David sat in the royal carriage upon a rather uncomfortable lounge chair. As he stared out the window watching the countryside slide pass, he attempted to review the startling information he had just received.
Julia’s revelations made him examine the countryside with a new intensity. There were active communist partisan groups out there. Their targets, not only military but societal – there was a steady loss of various high officials and aristocrats. Sheffield was a major centre of this underground activity. And the only line open to the north.
The train would be stopping briefly in Derby to pick up a flatbed with an AA gun and crew, and a squad of commandoes seconded by MI6 for the trip. So far the train had made good time. But according to Julia, delays could be expected due to bombed bridges and lines.
He couldn’t quite believe all this, and was keen for the train to get them up north to Inverness.
“Bloody hell!””
David turned to see Josh fuming. He smiled. “Liz not cooperating?”
“Look, she might be the heir apparent, but she has got to learn to take orders!” Josh was fit to burst. “Who does she think she is? I give a reasonable order and she do? She laughs and tells me to go play with my little tin soldiers!”
David’s smile turned into a laugh. “Josh, Josh! Calm down! You know you can’t treat her like any old recruit.” David turned thoughtful, “Here’s an idea, think of her as a superior officer who hasn’t got a clue. After all she is your superior officer isn’t she?”
“Dammit! You’re right! And I will do as you say. But this isn’t as simple a duty as I thought it would be.” As Josh sat down on a chair opposite, David noticed he was wearing his sidearm. Becoming aware of David’s attention, Josh cautioned “If you have a side arm, I suggest you start wearing it. I would repack your duffel and be ready for anything. That’s what I was telling her high and mightiness!”
Standing, David nodded his agreement, and as he made his way back toward the sleeping compartments he said “I’ll go check how Liz is going and encourage her to do as you say.”
“Thanks David. I owe you one.” Josh replied.
As David passed the Royal bedchamber, he noticed both the girls packing valises with clothes. “Morning ladies” he called, and slipped passed before they could respond.
Arriving at his cabin, David lifted down his duffle bag and pulled out his sidearm and holster. Drawing his colt from its holster he quickly chambered a bullet, made sure the safety was on and dug into a side pocket for his ammo. Two boxes, “That ought to be enough” he grunted to himself. Loading an extra bullet gave him eight shots. Pocketing the boxes, he buckled his holster on and holding his gun, feeling the texture of the double diamond rosewood grip, he murmured “You’ve seen me through a whole mess of trouble, so don’t let me down now!”
To anyone watching it nearly seemed that he was talking to a living thing.
Placing the colt into his holster, David left the room and went to rejoin Josh.
