Isabella’s Airman Read Free Page A

early. I’ll walk you to your block.” His voice was low, the accent more pronounced than it had been. Seconds later, my arm was safely tucked through his again, and we were strolling across short, springy grass.
    My eyes were becoming accustomed to the dark, and now I could make out some of the buildings we passed. I didn’t think we had far to go, and I slowed my pace. How could I tell him I didn’t want this magical evening to end?
    “We’re here.” Davy led me from the grass to a hard road surface, and we stopped outside a doorway I recognized.
    I found my tongue at last. “How did you know this was my block?”
    “There’s only one WAAF block. Kitchen hands are bunking in with them.”
    WAAF . I searched my memory for the acronym. Women’s Auxiliary Air Force . Yes, that would be some of the others working in the Airmen’s Mess, the girls in uniform. “Thank you.” I didn’t let go of him. Instead, I breathed in the night air, fragrant and perfumed, and tried to lock the moment into my brain to think about later. A bird called softly in the distance. A dog barked. Davy breathed, rapid and uneven.
    Don’t go yet . That was all I needed to say, but the words stuck in my throat. I stared at him and wondered if he’d hear my silent plea. Maybe he did.
    “I, um, probably have ops tomorrow night.” He shuffled his feet. “But there’s a dance on Friday night in the NAAFI. I don’t suppose you’d like to come? With me?”
    A dance? I didn’t know how to dance.
    Davy rolled his shoulders and sighed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”
    “Yes.” It came out as a squeak. I took a breath and spoke again. “Yes, please. I’d love to. Thank you.”
    He made a humming noise. “That’s all right, then.”
    What would I wear? Could I learn to dance in forty-eight hours? At least enough so I didn’t disgrace myself. I’d ask Juliet. She’d know. She’d probably already be going with Teddy.
    While my mind lurched from one panicked question to the next, Davy disentangled my arm from his and took a step back. “It’s been my pleasure to meet you, Isabella Gillman.”
    The pleasure’s all mine. That’s what I meant to say, but it came out garbled and breathy, and making no sense at all.
    Davy shoved both hands in his pockets. “Goodnight.” I still didn’t move, and he huffed a short laugh. “Go on.”
    My hands felt empty, and I twisted my fingers together. Go inside, I reminded myself. First, though… I took a deep, calming breath. “Good night, Davy.”
    •●•
    I lay on my hard, narrow bunk and waited for Juliet to come in. We’d been lucky and were given a room to ourselves, but it meant space was cramped. Sleep was miles away, in any case. I tried to review everything we learned today, but all I could think of was Davy. His smile. The feather-light touch on my cheek. You’re beautiful.
    I was training to be an historian. I had to remain objective and focused. Compared to the number of men in this camp, women were in short supply, and Juliet and I were new faces. A novelty. Davy and Teddy and the other airmen would most likely try to pair up with all the young girls who were posted here. We’d been repeatedly warned about the differences in social behavior, and we had to be wary of succumbing to sensory overload.
    The sentinel would meet with us tomorrow, and he’d make sure we maintained our protocols. His role in this timeline was to act as advisor for the many students passing through. He was fully entrenched in the period and would help us with any queries or issues, including emergency evacuations if necessary. His cover was simple, a priest, and this meant he could travel freely and offer counsel without raising suspicion.
    Footsteps outside caught my attention, and I sat up, clutching the wool blanket to my chest. I’d gone to bed almost an hour ago.
    It was Juliet. She eased into our room and sank onto the empty bottom bunk with a sigh. “These shoes are so uncomfortable. I