A Kestrel Rising (17 page)

“I guess we should get back,” Harry said, “before we get in trouble. Squeeze in, girls. We’ll take you back.”

Six of them managed to fit into the car. Ilona sat on Francis’ knees. He put his arms around her waist and rested his chin on her shoulder. She wished that the drive to the base was more than a few minutes when his fingers strayed in the darkness. She quivered. His lips were soft on her ear. When they arrived at the base, he got out of the car with her. As her companions headed toward the gate, he kissed her once more. “Take care, Ilke. I’ll see you again soon.”

“I hope so.” She kissed him back. “Be careful.”

“I will.” He climbed back into the car. “I’ll write soon.”

She waved until the car had disappeared and Betty coughed from the shadows.

* * * *

“Just friends?” Lily asked the following morning as they prepared for another day on duty. “Are you sure about that, Ilke?”

“I’m not so sure, anymore.” She fastened her boots. “Not after last night.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? What did you two get up to when you were gone?”

She laughed. “Nothing naughty, I can assure you. We weren’t gone long enough for that.”

“Does that mean that, had the opportunity presented itself, you would have?”

Ilona shrugged. “Who knows? I think so. Yes, I think I would have.”

“Ha! I knew it!” Lily grinned. “You’re finally giving in.

“I can’t seem to help myself.” Ilona sighed. “After all, I’m only flesh and blood.”

“Flesh and blood that he can’t take his eyes off,” Betty observed. “He is obviously very fond of you.”

“I think you’re right there.” She picked up her cap.

“So what about you? Is the feeling mutual?”

“The only thing I know for certain is that I don’t know.”

“Oh, Ilke, it’s not because he’s a pilot, is it? What have we both told you about that? If Grace was here, she’d give you a right earful.”

She sighed. “I know. It seems to be ingrained in me. I promise that I will try to let go of that. I really will.”

“Good girl. You know it will be worth it in the end.” Betty picked up her gas mask. “Now, I suppose we had better go before we’re late.”

* * * *

Dear Grace,

I hope all is well with you up at Mildenhall. I’m sorry I haven’t written for a while, but it’s busy, busy, busy—more than usual. Something is up here. There seem to have been quite a few men with briefcases on base lately. The driver’s room at the depot is cluttered with very snooty WAAFs who have brought their Very Important Passengers here. One of the girls in the hut, who drives a bus, says that the pilots have been having a lot of briefings these past couple of days. So, something big must be in the offing. I guess we’ll find out soon enough.

Betty, Lily and I had a night out in Duxford a few weeks ago. We went to the pub. Nothing exciting in that, you’re thinking. Why are you telling me, Ilke? I can hear your voice now. We ended up with some extra companions because Francis turned up with two of his colleagues from the 71st. It seems that one of them is fortunate enough to have a car. I can’t tell you how nice it was to see Francis again. I think he’s finally beginning to mean something more to me. Is that cheering I hear? We took a little walk and he told me that he’s arranged things so that if anything happens to him, his friend Harry is to come and tell me. Not really what I wanted to hear and, crybaby that I am, I stood there in the middle of the road, sniveling. He took me in his arms and apologized for making me cry. Grace, it felt so good to be held again, to feel that comfort and when he kissed me? Ah, well…I finally realized that it was worth whatever pain may come. I still don’t know how I feel about him, but to put it bluntly, I need him. I suppose, for me, that’s progress. I am, as I told the girls, mere flesh and blood and some feelings can’t be fought, no matter how hard you try. I think you might have been proud of me! I just pray that he stays safe.

So that’s all my news, for now, apart from my sister finally getting over her morning sickness. Mama says she is huge and the doctor suspects twins. Mama is torn between horror at the prospect of two small babies in the house again and delight. I can imagine visits home won’t be that peaceful from now on. I still refuse to believe I’m going to be an aunt, and I’m still not knitting anything.

I will write again soon. Try and behave yourself. I’m off to bed. It’s been a long day.

Regards, etc.

