Bomber's Moon Read online

  Odious little man. Chrissie scraped her clogs over the stone floor and had the satisfaction of seeing Chalky blanch. Even to her ears, the noise was enough to set one’s teeth on edge, but Archie seemed oblivious.

  “So, er, Chrissie, off you pop and get ready. Don’t keep Lo...er, Baronet Caverston waiting.”

  Archie managed to look pained, yet heroic and stoic, and with a wink at her, he leaned heavily on his stick. Stanley White glared at her for daring to keep a war hero and a peer of the realm, no less, waiting on her pleasure.

  “Lady Stride looks perfect as she is,” Archie said gallantly. “She’s ready.”

  Like hell I am, Archie Duggan. And what’s with the Lady malarkey? I never use that, and you know it. The wink he gave her was full of promise. Her juices gathered and her pussy muscles clenched as she thought of just how ready she had been for him the previous night. It seemed she felt the same now. Her drawers were getting uncomfortable and damp. However, there was no way she was going out in her utility bra, and with charcoal drawn on her legs to mimic stocking seams. Charcoal was as bad as gravy browning for smudges. Neither was she going to wear the same pair of undies, she’d change them for a pair made out of parachute silk—dry ones.

  “Give me ten minutes, please, Archie.” Chrissie smoothed her skirt down, and watched how both men’s eyes followed the way her hands slid over her body. Perverts. Not that she minded Archie looking, but Chalky White? She shuddered. “I’m sure Mr. White would be happy to entertain you.”

  Neither man seemed overjoyed at the prospect. Neither voiced a protest.

  She smiled sweetly and left the hall, her clogs clacking loudly on the stone floor as she meant them to. It might be a tiny gesture of defiance, but to see Chalky wince and screw his face up was a victory. Once she was clear Chrissie took off her clogs to run up the stairs with greater ease and dashed into the tiny bathroom, before she headed for the bedroom. Kaye was already there, stretched out on the bed and reading a Screen Guide magazine someone had begged from a Yankee airman stationed nearby. They were fifth or six on the list to read it, and it was getting a bit dog eared. However it was better than not reading it at all even if some of the pages were crumpled and tattered.

  “Ooh, look at this photo of Clark Gable,” Kaye exclaimed, thrusting the page toward Chrissie. “He’s a bit of all right. I never really went for men with moustaches before him. Now I quite fancy one tickling my fancy.” She giggled. “Fancy one tickling my fancy, that sounds off.”

  Chrissie groaned. “It is off and I’ve no time to drool with you. I’m out to dinner,” she said in a rapid manner as she threw her blouse onto a chair. Her drawers and bra followed it, and she rummaged through her cupboard to find clean clothes. It was just as well boarding school made you unselfconscious about your body. In this tiny room there was no space for privacy. “Come on damn you,” she muttered quietly. Why could you never find what you wanted when you were in a hurry?

  “You never said who you’re off out with,” Kaye said plaintively. “Tell me so I can live my life vicariously through you. It’s the only excitement I get these days.”

  Belatedly Chrissie realized she’d not seen any USAF envelopes in Kaye’s post lately. “Not heard from him?”

  Kaye sighed. “Not likely to, I blew him off in no uncertain manner. Ah well, his loss.”

  And yours, even if you don’t say so. Chrissie’s heart went out to her friend. She’d fallen hard for a USAF officer stationed nearby, only for him to be posted and be told it was hush-hush. Chrissie decided how convenient that was right from the start. Poor Kaye.

  “Out with Archie Bloody Duggan.” Funny how every time she thought of him he acquired that new middle name.

  “Who?” Kaye sounded bewildered, and Chrissie remembered she hadn’t divulged the whole story to her friend.

  “Mr. Got An Eyeful Last Night,” Chrissie elaborated. “Where’s my good bra?” She found it on the clotheshorse and put it on, twisting to do up the hooks and eyes. “Agh, my best drawers are in the wash. Bugger. Will these do?” She held up a pair of prewar silkies, not the parachute silk ones she intended to wear.

  Kaye nodded. “They still look good.”

