He was so weary that he didn’t even bother to undress but simply dropped onto his bunk. He could hear the whistle and explosion of the guns in the distance as the men fought it out and again it hit him how pointless it was. There would be another influx of wounded this evening and another batch of telegrams going out to relatives informing them that they would never see their loved one again. He shut his eyes and tried to think of pleasanter things and instantly an image of Kathy and the twins flashed before his eyes. He could picture them all safe and cosy in the lodge with a lovely fire roaring up the chimney. The twins were growing like weeds and he imagined he would see a big change in them when he next got some leave. He just hoped they would remember him when he did see them again. His thoughts turned to Kathy then, but exhaustion quickly claimed him, and he slept with a smile hovering at the corners of his mouth.

In Wiltshire, Giles was facing his flight officer, back straight and arms at his side, looking straight ahead.

‘You’ll be pleased to know that you passed all your exams with flying colours,’ the man told him. ‘And so tomorrow, you’ll be transferred to another airfield where you will start to fly Spitfires.’

‘Sir.’ Giles tried not to show how thrilled he was as he stood to attention and saluted.

Once outside he punched the air and gave a whoop of delight. Spitfires, no less. His favourite plane. Then with a wide smile on his face he hurried away to find his friends to tell them the good news. Perhaps they’d get to have a celebration at the local pub that evening if they were all off duty. He’d have to write to his grandfather and tell him the good news too. He had an idea the old man would be quite proud of him. Whistling merrily and looking very handsome in his uniform he went on his way.

Chapter Thirty-One

November 1940

Cissie and Sunday sat together in the kitchen of the lodge listening to the wireless, which was reporting what was ever after to be known as the Coventry Blitz. It had apparently been the worst air raid of the war to date; hundreds were dead and the city lay in ruins.

‘It don’t bear thinkin’ about.’ Cissie shuddered as she thought of the devastation. Men were busily digging through the ruins of people’s homes looking for bodies, and fires were raging everywhere. Even the fine old cathedral had taken a hit and people’s spirits were low.