As our health costs spiral, living off two pensions is a struggle, requiring careful budget savings. Sometimes harsh reality catches us out. We are now having to pay $860 p.m as our monthly ground rent has been increased by $65 p.m. Fortunately, my brilliant wife made a major grocery saving by getting us accepted for meals on wheels.
Our house move plans are progressing slowly.
My care team are still aiming to get me in my power wheelchair for indoor trips. But now they intend to avoid depending on commercial therapists, by us all learning simple massage techniques to help straighten my knees.
I’m now planning with my wife, for when I move on/pass. When we lived in Wales, we found a woodland cemetery, where we wanted to be buried. In Idaho, there is no such green option. So, I’ve been dreaming of being in Sussex again with my wife, somehow.
Restaall Peaceful Forest Cremation Urns
Probably. two cremations, one urn shared with our fur-babies. Wakes in Idaho and Sussex so everyone who wants to entertain with memories is welcome.
On to the writing… well, briefly as this month’s question is a departure from scribbling.
For now, Ukraine is still one of my two writing priorities. As I’ve said a few times, I will continue my Ukraine stories until a just peace is reached and the reconstruction has begun. The next episode is due in three weeks around June 21st – prompt ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind.’
So much has happened over the last few weeks, notably the announcement about Western jets, relevant to my 2022 Night Witches as they face returning to Ukraine,and now on June 6th the destruction of Nova Kakhovka Dam .
The post should be up next week.
Slava Ukrayini
**
Every month, IWSG announces a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience, or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.
Remember, the question is optional!
June 7 question – If you ever did stop writing, what would you replace it with?
Clue: Before reading more, decipher my photo clue and mention your thoughts in a comment. Please. Then read my answer.
June Answer: When I stopped photography, I found time to write. Therefore, photography might be my replacement for writing.
I gave up professional photography when my Canon pro-camera became too heavy to use due to my declining health. My wife agreed especially as all my lenses made the equipment too bulky to carry around.
Lumix FZ100
We bought a lighter Lumix, which my wife still uses. The photo from our office window in North Wales of the view towards Snowdon is hers, and I asked her if I could use it for ‘Writing Wings’.
Snowdon above Portmeirion by Juanita Clarke
However, I still struggle to lift some things – like the Lumix.
Solution: 4K Digital Camera for Photography and Video Autofocus 48MP Vlogging Camera for YouTube with SD Card 3” Flip Screen Flash 16x Zoom Anti-Shake Travel Camera for Beginner.
However, this small camera offers possibilities beyond stills. So, prepare for videos and vlogging. Will this get me out of my bedroom into the wider world? First though, I have transfer photos off the camera successfully.
Then decide how to target Sussex into my plans…remotely. I need to find a UK base unit.
Clue Answer: Selfie taken in family graveyard, at All Saints, Highbrook, near where we plan to rest forever, with a view over the Sussex countryside… once we’ve finished vlogging.
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer – aim for a dozen new people each time – and return comments. This group is all about connecting!
First, I must remember to celebrate our 13th Wedding Anniversary on May 14th.
Second, our house move may take longer than hoped. Some of the houses we were interested in, we can’t view yet as they are not ‘active’ in the market. Our realtor explained he gets fined $1,000 for each ‘inactive’ property he shows prospective buyers around. Maybe all our funds will be in place when we find the perfect home.
At least a delay gives my care team more time to get me in my power wheelchair for indoor trips… and then outside with trees and grass in a gated, over 55 community with amenities.
Until the move happens, gaming and writing keep my brain active and alive. Tomorrow, May the Force be with you.
Ukraine is still one of my two writing priorities. I will continue my Ukraine stories until a just peace is reached and the reconstruction has begun. Next episode is due around June 21st – prompt ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind.’ However, first I’m working on another Ukraine piece to build on my April entry: https://rolandclarke.com/2023/04/20/wep-iwsg-april-challenge-life-is-beautiful/
Every month, IWSG announces a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience, or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.
Remember, the question is optional!
May 3 question – When you are working on a story, what inspires you?
Interesting question with at least two answers, depending on which story I’m working on:
Snowdon Shadows: Characters have inspired me as I wrote the various stories within my Snowdon Shadows world, especially my crime-fighting duo, Sparkle Anwyl and Kama Pillai. However, other characters involved in their cases have proved inspirational in their own way.
