Wartime Bliss?

Lisa and Norman met in the war. There story is a unique one and very much their own, one story amongst millions in a world at war. This is what happened to them and how they met.

In a time of war, Norman had done his basic training as an infantryman in the Manchester regiment. This unit was the closest to his small town of Ashton. He joined up and did his bit when his eighteenth birthday came by; still a boy not knowing how to shave or what a woman was. He was young, keen and very inexperienced. A green soldier, who wanted to learn and serve his country, like his mates had done. He was only a kid.

Rifle drill was Norman’s favourite topic, how to load and fire an old Lee Enfield rifle. Handling and stripping the weapon soon became second nature to the young man. He got the knack like his older brother had with many a loose woman, he knew the score and became competent. With women, Norman was the opposite of his brother, being shy, inexperienced and woefully useless. Norman’s brother served in the Royal Navy.

Walking down the parade ground on a quiet Tuesday morning, Norman grumbled to himself. I can handle my rifle with no trouble, strip and assemble it as fast as anyone in my squad, even at night. I can fire accurately at a target five hundred yards away. I’m a good soldier, surely better than any German is. So why do I feel bad? Why am I so bloody depressed? Is it that nice young girl I saw in town the other month when I was in the pub with my buddies? I know she was looking at them and not me. Why would she ever want to look at me? I mean... I’m nothing am I? Just a bloody soldier.

Suddenly it started to rain, this darkened his mood. He spat and swore, glaring down at the black tarmac parade ground. “Bloody rain. Why do I have to do guard duty on a Tuesday morning when my mates are learning about the Bren gun? It’s just me and my rifle out in this bloody rain!”

Norman carried on marching, pacing up and down doing his stint guarding the base. Orders were orders and his turn in the Bren gun class was the following week. He was an intelligent lad and knew he’d get the hang of the powerful weapon. His impatience made him curse the rain, his boss and having to wait for the Bren gun class. Then he thought about the girl again and he cursed again. He aimed green phlegm and sent it flying. Bloody rain, bloody guard duty, bloody girl won’t want to date me. Bloody everything!

Up and down he marched, rifle on his shoulder. The rain increased in ferocity.

***

Lisa was doing her nurses training. She wanted to serve her country. Military roles available to her were very limited because she was a woman. It was either serving tea or scones at the NAAFI (Navy, Army, Air Force Institute) to men in uniform, working in a grimy dangerous munitions factory or becoming a nurse. She chose the last option and joined on her seventeenth birthday.

With her schooling behind her, Lisa knew what she wanted to do. She was a quick learner but struggled with the varied role of being a nurse, though confident in her responsibility. In time she hoped to be qualified and able to make fast life and death decisions. Time would tell. One small distraction troubled her.

I wonder who that quiet shy lad was I saw when we were in the pub. He seemed to notice me and I think he likes me. He looks so dishy! Lisa thought, her eyes becoming misty. She allowed herself to swoon for a while.

The bossy Matron brought the girl back to reality. Classes on how to give wounded soldiers a bed bath were in ten minutes and Matron was demanding everyone be clued up and alert.

Blast it! I’ve got to get ready for this. I hope I see that nice lad again when we’re in town again! I’ll ask him out. I don’t care who sees me, I don’t!

***

Guard duty over, Norman relaxed in his barrack block with his mates. As usual, the topic was bints and who had slept with the most women. Norman kept out of this talk and as usual, this gave the more seasoned worldly-wise men a chance to take the mickey and put him down. It wasn’t his fault he was a virgin!

“Hey Norman, is it true that you’re a virgin?”

“Do you want to shag my mother Norman? She likes younger men!”

“Do you know how to do it?”

“Have you even kissed a girl?”

They taunted him mercilessly but he ignored them though he wanted to cry. Not being a fighter or even tough, Norman sat there in silence reading a dog eared Bren gun manual. He didn’t want to use his close quarter hand to hand fighting training, not against his mates even when they took the piss out of him. Give me a Bren gun and I’ll show them, he angrily thought. He took their petty jokes.

“You won’t find out about birds in that book Norman. Here’s a rude magazine for you,” shouted one of the lads, throwing a tatty stained mag of dubious subject matter.

Norman never even glanced up at the lad or over to the rude magazine which was open on the floor. A curvy brunette smiled from the page, her assets were on show and it was obvious she wasn’t shy.

