-: After a month of more Orthodox
delivery flights, the day arrived
when I had arranged to collect
my uniform from Moss Brothers.
In the svelte luxury of their showroom, I tried it on.
It was magnificent.
"I'll keep it on," I remarked,
admiring myself in the mirror.
Navy blue, severely cut, black buttons,
a crisp gold stripe on each epaulet,
rich gold embroidered wings on the left breast,
and an absurd little forage cap
that seemed to transform my face.
Quite suddenly, I realized that I was not bad-looking.
The nice little thing from Pretoria
looked at cute as a button.
Twinkling with the remarkable discovery,
I walked along the strand, through the lunchtime bustle
of office workers and servicemen,
and for the first time in my life,
heads turned as I walked along the street.
The greatest compliment of all came when women also turned.
It was a wonderful day.