The Spitfire Girls(26)



Ruby felt her cheeks turn a tell-tale pink.

‘I couldn’t agree more,’ May said. ‘It’s nice to hear a second vote of confidence, isn’t it, Ruby?’

She nodded. ‘Thank you, sir.’

‘I’ve seen this time and again with my men, to be honest. The ones full of bravado aren’t always the ones who become our top pilots, so don’t let her think she has one up on you. I’ve heard it’s a decision between the two of you to be the first female bomber pilot.’ He smiled. ‘If you want my advice, it’d be not to discount yourself, no matter how good you think she is. The most important thing is being the one who can be relied on by your entire squadron, no matter what.’

Ruby didn’t know what to say, and felt her blush deepen.

‘Some of us have to work hard to get anywhere in life,’ he said. ‘And others have the world at their fingertips and never have to break a sweat.’

‘Well, I think you’ve already read our American friend rather well, Captain,’ May told him. ‘You’re going to have your hands full trying to get a handle on Elizabeth. She’s more of a Spitfire than the actual plane over there.’

‘She’s a bloody pain in the arse,’ Ruby muttered, eyes widening as she realised she’d spoken out loud.

‘What was that?’ Captain Montgomery asked.

‘Nothing, sorry,’ she said. ‘It was a pleasure to meet you, sir.’

Ruby left May talking to the handsome American as she made her way back to the training centre to change. She had reading to do and a session with her flight instructor later in the day before she could return to the lovely little home that she and Lizzie had been assigned to. They were staying with a couple called the Robinsons, and for the most part she didn’t mind sharing a room with Lizzie; but when May had mentioned that they were now in direct competition to be the first female bomber pilot, that had thrown a spanner in the works. She doubted Lizzie would let her think for even a moment that she had a chance of being chosen.

‘Honestly, can you believe that man?’ Lizzie called out as Ruby entered, clearly still seething. ‘Waltzing in here and acting all superior to me?’

‘He’s only doing his job,’ Ruby said. ‘I wouldn’t be so hard on him if I were you.’ Heck, she’d have been friendly to any Englishman if she’d been on the other side of the world! But Lizzie was Lizzie, and that meant she didn’t do anything anyone expected her to. She was as infuriating as she was talented.

She tried to move past, but Lizzie stood in front of her.

‘What are your plans for our two days of leave this weekend?’ Lizzie asked.

‘Ah, I don’t have any. Catch up on some sleep and study.’ Ruby prayed that Lizzie didn’t ask her to do anything off base with her. ‘How about you?’

‘Oh, I might go and see some of the girls back at White Waltham, check in on how they’re faring,’ Lizzie said breezily. ‘I’m sure they’re giving your Brits a run for their money.’

Or maybe they’re more focused on working together for the greater good, to help win the war, instead of being in some stupid competition with their fellow pilots, Ruby thought, wishing she were brave enough to actually say it.

Lizzie disappeared, pushing the door shut with a loud bang, and Ruby sat down at one of the tables, opening a book about the large aircraft she was soon to be in charge of. But her thoughts drifted, as they so often did, to Tom. Where was he? What was he doing? Was he thinking of her or had he given up on her the moment she’d so brazenly written to him and told him that she respected his thoughts, but at the same time expected him to respect her decision? She fingered the ring hanging from a chain at her neck, remembering the day he’d given it to her, the day she’d truly fallen head over heels in love with the man. How had they gone from being partners in crime to being on opposite sides of the table?

‘Baby, come here,’ he said, gesturing to the two-seater plane.

Ruby ran over, her long hair pinned up and out of the way, trousers on to make it easier to fly. She caught Tom’s hand and twirled closer, leaning in for a kiss, her lips finding his as she sighed into his mouth. Every time, every single time they were together, she wondered how she’d ever managed to find someone who made her heart race as much as it did when she was at the controls of an aircraft.

‘I don’t want you to go,’ she said, cupping his cheeks as he stroked fingers through her hair.

‘Ruby, this war will be over before it even starts,’ he said, kissing her lips again, then pulling her close. ‘And I’m not going yet. It could be months before I have to leave.’

She held him tight, listened to the strong, steady beat of his heart.

‘Ruby, look at me,’ he said, his voice husky.

‘What is it?’

‘Fly with me?’ he asked, more tender than usual, his hand skimming her arm before gesturing for her to get in the plane.

‘Since when did you have to ask?’

He laughed and followed her up, settled in and started the engine. They taxied down the short runway, then Tom abruptly stopped the plane. She looked over at him, confused, until she saw what he was holding in his open palm.

The diamond twinkled in the light, the dainty ring seeming to stare back at her as she froze, then finally raised her eyes to meet Tom’s.

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