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Betty, I believe you have what could only be described as a colourful character. Would you care to comment?
Can I trust you, in that everything I tell you in this interview remain confidential? Specifically, from the police? I suppose I’ll just have to trust you. Yes, you could say I’ve dallied with my fair share of lively enterprises, but I’m really not sure how much I should tell you. I had an unusual childhood, something akin to Oliver Twist, you could say.
Really? You’ve got to elaborate!
Oh, very well. My twin sister and I were put into an orphanage because our parents only wanted a boy. You grow up tough and quickly in those places and we learned the only people we could totally trust and depend upon, were each other. Remember I mentioned Oliver Twist? We learned certain, skills as we grew older, which influenced what we did for a living once we were able to escape. That doesn’t sound very…honest. Very true, but we did have our own code and only ever dealt with those who could afford to lose things or, who were well, evil. Only, we didn’t give to the poor.
You mentioned a twin sister.
Yes, Eleanor. I’m very sad to tell you she was…murdered in January of 1942, so you’ll never be able to meet her. I know I didn’t go into details about what we did to make ends meet – sorry, but no promises are worth going to jail for – so I shall only say, she was a girl of undoubted skill in her chosen profession. In certain circles, she was quite famous. You could say the corridors of power were lined with her pictures.
Maybe we should move on. Are there any of your colleagues to which you are particularly close?
You wish to put me on the spot. After I lost my sister, I never expected to become close to anyone again. Then fate foisted three girls upon me to which I’ve grown inordinately fond, even though one is a Yank! They are all capable of causing me equal amounts of grief and joy so no, I don’t believe there is a single one of which I am fond over any other. I now believe I have the family I never thought I would ever get.
Do you remember where you were when this terrible war broke out? And what you were doing?
You really are determined to get me to say what I was doing, aren’t you? Well, sorry, I’m still going to keep that to myself, though I’m certain you have already made your own assumptions, those will have to do. Let me just say, I was busy valuing certain items my sister may have acquired in the course of her business. However, the very next day, I began to look into what I could do for my country. I didn’t think I was patriotic until I heard the wireless and then saw the headlines in the newspapers. I eventually joined the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force. Unfortunately, this was not a very good experience for me and I was very happy and relieved when I found out about the Air Transport Auxiliary. I’ve found my freedom and true happiness amongst its members.
The Air Transport Auxiliary Murder Club!
Four ladies of the Air Transport Auxiliary bond initially by solving the mystery of who was responsible for the death of one’s sister, finding along the way a mutual love for solving mysteries, which have an unerring knack of landing in their laps. Battling both internal forces and those of the country’s mutual enemies, these are sweeping stories of love, mysteries and hope, set against the backdrop of war when ties of friendship are exceptionally strong.
They were lucky, with only Betty being slightly injured in the sneak attack. Apart from a ringing headache, a small cut to her forehead where her helmet had crashed into her as it flew off, and a slight redness around her chin from the strap, the only thing really hurt had been her dignity.
Flight Captain Jane Howell, Betty’s commanding officer, stopped by to visit whilst the station doctor patched her up and then insisted she go home for the rest of the day. They’d been very lucky, Jane explained. The two raiders had missed the airfield entirely and had instead blown up an acre of potatoes. They’d probably mistaken this airfield for an operational one and, not wanting to hang around and risk being intercepted by the RAF, had dumped their bombs and run for home. From the headache Betty was nursing, she personally didn’t feel the raid had been a failure.
The hero of the hour had to be honored, too, and it seemed nearly the whole of the station’s personnel made a point in searching him out.
“Who’s a good boy, then?”
“How’s old Radar Ears?”
“Maybe we should ask Ruth if we could have him as the base mascot.”
“I think he’d be quite happy with some treats, myself,” Betty shouted once they got her home, rubbing the dog’s ears as he lay on his back, legs akimbo and enjoying being the center of attention.
“Do you think we should tell her she’s shouting?” asked Doris, struggling to keep a straight face.
He’s the proud keeper of two Romanian Were-Cats, is mad on the music of Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys, and enjoys the theatre and loving his Manchester-United-supporting wife.
Finally, Mick is a full member of the Romantic Novelists Association. A Wing and a Prayer will be his second published novel, and he is very proud to be welcomed into The Rose Garden.
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YouTube links –
Blooper - tinyurl.com/y222fr9f
Prologue - tinyurl.com/y3z4slff
Extract - tinyurl.com/y63kne6x,br>
Buying links –
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ReplyDeleteMany, many thanks for stepping in at such short notice! I won't forget.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to read these. I very much enjoy this era and "meeting" these amazing women!
ReplyDeleteI hope not to let you down. Thank you! Mick (M W Arnold)
DeleteI enjoyed the character interview and the excerpt, Broken Wings soudns like an exceptional series for me to read and I like the covers! Thanks for sharing it with me and have an awesome day!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't ask for more Thank you!
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