Chapter 10
It was early evening on Christmas Eve, when Tilly arrived at the top of Frog Lane.
She walked through the gently falling snowflakes.
Several of them landed on her eyelashes and she blinked them away.
She looked down at her gloved hand, which was turning white, lifted her glove to her lips and sucked the chilled coating with a smile.
Memories of Christmases past flowed into her mind.
The collecting of the boughs of holly and the scrambling up naked lime trees to retrieve sprigs of mistletoe, the stirring of the cake mix and the licking of the spoon, the crackle of chestnuts as their shells burst in the oven and the smell of spices as the mulled cider warmed in the saucepan on the stove.
The family had been gathering for Christmas in Micklewell for as long as she could remember.
Now that she and Ronnie were grown and both learning a profession, their visits to the family home had become shorter.
So, she was determined to make the most of her time here before she and Ronnie must return to their work.
Tilly listened to her footsteps beating a rhythm of gentle scrunching through the newly laid carpet of white.
There was not a soul about. The sky was darkening over the Down, but her eyes adjusted to the fading light and she could just pick out the shapes of sheep trying to huddle together in the lee of a wall.
She stopped and stood perfectly still, letting the dusk envelop her.
Why is it that snow and silence arrive simultaneously, she thought, folding themselves together in a blanket across the fields and lighting the wintry trees with a mystical glow.
She let the quietude seep into her as she walked down the snow-covered lane towards her waiting family and searched the road ahead of her for the glimmer of light announcing the first house in the village.
She watched her warm breath bloom in front of her and float away to join the gathering starlings heading towards their night-time roost. Their sharp cries disturbing the peace.
‘We don’t have to tell everything at once,’ Ronnie said. ‘Let us take a breath.’
‘But we haven’t seen either of you for months.
We have a lot of catching up to do,’ Kate protested.
‘Now, my brave young hero. Come here, so that I can hug you again.’ Her eyes were full of happiness.
‘Dot’s told me all about your daring exploits coming to the aid of damsels in distress, jumping off sea walls and rescuing drowning children.
Just like you, Ronnie, not to brag of your exploits. ’
‘Just one child,’ Ronnie replied. ‘And anyone would have done the same thing.’
‘But they didn’t, you did,’ Kate said, ‘and I’m sure his mother will be forever in your debt.’
‘I hear she’s made plenty of recompense since Ronnie dragged her son from the jaws of death.’ Tilly chimed in, a cheeky grin on her face.
‘Leave the poor boy alone, Tilly. You’re hardly in the door before you start teasing him,’ Kate said, smiling. ‘Things don’t change much, do they?’
‘I’m not teasing. I’m genuinely in awe of my brave brother,’ Tilly replied.
‘It’s so good to have you both here again,’ sighed Kate.
The banter went on for as long as they could all stay awake. The family went off to bed, leaving Ronnie and Tilly beside the last embers of the fire. Tilly had deliberately hung back to get Ronnie on his own and make use of the private time between them to find out a bit more about Sarah.
‘So, her name is Sarah and she has a son. What else can you tell me about her and when am I going to meet her?’ Tilly asked.
‘You don’t waste much time, do you?’ Ronnie replied. ‘Well, she moved from Wales to be close to her aunts who live in East Cowes; she works at the canteen on the docks. I don’t know much more than that and, as far as meeting her is concerned . . .’
‘Oh, I will be gentle with her, Ronnie, don’t worry,’ Tilly replied. ‘I won’t give her the full interrogation.’
‘Dot and Amelia haven’t even met her yet, but I’m sure you will all meet her in the fullness of time,’ Ronnie said. He wanted to change the subject. He wasn’t quite ready for Tilly in full flow. ‘How about you?’ he asked. ‘How are you finding working in the nursing profession?’
‘Well, it’s not been so much a professional training as being a general dogsbody sometimes, I have to say,’ Tilly explained.
‘But I’m pleased to announce that we are now beginning to learn a little more about the medical side of things, having ticked bedmaking and the introduction to bedpans off our induction list. And how’s life for you at Saunders-Roe, Ronnie, all engine oil and greasy fingers? ’
‘Not all,’ Ronnie replied. ‘There are some fairly testing facts and figures to learn in studying aeronautical engineering. Not your cup of tea, sis. Too many mathematical formulae.’