  “Just as well. It’s them or utility.” Not for anything was she going to go all the way the first time wearing—or taking off—unflattering, uncomfortable, and ill-fitting panties. She grabbed nylons and the means to hold them up, a fearful undergarment that held her stomach and her arse tight and shook her head. She’d fashion garters around her thighs like she usually did. The contraption made breathing almost impossible.

  A quick brush through her hair, fresh lipstick, and she was satisfied. “Will I do?”

  Kaye nodded. “A spray of Chanel wouldn’t go amiss.”

  “I’ve run out, it’ll have to be Cussons’ finest.” She patted talcum powder down her cleavage. “There.”

  “Best put your dress on,” Kaye said dryly. “Where are you going?”

  “No idea.” But she had a good idea where she’d end up. If she got the chance she was going to make up for lost time and missed opportunities. Chrissie slipped the dress over her head and smoothed it down. That reminded her of Archie and Chalky watching her the day before. Hopefully Archie would watch a whole lot more before too long. Her stomach churned with excitement and a healthy dose of apprehension at the idea she might soon be what her friends called “a proper lady’. She kissed Kaye on the cheek “Wish me luck.”

  “Of course, what for?”

  “Whatever I decided I want,” Chrissie said as she left the room with Kaye’s laugh echoing in her ears.

  Archie was sitting in the visitor’s chair near her desk when she arrived back downstairs. She heard Stanley White struggling to make conversation. When Archie saw her, a look of relief crossed his face. “Ah, Chrissie. Well worth waiting for.” He stood up and put his cane in his right hand and held out his left arm, before he kissed her cheek. He smelled of tobacco and spice. Her new favorite scent, Chrissie decided. Chalky White watched with a beam on his face, somewhat like a benign uncle. A creepy one.

  “We’d better make a move before the food goes cold. There’s a war on and all that, we can’t afford wastage.” Archie bowed to Chalky who looked as if he was about to curtsey. “I’ll see she’s back for curfew of course.” He bustled Chrissie out of the house. “Obnoxious little man,” he remarked as they made their way across the drive to his car. “Has he tried to get into your pants yet?”

  “Archie!” She did her best to sound scandalized and was fairly sure she didn’t succeed. “The very thought. It makes me shudder.”

  He laughed and opened the car door for her and handed his cane before he limped around the front of the car, inserted the starting handle into the slot and cranked it several times. As the engine fired, he made his way back to the driver’s door, threw the handle onto the floor and got in. “Although if he’d seen you last night, he wouldn’t have needed to try. They were already off.”

  “How did you know it was me?” Chrissie asked. She should feel embarrassed she knew, but all she felt was excited. Her bra chafed her nipples. She wondered what came next.

  “Ah, well, darling.” He sounded satisfied. “There’s the thing...I didn’t, really, it was a lucky guess until you just confirmed it for me. So, tell me this. Why were you halfway up the wall with no drawers on? Were you expecting someone?”

  Chrissie swallowed her embarrassment and laughed before she reiterated what she had told him the previous night. “I’d needed to spend a penny half way home and couldn’t wait. I had no intentions of ruining my underwear on a bramble or something. So when you saw me, well,” she hoped he didn’t notice her red cheeks, “I’d been and hadn’t you know, got everything back on. So when I climbed the wall, my skirt got stuck, you bugger. We were trying to sneak in after curfew.” It was impossible to be annoyed with Archie for long. He was too amiable. She realized she’d missed him, his courtesy, company, and gentle lovemaking. The thought of his ha
nds on her was enough to make her pulse speed up and her cheeks get hot. Both sets of cheeks, she decided, as she squirmed on her seat.

  “But why no drawers? No nylons, yes, I can understand that. But no drawers? Bit draughty, eh? Do you always forget to put them back on after you’ve spent a penny? Because if that’s the case, please let me escort you to the outhouse as soon as we get to the farm.”

  She giggled, happiness bubbling up from inside. The one thing Archie had always been able to do was make her laugh. Even when their budding relationship had gone to the dogs. “Archie Duggan, you’re a bad man.” Let’s face it, who doesn’t like a bit of a wide boy? Oh he was no spiv, but the expression, ‘jack the lad’ fitted him perfectly.

  He pulled the car to a stop, and Chrissie realized just how close Home Farm was to The Grange. It was a miracle she hadn’t bumped into him before. Archie limped around the car and helped her out, holding his cane with some awkwardness in his left hand while extending his uninjured arm toward her. She wondered why he’d swapped hands earlier? Probably to show Chalky he wasn’t as impeded as local gossip said.

