Love Thine Enemy by Nora Fountain

Author:Nora Fountain
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2011-09-07T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

The following year, 1942, the Allies went on the offensive in a big way. On 30th May, they launched the first thousand-bomber raid on Cologne. R.A.F. Lancasters flew in wave after wave over the target city, inflicting the kind of damage only the Germans had so far meted out.

'We need long-range fighters,' said Bob, leaning back in his chair at the Ritz, eyeing a particularly delectable brunette at a nearby table through one of the wall mirrors.

Charles glanced round to discover the object of Bob's interest, grinning as he turned back. As spring turned to summer, despite the war, and the fact that clothes had been rationed by clothing coupons since June of the previous year, girls still managed to look pretty. Those who were clever with the needle could transform old clothes or even curtains into something modern and stylish. Marriage had certainly not affected Bob's eyesight, nor, unfortunately, his behaviour.

'It is frustrating,' Charles agreed, 'to have to turn back and leave the bombers to it, unprotected. We're losing too many bombers, and so are the Yanks.' A grin of disbelief lit his face. 'Talking of Yanks...'

He lifted a hand as the large man with the brunette turned, mirroring Charles's surprise.

'Well, I'll be darned! Charles, you old son of a gun - fancy seeing you here!'

With a large hand supporting her elbow Brad raised the brunette to her feet, and steered her towards the two Englishmen.

'I live here,' Charles reminded him. 'What's your excuse?'

'I never could resist a war. This is Vera, by the way. She's - er...'

'A clippie - a bus conductress,' she supplied in a chirpy Cockney accent, her brown eyes defensive, laughing to reveal less than perfect teeth. 'Never thought I'd see the inside of this place!'

'No, it's quite something, isn't it,' Charles agreed quietly.

Bob, he noticed, was doing an inventory of her attributes, from the perky hat perched on top of dark hair, scooped up either side and falling to her shoulders, to her shapely legs, clad in American nylons and her best utility shoes. Her bright lipstick didn’t marry well with her wine two-piece, but the cinched waist and rayon blouse hinted at a soft, amenable body beneath.

'I'm delighted to meet you, Vera,' said Bob smoothly.

'Cor, what a pair of toffs, eh? Course, you can't tell with Yanks, can you? They all speak the same, don't they?'

They all laughed. Brad's Texan drawl obviously concealed his millionaire status from Vera.

'Where are you stationed, then, Brad?' asked Charles.

'At some place called Manston in Kent.'

'We must get together when I'm back from leave. I'm off home to Dorset. When do you go back?'

'I've got a few days, too - thought I'd spend them in London.'

'Why don't you come to Dorset with me? Helen'd love to see you.'

'Helen!' he murmured in soft delight, shooting a glance at Vera. He had no need to worry. Bob had moved in for the kill. 'Now that sure would be something! Vera, honey, I just gotta catch up on this guy's news.

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