Tilly liked the way he called her ‘sis’, even though she was really his aunty. They were after all, exactly the same age.
‘Are you suggesting that I would never make it in your chosen profession?’ Tilly asked.
‘Aaaah,’ Ronnie began.
‘Well, you’d be no good at giving an injection, either, would you?’ Tilly said with a self-satisfied grin on her face. ‘We practice on some fruit just to make sure we don’t inflict too much pain and damage on our patients.’
‘I’m sure the fruit squeaks loudly if you hurt it,’ Ronnie joked.
‘Ha, ha,’ Tilly replied.
The following day was Christmas Day and the family went together for the usual church service.
Ronnie and Tilly were surrounded by locals who wanted to know all about their exploits on the Isle of Wight.
When they’d run the gauntlet of all their enquiring (or as Tilly put it, nosey) neighbours and finally escaped to go home to their Christmas lunch, they settled down to an enormous meal in the tradition of many Hampshire families.
The table was laden with a brace of pheasants, one of their chickens who sacrificed her life for the appetites of the family, and all the trimmings plus roast potatoes and parsnips and Brussel sprouts from Albert’s allotment.
The meal was topped by one of Kate’s wonderful Christmas puddings with oodles of custard.
The family made the most of their short time together, for the Christmas holidays would soon be over and Ronnie and Tilly would be returning to the Isle of Wight. After clearing everything up, the family sat down to relax and share mince pies and a glass of port.
Ronnie knew that everyone would want to hear all about Sarah and Anthony, and he wanted them to get to know her for she had found a place in his heart. They would need to know how much she meant to him.
‘So, tell us all about your Sarah,’ Kate said. ‘Sounds like a very dramatic way to meet. Reminded me of that time you fell in the water near the mill and you were rescued by that lovely young artist. I suppose you were too young to remember it now.’
‘It was a good thing I decided to go for a walk that evening,’ Ronnie said.
‘He’s a very lucky young man,’ Albert said. ‘Just like you were. No wonder you made sure you learned to swim after that.’
‘It was all meant to be,’ Rose said.
‘You were fated to meet that day,’ Annie added. ‘You are brave, Ronnie, jumping in after him like that, risking your own life.’
‘Aah, Ronnie the hero saves the day. Very romantic,’ Tilly jibed, rolling her eyes.
‘Stop it, Tilly. You are a tease,’ Kate said. ‘Let Ronnie tell us for himself.’
Ronnie relayed the order of events as far as he could remember them and told as much as he knew about Sarah’s background.
‘So, she works at the docks in the canteen? And what of her husband?’ Kate asked.
‘Well, I can’t tell you much more about that,’ Ronnie replied, cautiously holding back. ‘All I know is, it’s difficult for her at the moment. They have separated.’
‘It’s all right, Ronnie,’ Kate said. ‘We won’t pry any more. I’m sure things will work themselves out. We’re very happy that you’ve met someone at last, but we would like to meet her. Will you bring her and Anthony to meet us?’
‘As soon as I can,’ Ronnie replied. ‘She’s looking forward to meeting all of you.’
‘Bring her soon, lad,’ Albert said.
‘Yes, bring her soon,’ Grandfather Jim said. ‘Main thing is, is she a good cook?’
‘I’ve only tasted her cakes,’ Ronnie replied, ‘and they’re delicious.’
‘Really, Granddad. Is that all you men can think about, your stomachs?’ Rose said.
‘Well, it’s important,’ Jim said, defending himself. ‘A man needs a woman to be a good cook.’
‘I hope the man I marry thinks more of me than providing him with food and doing his washing and ironing.’ Annie joined in.
‘Don’t have too many expectations,’ Tilly said, smiling. ‘Then you won’t be disappointed.’
‘Says the voice of experience.’ Kate scoffed.
Ronnie was keen to change the subject. Much as he wanted them to know about his new-found love, he didn’t want them to start forming opinions before they met her. Families could be a bit like that.
‘I have news about my apprenticeship,’ Ronnie said.
‘Is it all going well? Are you enjoying it?’ Albert asked.
‘I’ve been offered a new venture,’ Ronnie replied.
‘What new venture?’ Tilly asked.
