St Albans
5pm
April 20th
Tony opened the front door of Ellie’s house to find Jack Fulton standing there holding a casserole dish.
“I thought I’d find you here Tony. I brought dinner. Good choice of woman. Great cook by the smell of it.”
“Come on in Jack. The proof of the pudding is the eating anyway.” Tony added.
“Spare me the intimate details, Ellie my dear!”
Ellie stood in the hall with her arm in a sling children running around her.
“Look honey Jack brought dinner.”
They went into the lounge. Tony went and put the kettle on.
“I’ve had conformation that you’re to get the George Cross Ellie.” Jack beamed.
“Why me? There’s David and Beaumont and well why me?”
“You showed real courage. In the words of Atticus Finch, to misquote I might add, ‘true courage is not a man with a gun in his hands’.” Ellie flushed. Tony came in with the tea.
“What’s that did I hear you quoting the great literature of my homeland?”
“Ellie’s going to get the George Cross Tony.”
“Wow” Oh sweetie that’s so well deserved.” Tony kissed her head.
Ellie’s son said ‘Yuck’ and ran from the room.
“What’s the situation anyway?” Tony asked sipping his tea.
“Sternway and Robinson are to face trial, but they’re being silenced by the secrets act and they know they won’t live if they make a scene in the media, at least that’s what I hear. Telford woke in hospital shouting that he had to get to the Priory Arms in Vauxhall, very confused. He’s been sacked by MI6. Sternway’s department has been disbanded. Oh and the Prime Minister called today to say that he wants a DIC operative as permanent secretary at the Home Office, sort of insider. I’ve suggested Diane.”
“Who’ll replace her?” Tony asked.
“Beaumont’s my choice.”
“What do I get?” Tony mockingly whined.
“You get me.” Ellie laughed.
“That’ll do me.” Tony replied.
“I heard David said he was going to leave DIC. Thought that killing would rot his soul, so he said.” Ellie looked at Tony when she said it.
“Yes he did say that. I told him to think about it. I know he’ll stay on, he’s a natural for it and nothing can taint the soul of people like the ones I choose for DIC.” Jack said and beamed at them.
“How can you be sure he’ll stay on?” Tony asked.
“I arranged for someone to talk him into staying, now how about that dinner?” Jack said with finality.
Dover Harbour Front
6 p.m.
April 20th
Mary McKie sat uncomfortably on the wooden bench by the swimmer statues on Dover harbour front. Conor was wrapped in a puffy coat dancing around to the tune that only every child knows and hears in their head. Beside her David’s father looked as she did to the two figures at the water’s edge.
“She’s a lovely old lady. Her husband was in Ireland bomb disposal. She’s very sweet looking for an old widow that woman.”
“Do I detect a hint of romance in the air you old widower man?” Mary laughed.
“Don’t be daft Mary.” The old man blushed.
At the shore the tall man and the small old lady stood looking out into the channel.
“So you see David it’s always a matter of needing people with a good soul. You naturally want to protect. You’re a good soul. From what you told me, Sternway pushed his family away to protect them. You would have stood in front of them and shielded them. You’re a natural protector” They both looked back at the family on the bench then back out to sea.
“I suppose if you put it that way I should stay on.”
“You should David. As is always said in times of war and don’t forget we are at war ‘your country needs you’ and your country does need you David. Good men are hard to find especially those who in service of their country are willing to kill or be killed.”