Seeing that their taunts weren’t fazing Norman, the other soldiers left him be. He read the manual on the Bren gun but his thoughts were elsewhere, on a certain girl.

***

The next day, Matron relaxed her strict attitude and confirmed that the next leave was on the coming Friday, when the girls could have a night on the town. The nurses smiled and clapped with happiness.

I can’t wait! I really hope I see that soldier then, he’s so cute! Lisa thought, smiling to herself.

She knew she would have to wear something nice and smart to get his attention. But what? Hmm, decisions, decisions. I only have one nice frock and it’s my old nineteen twenties one that belonged to my mum. Dare I wear it? Yes I will!

Lisa got on with her training with extra vigour, knowing she would be having a night out when the Friday night leave came round. She buzzed with anticipation and vibrancy. In her bones, she just knew her soldier boy would be out. Something told her, a feeling deep inside that she couldn’t describe. Thinking of her soldier brought pimples out on her arms; such was the effect he had upon Lisa.

In her mind, she daydreamed of him. Together, with her nameless brave handsome warrior, she was safe in his arms while they danced to some old fashioned music from the 30s, in the pub where she first saw him. She was wearing her mum’s old yet superbly stylish dress; he was in his army uniform making him look smart and brave. He was a soldier serving his country, what a noble act! Goodness me, what is happening to me? she thought, becoming flustered.

Matron noticed the strange look upon Lisa’s face and kept an eye upon the young girl. She was very experienced and knew the signs of new love and how it came upon vulnerable, impressionable young women. Lisa hadn’t cocked up her nursing duties yet but there was time. Yes, I’ll keep an eye on this one. I could cancel her leave and put her on house keeping duties but that would be a bit premature right now. No, I’ll watch her and see how she progresses, we don’t need any distractions. There’s a war on!

***

“Right lads, you’ll be glad to hear that we have a night off from our duties this Friday. I expect you all to get pissed and chase women. You’ve got some intense training coming up next week and you’ll need all the concentration you can for it. So now, I order you to enjoy this coming Friday and get any urges, desires and drinking out of your system. The week after will be your hardest yet, as soldiers in His Majesty’s Army. Do I make myself clear?” lectured the Sergeant, to his young soldiers.

Every eye was fixed upon the tall, slim, tough Sergeant. As one voice, fifty soldiers roared together, “Yes Sergeant, we will get pissed and have fun!”

“Good, good,” he replied. “I personally will hand out your leave passes at fifteen hundred hours exactly. Remember what I said, have fun. You’ve a busy week ahead of you.”

“Yes Sergeant,” the voice roared, full of pride and admiration, for their Sergeant, their army in which they served and foremost, in their country. They were the last hope to stop Hitler and his Nazi’s in their tracks.

***

In the pub called The Witchwood, in central Ashton, the members of the Manchester Regiment met for a drink or ten. They were following orders, to have fun and drink. All of the young soldiers knew to do this, that the week ahead would be tough and no laughing matter. Not like real combat but a step below. Like many thousands of other young men thrown together in a war they didn’t want, they lived for now and looked after one another. They were family.

Drinks flowed forth and Norman closely watched everyone in the pub and those who entered by the main door. He wanted to see his nurse but she wasn’t there, just yet.

“Hey, Norman. Here’s a pint of stout,” commented Rico, offering Norman a glass of warm beer.

Looking up from where he sat, Norman took the pint and thanked the big soldier.

“Cheer up man, she’ll be here. In the meantime get drunk,” consoled the other man, smiling. Rico was the toughest and biggest man in the squad, a talented boxer and excellent shot. He played the tough guy card to the max but really, he cared for his other pals. The free beer was an example.

“How an earth do you know?” stuttered Norman. He wondered how the hell Rico knew he was waiting for the girl.

“Come on man, we’ve trained together for nine months. I know you better than your mother knows you,” chuckled Rico, rolling his eyes.

“That’s true, I guess you do. She means a lot to me, you know?” Norman replied, finishing his original beer and starting the second.

“That’s good she means a lot to you. When you see her, don’t blow it and good luck.”

“Thanks Rico, I’ll try not to. I’m new to this, you know with girls.”

“Kid, you’ll be fine. Smile and charm her. Listen, I’m off to the brothel with some of the guys. Don’t end up like us, if you get the girl, keep hold of her. For good. I’ve seen how you look at her, before. She’s a catch. See you later.” Rico joined four of the other soldiers and they downed their drinks and left the pub.

