Mrs. Blake took a slip of paper from the shelf on the side of her desk. She wrote on it, signed it before she slid it over to Gertrude. “Once you’re overseas you can’t cry out that it’s all too hard and ask to be sent home. You’ll become one of the many who aren’t important singularly but as a whole, help to make up our contingent of the war effort. I do hope you realise that.” Her lips thinned in a determined line as she tried to get her point across.
“Of course I do. I wouldn’t dream of letting my country down. I’m made of stronger stuff than that, I can assure you.”
“Right, then, I’m prepared to give you that chance since I certainly can’t fault your enthusiasm.” She slid a sheath of papers over the desk, placing them on top of the note. “You can either have a family member sign it for you or wait for your birthday and do it yourself. We have intakes every Monday and will continue to do so for as long as it takes to meet our quota.”
Gertrude let go of the tension holding her shoulders tight. A wave of light-headedness washed over her for a moment. She had put so much importance on this interview.
“I won’t let you down, I promise you.” She took the papers and folded them to fit into her handbag, slipped them inside and clicked the clasp shut. “Thank you so much.”
“Return back here on any Monday at 10 am sharp and ask to see the recruiting officer. Make sure your paperwork is in order and you’ll be sent to training for six weeks before shipping out to wherever it is we decide you will be best suited. If you choose to wait until your birthday I cannot guarantee you a position.”
Gertrude stood up, her legs slightly wobbly with nerves but the pounding of her heart indicative of her true feelings. “You have no idea how much this means to me.”
“Let’s hope you still feel the same way a year from now when you’re in the thick of it trying to save the life of a soldier no older than you.”
Gertrude hurried out of the office, terrified Mrs. Blake would change her mind. When she stepped out into the sunshine, she spied Lucy leaning against the lamp post, examining her finger nails. The girl’s face brightened when she saw Gertrude and she hurried to meet her, speaking as soon as she was within ear shot. “Did you get in?”
“Yes, did you?”
“Yes, of course I did. Told you they’d take you, didn’t I?”
“Let’s go and have tea to celebrate. My shout.” Gertrude hugged her handbag to her side with the precious papers tucked away for Wilz to give to Ernest. She’d decided on the spot to get them ready in case she couldn’t wait for her birthday. Her skin itched with anticipation, the heady sensation buzzing through her body. The girls looped arms and headed down the street to the nearest tea rooms.
When Gertrude returned home later that day, Humphries opened the door to her. “I take it, it went well, Miss.”
“Yes. Yes, it certainly did. Is my sister home?” She hurried across the threshold and into the hallway.
“No, Miss. She said to tell you she’d send a car for you for dinner, you’re eating out tonight. She also said to tell you she wouldn’t have time to return to change so she took her evening clothes with her.”
“Thank you, Humphries. I might go upstairs and lie down for a bit. So much excitement for one day.” Gertrude danced up the stairs, more than a little satisfied with herself. A new job and a new friend all in the one day. Wilz would be very proud of her.
* * *
“Are you sure this is what you want, Gertrude?” Ernest watched her over the crystal goblet he held in his hand, the light catching the golden liquid throwing rainbows over the crisp white tablecloth.
“Of course it is. I’ve been trying to talk Papa into letting me sign up for ages, but you know his opinion on that. He’s so old-fashioned, it makes me incredibly mad. Why he can’t be more forthright and modern like you, Ernest, I’ll never know.”
“Just as well, I say.” Wilz picked up her champagne flute and took a sip. “Two members in the family that boring would be unbearable. You will sign it, won’t you, Ernest?”
He gazed at her, a small smile lifting the edge of his lips making his thin black moustache twitch at the corners. “I have no doubt you’ll talk me into it sooner or later, my dear.” He tossed back his whisky, put the glass down and turned to her with a lazy smile on his mouth. “You do of course know that if I sign this, your father might very well disinherit you. I firmly believe he will have the biggest conniption over it. Somehow I doubt any of us will recover from his wrath.” He was anything but scared of his uncle.
Gertie sighed, wiped a hand across her brow, dramatically making light of the situation. “Yes I know. But I can’t bear the thought of being one of those society ladies who do nothing but go to boring morning teas and raise money for useless charities that don’t really benefit anyone other than the person running them.” She smiled at her sister. “No offense, Wilz, I know you do good work, but it’s not for me.”
“Breathe, darling. We all know how you feel. All except Papa that is.” Wilz cool slate-grey eyes gaze slid around the room. Finally, her gaze rested once more on Gertie. “I’m going to go to the club after dinner. Ernest has agreed to accompany me so I can get in the door. You will have to go home