Fevered Fuse, the first Snowdon Shadows novel, has seen this trend continue. Furthermore, I note another inspiring element – the setting, notably North Wales. In many ways, Snowdonia is another character. Therefore, I chose ‘setting’ as another ‘inspirer’.
2. Freedom Flights: Events inspired my ongoing Ukraine saga, initially real-life events. Then those inspired the fictional events to develop the episodes within the saga. Again, the characters proved inspirational. However, when I come to link the present-day stories back to my initial World War II story, ‘Feathered Fire’, I will use real events woven within fictional ones… and characters. My intention is to work on these pre-2022 episodes during NaNoWriMo 2023.
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer – aim for a dozen new people each time – and return comments. This group is all about connecting!
Apologies for the delay in posting April’s WEP/IWSG Challenge. Although ‘Life Is Beautiful’ was a good fit for my ongoing Ukraine stories, I struggled to write recently, mainly for my usual excuse of declining health. Also, this piece required extra backstory and some political maneuvering – not least getting the Witches’ NATO jets out of Ukraine before any are in Ukraine for real. I hope the next episode will allow my Witches to fly in Ukraine skies again. Finally, my apologies for running too long to make this episode work.
For those new to this ongoing creation, please note, this present day tale began with my World War II story Feathered Fire, which introduced the Chayka family from Ukraine and appeared in the 2020 IWSG Anthology (No. 5), Voyagers: The Third Ghost.
I’m unsure what fate has waiting for my Witches. Unless I ignore reality, NATO holds the cards on when they can be deployed. However, I resolve to continue these stories until there is a just conclusion to the horrendous war.
Blurb: Night Witches find family, new friends and allies.
Precious Relations
Part 9:
Thursday February 16th – Airfield “Kalyniv” near the Polish border
All twenty Night Witch pilots, and their ground crews crowded the briefing room. Even Kalyna and Vasy were unaware of why Maksym Bondarenko had called this emergency meeting.
“Air Command West’s intelligence believes this airfield will be targeted by Russian missile strikes… imminently,” he said. “Tuesday’s encounter with other pilots in the Lviv restaurant and further incidents indicate Russian informers in this area.”
He let the muttered shock subside.
“We cannot afford to lose this squadron or let the presence of NATO-standard jets provoke an excessive response.”
“Should we evacuate somewhere?” asked Kalyna.
“All essential elements should leave as speedily as possible. We have arranged with the Polish Air Force University in Deblin to relocate the squadron there. Arrangements have also been made for the 2022 Night Witches to train in Polish air space with other NATO air units, until the squadron is needed.”
“So, who remains?” asked Vasy.
Maksym produced a modified ground plan for the airfield. “We have a team who will create wooden dummy Soviet-style planes in camouflaged revetments here. Other jets will fly in and out giving the impression of activity.”
“While the full squadron trains in Poland,” said Kalyna. “And I recommend we take our three crashed MiG 29s to rebuild.”
“We can begin the evacuation tonight commencing with all five flights,” said Vasy. “Please don’t see this as any more than a tactical withdrawal while building on our training. In fact, this confuses the enemy—”
“And gives them another fake victory over wooden targets,” added Maksym, waving them to the exits.
As the squadron left the briefing, Mariyka Shevchuk tried to suppress her conflicting emotions knowing she couldn’t tell those she loved why she was leaving again. Yet she had connections to Deblin, so tears formed.
Her friend and Chief mechanic, Dariya Boyko said, “We’ll return soon, I’m sure.”
“We will. But Deblin is where I trained.”
But fear tore at her. Was Sergei suspected of spying? But how as a prisoner?
**
The five flights left their home base in darkness, taking a circuitous route to confuse unfriendly observers.
Shortly afterwards the ground crew made the five-hour truck journey to Deblin. Just a skeleton detachment remained to assist with camouflaging the base.
*
Palace of Deblin
Thursday, March 2nd – Deblin Military Air Base, Lublin, Poland
The two Chaka Majors had requested their flight commanders come up to their tiny makeshift office. It was best the University had found for them, overlooking the revetments where their precious twenty jets were parked.
“We’ve been here two weeks,” said Kalyna. “And from your reports, all our pilots have mastered the NATO jets they were assigned with. Next, we must fly more mock combat missions against Polish Air Force MiG 29s… except unannounced. If there are no questions, have any of you anything to report?”
