Deep Behind Enemy Lines, page 21
There was stunned silence, each man thinking, now there’s a bloody turn up for the book. This was what I joined Special Forces for; the operational challenges and, hopefully, promotion to go with it.
‘I see from the smiles of surprise on your faces that this announcement pleases you. The UKFO will be depending on your skills during these new duties, which is why you’ve been chosen to don the respective mantles. I know the usual response to praise is just doing my job, Sir but nevertheless, I do feel honour bound to thank you for your exemplary service to this unit, and am proud to have had the four who are leaving here under my command. Ditto you other men who are to remain here. Mr Travers and I want to take this opportunity to congratulate you all and wish you good luck in your new roles and locations. Those of you who are leaving will be given all the in-depth details of your new postings available to us when you report to your next OC. Mr Travers and I will be on hand to bid you bon voyage on the Thursday and Friday mornings just prior to you flying out,’ Major Brown concluded.
Josh and Bill thanked the OC and Travers for their attendance and the two senior men left the meeting followed by a round of applause.
‘Sir, permission to speak?’
‘Go ahead Sergeant’ said Josh
‘I believe I speak for all of us here when I say how delighted we are at this gratifying news. We want to offer our thanks for your confidence in us and your recommendation for our promotions. Can I also say, on behalf of all of us you’ve been great bosses?’ There was no embarrassment, just sincerity as he said this. To a man, all six nodded, stood and came smartly to attention.
‘Well yes, you may say it corporal... Apologies, Sergeant, and thank you all for the compliment. Your promotions are certainly well deserved,’ said Josh. ‘OK, men, enough flattery. Sit down and listen up. You’re to make immediate arrangements with the camp tailor to have badges of rank changed on uniforms by first thing tomorrow morning. At 0700 hours, you’re to bring the whole unit together here to be given an explanation concerning the promotions and, of course, notices will be displayed on the Garrison Part One Orders Board announcing all the details.
Also, with effect from tomorrow, you’ll move out of the corporals’ accommodation and into the WO’s and Sergeants’ Mess. As I’ll be the last to leave on the Friday, I’ll introduce you to the Garrison Regimental Sergeant Major and members of the mess. Are there any questions,’ asked Josh.
‘Can you reconfirm what time on the Thursday we expect to leave for Eastleigh,’ asked Corporal Newell.
Bill answered. ‘1200 hours, so be sure to have all your belongings packed and ready for travel. A troop Land Rover will take us to RAF Eastleigh check-in. I’ll secure all the necessary documentation for the three of us from the unit administration office.’
‘Thanks Sir.’
Sergeant Jones piped up. ‘I’ve got the same question regarding on-boarding for the Aden posting.’
‘We’ll also be leaving camp at 1200 hours and both of you should be fully prepared kit-wise. Take note we’ll all be travelling in clean fatigues. I’ll order the Land Rover to take the three of us to Eastleigh and get all our paperwork together for travel,’ explained Josh.
‘Thanks for that, Sir.’
‘When will Sergeant Wilson and I be having handover/takeover of our responsibilities from you and Warrant Officer Scraggs?’ asked Sergeant Gardner.
‘It will be undertaken by me on behalf of us both tomorrow morning after roll-call and unit meeting,’ Josh replied.
‘That’s fine, Sir, and thanks.’
‘One final point before we adjourn. You should all make your way to the camp tailor before 1900 hours, which is when he finishes for the day, to get your new badges of rank sewn onto your clothing. You’ll probably be able to get wrist badges from the Garrison store,’ concluded Josh.
All six newly promoted Sergeants left the conference facility at the double, heading for the regimental camp tailor.
‘I think you and I should also pay a visit to the stores. I’m sure we’ll be able to find two temporary Warrant Officer wrist badges,’ said Josh.
‘OK, let’s go.’
They were lucky enough to locate a couple of old brass Warrant Officer Class 2 badges mounted on leather wrist straps which Bill thought would at least do them to validate their new rank pro tem. Uniforms could be tailored at their next postings.
