The ferry from Cape Town to Robben Island was delayed for two hours due to the torrid weather conditions. It was debated as to whether the trip would even be made; the waves that crashed over the jetty left everyone in a lot of doubt and apprehension. With nowhere to go, they huddled in the ferry lobby until the permission was granted for the journey. They clambered onboard The Izzy, a small but sturdy boat or so everyone hoped that she was; the waves were still very restless. The Izzy lashed against the waves, bopped about like a lost cork and to make matters worse; she also carried cargo to and from the Island. On this particular trip, it was carrying something that smelled like rotten chicken. The Izzy usually took an hour to get to Robben Island, but with the rough seas, she would probably take an hour and a half. The Izzy was not five minutes into the deep ocean when the first lady, Dorothy let go of her breakfast over the side of the boat. It brought on a domino effect, and soon men and woman alike were occupying the edges of The Izzy spray painting its edges and the ocean with edible vomit.
As they stumbled ashore once The Izzy came to a standstill at the Murray’s Bay Jetty, the women were met by the artillery Lt. Mrs. Gertuide Marais. She was stern, grouchy and extremely unhappy that the SSS were infiltrating her well-ordered base. Apart from the fact that she had no idea who the SSS were, she had no idea as to why they had to be trained in coastal artillery. She liked to know everything and as such took an immediate dislike to SSS ladies. The SSS ladies were in no mood or position to argue or debate with her; they were still nauseous and soaking wet from the splashing waves and the rain.
Lt. Mrs. Marais marched the SSS ladies to their quarters. They all groaned in despair when they were introduced to the dungeon type building. Lt. Mrs. Marais received great pleasure informing the ladies that it previously was used for a leper colony. The ladies shuddered, and poor Dorothy felt the need to be sick again. Their dormitory was a large cold room in a basement with little light from the windows and un-shaded lights hanging from the ceiling. Peggy was immediately grateful she brought with her, her white candlewick bedspread.
Cpt. Vogel, Harvey, Burt and Walter were treated with far more respect in a warm dormitory overlooking the ocean.
The ladies were given time to settle their belongings and savored a cup of tea in the mess hall before being marched off to the parade ground. “Drill practice! Are they serious right now?” Maisy questioned in disgust.
They were standing in a huddle in the not yet pouring rain reminding themselves of the drill procedures; it was all but a blurred memory to them. The artillery ladies stood ready and waiting; their drill uniforms so spotless the rain avoided spoiling them. The SSS ladies felt very inadequate until they heard a most familiar voice behind them. “I’s don’t believes my eyes.” Staff Sgt. Erasmus bellowed clearly delighted to see his favourite ladies again.
The SSS ladies dispersed of their huddle gasped and splashed their way to greet their friend. The artillery woman remained in formation, not at all amused at the relationship the SSS ladies displayed with their drill sergeant.
After the warmest greeting under a wet, cold sky Staff Sgt. Erasmus remembered his place and position. “Okay ladies you’s don’t disappoint me, I’s hope you’s remembers your drill.”
“Yes, Staff Sergeant.” They shouted and returned to their position on the parade ground.
The two groups of ladies stood ready for battle; The SSS ladies eager not to disappoint their Staff Sergeant and good friend, the artillery ladies’ only objective was to show the SSS ladies how polished they were in their drill routine. And they were. While the SSS ladies floundered and faltered regularly, giggling and snorting at their mistakes, the artillery ladies were a finely tuned unit. The artillery ladies’ uniforms were still spotless, and they were very smug at the end of the drill. The SSS ladies looked like they had got dragged through and out of the mud. If Staff Sgt. Erasmus had not winked at them and gave a hint of a smile when he dismissed them they would’ve been mortified at their performance. Instead, they laughed heartily.
After a shower, they changed into their uniforms and were marched off to the lecture room. They began their course in range-find, cross observation (to track a ship with binoculars and to relay its courses to the batteries at regular intervals) and the mechanics of the big thirty Ton guns; Maisy was not at all comfortable.
It rained for the next two days; the ladies were miserable, and their drill did not improve much. Lt. Mrs. Marais was grouchier by the hour, and the artillery ladies made a point of proving their superior knowledge in weaponry to them. The SSS ladies desperately desired to enlighten the artillery ladies of their knowledge in Radar and gain their respect and perhaps even their friendship in return. They knew, however, that would be impossible. As they were getting ready for dinner, one evening in their dungeon dormitory Audrey suggested. “We can’t go through two weeks like this. I suggest we form a truce with the artillery ladies.”
“How do you suggest we do this?” Dorothy asked.
“Well, let’s just be nice to them. Compliment them on their work, on their drill, on anything. Show them we are not the Super Snob Squad they presume we are.” Audrey said.
“I have never met a snob that has mud from her ankles to her thighs every day,” Peggy said. She was feeling very downcast unable to see Harvey, yet he was on the same Island just a few yards away from her at all times.
“It is a good suggestion, Audrey. We must do this, always be the better person, right.” Maisy said in an upbeat tone.
Peggy got off her bed and sighed, straighten her white candlewick bedspread. “Yes you’re right Audrey, quite right.”
In the mess hall, Peggy and Harvey held each other in a quick hug before sitting at their assigned tables. Throughout dinner it proved too difficult for them to pull their eyes away from each other, so they left them gazing on what their eyes desired.
In the line to get their meal dished up, Audrey deliberately stood behind an artillery woman. “You ladies truly know your weapons; it’s so interesting,” Audrey said one sentence and a barrier of pride was dissolved. The SSS ladies did not need much encouragement to show an interest in the artillery ladies’ stories of misfired weapons, incorrect targeting, and ranges but when they shared a few episodes in the life of grouchy Lt. Mrs. Marais, a sisterhood immediately formed.
The next day the rained abated and with it the gloom that hung as a heavy thunderstorm lifted.
After their drill and lessons were completed for the day, the artillery ladies invited the SSS group to a hike on the Island. Harvey and Peggy were thrilled since this meant that they finally had the chance to be together. Dressed out of military uniform meant holding hands or walking arm in arm was not an offense; they appreciated every second.
The beauty of the Island was glorious; the sun enticed Chincherinchees, Arum Lilies, Lavenders and Yellow Mimosa to spread their color in magnificence. On top of a little hill, they came across a small chapel; it looked sacred with the ocean painted as its background. The afternoon was closing as the sun slowly made its descent past the horizon. The sky was blasted in orange, and a sight most spectacular that took all their breaths away. They witnessed a convoy of ships anchored and waiting to dock using the majesty of Table Mountain as a backdrop. They were close to land, and everyone on the Island could clearly see the sailors in their battle-dress hanging over the railings, smoking and enjoying the sunset.
Harvey hugged Peggy into his side, kissed her sneakily on her cheek and said, “What do you say about getting married here, now while we’re here on the Island. It is perfect darling, don’t you think so.” His eyes searched hers for a positive approval.
Peggy sighed, and a tear glistened in her eye as she smiled. “In my wildest dreams, I could not have picked a more perfect place.”
Harvey hugged her. “I’ll make the arrangements, how about on Friday when the sun sets.”
“Oh, Harvey.” Peggy choked up with happiness her words drowned in her, so she simply nodded.
Harvey took out his spotless white handkerchief and wiped her tears. “Peggy, darling.” He felt his words faltering and chose rather to remain silent. Their hearts spoke to each other; words were fruitless.