took all of their attention. She listened carefully through the dark to the quivering voice of Kathy on the megaphone as she continued to shout out instructions to them all.
Diana kept hoping it would stop, but it seemed to go on forever, rolling through the night, and with every bomb drop, she could see fires breaking out all over London. As the night wore on, a bright glow of light formed a ring around the whole of the city that was punctuated by the sounds of the bells of ambulances and fire engines as they tore through the city, saving people’s lives.
Diana was so thirsty, but with all her focus on the balloon, she didn’t have a moment to take a drink until Sam Daly came around and hastily gave them all some water.
‘Keep it up, girls,’ he encouraged. ‘I’m proud of you all. You’re doing great,’ he said in his chirpy way.
Diana hung onto her wire and willed the noise and the onslaught to stop and hoped and prayed they would all live to tell the tale, they would all live through the night.
20
Lizzie opened her eyes and looked around the basement of the theatre to try to make everything out in the dark. Somebody was handing out candles at the far end, but all around her, it was still pitch-black. As she sat rigid on the floor, a shadow passed in front of her, and someone tripped over her feet before she had time to make them aware that she was there. Grabbing out for whoever it was, she felt the rough fabric of the uniform on the person’s arm as they toppled to the floor beside her. ‘So sorry,’ she whispered in the darkness. ‘I keep doing that, tripping up people. Are you okay?’
As her eyes started to adjust, a face swam into view, and she noticed the person was wearing a Royal Air Force uniform.
‘Now, that’s one way to fall for you,’ said a voice, and even though she couldn’t see it, she could tell he was smiling. His voice was warm and calm, everything her inner voice wasn’t. As she became aware of how close his presence was by her side, she felt a little self-conscious being this near to someone she could hardly see.
Somebody arrived with a candle and lit it for him. He took it from the outstretched hand and as he did she got her first look at the person sat next to her on the floor. He had dark hair and kind eyes, and by his insignia on his uniform, she could tell he was a squadron leader.
‘My name’s Jack Henson,’ he said, reaching out his hand to shake hers.
‘Lizzie Mackenzie,’ she responded, taking his hand in hers. It was warm and strong and comforting. She automatically felt at ease with him. Usually, when she was around superior officers, she felt tight and uncomfortable. But Jack made her feel relaxed and calmed her with his reassuring smile.
‘Do you mind if I sit here for a while? There’s not a lot of space in here. I was making room for a lady who was older than I was and I was just trying to find another spot when I ended up here. I’m not too close, am I?’ he asked, almost at a whisper in her ear, the hint of his spicy aftershave scenting the air between them.
‘It’s fine,’ responded Lizzie. Their arms grazed and she was extremely aware of the weight and the warmth of his body next to her that caused the hair on the back of her neck to stand up. Politely, she tried to manoeuvre away to give him more room, but there was nowhere to go.
Jack didn’t seem too concerned. ‘Do I detect a Scottish accent?’ he enquired.
‘I’m from the Highlands,’ she said, ‘down here to work for the war effort.’
‘I have distant family in Scotland,’ he replied as he pulled the candle closer so they could see one another better. ‘It’s so beautiful up there. One of my most favourite places to visit in the world. I like the open spaces.’
‘So do I, especially right now,’ said Lizzie with a chuckle as she stared out at the heaving mass of bodies. ‘I must admit I’m missing it and the quiet. It’s much noisier down here.’
‘Only when Jerry comes to the party,’ joked Jack.
They both laughed.
‘I see you’re in the air force. I am too. I’m part of the WAAFs. I work as a filter plotter out