Ilke

Ilona put the letter in an envelope and stared at the other drivers in the room. One or two WAAFs gazed out of the grimy window. They looked uncomfortable in their dress blues and eyed her overalls with distaste. She didn’t care. She was grateful that she didn’t have to spend her days waiting for officers to finish very long meetings. At least driving kept her busy and kept her from thinking too much. The fighter squadrons had left early and there was talk in the canteen of a big operation in progress. She could not help wondering if Francis was involved, because someone had mentioned that most of the Spitfire squadrons were airborne.

“ACW Lowe.” The depot sergeant put his head around the door. “Your lorry is ready to go.”

She rose, gave the two WAAFs her falsest smile and departed on another round of deliveries.

When Ilona returned to the hut at the end of the day, she found everyone huddled by the radio. Lily made room for her as the news announcer began.

“Allied troops have pulled back after nine hours of heavy fighting on the French coast at Dieppe, northwest of Paris. The withdrawal brings to an end the largest operation yet to include the army, navy and air force at the same time. Combined Operations have issued a statement saying that the raid had been completed as planned…”

Ilona listened as the announcer gave an account of the action and waited anxiously for news of the RAF.

“In the air, British pilots had a fierce confrontation with the Luftwaffe. Several planes were lost in low flying attacks on the German gun emplacements and, in all, the RAF lost ninety-one aircraft, the most in a single day’s fighting since the war started…”

The rest of the news report faded into a dull hum. Ilona looked down at her hands, fighting the fear that gnawed at her guts. She was aware that Lily and Betty watched her, but she managed to give them a reassuring smile. She was
not
going to let it get the better of her, not this time.

Chapter Fourteen

“ACW Lowe.” The depot sergeant found her in the garage, checking the tires of her lorry. “There’s someone to see you.”

A sudden knot of ice formed in her stomach. “Yes, Sergeant Sharp, sir.” She thrust her hands into her pockets and curled them into tight fists until her fingernails dug into her palms. Her legs shook when she followed the sergeant into the office.

“Hello, Ilona.” Harry, Francis’ wingman, stood by the door, twisting his cap in his hands.

“Harry?” She sat down, aware that the Sergeant was listening. “Is it Francis?” She didn’t know how she managed to find her voice.

Harry took the other seat. “Yes, but it’s not what you think.”

“What’s happened?” She couldn’t bring herself to speak above a whisper. Her heart hammered and she wanted to be sick. “Something happened to him at Dieppe, didn’t it?”

“We were on bomber escort. We’d just crossed the coast and the bombers were beginning their run…” He took a deep breath. “We had open sky—or so we thought. Then a whole swarm of Messerschmitts fell on us from out of nowhere. We had to turn and fight, you know, to let the bombers do their job. They were all over the place, swarming like goddamn wasps. Francis and I stuck together and then someone behind us said that we had bandits on our tails.”

Harry twisted his cap, then plucked at it. “Francis loves a good scrap, so he went after them. He climbed fast and put it in a turn that brought him right on the bandit’s tail. Brought him down before the pilot knew what had hit him. We were outnumbered and we were running low on fuel, and these fighters? They were from fields close by so they had plenty of juice. We had to turn and run and one of them had Francis at six o‘clock. He was right beside me and he tried to climb again before they took a shot.” He stared down at his shoes. “His plane got hit. It all happened so quickly, but I did my best to stick around and see what happened. The plane was going up in flames but he got out in time. That’s what I wanted to tell you. I saw his ’chute open, so that means he got out of there in one piece.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’d be willing to bet that he’s been picked up by the French Resistance by now, and they’ll get him out.”

Ilona curled her trembling hands into tight fists. “How can you be sure?”

He shrugged. “I can’t, at the moment, but someone will get the word to us and as soon as I hear anything, I’ll let you know, I promise. I
have
to, because Francis would have my nuts on a plate if I didn’t tell you.”

“He would?”

Harry offered her a weak smile. “Most definitely.”

Ilona’s hands were in a knot and her palms hurt from where her nails dug into them. She was trying to be brave and trying not to cry, but all she could think about was standing in the dusk in the middle of a country lane and the warmth of Francis.

“Are you all right, Ilona?”

