The Brooklands Girls Read online

  ‘Of course he won’t. It’s only for him to ride. It’s not his horse. Besides, Jake is in his element having the stables almost fully occupied again.’

  The following morning, Pips and George took both horses out for a ride. They galloped across the open fields, the wind streaming through Pips’s hair. Soon she was urging her mount, Samson, forward towards a hedge. She sailed over and carried on, but George pulled his horse up and found the nearest gate to follow her. Jake had warned him not to try anything too ambitious. ‘We’re just finding out what Boxer can do, sir, and we’ve not tried jumping him yet.’ He’d grinned. ‘You might find yourself trailing in Miss Pips’s wake, though.’

  George smiled as he dismounted, opened the gate, led the horse through and then closed the gate. As he remounted, he couldn’t even see Pips, but he trotted on. He’d catch up with her somewhere.

  ‘Boxer is wonderful, Robert. He’ll be perfect for Daisy to graduate to when she’s old enough.’ Unseen by anyone else, Pips gave her brother a broad wink. She had guessed the reason for the arrival of another horse in the stables.

  ‘Have you seen this in the paper?’ Robert said, pretending to ignore her gesture.

  ‘Not this morning. I’ve been too busy. What is it?’

  ‘The British Legion have adopted the poppy as their emblem. The idea came from an American woman, but it was taken up by Earl Haigh: we should all wear a replica of a poppy for Armistice Day here and wreaths of them can be laid at all the war memorials and the sales will go towards funds for helping the wounded.’

  ‘What a marvellous idea,’ Pips said, fingering the poppy brooch on her left shoulder. ‘Very symbolic, I’d say, wouldn’t you?’

  ‘Most apt,’ Robert murmured, without looking up.

  In support of one of their own, the whole village turned out for the wedding.

  ‘We’ll be overrun, Mother,’ Pips said, but Henrietta only smiled. ‘I expected this might happen. Everything’s in hand. We won’t run out of food. Several of the villagers have contributed pies and puddings and even vegetables from their own gardens. Isn’t that thoughtful? There’s been a veritable stream of visitors to the back door. And at least all the rationing has finished now.’

  ‘Doesn’t Cook mind others providing things? I’d have thought it would have wounded her pride.’

  ‘Not a bit of it. She understands their need to feel involved – to feel they’re giving something to the bride and groom after all they’ve been through. They all stood by Peggy when she was left an unmarried mother.’

  ‘They took their lead from you, Mother,’ Pips murmured.

  Henrietta waved aside the compliment. ‘And, of course, they’re all thankful to see Sam safely back home.’ Henrietta regarded her daughter. ‘But, from what I hear, it was you who changed Clara’s mind.’

  ‘Oh phooey. She’d have come round. She wouldn’t have missed her son’s wedding.’

  ‘I don’t know so much. I haven’t forgotten that the Dawsons – apart from Ma – didn’t come to their daughter’s wedding when Alice married Robert.’

  Pips couldn’t resist teasing her mother just a little. ‘Well, you were in two minds for a while.’

  ‘Philippa, I hope I’m always honest enough to admit when I’ve been wrong. And I was wrong about Alice. She’s the perfect wife for Robert. She can deal with his dark moods far better than I – or your father, for that matter – can.’

  ‘And you’re wrong about something else, too. Norah did come to their wedding. She sneaked in at the back at the last moment and hurried out before they set off down the aisle. I saw her.’

  Henrietta’s eyes widened. ‘Did she? Well, I’m glad to know that.’

  The wedding was a pretty village affair on a bright autumn day. Charlie Cooper escorted his daughter proudly up the aisle to stand beside a blushing Sam whilst Clara shed tears in the front pew. But seeing – and hearing – the villagers’ support for her boy soon helped to dry them.

  After the service, when everyone had gathered in the gardens at the hall, Bess declared to anyone who would listen, ‘Have you heard? Mrs Maitland’s found them a little cottage on the estate. Needs a bit of doing up, mind you, but Sam’ll manage that. His dad and my Charlie will lend a hand. Len Dawson’s even said he’ll help. Thinks a lot of Sam, does Len. Mind you,’ Bess let out her loud laugh, ‘he’s made it quite clear that Sam’ll never get his business. That’s for Luke to inherit, he keeps saying. But Sam’s content.’ She eyed Pips. ‘And when can we expect to hear wedding bells with you, Miss Pips?’

