The Grafton Girls - Annie Groves [91]
In the clear light of the summer evening it seemed to stretch for miles, with its runways and its buildings, and although she didn’t want to admit it, Diane felt slightly overwhelmed by its size, and its Americanness. It had only been in the aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor that America had sent over men, its own engineer battalions and their equipment, to help the British working to build the new airfields from which the Eighth Army would bomb the enemy. The results of their arrival and the work they had done were certainly plain to be seen here.
It seemed an age before Major Saunders finally pulled up outside a newly built, anonymous-looking building – anonymous, that was, until Diane saw the words ‘Officers Only’ above the doorway.
‘We can get something to eat here,’ the major told her. ‘I’m not saying how good it will be -how good it tastes is likely to depend on how hungry you are.’
‘I can’t go in there,’ Diane protested.
When he frowned she pointed out stiffly, ‘It says “Officers Only”.’
‘You’ll be going in as my guest,’ he told her curtly. ‘Officers are permitted to take guests in.’
Maybe they were, but that didn’t stop what looked like a roomful of men in American uniform bearing high-ranking insignia turning to look at her as she and Major Saunders walked in, their curiosity making her feel very much an interloper. Without realising she was doing so, Diane moved closer to the major, but it was only when he put his hand beneath her elbow to guide her across the room that she realised how intimate and inviting her own gesture must have seemed. It was too late to regret it now, though.
‘Lee!’ a tall man with grey grizzled hair called out, leaving the table where he had been playing cards to come over to them.
On his jacket Diane could see the stripes denoting his status, and consequently wasn’t surprised to hear the major respond to his greeting with a respectful, ‘Colonel, good to see you again.’
‘No need for any of that colonel stuff, Lee. I’d heard you were based here. Long time no see. How’s Carrie?’
‘She’s fine thanks, Dwight. She’s decided to see the war out in Charleston with her folks.’
‘Mimi’s doin’ the same. She’s taken the kids to Virginia; her folks have a farm there. So how are you doin’? I’d heard you’ve been made up to major, by the way. Congratulations.’
‘Thanks. Let me introduce Diane Wilson to you. She’s with the British WAAF and based at Derby House in Liverpool. I’ve been dragging her all over the country today, taking notes whilst I checked out the accommodation we’ve been offered for the top brass, and now I’ve brought the poor girl back here for a canteen meal.’
‘Sure nice to meet you, Diane.’
Diane was caught off guard in mid-salute when he extended his hand to shake hers.
‘Dwight here is an old buddy of mine,’ the major explained.
‘Not so much of the old, if you don’t mind,’ the colonel joked.
‘He was my platoon major when I started out.’
‘Yeah, and, fool that I was, I went and gave you top marks. Don’t let him sweet-talk you any, Diane. This guy’s a soldier first, second and third. Ask his wife.’
Diane wasn’t quite sure exactly what kind of warning she was being given, but the smile that accompanied it seemed genuine enough.
‘The last I heard you were on reconnaissance, Lee, so how come you’re sorting out accommodation; missed too many Luftwaffe have you?’ the colonel joked.
‘I’m in charge of organising the reconnaissance training for our pilots, as they come over. What about you? I didn’t know you were over here.’
‘Well, I’m not really. They’ve put me with the Ninth out in the field, but I had some leave so I thought I’d spend a few days in London. Have you been there yet?’
The major shook his head.
‘Well, you must go. Look, I’ll give you the address of this