The Spitfire Sisters Read online

  ‘He’ll be a great king, you’ll see,’ Robert remarked confidently to Pips. ‘He’s even got a good name,’ he teased his sister to which she replied with her usual ‘Oh phooey.’

  Being present for the young ones’ birthdays wasn’t quite so easy now with Daisy at college and George working, but alternate Christmases were sacrosanct. And this year, it was Lincolnshire’s turn.

  ‘You think so? Edward was the People’s King. They don’t know his brother so well.’

  ‘Not yet. But he has a happy and settled family life. Give him time. He’ll win them over.’

  ‘I hope you’re right,’ Pips said, ‘because I don’t like the way things are shaping up in Europe again.’

  ‘Nor do I. Since his victory over Abyssinia, Mussolini is now declaring that Italy has its empire. It’s causing a lot of unrest and argument amongst governments and now we have a civil war in Spain.’

  Pips sighed. ‘They’ll never learn, will they? You’d really think the whole world would have had enough of war, but no. What’s this skirmish all about, then?’

  Robert smiled. ‘Hasn’t George told you anything? I’d have thought you’d know, better than any of us, what’s going on.’

  Pips grimaced. ‘To be honest, Robert, George says very little about his work and I think it’s better that way.’

  ‘Surely he knows you well enough to know that you’d never ever repeat anything he told you.’ Robert grinned. ‘Not even to me.’

  They laughed together. ‘Quite. But if that’s the way he feels, then I respect him. If I worked for the Government, or something terribly secret, then I’m sure I’d feel the same.’

  ‘Fair enough. I’ll just have to put up with what appears in the press, then.’

  ‘You could ask him yourself.’

  ‘I could,’ Robert said thoughtfully, ‘but I don’t want to put him in an awkward position of having to refuse to tell me.’

  Pips chuckled. ‘I’m sure he’s used to fending off nosy parkers.’

  At that moment George appeared at Pips’s elbow. ‘What’s all the laughter about? May I join in?’

  ‘We were talking about you,’ Pips teased.

  George smiled. ‘Oh dear!’

  ‘Robert expected that I would know all about the political situation – especially about the Spanish Civil War – but I told him you don’t tell me much about your work.’

  George wrinkled his brow. ‘It’s not that I don’t trust you, Pips. It’s that I don’t want you to be worried.’

  Both Pips and Robert stared at him. ‘Should I be?’ she asked softly.

  ‘There are – rumblings, shall we say – in Europe and in other parts of the world too, it has to be said. But our informers tell us that the little corporal in Germany is becoming more powerful by the day. Rumour has it that he wants to recover Germany’s lost colonies. He’s watching Mussolini’s progress carefully.’

  ‘And then, of course, there are all his new laws against the Jews,’ Robert said. ‘That has been in the press. There are some dreadful things going on.’

  ‘He’s virtually torn up the Versailles agreement.’

  Robert grimaced. ‘I said at the time I thought the terms were too stringent. It was bound to lead to resentment.’

  ‘And it seems Adolf Hitler epitomizes that bitterness,’ George said.

  ‘You think the problems are going to escalate, George, don’t you?’

  Solemnly, he said, ‘Sadly, Pips, I do.’ He glanced across to where Daisy was joking with Luke and Harry. ‘But God forbid that we should be plunged into another war, because it’ll be those wonderful young people and their generation who will have to fight once again for our freedom.’

  Twelve

  Oblivious to the rumblings of unrest throughout the spring of 1937, Daisy continued her course at Studley. Johnny visited regularly, arriving on his motorcycle in a roar of exhaust fumes. She said nothing at home about their growing friendship, but one day towards the end of her second term, on a deceptively mild March day, Luke arrived unexpectedly on his motorcycle.

  He parked his machine on the driveway next to another motorcycle and knocked on the door.

  ‘Granddad gave me the day off.’ He grinned at her and jerked his thumb over his shoulder. ‘Nice motorcycle parked there. Whose is it?’

  Daisy sighed inwardly, but managed to keep a welcoming smile plastered on her face. ‘Come in, Luke. We’ve just had lunch, but I have to get back for a one-to-one with my tutor this afternoon.’

  ‘Oh, sorry. I should’ve let you know I was coming. When will you be free?’

  ‘About five, if you can stay that long.’

