How Far Would You Go For Your Country- chapter 21
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Lily hummed to herself as she carefully rolled out dough in the back of her mother's bakery, reflecting on the days gone past. Christmas had come and gone, taking the New Year along with it. She'd been surprised what a remedy home was for her soul. It was strange how much of her French experience she'd manage to put to the back of her mind (more intelligent people would calling it repression, but she was happier to say she'd just put it to the back of her mind). She couldn't put Bill to the back of her mind, however. She'd thought of him all through the holiday, praying that he was at least having a peaceful Christmas if a Christmas away from his own family. If only she'd known where he really was, she would have realised her prayers had been in vain.
"Dough ready, Sweetheart?" her mother interrupted her thoughts, coming into join in her in the back room.
"There we go," she said, snapping back to earth as she carefully passed it into her mother's hands. "What next?"
"These buns need iced," came the reply, her hand pointing to a cooling tray on the counter nearby.
Lily sauntered over, picking up the piping icing bag and scooping in some mixture.
Her mother exhaled loudly, as she had been doing over the past few days. Lily knew what it meant, that her mother had something on her mind. "Is there something you want to ask me?"
"Who? Me?" Mrs Stone asked nonchalantly, sighing, knowing her daughter could read her. "I was just wondering how long you'd be staying. You never usually stay so long.
Lily tensed slightly, not really knowing what to say. She'd tried to contact her old Commanding Officer at the WAAFs, as well as the SOE itself, but no luck with either. It was hard to get in contact with the higher-ups during Christmas, but she hoped they'd be back in touch with her soon so she could arrange some plans, if only not to arouse suspicion in her family. She joked. "Trying to get rid of me?"
Mrs Stone clucked her tongue. "Of course not."
"I just have a few days of leave built up, that's all. I don't have to go back up so soon,"
"Oh," her mother nodded thoughtfully.
"It's just…," she lied. "I'd rather be here during the winter than up there. It's much colder up north, as I found out the hard way last winter."
"Well it's even colder this winter," her mother mused. "Uncommonly cold."
"So I think I'll stay longer, a little whilst anyway," she continued. "At least I can spend some time with James whilst he's here."
"That's true," her mother reasoned, finishing preparing the dough.
"By the way," Lily chanced her luck. "I don't suppose there was any post this morning, was there?"
Her mother thought for a second. "No, sorry. Why? Are you expecting something?"
"Um…no. I was just wondering," Lily put on a smile.
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January 14th, 1945
Icing buns, and using baking as a method of self-distraction, Lily furrowed her brow in concentration and trying to pay attention to Hazel as she chattered away on a nearby stool.
"Let me tell you," Hazel chattered. "I relish my days off. Working on a farm in January weather is no piece of cake."
"At least it's not snowing anymore," Lily reasoned.
"No, but this rain is hardly any better," came the reply as Hazel motioned outside to the rain bashing off of the window as it plummeted down. She looked back at Lily. "Are you going back up to the airbase?"
"What?" Lily agitatedly blew the hair out of her eyes. "Of course I am. What kind of question is that?"
"Sorry," Hazel shifting uncomfortably in her chair. "I just wondered…since you'd been home for so long, longer then you usually are…"
Lily's face softened. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap. I guess…I guess I'm just reluctant to leave home."
"Why?"
"Because…," she chose her words carefully so as not to give anything away. "I've been away from home for so long, and the more I go…the more I miss what I have waiting for me."
"That's understandable," Hazel walked up to her and put a supportive arm around her shoulder. "Well whatever the reason, we're all glad to have you here."
"Morning girls," Mrs Stone entered the bakery, mug of tea in one hand, letters in another. She looked at her daughter's eyes zoning in on the letters as they did every mail day. She chuckled as she slowly set her mug down and slovenly sifted through the letter. "water bill, gas bill, letter from aunt Shirley…what's this now? A letter for Lily?"
Lily sprang to her mother. "Really?"
"Yes," Mrs Stone laughed, handing it over to her daughter and putting her out of her misery.
"Secret admirer?" Hazel looked knowingly at Mrs Stone. "Maybe it's from Bill. He was so in love with her during the summer."
Ignoring both of them, Lily studied that envelope, flipping it both ways. Her face fell when she saw the WAAF insignia on the back. She tore at the envelope, pulling out the paper and reading. It was from her Commanding Officer, congratulating her on her successful return and urging her to call at the earliest convenience.
"Well…?" her mother asked, raising an eyebrow.
Lily wiped her floury hands on her apron before removing it and hanging it up on the apron rack. "I need to pop out for a second."
"What?" Mrs Stone asked, surprised, pointing at the rain outside. "It's bucketing down!"
"I'll be right back!" She said, picking up her bag and running out.
