victoria’s throat.
‘They do, and I can only tell you that I’m continuing to work undercover for British intelligence. On my honour, though, I’m not a double agent.’ He gave her a half-smile. ‘Nor is Miss Skene, a very efficient and patriotic grey-haired martinet who keeps me in order as if I were the son she never had. However, I’ll be sent on another assignment soon, maybe even to France. That’s why it’s not fair of me to ask you to wait for me.’
‘I want to wait for you, no matter how long it might be.’ The backs of Victoria’s eyes burned. ‘Don’t you see? When Gilbert Russell was killed, all I could think of was that if something happened to you, I’d never be able to tell you how wrong I’d been. I wouldn’t even be able to grieve for you properly. But loving you as I do means I have to open my heart to trust in love and any hurt that might come with it.’
‘I’d never hurt you but if something were to happen to me—’
‘I’d still have known your love. Our love, forever, no matter how long I live.’ Tears rolled unheeded down Victoria’s cheeks. ‘That would be everything to me.’
‘To me as well with you.’ Louis cleared his throat and clasped both her hands again, the light from the lamp Victoria had lit earlier flickering across his beloved face. ‘Here, now… it’s not how I planned to ask you. I should have written to your father first but we have so little time and I don’t want to leave you without knowing… Will you marry me, Victoria? My love?’
‘I will, Louis. I will marry you.’
He reached into his jacket pocket and brought out a small, worn blue-velvet box. ‘Then I hope you will wear this ring for me and as a symbol and promise for our future. It’s a Grainger family ring and was my mother’s and grandmother’s before her.’ He opened the box and took out a large, marquise-cut sapphire, surrounded by diamonds and more sapphires, and slipped it onto the fourth finger of Victoria’s left hand.
‘I’d be honoured to wear it.’ Victoria’s eyes widened as the stones sparkled in the light. ‘It fits.’
‘Then it must be even more meant to be.’ Louis drew Victoria gently to her feet and wrapped his arms around her.
‘But what about Miss Hetty?’ Victoria didn’t want to marry Louis without his family’s blessing.
‘Who do you think gave me this ring to give to you? It’s been in Aunt Hetty’s jewellery box all these years waiting for you. It wasn’t right for anyone before but now it is.’ Louis’s breath warmed Victoria’s cheek. ‘When I got Aunt Hetty’s letter, that’s when I requested leave.’
‘I asked her not to say anything to you.’ Victoria rested her head on Louis’s chest, the steady thump of his heart reassuring against her ear.
‘Aren’t you glad she did? It happens rarely but even Aunt Hetty will on occasion admit she was wrong.’