  “No, my dear.” Archie leered in the best theatrical manner, and kissed her hand. “I’m very, very good. As you will soon discover.”

  She gasped and wanted to hit him as he chuckled. “You my dear, rise to the bait so beautifully. It is child’s play to tease you. I promise I’ll try to curb my enthusiasm for behaving in such a manner.”

  Chrissie gave into the urge to stick her tongue out. After all, he couldn’t see the gesture and it gave her an immense amount of satisfaction.

  Childish, Chrissie. Time to grow up. “Thank you,” she said pseudo meekly. I’d appreciate that.”

  “Doing it a bit brown, my dear. But I’ll ignore the irony in your voice and take it at face value,” Archie drawled. He opened the farmhouse door with a flourish. “My home.” With a pat on her bum, he ushered her in. Somehow, his hand managed to linger over her rear, and squeeze gently but firmly.

  Chrissie grew warmer. Without thinking of the consequences, she pushed herself back toward him.

  Chapter Three

  Archie grinned to himself as she pressed against him. Things looked—and felt good. He gave what he mentally called the ‘golden globes of her arse’ a final squeeze before he shut the door and ushered her through to a cozy kitchen.

  “Come into my parlor...” he quoted. “Well, not the parlor. It’s too dammed cold in there. And no light bulb. But this is as good as.”

  Chrissie glanced around with obvious interest as she moved to look at his collection of old earthenware mugs and fairings. She picked up a grinning Toby Jug. “Oh I love these. My mum has a couple but not as good as this lot. These put my old Toby Jug to shame. Mind you I did get it down Borough market along with the fruit and veg.”

  Archie laughed as he glanced around the kitchen, and tried to see it through the eyes of a stranger. Shabby, homely, lived in? There was a huge range along one wall from which enticing smells emanated. A large window with black-out blinds down and secured in place, took up most of one wall. Even in the wilds of the countryside, no risk of lights showing could be taken. It hadn’t been that long since one of the boys manning the local anti-aircraft gun, known to one and all as an ack-ack gun, had inadvertently shown a light. A lurking Jerry bomber, mistaking it for the RAF airfield ten miles south, had bombed him and his colleague to smithereens. A tragedy that could have been easily avoided. Just because they were away from the cities didn’t mean they were safe from attack. However if nothing else had been learned, it made everyone extra careful.

  He moved his attention to the two comfy chairs drawn up next to the range. One was occupied by a tail-wagging black-and-white border collie, the other claimed by a large purring marmalade cat.

  “Ah. Meet Tip and Chancer.” Archie indicated the animals in turn. “Both taking chances at the minute, because Mrs. Marlow has gone home. Down, you two. Now.” Both animals ignored him. The cat continued to wash itself thoroughly, and the dog opened one eye, woofed, closed the eye again and went to sleep.

  Archie was certain his embarrassment showed on his face. The darned animals took as much notice of him as they did the fly buzzing around the dim lamp. None at all. He shook his head as Chrissie giggled.

  “Mm. Oh, well. My fault for leaving them in here. I need to be more forceful with them, but you know?” He shrugged. “They make the house a home.” He forbade to add, ‘and are my companions on a long dark night’. “Are you hungry? Mrs. Marlow left us a stew and an apple tart.”

  “Mrs. Marlow?” Chrissie asked.

  “She ‘does’ for me. Married to the dairyman. Didn’t think you’d want her around tonight so I told her just to see to everything tomorrow. Oh, and to come in late.”

  “Great.” Chrissie looked at him in consternation. “What will she be thinking?”

  Archie was unperturbed. “That I’ve got a woman here and didn’t want the lady’s identity revealed. She’d be right, wouldn’t she? I have got a woman here. And I don’t think you want your identity revealed. Though by the time we’re finished, I daresay everything else will be revealed. So?” Archie carried on as if he hadn’t noticed Chrissie was doing a very good fish impression, and he decided the way to her body was to keep her off balance and tip her over the edge. Instead he risked a quick kiss to her cheek and took heart when she didn’t thump him. He hoped he’d be there to catch her as she fell when he did rock her properly. The expression, ‘catch her when she fell’ made him grin. His cock jerked at the thought of just how he might achieve that end result. “Dinner? Must keep our strength up.”

