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7 (#ulink_5eac93d5-ec5b-5dc5-8a02-d31f376f3166)
Yesterday, Mary Strong returned from Creesby in triumph, having found the blue silk cabbage roses with which to trim the wide-brimmed biscuit-coloured hat she was to wear to her wedding.
‘I tell you, Tilda – no silk flowers to be found. I’d just about given up hope when I went down a side street and found them in a poky little shop. Dust all over everything, mind, but there they were, just what I’d been looking for and exactly the same blue as the frock!’
‘Lucky,’ Tilda murmured, glad that in four days Mary would be Mrs Stubbs, and wedding talk a thing of the past.
‘I’ll take them over to Alice to sew on the hat.’ Mary eased on the biscuit-coloured wedding shoes she was breaking in for Saturday, because not for anything was she walking down the aisle at All Souls’ squeaking with every step. ‘Won’t be more’n a couple of minutes. Table’s laid for dinner – you know they want it a bit earlier, tonight?’
On account of Drew going to the dance in Creesby, that was. Daisy was going, too, and the land girl, Mary learned only that morning when she had gone to the kitchen garden with Tilda’s vegetable list. Indeed, it had been the land girl’s idea for Mr Catchpole to make a finger-spray of flowers instead of a posy for her to carry.
‘Pale pink carnations and white gypsophila, that’s what, with a little loop underneath so you can slip it over your middle finger. And a pink carnation, perhaps, for your bridegroom’s buttonhole …?’
Mary had taken at once to the idea though truth known she had never heard of finger-sprays before.
… and the bride, dressed in conflower blue and given away by Mr Thomas Dwerryhouse, carried a finger-spray of pink carnations. It would read very well in the Creesby Advertiser. A nice girl, that Gracie, even if she did go dancing with Sir Andrew and presumed to call him Drew after only six days’ acquaintance.
She sighed, though with pleasure or relief she couldn’t be sure. Relief, she supposed, to be getting wed at last.
Tatiana Sutton looked critically at her reflection in the full-length mirror and was pleased with what she saw. And she would look better still once she was able to put on her lipstick and dab a little of her precious perfume on her wrists. But the finishing touches must wait until later or her mother would become suspicious if she went to Daisy’s house all dressed up. If Mama really knew where she was going she would put on her Grandmother Petrovska face and forbid the Creesby dance, even though Drew and Daisy would be there. Creesby dances were not allowed because, unlike the Holdenby hops, they were frequented by people – men – of unknown pedigree, who could be relied upon to take liberties with young ladies in general and Tatiana Sutton in particular.
The night following the aerodrome dance, Tim Thomson did not phone, and six Whitley bombers and six Wellingtons had thrashed and roared into the sky.
‘Please Lord, please take care of Tim; take care of all of them,’ she whispered, dry-mouthed. Then she turned to the icon above her bed and, crossing herself piously in the Russian Orthodox manner, prayed again to the Virgin and Child, just to make sure. She was relieved, on counting them home next morning, that twelve planes came in to land at Holdenby Moor.
Not long after, the phone rang and she found herself shaking when a voice whispered, ‘Hullo there, hen. Just thought I’d let you know I’m back. Can we meet?’
That was when the drawing-room door opened and she was forced to reply, ‘Daisy! Hi! I think so. When?’
‘The crossroads outside Holdenby,’ Tim had replied, laughter in his voice. ‘Tonight at seven – okay?’
‘Could you make it half-past, Daisy?’
And Tim had said that half-past seven was just fine and that he looked forward to seeing her.
Tatania spent the rest of that day partly on a pale pink cloud and partly in a trough of gloom, worried lest when they met at the crossroads someone should see them, though as it turned out no one did. They had walked the narrow road that led to Holdenby Pike with never a car passing them – thanks be for petrol rationing – and Tim kissed her, which made her cheeks flame and her heart bump deliciously.
That first kiss was kind and gentle, because she hadn’t quite known how to do it and blushingly told him so, though he assured her gravely that she would get much better with practice.
‘Tomorrow night is a bit – well, uncertain,’ he whispered throatily, kissing the tip of her nose, which Tatiana found thrilling, ‘and I mightn’t be able to phone, but Wednesday should be okay. Shall we say Wednesday – the Creesby dance? Will I call for you?’
