He shook his head. “No, thank God.”
“How is that possible? To land without wheels?” she asked, her brows knit together thoughtfully. “It doesn’t seem like it would work very well.”
“It usually doesn’t,” Miles said bluntly, glancing at her. “The Yank was bloody lucky. His fuel was low and Bertie thinks that’s what saved him. When you come in without landing gear, you see, you have to land completely on your belly. If you tilt one way or the other, the wing goes into the ground and, well, then it’s all over, isn’t it? It’s jolly difficult to do.”
“Have you ever had to do that?”
“No, and I hope to God I never do. Chris said it was terrifying. He doesn’t even know how he did it and says he couldn’t do it again if his life depended on it.”
“It sounds like his life will depend on it if it ever happens again,” Evelyn murmured, turning her gaze out her window. “I’m glad he made it.”
“So were we all, but let’s not talk about that anymore. How are you getting on with your training?”
“It’s going well, actually. The girls are doing well.” Evelyn said, swallowing the pang of guilt at the ongoing lie.
“Any possibility of getting out of Scotland?”
“You know, if I didn’t know better, I’d think you were psychic. I’m getting reassigned after Christmas.”
He looked at her in surprise. “No! Are you?”
She laughed at the look on his face and nodded. “Yes.”
“Where?”
“I don’t know yet, but somewhere closer to London. So, you just might get to meet me for dinner once in a while after all.”
The smile on his face went straight through her and she felt it right down to her toes.
“Do you know, Assistant Section Officer Ainsworth, I think you’ve just made my Christmas.”
She leaned her head back on the seat again, smiling.
“You might regret that,” she warned. “For all you know, I might be nothing but trouble.”
He glanced at her, his lips curved and his eyes warm.
“I’m a fighter pilot, m’dear. I live for trouble.”
“Evelyn! At last!” Mrs. Ainsworth got out of her chair and moved across the drawing room quickly to wrap Evelyn in a scented, warm embrace. “I thought you’d never get here!”
“So did I, Mum,” Evelyn said with a laugh, returning the hug. “It’s so good to see you!”
“Miles got you here in one piece, I see,” Rob said with a grin, setting his drink down and coming over to take his turn embracing her. “Miracle, that.”
“This coming from the man who rolled into a ditch last week,” Miles drawled from the doorway.
“Rolled into a ditch? You didn’t!” Evelyn pulled away from her brother and stared at him. “Tell me he’s joking.”
“Afraid not,” Rob said cheerfully. “Can’t see a damn thing on the ground when you’re in the cockpit. How was I to know they’d dug a trench there while I was up?”
She burst out laughing. “Oh Robbie, it’s so good to see you again!”
Her brother grinned and looked down at her fondly. “I’m glad to see you too, Evie,” he said. “I’m glad you finally made it. Did you miss the train?”
Evelyn shot Miles a glance over shoulder and he winked.
“Yes, as you well knew because you ratted me out to Miles,” she said. “But I’m here now.”
“Yes, and you’ll want to change and freshen up,” Mrs. Ainsworth said. “Bill and Marguerite are here as well. They’re just dressing for dinner.”
Evelyn looked at her watch and kissed her mother on the cheek. “I’ll be as quick as I can,” she said, turning towards the door. “Robbie, have a drink waiting, will you?”
She smiled at Miles as she passed him and ran lightly across the large, square hallway to the wide stairs. It was lovely to be home, even if it was only for a short time. The house she grew up in was like a welcoming port in choppy seas, and she truly felt as if the war couldn’t touch them here. It was absolute nonsense, of course. The effects of the war were already beginning show, even this far away from London. At the station, she’d noticed the increased number of military uniforms crowding the platform, and on the drive out to the Ainsworth Manor many of the homes were observing the blackout. Even in this remote part of Lancashire, the world was beginning to change.
Evelyn started up the stairs, her hand on the banister, and resolutely put thoughts of the war out of her head. For the next twenty-four hours, she didn’t have to think about it. She would simply enjoy her mother and brother and forget the shadows that she was beginning to accept as her new reality.
A small flash of excitement surged through her and she couldn’t stop the small smile that crossed across her face. And for the next twenty-four hours, she had Flying Officer Miles Lacey all to herself.
“Evelyn! My dear!”
A voice interrupted her thoughts and she looked up to see Bill and his wife, Marguerite, approaching the top of the stairs. Marguerite moved forward, her hands outstretched.
“Hallo Mrs. Buckley!” Evelyn said with a smile, running up the remainder of the steps and grasping her hands. “It’s wonderful to see you again!”
“You look so official in your uniform!” Marguerite said with a laugh, kissing her cheek. “Your father would be very proud. Did you just arrive?”
“Yes. I’m afraid I missed my train and had to catch a later one.” Evelyn turned to Bill with a smile and held out her hands to him. “It’s so nice to see you again! It’s been absolute ages!”
Bill grinned and took her hands, leaning down to kiss her cheek affectionately. As far as his wife, and indeed anyone else in the house, was concerned, he hadn’t seen her since the funeral.
“How are the WAAFs treating you, Evelyn?” he asked cheerfully, releasing her hands. “Not working you too hard, I hope?”
“Not in the slightest,” she assured him with a twinkle. “I spend most of my day trying to
