The Uncertain Years by Beryl Matthews Page B

for the smug expression on his face. ‘I’m more than capable of driving this thing. All I want to know is where are we going.’
    ‘Dover. Our army’s trapped on the beaches at Dunkirk, and transport is needed for some of those being brought back.’
    ‘Oh my,’ Alice murmured. ‘How bad is it?’
    ‘About as bad as it can get. France is about to fall, and then Hitler will be able to see us across the Channel.’
    Becky, like everyone else, had been aware that things were not going well in France, but this news was horrifying. She knew David was over there, and maybe Jim, as well. ‘Do you think Hitler will invade us now?’
    ‘He will if he’s got any sense,’ the corporal replied, his tone as grim as his expression.
    ‘Ah, we’ll be all right then.’ Alice sat back and folded her arms. ‘We know he hasn’t got any sense, don’t we?’
    Despite the seriousness of the situation, they laughed at Alice’s feeble joke.
    For the rest of the journey Becky concentrated on her driving, not wanting to lose contact with the other vehicles.
    On arrival at Dover they were escorted to a parking place by the combined efforts of the navy and army. They jumped out of the cab and gazed around in utter disbelief. Boats were coming in loaded with men; there were medical staff helping the wounded, and WVS handing out tea and sandwiches. The army were gathering the more able men together and putting them on various modes of transport. The girls could only gaze at the scene before them, completely lost for words, but they were in no doubt about the seriousness of this disaster.
    ‘You stay by the lorry,’ the corporal ordered, ‘while I find out what we’ve got to do.’
    Alice and Becky watched him stride away, their hearts pounding in dismay. A navy destroyer was edging in, smoke pouring out of her from somewhere, and listing drunkenly.
    ‘Look at that!’ Alice gasped. ‘It’s packed solid with soldiers. How on earth has it stayed afloat?’
    A lump came in to Becky’s throat, and she fought to keep herself calm. The dock was a seething mass of people with only one purpose, and that was to get the soldiers off the ships and cared for.
    ‘Poor devils.’ Alice took a shuddering breath. ‘Got any cigarettes on you, Becky? I’ve only got one packet, but those men must be gasping for a smoke.’
    She dived in her pocket and held out a full pack of twenty. Alice grabbed them and immediately disappeared into thecrowd, while Becky continued to study the faces around her. Was David in amongst these tired and battle-weary men, or was he still on the beaches? The questions and fears continued to race through her mind. Was Bob on one of the navy ships? And what about Jim – where was he?
    She dipped her head in anguish. What must the men be suffering as they waited to be rescued? It didn’t bear thinking about. The only glimmer of comfort she felt was for the fact that her brother would not be involved in this desperate and dangerous situation. It was obvious that every effort was being made to get the men home, and all they could do was wait and hope the rescue mission was successful.
    She continued to scan the faces, looking for anyone she might know, but all she could see was a mass of weary men. Alice came tearing up to her at that moment, quickly followed by a sergeant.
    ‘Get ready to leave,’ he shouted, as a column of soldiers marched towards their vehicles. ‘Once the men are loaded we’re taking them back to Aldershot.’
    Becky clambered back into the cab of the lorry and started the engine. Alice tumbled in after her. They waited, not speaking, as they heard the men jumping in the back. It didn’t take long before the lorries began to move. Becky slotted into the middle of the convoy and concentrated on her driving.
    ‘I went right down to the dock,’ Alice said, lighting a cigarette. ‘You ought to see the assortment of boats coming in, all overloaded by the look of them. You remember that photo you