Squeaking as she became instantly soaking, she toyed with the idea of going back in for an umbrella but decided she couldn't face the barrage of questions. Instead, she took off at a run, forcing her way through the freezing sheet rain, so icy it felt like it was cutting into her. As she ran, thoughts raced through her head. She was torn. She wanted to wait in Aldbourne in case Bill wrote to her, yet her extended presence was arousing too much suspicion. Maybe it would be better for her to go back. Making her way through the twisty streets of Aldbourne, she ran towards the red pillar phone box. She slotted in some coins and dialled the number.
"Hello?" came the receptionists voice.
"CO Masters, please,"
"Whom shall I say is speaking?" the receptionist rhymed off.
"Sergeant Stone,"
"One second please."
"Commanding Officer Masters, speaking," The CO's voice came after a few seconds silence.
"This is Sergeant Stone speaking," Lily said.
"Ah, Lily, thanks for phoning," Masters said fondly. She'd always like Lily, appreciating her drive and determination. "The wanderer returns."
"Indeed,"
"So, Sergeant, can we expect you back up in Northampton anytime soon?" Masters asked. "Are you still interested in a career in the WAAFs?"
"Of course," she replied rather doubtfully.
"Well, we have an offer to put to you anyway. Why don't you come up and we can discuss it further,"
"An offer?" she asked, her interest piqued. "What kind of offer?"
"Like I said, come up and we'll discuss it," Masters said, unwilling to give the game away.
"Alright, Ma'am," Lily said, her heart racing. "…but, erm, I can't make it up for another week or so. Is that alright?"
"In your own time, Sergeant,"
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January 25th, 1945- Northampton.
After spending a week wondering why Bill hadn't written, Lily decided to give herself a good mental shake. He was busy fighting for his country, he'd get in touch when he could. Moreover, she was embarrassed at herself, putting a man before her duty to her own country. Going slightly over the mentioned week, she eventually found herself on a train up to Northampton and back to her former airbase.
Knock knock.
"Enter," came Masters' voice from within.
Tentatively, Lily pushed open the door to see the pleasantly surprised face of her Commanding Officer. The two shook hands.
"Good to see you again, Sergeant Stone. Back in one piece, anyway," Masters said fondly.
"Did you expect otherwise?" Lily joked.
"Of course not," Masters stifled a chuckle. "Okay, why don't you have a seat."
Lily sat down on cue. "What did they tell you about where I was?"
"Only what they felt I needed to know," Masters admitted honestly. "But enough anyway to give me the impression somehow that returning to your old duties here on the base might not be exciting enough for you anymore."
"Well…," she bit her lip, not wanting to admit to it outright.
Masters laughed. "That's why I've been speaking to some of my friends in the ATA…do you know what that is, Lily?"
"The Air Transport Auxiliary?" she asked, trying to remember.
"That's right," Masters continued, leaning forward in her chair. "Now, Lily, you've made no secret of the fact that you want to fly."
Lily tensed in her chair. "Yes….?"
"Well they're always looking for pilots for the ATA, especially as this war intensifies. So, if you're interested, they'd be willing to transfer you and train you up,"
"…are you serious?" Lily couldn't believe her ears. It was what she'd always dreamed about.
"Well," Masters reasoned. "As I'm sure you know, the ATA is concerned with aircraft and supply delivery. I can't promise you dogfighting or anything of the sort, and it'll take time for you to pass all of the stages but it's flying at least."
"No, Ma'am, it sounds wonderful!" she couldn't stress that enough.
"I thought it was an offer you'd jump at," Masters smiled knowingly, straightening up some papers on her desk.
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February 12th, 1945
Bill and Joe lay across from one another in their hospital beds, where they'd spent the last month or so trying to adjust to having just the one leg each. It had been such a frustrating time, with both of them feeling anger at the situation, missing the company and, the worst thing, the vivid nightmares of that awful day in the forest. Luckily, they'd had each other to support them during the early recovery. After so much time going stir crazy in their beds, they'd finally been told passage had been arranged on them on a boat home via England.
"I can't wait to see my ma again," Joe said, staring vacantly into space.
"Yeah," Bill agreed, but not really listening.
"So Bill," Joe rolled over on his side to face his buddy. "So, are you getting the big boat home with me or are you making your pit stop in England to look her up?"
Resolutely but sadly, Bill looked down. "Nah, I'm goin' back to Philly."
"Why?" Joe asked, confused.
"I don't want her to see this," Bill admitted, ashamed.
"I don't think she'll care, Bill," Joe said, trying to joke to keep his friend's spirits up. "Besides, the ladies go nuts for a war wound."
"If it's all the same, I think I'd better make sure that I'm used to it before I can expect her to be."
"I can't believe you haven't even written her about it yet," Joe mused, rolling back over onto his back. "Or written her at all even."
"I don't think this is the kind of thing you can explain in a letter…," he said sadly, pointing down at where his leg used to be.