  Pips laughed. ‘Don’t hold your breath, Mrs Cooper. There aren’t enough men to go around now.’

  Bess’s face sobered. ‘You’re right there. Our Peggy’s been lucky, but I don’t reckon Betty’ll ever get wed. Not now.’

  There was silence between them as they both thought about Roy Dawson, who’d been Betty Cooper’s sweetheart and who’d perished at the Somme. Bess Cooper was not an educated woman, yet she had a wealth of wisdom and common sense. She was a force to be reckoned with in the village and probably the only two people who ‘outranked’ her were Ma Dawson and, of course, Henrietta.

  ‘We’ve lost a generation of young men, Miss Pips,’ Bess went on, ‘haven’t we? But not only that, we’re left with a generation of spinsters and we’ve lost the babbies they’ll never have now.’

  ‘Yes, it’s a tragedy all round,’ Pips murmured, but as her gaze alighted on Luke and Daisy sitting together on the grass, she smiled gently and said, ‘Our hopes now rest with the youngsters we have got. We must cherish them and trust them that a war like that is never allowed to happen again.’

  ‘Amen to that, Miss Pips. Amen to that.’

  ‘This is perhaps going to be a rather unusual bridegroom’s speech,’ Sam said, as he stood at the end of the long table in the Great Hall. The villagers crowded into the room. ‘First of all, my wife and I’ – his face reddened, but he was encouraged by the ripple of applause – ‘would like to thank Mrs Maitland for her generosity in asking us all here today to this beautiful setting and to everyone who has contributed, because I know you have. We’ll never be able to thank her – or all of you – enough. We would also like to thank our parents for their help and support. They – and all the villagers – have supported both of us through some very tough times.’ His glance rested on Luke. ‘But there’s one other person that I want none of us to forget today. Luke’s dad, Harold Dawson. Not only did he love Peggy very much, but he was my mate too. We grew up together and I want to add to the solemn vows I made to Peggy in church that I will try to be the best stepdad to Luke that I know how to be.’ His glance now took in the members of the Dawson family standing together to one side. ‘We’ll never forget Harold and we’ll always tell Luke all about him.’

  Norah wiped tears from her eyes, but Ma smiled and nodded her approval. ‘Well said, lad.’

  Sam rounded off his speech with more thank-yous and a toast to Peggy’s sister, Betty, her only bridesmaid.

  The day ended with Peggy and Sam being driven in style to their cottage in Edwin’s car.

  ‘Luke’s going to stay with us for a couple of nights,’ Norah explained. ‘They can’t afford a proper honeymoon, but they deserve a bit of time to themselves.’

  Twenty-Five

  ‘How is Robert, Alice?’ Pips asked her when they had a few moments alone.

  ‘Much better. He seems to be sticking to his writing now.’ She smiled. ‘He’s giving me an awful lot to type up and send to Dr Hazelwood.’

  ‘But you don’t mind?’

  ‘Heavens, no. I’m delighted.’

  The following day Pips returned to her life in London with a lighter heart.

  ‘So, Mitch Hammond, when are you taking me flying? You’ve been promising me for months, but nothing seems to be happening.’

  ‘Whenever you say the word. I didn’t really know if you were that keen.’

  ‘Of course I am, but I’d like to learn how to fly myself. I’m not go
od at being a passenger. Can I do that?’

  Mitch chuckled. ‘November’s not really the best time of year to start lessons, but I’ll talk to Jeff Pointer. He’s a qualified instructor who works for me and he also takes up members of the public for joyrides. I think you’ve met him, haven’t you?’

  Pips laughed. ‘Yes, I beat his sister, Pamela, in a race. I just hope he won’t hold that against me. But won’t you teach me?’

  Mitch shook his head. ‘I’ve made it a rule – we both have – that we don’t train family or close friends. It’s better that way. We take them up for joyrides, but not to teach them.’

  ‘Yes,’ Pips said slowly. ‘I think I can understand that.’ Then she grinned. ‘You could have a nasty fallout, especially,’ she added impishly, ‘if they crashed your plane.’

  A few days later, Mitch sent word that Jeff would be quite happy to teach Pips to fly. Come down on Saturday. He’ll take you up then and see if you like it.

