Our Time Is Now 5

By Thomas Weaver

As the relationship between Mary and Tommy becomes even more physical, they began to wonder whether Mary’s mother approves of them being together. She is leaving to take up a new job, but it seems she has done everything she could to make their life together as difficult as possible. Their work on the convoys of lorries taking food to military establishments all over the country becomes more and more arduous, the bombing of the docks near their home at Liverpool intensifies, and the likelihood increases of Tommy being called up into the armed forces. On top of everything else, a beautiful woman working with Mary seems to be showing an interest in Tommy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Strict Publishing International
• Release date: Feb 10, 2011
• ISBN: 9780857791511

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Our Time is Now

book five

by Thomas Weaver

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2011 Thomas Weaver

Published by Strict Publishing International

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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Part 1. THE BEST LAID PLANS

I’m sure everything I need is packed, I heard Pat saying to Mary as I entered the house, the vestibule door banging against one of the three suitcases in the hallway. Mary and Pat were both in the kitchen as I walked in.

The door was open, I said. Somehow, I was not at all sure of myself, as I had been wondering how cordial things were between Mary and her mother Pat. Even now that Mary was my fiancée, with Pat going away to work down south and leaving Mary in the house on her own, I reckoned that if it were up to Pat, once she had gone I would not be allowed within a mile of the place.

Well, come in, Mary said. Everything is cleared out of the way now. The only thing Pat will need in the morning is her handbag.

There is something, I thought as I felt the slight tension, but I tried to ignore it.

That’s a lot of cases. You’ll need a taxi for that lot tomorrow, I said, trying to make conversation.

Tommy, I’m not being rude, but I want you to leave early so I can spend a little time with Mary before I go. Is that all right?

Yes, fine by me, I told Pat. I’ve already told Mary I wouldn’t stay long tonight. I’ve just called in to say goodbye.

The two of you have made up your minds as to what you are doing once I’ve gone and I know I can’t change that, so I’m not going to part from you both on a bad note. If nothing else, I know you will look after Mary. That, at least, is some consolation, and I can go knowing she will be all right. Just don’t leave it too long before you two get married.

I took my leave of Pat, and Mary came to the door with me. We won’t make any arrangements now, I told Mary. I’ll just come to you tomorrow night, but tell me: was there an atmosphere when I walked in?

Yes, I asked Pat for her key to give to you, but she said she was keeping it and I asked her why. She just said she was.

That wasn’t worth arguing about, was it? We could get another made off yours.

It’s a little more than that, I think, Mary said. If things don’t work out for her in her new job, she could come back and catch us in bed together. It’s the same if she came back any time on leave and we could be caught that way, so I’ve a little job for you on Monday.

A job? You reckon I’ll have the energy then? I asked jokingly, but Mary was serious.

All you have to do is change the lock on the front door. Think you can manage that?

Easy, if we get the same type of mortice lock, just swap it.

Good. She gave me a kiss. I’ll go back in now, and if Pat wants to go on about anything, I’ll grin and bear it for this last night, and after she catches the eleven-o-clock train tomorrow I’ll be setting up home for just me and you.

* * * * *

Going into work the next day did actually feel strange without Mary and our morning chat and banter. There was Charlie, as bright and bubbly as usual. I almost shied away from her, preferring to be on my own. I was still thinking over what Mary had said about changing the locks, and wondering how Pat would react to that when she did come back and found the key to her own house would not work. However, I did not have much option. Charlie made a beeline for me.

Lost without your other half? Charlie asked. Mary said she would be off today.

Yeah, I reckon I am. She brightens my day, I answered. I’ve not a lot to do either.

I’ll ask Brian if you can come with me, Charlie said. He has just told me I’m taking a lorry load to the Altcar rifle barracks, it’s just by Formby.

I know where it is, but no thanks, I told her. I’ll go to the workshop. There’s bound to be a lorry or two wanting a service. I left her by the office and went to the workshop to find that there was not a lot going on at the moment. All our lorries were serviced yesterday, and all but two of the other convoy were out on a delivery.

‘It’s going to be a long day,’ I thought. ‘There is nothing worse than being stuck in a place and trying to look or be busy when there is nothing to do.’ I went to the breakdown van, opened the bonnet and started to clean the engine for something to do. I cleaned and sandpapered the connections on every bit of wiring, and after cleaning the spark plugs and setting the gap, I put it all back together again.

Brian came over from the office. It would not be Brian without his clipboard, which he ruffled the sheets of paper on as he walked.

Everything ok? he asked, craning his neck to see the engine.

Yes, just giving it another once over.

He nodded, satisfied. I rather think today has been wasted. We could have had your convoy on the road, but the management seem to think it would be better for the big convoy to move on a weekend. Less traffic for the lady drivers equals less chance of an accident and all the provisions getting to wherever without mishap.

I don’t really see how they can say that, I told him. Of all the hours the girls have been driving, there has only ever been one incident and that was one girl shifted her load on a hill. The rest of the time they have been perfect,

Hmm, I know. I’ll be calling everyone who is concerned with tomorrow’s trip into the office later and you’ll get all the details then. In the meantime, you can accompany Charlie out today in her lorry. It’s just a short trip to Altcar rifle barracks.

Why is that then? I asked. It should only take two and a half hours with unloading.

I know, but it might take longer if Charlie hasn’t got someone along with her, and I want her back for the briefing, Brian said.

