‘I thought you’d join the WAAFs, didn’t see you as a girl to stay at home even if you are doing war work by being on the farm.’
‘I was tempted, but when Dad had his stroke I decided I’d better stay to take care of him.’
‘No need, my girl, your housekeeper will do that a lot better than you can.’
She obviously wasn’t the only one to notice the closeness between Mrs B and her dad. ‘I think I might join up, but it will be hard being so close to aircraft and not allowed to fly them.’
‘Better than moping about here worrying whether your brothers, Jack or Greg are going to be shot down every time they fly.’
‘You’re right. Next time I go into town I’ll ask at the library.’
‘No need to do that, Ellie, you can go to the Drill Hall in London Road. It’s been set up so girls can volunteer.’
‘Then that’s where I’ll go – but I can’t until the weather clears. Are you sure they actually want new recruits when nothing much is happening?’
‘It will all start soon enough, and when it does, it makes sense to have people already trained and in place.’
The party ended as the sun set. Those who were walking home didn’t want to do so in the dark. When the final person departed, she was relieved. She’d much rather spend time with her close friends and family.
‘Is there any food left, Greg? I didn’t get the chance to eat.’
‘Neither did I, shall we go and investigate?’
Jack and Neil were in the dining room piling their plates. ‘We’re going to eat before we go out again. Mrs B is making tea and coffee and said she’ll bring it through.’
‘She and her friends did a splendid job. The washing-up’s done and only what’s left in here will need clearing later,’ her brother said.
‘I’ve not seen Dad for a while, is he all right?’
‘He went upstairs for a lie down on Mrs B’s insistence. I can’t remember seeing him so relaxed in company before – I think he might have even enjoyed the party.’
‘That would be a first,’ she replied through a mouthful of cold chicken and chutney.
*
Whilst the men were outside taking care of the livestock she helped Mrs B wash-up the remaining crockery and put it away. ‘You must thank your friends for their help, they worked so hard making sure everything went swimmingly.’
‘They went home with a basket full of goodies – I hope you don’t mind. None of them had done a lot of extra cooking as they were on their own. They all ate their Christmas dinner with family.’
‘I’m glad you did. The boys have to catch the ten o’clock train tomorrow so I’m going to spend the evening with Greg – I don’t know when we’ll be able to meet again.’
If she did join the WAAFs it would be even more difficult to see him as she could be sent anywhere in the country.
‘I just hope things can be sorted out with the solicitor, my Fred doesn’t need the aggravation.’
Ellie was a bit startled that Dad had not only told Mrs B but that the housekeeper now considered him her property. Things would change if they got married and she wasn’t sure she wanted to be here then.
*
Although she and Greg had spent a couple of hours alone together last night they’d only discussed how they were going to meet in the future, how they were going to stop the lawyers forcing the sale of the farm, and what was likely to be Hitler’s next move. She hadn’t told him she’d decided to join the WAAFs, as he would probably object. Until they were married, as far as she was concerned, she was free to make her own decisions. Loving someone didn’t mean they owned you.
Over breakfast Dad told her what he’d decided about the solicitor’s letter. ‘I’m going to put the farm in Neil’s name, then they can’t make me sell it. Not that I was going to. I’m taking Jack’s car and going into the office this morning to get it sorted.’
She’d wondered why he was not in his usual overalls but in a smart tweed jacket and tie.
‘That’s an excellent idea, Dad, but I want Ellie’s name down as well.’
She swallowed a lump in her throat knowing exactly why her brother had made this suggestion. Both he and George might be killed and they all thought she was going to be remaining here helping on the farm.
‘Righto, son, I’ll do that. If you don’t get off, you’re going to miss that train. Take care of yourselves, boys, and keep in touch.’
There wasn’t room in the cab for all four of them so Jack volunteered to travel in the back with the two bicycles. Ellie was dreading having to drive to Romford when the roads were lethal but she wasn’t going to ask one of the boys to drive as she would still have to do the return journey herself.
‘I’ll get the truck started, it can be a bit tricky when it’s cold even though it’s been standing in a barn with a blanket over it,’ Ellie said as she pushed her chair back.
‘The bikes are already in. We’ll be out in a jiffy,’ Jack said.
They arrived at the station without incident and she was rather proud of her driving skills. Neil got out to help Jack get the bicycles down, leaving her with Greg.
‘I don’t want you to ring at a set time anymore, Greg, just when you can. I’ll write to you, but not every day, once a week seems sensible.’
‘I agree, we are both too busy to keep up the daily correspondence. I don’t suppose I’ll see you for a few weeks – not until the weather improves anyway. I’m going to miss you, darling, but knowing you’re safe here away from the action will keep me focused on what I have
