Dorothy and Maisy’s shift finally came to an end. The five hours seemed like twenty and to make matters worse, it was the graveyard shift; from 3 am to 8 am. Usually, there was nothing happening and so the shifts passed by slowly, but this day, they had a reason for leaving.
Lt. Mrs. Simpson had agreed to let Peggy use the military Jeep to go to Cape Town. Naturally, Audrey, Dorothy, and Maisy had to go too. The only reason Lt. Simpson consented to it was that the barracks driver had gone AWOL a few days ago, and they were in desperate need of supplies in the kitchen. Chef had been nagging so much, Lt. Mrs. Simpson was on the verge of going to get the supplies herself. The only problem was that she did not know how to drive. Lt. Mrs. Simpson contemplated the fact that there were a dozen men, who were very willing and able to do the task. However, Lt. Mrs. Simpson had a point to prove; women were as equal to any task as the men in the Army. She relayed this much to Peggy when she had put in the request to go to Cape Town. “Do not disappoint all the women serving our country and me.” Peggy replied “Yes Lieutenant, no pressure at all Lieutenant!” Lt. Mrs. Simpson croacked out a hearty laugh and signed the permission.
The men at the barracks formed a line along the narrow road to the gate teasing, Peggy, as she turned the engine. Maisy sat in front with Peggy, Dorothy and Audrey in the rear all sporting their dress uniform and a shopping list a mile long. “Don’t leave me, Audrey, I will not survive an hour without you,” Frank yelled as he ran along with the Jeep. The men laughed and cheered Frank.
Audrey blushed but pouted her lips as if to kiss him. “Oh Lieutenant, do not pine for me, for I shall return but none too soon for there are many others that I desire more than you,” She blew Frank a kiss and waved at him goodbye.
Once they were out of the barracks and on the road headed to Cape Town Maisy shouted from the front. “That man is so in love with you.”
Audrey nearly choked on her breath of air. “You have to be kidding; he is a flirt and a smarty pants that will never settle for any one woman.” She eventually retorted.
The almost three-hour road trip to Cape Town was bumpy and windy; so windy that they had to stop and erect the cover on the Jeep. Yet, with the uncomfortable conditions, they had a marvelous journey reflecting on the beauty of God’s earth as it came into view.
Slowly steering in Adderley Street, Peggy navigated the Jeep between the trams, vehicles, and horses. The streets were wide thankfully, and Maisy looked up at the tall buildings. “The buildings seem so much bigger from a small vehicle than from the bus; they do look spectacular with the sun squeezing between them.” The four ladies peeked out the sides of the Jeep and peered upward absorbing the large concrete magnificence.
Peggy, Audrey, Dorothy, and Maisy got out of the Jeep as elegantly as was possible straightening their uniforms before entering their first shop, the Ok Bazaars. It felt to them as if they had not been into a large size store for centuries; everything looked so good and appealing. Dorothy found a stack of condensed milk cans. The ladies practically used up all their ration stamps and even relented on several important items necessary so as to enable the purchase of as many cans as possible.
After the Ok Bazaars, they were meant to cross the road to Woolworths. Instead, Peggy dragged them up and down the streets looking for an ice-cream store and only when they had devoured the most delicious and creamiest ice-cream did they go to Woolworths. After that, Peggy went in search of a little family owned haberdashery store on Strand Street. Audrey insisted on first dumping all their shopping in the Jeep before attacking the haberdashery store. “It is going to be a tough drive back with all these shopping bags under our feet. Especially Peggy’s white candlewick bedspread, I am not convinced it will still be white when we get home.”
“It got wrapped securely enough, and there is enough room by Maisy’s feet,” Peggy replied confidently.
They wandered between huge rolls of fabric of so many varieties in colors and textures. What got their attention the most was the fabric for evening dresses. The smooth touch and fresh smell of new fabric kept the four ladies intrigued and spellbound for much longer than they anticipated. The constant flow of civilians plus fellow women in the forces, ranking below them, saluting them, all feeling the need to interrogate them on their position in the Army, left them horribly late for the flower market.