No one spoke, so Kapitan Anzhela Havrylyuk stepped forward. “As our appointed Recruitment Officer, Colonel Bondarenko advised me there may be fewer volunteer from within Ukraine, so I should look here—”
“—among the refugees?” asked Vasy, “Or the students?
“Both as we must prepare to cover losses in the next counter-offensive. I’m focusing on refugees as Mariyka is our Student Liaison. Anyway, I might have found a couple of refugees, but training will be an issue. I told them how to get in touch.”
Kalyna thanked Anzhela, “Good start. Even if they require basic training, we will need cadets in peacetime. How are the students reacting to our presence, Kapitan Shevchuk?”
Mariyka answered. “At first, curious about our all-women squadron. A small group always gathers when I’m trying to eat in the canteen. Being a graduate from here helps… and half-Polish.”
“I’m sure you’re careful what you say,” said Kalyna. “There are issues we cannot discuss – even with our allies.”
Mariyka nodded. “Like why we have NATO jets. And why we are here. Being a Polish speaker, I can detect when anyone is too inquisitive. However, overall, they welcome us. There are two or three female cadets who wish they could fight the Russians now.”
The Chayka majors consulted each other, then Kalyna said, “If they are mature cadets, close to getting their wings, they may prove suitable recruits… if they’re serious. Find out more, and we’ll talk with their instructors and the Commandant.”
“I will arrange to talk to them somewhere off-campus and find out more about them. Anzhela, should join us.”
“Good idea. Keep us updated,” said Vasy. “Kapitan Sobol, you have a report from Kalyniv Field.”
Maryna stepped forwards. “As ordered, Sable Flight has been flying night patrols in Polish airspace near our homebase. We were joined by a flight of M-346 advanced jet trainers from here, flown by their best cadets. During this joint exercise, we observed signs of damage at Kalyniv. Rather than endanger the training flight, I requested a ground unit operating a drone to assess what the Russians had destroyed.”
As Maryna handed over the footage, she added, “If we had stayed, the Night Witches would have been crippled,”
**
Saturday, March 4th – Deblin Military Air Base, Lublin, Poland
Mariyka fought back the tears as she gazed across the runway in the direction of Lviv… towards home… everyone she loved. Who had the missile buried?
“We’re so sorry to tell you like this,” said Kalyna.
“There is still hope for everyone,” added Vasy. “The rescuers will keep working through the night… and we’ll keep you informed. Have you comrades you can be with?”
“Anzhela and I were planning to spend time with those three Polish cadets. But—”
“Go as planned. Is there somewhere special you went as a cadet?”
“Too special… my aunt has a mirror restaurant. But she doesn’t know I’m here—”
“Then you need to be there for her tonight. Tell her everything you can. An ideal test for your cadets too.”
**
Zvenigora Restaurant, Deblin
Too many echoes of her buried home… Mariyka shivered, but she forced herself down into the identical cellar restaurant as Lviv.
“Larisa and I are here for you, sister,” said Anzhela. “Observe and learn, cadets. Repeat nothing unless we instruct you to.’
A tall woman left the bar and rushed over to Mariyka. They embraced, tears flowing.
“What brings you here, my special niece. Although your uniforms—” She paused seeing the cadets. “I remember you graduating in that Polish academy uniform – I was so proud.”
Her tears returned, and Mariyka knew she must give the terrible news.
“Aunt Agnieszka, the tragedy is not official yet, but—”
“I already heard, Mariyka. Family grapevine. We will mourn my sister Danuta and the others. But at the right moment as we have done since the Warsaw Ghetto. First, we celebrate life’s beauty. Please eat with us… when you have introduced your friends.”
“This is a 2022 Night Witches Squadron sister, Kapitan Anzhela Havrylyuk and her partner, Larisa Kovalyov.”
Anzhela presented the Polish cadets, “This trio, Daria Jankowski, Maja Andrysiak, and Nadzieja Chlebek, are due to graduate from the University… from ‘The School of the Eagles’. Bravely, they wish to fight the Russians, so we are advising them.”
Agnieszka bowed to them all in turn, then led them to a private table.
“Welcome, Enjoy a family meal with us.”
After a Jewish blessing, they were treated to Cheese Lokshen Kugel.
