The Lost Years (11 page)

Annie glanced towards the milking parlour once more before saying, ‘All right then - but don’t start the engine until we’re away from the farm.’

Perys pushed the motor-cycle along the farm track until they were well clear of the buildings. Then, straddling the machine, he said, ‘I’ll kick-start it and as soon as the engine is running sit on the pillion. But make certain your skirt is tight around your legs so it won’t catch in the wheel - and hold on tight.’

‘What do I hold on to, there’s nothing - ?’

Adjusting the levers on the handlebars, Perys kicked down on the starter pedal and the engine burst into life immediately.

‘Hold on to me - and hold tight,’ he repeated.

Seated on the motor-cycle, he held it steady as Annie settled herself on the pillion and gripped his waist gingerly.

The machine started with a jerk that brought Annie’s arms encircling his body. Then they were wobbling alarmingly along the track with Annie screaming in mock terror as Perys fought to maintain balance. He eventually brought the motor-cycle under control, although Annie still clung to him tightly as though in imminent danger of falling off.

When they reached the lane that ran along the end of the farm track he successfully brought the machine to a halt and looked back over his shoulder to ask, ‘Did you enjoy that?’

‘I ... I think so, but you frightened the daylights out of me when we started off!’

He grinned at her. ‘It had me worried for a moment or two. Never mind, if you get off now I’ll turn it around and give you a ride back home.’

‘All right, but stop short of the farm. It’s nearly milking-time and the cows will be close to the gate. I don’t want you frightening them so much they’ll give sour milk.’

Perys waited until Annie was settled on the pillion once more, then, engaging the first of the machine’s two gears, he released the clutch and they set off on the return journey to Tregassick Farm.

It was all downhill and the motor-cycle got off to a less uncertain start. Unfortunately, when it was time to bring the machine to a halt, it was apparent that Perys had not yet fully mastered the art of motor-cycling. He managed to stall the engine when it was still in high gear, and at the same time the front wheel dropped into a deep rut in the track.

Before Perys could do anything to prevent it, the motor-cycle fell over. Fortunately, there was a high bank alongside and Annie toppled back on this.

Despite his best efforts to ensure that neither Annie nor the motor-cycle suffered harm, Perys found himself lying on the bank beside her.

‘Are you all right, Annie?’ he asked anxiously, as he sat up.

Much to his relief, she began giggling.

Looking down at her, Perys had an over-whelming urge to kiss her - and immediately substituted action for thought.

He took her by surprise, but she neither responded, nor resisted.

Nonplussed by her failure to react, Perys pulled back.

Still without moving, Annie looked up at him and she was no longer giggling. ‘Why did you do that?’

‘I . . . I’m sorry, Annie.’

‘Why did you do it? Why did you kiss me?’ She repeated her question, ignoring his apology.

‘Because I wanted to. I think I’ve wanted to for a very long time.’

She studied his expression for some moments before saying, ‘If you really mean that, then you’ve no need to be sorry about it. I’m not.’

He looked down at her in disbelief, before kissing her again. This time her arms went about him and she responded. Suddenly, she moved her head to one side and pushed him away.

‘We’d better stop this before Pa finishes what he’s doing and comes out into the yard. If he saw us like this I’d be in trouble. Besides, I’ve got work in the house to finish before Ma gets home.’

Perys’s heart was thumping so violently he was surprised Annie could not hear it. He stood up and Annie did the same, brushing grass and a few leaves from her dress.

‘You . . . you won’t mind if I call to see you again?’

‘I’ll be very upset if you don’t, Perys Tremayne.’ Smiling at his genuine relief, she said, ‘But if you want me to ride on that machine again you’d better bring a cushion with you. That pillion is very uncomfortable.’ Reaching out a hand, she touched his arm in a gesture of affection. ‘Perhaps you should get in a little more practice before you take anyone else for a ride. I wouldn’t like to think of someone else falling off the motor-bike with you.’

Chapter 16

The driveway to Heligan was much smoother than the rough track which led to Tregassick Farm. Turning into it, Perys was about to open up the motor-cycle throttle when a young woman stepped out from behind some bushes, causing him to brake sharply and stall the engine once again.

