CHAPTER NINE
BIRMINGHAM AND LONDON, FRIDAY 23 JUNE 1944
The little Austin Seven is hurtling towards New Street Station. Brian’s father, George, has been trying to find out why his son is going to London three days before his leave ends. All he can get out of Brian is that he is concerned about a friend. George would like to know if this friend’s name would happen to be Elsie. Brian glares at him and says that they will need to get a spurt on if he is going to catch the 9.42. George puts his foot down and moves along at a rattling good pace, narrowly misses crashing into a US Jeep, a tram and two small Morris cars. As Brian reaches into the back seat of the little car for his suitcase, his father has one more try but information is not forthcoming.
“I can’t stop now, I’ll miss that train
