Two Blackbirds by Garry Ryan Page B

the Lancaster was surrounded by a quartet of vehicles.
    When she opened the rear door, a hand was waiting to help her exit the aircraft. A man in uniform with short dark hair and a long slender face stood next to a Jeep and waved her over. As she approached the man, she heard a voice say, “That’s not Lady Gannet!”
    Sharon took a closer look at the man next to the Jeep. He’s a Wing Commander. What is going on here?
    The man held out his hand. “Willy Tate.”
    She hoisted her parachute and bag to her left shoulder and took his hand. “Sharon Lacey.”
    â€œThe controller spotted the dead engine and thought it best to send out the crash crew.” He released her hand and walked over nearer to the starboard wing. “It appears that you have an oil leak.”
    â€œThe pressure was dropping and the temperature rose. So I shut it down. What’s all the fuss about?”
    Tate watched as the crash vehicles started up and left. A man in blue coveralls walked out of the hangar and looked at Tate, who said, “The starboard inner has an oil leak. Is it possible for this one to be ready for tomorrow?”
    â€œWe’ll see what we can do, sir.”
    Tate turned to Sharon. “Can I give you a lift to the NAFFI wagon?”
    Sharon nodded. “I’d still like to know what all the fuss was about. I didn’t declare an emergency.”
    Tate talked as they walked to the Jeep. “Six months ago, and before my time, an ATA pilot had a problem with her fuel cocks. One of her engines shut down due to fuel starvation. It turned out that she’d inadvertently shut off the fuel to one of the engines.”
    Sharon put her parachute and bag in the back of the Jeep.
    â€œShe landed safely and she stopped over there.” Tate pointed to the end of the runway.
    Sharon climbed into the Jeep.
    Tate sat behind the wheel and hit the starter. “The pilot was in such a state that she had to be carried off the Anson, put on a stretcher, and taken in an ambulance to the infirmary. A series of dramatic events ensued which were, apparently, quite spectacular.”
    Sharon held on as he shifted up through the gears.
    â€œAfter she left, the Group Commander received a number of calls from well-placed individuals voicing their concern that we hadn’t taken the pilot’s plight seriously enough. And after that, we were instructed to make sure that nothing like that ever happened again.” Tate turned onto a road running between two hangars. “So, when the controller heard a woman’s voice and saw that she piloted a Lancaster with one of its engines out, he called for the crash crew just to be on the safe side.”
    â€œLady Gannet?” Sharon asked.
    â€œYes, that’s her nickname. Apparently, she was quite big-breasted and sounded remarkably like a squawking bird, so she’s become notorious hereabouts.” Tate turned left, pulled up in at the NAAFI wagon, and stopped.
    â€œLady Gannet? Lady Ginette Elam?” Sharon climbed out of the Jeep.
    â€œSo I’ve been told.” Tate turned the engine off and followed Sharon to the grey truck with its open side hatch and rear doors. Two pilots turned and saluted Tate. He returned their greetings.
    â€œThank you for your kindness,” Sharon said.
    â€œA distinct pleasure for me. My fiancée is a WAAF . You’re a bit of a legend with them. They say you’re an ace.” Tate put a hand on the side of the NAFFI truck. “What do you take in your coffee?”
    Sharon smiled. “Cream and sugar, please.”

CHAPTER 17
    [SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1944]
    Sharon looked at the backs of her hands. They’re black from the fire! She turned them over and saw that the palms were pink.
    Her nose filled with the stink of burning hair, gasoline, and flesh. She stepped over the body of a German pilot who stared up at her with dead eyes. He’s only eighteen or nineteen . There were