Bob. Thought I’d take her up for a few minutes to show this young lady who wants to learn about planes.’
Bob looked doubtful as he lifted his cap to Raine. ‘Righto, sir … miss. I’ll get you started.’
Doug strapped her into the seat of the open cockpit and she felt him take the seat behind her. He handed her a very worn leather flying helmet, but she was so nervous she couldn’t find the strap.
Feeling an idiot, she twisted round to face him. ‘I can’t seem to get this on.’
In seconds her helmet was secure, which did nothing to still her heart, pulsing madly against her ribs. She’d soon be up in the clouds again. It felt a long time since that first flight.
‘Put these on as well.’ He handed her a pair of goggles.
Almost before she’d adjusted them, Doug called out, ‘Contact,’ and Bob swung the propeller.
The engine burst into life and after waiting a few moments, presumably to warm it, Doug signalled to Bob and shouted, ‘Chocks away.’
She saw Bob grab two lengths of rope and jerk the wedges out from under the wheels, then jump smartly out of the way.
A short run and they were airborne, the shock of the cold early morning slapping her face. She was in heaven. She giggled at the thought. She was probably about as close to heaven as she’d ever get. And when she saw the clouds floating above her, looking like candyfloss, and the sun just beginning to show on the horizon, she shouted with joy. She looked this way and that, noticing how the fields below reminded her of Grandma Linfoot’s patchwork quilts, interspersed with doll’s houses – at least that’s what they looked like from her view. Raine pinched herself, happier than she’d ever been since that first flight with Cobham’s Circus.
Without warning, there was a terrific lurch and suddenly she was hanging upside down, only the safety harness keeping her in place. But before she had time to react, the aeroplane righted itself. All too soon Doug brought it down on the grassy field with a couple of gentle bumps.
‘How did you like the slow roll?’ he asked as he helped her from the cockpit.
‘I was too scared to scream. But then I wanted you to do it again.’
‘Didn’t think I’d better under the circumstances,’ Doug chuckled. ‘Maybe next time.’
There’d be a next time. Her heart, which had just settled back to normal, began to pound again.
He was looking at her. She liked the way his blue eyes twinkled.
‘Do you want to go up again?’
‘What, now?’
He laughed. ‘I don’t mean now. I’ve got work to do. But if I see you hanging around again and it’s early enough, we’ll see. For now, let’s get you back.’
This was her chance to tell someone who would understand, she thought, as they approached the gate.
‘What I really want to do is to train to be a pilot … but my parents can’t afford lessons.’ Oh, how she hated admitting that. ‘I need a job,’ she added quickly, hoping he would see she was trying to be independent.
She was gratified that Doug didn’t roll his eyes when she’d mentioned being a pilot.
‘What are you intending to do now, then?’ he said.
‘My dad wants me to be an accountant. Just because I’m good at mathematics and because he’s one, he’s decided it’s a natural choice.’
‘And your mother? What does she say?’
‘Maman?’ Raine grimaced. ‘All she wants is for me to make a good marriage.’
‘Hmm. But you don’t want that.’
‘Definitely not. I want to see something of the world first. But until then I only want to learn to fly. And if there’s a war—’
‘We won’t mention any war,’ he cut in. He looked at her thoughtfully. ‘What about if I put in a word for you? Maybe get you a job over here. Clerk or general dogsbody or something. Nothing glamorous but the good thing is, you wouldn’t be far from Hart’s Flying Club. They rent a small airfield and stick mainly to biplanes, but that’d be perfect for you … and I’m one of their instructors.’
‘I thought you were in the RAF.’
‘I am – but as a volunteer. It’s called the RAFVR. The VR bit means Volunteer Reserve. So when war is declared – and I’m sure it’s going to happen sooner or later – I’ll automatically join the RAF.’
Raine’s heart raced. ‘How far away is the flying club?’
‘About five miles.’ He glanced at her bicycle. ‘No distance on a bike.’
‘Maybe, but I couldn’t afford to be a member of anything like that.’
‘Not in normal circumstances, you probably couldn’t,’ Doug replied, grinning. ‘But the Civil Air Guard are preparing pilots for war. They’re offering subsidised flying lessons at five bob a go. That’s dirt cheap, so you should be able to manage one a week.’
Five shillings. Maybe it was dirt cheap for a flying lesson, but she knew Maman would never give her the money for them. Her mouth tightened with determination as she remembered her father’s words to her in the study that day. She’d pay for them somehow.
‘And who knows’ – Doug was smiling – ‘you might even get me as your instructor. In fact, I’ll put a word in for you at Hart’s and tell them I’d like to teach you if I’m not at Biggin Hill that day.’
‘Oh, Doug, that would be wonderful.’ Raine felt her chest would burst. ‘And do you really think you could get me a job here?’
‘Leave it to me.’ He winked. ‘When are you coming again?’
‘Tomorrow?’
‘No, tomorrow’s Sunday. But I think Tuesday would be okay – say, ten o’clock?’
Thankful the school term had ended and it was the start of the Easter holidays, she said, ‘Yes, please, Doug.’ If she had her way and something turned up, she wouldn’t be going back to school.
‘Okay. I’ll meet you at the gate.’ He looked at her and she nodded. ‘Meanwhile, I’ll see what I can do.’
The hours dragged by until Tuesday. When it finally dawned, with raindrops splashing down her bedroom window, Raine hopped out of bed and quickly washed and dressed without disturbing Suzanne. She’d become used to sharing a room now, and Suzy would never betray her.
Would Doug have any news about a job for her? It would be so wonderful if he had. She wouldn’t even cycle over to Hart’s