‘No, Tim! Oh, no!’
‘But of course, you’ll be going with Daisy,’ he grinned. ‘See you at the dance, then?’
‘Yes, please,’ she breathed, closing her eyes, lifting her face to his. And she parted her lips a little, just to let him know she wanted him to kiss her again.
And their second kiss had been wonderful.
Tatiana was grateful that on the morning of the Creesby dance, Grandfather Sutton made a final check of the locks of the rooms in which he had been allowed to store his furniture, then handed over two complete sets of keys to the army major waiting to take possession of Pendenys Place. That a third set of keys was still in Edward Sutton’s pocket was of little consequence, he having neither the need nor the desire ever to use them. But having them meant he had not quite given up Pendenys, though why the thought should please him he had no idea.
He had readily agreed to the military commandeering the house he had lived in all his married life, his only regret being that if there really was a hereafter, then Clemmy would be reading his thoughts and sending down her wrath against him for not putting up more of a fight of it, for Pendenys had been his wife’s pride and joy.
And on the Wednesday of the Creesby dance, Tatiana’s mother was so occupied with making sure Grandfather Sutton was welcomed and made comfortable that she had even agreed to her daughter staying late at Daisy’s house, provided she was seen safely home by eleven o’clock.
Drew and Daisy were waiting at Keeper’s Cottage when, breathless from pedalling, Tatiana propped her cycle against one of the dog houses, apologizing for being late and begging them never, ever, to tell anyone about the Creesby dance.
‘I won’t tell Aunt Anna on you,’ Drew admonished, ‘but just let’s hope, Tatty, that she doesn’t mention it to me so I don’t have to tell any lies.’
‘She won’t. She’s going to be far too busy fussing over Grandfather ever to bother. And I’m sorry I involved you in it, Daisy,’ she said contritely, as they walked to the bothy to pick up Gracie, ‘but I’ll die if I don’t see Tim again.’
‘Tatty! You haven’t fallen for him?’ Daisy demanded. ‘For heaven’s sake, you hardly know him!’
‘I do, so! I’ve known him four days and that’s time enough. Besides,’ she added defiantly, ‘I met him on Tuesday as well. We went to the top of Holdenby Pike and –’
‘Spare us the details,’ Drew grinned. ‘And we won’t snitch on you, Tatty, just so long as you watch it – you know what I’m getting at?’
‘Of course I know and you needn’t worry, Drew. I didn’t come down with the last fall of snow,’ she flung testily, though what she would do if Tim ever wanted to do that, she wasn’t entirely sure. ‘And I think you should mind your own business and watch yourself with the land girl. You’re gone on her, aren’t you?’
‘No, I’m really not. I like Gracie, though, to dance with. Now for Pete’s sake let’s get a move on or we’ll miss the bus!’
He was pleased, for all that, to see how attractive Gracie looked in the borrowed blue dress and found himself hoping that other men at the dance didn’t find her equally so. They danced well together, and tonight Gracie had promised to teach him the dip and the spin; if he could get a look-in, that was, because, on seeing her legs for the first time, it had to be admitted they were wasted in breeches and dungarees!
‘Are you all clued up for Saturday, then?’ Julia settled herself on the hearth rug, leaning her back against Nathan’s armchair.
‘The wedding? Yes. I’ve had a chat with them both and gone over the service. Mary wants the obey bit left in,’ he laughed, ‘though once she’s got the ring on her finger, I think we know who’ll be obeying.’
‘Mary has waited a long time for Will Stubbs,’ Julia defended.
‘Like I waited for you, wife.’ There was no rancour in Nathan’s voice.
‘Mm. And soon we’ll be having our second anniversary. Shall we have a bit of a do, if the rations will run to it? I tried to persuade Mother to have a party for her eightieth birthday, but she won’t hear of it. She doesn’t want reminding, she said, that she’s been living on borrowed time for the last ten years. I wish she’d let us make just a little fuss. A lot of the tenants seem to be expecting it, and Tilda’s saving some of the rations to make her just a little cake – with one big pink candle on it.’
