Well, that was helpful, Morton thought, typing a more detailed reply, explaining the reason for his having asked. Then, he opened the email from Barbara. Dear Morton, Delighted to hear that Elsie’s WAAF records have arrived. I cannot wait to read them! I passed on your query about ‘Valletta’ to Paul and Rose—they are in agreement that the house was named after the place where their mother and stepfather honeymooned. Paul seems to think that they stayed in the Westminster Hotel. Hope this helps! Looking forward to your findings soonest. Warm regards, Barbara.
So that explained the reason for the house name. But, underneath the ache in his head, something bothered him. He was sure that Elsie’s letter to Susan Stubbs, where she had revealed the name of her cottage had been written in May 1968—yet she didn’t marry her second husband until the September quarter of that year. He quickly scrolled through the photographs on his phone and found the picture of the letter. Yes, it had been written on 19th May 1968. The earliest possible date that her second marriage could have appeared in the September quarter was the 1st July 1968.
He was perplexed, tired and in pain; it was time to go home.
Chapter Twenty-Two
19th May 1941, Hawkinge, Kent
The base of the heavy orange sun began to slink behind the hills at Hawkinge, leaving in its wake a pastel sky of deep reds and yellows. The aerodrome was beginning to fade into the blackout as the last Spitfires and Hurricanes of the defending squadron returned to their base at Biggin Hill; an uneasy stillness settled on the village.
Daniel Winter, in his RAF uniform, strode through the aerodrome gates, nodding to the duty guard as he left. A mechanical fault—minor, yet significant enough to ground his plane—had granted him a welcome overnight stay in the village. He grinned when he thought of Susie’s face when she saw him; that idea made him increase his stride, as he made his way towards her billet.
He reached the house and ran his fingers through his thick blond hair, suddenly worried about his appearance. Normally he would at least have had a wash before seeing her. When had he last bathed? Two nights ago, or was it three? He couldn’t remember. Whatever, it was too late now.
He tapped lightly on the door and waited, looking up in vain at the blacked out windows for sign of movement.
The door opened and there she was—his wonderful fiancée. ‘Good evening, madam,’ he greeted. ‘I noticed you’ve got a light showing upstairs—I’m afraid I’m going to have to come in and switch it off.’
He watched with a smile as the split-second shift from uncertainty to delight lit up her face. She reached out and hugged him.
‘What are you doing here?’ she asked, finally pulling back, her eyes settling on his.
‘Just thought I’d pop by and say hello,’ he answered. ‘I see you’ve got dressed up for me.’
Susie blushed as she looked down at herself—she was wearing her oldest nightdress. Then she touched the rollers in her hair and grimaced. ‘I must look dreadful.’
‘You look stunning,’ Daniel countered, leaning in for a kiss. ‘Are you going to invite me in?’
Susie glanced over his shoulder into the darkening evening, then stepped back and allowed him inside. ‘But what are you doing here?’ she repeated.
‘Kite trouble; I’m grounded for the night,’ he answered with a grin, as they entered the tiny sitting-room. ‘I was hoping I could stay here.’
‘Were you now?’ she muttered. ‘I’ll just turn that racket off.’ She reached over and switched off the wireless. ‘You sit down and I’ll go and make myself more presentable.’
Daniel caught her arm as she began to leave the room. ‘Please don’t—I’ve only got the night; let’s not waste it. I told you, you’re beautiful as you are.’
Susie hesitated. ‘At least let me get us a drink.’
‘Now, that I won’t stop you from doing,’ he said with a grin.
Daniel slumped down into the two-seater sofa and exhaled. It had been a hell of a few days. He and the rest of the squadron were exhausted. Every day he thought that the skies couldn’t contain any more Luftwaffe planes, yet every day the casualty lists and numbers of destroyed aircraft proved him wrong. He had lost so many friends that death was now a significant part of his everyday life. He looked upon death as a simple waiting game.
‘Jamaica Rum,’ Susie announced, bouncing into the room with two glasses.
‘Thank you,’ Daniel said, taking a sip and savouring the warm dark liquid. ‘Lovely.’
‘Tell me—if I can bear to hear it—what you’ve done today. Many scrambles?’ she asked, squeezing in beside him and placing a hand on his leg.
Daniel shook his head. ‘I can’t,’ he breathed. And actually he couldn’t. His day-times already haunted his night-times; the last thing that he wanted to do now was to talk about it. He pushed himself back into the sofa and closed his eyes. ‘Tell me about what you’ve been up to, instead.’
‘Work—usual stuff,’ she began. ‘Then I went to see Elsie Finch—do you remember her? She used to be stationed here.’
Daniel nodded. ‘Is she the one who stayed up at Cliff House?’
‘Yes, she’s back there now.’
Daniel opened his eyes. ‘Why? Is she working back with you?’
‘No, don’t you remember me telling you that she was pregnant? She gave birth last week.’
Daniel sat bolt upright, almost spilling his drink. ‘Did she have the baby up there? At Cliff House?’ he demanded.
‘Yes, why?’ Susie asked. ‘What’s the problem?’
‘Did she say anything? About the baby?’
‘Not much, no. Her sister-in-law is going to adopt it,