  ‘Oh darling, you’re so brave. I don’t know how you dare to go up in one of those things.’ Milly giggled. ‘My granny always says, “If God had meant us to fly, he’d have given us wings”.’

  Pips joined in. ‘And my mother says, “If God had intended us to smoke, he’d have fitted us with a chimney”.’

  ‘Is George going too?’

  ‘I think so. He did say he’d like to learn too.’

  ‘Oh Pips, really! Can’t you see that he doesn’t like you meeting all those dashing young men at the racetrack and the flyers are even more handsome and devil-may-care.’

  Pips shrugged. ‘Then he’ll just have to deal with it, won’t he?’

  As Jeff led her across the grass towards the plane, he said, ‘This is a Vickers Boxkite – a biplane. It’s what we use to start pupils on until they’re good enough to graduate to a more advanced monoplane. Today, there’ll be no instruction as such. I’ll just take you up to see how you like it.’

  Her first flight was everything Pips had imagined it would be – and more. High above the clouds, she felt a sense of freedom and lightness of spirit as if all the dreadful memories had for a little while been left behind. She revelled in the way Jeff handled the aircraft and was thrilled when he began to try out a few acrobatic moves.

  When they landed, he helped her to climb out. ‘Well, Pips, you are the first woman I’ve ever taken into the air who didn’t squeal when I did a few unusual manoeuvres. I congratulate you and I’ll be delighted to give you lessons.’

  ‘When can we start?’ was all Pips said as they crossed the grass to where George and Mitch were standing together. As she drew near, she could detect a frosty atmosphere between the two men, but she smiled and said, ‘That was fantastic. Are you going up now, George?’

  For a moment, he hesitated and then he shook his head. ‘No, I’ll give it a miss today, thanks. I have to get back.’

  As they all walked to the clubhouse, George murmured, ‘It seems as if I’ll have to keep my word now.’

  ‘What d’you mean? To take up flying yourself?’

  He shook his head. ‘No, to not try to stop you doing anything you want. I will keep my promise, Pips, but I won’t be trying it again myself.’

  ‘Again? You’ve been up before?’

  He nodded. ‘In the war. I was violently airsick. Flying is definitely not for me.’

  ‘I’m sorry to hear that because I thought you said it would be something we would do together.’ She paused and then added, ‘You thought I’d hate it, didn’t you?’

  ‘To my eternal shame, I hoped you would.’

  ‘Well, I’m sorry, George,’ she said and her tone was tight, ‘but I loved it and I will be taking lessons with Jeff just as soon as it can be arranged.’

  Although life was exciting and fulfilling in the south, Pips could never quite quell her longing for home and the sight of her beloved niece. She vowed that whatever was happening in London or at Brooklands, she would never miss Daisy’s birthday.

  ‘Are you coming with me, George?’ she asked him just before Daisy’s fourth birthday.

  ‘Sorry, I can’t. Rebecca’s off duty this weekend.’ He didn’t need to say any more.

  Pips was unable to take her car north, so she took a photograph of it and brought it home to show the family. She fully expected a variety of reactions to it and she was not disappointed.

  ‘What a monstrosity,’ Henrietta declared. ‘Couldn’t you find something a little more refined, Philippa?’

  ‘She’s a beaut,’ Robert enthused. ‘I only wish I could drive something like that.’

  ‘I want to ride in it,’ Daisy clamoured. ‘You promised, Aunty Pips.’

  Pips picked her up. ‘I haven’t forgotten, but I’m not allowed to bring it home. It’s just a racing car.’

  ‘Then why don’t you buy a car that you can bring home for me and Luke to ride in?’

  The family laughed, but, quite seriously, Pips said, ‘I’ll have to think about that.’

  Daisy’s family birthday party was noisy and boisterous, even though she and Luke were the only two children present. The grown-ups forgot their inhibitions and played silly games all afternoon. Three days later, it was the Dawsons’ cottage that was alive with laughter.

  ‘I’ll take them out for a ride on their ponies before it gets dark, Ma,’ Pips said. ‘I’m sure you’ve had enough of all the noise.’

  ‘Eh, I dun’t mind it, Miss Pips. It’s good to see Norah smiling again. There’s just one thing I’d wish, but I know it can never be.’

  ‘Tell me, Ma,’ Pips said softly.