“I won’t blow it, oh no,” Norman replied, to himself. It was scant reassurance. I can’t do this! I’ve never even kissed a girl. Maybe I should go to the brothel with Rico. What would he say though? He seemed to mean what he said to me, I don’t want to meet his bad side.

Five minutes later, the door of the pub suddenly opened and six girls entered. They were all nurses and one in particular locked eyes upon Norman. Whispering something to her colleagues, she walked over to join him. He was sat on his own.

“May I join you?” asked the young lady.

Norman was like a goldfish, mouth open in shock and surprise. When the woman asked again, he dumbly nodded.

***

Earlier in the day, Lisa got ready in her private quarters that she shared with five trainee nurses. She wore her mother’s old stylish dress and lightly did her make up. A touch of blusher and red lipstick added five years to her youthful looks.

“Wow! You look terrific sis,” complimented one of the other girls.

“Are you hoping to see your soldier tonight?” asked another.

“Thanks Stacy and yes Angie, I’m hoping to see him. You think he’ll like me?” replied Lisa.

“Oh yes,” said the other two, together.

Looking at herself in her small make up mirror, Lisa smiled. This is the best I can possibly do. At least I’ve done my best. Time to wait for the other girls to be ready so we can go out.

It took the other trainee nurses half an hour to be ready. Leaving their quarters, they left the hospital grounds and signed out at the security gate. They had six hours in which to enjoy themselves before they had to return for the midnight curfew.

***

Lisa sat down on the vacant chair at Norman’s table. She smiled and looked the young soldier up and down, catching his gaze for a little too long. He looked away momentarily. He must be a bit shy! I’ll have to be careful with this one then, Lisa thought.

“Hi there, I’m Lisa,” Lisa said, introducing herself. She held out her right hand demurely.

“Hi,” replied Norman, a little unsure of what to say. He took Lisa’s hand and shook it politely. He noticed it smelt of some kind of perfume, maybe lavender.

“Are you here on your own?” asked the girl, smiling.

“Er... no, I mean yes. Well, that’s to say I was here with my buddies but they’ve gone to the broth... to another pub,” stuttered Norman, going bright red. Oh shit! Why did I nearly say brothel?

“Right. Did you say brothel? Or pub? How come you’ve not gone with them?” answered Lisa, now it was her turn to struggle with a sentence.

“Shit. Yes, they’ve gone to the brothel up the road, a few of them go regularly. I’d rather stay in the pub. I like it here, it’s nice and quiet,” he said, almost whispering. He didn’t catch Lisa’s eye.

“Okay then...” she commented. She knew this wasn’t going well. “Fuck it!” she blurted out.

“What?” Norman gasped, shocked that a lady knew such strong language.

“I meant this,” replied Lisa. She suddenly leant over and took Norman’s neck in one hand and brought his head to hers, over the table. Her kiss was long and passionate, she felt him resist but soon overpowered him.

When their embrace was over, Norman looked dumbstruck. It was his first time ever kissing a girl or woman, as in this case. Finally, he really took notice of who was sat opposite him at the small table. A beautiful young lady, in a stunning green dress and with the looks of a princess; she was simply unbelievable.

“Wow! That was amazing,” Norman said. Now he was sure of himself.

“Good. I’m glad you enjoyed it, it saves me from having to uncomfortably explain how much I like you and how long I’ve waited to do that,” Lisa laughed, taking hold of the man’s hands.

“What’s your name? I’m Lisa, I’m a nurse. Well a trainee one. My friends are over there, by the bar,” she indicated with her head.

Norman looked over and saw several girls chatting to some men, at least two of the men were from his unit. They hadn’t gone to the brothel with Rico; obviously they didn’t want to pay for sex. Norman didn’t talk to them though, he kept himself to himself.

“I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to be rude. I’m Norman. I’m a soldier and I’m doing my basic training. We’re almost done with that and soon we’ll get posted to a battle zone.”

“Oh right, I thought you were a pilot or something. A soldier. My, that’s a dangerous job. I hope you’ll be okay,” gasped Lisa, quite shocked. The reality of the war struck home, again to her.

“Yes, I know. Some of the guys go drinking in their uniform, myself I prefer a shirt and trousers. It takes my mind off the war,” he replied. “It is dangerous. We lost two men while training. God knows what combat will be like.”