As the woman approached him, Perys said, angrily, ‘That was a stupid thing to do. You might have got us both killed. Who are you, anyway?’

‘Eliza Dunn,’ the girl replied, with no hint of contrition, ‘and there’s no need to talk to me like that. You wouldn’t speak to Annie Bray in the same way, I’m sure. I stepped out to stop you because I need to talk to you.’

Perys could think of nothing Eliza might need to discuss with him and he said so, adding, as an afterthought, ‘Unless, of course, it’s something to do with your father?’

‘It’s nothing to do with him, he’s coming along fine. He doesn’t know I’m at Heligan and it’s better that it stays that way . . . but we can’t talk here. There’s an old shed a little way off the drive, a bit farther on. Unless you’d like to take me somewhere else on your motor-bike?’

There was a boldness about Eliza that perturbed Perys, even while it stirred a certain reckless excitement within him. However, he settled for discretion.

‘I think it might be better if we stay here and talk.’

Fingering the metal pillion of the machine he was still straddling, Eliza asked, ‘Have you given Annie a ride on your motor-bike yet?’

Perys was startled and he wondered whether there was any hidden meaning behind Eliza’s question. He dismissed his concern immediately. She could not possibly have seen him and Annie on the motor-cycle and managed to reach the Heligan driveway before him.

Eliza was not expecting a reply. ‘I heard the sound of a motor-bike and could tell it was on the Tregassick Farm track. I thought it might be Edward. He has a motor-bike, you know? He gave me a ride on it more than once.’

‘I believe he had an accident and damaged it before I came to Heligan.’ Even as he replied, Perys wondered why Edward would choose to take Eliza riding on his motor-cycle. The fact that she had used Edward’s Christian name in such a familiar fashion had not escaped him.

He doubted very much whether such familiarity from a village girl would meet with the approval of his arrogant distant cousin.

But Eliza was talking once more. ‘. . . I was hoping it was Edward. I need to speak to him.’

‘Edward is not at Heligan. He hasn’t been here for some time, as I am quite sure you know.’

Perys felt uncomfortable talking about Edward, especially with Eliza. He was aware of the gossip linking them and the possible implication of her need to speak with him.

‘I knew he’d gone away from Heligan, but when I heard a motor-bike up this way I thought he might have come back.’

‘I’m afraid he hasn’t, so if there’s nothing else you want to say . . .’

At that moment Perys heard the sound of hooves on the lane. A moment later a number of horses turned into the Heligan driveway. Riding the lead horse was Martin, with others tied in a line behind him. He was returning from having them shod in the smithy at the nearby village of Pentewan.

When Martin saw Perys with Eliza, he appeared startled. Passing them by, he gave Perys a perfunctory wave, but his expression was one of disapproval.

Remembering his earlier conversations with Annie, Perys would have been much happier had her brother not seen him talking to Eliza. But there was nothing he could do about it now.

Returning his attention to Eliza, he said, ‘Now I’ve told you Edward is not at Heligan, I’ll be getting back there. I suggest you don’t make a habit of jumping out in front of motor-vehicles or you’ll get yourself killed.’

‘I doubt if that would upset any of the Tremayne family - not even Edward,’ Eliza retorted, bitterly.

She had momentarily allowed her feelings to over-ride prudence and Perys could not help feeling sorry for her. If she was in the sort of trouble he suspected, Perys doubted very much whether Edward would face up to his responsibilities and take care of this young Mevagissey girl.

Looking at her now, memories came flooding back to him of what it felt like to be deeply unhappy about something and being unable to confide in anyone.

‘Look, Eliza, if you’re in trouble you can tell me. If I can help, I will.’

For a few moments Perys thought she might be about to disclose what was worrying her. Instead, she shook her head. ‘Why should you want to help me? From what I’ve heard said, it was your fault he went away in the first place. If you hadn’t been so ready with your fists he’d still be here and I wouldn’t need to be looking for him.’

She was angry, but Perys realised there was no sense becoming involved in an argument with her.

‘Then there’s no more to be said. I’ll be getting back to Heligan.’

Adjusting the controls on the handlebars of the motor-cycle, he was about to kick-start the engine when Eliza said, ‘Wait a minute . . . please!’

Looking up at her, Perys once again felt great sympathy for the girl. For just a moment he had seen an expression of desperation on her face.

