Heartwarming and emotional story of one girl's courage in WW2 Fenella Miller (best books for 8th graders txt) 📖

Watching a first solo flight must be how a mother bird felt when her fledglings left the nest. Ellie was always anxious until the first landing and take-off was completed successfully. The second would-be pilot was coming in now. She held her breath and her hands clenched. He was approaching too fast – no – he was going to be all right. He’d throttled back and the plane bounced safely across the strip.

She gave him the thumbs up and he taxied round and took off smoothly. Her brother and his friend arrived at her side.

‘So far so good. He’s doing fine, little sister. Can we take the de Havilland up for a spin?’

‘I’m not sure. Things are different here now. Joe’s nephew, Jack Reynolds, is now the owner. I can’t give you the go-ahead without his permission. He went out a while ago but should be back soon.’

‘No problem. Do you think he’ll mind if we make everyone a cuppa? We got some sticky buns from the baker you like in Romford. More than enough to go around.’

‘In which case I’m sure Jack won’t object. You know where everything is.’

Greg raised a hand in salute and smiled but didn’t add anything to the conversation. She returned her full attention to what was going on in the sky above her and was relieved when the flight was over. Her pupil had scraped through his solo and could now go onto the next step.

Jack arrived as she was signing the pilot’s log book; he didn’t look too happy. Hopefully he’d keep his ill-humour to himself until the paying customers had gone.

Greg had found a couple of old packing cases and put them outside the office to use as temporary tables. A tray of steaming mugs was on one and on the other were a couple of battered tin plates which held a dozen sticky buns. She hadn’t had time for lunch and her stomach growled loudly.

‘Are you going to have a celebratory cup of tea before you leave?’ Ellie asked the successful pilot.

‘Sorry, old thing, we have to dash. Some bigwig from head office is visiting the bank today and I’m expected to put in an appearance. See you same time next week – thanks for getting us this far.’

He rushed off with his friend and she waved goodbye before heading for her belated lunch. Jack called her back. ‘Ellie, hang on a minute, I need to talk to you in private.’

She waited for him to catch up. They were still far enough away from the office to talk without being overheard. ‘What’s wrong? I noticed you were looking grumpy when you arrived.’

‘I’ve been to see your father. He didn’t buy that plane over there, Joe did, but he asked if your dad would put it in his name.’

This didn’t sound good at all. ‘Why would he want to do that?’ She had a pretty good idea but hoped she was wrong.

Jack confirmed her worst fears. She’d been hoodwinked by her employer and for the past two years he’d been using her, and the airfield, to hide money derived from his criminal activities in London.

She swallowed a lump in her throat. ‘When the aero-club opened I spent all my holidays down here. Mum disapproved but Dad took my side. I knew I’d persuade Joe and Dad to allow me to learn to fly. I can’t regret him being here but am horrified Joe has been using us.

‘So, let me get this straight – I don’t have anything in the bank? Nothing for a rainy day? I’ve been slaving away here for absolutely nothing?’

‘That’s about the size of it. Don’t worry about your wages as I intend to put that straight. When my uncle told me he’d started an aero club and was thinking of putting it in my name when I came back, I was touched by his kindness. I’m fond of him and my aunt, but what he did was unforgivable.’

‘I can’t believe Joe’s all bad. He’s been very kind to me and he taught my brothers and me to fly. How did an East Ender become a pilot? This whole thing’s very peculiar.’ Her stomach gurgled again quite audibly and he laughed.

‘Come on, you need to eat. You’re a skinny bird and can’t afford to miss your meals. I intend to fatten you up whilst I’m here.’

She was about to take umbrage when she realised he was teasing her. ‘Thank you very much. It’s good to know you have my best interests at heart.’ She put a hand on his arm. ‘Please, don’t say anything in front of them. Mum would be mortified if anyone outside the family heard about this. She already thinks I’m a disgrace – if she ever discovers I’ve been working for a criminal she’ll throw me out.’

‘We’ll talk later. Don’t worry, Ellie, I’ll make sure nothing unpleasant happens to you or your family because of this.’

Five

Over the next few days Ellie got on with her job, and apart from the fact that Jack was now in charge, things were pretty much the same as always. He’d not said anything about his uncle and she didn’t intend to ask. The only difference was that she now had a bank book in which there was a satisfyingly large sum of money deposited – more than enough for a week of thunderstorms let alone a rainy day.

She was so busy she scarcely had time to worry about the ever more unpleasant news about impending war. Mum had shown her a leaflet about the proposed evacuation of over three million children from all the major cities in the country. This would take place if war was declared but only a minority of the population thought this was likely. Her mother was one of the minority. Romford wasn’t part of this mass exodus but equally, it wasn’t considered safe enough to send city children.

Keeping out of Jack’s way meant