‘I don’t think we should push her.’ Nathan wound a strand of Julia’s hair round his forefinger.
‘You could be right, love. But we might be able to pull something off. How about a get-together for our anniversary and whilst we’re about it we could toast Mother’s birthday – belatedly, sort of. There are still a few bottles of decent stuff in the cellar – why leave them for Hitler’s lot to get their hands on?’
‘Julia! I thought we’d agreed, no more invasion talk. There isn’t going to be one, I know it.’
‘Oh? Got God’s phone number, have you?’
‘No. He’s ex-directory. But it’s a gut feeling I’ve got that we’ll be all right, so let’s talk about turning our anniversary into a surprise party for your mother’s eightieth, because that’s what you really intend, isn’t it?’
‘It is, actually. We’d have to be careful – make sure she didn’t get wind of it.’
‘You’re a scheming woman, Julia Sutton.’ He wasn’t at all sure it was a good idea. Aunt Helen had aged visibly this last year. The coming of another war so soon after the last one had upset the elderly, many of whom would never quite push the carnage of the trenches behind them. And Drew joining the Navy hadn’t helped. There were times, Nathan had to admit, when Helen’s frailty worried him. ‘Scheming and devious and I don’t know why I love you so much.’
‘I’m perfect, that’s why. And stop fiddling with my hair! You’re only looking for grey bits! Now – about Mother’s birthday party. Pity it’ll be a couple of months late, but I’m determined she’ll have one. Tell you what – why don’t we hold it in the parish hall? That way we’d have a better chance of keeping it a secret, though we’d have to find a way of inveigling her down there. But I’ll think of something …’
‘I’m sure you will.’ His wife always got her own way; always had, ever since he could remember. But she was so open and charming in all she did that she got away with it every time. It was one of the things he loved about her. ‘And I’m sorry, darling, but I promised I’d look in on Father – make sure he’s settled in at Denniston. Are you coming?’
‘Not tonight, if you don’t mind. I’ll maybe take Mother over tomorrow. And don’t worry about him, Nathan. He’ll be fine with Anna and Tatty. It wasn’t good for him being all alone in that place. Best thing They ever did was commandeering Pendenys.
‘You’ll have to try to find out who’s taking it over, and what they intend using it for. Alice told me Tom saw a convoy of army lorries this afternoon that seemed to be heading in that direction. They aren’t wasting any time, are they? Give my love to Uncle Edward, won’t you?’ She rose to her feet, clasping her arms around his neck, drawing him close to kiss him. ‘And don’t be away too long,’ she murmured throatily as he left her.
Agnes Clitherow rose stiffly to her feet, the last of her possessions packed carefully into tea chests and clearly labelled for when the carrier collected them. She had delayed her departure for Scotland until after the wedding, which would give her the opportunity to say goodbye to her friends; less sad, too, since everyone would be in a happy frame of mind.
Yet leaving would not be easy. Saying goodbye to her ladyship and Miss Julia would be near-heartbreaking and need all of that self-control she had learned over the years as housekeeper to the gentry. Nor would she relish saying goodbye to Sir Andrew on Saturday morning when his leave was over. Such a fine young man Drew had grown into. Sir Giles would have been so proud of him.
Agnes Clitherow blinked away her tears, blowing her nose loudly. Packed carefully away was a silver-framed photograph of Drew she would treasure always; a memento of a fine young man who would come safely through this war, she knew it, and marry and have sons for Rowangarth. Oh please, God, he must!
Flight Sergeant Timothy Thomson was waiting outside the Plaza dance hall in Creesby when the Holdenby bus stopped outside.
‘Tim!’ Tatiana’s cheeks flushed hotly. ‘I said to meet me inside!’
‘Oh, aye? So you think I’m mean, do you? Meet my girl inside so I don’t have to pay her in?’
‘I didn’t think that at all!’ She took a step away from him because she knew he was going to kiss her and it simply wouldn’t do – not when someone from Holdenby might just be walking past. It was one of the awkward things about being a Sutton. So many people knew her. ‘But I’m glad you could make it. Were you on ops. last night?’
