Canning nodded. ‘I’ll contact the others and update them on the situation, they’ll have to see this film anyway.’
Everyone rose and filed out of the room. Dr Lloyd found it difficult to walk. Sir Harold Bates looked at him. ‘How’s the treatment going Arthur?’
‘It’s going well, although I think we all know what the eventual outcome will be.’ Lloyd replied with a mournful sense of humour.
‘Well let’s not look too far ahead shall we dear fellow.’ Bates said patting Lloyd gently on the back.
Chapter 59
The Guesthouse
The Chequers Guesthouse – Enswell – Suffolk – 11:14am
Monday 25th May 1953
Frederick picked up the small brass bell and shook it gently. Almost immediately a tall thin man with dark hair and chiselled features appeared smiling broadly at him.
‘Good morning sir.’ The landlord greeted with a clear cut American accent.
‘Good morning to you.’ Frederick replied with a little surprise evident in his tone. Behind him stood Professor Alan Good who had agreed to accompany Frederick to investigate repeated UFO sightings in the area. Professor Norman Canning had also accompanied them and was unloading the car packed with fishing equipment which was to be their excuse for being in the area.
Enswell was situated between RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall which also served as an American air force base. Although no radar contact had been made, the national press had been running a story about local residents witnessing strange lights in the sky. One witness even claimed to have seen one of these lights land and strange creatures appear dressed in silver spacesuits. Although Frederick had argued that the story was probably a hoax he eventually accepted the task of finding out what was going on. And if it did turn out to be a hoax, at least home wasn’t very far away.
‘We would like three single rooms please for two nights.’ Frederick said politely.
‘Certainly sir we will be able to accommodate you.’ The Landlord replied. A young woman appeared and smiled at Frederick and Good.
‘I’m must say it’s unusual to see an American running a traditional English guesthouse. Do you get many locals frequent the pub?’
‘Not as many as we would like to.’ The American smiled.
‘We do get the boys from Mildenhall and Lakenheath airbase and a few local’s come over, but it’s mostly servicemen.’ The woman explained also showing that she was American.
‘I see and how long have you been running this establishment?’ Frederick asked.
‘Oh let’s see now.’ The woman thought for a few seconds. ‘My father was stationed here in January.’
‘Your father?’ Frederick said.
‘Yes he’s Mildenhall’s base commander, anyhow Tom my fiancé decided to take a short spell from campus and join me. This place was up for lease so we thought what the hell. This will be our third month here now.’ The woman looked at her fiancé. ‘I’m forgetting my manners, I’m Janet Stacy and this is Tom Winchester.’
‘I’m Ralph.’ Frederick said gesturing behind him. ‘My colleague Mr Alan Good and our other comrade in arms is sorting out our rods.’
‘Oh I see you’re up here for the fishing, well if you catch anything good our chef will be more than happy to cook it for you.’ Janet offered.
‘Thank you very much.’ Professor Good replied, signing the guest book.
‘Listen fellas, since you are our first proper English guests, the first pint of beer is on the house, I’ll sort your luggage and Janet will escort you to the bar.’
‘That’s very kind of you Frederick remarked, but it’s a little too early.’
‘Nonsense.’ Snorted Norman Canning who had just appeared in the doorway laden down with luggage and fishing gear. ‘It’s never too early, especially if these nice people have offered us a free pint.’
Tom stepped from behind the small reception area. ‘Here let me help you with that.’
‘Thank you young man.’ Canning clapped his hands together and rubbed them. ‘So what about that free pint of beer then?’
All three men sat patiently at the bar while Tom dealt with their luggage. Professor Good took a large gulp from his glass and set it down on the bar.
‘So what do you think of our quaint little village?’ Janet asked.
‘It’s very nice.’ Professor Canning replied. ‘Although while I was unloading the car there were two oddballs watching me.’
Janet smiled broadly shaking her head. ‘They’re not locals.’
‘Really.’
‘I’ll let you in on a little secret, over the past few months we’ve been invaded by men from Mars.’
‘Good lord!’ Canning replied glancing quickly at Frederick, who was already rolling his eyes. Janet had just finished pouring her second glass and picked up a third one.
‘No not for me dear.’ Frederick gestured by putting up his hand. ‘As I said it’s a little too early.’
‘Would you like some tea?’ Janet asked.
‘No I’m fine thank you.’
‘So who are those two chaps?’ Canning asked.
‘They’re a couple of investigative reporters apparently.’ Tom said as he entered the bar. ‘I take it Janet has been filling you in on our claim to fame.’
‘This gentlemen just commented on those two guys hanging around outside.’
Tom smiled. ‘Oh yes our resident Martian hunters, they’ve been hanging about now for a week but they’ve yet to come in.’
‘Well I suppose there are those who take these things kind of seriously.’ Frederick commented candidly.
Tom nodded. ‘We have plenty of them in America, flying saucers are a big thing over there to.’
‘What sparked of all this flying saucer nonsense off?’ Professor Good asked.
‘Young master William Davies a local farmer’s son claims he saw something in the sky and that it landed and two Martians appeared. But to be honest he had quite a few beers in here. Lord knows why he decided to go to the press about it.’
