Miles chuckled, familiar with the pranks bored pilots got up to when they weren’t flying.
“Shame he lost,” he murmured. “Did you make it up to him?”
Evelyn twinkled across the table. “They had it again the next day and he won. He swears to this day that it was because he wore my tie tied round his forehead.”
He choked and burst out laughing. “He must have looked an idiot!”
“Yes, of course he did. They all do it around there.” Evelyn looked up as a bar maid approached their table. “Odd bunch, the fighter pilots of Northolt. Still, I expect they’re like it everywhere,” she added pointedly.
Miles grinned. Apparently Officer Fred Durton had won her approval.
“Of course we are,” he said. “Stands to reason we’ve got to be. We voluntarily chose to fly with our hair on fire to meet an enemy who’s faster and more experienced than us. We all must have a few screws loose.”
The barmaid joined them and handed them menus while they ordered their drinks. Once she’d gone, Evelyn looked across the table and smiled at him.
“It’s so good to see you,” she said suddenly. “How are you fairing up in the great blue yonder?”
“Piece of cake.” He tilted his head and his lips curved. “What about you? I know the pilots aren’t the only ones having a grand old time in our down time. What are you doing to keep yourself amused during this horrid winter?”
Evelyn chuckled. “Me? Why nothing! I’m a pillar of respectability.”
“Mm-hmm. If that were so, Durton would never have dared hoist you up on his shoulders. Come on. Fess up. What pranks have you got up to? I know there must be at least one.”
Evelyn met his gaze and couldn’t stop her lips from pulling up at the corners.
“Oho! That’s a mischievous look if I’ve ever seen one!” he exclaimed. “Spill it.”
“Well, I may or may not have dressed up as a man a few weeks ago,” she said slowly, her eyes dancing.
Miles grinned and leaned forward, resting his arms on the heavy oak table.
“Do tell!”
“Fred and I were talking and he was on his way to the officer’s mess. I mentioned that I didn’t think it was fair that WAAF officers aren’t allowed in their mess. We’re stuck in a moldy old shack at the back with cold tea and stale biscuits.”
“Stale biscuits?”
Evelyn smiled sheepishly.
“Well, perhaps it’s not that bad, but it’s pretty horrible.” She cleared her throat. “I was complaining to Fred about it and the next day, he shows up in my office with an RAF uniform and dares me to put it on and come to the mess with him.”
Miles stared at her, his mouth dropping open. “You dressed up as an RAF officer?!”
“Well, I wasn’t about to let him think I wasn’t up for it. Besides, I wanted to see how much better your side of things is.”
“And?”
“And I’m appalled at what they expect the WAAFs to settle for,” she said promptly.
Miles choked back a laugh. “You actually went through with it?”
“Yes of course I did, and had a fantastic time. After a few glasses of brandy, I stopped worrying about being caught. Well, until the CO showed up, at any rate.”
“No!”
She nodded soberly. “Fred helped me out a back window while one of the other pilots stalled him in the front.”
After a stunned silence, Miles burst out laughing. He was still laughing a few minutes later when the barmaid returned with their drinks.
“Oh God, Evie, please don’t ever change!” he gasped as the glasses were set down before them.
Evelyn reached for her wine.
“Oh, don’t worry. I don’t plan to.” She sipped it and smiled across at him. “I do believe I warned you that you might regret getting to know me.”
“You also told me that you and Rob were the boring ones in your family,” he retorted. “If you’re boring, I absolutely must meet the fun side of your family!”
Chapter Three
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Evelyn tucked her arm into his and ran with Miles through the rain to his low slung Jaguar SS100 on the far side of the parking lot. Her RAF issued coat and hat kept most of her warm and dry, but did nothing to combat the rain blowing into her face. All she could do was put her head down and hope she didn’t trip on the gravel.
They reached the sports car and Miles opened the door for her. She ducked inside and he slammed it closed before running around the hood to the driver side.
“It had to turn to rain today, didn’t it?” he gasped, getting in beside her.
“At least the snow has stopped,” she replied. “And I don’t mind the rain.”
“Don’t you?” he glanced at her as he started the engine. “Tell me, Evelyn, is there anything you do mind?”
She thought for a moment.
“Do you know, I can’t think of a single thing,” she finally decided. “It must be all those glasses of wine.”
Miles laughed and pulled out of the parking lot. “In that case, remind me to invest in barrels of the stuff.”
Evelyn smiled and leaned her head back on the leather seat.
“I’m so glad we did this,” she said. “I’m sorry that you have to drive me all the way back to Northolt, though. Next time I go home, I’ll take the car back to Northolt. Robbie won’t miss it. Then you won’t have to do this.”
“I don’t mind.” He glanced at her with a smile. “It’s not that far.”
They were silent for a moment, then she chuckled.
“Were you very shocked when Freddie put me on his shoulders?” she asked, turning her head to look at him.
He grinned, his eyes on the road. “Not in the least.”
“He really is a bit much sometimes, but he makes me laugh.”
“He flies Hurricanes?”
“Yes.” She glanced at him with a smile. “Although he says he’d love to hop in a Spitfire and take one