  ‘Of course. No good coming all this way to—’

  She led the way into the room where the students were allowed to entertain their visitors. Nearby was a small kitchen where they could make tea, coffee and snacks. Luke paused in the doorway as he scanned the room and saw who was sitting at the table.

  ‘What’s he doing here?’ he muttered.

  Daisy glanced back at him. ‘Visiting – just like you. Come in. I want you to meet my friend, Gill.’

  Reluctantly, Luke went into the room and shook hands with Gill, but the two young men only nodded curtly to each other.

  ‘Hello, Luke,’ Gill said. ‘Pleased to meet you. Daisy’s told me all about you and your brother, Harry.’ She patted a seat at the side of her. ‘Come and sit by me and tell me how things are on the farm.’

  With another swift glance at Johnny, Luke sat down, whilst Daisy murmured, ‘I’ll make us some more tea.’

  ‘I don’t work on the estate,’ Luke said. ‘Not exactly. My granddad runs a small business in the village. Wheelwright, blacksmith and carpentry. But a lot of our work comes from Mrs Maitland’s estate.’

  Gill’s eyes widened. ‘Estate? Daisy didn’t tell me it was an estate. I thought she just lived on a farm, like I do.’

  ‘There is a farm, of course, but there are gardens, orchards and grounds around the hall.’

  ‘The hall? She lives in a hall?’

  Johnny, listening to the conversation, frowned but said nothing. Obviously, Daisy hadn’t wanted her new friends to know about where she came from, but now Luke was truly letting the proverbial cat out of the bag.

  Daisy came back into the room carrying a tray with four cups of freshly made tea and a plate of biscuits. Gill glanced up at her. ‘You’re a dark horse, Daisy Maitland. You didn’t tell me you lived in a big house surrounded by gardens and grounds and a farm.’ Then she grinned. ‘Why ever didn’t you say? Now I can’t wait to visit.’

  Daisy set the tray down carefully on the table and met her friend’s gaze and drew in a deep breath. ‘You’re welcome any time.’

  Luke looked contrite. ‘I’m sorry, Dais. I didn’t mean . . .’

  Daisy merely shrugged. ‘It’s all right. We’ve already said we’ll visit each other in the summer holidays. She’d have found out then. Besides,’ now she smiled, ‘from what Gill says, her dad’s land is bigger than the area we actually farm.’

  ‘But we don’t live in a grand hall,’ Gill laughed. ‘Just a draughty old farmhouse that comes last on the list when it comes to spending money. But, d’you know what? I love it. Once I’ve finished this course, I’m off back home like a rat down a drainpipe and I don’t intend to leave it again. I’ll be ploughin’ and sowin’ and reapin’ and hoein’ and I’ll be as happy a pig in muck. Aye, and we’ve got some of them, an’ all.’

  Johnny relaxed a little, but now he felt uncomfortable. Luke and Daisy had such a long history that he was beginning to think that perhaps there was a tacit understanding between them. He stood up. ‘I’d better be getting back, Daisy. Don’t want to be on a charge.’

  ‘I’ll see you out.’

  ‘Cheerio, Gill,’ Johnny said, giving her a little wave, but to Luke he only nodded again.

  As he started his machine, Johnny smiled at Daisy, his eyes searching her face, vainly trying to find something in her eyes that
would give him even a glimmer of hope. But, as always, there was her lovely smile and her eyes twinkled with her love of the life she had. Whether there could ever be a place for him in that life, he couldn’t tell.

  Now, he thought, I know exactly how Uncle Mitch feels about Pips.

  When Daisy returned to the others, it was to find Gill, resting her elbows on the table, her chin cupped in her hands as she gazed at Luke with a rapt expression on her face whilst Luke was telling her about working for his grandfather alongside his stepfather and his half-brother.

  Daisy picked up her books from the dresser. ‘I’ll be back in just over an hour.’

  Luke glanced up and nodded, whilst Gill waved her hand airily. ‘Don’t rush, Daisy. I’ll look after him. I’ll make us a snack for when you get back.’

  When Daisy returned just before five, it was to find Luke and Gill still sitting at the table, talking and laughing together.

  ‘Oh sorry . . .’ Gill leapt up. ‘I meant to make a few sandwiches, but we got talking. I don’t know where the time’s gone. You sit down with Luke, Daisy.’

