wireless, looking pale and shocked.
“What’s happened?” she asked the depot sergeant as she hung the keys on their hook.
“The Japs bombed the Yanks,” he told her, his face gray. “Pearl Harbor. Destroyed a fair few ships. They snuck in at dawn, the evil, crafty bastards.”
“Were there many killed?”
“They don’t know for sure yet, but they reckon so. A lot of ‘em would have been asleep when the attack started. I reckon the Yanks will join the war now.”
“I suppose they will.” Ilona thought of Francis and his parents and tried to imagine their shock. At least England had had time to prepare before the bombing had started, a surprise attack like that was as bold and black an act of war as anything. She bid the staff goodnight and walked back to the hut, pulling the sheepskin collar of her jacket up around her face. The bitter wind made her eyes water. When she reached the hut, she found the same scene, reenacted with half a dozen girls sitting beside the wireless looking frightened and shocked.
“Did you hear the news, Ilke?”
“Just now at the depot. How awful.” It seemed, to her, as if the entire world was being sucked into this war and she wondered where it would all end.
They made room for her on the cot and she listened to the news out of Pearl Harbor while the numbers of the dead began to rise.
Dear Ilke,
Thank you for your letter. It was waiting for me on the same day that we found out we are on the move again. Not too far, just another, end-of-the-earth field in the middle of Norfolk, the chopping and changing is a real annoyance. Just for once, I’d like to stay somewhere long enough to be comfortable.
Pearl Harbor was a shock. I’ve heard that quite a few of my countrymen over here are all afire to go and have a crack at the Japs. The RAF isn’t too happy about it, but they don’t have to worry about me. I’d miss my Spitfire, so I’m staying for as long as the RAF will have me. I guess things may change at some point when the US gets organized enough to send more planes and men over here, but, until then, my loyalty is to the Brits. After all, they didn’t have to let some wet-behind-the-ears Yank fly one of their planes. I think they like me anyway, because I look after my planes and haven’t broken many. As much as I moan about the God-forsaken places we get posted, at least I know that, somewhere close by, there will be a decent pub.
Now for the really good news. In spite of all the upheaval, I get to have a few days off at Christmas. So, I’ve been thinking, since it looks like we’re traveling on the same days and my train journey takes me, more or less, where you are, why don’t we travel together? I’ll let you know which train I’m on and save you a seat. That way, even if it’s standing room only, we can keep each other company. Let me know what you think. I know that talking to me is a bit different from writing letters, but I think we’re over the awkwardness of our first couple of meetings and can probably manage a crowded train journey without sniping.
Right. That’s this letter done. It’s getting dark and you know what that means. We’re off to escort your Bomber Boys again.
Regards, etc.
Francis
“So, will you take him up on his offer?” Grace asked.
“I think so. He’s right about the train journey. It goes quicker if you have someone to talk to. I’m sure our families would be pleased to think we can all sit down and have Christmas dinner together without bristling and snarling at each other.”
Grace laughed. “Your mum will be glad that there won’t be any scratch marks on the dining room table, I’ll bet.”
“Not from me, anyway. Now all we need is snow and for Papa to bag some pheasants for dinner and it will be a lovely Christmas.”
Chapter Ten
Ilona stood shivering on the platform at Cambridge while the Norwich train slowed and rolled into the station with the slow hiss of brakes. A cloud of
“What’s happened?” she asked the depot sergeant as she hung the keys on their hook.
“The Japs bombed the Yanks,” he told her, his face gray. “Pearl Harbor. Destroyed a fair few ships. They snuck in at dawn, the evil, crafty bastards.”
“Were there many killed?”
“They don’t know for sure yet, but they reckon so. A lot of ‘em would have been asleep when the attack started. I reckon the Yanks will join the war now.”
“I suppose they will.” Ilona thought of Francis and his parents and tried to imagine their shock. At least England had had time to prepare before the bombing had started, a surprise attack like that was as bold and black an act of war as anything. She bid the staff goodnight and walked back to the hut, pulling the sheepskin collar of her jacket up around her face. The bitter wind made her eyes water. When she reached the hut, she found the same scene, reenacted with half a dozen girls sitting beside the wireless looking frightened and shocked.
“Did you hear the news, Ilke?”
“Just now at the depot. How awful.” It seemed, to her, as if the entire world was being sucked into this war and she wondered where it would all end.
They made room for her on the cot and she listened to the news out of Pearl Harbor while the numbers of the dead began to rise.
Dear Ilke,
Thank you for your letter. It was waiting for me on the same day that we found out we are on the move again. Not too far, just another, end-of-the-earth field in the middle of Norfolk, the chopping and changing is a real annoyance. Just for once, I’d like to stay somewhere long enough to be comfortable.
Pearl Harbor was a shock. I’ve heard that quite a few of my countrymen over here are all afire to go and have a crack at the Japs. The RAF isn’t too happy about it, but they don’t have to worry about me. I’d miss my Spitfire, so I’m staying for as long as the RAF will have me. I guess things may change at some point when the US gets organized enough to send more planes and men over here, but, until then, my loyalty is to the Brits. After all, they didn’t have to let some wet-behind-the-ears Yank fly one of their planes. I think they like me anyway, because I look after my planes and haven’t broken many. As much as I moan about the God-forsaken places we get posted, at least I know that, somewhere close by, there will be a decent pub.
Now for the really good news. In spite of all the upheaval, I get to have a few days off at Christmas. So, I’ve been thinking, since it looks like we’re traveling on the same days and my train journey takes me, more or less, where you are, why don’t we travel together? I’ll let you know which train I’m on and save you a seat. That way, even if it’s standing room only, we can keep each other company. Let me know what you think. I know that talking to me is a bit different from writing letters, but I think we’re over the awkwardness of our first couple of meetings and can probably manage a crowded train journey without sniping.
Right. That’s this letter done. It’s getting dark and you know what that means. We’re off to escort your Bomber Boys again.
Regards, etc.
Francis
“So, will you take him up on his offer?” Grace asked.
“I think so. He’s right about the train journey. It goes quicker if you have someone to talk to. I’m sure our families would be pleased to think we can all sit down and have Christmas dinner together without bristling and snarling at each other.”
Grace laughed. “Your mum will be glad that there won’t be any scratch marks on the dining room table, I’ll bet.”
“Not from me, anyway. Now all we need is snow and for Papa to bag some pheasants for dinner and it will be a lovely Christmas.”
Chapter Ten
Ilona stood shivering on the platform at Cambridge while the Norwich train slowed and rolled into the station with the slow hiss of brakes. A cloud of
Similar Books