  ‘’Afore the good Lord calls me home, I’d just like to see William one more time. But I don’t expect even you could make that happen, Miss Pips.’

  Pips patted her hand but said nothing. She was not going to make promises she might not be able to keep but she stored Ma’s heartfelt wish in the back of her mind.

  With Pips riding Boxer, she took the children on their ponies around the grounds of the hall before it began to grow dark. ‘Birthday or not, Daisy, I think it’s your bedtime,’ she said as they trotted back into the stable yard. ‘Jake, I know they’re being trained to care for their ponies, but would you do the honours tonight, please? They’ve both had a very exciting day.’

  ‘Of course, Miss Pips. What do you think of Boxer?’

  Pips patted the horse’s neck. ‘A great addition to the stable. Are you managing all right now you have an extra one?’

  Jake’s grin widened. ‘I couldn’t be happier, Miss. I missed ’em when we hadn’t any, but now . . .’ He didn’t need to say any more; Pips could see the joy shining out of his eyes. ‘And Master Robert rides Boxer. He often goes out with the children on a Saturday afternoon.’

  ‘I’m delighted to hear it. Now, Daisy, say “goodnight” to Luke. I’m just going to walk home with him.’

  ‘Aw, can’t I come too?’

  ‘Not tonight. It’s getting late. Be a good girl and next time I come, I’ll go riding with you both again.’

  Luke said nothing. He was quite capable of going home on his own – he’d run freely about the village almost since the time he could walk – but he savoured some time with Miss Pips. She always treated him like an adult.

  Pips had a brief word with Peggy and Sam, but she was anxious to get home; her mind was on something else.

  On her return to the hall, she sought out Henrietta. ‘Mother, I want you to promise me something.’

  ‘I will if I can, dear. What is it?’

  Pips told her of Ma’s wish, ending, ‘I want you to let me know if Ma gets ill, because when she does – and it’s bound to happen one day – I want to fetch William home to see her.’

  Henrietta stared at her. ‘Do – do you think Len will allow it?’

  ‘I don’t think even Len Dawson would deny his mother her dying wish, do you?’

  Henrietta bit her lip. She wasn’t too sure, but if anyone could bring such a miracle about, then it was Pips.

  On her return to
London, Milly greeted her. ‘This weekend’s party is at Muriel’s. It’s fancy dress with a circus theme. I’ve got a wonderful clown outfit. You and George are both invited, of course. Everyone knows you’re a couple now.’

  ‘I don’t think it’s quite my scene, Pips,’ George said, when she told him. ‘And besides, it’s Rebecca’s weekend off.’

  Pips shrugged. She was disappointed, but there was no way on this earth that she was going to refuse a party just because of Rebecca Allender. ‘Then I’d better get my costume sorted out,’ was all she said.

  ‘Why don’t you get a clown’s costume too and we’ll go as a pair?’ Milly suggested. ‘We could get up to some high old jinks together.’

  With their faces covered in make-up, the two friends were scarcely recognizable. ‘We won’t be able to speak,’ Milly warned Pips as they took a taxi to the party. ‘Or we’ll be recognized right away.’

  ‘I’d’ve thought you could adopt another voice. You’re a fantastic mimic.’

  ‘Oh, I could, couldn’t I? What about you?’

  ‘I’m dressed as the sad-faced clown, so all I’ve got to do is keep quiet and look miserable.’

  Milly giggled. ‘I can’t see you managing that all evening.’

  ‘That’s a wonderful outfit, Pips,’ Mitch said when he found her. He was dressed as a ringmaster in top hat, red waistcoat and tails.

  ‘Oh phooey! You’re not supposed to be able to identify me.’

  ‘D’you really think you can disguise yourself from me?’ He glanced around. ‘And where is your ardent suitor, then?’

  ‘Couldn’t come.’

  Mitch slipped his arm around her waist. ‘What a shame!’ he murmured insincerely. ‘So I shall be obliged to look after you all evening. What an absolute bore!’

  They danced every dance, Mitch refusing to relinquish her to any other partner, until even Milly said, ‘You know, Pips, darling, it’s beginning to look a bit obvious. What would George say?’

  It was the worst thing she could have said. ‘If George doesn’t want me to dance with anyone else, then he should be here. By the way, where’s Jeff? Have you recognized him yet? I need to ask him if he’ll give me a flying lesson this week.’