  ‘We’ll come into the kitchen so that you can talk to us too.’

  Daisy and Luke, with a fresh pot of tea between them, sat at the small kitchen table and talked whilst Gill busied herself cutting bread, but Daisy could tell she was listening to their conversation.

  ‘So, how’s everyone at home?’

  ‘Fine.’

  ‘And Harry?’

  ‘A pain, as usual, though I have to admit, he’s shaping up at work quite nicely now he’s full time. He works mostly with Sam in the blacksmith’s at the moment, but he’s going to learn the other side of it too.’ Luke grinned. ‘He’s good at making coffins.’

  Len was also the undertaker for Doddington and the nearby villages.

  ‘And he gets on all right with Granddad?’

  Luke pulled a face. ‘Sort of. Granddad never lets him forget that he’s not family and that the business will be mine one day – never his.’

  ‘And what does Harry say to that?’

  ‘You know how cheeky he is. He just says that I would never sack my half-brother and then Granddad says, “Don’t be too sure about that,” and so it goes on. It’s a sort of banter between them, but there’s this underlying truth behind it. It’s just Granddad’s way of keeping him in line, I suppose.’ Luke sighed. ‘But I wish he wouldn’t keep reminding Harry that he’s not his family. It makes me feel very awkward at times. After all, he is my half-brother and everyone else treats us equally, they always have done, but Granddad won’t even get him a motorcycle like he got me.’ He grinned. ‘Mind you, Harry can be quite determined when he wants to be. He’s squirrelling away every spare bit of cash he earns. In two years’ time, he says, he’ll be able to come and see you on his own motorcycle.’

  Daisy laughed. ‘But I’ll be home by then.’

  Luke stared at her for a moment before saying slowly, ‘Of course you will. I bet he hasn’t thought of that.’

  ‘Then don’t spoil it for him. He idolizes you, Luke, and wants to emulate you. Let him save up and get his motorcycle.’

  Thirteen

  Pips’s fears for the future only grew as 1937 progressed. Young men from all over the world, who saw themselves as some sort of crusaders, had joined the Spanish Civil War, some to fight on the side of the International Brigade against the rise of Fascism, whilst others fought for General Franco’s Nationalists in order to halt the spread of Communism.

  ‘Did you see that our government has warned that anyone enlisting in the Spanish war will face two years’ imprisonment? Has George said anything?’ Robert asked Pips when she visited at Easter.

  Pips shook her head. ‘You know he doesn’t tell me much, but he’s spending longer and longer hours at work. Sometimes, he doesn’t get home until after midnight.’

  ‘I’m not surprised. It’s getting serious. Did you hear about the Mediterranean being mined?’

  ‘Yes, one of our liners was damaged in February off the coast of Spain, wasn’t it?’

  Robert nodded solemnly. ‘Luckily, it managed to get to the nearest harbour, but just think what that could mean to shipping in general.’

  ‘At least we’re building up our navy now. Do you think this civil war is going to escalate and involve other countries?’

  Robert shrugged, but could not answer her.

  Pips forced a smile. ‘Let’s change the subject. Have you done today’s crossword in the Telegraph?’

  ‘Yes. In twenty minutes. You?’

  ‘All but one. I just can’t get it.’

  ‘Which one?’

  ‘Ten down. Five letters and the clue is “exasperated”.’

  Robert chuckled. He loved to get ‘one up’ on his clever sister. ‘I thought that clue was one of the easiest.’

  ‘Oh phooey to you,’ Pips laughed. ‘Go on, tell me the answer.’

  ‘Heggs.’

  ‘What? How do you get that?’

  ‘Eggs – aspirated.’

  There was a moment’s silence as Pips digested the answer. ‘Oh yes, dead easy,’ she said sarcastically. ‘Now, tell me about Daisy. I tried to ask her about college this morning but she was in such a hurry to go out riding. How’s she getting on?’

  Robert chuckled. ‘Extremely well, as you might expect. Top of the class as usual. We’ve got her friend Gill coming to stay with us next week and then they’ll go back to college together. We can’t wait to meet her.’

  ‘What about Johnny? Does he still visit?’

  Robert laughed. ‘Oh yes. You should see him and Luke together. They’re like a couple of fighting cocks skirting round each other.’