The packages of fabric wrapped in brown paper and tied with string were thrown onto the seats of the Jeep; the cover secured once more and they hurried on to the flower market. Lt. Mrs. Simpson requested a specific Protea purchased; it was her favorite, and at least one always adorned her desk. Unfortunately, it was not the season for this particular Protea and the ladies frantically searched, asked, begged (Dorothy even resorted to using her rank) and pleaded with the market sellers to obtain one for them. Without any luck on purchasing the flower and feeling dejected, they decided to go to the famous Stardust Club for a drink before tackling their arduous journey home.
Soldiers; Military, Navy, and Air Force men cluttered the streets of Cape Town. It was impossible for the four beautiful ladies not to receive a flirtatious comment or request of some sort as they fought their way to the Stardust Club.
The Stardust Club, the most popular club in any city; they were practically in every major city. The ladies somehow found seats near the rear of the club without getting assaulted or attacked. Some of the poor soldiers had not seen a female in many months. They no sooner were seated; not even had the opportunity to order a drink when the first of the long line of suitors appeared. The ladies found it very tiresome until a voice bellowed from the left side of the club. Maisy spat out a mouthful of her Ginger Square drink and sat up straight.
“Nows what is da SSS doings here?” The bulky big man hollowed.
“Staff Sergeant.” The four ladies delightedly cried back in unison saluting him at the same time.
“Did I’s not teach you anything. I’s must salutes you first, ladies.” He smiled saluting them and stood at attention. It was undoubtedly very interesting to rest of the male patrons within earshot; why had they failed to get the women’s attention but this boisterous Afrikaans low ranking soldier had?
“Oh, Staff Sergeant how are you? It is wonderful to see you again.” Peggy burst out completely thrilled to see their old adversary again.
“I is good. Hows is your station?” He questioned them on all the aspects of their station, being one of the few that knew what they were doing. He never told anyone or ever dared to tell anyone how he knew about the “Top Secret” SSS. The ladies always on alert as to the secrecy of the SSS only shared information they were permitted. Staff Sgt. Erasmus smiled and appreciated their commitment every time they avoided his question.
Audrey told him about the episode of Maisy and the baboon. Staff Sgt. Erasmus tried desperately not to laugh but to no avail. His moustache wriggled as he laughed. “I is sorry Ms. Maisy. If I was dare I’s of fought off dat aap for you.” He wiped his brow trying very hard to sound sincere.
Maisy swigged down another mouthful of her Ginger Square and set the glass down on the table. “Thank you, Staff Sergeant.”
Staff Sgt. Erasmus stopped a waitress as she passed by the table and ordered another round of Ginger Squares and a beer for himself. “Yous call me Desmond please.” He requested from the ladies, and they all nodded.
Desmond looked at his watch. “Have yous ladies seen da sunset from da docks ever?” They all shook their heads. “Come I’s take you.” He stood gushing down the last quarter of beer left in his glass.
“We ought to be getting back Staff.. Desmond, I don’t want to be driving on that road between Somerset West and Sandown Bay too late at night.” Peggy said.
“Sunset in fifteen minutes.” Desmond looked at the other ladies hoping he had convinced them to watch the sunset. They all looked at Peggy with wide, pleading eyes hoping to convince her too.
“Okay, but as soon as the sun has set, we must be on our way.”
They gathered their bags and berets, quickly got back to the Jeep and met Desmond at the entrance to the docks of the Cape Town harbor. They were entitled permission to enter and drove to an empty dock, parked their cars and sat on the ground dangling their feet over the edge. Desmond offered much information on the operations of the docks including how he grew up close to them. His father was a fisherman, and in those days before battleships, tugs and cargo ships occupied the docks the fishing boats were numerous and fish were plenty.
“Something like the fisherman for Jesus.” Maisy offered, thinking out aloud.
“I’s like to hear about dem fisherman,” Desmond answered her.
She blushed and replied very quietly “Anytime.” Desmond gave a quirky smile and returned his attention, as did all of them, to the sun slipping behind the horizon exploding the sky into a blaze of orange. The four friends and Desmond soaked in the gloriousness of God’s splendor.
Desmond drove behind the ladies until as far as Somerset West, which was at the half way point. Peggy, Audrey, Dorothy and Maisy thanked him over and over for his kindness, and they went their different ways.