Kugel – Mohigan Studios
Observing the movie poster for ‘Life is Beautiful’ on the wall, Anzhela said, “That was an emotional film. Excuse me for asking, Agnieszka, but you mentioned the Warsaw Ghetto. Did you—” t
“Lose family during the Holocaust. Our Jewish grandmother died in Warsaw ghetto, as did many of her friends later. They will never be forgotten. I’m sure there are others here who lost ancestors.”
Daria and Maja nodded and closed teary eyes.
Nadzieja glanced around the table, then said, “Genocide continues, though not on that scale. My Ukrainian grandmother tries to ensure we don’t forget Stalin’s attempted ethnic cleansing – the Holodomor, the man-made famine in Soviet Ukraine, when millions died.”
“And now Putin talks of more genocide,” said Mariyka. “Together we must stop him.”
*
FCA 1354 words
Slava Ukrayini
Apologies if I’m slow to respond to comments or struggle to visit all your posts.
us, ensure you visit all the other writers in this challenge via:
Excessive exploring down rabbit holes leads to drowsiness…
.and lost words of wisdom.
If I keep dozing off, this might be next month’s effort. Which works as we will be about to celebrate our 13th anniversary on May 14th. As last month I said, “13 years, three countries, and five homes… and a sixth looking necessary for various reasons, although selling our house might stymie our intent.”
The house move must happen as I need to leave the house when the weather improves – no green snow on April 1st. 😉
My care team are already planning the first stage: getting me in my power wheelchair for indoor trips…to the front room.
Outside needs upgrading from mean streets to trees and grass in a gated, over 55 community with amenities. So far, we have the idea house and community… except no trees = keep looking with help of our realtor friend.
Until the move happens, gaming and writing keep my brain active and alive.
Ukraine is still one of my two writing priorities. I will continue my Ukraine stories until a just peace is reached and the reconstruction has begun. Next episode is due around April 19th – prompt ‘Life is Beautiful.’
Every month, IWSG announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.
Remember, the question is optional!
April 5 question – Do you remember writing your first book? What were your thoughts about a career path on writing? Where are you now and how is it working out for you? If you’re at the start of the journey, what are your goals?
Interesting question with at least two answers, depending on which book is the first:
The first complete draft of a novel: When I was finishing college in the gorgeous Laurentians, north of Montreal, I thought I was on the brink of a career as a fantasy/science fiction writer. I had written the first draft of a fantasy novel, some short stories, and edited a SF/Fantasy fanzine called ‘Mind Sphere’.
However, family demands led me back to England with some short stories, copies of the fanzine, but not the draft novel. Dreams of becoming a writer unwound, although I scribbled a few shorts over the next three decades.
Cover credit: Danielle Sands
The first novel published: ‘Spiral of Hooves’ was my first published novel. The writing journey is full of memories as it’s a mystery set against the horse world surrounding the sport of eventing, which I was covering in my last years as an equestrian journalist. However, the initial inspiration came a few years earlier when I was photographing events… and before I switched career paths to selling organic produce… and then to TV/film production.
Eventually, I returned to writing about horse sports as an equestrian journalist. My initial idea proved too unwieldy, but this time I was ready to commit although my journo-journey was taking off and eating into the fictional commitment. But it was feeding the plotlines. Then at an international indoor show, I was watching a showjumping class when the pieces gelled.
Okay, it took invaluable comments from the experienced novelists of Tunbridge Wells & District Writers Circle , an incurable disease, retirement, a few more years, and my determined American wife to encourage me across the published finishing line.
From that encouraging start, I have kept writing, although judging by the out-of-date ‘Work Progression – or not’ page on this website, kept distracting my progress with new projects… often during NaNoWriMo. Even my second finished novel ‘Wyrm Bait’ was submitted to an editor, and June 2013 I received a positive appraisal with extensive notes and suggestions on how to revise it. Instead, I darted down another rabbit run.
So, eight plus distractions later, I have two more challengers for second novel:
Fevered Fuse – my Snowdon Shadows police procedural, which I’m attempting to revise through my health issues, guided by my editor’s notes, and encouraged across the finish by you, my loyal followers. Many thanks.
Freedom Flight – my ongoing Ukraine saga, requiring a just peace, and maybe a NaNoWriMo attempt to fill in the blanks.
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer – aim for a dozen new people each time – and return comments. This group is all about connecting!
