Page 28 of The London Girls
George seemed to forget all about the pink ribbon then, picking up a satchel and walking closer to her. She stood still as he lifted it and put the strap over her head and on to her shoulder, the satchel fitting snugly to her body.
‘You’re to deliver this to theNaval Commander-in-Chief at the shipyards at Devonport, in Plymouth,’ he said. ‘This is a route you’ll likely do often if you’re successful. It’s an important strategic outpost for us, so there are often messages to be ferried back and forth, but it’s challenging because of the two-hundred-mile distance. The final stretch to Plymouth will see you cross peaty marsh that’s often difficult to navigate, although I’m certain you’ve studied that on your map.’
She nodded. ‘Understood.’ Ava turned on her heel, trying to hide her smile from George, excited at the prospect of being given one of the toughest routes.I’m really doing this! I’m actually going out on a motorcycle to deliver a message today!
‘Ava.’ George said her name like a command.
She turned and looked back at him.
‘Be careful. I want you back in one piece,’ he said. ‘If you need to camp out, then do it, but hopefully you’ll be back in less than ten hours.’
That was when her excitement turned to nerves, seeing the worry etched on his face and facing the reality of how long it would take. This was a man who’d served at the front lines and was sending dispatch riders out every day, and the fact that he was worried about her told her just how dangerous he must think the trip was.But she didn’t for a second want him to see her sudden onset of nerves.
‘George,’ she said, flashing him a smile and wondering why he always seemed to be so grouchy. ‘I’d almost think you were worried about me.’
He made a noise in his throat and waved her away. ‘Just be careful. This is a big ride for you, but I have no one else on hand to do the job.’
Ava knew what everyone thought of her: that she was some sort of daredevil with a death wish. The truth was she did want to be the fastest – she had a growing desire to be the best damn rider out there, in actual fact – but she most certainly didn’t want to die.
Just as she was sitting astride her motorcycle, she heard the familiar growl of an engine and looked up to see Olivia returning. Her face was flushed, and she pulled up right beside Ava. They’d been put on different shifts, so she hadn’t expected to see her.
‘What was it like out there?’ Ava called over the noise of the engine.
‘Exhilarating,’ Olivia said, turning off her engine and taking her hat off. Her hair was flat and damp, and she shook it out as Ava watched. ‘It was only a short trip though. Where are you headed?’
‘Plymouth,’ Ava said. ‘It’s going to be a long ride.’
‘Get going now,’ Olivia said as she stood. ‘You want to get as much of the trip done before dark as you can.’
Ava nodded. She hadn’t thought about the dark, other than sneaking around to her general’s house under the cover of it, but she was prepared. But she knew the roads well; she’d studied the maps all weekend and she had a good feel for where she was going. Nothing was going to be easy about navigating the roads home come nightfall, and she didn’t want to have to camp out unless she truly had no other option. She had a thermos of tea with her incase she needed it, as well as a sandwich her mother had given her that morning, but it wasn’t a lot if she needed to stay the night. She sighed. So much for thinking she’d have plenty of time to see him at night once she took this job!
George appeared again then, smiling when he saw Olivia, and Ava gave them both a quick wave before turning her motorcycle around and heading out of the yard and on to the street. Her canvas satchel sat comfortably across her body, reminding her of the importance of her work, and she sat tall as she accelerated, determined to get to Plymouth as quickly as she could. She’d show George and everyone else who doubted her exactly what she was capable of.
Ava’s hands were sweating inside the leather gloves as she finally turned into the shipyards, the final stretch across the peaty marsh and granite uplands every bit as gruelling as George had warned her. Her back was sore from almost six hours straight sitting on the motorcycle, her head thumping from the stress of navigating her way. It should have taken her perhaps five hours, but she’d had to keep stopping to look at her map, and what she’d thought would be easy had suddenly seemed like the hardest job in the world. It was definitely harder than she’d expected, but she’d done it, and it was the very first time in her life that she’d felt such pride in herself.
She pulled up outside the gate just as the light was fading, and nodded to a man dressed in Navy uniform, standing outside the locked gate. In the past, she’d only ever commanded attention for her looks, and the feeling of holding such an important document, of being entrusted with something so crucial, sent a thrill of excitement down her spine.
‘Name and purpose of your visit?’ he called out, his hand resting on the gun slung across his shoulder, which made her unusually nervous. Who, exactly, did he think she could be?
‘Ava Williamson,’ she replied haughtily. ‘I’m here to deliver a memo to the Commander-in-Chief.’ She turned off her engine and patted the canvas satchel.
‘You’re the dispatch rider?’ the young soldier laughed. ‘You look different from the last one.’
‘Well, thank goodness for that!’ Ava rolled her eyes as she took the memo from the satchel and passed it to him. ‘I’ll need a receipt of delivery, and hurry, it’s time-sensitive.’
The soldier reached for it, and as he left to get her a signature she stretched her arms out, trying to iron out the kinks in her back. She couldn’t believe she had to turn around and go all the way back again; suddenly camping didn’t seem like the worst option, although she hadn’t exactly paid close attention to the lessons on sleeping rough.
‘Should I be offering you a cup of tea or something?’ the young man said when he returned, passing her the signed slip of paper.
She shrugged. ‘Did the last delivery rider get tea?’
The soldier’s face went a bright shade of red. ‘Ah, no ma’am. But he wasn’t a ... a ...’
‘Woman?’ Ava finished for him. ‘I’m just teasing you. I’m fine, I have my own with me, but thank you for asking.’
‘It’s mighty dangerous on the roads at night, are you certain—’
‘I’m fine,’ she assured him, even as her hands started to become clammy again as she removed her gloves, her nerves making her sweat. Nerves were most definitely not something she was used to. ‘But thank you for your concern.’