  ‘Oh dear. They don’t actually fight, do they?’

  ‘No, but I sometimes think they’d like to. The daft thing is that Daisy doesn’t seem particularly interested in either of them in a romantic way. She’s just concentrating on getting her degree.’

  ‘She must notice it, though.’

  ‘I’m sure she does. Perhaps she’s rather enjoying the attention.’

  Pips laughed. ‘There is that.’

  When the time came for Gill’s visit, Jake drove Daisy to the station to meet her.

  ‘Sorry about all the luggage,’ Gill laughed as she helped Jake heft her suitcases and boxes into the back of the car. ‘But we’re going straight back to Studley from here, aren’t we, so I’ve had to bring everything.’

  ‘That’s all right,’ Daisy said, hugging her. ‘Come on. I can’t wait for you to meet everyone. Aunty Pips is still here, though Uncle George has had to go back to London.’

  The Maitland family couldn’t help but like Daisy’s friend. She was wide-eyed with wonder at the hall and its lands. ‘And you’re going to inherit all this one day, Daisy? Oh my, I didn’t realize I’d got such a grand friend.’

  ‘I do hope that’s not how we come across, Gill,’ Henrietta chuckled.

  Gill was thoughtful for a moment before saying candidly, ‘Actually, no, you don’t, although I expect the villagers treat you with the deference you deserve.’

  Henrietta wrinkled her forehead thoughtfully, trying to see her family through the eyes of a stranger. ‘My family have always been at the heart of the village and all our employees are local. I’m pleased to say they feel able to come to us in times of trouble and we do our best to help.’

  ‘We’ve got a sort of lord of the manor where we live – Mr Jeremy Hainsworth. We call him “Lord Bunny” because he’s always out shooting rabbits on his land. I’m sorry to say, though, he’s a bit aloof.’ She grinned at Henrietta. ‘I bet you’re not.’

  ‘Heavens, no!’

  ‘There’s one thing I’m working on, though. He owns an aeroplane and I’ve been pestering him to take me up in it.’

  ‘You’ll have to come and stay with us in London and we’ll take you to Brooklands,’ Pips said. She had stayed on especially to meet Daisy’s friend.

  ‘Oh, I’d love that. I know Daisy’s having lesson
s.’

  Henrietta’s head shot up. ‘Is she now? I didn’t know that.’

  ‘Oops. Sorry, Daisy, have I put my size six wellies right in it?’

  But Daisy only laughed and shrugged. ‘Granny knows I go flying when I’m with Aunty Pips. It’s only a natural progression that I should want to learn to fly too.’

  Henrietta gave an exaggerated sigh. ‘Do you have to do everything your aunt does, Daisy?’

  ‘Pretty much, Granny, yes.’

  ‘Well, I’m glad you don’t go car racing. That would worry me, though I don’t suppose flying is much safer.’

  Daisy wrinkled her forehead. ‘Strangely, I’ve never taken to the racing. But flying – oh Granny – up there amongst the clouds, it’s absolute heaven. You feel so free. Uncle Mitch says there’s nothing like it.’

  ‘I’ve no intention of finding out for myself, not at my advanced age, but I think I can understand what you’re saying.’ Henrietta rose from the dinner table. ‘And now we’ll retire to the parlour and you can tell me more about your father’s farm, Gill. I’m really interested, and tomorrow Daisy can show you around our estate.’

  As they left the Great Hall and moved to the parlour, Gill squeezed Daisy’s arm and whispered. ‘And the village too. I want to see Luke. And I absolutely must meet the one you call “the pain”.’

  ‘So, this is all going to be yours one day?’ It was not Daisy to whom Gill was speaking, but Luke, as she stood in front of the workshops belonging to Len Dawson.

  He grinned as he came to stand beside her, looking at his inheritance through her eyes. ‘That’s what me granddad says.’

  Gill was quite serious as she said, ‘I wish we had someone like you at home. We have to travel miles to a wheelwright and then to the blacksmith in the opposite direction. It’s a real pain.’ She smiled and turned towards him. ‘And talking of “pains”, where is he, then?’

  Luke nodded to where sounds of hammering against an anvil came from the next-door workshop. ‘Working with me stepdad, Sam. I’ll get him.’