Most important, to me, is my wife Juanita’s birthday. She’s 71 today and precious. In just over a month, we will celebrate our 13th anniversary. 13 years, three countries, and five homes… and a sixth looking necessary for various reasons, although selling our house might stymie our intent.
Juanita shares her special day with St David, the Patron Saint of Wales. When we moved to Harlech in Snowdonia, our first morning in our new home was March 1st, 2014.
That post made me look for other March 1st IWSG posts.
Although, this next one appeared on March 5th, 2014, it seems the most relevant, as we are/might be on the move again. Hopefully, we won’t be offline as long, especially since in 2014 my brother pulled political strings to get our IP provider to provide our connection faster.
Rather than link every March IWSG post, I searched for one more appropriate piece. The one below is not March, but my second ever IWSG post – my first being a month earlier. The chicken-list is interesting as it shows how my life has changed. Neither of my current writing projects were in existence, and Wyrm Bait is now on ice. Gaming has become a lifeline, although I keep it in check.
Every month, IWSG announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.
Remember, the question is optional!
March 1 question – Have you ever read a line in novel or a clever plot twist that caused you to have author envy?
This month I’m passing, not because of no lines or twists existing, but because there are too many. I manage to find at least one in most novels I read or listen to. Author envy occurs too often.
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer – aim for a dozen new people each time – and return comments. This group is all about connecting!
I intend my 2023 WEP-IWSG Challenge entries to be more of my Ukraine stories, as I resolve to continue them until there is a just conclusion to the horrendous war.
For those new to this ongoing creation, please note, this present day tale began with my World War II story Feathered Fire, which introduced the Chayka family from Ukraine and appeared in the 2020 IWSG Anthology (No. 5), Voyagers: The Third Ghost.
Therefore, in today’s Challenge entry I’m able to include a key mid-month romantic event. However, with Russia’s winter offensive threatening to erupt beyond probing attacks, I’m unsure what fate has waiting for my Witches. Unless I ignore reality, NATO holds the cards on when they can be deployed.
I will be following events closely, watching the Ukrainian skies for NATO jets, and listening for the roar of leopards.
Blurb: Night Witches prepare for an imminent offensive.
Part 8
Winds of Change
2023
Sunday, February 12th – Airfield “Kalyniv” near the Polish border.
The Witches’ two squadron commanders were waiting inside with a lanky air force colonel, whom Kalyna introduced as Maksym Bondarenko from Air Command West, Lviv.
“I wanted to be here when our six brave warriors returned from overseas. Curiously, I see ten.”
The new flight leader stepped forward and saluted. “I’m Kapitan Maryna Sobol. We’re Sable Wing from Cold Lake, Canada… the squadron’s newest recruits, sir.”
“More Canadian-Ukrainians. Your aid will be timely with invasion imminent. The 114th Tactical Aviation Brigade formally recognizes this squadron. A unique, all-women unit, though following in the wingtips of a famous regiment. Do you want to resurrect their designation?
Kalyna looked at Vasy, who answered. “Those were Soviet so not our legacy. Just ‘Night Witches’ and the rebirth in 22.”
“Appropriate. However, we must decide how best to covertly introduce 20 pilots flying NATO jets.”
The Witches nodded.
“Use our legacy,” said Kalyna. “–of two Ukrainian sisters who reached Canada in 1945 with Swedish help. Hence, 12 Canadian Hornets and eight Swedish Gripens.”
Commander EvdokiyaBershanskaya gives a briefing to her “Witches”.(Archives Vlad Monster, http://www.ava.org.ru)
“Perhaps,” said Maksym, “your contacts can help revive the plans to begin licensed Gripen production in Lviv.”
Anzhela approached Vasy. “I delivered your message in Sweden. Is that relevant?”
“Yes. Our Saab request ranges from spares to, unofficially, the license.”
Maksym smiled. “Officially, please continue. We need Gripens. Those of you not trained by the RCAF will find flying NATO jets a challenge… one I’m sure you’ll master. Your majors are wise acquiring planes from personal sources where backup is unlikely to fail.”
“When Saab agrees to local production that will change so much,” said Vasy.
“Including removing reliance on the Hornet’s manufacturer, McDonnell Douglas,” added Kalyna. “The RCAF is due to phase that fighter out… so Chayka may acquire more decommissioned stock.”
A murmur sighed among the pilots.
Then Anzhela voiced the whisper.
