Page 2 of The London Girls
She giggled, feeling a familiar heat in her cheeks as his eyes appraised her. He’d said it so many times now that she shouldn’t still find it amusing, but for some reason she loved the way he called hersailor.In the beginning, Ava had wondered if he simply couldn’t remember her name, and it wasn’t lost on her that, despite being part of the Navy, she was never going to see the water, but she loved their little morning joke all the same.
‘Sir, the Chief of Staff’s conference begins in thirty minutes,’ she said, forcing herself to keep a straight face. ‘I have all your notes from yesterday evening ready for you.’ She slowly walked aroundand then leaned over him, straightening the papers on his desk. ‘Would you like a cup of tea beforehand?’
General Armstrong sat back in his chair, and she could tell his eyes never left her. ‘You always seem to know just what I need,’ he said. ‘But a half-teaspoon of sugar today, sailor. Just don’t tell my wife, she’d be furious if she knew.’
‘Your secret’s safe with me,’ Ava said with a smile.Sugar in your tea isn’t the only secret I’m helping you keep from your wife; I doubt she’d appreciate the way you’re looking at me right now, either.
Ava left her bag by her chair and quickly headed to their staffroom to make his tea with the requested half-spoon of sugar instead of his usual carefully measured quarter. He had a secret jar that she’d taken on her way past his desk; she’d never asked where it came from although she guessed the black market, as he always managed to keep it more than half-full. She’d missed being in the Navy section with the other Wrens to start with, but the general had certainly made her time with him interesting. Whenever she was around him, her pulse raced and her stomach fluttered; for her it had been love at first sight. The moment she’d walked into his office – his dark brown eyes never leaving hers as they were introduced, his hand holding hers a second longer than was polite – she’d fallen for him. She knew in her heart that he felt the same, especially when he came up with excuses to keep her late each night, always offering her his driver to ensure she got home safely. As far as she was concerned, it was only a matter of time before he told her how he truly felt – surely he didn’t lend his chauffeur-driven car to just anyone? She only hoped he made his feelings clear before her time working for him came to an end.
Ava was back at her desk within minutes, shuffling papers and making sure she had everything for the meeting, in between quick gulps of her own hot drink. From the moment their meeting began, she’d be taking notes and typing, the day always a blur of preparingfor the next meeting of section heads, and as much as she knew the general liked her, she was also well aware of his expectations when it came to her work. The more she did for him, the more secret smiles she received when they were alone.
Soon they were making their way downstairs, Ava following a few steps behind the general as he greeted countless people by name until they were ushered into the large meeting room. There were as many women as men seated, all with pens poised to begin taking notes in shorthand. Despite the glamorous uniforms, the Wrens stationed at Norfolk House were doing little more than secretarial work.
The meeting began like it always did, and Ava did her job quickly and efficiently, barely digesting what was being said as she recorded everything for the general, until one particular memo caught her attention. She looked up with interest.
‘The Navy has settled on the absurd notion of recruitingwomenas motorcycle dispatch riders, to deliver memos throughout England,’ one of the men in attendance said. ‘It’s causing quite the stir amongst some of the ranks, but we do need to free up more men to be posted offshore. They’re proposing to recruit from our existing Wrens, although I don’t expect they’ll have much luck. What kind of woman would volunteer to be out in the dark of night riding amotorcycle?’
Some of the other men chuckled and spoke amongst themselves, as if it were the most ridiculous idea they’d ever heard, but Ava sat ramrod-straight, her attention suddenly razor-sharp. She could barely restrain herself from interrupting to ask more. She knew that women were flying planes and doing all sorts of unexpected work to free up men for service, but Wrens riding motorcycles? Now that was something she most definitely wanted to know more about! Her parents would be furious with her for even thinking it, which was one of the reasons she liked the idea of itso much, and she also liked the ‘out at night’ part. Independence wasn’t something often extended to her by her father, but these women would have the cover ofworkto keep them out at all times. She chewed on her bottom lip as she thought it through, imagining the freedom such a job would afford her.
‘We’ll be circulating the memo presently to see what interest there is, but we’re expecting only a handful of capable riders to apply. I doubt it’ll be a position that’s easy to fill, although from what I’m told there are a few speedway riders they’ve already begun with.’
‘Women capable of riding motorcycles? I’d say it will be an impossible position to fill!’ someone called out. ‘What next? Shall we send them to the front lines too?’
Ava glanced at her general, desperately hoping he’d say something in support of women, but when he looked up, he seemed to find the idea as absurd as all the other men in the room did. Her heart sank. She’d somehow hoped he’d think differently.
‘Good luck to them,’ he muttered. ‘They’re certainly going to need it.’
‘Meeting adjourned,’ the bushy-moustached admiral in charge announced. ‘See you all this evening.’
The meeting over, Ava filed her papers and followed her boss, upset with him for making it sound as if no woman would be capable of such a job. She glanced around at the other women to see if anyone else looked as excited as she felt, exhilarated by what had been announced, but no one so much as returned her gaze, all busy with their own workload and trotting after the men they were taking notes for. Typical; something exciting was announced for women, and everyone just carried on as normal, without a second thought.
I could do it, though. Excitement built inside her as she hurried down the halls, her low heels clicking as she failed to keep up withthe general’s long stride.I could apply to be one of those women. There’s no reason why it can’t be me.What an adventure it would be! And then I’d be free to sneak off before or after my shifts to see him without anyone knowing my whereabouts.All this time she’d been worried she wouldn’t be able to see him any more when her time working for him came to an end, but this would certainly give her the opportunity.
‘Sailor, I can hear you thinking all the way back there. What is it?’
She looked up, surprised to see that the general wasn’t even looking at her as he spoke. Did he have eyes in the back of his head?
‘Something on your mind?’ he asked.
‘Nothing, sir. Just thinking about the, ah – the notes I have to prepare for you.’ She grimaced, knowing how easily he’d see through her lie.Will he think it’s a good idea, once I explain it to him?
When they reached his office, the general blocked her way, frowning as he looked down at her.
‘I wouldn’t like to see you get hurt, sailor. Motorcycles are death traps,’ he said. ‘Besides, it’d be a disappointment to lose a girl like you to such an unladylike job. I’d miss seeing you around the office, and it would be such a shame for you to give up that uniform when you fill it out so nicely.’
Ava blushed at the comment. ‘Sir, you’re a married man! I don’t think your wife would appreciate you being so forward.’
She’d had to say it, even though her stomach was dancing.Is he teasing me, or does he truly want to be with me?She had to know.
‘Ava, my marriage is all but over. It’s merely a formality.’
She gulped. ‘You’re truly free to do as you please?’
The general laughed. ‘Do I look like a man who needs permission to do as he pleases?’
Ava gazed up and into his dark brown eyes, his hair perfectly combed from his face, the smell of his oaky aftershave filling hernostrils. She lifted her chin defiantly, despite her nerves at being so close to him, despite not being entirely certain of herself around him. ‘No sir, you do not.’
She was well-used to men who liked having the upper hand – she’d grown up with one after all – but the general had certainly surprised her with his directness.
