“Ah, yes, the brave Poles. I understand that they are magnificent pilots, Park?”
The Air Vice Marshall, whose subordinates had had some difficulties with the headstrong Poles, nodded. “As long as they are obeying orders, Prime Minister, yes, indeed, they are fine airmen.” Another young WAAF hurried up to and handed Park a message. He read it and grunted. “As I thought, Prime Minister. I believe we are about to have some heavy action. May I…?”
“Of course, Air Vice Marshall. You must get on with your job. What news?”
“We’ve just had a radar report of a build up of enemy aircraft near Dieppe and there’s another formation approaching Dover. I doubt that these will be the first and last.”
“The ghastly Hun is trying to deliver a knock-out blow, eh, Park?”
“Indeed, Prime Minister. Would you like to take a seat and observe?”
“Yes, yes. Give me my cigar, Henry. I may not be able to smoke it, but I shall gain some comfort and reward from having it between my lips, as we observe what transpires. Go to it, Park, and God speed!”
Park went up the stairs and disappeared into one of the glassed-in control rooms. After watching him go, Churchill winked at the WAAF he had spoken to and, with his wife and secretary, eased himself into one of the rows of seats above the plotting table, from which vantage point they watched the proceedings with intense interest.
*
Merlin arrived mid-morning at the Northolt base. Sonia was angry with him because he had allowed her to sleep in. She would have wanted to arrive at the crack of dawn to see Jan and Merlin guessed this, but she had looked so angelic in the bed and so peaceful after the stress of the previous night that he had not woken her. Then they had had to go to the Yard to get the car, which added another half an hour. A few sharp words had been exchanged, but she had calmed eventually as they sped down the A40, placing her hand on his as it rested on the gear stick.
The guard at the gate glanced briefly at Merlin’s warrant card and frowned. “All hell is breaking loose today, sir. In you go.”
As they drove up to the main administration building, Merlin could see what he meant. People were running in what seemed to be every direction, but more generally in the direction of the planes and the runways. As they got out of the car, Merlin saw Jan’s two friends, Kowalski and Kubicki, racing past, pulling on their jackets. Jerzy saw Merlin and Sonia and waved before disappearing around a corner. Merlin ushered Sonia into the building and they walked up to a prim-looking WAAF sitting at a desk upon which Merlin placed his warrant card. “I know it’s probably a stupid question, but what’s happening?”
The WAAF picked up the card and sniffed. “It is rather a stupid question, Chief Inspector. We’re having a scramble, obviously. There’s rather a lot of incoming and everyone is going up.”
“I see. Well, this is Miss Sieczko, Jan Sieczko’s sister. We understand he was injured yesterday and she’d like to see him.”
The girl, for now that they were close up Merlin could see she was not much more than that, sniffed again. “This isn’t the best time, but as you’ve come all the way out here you’d better go ahead. The medical block is fifty yards to the left as you step out of the door here. You can’t miss it. There’s a red cross on the front door.”
In the hospital it didn’t take them long to find Jan, who was sitting up in his bed, accepting a drink of water from a nurse. He had bandages on his face, around the top of his head and on his left shoulder. Sonia burst into tears then pulled herself together and leaned forward to kiss Jan’s face gingerly, taking care to avoid the injuries. Jan said what sounded like some soothing words in Polish before acknowledging Merlin. “It’s only some grazes, you know, Frank.” Merlin nodded and extended a hand to Jan.