  “I’m not going to reveal everything for you.” Chrissie homed in on that one statement.

  “Oh, yes, you are, you know.” He made sure he sounded as if there was no uncertainty about that outcome. “You promised.”

  “Eh?’ She blinked. “No, I didn’t. I promised that when you knew who I was, we’d have sex or make love or...” She trailed off. “Oh…”

  “Have a bit of how’s your father? Do it?” he asked, smiling. “And I do know, so we will. But I do it naked.”

  He kissed her again, this time on her lips. Her arms went around his neck as she responded with enthusiasm. God she loved the way he smelled, felt and affected her. If her stomach hadn’t growled at that moment, and caused her to break contact and rub it she’d have said ‘hang dinner, let’s progress to the next course’. Chrissie decided she wasn’t surprised how quickly they’d gone from innocent to sinful. He’d always affected her like that.

  “And so will you—do it unclothed,” he continued his previous sentence as if there had been no hot as Hades interruption. “So—all will be revealed. Now let’s eat. It’s been a long day.” He filled two bowls with stew and passed one to her.

  Chrissie sat across the table from him and tried to eat. She got the spoon to her mouth, and put it down again.

  “Um…” She fiddled with the stem, stirred the stew and never took her eyes off him.

  He stared back at her, and with a wink, the bugger, he watched her squirm.

  Eventually Chrissie put the spoon to her mouth and chewed a piece of meat carefully. Then she swallowed. She was so wound up one more mouthful would choke her, which was a pity, because the food tasted so good. You could tell it was home grown and home reared. “So, you never did say how you knew it was me up the wall.” She wriggled in her seat and rubbed her index finger over her nose.

  ****

  Archie watched those telltale signs carefully. He’d bet her pants were damp, her clitoris tingled with anticipation, and her nipples hard and sensitive against her bra—if she was wearing one. It was difficult to tell under the scalloped and collared neckline of her dress. Archie looked carefully at her bust as a flash of desire filled him. Yes, sadly, no doubt about it. Even the most pert breasts couldn’t defy gravity to that extent. It was definitely a brassiere. Stupid name that, armor would fit better, or ‘the drawbridge’, haul it up to keep invade
rs out.

  What it was holding so cleverly in place, and the certainty that soon he was going to worship each luscious breast in turn, made Archie glad his trousers were pre-war. Made for him when he was heavier, the room for expansion was a great relief to his cock.

  “A process of elimination, I reckon.” Chrissie was still staring at him as she ate. With a shock, he remembered he hadn’t answered her question. He’d been caught up in his thoughts. “Don’t you think?”

  Swiftly, he explained. “You knew me. I sort of felt I knew you. In more ways than one. I can never forget a good-looking arse. Then I remembered Mother saying you’d come down here to work, and that rear had felt familiar. To say nothing of your...” He hoped she hadn’t seen him ogling her body in so blatant a way, like he was debating the choices in the greengrocers.

  “Right. I get the picture.” Chrissie broke in, her voice raised and thready. “You don’t need to explain anymore.” She put down her spoon and looked up at him expectantly.

  “Oh, so do I,” he drawled and stood up. “Get the picture.” Plus, much more he hoped, but he decided it wasn’t the time to mention that. “Shall we?”

  “Shall we what?” Chrissie asked.

  He noticed she didn’t seem annoyed by his assumption or the way he’d put it. Rather, the opposite. “Oh, take a seat of course.” Her mouth dropped open and he coughed to hide his bark of laughter. “What else? Look. Chancer has left us a chair. We’ll have to squeeze in together. Nice and cozy.” His knew his grin showed he had no problem with that scenario at all, and he led her, without any protest, to the armchair.

  Archie sat down and pulled her onto his knee.

  “I don’t want to hurt you,” she said, breathless. Her voice, so arousing to him, made his own breath quicken, and his dick hardened beneath her thigh. He nibbled her earlobe and she moaned in a soft breathy voice.” Arch…” Her voice trailed off as he moved his lips to the nape of her neck. Her uneven breath tickled his skin and his unruly dick twitched under his trousers.