“Goodness me. You mean killed? While training?” Lisa gasped again.

“Yes, both killed outright. It was awful. Still, if I get wounded in battle, you will fix me up, won’t you Lisa?” Norman said, trying to joke about the seriousness of war.

“Yes, I’d look after you. I pray you’ll never be wounded, not ever,” Lisa, whispered. Unable to help herself, she took Norman’s face in her hands and kissed him again. She became a little emotional.

He felt her warm tears on his cheek. And he melted again into her kiss, his young mind and body so very unsure of how to respond to the beautiful woman before him. I don’t understand what is happening, his mind screamed.

When their second embrace was over, something had happened within the two young people. One a soldier and the other a nurse, both with totally opposite jobs, one trained to kill, the other to heal. Was this the reason they had become so close, so quickly? Was it the bloody awful war?

Lisa was still crying, unable to stop herself. Her make up ran and her eyes were read and puffy. She didn’t care who saw her.

“This awful bloody war,” she sobbed. She looked up into Norman’s eyes and saw many confusing emotions. It was obvious to her, he felt like she did but at the other end of the scale. She was trained to fix wounds; he was trained to inflict them. Her friends looked over briefly from the bar but didn’t interfere.

“Don’t cry,” Norman said. He moved his stool right next to Lisa’s, put his arm around her and held her close. Her body shook while her crying continued. This had never happened to him before.

“Shhh, it’s okay. Nothing will happen to me, I promise,” he said, trying to sound like a man. He was almost in tears himself. He knew why they both felt like this; it was this awful war started by Hitler. That crazy bastard! Why couldn’t we live in peace?

For thirty minutes he held her, while she wept for something that touched her very soul and that had the possibility to utterly destroy them both. The war brought them together in this small pub in a northern town and the war would soon separate them. Norman would be posted to the front line, she would finish her training and then join the war, maybe not near him but in some hospital or field medical unit to treat wounded and dying servicemen.

***

When Lisa had composed herself, she left the pub with Norman. He bought a bottle of whiskey from under the counter, this was illegal and on the black market. He led her to the small park in the centre of town. It was quiet and no one was about.

As they drank, she told him about herself, of how she had wanted to serve her country and help win the war. Now she realised this was a folly, a silly naive idea which would put her at danger on the front line if she served in a military hospital there. Lisa mentioned her youth and how happy her childhood had been.

“It must have been a nice time you had, growing up,” Norman replied, looking down at Lisa who rested safe in his arms.

“Oh yes, it was idyllic Norman. Living on my parents’ small farm,” she commented, thinking back. “Yes, it was wonderful.”

He took a swig of neat whiskey and offered Lisa some. She took the bottle and drank deeply. They were both heavily affected by the last hour, a line had been crossed. Were they no longer children?

They kissed again. Long, slow and passionately.

Suddenly it happened. The Air Raid siren started to roar to life, like a wailing monster emerging from the deep black ocean to do evil and kill. Hungry for the blood of the innocent. The sound rose and rose, echoing over the dark streets. Distant voices were heard as people rushed to the shelters.

“Oh shit!” swore Norman. “A fucking raid. I hate those bastards.”

“I know I hate the raids too. And I’m not too fond of Germans either. Listen, let’s stay here and drink the whiskey,” Lisa whispered. She kissed him on the lips repeatedly.

“But it’s dangerous and if we get caught by the Air Raid warden, there will be hell to pay,” he stammered, knowing full well what could happen. He’d experienced three raids before and it wasn’t pretty. People died.

“I want to be here with you. I know it’s dangerous, we’ll be okay. I promise. And we’re in the middle of the park. The Warden will be walking the streets, looking for people not in the shelter. He won’t go to the park,” she said.

“Okay, you win. We’ll stay here. Have some more drink,” he urged, giving in to the beauty by his side. She took the bottle again.

“Thanks Norman. For the drink and staying with me in the park.”

For a few minutes they drank and listened to the siren. Then another sound was heard, something ominous and otherworldly. It was distant Nazi bombers high up in the sky! Were they the target? They themselves, the small town of Ashton or an even bigger prize – the city of Manchester?

“This does mean a lot to me, you being with me too,” he whispered. “Save me from the evil Nazi’s,” he added.

“I will always love you Norman and always save you, which I promise. Now tell me all about you,” Lisa said.