‘Yes, these’ll do for the time being. So, matey, let’s go get them rebels and show ’em what for,’ retorted Josh in bad English; and worse Welsh. He had a definite air of optimism and an eager smile on his face.
‘Too right, my buddy,’ replied Bill, who was also feeling like he was two feet above the ground at the prospect of seeing more action in a different environment.
Chapter 39
Back in their own office Bill and Josh sat with coffees.
‘Well after all the excitement, and since tomorrow is New Year’s Eve, I thought we might chill out for the day. We’re up to date with everything after all. There’s a swanky cocktail party being arranged for tomorrow evening and all members, wives and guests will be there for the celebrations along with thee and me,’ said Josh with a devilish glint in his eye.
‘Oh, God! I’ve no doubt it’ll be a good evening, particularly being available old bachelors, eligible to lead unaccompanied ladies onto the dance floor, although thankfully, I do have a valid excuse for not jigging about.
If nothing else, the food is bound to be good and we can prop up the bar if we get bored after making all the obligatory noises at midnight,’ Bill said with little enthusiasm. He hadn’t had a lot of practice in the art and protocol of polite cocktail party etiquette nor, for that matter, being a partygoer in general.
‘Well, there’s certain to be one or two unattached females who’d be flattered if asked to dance, and you can manage the slow shuffles. Even the odd officer’s wife maybe. It’ll keep us out of mischief for a few hours anyway,’ chortled Josh.
‘Yep, I suppose you’re right,’ said Bill grudgingly. He was pretty concerned about his leg standing up to the pressure and the twisting expected on a dance floor. Consequently, he consoled himself with thinking, well as they say, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Now there’s a mixed metaphor to conjure with!
Most of New Year’s Eve day was occupied in catching up with personal chores; cleaning their rooms and doing the laundry with the help of the mess houseboys, which was much appreciated. Bill’s leg wound was becoming marginally less painful; with the help of painkillers of course. He’d have to lay off them by lunchtime if he wanted to have a few drinks this evening. The dressing had been changed a few times and it was a relief to know there were no signs of infection.
He expected to have the stitches removed before travelling to Singapore. The domestic workers were mostly of the Joluo tribe from South West Kenya. This tribe was the fourth largest ethnic group after the Kikuyu tribe, which although still being dominant in the region was definitely not deemed trustworthy as mess boys during this current unstable climate, which was not dissimilar to the Mau Mau insurrection years.
When the chores were dispensed with they had coffee whilst the New Year decorations continued apace with final touches for the evening event. At 1830 hours, wearing their smart regimental evening attire, they walked into the bar and placed their order. It was Bill’s usual pint of Tusker and a double G & T for Josh. The lounge was indeed looking very festive as only the army could do. Almost akin to the big London hotel ballrooms, with the enormous and brightly lit Christmas tree at one end, and the gigantic net of balloons suspended from the ceiling.
Half an hour later the guests began to arrive, and the room quickly filled. Most of the couples stood in small clusters holding glasses and the young army DJ was playing the latest record releases at a comfortable volume. The mess caterer was directing the staff with the preparation of the buffet tables.
‘There looks to be a few unaccompanied ladies, so I think it’s time we girded our loins and start mingling, get sociable and just enjoy,’ Bill said.
They separated to perform their social duty, stopping here and there to speak to this officer or that, receiving congratulations on their promotions and then moving on.
At 2100 hours the mess caterer rang his bell. ‘Ladies to the buffet please.’
A slow but general wave of women moved to the enticingly laden tables, closely followed by the men. Bill and Josh helped themselves and noticed two rather attractive young ladies sitting with their plates at the bar, so they walked across and smiled politely.
‘Good evening, ladies. Do you mind if we join you?’
‘No, please, be our guests,’ said one of them who told them her name was Angela and introduced her friend as Maureen.
Josh introduced himself and Bill as Warrant Officers, Royal Signals.
