Page 14 of The London Girls
Florence yanked open the driver’s door, pleased to see keys in the ignition and hauled herself up into the driver’s seat. She turned the key, relaxing somewhat when the engine fired and the van rumbled beneath her. It was then she looked up and saw some of the Navy boys running towards her, flapping their hands, and the commander throwing his hands in the air too, looking like he was about to erupt in anger. His red face was a stark contrast to his white hair.
But Florence was undeterred; she was going to show them all exactly what she was capable of.
First, she accelerated slowly to get a feel for the van, before going faster and driving between two power poles, swerving around a pile of wooden crates and then crossing the grass towards the small crowd. She didn’t look at any faces, just focused on what she was doing, careful to slow on the grass so she didn’t skid and lose control, before heading back out on to the concrete and doing another lap at speed, then reversing through the poles and finally coming to a stop.
Her breath came in big pants, as if she’d just run the course instead of driven it, and she forced her jelly-like legs out of the vehicle, taking the keys with her and shutting the door. She held her chin high as she marched, dropping the keys into the hands of Commander Mac when she reached him, refusing to think about the consequences of her little stunt.
‘Sir, I might be terrible at riding a motorcycle, but I’m damn good at driving a van, so if you’d consider a different mode of transport for me to deliver memos in, I—’
He held out the keys, barking to the men huddled nearby to relieve him of them, before turning his attention to her, his face a blustering kind of red all over again.
‘I suggest you make that the final time you disobey me, Wren ...’
‘Hughes,’ she said, with an air of confidence that belied her nerves. ‘Wren Florence Hughes.’
‘You’ve demonstrated to me an outstanding ability to drive a van, far better than some of the men in my employ, you were right about that. However, the role I’m recruiting for is that ofmotorcyclerider. Motorcycles have been chosen for our dispatch riders because they are nimble and can weave through London despite the perils and unknowns, something no van or even car is able to do.’
She nodded, hanging her head. ‘Of course, sir, I understand.’You’ve made a big mistake, girl. You should have just accepted defeat.
‘However,’ he continued, narrowing his gaze. ‘I do know that there is a desperate shortage of competent, unflappable ambulance drivers at present. Do you have any first-aid training?’
‘Ah, yes, sir, I do.’ She’d been training to become a nurse early in the war, but after everything that had happened, she hadn’t been able to continue.
‘Shall I put your name forward, then?’
It took her only a moment to consider his question, even as memories swirled in her mind, threatening to fell her.You can do this. You need to do this. Think of all the people you could help. You need to be brave. You can put everything you’re good at to use.
‘Yes, sir, you may,’ she said, her voice cracking as she tried not to sway on her feet.
‘Dismissed,’ he said, before chuckling and shaking his head, giving her an unexpected thump on the back that almost sent her flying. ‘And some advice, Wren Hughes?’
She turned to face him again, her pulse racing.
‘I’d like to think your motorcycle riding days are over. Please stick to driving vehicles.’ He frowned. ‘Actually, wheredidyou learn to drive like that?’
‘My father,’ she said. ‘He taught me to drive his delivery van when I was only a girl.’
She remembered sitting on the seat, her father’s jacket folded beneath her so she could see over the steering wheel. His laugh had seemed to reverberate through the cab as he placed her hands on the wheel and told her to stop looking like a startled little rabbit.
‘What will Mother say?’ she’d said.
‘You let me worry about your mother,’ he’d said with a grin. ‘If I can get you driving, then I’ll be able to take you along with me every weekend. Heck, I’ll be able to take a rest while you drive.’
She knew what he really wanted; to have a pint or two at the pub when he finished his deliveries, and for her to drive him home, but she dared not say it. She’d likely get a soda for keeping quiet, and besides, she liked spending time with him. At home he was always busy, but in his van, he talked to her like he had all the time in world. She shook her head to clear the memory and focused on what the man in front of her was saying.
‘Well, I’d say he did a fine job. In fact, I’d say the Red Cross would like to thank him when they see how well you can drive. You’ll be a real asset to them if you decide to take the position.’
She nodded and hurried off, her face burning hot as Ava stared at her with wide eyes and Olivia shook her head, biting her lip as if to stop herself from smiling.
‘You’re quite the surprise,’ Ava murmured as she passed, touching her hand as she strode past to take her turn.
Florence stood next to Olivia, their shoulders almost brushing they were so close.
‘Are you all right?’ Olivia asked.
‘I will be,’ Florence replied, her chest rapidly rising and falling as the enormity of what she’d just done filtered through her. ‘But right now, I can’t stop shaking!’
You just showed blatant disrespect to a superior! You could have been stripped of your job as a Wren! What in heaven’s name were you thinking?