Well, leave her here and I’ll do it myself, I suggested.

Can’t do that. Don’t want to cause any animosity by relieving her and putting someone else on the job, Brian said. Have you two had a falling out?

No, I just don’t see the need for two of us, I said.

Charlie is a lovely girl, Brian said. But that place is full of men and she just might dawdle, so you tag along and keep things running smooth. He took two sheets of paper and a signed pass from the clipboard and handed them to me.

Charlie should be here in the next few minutes. I’ve told her to pick you up.

I closed up the engine compartment of the van and backed it into the garage. Within minutes of Brian going back to the office, Charlie drove around with the lorry.

Ready for your day out? Charlie asked, a big smile on her face as I climbed into the cab.

Day out, I asked, acting dumb. Brian said two and a half hours, tops.

I’m sure we can stretch it a bit longer than that.

Nope, I don’t reckon so. We’ve a briefing later about tomorrow’s trip and I don’t want to miss it, I told Charlie. And Brian doesn’t want you to miss it either, so we can get there and have lunch while the load’s being discharged, and come straight back.

You don’t make it sound much like fun, Charlie said as she stopped at the gate so I could show our pass. The guard nodded and Charlie drove out onto the highway.

I like fun as much as the next guy. It’s just I don’t want to waste any time and miss the briefing, I told Charlie.

Where is Mary today anyway? Charlie asked. It must be something very important for her to take a day off.

Yes, it must be, I agreed. Something to do with her mother, I think. I don’t know everything about Mary’s family.

You haven’t had a falling out with them, have you? Charlie asked.

With who? I asked, only half listening as I was thinking it must be about now that Pat was getting the train."

With Mary or her family?

No, why? I asked wondering what made her think that.

We could have stopped somewhere and had a cuddle to comfort you, Charlie said. Wouldn’t you like that? She tried to make it sound like a joke, but something in her voice made me certain she was serious.

You’re a gorgeous looking woman, Charlie, and a lot of blokes would have taken that seriously, including me, but I’ve got Mary and Mary is all I want, so I won’t jump on you.

Oh, now I am disappointed. A cuddle would not have taken long, Charlie said. Any of these turn offs here takes us down to the beach.

Ay and the home guard. They are posted all along here, I told her. We see them every time we come this way on a bike ride. I watched Charlie as she drove along. She had just taken a chance and offered herself, either for the cuddle or a lot more. I suppose I would never know for sure, but I don’t think she liked being turned down. What woman would? It was something about the look on her face that made me decided to try and keep a conversation going, but Charlie had gone quiet.

We left the lorry to be unloaded and went to the forces’ cookhouse, being accompanied by a sergeant who told the other sergeant in ‘whites’ to feed us. As we sat at the bench tables to eat, a few soldiers who came in after us must have decided that it would be nice to join us, and in no time we were surrounded.

Hello, are you and your boyfriend visiting for the day? one soldier asked.

He is not my boyfriend, he’s a work colleague, Charlie informed him.

Oh! Good, that’s the first hurdle out of the way, the same soldier said. How’s about you going out with me tonight?

We live too far away, otherwise I might have, Charlie said.

The soldier was visibly surprised. No kidding? he asked. How far is to far away?

Over an hour’s drive, I told him. Unless you have a car, it would be impossible to get there, go to the flicks or whatever, and get back,

Who says I haven’t got a car, mate? he said, none to pleased at me sticking my oar in, but I reckoned Charlie was just leading him on. Write your address on this and I’ll find you, he said to Charlie, taking a small notebook from his army blouse pocket and holding it out to her.

No, I don’t think so, Charlie said. I don’t go giving my address out to just anyone, but I’ll write the name of a pub and where it is, and if you get there then I’ll see you. If not, well, never mind, Charlie wrote down the name of the pub and handed it back to him.

I know that place. What time? Eight-o-clock? he asked.

Ok, yes, Charlie said. If you think you can get there. Charlie sounded surprised and I was as well. I thought the two of them were bluffing each other.

I’ll see you back at the lorry, I told Charlie as I stood up, collecting my plate and cutlery. Don’t be too long or I’ll go without you.

Ok, bossy boots. I don’t know who put you in charge, Charlie said.

Suit yourself, I told her.

It was only a matter of ten minutes to wait before the lorry was finished being unloaded, and a sergeant major signed the receipts and paperwork. Charlie surprised me also by not hanging about either.

I’ll drive back, if that’s ok? I told Charlie. I was already in the driver’s seat anyway, having driven the lorry away from the loading bay.

I thought you were kidding with that soldier, I said to Charlie as we drove back. Do you think he will get into town tonight and see you?

He says he will. If he does, I’ll see him. If not… she shrugged her shoulders.

Bit of a flash decision, wasn’t? I mean, he only just sat down and asked you, and you said yes?

He’s very good looking and a bit cheeky, don’t you think? she asked. Sometimes ‘flash’ decisions, as you call it, are the best.

Good looking? I wouldn’t know. A best decision? I wouldn’t know about that either, I told her. You just be careful.

I’ve managed without your advice before and I shall again, she told me.

Aren’t you the girl that said, ‘I’ll know where they live’?

Charlie never answered

* * * * *

Brian’s office was fairly spacious, but with all the women drivers in there waiting for Brian it was now a bit crowded. I stood by the window as it was open, but the slight breeze that blew in did not help my battling against the smoke from some of the women’s cigarettes. After a while, Brian brightly breezed