‘You will tell us how they get along, won’t you?’ Topsy asked anxiously. ‘We’ll be allowed to visit? When they’re well enough, I mean.’
‘Well, I’m not sure about that. This is a military facility, you know. We can’t have civilians wandering around the place willy-nilly.’
She drew herself up. ‘It’s also my house. I happen to be Lady Sumner-Walsh.’
This had an effect. At least, the young officer deigned to remove his cap for her.
‘We’ll see what we can do, er… your ladyship,’ he said. ‘For now, our priority must be getting these men well. Now, if you’ll excuse me.’
He started to leave, but Charlie put a hand on his arm.
‘Wait,’ he said. ‘The men on the mountain, the ones who didn’t make it…’
‘The ATA is sending a plane out to recover them. My commanding officer will be writing to their families this morning.’
‘Why were they flying in that terrible fog? Why weren’t they grounded?’
The man gave him a sharp look. ‘That really isn’t something I can talk about with a civilian.’
‘I’m not a civilian, I’m RAF. At least, I will be the day after tomorrow.’
‘Nevertheless, I’m afraid it isn’t a matter I’m able to discuss.’
‘The two who were brought down – can you tell us their names?’ Mary asked. ‘We’d very much like to know.’
Charlie nodded. ‘Surely that’s the least you can do, after we saved their lives.’
‘I suppose there’s no reason you shouldn’t be told,’ Phelps said, with an air of magnanimity. ‘Flight Lieutenant Tadeusz Nowak was the pilot. His comrade is Sergeant Piotr Zielinski, the rear gunner – both Free Polish, like the rest of the crew. Now I really must get on. Thank you all again for your service.’
He strode away without looking back.
Mary sighed. ‘Well, that was quite a night, wasn’t it? I never thought I’d have cause to use my nursing skills again on anyone other than Reg. Now I’d say it’s high time we were all at home and in bed.’
‘I know I won’t be able to sleep,’ Topsy said, stifling a yawn. ‘I wish they’d let me stay and help. I want to know what happens to my pilot.’
‘There’ll be time for that later. You’ve been through hell tonight, Topsy – we all have. Now you’re to go back to the cottage for a cup of cocoa and some rest, on my orders. Mrs Hobbes will take care of you.’
‘Do you want a lift back to Smeltham?’ Charlie asked Dr Minchin.
‘I’ll get a lift with Archie Lazenby when he’s done here,’ the doctor said. ‘He’s going my way.’
‘Thanks for everything you did tonight.’ Bobby shook the man’s hand. ‘You and Dr Lazenby both. They’d have died without you.’
‘That’s the job. You do it when you need to and hope everything turns up for the best.’ Still, he looked rather pleased. ‘Goodbye, young lady. You know, you really ought to consider a career in nursing.’
‘She ought to consider a career in the Cabinet,’ Charlie said with a smile. ‘You’ve got no idea of all she’s done tonight, Doc.’
Bobby flushed. ‘I didn’t do much.’
‘Yes you did. By rights, we should be bearing you home on our shoulders like the conquering hero you are.’ He rubbed his right shoulder, wincing. ‘Except I don’t think mine will stand another load today. I feel like a wizened old man.’
‘I’ll draw a mustard bath for you when we get back to Moorside.’ Mary nodded to Reg’s car. ‘Let’s go, shall we? The girls will be awake wanting to hear all about our adventures, and your father will be pacing the floor until he has you back safe, Bobby. Of course Reg will grant you a day’s holiday, unless he wants to have me to answer to.’
‘It all feels like a bit of an anticlimax, doesn’t it?’ Charlie observed to Bobby as they climbed into the car.
‘How do you mean?’
‘Well. The heroic dash up the mountain, getting the men here, the emergency surgery. And then we’re sent home by some snooty officer with a pat on the head like a pack of Boy Scouts.’