“How soon before Command requires our new skills? There must have been a goal sending some of us to Canada.”
“True,” said Maksym. “Beyond honing the knowledge to teach others.”
“The next stage is training those who remained,” continued Vasy. “Then we’ll form four Hornet and two Gripen flights will be formed – assignments according to mastery in each jet.”
“You Witches offer unique specialist support,” said Maksym. “However, whether our imminent combined arms offensive includes your squadron depends on other NATO decisions… like openly offering jets.”
*
Tuesday, February 14th – Zvenigora Restaurant, Lviv.
Mariyka and Sergei were greeted by her mother once they descended into the family’s cellar restaurant.
“How was your romantic visit?” asked Danuta, guiding them to a candlelit table for eight.
Italian patio, Kornyakta Palace, Lviv
Sergei bowed. “I never knew such beauty existed in Lviv… and the Renaissance patio was majestic. A jewel to gaze upon while I held this gorgeous one—”
”—He’s unstoppable… even with a shadow—”
“—who was distracted by your chief mechanic,” said prison guard Odarka.
“All part of the escape plan,” said Dariya, “–so, the lovers can abscond.”
Her mother stroked Mariyka’s cheek. “Will I discover where my daughter has been hiding for five weeks? Military secret?”
Mariyka smiled at Sergei. “He may be Russian, but he’s not a spy. Anyway, only Witches are meant to know.”
As Anzhela joined them, Larisa embraced her cousin Sergei.
When Maryna and Bohdana came over, the octet for their candlelit St Valentine’s meal was complete.
“We’re honored to welcome so many sisters in uniform.”
“Our pleasure to be here in this cozy haven of calm,” said Maryna. “May this terrible war pass you by… and end soon.”
As they ordered from the tempting local selection, a trio of uniformed airmen left their dates to accost the Witches.
“Some of you don’t sound Ukrainian. Please satisfy our curiosity, since I see you’re wearing 114th Tactical Aviation Brigade patches like.us “
Maryna looked to her sisters before saying, “Kapitan Maryna Sobol of the 2022 Night Witches. Apologies for my dialect, but I was born in Canada.”
“So, the rumor is true. We get stuck with MiG-29s,” said the envious flyers. “While you demonic dykes get the American jets us real pilots need.”
One of his mates added, “And they sit here colluding with Orcs – the enemy.”
“Divulging all our military secrets… like Leopard tanks?”
“But you just have,” said Sergei. “Fortunately, your drunk voices didn’t echo for all the other disturbed diners to hear. Luckily all the Russians here want to become Ukrainians,
Danuta approached. ‘Don’t let this war divide us. One day my daughter here may need your wings. Return to your ladies and enjoy your meal with a discount for bravery.”
As the pilots slunk away, she served everyone’s meal.
“I suspect Mariyka and some of you ladies were in Canada ensuring the winds of change were on our side. But I’ll guess no more.”
“Maybe after the war, mama. Now, we’ll enjoy great food and love.”
Mariyka squeezed Sergei’s hand, then everyone toasted St Valentine.
Delicious dishes brought all words to whispers, and the four couples closer.
Lost in their partner’s eyes’ they were unaware of the empty restaurant, until Danuta came over.
“I’d love you all to stay, but there’s the curfew.”
“Back to grim reality,” said Mariyka, knowing death stalked them all. “It’s been wonderful, mama… please don’t refuse our money.”
“Bravery discount then.”
As they walked to the door, Anzhela asked, “Why Zvenigora Restaurant? I should know.”
Danuta grinned. “The film posters hold a clue, but no guessing. Maybe another time.”
“If it was Tara, I’d say it was from that poster,” said Maryna, shivering. “Too apt for now though.”
Outside in the chill night, Bohdana clutched Maryna. “The air or ‘Gone with the Wind’?”
“The prejudice of those other pilots, and the poster. You had your civil war in the Donbas—”
“Still part of this twisted conflict,” said Anzhela. “Too many secrets even hidden from us. Those other pilots were guessing, but even we must. I trust Chayka’s intentions, and place Ukraine’s freedom first.”
“We must,” said Mariyka. “But I wonder who profits from this war… and from the rebuilding?
**
FCA 1029 words
Slava Ukrayini
Apologies if I’m slow to respond to comments or struggle to visit all your posts.
Plus, ensure you visit all the other writers in this challenge via:
Writing Wings 