Code Red (WAYHAUGHT)

Chapter 2

In an era when intelligence was not appreciated, or used for that matter, in women, the work Waverly and her fellow linguists were doing, was pioneering. That there were senior female officers in the Royal Air Force, known as: Women's Auxiliary Air Force, or WAAF, was equally exceptional. This was a time when a woman's place was most assuredly in the home. It was considered a slur on her husband if his wife worked, a slight on his manhood, an indication he was unable to provide for his own family. The trousered women of the WAAF were a new breed. Strong, independent and Flight Officer Haught was most definitely one of them.

Initially, it was considered unseemly to have women do a man's job, especially one that required using her brain. It was perfectly acceptable for a woman to perform manual tasks, requiring little or no thought. Leave the thinking to men, was the ingrained attitude of this period.

Waverly had other ideas. Her family had left America, moving around Europe where she gained her knowledge of different European languages. Clever enough to gain a place at university, she had studied French and German and had a reasonable understanding of Italian and Spanish. She had found work as a clerk typist in the Civil Service, where she caught the eye of one of the managers, who recognised her exceptional linguistic talents. Approached by one of the inner circle at Bletchley Park, she was only too happy to become involved in something that would be both exciting and stimulating for her mind. The thought of moving out of her parent's house and relocating beyond London was also something she was looking forward to. A chance to stand, by herself, without the assistance of any man.

"I wonder what's for lunch?" Chrissy whispered from the desk beside Waverly. "Probably, some fatty piece of meat, if we're lucky, given rationing."

Waverly looked at the large clock on the wall behind Haught's desk. It was 10.17am. Ages to go till they got something to eat. She suddenly felt hungry, having skipped breakfast to get to Station X in time. Rationing was certainly a problem. A shortage of food meant everything had to be weighed, then marked off in a ration book, the little there was to go round. She craved chocolate more than anything. She had briefly considered sleeping with any American soldier, who seemed to have an inexhaustible supply of this scarce luxury, just to get a taste. Thankfully, she had not had to face such a dilemma. In fact, she had never slept with anyone. She had been asked out by Mr James Hardy, a respectable civil servant where she worked previously. They had dated, held hands, kissed on a few occasions. It was all quite amicable. He was disappointed when she announced her relocation, but accepted she had to go, if her linguistic talents were required. They promised to write to each other regularly.

A siren sounded at 12 noon, informing everyone the lunch period had begun. They were instructed to make their way to the mess hut, where a queue had already formed. Waverly and Chrissy stood waiting to be served, each holding a tray. As they approached the front of the queue, a person served them a ladle of unidentifiable stew and two slices of white bread, no butter. Another server handed them a mug of weak tea.

"I'll die of starvation, here," Chrissy muttered, as she moved away to find them a table. Waverly really did like this girl's natural comedic approach to life. Both sat, eating, watching as other workers came and went. Waverly spotted Haught enter the dining area, approaching a table at the far end, kissing one man on the cheek, making her way to the queue for food. For some reason Waverly felt disappointed seeing this public display of affection. She couldn't place why. There was something about this woman that drew her to look. The way she moved, her confidence, her ability to hold herself like any man.

"Do you think there's anything for dessert?" Chrissy asked, interrupting Waverly who was lost in thought. Waverly smiled. Haught was right, she could tell this place was going to be immense fun.

After a brief stroll around the grounds, Chrissy still moaning about there being no dessert, they returned to their hut at 12.55pm. Haught was already back at her desk and Waverly felt awkward returning with her boss already hard at work. Haught looked up as she entered, smiling at her, before returning to the work in front of her. Waverly had smiled back.

Messengers came and went throughout the afternoon. The task of linguists in Hut 4 was to translate messages that had been decoded in Hut 8. It was hard, punishing, relentless work, if Waverly cared to admit, but also the first time she had got to use her brain for anything other than choosing what outfit to wear to work. The atmosphere in the hut was studious, quiet. She occasionally looked up at Haught, who was absorbed in whatever she was doing, intense concentration on her face. What was it about this woman?

Another siren sounded at 6pm to announce the end of the day. Haught looked up from her work, her eyes tired. "Leave nothing on your desks. Bring all you are working on to me," she instructed. "When your desks are clear, you may leave. Please be back 8am tomorrow. Have a good evening."

Having deposited their work, the members of Hut 4 made their way out. Haught watched as Waverly approached, placing the translations she had been working on in a pile on the desk. "If you and Miss Nedley wait, I'll accompany you to the house."

Waverly felt that flutter in her stomach again.

The three made their way out of the grounds towards the station. It was one stop to the village. There was a train waiting as they entered and Haught motioned for them to board. It was busy, but they managed to find seats in one of the carriages. "How did you find your first day?" Haught asked, as the train began to move.

"Thoroughly enjoyable," Chrissy answered, her stomach rumbling.

"And you, Miss Earp. How did you find it?"

"Stimulating," was the only word she could think of to sum up everything that had happened.

She could see Haught considering her response. A look that said, she approved.

The train pulled into the next station. They headed to the exit, making the short walk to the house they would be sharing for however long their services were needed. It was warm, homely, if somewhat dark, given the blackout screens on every window to stop light escaping. Haught motioned for them to enter, closing the door, turning on the light. A soft amber glow illuminated the hallway, welcoming them to their new home. "I'll show you to your rooms and let you settle," Haught said, pointing towards the stairs. "Dinner will be on the table in half an hour. I hope that gives you enough time."

She moved off, leading the way up a flight of stairs, pointing to a door immediately on their right at the top of the stairs which was the bathroom. Chrissy had the bedroom at the end of the corridor. She looked pleased on entering a spacious room, tastefully decorated. Up a second flight of stairs was Waverly's room. Equally spacious, boasting a metal-framed, double bed directly opposite the door. Waverly looked shocked on entry. She had only ever slept in a single bed at home. Double beds were reserved for married couples.

"Are you OK?" Haught asked, seeing the look on Waverly's face.

"Yes, fine. Thank you," Waverly replied, suddenly not quite sure of her surroundings.

"I'll leave you to settle. I'll be downstairs." Haught offered, closing the door behind her.

This would be Waverly's new life.