‘Are you ladies local?’
‘Well yes, as in local to the WRAF at RAF Eastleigh. We’re on posting as Sergeants there,’ Maureen answered.
Surprisingly, although having only just met, the conversation flowed easily and became more interesting and personal the longer they sat there. Josh and Bill had the hopeful thought they could be in with a chance. As conversation progressed, Bill found himself talking to Maureen almost exclusively. Josh had obviously taken a shine to Angela and was deep in quite flirty talk with her. The DJ was playing a good selection of mood music whilst people ate or made slow swaying progress around the floor. Bill and Maureen had now exchanged information about why they joined up, where they came from, siblings, parents, partner or not, etc.
When the music started up with the next offering of the Beatles’ Love, Love Me Do, Bill heard himself ask Maureen quite naturally if she’d like to dance. He couldn’t quite pinpoint why he was feeling mildly lightheaded, but he knew it certainly wasn’t the drink and, for the moment, his gimpy leg was forgotten, even though there was still a noticeable limp. But the slow pace of a dance did nothing to inhibit his rhythm. When he encircled Maureen in his arms the surge he experienced was almost overwhelming, and he found he was inwardly trembling. It took real concentration to control it.
‘Are you OK,’ Maureen said with a look of genuine concern. ‘I think we should sit down.’
‘Oh, yes, got a bit of leg trouble but it’s more likely a drop too much, I’m sorry,’ making light of his slight wobble.
‘Come on, soldier, I’m Armed Forces too and I know a wound from tipsy. I haven’t seen you order another drink since we started talking and you picked up a half-finished glass from the bar when you sat down. Therefore, it’s not drink its physical damage. You should have said, we could have passed up on the dance.’
As they danced Bill wished it could go on forever. Certainly, he’d had female friends, lovers and one-night stands during his life thus far; what red-bloodied heterosexual male hadn’t? But somehow this particular and very special feeling had never visited him, and he’d gone in pursuit of a career with very little thought to partner permanence. He’d been in his cups quite a few times in the past, but it seemed only half a glass had been enough to set his senses rocking this evening; or was it that?
In any case, he was persuaded to sit down and when they were seated, and he was endeavouring to regain control he asked Maureen how long her posting was.
‘My tour is initially for two years so, unless it’s extended for some reason I’ve got another 18 months and then who knows where. I was based in the UK before this.’
Their return to the table went unnoticed by Josh and Angela who were huddled almost nose-to-nose in intimacy. When midnight struck Bill gave Maureen a peck on the cheek and wished her a Happy New Year, as each did to the others in their little group. When Maureen smiled, Bill actually thought he could feel his heart thump against his ribcage, or so it seemed to him. When, at 1230, Josh said he was taking Angela back to her base, Bill, of course, offered to escort Maureen back too.
‘You don’t have to you know,’ said Maureen.
‘I know, but I’d really like to,’ Bill said, surprising himself.
‘Then I’d like that too. We’ll just get our wraps and bags,’ and both ladies left for the cloakroom.
It hadn’t been often in his life that Bill had felt so confused and out of his controlled comfort zone. The only real commitment where love was concerned was for his mother and sister. Not the same thing! Here was a woman who, without even trying, had touched something in his deepest core.
She was pretty of course, but for him it was her easy manner and total lack of coquettishness he felt comfortable with, and she made him feel so good about himself without a hint of fawning come-on. Just friendliness. Whilst Maureen and Angela went to get their things, Bill phoned for a taxi to meet them at the garrison’s security barrier. This was good thinking, considering even the little alcohol he’d consumed would be too tempting an opportunity to an overzealous MP on the prowl. He looked over at Josh. Hell, he couldn’t be so mean-spirited as not to offer him and Angela a ride too. Josh wasn’t sober enough to drive anyway, that was for sure.