‘Any other witnesses?’ Frederick asked.
‘Just a few locals, but I think it’s more drink than anything, nearly all of them come in here and get tanked up if you catch my drift.’
Frederick nodded. ‘I take it you don’t believe in such nonsense?’
‘No sir.’ Tom replied. ‘I like to keep my feet firmly on the ground, if you ask me it’s too much of an active imagination.’
Canning finished his pint and put it down on the bar. ‘Well I don’t know about you I’m here to hunt some fish not Martians.’
Tom laughed. ‘I hear you on that one.’
Chapter 60
The Activists
2:43pm.
After a light lunch of ham and mustard sandwiches and another round of drinks all three men decided to head out for the afternoon. ‘I don’t see why we can’t make use of this equipment. Besides that sweet young lady promised their chef will cook whatever we catch.’ Canning said with enthusiasm.
They walked for about a mile before coming across one of the many waterways which crisscrossed the county of Suffolk. As they began setting up their equipment Frederick noticed two men watching them from a few hundred yards away. ‘Are those the two you spotted earlier Norman?’
Canning looked to where Frederick was pointing and nodded. ‘Yes that’s them.’
The two men started to approach, Frederick, Good and Canning carried on setting up their fishing rods pretending not to be two bothered about the approaching strangers.
‘Good afternoon gentlemen.’ The shorter of the two men greeted. He quickly surveyed their fishing equipment and looked almost disappointed that there was nothing more.
‘Good afternoon.’ Frederick replied.
‘I take it you gentlemen are here for the fishing?’
‘You don’t miss much do you.’ Norman Canning remarked sarcastically.
The man glared at him for a few seconds before focusing his attention on Frederic
k. ‘Are you planning to stay long?’
Frederick nodded. ‘A few days it depends what we catch.’
‘I see you gentlemen are staying with the Americans at their guesthouse.’
Again Frederick nodded, but he began to tire at this man’s pointless questioning. He drew a deep breath. ‘Yes.’
‘And what are they like?’
‘I don’t quite follow you.’ Frederick replied.
‘What I mean is how is it a couple of Yanks are running an English boarding house?’
Professor Good started to lose patients. ‘Look gentlemen is there something you wish to know or are you going to continue to babble on?’
‘He was only asking a few questions that’s all.’ The other man said firmly.
‘I’m sorry let me introduce myself.’ ‘The shorter man said holding his hand out. ‘Fred Barnet this is my associate and esteemed colleague Albert Atkins.’
‘And what brings you to this part of the world?’ Asked Frederick.
‘We are here on a matter of a scientific nature.’ Barnet replied.
‘Are you scientists then?’
Atkins shook his head. ‘No but our organisation has its roots based in scientific theory.’
‘And what organisation might that be?’ Professor Good enquired.
‘We run the British UFO Bureau of Investigation.’ Barnet said proudly. ‘We are in the area investigating a number of sightings, perhaps you gentlemen may have read about this. It’s been all over The News of The World.’ Barnet reached into a small satchel and pulled out some A4 sheets of paper which were fastened together with a paperclip. ‘We have a monthly newsletter that goes out. Our circulation is over eighty now and some of our subscribers are very distinguished.’
Frederick looked at the newsletter which was made up of four pieces of paper. The newsletter contained detailed accounts of sightings all across the country. Frederick found himself being impressed by the neatness and formality of the newsletter. ‘So these distinguished subscribers you have just mentioned who are they?’
Atkins smiled broadly. ‘None other than his Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh and also Lord Mountbatten. We wrote to the palace last year to ask if they would be interested in subscribing to our newsletter. Can you imagine our surprise when we got a letter back from the royal Equerry Peter Horsley?’
‘That is impressive.’ Canning remarked. ‘Have you seen any UFOs around here yet?’
‘No.’ Barnet replied with an air of disappointment.
Frederick handed back the newsletter. ‘Well good luck with your search gentlemen.’
‘One can only hope.’ Barnet put the newsletter back into his satchel.
‘I tell you what, why don’t you gentlemen join us for a drink later this evening, we’d love to hear stories about your organisation. You must have some fascinating insights into what these UFOs are.’ Frederick suggested.
‘Oh we do.’ Atkins replied enthusiastically.
Barnet stood silent for a few moments contemplating Frederick’s invitation. ‘We’d be delighted to join you gentlemen for a drink, say about eight thirty.’
Frederick nodded and smiled as the two men walked away chatting to one another excitedly.
‘I hope you don’t think we’re going to sit with those bores tonight.’ Canning groaned.
‘I just wanted to know more about the Duke’s interest in UFO’s that’s all.’
‘Providing they’re not stringing you along.’ Canning commented. ‘For all you know they could have made a cock and bull story just to reel you in.’
‘Maybe, but it doesn’t discount the fact that he mentioned Peter Horsley and that I encountered him last year in Yorkshire.’ Frederick explained.
‘I suppose it is a bit of a coincidence.’ Professor Good commented. ‘But I’m not talking to them all night long.’
Canning felt a tug on his fishing rod. ‘That was quick, looks like fish is on the menu tonight gentlemen.’
