Resistance

Chapter Eleven

The rest of the voyage sped by, all Angelique had in her head was that she would soon be in Richard’s England, she would be safe, her baby would be safe. Then it happened, they docked in Plymouth and there was a knock on their door. Once again it was Dan, but he was not alone, Captain Hacking was with him.

“I am pleased to inform you that we have successfully put in at Plymouth Harbour and you are now able to disembark.”

Angelique and her companions collected up all of their belongings and left the Cabin. They walked up onto the deck and watched the gang way being lowered. Angelique on impulse gave Dan a hug and kissed his cheeks, Fabienne and Ellenor followed her example. Dan blushed but looked pleased

“Lawd Above I will never get used to you devil-may-care young French lasses.”

Then with Jean- Paull and Michel they descended the gang plank and stepped onto the dock.

There was a Dodge WC4waiting for them with an pretty young ATS Driver in it, her uniform was smart and well pressed the cap sat neatly on perfectly coiffed hair. Angelique felt quite plain next to this girl especially as she hadn’t brushed her teeth or ran a comb through her hair but the girl seemed to notice Angelique’s embarrassment and smiled showing straight white teeth in between bright red teeth.

“Come on you French Chaps and Chappesses, you have got a plane to catch.”

The party got into the Jeep and they were driven to RAF Mount Batten, where a Halifax bomber was waiting. It had been converted to carry passengers, mainly Special Operations Executive Agents who were being dropped into occupied countries and so was quite safe to hold the group. They were bundled onto it and sat down on the benches that ran down both sides of the plane.

“Do not touch anything.”

A voice crackled over the intercom and they all listened.

“I am your pilot. Please don’t touch anything, just stay sat down and you will be just fine. This leg of your journey will only last about an hour.”

Angelique clasped her hands in her lap and leaned her head back against the metal body of the Halifax. She didn’t know how long the journey had taken because she fell asleep. She was roused by Jean-Paul gently shaking her.

“Ang, we are here. We have landed.”

The door was opened by a young man wearing the uniform of the RAF Eagle Squadron. He offered his arm to help them all out of the Halifax. When he spoke the American accent was very clear.

“Welcome to RAF Northolt. If you would follow me please.”

They followed him to the N.A.A.F.I. and sat at a table.

“I figured you nice folks might like a break, a little rest because from what I hear you have been on the go for a while.”

Michel nodded.

“I won’t argue with you there it will be nice to able to rest on solid ground. Do you think that we can get some food?”

“Of course you can mate. Just go to that hatch, take a look-see at the menu then tell the lady what you want.”

When Michel and Jean-Paul went up to get some food the American introduced himself to the girls.

“Howdy. The names Miller, Flight Lieutenant Harry Robert Miller. Who are you lovely ladies then?”

They each introduced themselves and Ellenor and Fabienne both pointed and named Jean-Paul and Michel.

Harry turned to Angelique.

“You’re French aren’t you?”

Angelique nodded.

“But your surname isn’t French is it? It sounds more British to me. In fact a buddy of mine is called Wright.”

Angelique looked at Fabienne who shrugged.

“My maiden name is du’Lairre but I got married two days ago to a British Pilot who was shot down called Richard Wright.”

Harry smiled.

“I don’t suppose that would be Squadron Leader Richard Wright would it?”

Angelique paled at the mention of her Richard’s name and Harry noticed this.

“Well what a small world. I am glad that he finally has himself a girl. The lucky blighter, your quite a looker. Where is he? Why didn’t he come with you?”

Angelique did not say anything, she just turned away as tears began to well up in her eyes. Harry touched her arm.

“What happened?”

Angelique couldn’t speak so instead Fabienne moved from her seat across the table to the one on the other side of Harry.

“Richard was killed yesterday morning. Shot. It is a very long story, one that I think Angelique is best to tell you herself if she wishes to, once she is able of course.”

Harry slowly nodded at Fabienne, his eyes filled with sadness but also understanding.

Michel and Jean-Paul came back to the table both carrying trays, one loaded with metal plates of spam sandwiches and the other with mugs of tea on it. Fabienne moved back to Michel and he put his arm around her.

Angelique tucked into the sandwiches hungrily then she felt Harry’s fingers on her arm.

“If ever you need somebody to talk to then I will always be here. I know that if it had been me that had died leaving behind a young widow I would be glad to know that someone would take care of her as I will you. Remember if you need anything then Harry Miller is at your service ma’am.”

Angelique smiled.

“Thank you very much Flight Lieutenant Miller.”

Harry interrupted her.

“Harry please.”

“Alright then. Thank you Harry. It means a lot to know that I have a friend in this strange land.”

She pulled a folded photo out of the pocket of Richard’s coat; it was a picture of Richard with his arm around her at their wedding reception. It was just one of several photos that she had with her, all of them had the special people in her life in them. In her other pocket was a group photo of her Richard and all the guests at the wedding Jean-Paul, Ellenor, Michel, Fabienne, René, Ellenor’s father Ricardo, Jaques, Henri, Antoine, Adreanna, Bridgette and Marguerite, all wearing nice clothes and smiling. Now the most important person in that picture was gone forever and most of the others she would never see again and she and the rest were on there way to a strange land. Angelique handed the pictures to Harry and he smiled when he saw the one of her in Richard’s arms both of them laughing at the camera. Also in her pocket she had a picture of her parents and herself when she was younger, but she kept that one to herself.

“He always was a lot of fun. I am glad he enjoyed his last days.”

Angelique smiled too. Then turned and put her hand on Harry’s.

“What was he like in England? You knew him longer than I did?”