大象传媒

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An Unusual day out - History is made
It is a beautiful warm June day. The sun shines in a blue sky, the birds are singing.
I am not going to work at the Bank today, I have a day off.
I am going up to London, to see Uncle Ernest who is taking me out. He breeds race horses, and has three stud farms, one at Cruse Hill in England, another in Normandy, France, and nothing has been heard from there since 1940 ; the third one is in the New World. His London office is in Charing Cross Road. So, London, here I come.
I love going out with Uncle Ernest., who is special, and also my Godfather. I wander where he will take me today ? It is usually somewhere posh, so I had better wear my best dress.
I went through my meagre wardrobe last night. A while ago, I spent seven precious coupons on a little black dress. My pretty hat I made out of artificial flowers, ribbon, and some veil.ing That is my dressy bit. Most of as wear hats to cheer ourselves up, also our usually old, clothes, and flagging hair styles. As a bonus, they are not rationed.
I am ready and take a last twirl round, looking in the mirror, which is cracked, alter an air raid, a bomb, a flying bomb, or a rocket:, I forget which.
The transport is not plentiful but it runs to time, and I am soon walking, up Charing Cross Road.
I arrive at Uncle's office, where Molly, his secretary, who knows me well, greets me, We chat, about this and that., while I wait until Uncle鈥檚 Client leaves. I go into the office, and we have a hug. Uncle asks after my mother and the bank, and we catch up on some of our news. l ask after his daughter, Kathleen and his son, Lawrence.
The taxi is called, Uncle puts on his gloves, picks up his hat and we are off to the Free French Embassy. What a good thing that I have a new dress and hat.
We stop outside a London mansion.
Uncle goes into his second language, as we reach the porter at the front door. I wonder if I鈥檒l see General de Gaulle.
We are walking up a beautiful marble staircase, and stop on a landing, to admire the pictures, when the whole place erupts, and people begin to rush about. I am clasped in the arms of a bubbling Frenchman, and get kissed; its " Madamouiselle this" and "Madamoniselle that". My schoolgirl French deserts me. Uncle tries to extricate me, and does. Said gentleman recognises Uncle, and it all starts all over again, without the kiss, but with much gesticulating. Good grief, what on earth is going on ? The sooner I get off these stairs the better.

Uncle puts a firm arm round my waist, and we proceed to the drawing room, where it as full of silent, standing, people all listening to the radio.
Then it comes, the confirmation.
It is D-day. "the Allies have landed. There is a bridgehead in Normandy.
A great cheer goes up, there is hugging, laughter and joy and tears mixed with the wine, and champagne.
A lone voice begins to sing and the Marsellaise fills the room, followed by God save the King.
Chatting and sharing their joy, we go into lunch. We stay on in the Embassy, for coffee and cakes, later. Elated we return to Uncle's office. I eventually catch a train home
"W-hat a Day ! What a Day !" When History was made, and the beginning final curtain, on
World War 2 in Europe.

Paula Philip

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