Chapter 55
Strange goings on
The guesthouse
8:23pm
That afternoon all three men managed to land four good sized trout and a large carp. When they arrived back at the guesthouse they presented their catch to Janet who fulfilled the promise she had made earlier that day. The chef had served up a feast, and after dinner the three of them sat at a table in the corner of the bar, waiting for the two men they had encountered earlier that day.
‘I still say this is a waste of time.’ Canning grumbled as he lit his pipe.
‘We’ll see.’ Frederick answered.
The bar had now filled up with American servicemen from Mildenhall who were quite chatty and the duke box that Tom had imported specially from the US spewed out a list of Hank Williams hits. Atkins and Barnet appeared at the main entrance and looked around nervously. No one paid them any attention as they made their way through the bar towards Frederick and his two companions.
Frederick stood and stepped forward. ‘Gentlemen, you made it.’
Canning stood. ‘I’ll get the next round.’
Barnet looked nervously around him at the other drinkers.
‘You needn’t take any notice of these chaps Fred they’re just out for a drink.’ Frederick said.
‘I don’t want anyone else listening in on our conversation that’s all.’
‘I doubt whether these airmen are interested in things such as flying saucers and men from Mars.’ Professor Good stated.
‘We’re not here just for the flying saucer story you know.’ Atkins said. He quickly scanned the bar to make sure no one was looking in their direction. Leaning forward he spoke in a low voice. ‘We’re also here investigating the possibility that the yanks could be using Mildenhall as a testing ground.’
‘Testing ground?’ Frederick enquired.
‘For highly advanced experimental aircraft.’
Professor Canning returned with a tray of drinks and set it down on the table. ‘Here we go chaps.’ He sat down and scooped up a glass taking a large swig from it. ‘So what are we discussing?’
‘Albert was just telling us that the Americans could be testing experimental aircraft out of Mildenhall.’ Frederick explained.
‘Really what kind of aircraft?’
‘We’re not sure but we believe that it could be something capable of great speed, using jet engine propulsion, and capable of flying at great height. We believe that these aircraft are being launched from the belly of a modified B-50 American Bomber.’ Barnet revealed. ‘The aircraft they are testing is based on a German design, which was being tested by the Nazis during the war.’
‘Forgive me gentlemen.’ Good interrupted. ‘But that sounds as fantastic as the flying saucer story you said you were up here investigating.’
‘Myself and my colleague here.’ Atkins said. ‘No longer believe that any UFOs have been spotted in the area. We believe that it’s a cover story for what’s really going on.’
‘And what is that precisely?’ Canning asked.
‘We believe they’re using these aircraft to probe Soviet territory.’
‘Nonsense!’ Good exclaimed. ‘I don’t believe the yanks are that far advanced yet.’
‘How do you know?’ Atkins shot back.
‘My dear man, I worked with Frank Whittle during the war and I can assure you that the Americans are yet to develop anything that could penetrate Soviet territory.’
Barnet reached into his inside pocket. ‘This is a sketch drawn up by a witness who said he had sneaked into the airbase.’
Good studied the crude diagram which depicted a small one man aircraft with a slender body, and swept back wings.
‘Of course that’s not an accurate diagram but it does match the description of an aircraft the Americans have been testing over the Nevada desert for the past few years.’ Barnet revealed.
Good nodded as he handed the piece of paper to Frederick. ‘And how is it you know all this Mr Barnet?’
The man smiled. ‘
We have an American section of the Bureau and he is an aircraft enthusiast. I managed to have a full telephone conversation with him last month. He described an aircraft similar to the one in that drawing. He believes that the Americans have built an aircraft capable of reaching over one hundred thousand feet, and flying at speeds of up to mach two.’
‘Impossible.’ Good dismissed.
Barnet glared at him. ‘Oh really, and when exactly was the last time you spoke to Mr Whittle?’
Good found himself on his back heel. ‘Well actually.’
‘Go on.’ Barnet interrupted.
Good took a deep breath and gave a nod of defeat. ‘It is several years since we last spoke.’
‘Exactly, are you familiar with the latest aircraft designs?’
Frederick decided to ask a question. ‘So who is the witness you mentioned just now?’
‘He’s a local lad, goes by the name of William Davies, he’s a farmer’s boy.’
Professor Canning rolled his eyes as he remembered what Tom had mentioned earlier that day.
‘Have you spoken to him first hand?’ Frederick enquired.
Atkins nodded. ‘We have.’ He pointed at the diagram. ‘This is how we were able to get a description of the aircraft.’
Professor Canning looked across the bar, and noticed that a small group of servicemen were hovering around a dart board. He clasped his glass and stood. ‘I think I will show those chaps how to play a decent game of darts.’
Good looked in the same direction and also stood. ‘Mind if I join you Norman?’
‘No not at all.’ Canning replied. Both men headed in the direction of the dart board leaving Frederick and the other two men alone.
‘Your friends don’t seem to believe us.’ Atkins said.
‘I have to admit gentlemen your story does sound a little too farfetched.’
‘We intend to expose the Americans and prove to the world that their testing experimental aircraft out of Mildenhall.’
Codename Angel (The Angel Chronicles Book 1) Page 18