Looking for Elsie

I was an eleven year old evacuee during the War and my landlady had the assistance of Elsie, a Land Girl on her farm.

I was reminded of her when I saw the Cape Groundsheet in the Weathervain website because she had just such a thing which she wore as a rainwear in very wet weather.

When her three ATS friends came across from the Anti-Aircraft gunsite they each had one. All were brown except one camoulfaged brown and green. However, all were surface-proofed and they fascinated me.

One Summer's evening, they set off to go to the pub where some soldiers had arranged to meet them. It was fine and the capes were all left behind on Elsie's bed.

Once they had set off, thinking I had plenty of time, I crept in and first touched, then smelt, then abandoned myself, naked, to the enveloping folds on smooth, cool rubber. But suddenly, I heard them return and begin to come upstairs. I dived onto the floor between the bed and the wall.

They were "merry" and there was much flapping of rubber as they swung their capes on. They left and I escaped, holding Elsie's cape to me as I watched them go. It had been close call!

I was counting my blessings when I realised that Elsie was standing in the doorway, watching me.

She said nothing, but taking her cape, she put it on before beckoning me into her wide embrace.

"I'm sorry," I remember sobbing.

"I understand," I remember her saying as she set about proving it.

I loved her and I have been looking for another Elsie all my life.

Dear g

What a touching, aching, story. Thankyou so much.

Lorraine

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