want to hear all your news.’
For the next half an hour Will told them about the different methods of communication he’d been shown, and how they’d been very thorough in testing to make sure he was up to the job. ‘They won’t send anyone out with the troops unless they’re sure they can cope.’
‘I expect your experience at Dunkirk helped to convince them.’
‘I’m sure it did, Dad.’ He drained his cup. ‘Have you heard from Becky? I was wondering if her colonel has been found.’
‘No, sadly, he hasn’t.’ His mother refilled his cup. ‘She came home for a couple of days while you were away.’
‘Oh, damn. We all keep missing each other. How is she?’
‘She’s worried about this man,’ Bill Adams said, ‘but apart from that I think she’s enjoying army life. It seems to suit her.’
‘She went to see his family and gave them your letter. They were very pleased to know someone had seen their son at Dunkirk and Becky let them keep it.’ Mavis had sadness in her eyes as she asked, ‘What do you think his chances are?’
Will closed his eyes for a moment, reliving the scene in his mind, and then he shook his head. ‘He went back to the beach looking for the rest of his men. If no word has been heard from him by now, then I would say he probably died there.’
‘Oh dear, I am sorry. She seems very fond of him.’ Mavisbegan clearing the table. ‘So much heartache. Men killed and missing, and those young pilots risking their lives every day. What’s next, I wonder?’
Father and son gave each other a glance that said worse was to come, but neither of them put their fears into words.
‘Anything from Bob and Jim?’ Will changed the subject. It was no good alarming his mother with speculation. No one could predict the next move in this war.
‘They write home when they can,’ Bill said as he lit a cigarette. ‘The last we heard they were fine.’
‘Good.’ Will stood up. ‘Any hot water, Mum? I’d love a bath.’
‘Yes, you go ahead while I make us a meal.’
Picking up his bag, Will headed for the door, stopped, and turned round, his expression pensive. ‘It doesn’t seem long ago when we were all messing around with the bike, and not a care in the world. How things have changed.’
Chapter Twelve
The battle in the air continued with increasing intensity. The pilots flew from dawn to dusk as the Luftwaffe attacked the airfields, and they were all aware of the importance of the fight. If Hitler could gain air superiority then he would invade. So much depended on these young men.
Becky knew Alice was worried because she saw it in her eyes in unguarded moments, but she never once spoke of her fears. All she had ever said was that they took each day as it came. They lived for each day, and in this perilous time that was all anyone could do. Wise words, but so hard to do when someone you loved was in danger every day, whether it was on land, sea or air.
August had arrived without any word that David was alive. Bob was at sea somewhere, and they had no idea where Jim was. The secrecy surrounding everyone’s movements was frustrating, but necessary. It didn’t help toease concerns about family and friends though. Thankfully, her brother was still around and busy reporting on the home front.
‘Hey! Anyone there?’ Alice waved a hand in front of Becky’s face. ‘You were miles away.’
‘Sorry.’ She looked up and smiled. Alice never looked gloomy. There was always a ready smile for everyone. ‘You going out tonight?’
‘Not until nine o’clock. I’ve managed to cadge a lift to Kenley, so I’ll wait in the pub there, but I’m not sure if Anthony will make it. The weather’s been good, and if he’s flown several sorties today, he might be too exhausted. I’ll give him to closing time and then come back to camp.’
‘Do you often have to wait and then come back without seeing him?’
‘Now and again.’
‘That must be worrying.’
‘The pub’s right
For the next half an hour Will told them about the different methods of communication he’d been shown, and how they’d been very thorough in testing to make sure he was up to the job. ‘They won’t send anyone out with the troops unless they’re sure they can cope.’
‘I expect your experience at Dunkirk helped to convince them.’
‘I’m sure it did, Dad.’ He drained his cup. ‘Have you heard from Becky? I was wondering if her colonel has been found.’
‘No, sadly, he hasn’t.’ His mother refilled his cup. ‘She came home for a couple of days while you were away.’
‘Oh, damn. We all keep missing each other. How is she?’
‘She’s worried about this man,’ Bill Adams said, ‘but apart from that I think she’s enjoying army life. It seems to suit her.’
‘She went to see his family and gave them your letter. They were very pleased to know someone had seen their son at Dunkirk and Becky let them keep it.’ Mavis had sadness in her eyes as she asked, ‘What do you think his chances are?’
Will closed his eyes for a moment, reliving the scene in his mind, and then he shook his head. ‘He went back to the beach looking for the rest of his men. If no word has been heard from him by now, then I would say he probably died there.’
‘Oh dear, I am sorry. She seems very fond of him.’ Mavisbegan clearing the table. ‘So much heartache. Men killed and missing, and those young pilots risking their lives every day. What’s next, I wonder?’
Father and son gave each other a glance that said worse was to come, but neither of them put their fears into words.
‘Anything from Bob and Jim?’ Will changed the subject. It was no good alarming his mother with speculation. No one could predict the next move in this war.
‘They write home when they can,’ Bill said as he lit a cigarette. ‘The last we heard they were fine.’
‘Good.’ Will stood up. ‘Any hot water, Mum? I’d love a bath.’
‘Yes, you go ahead while I make us a meal.’
Picking up his bag, Will headed for the door, stopped, and turned round, his expression pensive. ‘It doesn’t seem long ago when we were all messing around with the bike, and not a care in the world. How things have changed.’
Chapter Twelve
The battle in the air continued with increasing intensity. The pilots flew from dawn to dusk as the Luftwaffe attacked the airfields, and they were all aware of the importance of the fight. If Hitler could gain air superiority then he would invade. So much depended on these young men.
Becky knew Alice was worried because she saw it in her eyes in unguarded moments, but she never once spoke of her fears. All she had ever said was that they took each day as it came. They lived for each day, and in this perilous time that was all anyone could do. Wise words, but so hard to do when someone you loved was in danger every day, whether it was on land, sea or air.
August had arrived without any word that David was alive. Bob was at sea somewhere, and they had no idea where Jim was. The secrecy surrounding everyone’s movements was frustrating, but necessary. It didn’t help toease concerns about family and friends though. Thankfully, her brother was still around and busy reporting on the home front.
‘Hey! Anyone there?’ Alice waved a hand in front of Becky’s face. ‘You were miles away.’
‘Sorry.’ She looked up and smiled. Alice never looked gloomy. There was always a ready smile for everyone. ‘You going out tonight?’
‘Not until nine o’clock. I’ve managed to cadge a lift to Kenley, so I’ll wait in the pub there, but I’m not sure if Anthony will make it. The weather’s been good, and if he’s flown several sorties today, he might be too exhausted. I’ll give him to closing time and then come back to camp.’
‘Do you often have to wait and then come back without seeing him?’
‘Now and again.’
‘That must be worrying.’
‘The pub’s right
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