One of Maureen’s most lovely features were her amazing eyes which were a deep brown flecked with amber and green lights, and her hair was the softest chestnut curled around her shoulders. The way she smiled was hypnotic and the little creases around her eyes told him she laughed and smiled a lot. He was truly spellbound.
As they rode back to the RAF base the chat was still easy and natural with no difficult silences between them. Conversely, Josh wasn’t doing much talking; he was otherwise occupied. Since they had no official business at the RAF base Josh and Bill couldn’t pass through the security gate so, when they got out of the taxi, each couple drifted along the perimeter in opposite directions. Bill was suddenly tongue-tied, and he found himself stammering.
‘So, er… Got to say good night, eh? Um, Maureen would er… Would you think me too forward if I asked to see you again?’ He blushed. Get a grip man you’re supposed to be a hard-as-nails combat soldier, not a teenager on a first date!
‘Do you know, I think I’d like that very much,’ and Maureen smiled her amazing smile. ‘However, I’d prefer it if you called me Mo, all my closest friends do. Maureen is so formal.’
All at once Bill felt his confusion fade and he asked for her phone number and other details so he could get in touch.
‘Also, I didn’t ask. How long are you posted here for?’
‘I’ve not been here very long really. I’m seconded to a special unit which I can’t talk about I’m afraid. Sorry.’
‘Oh, that’s OK. No need to apologise, that’s army life for you,’ said Mo.
He also told her he’d be leaving for a new posting in Malaya on Thursday week, and wondered if she had an evening free for a drink or a meal before he left.
Mo’s sunny smile faded just a little. ‘Yes, I could manage that. I’d like it very much.’
The timing just sucked, typical sod’s law. Very tentatively he leaned forward bending down slightly and quite gently kissed her on the lips and was more than delighted when she responded in kind. Her lips were soft, and the smell of her hair intoxicated his senses. He watched as Mo walked through the barrier gate and she glanced back over her shoulder several times whilst Bill kept his hand raised until she disappeared.
‘Sleep tight,’ he called into the night.
He got back in the taxi and waited until Josh finally joined him. On the drive back to the garrison he just couldn’t take the wide grin from his face and it felt like he was on air. Did people really feel like this? Well right at this moment he certainly did. He heard a quiet grunt and snore from the other corner of the back seat and looked to see Josh fast asleep. Even so, his face resembled a moon-struck calf. Maybe it’s something in the air or the water, he thought. The fact time was so short to try and get to know Mo even a little bit more, didn’t wipe the grin from his face. He’d get it sorted he vowed to himself.
When he finally fell asleep that night his dreams were both chaotic and euphoric and next morning he still hadn’t come back down off the ceiling. He just felt like a million dollars, but with an underlying anxiety. He was going to call her at the first opportunity, today if possible. Sanity kicked in as he was leaving the mess, and with not a little effort he composed himself and his face into proper Warrant Officer mode.
Josh and Bill could now look forward to five days of relaxation before work started up again on 6th January. They sat quietly nursing their coffee for a good fifteen minutes or so until Josh looked up.
‘Well?’
‘Well, what?’ Bill already knew what the question was about.
‘Maureen?’
‘What about her?’
‘Oh, come on Bill. Your face says it all old mate. You might try to hide it, but you came into the mess looking like the cat that got the cream. You had a bloody halo all round you for God’s sake.’
‘Well, I’m going to give her a call this morning and ask if she’d like an evening out. That’s always assuming she’s not on duty or something,’ Bill responded.
‘Great! So, you got on OK then. Smitten? Or just feeling in need of a little female company to break the monotony of continual male machismo?’
Bill had never been inclined to discuss any woman he’d known in his life with anyone, leave alone army mates.
‘She’s a nice woman. I liked her company and yes, a change is as good as a rest, as they say. What about you, have you got any plans where Angela’s concerned?’
‘Been thinking about it a lot since I woke up. We didn’t discuss anything on-going but maybe when I’ve given it a couple of hours to get my balance back after last night’s drinking, I’ll give a call and see if she’s free.’
