Virgin Flight by E.V. Bancroft

Author:E.V. Bancroft [Bancroft, E.V.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B0CKJWQZ45
Publisher: Butterworth Books
Published: 2023-12-02T00:00:00+00:00

THIRTEEN

A few weeks later, a dense fog had settled on the ground, making it impossible to fly. The Station Commander, Josephine, had sent the rest of the women home, keeping only the four who didn’t need organised transport: Joyce, Edna, Beryl, and Odette. They lounged around in the Ops room playing bridge and hoping for the weather to clear.

As dummy, Odette leaned back to watch Beryl finesse her way to twelve tricks, confounding both the bridge experts of Edna and Joyce, who stared open-mouthed.

“Are you sure you’ve never played bridge before? I feel we’ve just been taken for a ride.” Edna grinned.

Beryl returned the grin. “No, never. I’ve no idea how to call or score.”

“But you can play cards,” Joyce said with more vinegar in her tone.

“I played cards with my dad and brother when it was quiet at the garage. Bridge is just a complicated version of whist, really.”

Odette disguised her smile with a cough. Beryl was playing with fire. Joyce hated being outsmarted.

“It’s a good job we’re only playing for chores, not pennies.” Edna picked up the cards and began to shuffle. “And Beryl not cooking will be a blessing for us all.”

“Hey, I only burned supper once.”

“All our meat rations in one meal.”

Beryl’s flushing and mock pouting was adorable, but Odette couldn’t say that. It was harder than she’d imagined trying to keep friendly but professional when all she really wanted to do was run her fingers through Beryl’s hair, kiss her with a passion that burned deep and hidden, and take her to bed. She needed to pull herself together. She rose. “Anyone for tea?”

“Thanks.”

At least Edna was taking it in good spirit. Joyce looked genuinely miffed. Before Odette crossed the room, the door opened, and Josephine walked in looking harassed, though that seemed to be her perpetual way of being.

“The latest Met reports say this fog is set in for most of the day. Edna and Joyce, you may as well go back home. If by some miracle, the weather lifts, I’ll call you back in. Odette and Beryl, please stay behind. If anyone can get out later, it will be you two.”

Odette glanced at Beryl, who flushed pink at the compliment. She always seemed surprised when she was acknowledged as an excellent pilot. Beryl deserved all the praise she could get, and it warmed Odette to her soul that Josephine acknowledged that.

As Josephine exited to go back to her logistics, Joyce riffled through the cards and slapped them hard on the desk to straighten them. It would have niggled Joyce that Beryl was praised for her flying skills, even though it was true.

Joyce inserted the cards into the wooden box. “We’ll leave the two favourites then and get on home. Toad in the hole this evening?”

Odette shook her head. She’d never get used to the bizarre names the English had for their food. Sausage in batter was nothing like its description. In France, the description of their food was entirely accurate.

Odette handed the second pack to Joyce.

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