‘Aye, but it was only a milk run. Counts as an op. for all that. One more off my tour.’
‘Your – tour?’
‘Thirty bombing operations in a tour. Not a lot of aircrews make it to a full tour, but those that do are taken off flying for a while.’
‘And how many have you done, Tim?’
‘Last night was the eleventh, so it’s fingers crossed for the next two. Crews seem to think that once they’re over the thirteenth there’s a good chance of making it. The first op., the thirteenth and the very last of the tour are the dicey ones. But the others have gone in and we’re standing here blethering.’
They were wasting time when he needed so desperately to have her in his arms, to dance close so he could feel her breath soft on his cheek, smell the clean, sweet scent of her hair. And damned fool him, too, when he’d vowed never to get entangled with girls; to love them and leave them. Get the war over first, then concentrate on a decent degree. But now there was Tatiana and all he could do was think about her all day, then fall asleep hoping to dream about her all night. Soft in the head, he was.
‘What’s a milk run?’ Tatiana asked when the first dance was over.
‘It’s an easy op. hen – easy as delivering milk. We didn’t carry a bomb-load last night. Our lot did a diversionary run to draw their fighters away from the Dutch coast. That way, our main bomber force had a better chance of making it to the target – somewhere in the Ruhr, I think they went. You try to attract the German fighters, then climb like mad, out of their way …’
‘Hmm. And 109s can’t climb all that high, can they, and they can’t stay airborne for very long; not like our Spits and Hurries.’
‘So how come you know so much about Messerschmitts then?’ He tweaked her nose playfully.
‘Because I take a magazine called the Spotter. It’s all about planes, gives silhouettes, too – both ours and theirs so you can recognize them in the air. I’m getting quite good at it.’
‘There’s more to you, lassie, than meets the eye!’ He rose as a waltz was announced. He liked waltzing with her. The steps were slower, so he needed to hold her closer.
‘Tim?’ Tatiana moved her head so her lips were close to his ear. ‘When we met tonight, you said you weren’t so mean that you couldn’t pay for your girl to go into the dance.’
‘Aye, well – some Sassenachs think us Scots are mean.’
‘I didn’t mean that. You called me your girl. Am I your girl, Tim?’
Her eyes met his. Such big, brown, beseeching eyes.
‘If you want to be.’
‘That isn’t what I asked.’
‘Okay.’ He lowered his voice to a whisper. ‘Since you ask, Tatiana, you bowled me right over the minute I saw you. I haven’t been able to get you out of my mind since – so what have you to say to that?’
She smiled, her eyes not leaving his. They were moving more slowly now; dancing on a sixpenny piece, she supposed. And all at once they were the only people in the world.
‘Remember the night we met, Tim?’
‘Every bit of it. Which particular minute are we talking about?’
‘The one when I spoke to you in Russian.’
‘I mind fine. You said you thought I was a good dancer, didn’t you?’
‘No, darling. What I really said was, “I think I am falling in love with you.”’
‘I see. So that makes two of us.’ He said it very matter-of-factly. ‘What are we going to do about it?’
‘I don’t know. I don’t have much of a choice. I’m only eighteen, remember.’
‘No chance of marrying me, then?’
‘Not without Mother’s permission and she’d never give it.’ Her eyes pricked with tears.
‘Then it’s a pity you aren’t Scottish. You’d be considered to have sense enough to marry at eighteen there.’
‘I would? Is your law different, then?’ Her heart began to thump uncomfortably.
‘That part of it is.’
‘But I’m English.’
‘Then you’d need to live in Scotland for three weeks – become domiciled. You’d qualify then.’
The music stopped and the floor cleared, leaving just the two of them standing there, though it didn’t matter because weren’t they the only two people in the world, anyway, and in love?
‘Then when you’ve flown your thirty raids, will you ask me to marry you, Tim?’
‘I will, sweetheart.’
‘And I shall say yes …’
They smiled into each other’s eyes, then he took her hand and led her from the floor.
‘Well!’ Daisy gasped. ‘Did you see Tim and Tatty? Standing there in the middle of the floor just the two of them, gazing into each other’s eyes and not caring who sees them? She’s supposed not to be here, you know.’