‘If you really want to help, could you give me Edward’s address? I’ll write to him.’

‘All I know is that he lives somewhere in Devon,’ Perys explained. ‘That isn’t a great deal of help, I know, but I’ll find out what it is and give it to you. Where will I be able to find you? You won’t want me calling at your house with it.’

She shook her head emphatically. ‘I work in a house at Heligan Mill every morning and finish at twelve o’clock. Soon after that I’m at the edge of the village, where the path from the mill comes out on the road. If you get the address you can give it to me there. When do you think you’ll have it for me?’

‘Give me a day or two. I can’t ask for it outright but I will get it for you,’ Perys promised.

He knew he would probably not be helping Eliza a great deal - and doing his distant cousin no favour at all. However, he owed Edward nothing.

Moving closer to the motor-cycle once more, Eliza gave him another of her bold looks. ‘I suppose you wouldn’t like to give me a ride to the edge of the village? There’s a path through the woods that Edward used to take with me . . .’

Kicking the engine into life, Perys gave her an incredulous smile and shook his head. ‘I’m off to Heligan, Eliza. I’ll have the address for you as soon as possible.’

Chapter 17

A few days later, with a piece of paper on which was written Edward’s address tucked in a pocket, Perys was about to set off to pay a visit to Tregassick Farm before meeting with Eliza. He was almost at the door when the telephone in the high-ceilinged hall began ringing. He reached it just ahead of the maid who came hurrying from the rear of the house.

It was Rupert and he was jubilant. ‘Perys, I have some news for you. The German ship we saw, the Dortmund - our warships caught up with it and sank it!’

It seemed the action had taken place the day after the ship had been sighted, but the Royal Navy had kept it quiet because they wanted the Germans to believe their raider was still at large.

From survivors, information had been gleaned that it was intended the Dortmund would mount a fast and unexpected attack on the British ships guarding the narrowest section of the English Channel. It was hoped that such an action would draw off the naval vessels blockading the German ports in the North Sea and so allow the German battle fleet to put to sea.

‘Your keen eyesight has saved a great many British lives, Perys. What’s more, I have been recommended for an award - the DSO!’

‘That’s wonderful news!’ said a delighted Perys. ‘But you deserve it. Flying backwards and forwards alongside the Dortmund when it was shooting at us required both skill and courage!

‘It would all have been in vain had you not made such an excellent sketch of the ship.’ Rupert pointed out. ‘Had Admiral Trispen not recognised it immediately, no one would have believed us. I did suggest you should receive an award too, but it would appear there is no appropriate medal for a civilian who shows conspicuous courage when caught up in a war situation. Indeed, I have been told I am fortunate not to be court-martialled for having an unauthorised passenger in the aeroplane in the first place!’

‘You won’t get into trouble?’ Perys asked, anxiously. ‘It’s not likely to jeopardise your DSO?’

‘No. I told the commanding officer at Upavon that not only were you intending to join the RFC, but that I needed you in the aeroplane with me to look for a likely airfield, because of your detailed knowledge of the Cornish countryside.’

‘But ... I know nothing of Cornwall beyond the Heligan area,’ Perys said.

Rupert chuckled. ‘I know that, and so do you but the War Office does not, and we won’t enlighten them. Besides, by the time anyone gets around to seriously querying your right to be in the aeroplane you’ll be in the RFC too.’

‘Have you heard something?’ It was the turn of Perys to be excited.

‘As a matter of fact I have. You are to report to Nick Malloch at Brooklands at nine o’clock on the fifth of October to begin your flying course.’

Startled, Perys said, ‘But that’s next Monday!’ It was now Thursday.

‘That’s right,’ Rupert said, cheerfully. ‘And Aunt Maude is expecting you on Saturday. I have also managed to pull a few strings in order to have you examined and issued with your flying licence as soon as possible after your course. If all goes well you have an interview with the RFC appointments officer at the War Office on November the sixth. I have said you will have your licence by then.’

‘Do you really think I will qualify for my licence at the first attempt?’

Rupert could detect the excitement in Perys’s voice, but he had another surprise for him. Abruptly changing the subject, he asked, ‘How are you getting on with the motor-cycle?’