The Spitfire Girls(98)

Jackson was frowning now. ‘I’m not sure I’m following. Why are you telling me all this about women’s monthly cycles?’

She averted her gaze. ‘I’m only trying to say that regardless of whether a woman might have her monthly courses or be pregnant even, it has no impact on her flying abilities.’ Lizzie held her breath and forced herself to look at Jackson, her heart thumping.

‘Pregnant?’

She blew out a breath that made wisps of her hair fly up. ‘Yes, pregnant,’ she confirmed.

‘Hold on, that entire speech was you trying to tell me that you intended to take a flying job while you were pregnant? With my child?’

She laughed. ‘I suppose it was, yes.’

‘Over my dead body!’ he growled, leaning in and holding her close.

‘I’ll be deciding what to do with my own body, thank you very much,’ she muttered.

‘We’re actually having a baby?’ He had tears in his eyes. ‘Oh, Lizzie. This is incredible news.’

‘Try to stop me flying and I’ll divorce you immediately,’ she said.

‘I’ll tell you right now that you won’t be flying dangerous aircraft with my baby on board,’ he told her. ‘This is not a negotiation, Liz, this is me firmly putting my foot down!’

‘Just try stopping me.’ Lizzie stood, hands on hips as she glared back at him.

‘Fine, then you can’t fly without me in the cockpit beside you.’

He stood too, and a flicker or excitement ran through her. This was what it had been like working together, the fire between the two of them always flaring, and she’d missed it.

‘I’ll think about it,’ she replied with a shrug, knowing that it was probably the best compromise she was going to get.

‘You’ll be doing more than thinking about it.’

‘I haven’t told Mama yet, but I’ve asked her around for dinner,’ she said, ignoring his words. ‘I thought I’d cook for a change instead of her having us over. I actually can’t wait to tell her.’

He groaned. ‘Can’t your mother do the cooking? You know I’m only going to have to go buy ready-made food after you set the oven on fire.’

She swatted at him, but he just laughed at her.

‘Come here,’ he said, grabbing her and pulling her in, kissing her fiercely as she clung on to him. He was one in a million, her Jackson, and there wasn’t another man who’d ever have managed to get her to marry him, let alone have his child.

‘I love you,’ she whispered into his ear.

‘My crazy flygirl,’ he whispered back. ‘I love you too.’





CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

LONDON, ENGLAND, 1946

MAY

‘What is it that could be such a big secret?’ May asked grumpily as Ben led her into their sitting room. ‘I don’t see why you can’t just tell me!’

Ben gave her a long, hard stare. ‘Can’t a man do something nice without being interrogated?’

May was about to apologise when there was a knock at the door. She rose, but Ben’s hand on her shoulder firmly pushed her back down.

‘Just sit, woman. Would you please follow orders for once?’

May swallowed her smile. ‘Yes, sir,’ she said obediently, saluting. What on earth was going on?

He disappeared and seconds later Ruby burst into the room, looking as frustrated as May felt.

‘Ruby!’ May said, standing to hug her. ‘What are you doing here?’

‘I honestly have no idea,’ Ruby said, hugging her back. ‘It’s lovely to see you, but I don’t know what’s got into Tom. He wouldn’t tell me where we were going and . . .’

‘Benjamin!’ May called out. ‘Will you please explain all this?’

She traded glances with Ruby as they both sat down.

‘They’re up to something,’ Ruby said. ‘Why all the secrecy? Why didn’t he just tell me we were coming to your house?’

‘I hope you’re sitting down,’ Ben said, appearing in the doorway. ‘Because this is the best kept secret in the history of—’

‘Lizzie!’ Ruby screamed, her voice piercing through May as she leapt off the chair.

‘Surprise, ladies!’ Lizzie drawled, holding one arm up in the air dramatically, the other cradling a bouncing baby girl on her hip, who frantically flapped her arms in response.

‘Lizzie,’ May whispered, waiting for Ruby to stop squealing and hugging their friend. ‘How are you . . . ?’

Ben came up beside her and kissed her cheek. ‘Enjoy your reunion, my love. We’re off to the pub with Jackson.’

She barely heard Ben’s words. She crossed the room and wrapped an arm around Lizzie as a wave of emotion washed over her. Then she opened her arms for the little girl, who was holding out a fist to her.

‘She’s beautiful, Lizzie,’ May laughed, kissing and cuddling her. ‘Look at her! She’s just perfect.’

All of them were transfixed by the smiling, babbling child, who with her halo of blonde hair and bright blue eyes was the spitting image of her mother.

‘I could hardly make you two little Polly’s godmothers and not have you meet her, could I?’ Lizzie asked, her voice cracking.