Out of the Blue Read Online Free PDF Page A

it once more, if you please!’
    She adjusted her music, flapping away the vicar’s hands as he tried to assist her before adding, ‘And will you kindly concentrate, Kitty Danby!’
    Kitty’s mind was overwhelmed by the intensity of her feelings. So much so that she felt disconnected from what was happening around her. She didn’t take in a word
of the vicar’s lengthy welcome speech. And the musical recitals, the singing, serving tea and making polite conversation to khaki-clad Americans passed by with Kitty not noticing anything but
her own state of excitement. She kept reliving the happy shock of seeing Sammy smiling at her from the doorway. The hall was crowded and they spoke only briefly, but in Kitty’s memory of that
night it was as though she and Sammy had been the only two people there.
    Each time she looked across the hall, she found him immediately, and no sooner had her eyes rested on him than he had looked away from the person he was addressing and their eyes met. Similarly
each time she glanced away from the face before her, it would be to find Sammy looking at her.
    When it was over, Aunt Vi had the job of washing up the cups and saucers and tidying the hall and Kitty helped her. By the time they left, dusk was falling. It had been hot inside and as they
stepped out into the chill air, Aunt Vi paused to put on her cardigan.
    ‘Well, you sang beautifully, Kitty dear, as usual. I shall write and tell your mum all about it in my next letter – she would have loved to have heard you, my word, she
would.’
    Most people had dispersed, but a small group of airmen stood to one side of the door talking and laughing. Sammy was with them and he turned towards them, still grinning from the shared joke. He
spoke to Aunt Vi.
    ‘Ma’am, I’d like to walk you and Kitty home, if I may.’
    Before she could reply Charlie rode up on his bicycle and screeched to a stop beside them.
    ‘Ah, here’s my chaperone,’ said Aunt Vi, ‘but I daresay that Kitty will be glad of the company, Sammy.’
    As they set off for home, Charlie dismounted and, wheeling his bicycle beside him, he fell into step with Sammy.
    ‘Our mum drives an ambulance in London,’ he said.
    ‘Kitty didn’t tell me that,’ Sammy replied, turning towards Kitty and smiling broadly. Charlie dropped back, moved behind Sammy then sped up on his other side, pushing his
front wheel between Sammy and his sister.
    ‘She used to work in munitions but now she’s a driver. I can’t wait till I drive. What’s it like flying a Spitfire?’ he asked.
    ‘Well, it’s great. I mostly fly a Mustang now,’ Sammy said, reluctantly turning his attention from sister to brother.
    ‘Won’t you tell me what it’s like though?’ Charlie persisted.
    Aunt Vi shook her head. ‘Come on, Charlie, let’s you and I go on ahead and leave Kitty and Sammy to get to know each other a bit.’ Then to Sammy she said, ‘Will you join
us again for Sunday dinner – you can satisfy this boy’s curiosity then.’
    Flying schedule permitting, Sammy accepted and Aunt Vi shooed Charlie away. Kitty and Sammy walked on in silence for a few minutes until the shadowy figures of Aunt Vi and Charlie, wheeling his
bicycle beside her, disappeared in the gloom.
    ‘You know, I shouldn’t be here by rights,’ Sammy said at last, ‘in Kent, I mean. I made an emergency landing a few weeks ago – I’m still getting fixed
up.’
    ‘Oh,’ said Kitty. ‘Were you hurt?’
    Sammy shook his head and laughed. ‘No, I’m fine – it’s my plane that took it bad. It was going to be my last flight for a while – I was due R and R after that
– you know? Rest and recuperation? But now I’ve volunteered for something that means I have to stay here a while.’
    ‘Do you think you’ll be able to come on Sunday?’ Kitty asked.
    ‘I hope so – but I was wondering if I could see you sooner than that.’
    Kitty felt her insides tipping over.
    Sammy went on. ‘This will maybe