On a Wing and a Prayer

Welcome to Thorpe Abbott

The hum of the engine was the only sound in the
C47 as it soared over the English countryside.
The patients had finally settled, the morphine taking effect and bringing them some sense of relief. Hope slumped back into her seat with a sigh, smiling over at Ruth who looked as exhausted as she was.

"You looked tired," Hope smiled at her friend who just sighed.

"It's been a long day. I can't wait to get back to base," Ruth pushed her blonde hair out of her eyes, sighing again.

Hope nodded in agreement, peeling her sweaty green overalls away from her neck. "Hey Frank, how much longer have we got?" Hope called to one of the pilots.

"We've had to make a detour, Love. We're heading to Thorpe Abbot airfield and we'll evacuate the wounded to Thorpe St Andrews hospital. It's not far now."

Hope felt her heart flutter, her throat going dry as she slouched back against her seat.

"Hey Hope, what's wrong?" Ruth leant forward, gripping Hope's hand and squeezing it, her large blue eyes watching her curiously.

"It's Hugh," Hope muttered, her eyes a little teary but a smile on her lips. "My brother is stationed at Thorpe Abbott with the 100th Bomb Group. I haven't seen him in so long."

Ruth grinned at her, "so l'm finally going to meet this Hugh I've heard so much about."
Hope laughed, patting her friend on the back,
"you will but don't get any ideas."
..............................................................................

The aircraft soared towards its destination, the occasional jolting and shaking on the metal bird bringing no fear to the flight nurses anymore.
Once the ratting metal coffin struck the fear of God into them but now this was a peaceful ride.
Hope watched out the window as the lush, green countryside grew closer and closer.
"Hey Frank! Stop hugging the hedgerows for crying out loud. Don't let the girl down before we've reached the field," Hope called, grimacing as the trees seemed to grow ever closer.
"Who's flying this bird, Armstrong? You or me?" Frank retorted, not looking away from the cockpit.
"Well maybe you could use some lessons in keeping the old girl airborne then. We'll beat up the airfield at this rate."
Ruth laughed, watching Hope argue with the pilot once more, "You know Hope, maybe you should have got your wings. Then you could be flying us instead of Frank."
"You've got a good point there Ruth. Ya hear that Frank, Ruth wants me flying instead of you." Frank's reply was a muffled curse and both girls found themselves giggling in response. The plane tooled along for a while longer until it began to descend, rattling as it lost altitude and shaking its victims vigorously. The wheels touching down on the tarmac filled everyone with great relief.
"Well that was one ropey landing Frank, maybe I could give ya a few lessons?" Hope asked politely, battering her eyelashes at the pilot who just huffed.
"Shove off, Hope. Now get to it, your blood wagons are waiting."
Hope cringed at the nickname the ambulances had been given, they were lifesaving vehicles transporting sick men, why make it sound so ominous?
Hope hopped down from the plane, instructing the stretcher bearers on which soldiers were in the worst condition. Between them, Hope and Ruth helped carry three wounded men to the ambulances when an obnoxiously loud voice called, "Well I'll be damned!"
Hope spun round, her boots scuffing at the earth.
"HUGH!" Her brother laughed jovially, jogging over to them.
"Christ, l've missed you, Little Bird," Hugh threw his arms around Hope's shoulders, nestling his head into her neck as he always did. Hope couldn't comprehend what was happening. She was finally in her brother's arms, finally reunited with him after so long. She gripped tightly onto the back of his uniform, burying her face in his chest. He smelt of smoke and engine oil just like he always did.
"I've missed you so much," she murmured, just loud enough for Hugh to hear and he tightened his grip on her further. She could feel Ruth hovering awkwardly behind her and she turned to greet her friend, pulling out of her brother's arms.
"Ruth, this is my brother, Hugh. Hugh, this is my friend, Ruth."
Ruth smiled sweetly, sticking out her hand to shake Hugh's but instead he pulled her into a bear hug.
"Any friend of Hope's is a friend of mine, he assured Ruth and she smiled, her cheeks turning a deep red at the embarrassment of the situation.
"Hugh, put her down. Look you're making the poor girl blush," Hope laughed, which only caused Ruth to blush harder.
"My apologies Ruthie, where are my manners," he bowed down, taking her hand and placing a gentle kiss on her knuckles. Ruth stumbled over her words, quickly excusing herself and hurrying back towards their plane.
"You're a real pain in the ass, you know that?" Hope groaned, shoving her brother playfully in the ribs.
"I don't know, l've always considered myself to be rather charming," Hugh protested, puffing out his chest in pride. "Come on l've got some friends l'd like you to meet."
Hope nodded, spinning around to call Ruth to join. The blonde soon was walking back toward the group, clad in her fleece aviation jacket, and to her relief, without a rosy dusting on her cheeks.
"I still can't believe all the airfields in England, you managed to land at this one," Hugh laughed, throwing an arm around both girls' shoulders.
"You two are in for a real treat."
As they walked through the base, Hugh pointed out the various hard stands.
"See, right there," he pointed at a few heavies.
"That's 'Just-a-Snappin', 'Our Baby', and 'the
M'lle Zig Zig'"
"Where do you guys get these names, Hugh?" Hope laughed, her eyes trailing over each one's elaborate nose art, along with some very proud-looking engineers and artists who had clearly put so much love into the bombers.
Shrugging his shoulders, Hugh sighed, shaking his head. "I couldn't tell ya. What's your plane's name?"
"Just 'The Angel of Death'," Hope chirped.