Page 91 of The London Girls
When Ava’s eyes met George’s across the room, she knew that part of living every day to the fullest was embracing whatever it was that was happening between her and George, too. Grandma Ivy had been on at her non-stop to invite him over for dinner, and maybe one of these days she might just say yes.
‘Today you will have the opportunity to ride a motorcycle, and show me if you have what it takes to become a motorcycle dispatch rider,’ Ava said, walking up and down in front of the six women gathered. ‘If you succeed, this job will be like nothing you’ve ever experienced before.’
She paused, looking at the young women, feeling so much older than them but knowing she was barely a few years their senior.
‘We’ve lost many brave women in this job – women who were braver than any of you standing here today. Some of them were also more capable riders than you will likely ever be, so skill and bravery are not always enough to keep you alive.’
One of the women looked like she was about to be sick, and Ava nodded to George, who was standing behind them. He was smiling, his arms folded as he watched her, but it was the photo of Olivia hanging in the open doorway that stole her attention. Ava cleared her throat, refusing to allow emotion to enter her voice.
‘There was one thing I was told on the very first day I became a dispatch rider that I will never forget, and it’s something I learned first-hand to be true, so I’m going to repeat it to you all today.’ She moved closer to the women, lowering her voice as she slowly looked from face to terrified face. She fixed her gaze on the one girl who looked unfazed, who was smiling as if this were exactly the challenge she’d been looking for.
‘You must be prepared to die for the memo in your satchel,’ she said. ‘You do anything, and I meananything, to deliver your message, even if it means crawling the rest of the way on your knees to do so.’
Ava pointed to the girl, who was still looking as confident as could be.
‘You,’ she said. ‘Name?’
‘Wren Oakbridge.’
‘You’re up first,’ Ava said, indicating the motorcycle behind her and beckoning the young Wren to follow. She ran through the basic instructions and gestured for her to sit astride the bike. ‘Accelerate slow and steady, and make a couple of full circles for me.’
The girl nodded and Ava stepped back, feeling George beside her before she heard him.
‘Remind you of anyone?’ he murmured.
Ava laughed. ‘She certainly does.’
They stood and watched as the Wren confidently rode the motorcycle around them, side by side, their shoulders almost touching.
‘You’re good at this job, Ava. It suits you,’ George said.
‘Olivia would have been better,’ she replied. ‘She would have had a level of patience I’m not certain I’ll ever have.’
‘Olivia would have been good at this job, I agree,’ he said. ‘But she wouldn’t have been better than you.’
Ava nodded when the girl returned, taking hold of the bike and climbing astride herself as she revved the engine.
‘And why’s that?’ Ava asked.
‘Because your students are going to be equal parts in awe of you and terrified!’
Ava took off then, skidding the back wheel as she raced off, showing the watching recruits exactly what she was capable of – what she expectedthey’dbe capable of when they finished their training with her.
Keep me safe, Olivia. God knows I need someone looking out for me.
EPILOGUE
JUNE1944
FLORENCE
Florence stood at the graveside, looking down at the bunch of flowers in her hand that she’d bought for Olivia’s birthday and wishing she’d bought something bigger. Flowers hadn’t been easy to come by, but still, what she’d brought didn’t feel substantial enough for the occasion.
‘Hello, stranger.’ The husky, warm voice was impossible not to recognise, and Florence turned to see Ava walking towards her across the grass, looking as elegant as could be in her Wren uniform, her hair swept off her face.
‘It’s so good to see you,’ Florence said, her face breaking into a smile that mirrored Ava’s as they hugged.
‘Sometimes it only feels like yesterday that we lost her, don’t you think?’ Ava said, slipping her arm around Florence’s waist as they stood and stared at Olivia’s gravestone. She’d been buried beside Leo, the two of them passing within weeks of one another. ‘It’s almost impossible to believe it’s been so long.’