She swallowed, trying to quell the nausea. “No, not really.” Her throat felt tight. “But I’ll manage. If there’s a chance that he’s safe, then I’ll think about that and pray.”

“He said you’d try and put a brave face on it.”

“He knows me too well, I think.”

Sergeant Sharp had handed her a mug of tea and she sipped it, gratefully.

Harry had finally stopped playing with his cap and he rose.

“I’d better get back. As soon as I hear anything, I’ll let you know. I promise. I know it’s hard but don’t let anyone know what I’ve told you, not in writing, anyway.”

“No, of course not.”

“His parents will only know that he’s missing in action. I know it sounds harsh, but we don’t want to put anyone’s life in danger.”

She stood stiffly, feeling like an old woman. “I know. Thank you for taking the trouble to tell me.”

“I know it’s pointless me saying this, but he wouldn’t want you to worry.”

She bit her lip. “It is, but I appreciate the sentiment.”

He gave her an awkward hug. “Take care, Ilona, and stay strong. I’ll see you soon.”

Tears gathered in her eyes. “Thank you. Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.” She watched him go and sank back onto the chair.

“Lowe? Are you all right?”

“I’ll be fine, Sergeant Sharp, sir.”

“I think you should take the rest of the day, Lowe.”

She stared into the mug of tea and set it down, wondering how it was that tea was supposed to be the cure-all for every ill. “Yes, Sergeant Sharp, sir.” She saluted the sergeant and walked out of the office, blinking in the brilliant August sunshine. Nothing on the station had paused to mark the moment, birds still quarreled in the trees and the ground crews still worried over their planes. Somewhere, in enemy territory, Francis could still be alive and Ilona tried to hold onto that. If anyone could find a way back, it would be him. He had to, because she needed him and he needed her. She was his constant, his lodestar and he would be back, somehow. Tears burned a familiar trail down her cheeks, but she refused to give in to them. She was glad to reach the hut and sink down on her bed. Then she was still, taking in the daytime silence of the place. Ilona lay on the bed and gazed at the ceiling. That sleep managed to find her came as a big surprise.

* * * *

When Harry stood in the sergeant’s office, he wasn’t twisting his cap or shifting from one foot to the other. He gave her a half-smile.

“Hi, I have news.”

Ilona kept her hands in her pockets to hide the trembling. “And?”

“He’s safe. That’s all I know. He’s not a prisoner and he’s safe.”

Relief washed through her. “That’s all you know?”

“That’s it and you can’t tell anyone—no one.”

“I know. I won’t. I promise.” She sank onto a chair and trembled.

“Are you all right?”

“I’m fine.” She took a deep breath and wiped her burning eyes.

He patted her shoulder. “Are you sure?”

“I’m sure. I’m just relieved, more relieved than I can say.” She covered her face in her hands and wept.

Harry had pulled up a chair beside her. He patted her shoulder. “It’ll be all right. Francis will be home soon, with any luck.”

“It’ll be all right, Lowe. It’s all right to cry. It’s good news.” The sergeant brought her tea and handed her a handkerchief.

She wiped her eyes and offered them both a watery smile. “I’m sorry. I think I needed that.”

Harry laughed and stood. “I’m not surprised. It must’ve been hard for you, this past month.”

“It has.” Ilona sipped the tea. The sergeant had made it strong and sweet, giving her the kick up the arse she knew she needed.

“When he gets back he’s going to find it all a bit strange. The 71st doesn’t exist anymore.”

She wrapped her hands around the tin mug. “It doesn’t?”

“We were officially disbanded yesterday. Today is the last day you’ll see me in RAF Blue. From tomorrow, I’ll be in the USAAF, since they’re now here and we can fight under our own flag. Most of us have joined. I’m hoping Francis will too, when he gets back.”

“That’ll be strange for him. He’s been with the RAF ever since the start of the war.”

“I think if it means he can stay at Debden, he’ll join.” Harry winked at her. “Now, I had better get back. There’s a lot to be done and it’s going to be strange, as you say, for all of us.”

“It will. Thank you for bringing me the news. When Francis gets back, I’ll be sure to tell him that you did right by him.”