‘Right.’
‘I reckon she can’t just take that stuff from t’ hospital, even if it’s her house,’ Arthur said. ‘Belongs to t’ Ministry, don’t it?’
‘It’s an airmen’s hospital and there might be injured airmen on top of that mountain,’ Bobby said firmly. ‘I’ll take responsibility for that too, as duty warden, and if they want to throw me in jail for it, they can – better that than leave people to die. And Charlie, you’d better ring Dr Minchin over in Smeltham and let him know he’s needed here.’
‘He’ll not make it up Bowside at his age, Bobby.’
‘No, but he can wait here to treat any men we bring down. Get Reg here too with the Wolseley – that’ll have to be the ambulance to get them to Sumner House. After that, I want you to raid your surgery for supplies. Pack up any drugs you think might help, put on your walking boots and meet me by Troy’s field.’
‘What are you going to do?’
She gazed at the summit of the mountain. The flames were gone but a plume of black smoke still rose into the sky, eventually dissolving into the fog. ‘I’m going up there with you. I’ve got my boots and socks in the hut.’
He shook his head. ‘Bobby, don’t be ridiculous. You can’t go up there in this fog. Let the men handle it.’
‘It’s my responsibility, Charlie. I’m the warden on duty. Besides, I’m the only person with first aid training who’s young and fit enough to make it to the top.’
‘I’m a vet. I’ve got all the medical knowledge that’s needed. You don’t know the route to the summit, it’s a ten-mile walk, it’s foggy and dark and… well, there might be things up there that’ll upset you. In fact, I’m sure there will be. You wait here and manage the rescue parties, or go to Sumner House and help Topsy and Mrs Hobbes prepare the hospital.’
‘Charlie, I’m going up. If I’m slowing you down then you can go on ahead but you’re not going to talk me out of it.’
‘I didn’t think I’d be able to.’ He smiled. ‘You’re some girl, Bobby Bancroft.’
‘Never mind that. Just go.’
He gave her a peck on the cheek, mounted the bicycle Mrs Egerton had wheeled out for him and headed in the direction of Moorside.
Chapter 20
What followed was the longest night of Bobby’s life, or at least it felt like it.
Charlie must have pedalled like he was attached to a motor getting to Moorside and back. It was less than three-quarters of an hour later when he met Bobby at the stile that led to Troy’s field – the quickest route up on to the flank of Great Bowside – with a satchel over his shoulder and a cloth bag in his hand.
‘Here,’ he said breathlessly, handing her the cloth bag. ‘Your dad fetched these from your room for me. Some slacks, a jumper and your big coat. I had a job to talk him out of trying to climb the mountain himself. Stubbornness obviously runs in the family.’
‘You shouldn’t have wasted time. I’ve got my boots.’ Nevertheless, Bobby was grateful to have something sturdier than her denim ARP coat and thin stockings to wear while tackling the five-mile walk to the summit. Charlie, too, had changed, she noticed. His RAF uniform had been put away, and he was in warm clothes suited to the climb ahead of them.
‘Turn around then,’ she said. Charlie obediently looked the other way while she pulled the slacks on under her skirt and shuffled out of it. She stuffed it in the cloth bag along with her jacket and felt hat and hung it on the field gatepost to be picked up later. Then she pulled on the jumper he’d brought for her.
‘What else did you bring?’ she asked while she changed.
‘Splints, bandages, antiseptic ointment and some aspirin. Minchin’s going to pack up his Gladstone bag and wait for us in the village in case anything stronger is needed, and Topsy’s raiding the hospital for supplies.’ The fog had cleared very slightly, although the drizzle persisted, and he cast a worried look up at the mountain. ‘Do you really think there can be anyone alive up there, Bobby?’
‘Only one way to find out. If we hurry, we might be able to catch up with Gil, Arthur and Stanley. They’ve got no medical knowledge and no supplies other than what’s in the ARP first aid kit. They could do with our help.’
Charlie had a bicycle lamp from which he’d removed the cover designed to keep it blackout-compliant. It still wasn’t very bright, but it provided light enough. He held it aloft to illuminate their way as they began the ascent.
Far from slowing Charlie down as she’d feared, Bobby found herself naturally taking the lead, despite her companion knowing the fells far better than she did. Blinded by drizzle and fog, she slipped frequently in mud and stumbled over rocks, and once even managed to plant herself face-first in a peat bog, but still she didn’t let herself lose pace. It felt like she was being driven by some hitherto unsuspected force within her. Someone had survived up there, she could feel it! But anyone who’d been in that crash must be badly injured, and the villagers were racing against the clock if they were to get him to medical aid in time.
‘Steady on, Bob,’ Charlie panted. ‘If you’re going to set that speed, you’d better take the bag with the bandages and things and go on ahead. I can’t keep up with you.’
‘No, we need you. You’re the closest we’ve got to a doctor.’ She slowed a little. ‘Don’t dawdle though. Lives might depend on it.’
‘I’ve never seen you like this before,’ he said, casting her a slightly awed look. ‘You’re a wonder, Bobby – a true natural leader. If the RAF knew what was good for them, they’d take you in place of me. I was useless tonight until you took command.’
She couldn’t help smiling. ‘Thanks. But don’t slow down. You can tell me how wonderful I am when all this is over.’
‘Every time I think I know you, you surprise me with something new. Have you always kept such a cool head in a crisis?’
