The Spitfire Sisters by Margaret Dickinson

Author:Margaret Dickinson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pan Macmillan UK

Thirty-Two

The air raid lasted over an hour, during which time Johnny sat with the child cradled in his right arm and his left arm around Daisy, ignoring the stiffness in his shoulder that her weight was causing him. He would have borne any cramp for a week if it meant he could hold Daisy close.

As the all-clear sounded, she stirred and the child, too, woke up and began to whimper again when he found he was in the arms of a stranger. People began to move, picking up their belongings and heading towards the stairs.

‘Alfie! Alfie!’ They heard her voice echoing down the platform long before they could see her.

‘Mum!’ The child shouted so loud that Johnny felt his right ear tingle.

‘Alfie – where are you?’

Then they saw her, thrusting her way through and dragging two other children with her.

Daisy waved. ‘Over here. He’s here . . .’ And Alfie cried out again. And then she was in front of them, reaching out for her boy and clasping him to her, whilst Alfie wound his arms around her neck and clung to her, still crying, but now with relief and thankfulness.

‘Oh, thank you, thank you for looking after him. Gawd bless you. I thought he was holding onto me coat. It wasn’t till I got to the bottom of the steps that I realized he’d let go. And then, I couldn’t find him. I’ve been so terrified he was still up top.’

‘We’ll help you. Here, Daisy, you take the little girl’s hand and we’ll make sure you all get up the stairs safely. Do you live far from here?’

‘No, just round the corner. This is the safest place to come, but it’s always crowded.’

As they parted at the top of the steps, Johnny asked, ‘Are you sure you’ll be all right now?’

‘We will and thanks again.’

Johnny and Daisy walked back to the dance hall, only to find some of their friends looking forlorn.

‘The bus has been damaged in the raid. God knows how we’re going to get back to camp. Phil has rung the adjutant. He’s hopping mad, but I don’t think we can get back tonight, so we’re all going to find a hotel. What about you two?’

Johnny glanced down at Daisy. ‘Shall we do the same?’

‘I think we’ll have to. It’s a bit late to descend on Aunty Milly or Uncle Mitch, isn’t it?’

Johnny laughed. ‘Maybe, but I don’t think they’ll be asleep. That’s if Aunty Milly is even here. No, you’re right. We’ll find somewhere to stay.’

In a small but clean and friendly hotel, Johnny found them a twin room and they slept chastely only three feet apart, both yearning to be in each other’s arms, but not saying a word.

With alternative transport arranged, they all returned to camp.

‘I think I’ll have to report for duty, Daisy,’ Johnny said, when they alighted from the bus bringing them back to Duxford. ‘Even though I’ve still got another few hours left. After last night’s escapade, I don’t think I’d better push my luck.

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