She would keep out of his way as much as possible. They were desperately short of instructors so if he was qualified to teach then he’d be a godsend – despite the fact that he wasn’t very polite. No doubt he would be on his best behaviour with their pupils.
The sitting room door swung open and Greg came out. ‘I thought you’d turned in, Ellie. I’m going outside for a smoke – do you care to join me?’
She was about to refuse but changed her mind. ‘I don’t smoke – but I’ll come outside for a chat if you like.’
They had only reached the back door when her brother joined them. ‘We’ve not had time to talk, little sister, and God knows when we’ll get another twenty-four hour pass.’
They headed to the back garden where Mum grew the lush borders of perennial flowers and even had a rose garden. There was a stone bench halfway down the lawn which would be ideal as it seated three easily.
The moon was full and made it easy to find their way in the darkness. Her night vision was excellent and she supposed that both men were the same – you couldn’t be a good pilot if you couldn’t see in the dark.
Greg, the only one smoking, stood a short distance away and she was touched by his consideration. Once she and her brother were settled the three of them discussed the earlier events.
‘It’s supposed to be redheads who have a quick temper, Ellie, but considering the provocation Reynolds was remarkably restrained,’ her brother said with a smile.
‘Don’t remind me, I’ll make more of an effort if I see him tomorrow. I don’t want to talk about him anymore; I’m far more interested in what you two are going to be doing now you’ve finished your training and have your wings.’
‘It’s possible we’re going to be stationed at Hornchurch – I hope so as I could come home if I get a few hours free. They’ve already got several Spitfire squadrons stationed there. We’ve got a few more weeks intensive training so we can fly one of them and then we should be told exactly where we’re going to be.’
‘What made you both choose to be fighter pilots rather than bomber or coastal command?’
Greg answered from the darkness – she could see the glowing end of his cigarette but nothing else. ‘I don’t remember being given a choice – we were just told by the high-up bods. I think if either of us had been any taller we would have to have been in a bomber as we wouldn’t have fitted in the cockpit of a fighter.’
‘Do you think we’ll be ready when war’s declared? People are already hoarding tinned stuff and sugar and mum told me we’ve had our gas masks since last year.’
‘Certainly, there’s a lot going on in the RAF – I’m sure we’ll have enough aircraft to defend the country when the time comes.’
‘We’ve had a waiting list for flying lessons since last year. I think the government’s making sure there are hundreds of civilian pilots who can be trained more easily than someone with no experience at all,’ Ellie said.
‘Have any of the chaps objected to being taught by a female and especially one as young as you?’
‘A few – if they kick up too much with us then Joe takes them on. In the past two years I think at least a hundred have gone solo. I can’t tell you how thrilled I am when one of my pupils gets his first licence.’
Neil spoke from beside her. ‘This airfield is so close to Hornchurch you might well get some RAF bods to train. Going solo isn’t enough – they have to have instrument training and be able to fly at night. Bloody horrible it was when I did it. I can’t see how we’re going to fly at night as we can hardly chase enemy planes if we can’t see them.’
‘I wish I could join the RAF. I’m sure I could fly a Spitfire or a Hurricane.’
‘Probably could – but fighting a war is a man’s job. I’m sure there’ll be plenty of things you can do that won’t involve shooting down aircraft or dropping bombs on civilians.’
His words instantly squashed her enthusiasm. ‘You’re right. I wouldn’t be able to do it.’
Greg appeared at her side and sat down. He smelt of cigarettes and engine oil. ‘It’s not something any of us want to do but the alternative is far worse. If we don’t want those Nazi bastards in their jackboots marching up our streets we have no option but to fight to protect our country.’
Her pleasure in the evening had gone. Although everyone knew that war with Germany was inevitable, the Prime Minister had told them he’d signed a peace treaty with Hitler. People were putting on a brave face and pretending that if there was a war, it would be over in a few months – that it could never last as long as the last one.
‘Let’s not talk about it. We all know what’s coming but I intend to ignore it for as long as I can. This past year has been great fun and I’ve been able to do the one thing I really love – which is fly.’
He shifted so his thigh was touching hers and she couldn’t move away because her brother was sitting right next to her. Her only option was to stand up, which she did.
‘I’m going in. If you feel like coming down to the airfield and giving us a hand, you would be very welcome. Good night, Greg, good night, big brother.’ Before she could stop him, their guest was on his feet. Such gallantry was misplaced – she much preferred to be treated like one of the boys.
*
When Ellie came downstairs she discovered her
