The three sisters glanced at one another and then at Pierre who was beaming. As one they shot to their feet, hugging and kissing, shouting with joy as they danced up and down, Pierre laughing and Rusty barking his head off as he ran from one to the other for pats and hugs.
‘It’s not yet official,’ Raine said, flopping back in her chair, ‘so we shouldn’t take anything for granted.’ Then she grinned. ‘Just kidding. Come on, let’s make an early start and get the bunting up.’
Ronnie pretended to cuff her. ‘Don’t do that to us.’
‘Couldn’t help it. You should have seen yourselves.’
‘I can’t believe it’s finally happened after all these years.’
‘Whatever will Maman say?’
‘Let’s hope they have a wireless in the ward so we all know at the same time when we visit.’
The three sisters chattered excitedly as they roped Pierre in to help put up the bunting.
‘I do wish Maman was able to watch the celebrations,’ Suzanne said, as she stood on a ladder to hang one of the strings across the ceiling. Pierre stood at the other end, not needing a ladder as he reached up to fix his end. ‘The village hall and the church have been making preparations non-stop lately for the street party, hoping the news might come any day.’
‘I know. It’s a shame,’ Ronnie said. ‘But when we visit Maman tomorrow we should all wear our lovely new frocks you made us, Suzy. Wouldn’t she love that?’
Pierre beamed. ‘She will like very much to see her beautiful daughters in their new dresses.’ He tapped a drawing pin in the corner of the ceiling for the last streamer.
Raine gave Suzanne a wink. ‘Did you ever think our Ronnie would be keen to wear a frock twice in one year?’ She turned to Ronnie. ‘It wouldn’t be anything to do with the possibility of running into Sergeant Scott, would it?’
Ronnie felt her cheeks warm. ‘I wish you’d stop teasing me, Raine. He’s on duty all this week. And you know jolly well I’m no longer that innocent kid since I’ve worked on the canals. We couldn’t even think of wearing something nice when we were battling locks in the mud and snow blizzards … except that one time when I borrowed May’s dress to go to the jazz concert and had to dance with no shoes.’
‘Wasn’t that where Michael saw you for the first time wearing a dress?’ Suzanne said, smiling.
‘That must’ve been the time when you realised you were a girl after all,’ Raine chuckled. ‘Seriously, I want to thank you, Ronnie, for keeping us all fed since I’ve been home. I feel a bit guilty I haven’t done much, but I’ll get over to the village hall early tomorrow morning and help decorate the High Street.’ She smothered a yawn. ‘I just didn’t realise how exhausted I was.’
‘We’ll all help at the village hall tomorrow morning,’ Suzanne said. ‘Visiting time at the hospital isn’t ’til the afternoon anyway.’ She glanced at her older sister. ‘And you needn’t feel one bit guilty, Raine – not after what you’ve been doing all these years for the country.’
‘It’s just that I hate cooking,’ Raine laughed a little self-consciously. ‘I’m just grateful Alec has promised to take over the kitchen when we finally set up home.’
‘Have you set a date for the wedding yet?’ Ronnie asked.
Raine hesitated, flushing a little. ‘I suppose I’ll have to tell you both sooner or later.’ Carefully, she stepped down from the ladder.
‘Tell us what?’ Ronnie demanded. ‘You haven’t kept something from us, have you? You know the rules—’ She broke off and looked at Suzanne. ‘Even though Suzy kept her secret from us.’
‘Well, it’s nothing quite so dramatic as our Suzy producing her real father out of a hat,’ Raine chuckled. ‘That really was a shock.’
‘So what are you keeping secret?’ Suzanne said.
A smile crept over Raine’s lips. ‘Only that Alec and I are already married!’
‘WHAT?’ Ronnie and Suzanne chorused.
‘Why didn’t you tell us?’
‘Does Maman know?’
‘When did this happen?’
‘One at a time,’ Raine said. ‘No, Maman doesn’t know. And I can’t tell her at the moment. She’s got enough to worry about. But you know me – I hate a load of fuss. And Maman would have made a big thing of it – even with a war on. I couldn’t bear her to take over. Alec didn’t mind either way as long as I married him. We did the deed early in the New Year at the registry office, but it was on my condition we don’t live together until the war ends.’
‘How can you be married and pretend to be single?’ Ronnie stared at Raine.
‘Easy,’ Raine grinned. ‘You just don’t broadcast it, that’s all. It’s far more important for us to concentrate on our jobs. Losing your concentration for a few seconds when you’re flying can have devastating consequences.’
‘Well, the war’s ended now so you’re safe,’ Ronnie said.
‘It’s not ended in the Far East,’ Raine pointed out. ‘When Japan surrenders Alec and I can start looking for a flat. And then I’ll have to find a new job.’ She sighed. ‘That’s going to be the tricky part. A female pilot trying to get her commercial licence.’ She shook her head. ‘Almost impossible.’
‘I don’t know how you’re going to break this news to Maman that you’re married and never told her,’ Suzanne said.
At that moment Pierre entered the open doorway.
‘Do I understand, Lorraine, that you are already married?’
‘Yes, it’s true.’ Raine paused. ‘Do you think Maman’s going to be awfully cross?’
‘Cross?’
‘She means angry,’ Ronnie said.
‘Ah. Maybe not cross but she will be desolé. But I will tell her it is wonderful news. And we must celebrate now in true French style with champagne.’ He disappeared again and was back, carrying a tray of glasses which he set down on a side table, then went to fetch the bottle.
Expertly extracting the cork with