The roar aero engines got louder and some anti aircraft guns started firing, an awful noise. More awful, was the whistle of bombs and sound of explosions, quite far off. To the east, two search lights sprang forth, groping for the unseen German planes. Behind the trees and buildings, an orange glow could be seen. The raid was under way and the town burning.

The couple was equally scared and fascinated. The war was them and they were the war; the air raid was part of them also. Norman was a soldier, trained to kill Nazi soldiers who were part of the German war machine, just like the bombers that bombed without mercy. One huge merciless war machine.

“I grew up in a town up the road and have lived in the Manchester area all of my life. I’ve been in Ashton a couple of years. I’m eighteen and a half. I joined the army on my birthday. I wonder if I made the right choice but I couldn’t work inside a war factory twelve hours at a go, no way. I like the outdoors and walking in the countryside. In the army, we’re outside a lot when we do training and manoeuvres. That’s okay but I don’t want to go to war or kill anyone. It’s too late now though, I’ll have to do this. I hope it’s over soon,” he said, loudly over the bomb explosions and barking guns. The siren had stopped its eerie wail. Enemy aircraft were now overhead.

“It’s good you like the outdoors. I like it too, from my time on the farm. I never wanted to be a farmer, my dad expected me to though, being a farmer’s daughter. I’d rather be a nurse than a farmer. I don’t like the war either. I’m not sure if I’d like to work in a factory or mill. They seem dark forbidding places and the Nazi’s bomb them,” Lisa replied. “And it’s good you don’t want to kill anyone.”

“I think you’d make a good farmer, even if you’re a girl. That’s better than being in the war as a nurse, seeing badly hurt soldiers. You should have stuck to being a farmer, its safer Lisa.”

“I don’t know Norman. Anyhow, I made my choice. Like you, I’m in the war, whether I like it or not. We have to see it through to the end. Shit! Listen to that! A bomb is coming!”

“Oh my God!” Norman screamed, listening to the scream of a large bomb that seemed to have their name on it. It grew louder and louder. He threw himself upon Lisa, shielding her with his body. He felt her wriggle and squirm but held her tightly.

The bomb whistled down at great speed and dug into the soft earth of the bowling green and detonated behind their bench. They explosion was thirty yards away from them. By a quirk of fate, the bomb hit the grass and went off four yards underground. The ground shook like an earthquake, earth, grass and shrapnel whooshed upwards and fell in great thuds all around. If the bomb had hit the paved footpath, Lisa and Norman would have been blown to bits, ceasing to exist.

A large clod of earth fell on Norman’s back. The air was knocked out of him. He held onto Lisa for dear life. Finally the debris stopped falling.

Lisa was very still. Was she hit? Norman panicked, letting go of her. She didn’t move.

“Lisa! Lisa, are you okay? Lisa, answer me. My dear, are you alive?” he shouted, his hearing ruptured by the blast.

After long seconds, she moved. Hair covered her face, Norman brushed it aside. Mud covered her cheeks, giving her a vivid scary appearance. Finally she spoke, “I’m okay. My hearing is busted. Are you fine?”

“Yes, I’m okay, other than my hearing. It was the blast. Come on, we have to go to your hospital. They’ll check us out. Come on Lisa,” Norman urged, standing up. 

“Yes, you’re right. It was a foolish idea staying in the park. I can’t hear you very well. I feel very faint,” she replied, trying to stand. She nearly fell back onto the earth covered bench.

Norman caught her. He struggled to pick Lisa up and carry her. It was four hundred yards to the hospital. It was a dark night but burning buildings illuminated their way. The whiskey bottle was shattered, luckily they had drank the contents. Drunkenly he staggered through rubble filled streets to Lisa’s hospital.

“Lisa, I know you can’t hear me but I want to ask you something. I want you to marry me and be my wife. In a few weeks I’m off on a secret mission. I could be killed. I love you and want you to marry me,” Norman whispered, incoherently.

His drunken vision blurred, he almost stumbled and couldn’t hear anything. Flames reached for them from a burning gas main. He had to walk round rubble and huge smoking bomb craters. A stick of bombs went off, a mile away. The blast wave sent debris rattling down, a hundred yards from the injured couple. It was like being in Hell.

Did Lisa her answer his question? Was she alive? Her lovely green dress was in tatters. What would become of them both? War held the answers.