Page 21 of The Spitfire Girls
‘To keep an eye on you, I suppose,’ he said. ‘I’ve been told you might need to be brought down a peg or two – is that what you British say?’
‘Yes,’ Ruby said. ‘I think you’ve got a very good grip on the local terminologyandthe pilot in question, actually.’
Lizzie glared at her, but for once Ruby didn’t back down. She already liked this Montgomery fellow.
‘Well, I don’t know what on earth you think you’ll do here with one arm. You’ll be as useless as a bull with teats, I suspect, but stay out of my way and I’ll stay out of yours.’ And with that, Lizzie stomped off.
Ruby stepped forward. ‘It’s a pleasure to meet you,’ she said, extending a hand. ‘I’m First Officer Ruby Sanders.’
‘The pleasure is all mine,’ he said politely, his blue eyes warm now that Lizzie had gone. ‘Tell me, is she always like that?’
It was clear from his brief nod to May that they’d already met, and Ruby wondered if May had been waiting all morning to land this bombshell on Lizzie.
‘Yes, unfortunately,’ Ruby told him. ‘But she’s one of the best fliers here and she knows it, so I suppose she can behave that way.’
She caught May’s frown and turned away slightly.
‘Well, she’s certainly the most confident,’ he said. ‘It seems my fellow countrywoman could do with a lesson or two in manners. You know, I was watching both your flights just now. And she might be a show-off, but you’re a solid pilot. Good work up there.’
Ruby felt her cheeks turn a tell-tale pink.
‘I couldn’t agree more,’ May said. ‘It’s nice to hear a second vote of confidence, isn’t it, Ruby?’
She nodded. ‘Thank you, sir.’
‘I’ve seen this time and again with my men, to be honest. The ones full of bravado aren’t always the ones who become our top pilots, so don’t let her think she has one up on you. I’ve heard it’s a decision between the two of you to be the first female bomber pilot.’ He smiled. ‘If you want my advice, it’d be not to discount yourself, no matter how good you think she is. The most important thing is being the one who can be relied on by your entire squadron, no matter what.’
Ruby didn’t know what to say, and felt her blush deepen.
‘Some of us have to work hard to get anywhere in life,’ he said. ‘And others have the world at their fingertips and never have to break a sweat.’
‘Well, I think you’ve already read our American friend rather well, Captain,’ May told him. ‘You’re going to have your hands full trying to get a handle on Elizabeth. She’s more of a Spitfire than the actual plane over there.’
‘She’s a bloody pain in the arse,’ Ruby muttered, eyes widening as she realised she’d spoken out loud.
‘What was that?’ Captain Montgomery asked.
‘Nothing, sorry,’ she said. ‘It was a pleasure to meet you, sir.’
Ruby left May talking to the handsome American as she made her way back to the training centre to change. She had reading to do and a session with her flight instructor later in the day before she could return to the lovely little home that she and Lizzie had been assigned to. They were staying with a couple called the Robinsons, and for the most part she didn’t mind sharing a room with Lizzie; but when May had mentioned that they were now in direct competition to be the first female bomber pilot, that had thrown a spanner in the works. She doubted Lizzie would let her think for even a moment that she had a chance of being chosen.
‘Honestly, can you believe that man?’ Lizzie called out as Ruby entered, clearly still seething. ‘Waltzing in here and acting all superior to me?’
‘He’s only doing his job,’ Ruby said. ‘I wouldn’t be so hard on him if I were you.’ Heck, she’d have been friendly toanyEnglishman if she’d been on the other side of the world! But Lizzie was Lizzie, and that meant she didn’t do anything anyone expected her to. She was as infuriating as she was talented.
She tried to move past, but Lizzie stood in front of her.
‘What are your plans for our two days of leave this weekend?’ Lizzie asked.
‘Ah, I don’t have any. Catch up on some sleep and study.’ Ruby prayed that Lizzie didn’t ask her to do anything off base with her. ‘How about you?’
‘Oh, I might go and see some of the girls back at White Waltham, check in on how they’re faring,’ Lizzie said breezily. ‘I’m sure they’re giving your Brits a run for their money.’
Or maybe they’re more focused on working together for the greater good, to help win the war, instead of being in some stupid competition with their fellow pilots, Ruby thought, wishing she were brave enough to actually say it.
Lizzie disappeared, pushing the door shut with a loud bang, and Ruby sat down at one of the tables, opening a book about the large aircraft she was soon to be in charge of. But her thoughts drifted, as they so often did, to Tom. Where was he? What was he doing? Was he thinking of her or had he given up on her the moment she’d so brazenly written to him and told him that she respected his thoughts, but at the same time expected him to respect her decision? She fingered the ring hanging from a chain at her neck, remembering the day he’d given it to her, the day she’d truly fallen head over heels in love with the man. How had they gone from being partners in crime to being on opposite sides of the table?
‘Baby, come here,’ he said, gesturing to the two-seater plane.