‘I’m going to be sent on a special training course,’ Ronnie replied.
‘I’m going to learn how to fly one of the seaplanes we’ve been building.
The management decided that they needed someone on the engineering team to have some hands-on experience with the plane itself.
Someone who could join up the design process with the actual performance of the aircraft on the ground and in the air, so to speak. ’
‘That’s wonderful, son,’ Albert said.
‘What an opportunity,’ said Jim. ‘What I’d give to get up in one of those planes. I’ve always dreamed of learning to fly. Who’d have thought that our Ronnie would train to be a pilot.’
‘You do hide your light under a bushel sometimes, Ronnie Locock,’ Kate said. ‘That sounds so exciting. Congratulations, Ronnie. I’m so pleased for you.’
‘I’ve got Mr Farthing to thank for that,’ Ronnie said. ‘He put my name forward when he knew that the board were trying to find someone who would be suitable and would rise to the challenge.’
‘And our Ronnie enjoys a challenge all right,’ Tilly teased. ‘Do they need a co-pilot? I’d be happy to . . .’
‘I don’t think fixing bodies qualifies you for fixing aeroplanes somehow.’ Ronnie laughed.
‘There were female pilots during the war. Don’t see why I couldn’t learn too,’ Tilly replied.
‘There’s just a small matter of expense,’ Albert said. ‘Ronnie will get his training as part of his job. I don’t think the Royal will see it as an essential part of becoming a nurse.’
‘What about learning how to drive, then?’ Tilly insisted. ‘That’s an important skill. There were female ambulance drivers during the war too.’
‘Perhaps you should concentrate on getting qualified as a nurse first before you start taking on new schemes. Besides, we all hope that there will not be a repeat of 1914 and female drivers will not be needed,’ Kate replied.
‘I can’t believe you are saying that,’ Tilly said.
‘I thought things had moved on from this old-fashioned view. You, of all people, Kate, should know that those antiquated ideas have been consigned to the past. Think of all you and Dot have achieved. We Truscott women are not the kind who quail in front of a challenge. It’s a new year and my resolution is that I am going to learn to drive. You just see if I don’t!’
‘Wow,’ said Annie.’ Our brother is going to be a pilot and our sister is going to learn how to drive.’
‘Just you wait till we tell everyone at school. They’re going to be so envious,’ Rose added.
When everyone else had gone to bed, Tilly was alone with Ronnie again.
‘At last, I’ve got you to myself,’ she said. ‘Now we can talk, properly. So, tell me more. Is this love?’ she asked. ‘Tell me everything. Do not leave anything out. How long have you been seeing her? Presumably you have gone past the first-kiss stage. Is it serious? Are you going to marry her?’
‘Whoa, whoa,’ Ronnie said, holding up both hands. ‘Too fast. In answer to your last question, it’s far too soon for that. As I said, she’s separated from her husband, but it’s hard for her. She would like a divorce, but her husband is being difficult. Anyway, I’m studying and she’s . . .’
‘Not free. I understand that. Really, Ronnie, you could have picked someone less complicated.’
‘That’s the Tilly I know,’ Ronnie said. ‘Nothing if not forthright.’
‘Well, is there any point in being anything else?’ Tilly replied.
‘That depends on who you are talking to. Sometimes a little more subtlety is needed, a little more sensitivity.’
‘Right. So, let me put it another way. I presume that this woman—’
‘Sarah,’ Ronnie interrupted.
‘Yes, Sarah. Sarah no longer lives with her husband. So, where is he? Have you met him?’ Tilly asked.
‘Well, sort of. He tried to break down her door when I was there, but luckily I scared him off. Sarah says he has been violent towards her in the past. Please don’t mention that to the rest of the family. I don’t want them to worry about me.’
‘Well, I’m going to worry about you. Steer clear of him. Ronnie. He sounds like a nasty man.’
Ronnie wondered if he’d said too much. ‘That’s enough about me, now.
How are you getting on with all those impatient patients?
Been propositioned by any of those doctors yet?
’ The invitation to tell a few stories proved enough to divert Tilly away from questioning him.
She loved telling tales. He hoped he could trust her to keep the truth about Sarah’s marriage to herself.
He would have to tell the family eventually, but in his own time.