Winston's Spy

by Robert Webber

  The mood that night was entirely different, and Alex imagined that a similar feeling had existed all those years previously when, in another country and another war, Alex’s father was preparing to rejoin his regiment and go to war. Both Alex and Teddy acknowledged that time was against them to plan for the future and that any moment Alex might be called away to serve his adopted country.

  Once they got back to Teddy’s place, their mating was both frenetic and intense, and the conversations between the lovers between bouts of sexual activity were profound and far-reaching. It was clear that both Alex and Teddy had fallen hopelessly in love with each other, but the spectre of war continued to overshadow their future happiness.

  Eager to cement their relationship, they were trying to understand the extent of their commitment; the conversation at the restaurant earlier had consigned friendship to a distant memory – they were now lovers, but how deep was the bond that existed between them? Was there a desire for permanence, or at least as much permanence as circumstances allowed? Their conversation probed the depths of their passion for each other.

  The clock in the hallway had just chimed 4.15am when Alex turned towards Teddy and took the bull by the horns. ‘I love you so much,’ he declared, ‘and I never wish to be parted from you. I would be content… no, not content… I desperately want to spend my life with you.’

  Teddy turned to Alex and gazed at him in rapturous wonder.

  ‘I have never felt about anybody as I feel about you; I think you are my all, my everything, my purpose,’ he stated.

  Teddy leaned towards him and kissed him gently on the lips. ‘And you are mine, darling Alex,’ she whispered.

  Alex, in that rash and impetuous moment, as unprotected as he was when he arrived in this world, slid from the bed, gently holding Teddy’s hand, knelt awkwardly on the floor, and said, ‘Theodora Palmer, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?’ Dredging up some distant memory of a bygone wedding that he had once attended, he added, ‘For better or worse until death do us part?’

  The most whirlwind of all romances had received its due validation, less than forty-eight hours since his birthday, he was proposing marriage to the most adorable creature on the planet!

  Tears flowed down Teddy’s beautiful cheeks, and she looked lovingly at Alex with a genuine smile and said, ‘God willing that day be far in the future, and, yes, dearest Alex, I will.’

  They embraced and made love again, but this time it was different; it was the coupling of two young people who had declared their undying love for each other and who had decided to spend their lives together. It was the tenderest of moments; it fulfilled their hopes, their dreams, their ambitions, their anxieties and their passion. As they lay in each other’s arms afterwards, they realised their love was eternal, even though they had only just met; but time was against elongated romances, and right at that moment was the time to seize every opportunity before events intervened!

  *

  The telephone rang just before 8.00am, and Teddy got up to silence its continuous jingling. Sleepily, she came back to the bedroom and told Alex that the call was for him. ‘A Miss Willoughby,’ she announced.

  Alex swung his legs out of bed and went into the hallway to take the call. ‘Miss Willoughby? Alex Carlton,’ was all he said when he picked up the receiver.

  ‘Lieutenant Carlton,’ the voice at the other end stated formally, her voice grating metallically in his ear, ‘there have been developments, and the commander sends his compliments and hopes you might see him at 09:30 hours sharp?’

  ‘What is the time now?’ he asked.

  ‘Just coming up to 08:00 hours, sir; a car will collect you in one hour. Travel in London over the next few days will be difficult as all main roads are one way only. The evacuation of children has started, you know.’

  ‘Yes, all right, but I’m not at home,’ Alex said somewhat superfluously, as Miss Willoughby had not rung his home number.

  ‘That’s right, sir, the car has been booked for the Cavendish Court address.’

  How on earth did they know where he was staying? He realised that the office must have obtained the address by tracing Teddy’s telephone number, which he had given to Miss Willoughby earlier, but, still, he felt as though they had invaded his privacy a little.

  Alex returned to the bedroom, and told Teddy that he had to go into town to meet his boss and that a car would be collecting him in one hour.

  Teddy smiled demurely and said, ‘A whole hour; now I wonder what we could do to fill the time?’

  It took all of Alex’s self-control not to give in to this tempting suggestion, but he leaned forwards, kissed his new fiancée and said that he needed to get ready. It was the first day of September 1939.

  Alex bathed, shaved, made himself as presentable as possible in day-old clothes, and went back into the bedroom to kiss Teddy adieu; she had risen and had dressed in the same cream silk pyjamas and dressing gown that she had worn when Alex first came back to her flat.

  Taking her in his arms, Alex kissed her tenderly, which she reciprocated similarly, and he said, ‘I hope to not be too long, and we need to talk to our parents to tell them about us.’ To say that the suggestion put a bit of a dampener on the morning was an understatement; Teddy strenuously avoided discussing anything with her father, but Alex had insisted that protocol demanded that he should obtain, if not the permission, at least the approval of Teddy’s father. After what he had been through recently, bearding Teddy’s father in his den to ask for his daughter’s hand in marriage did not trouble him in the slightest.

  *

  The car was waiting outside the block outside Cavendish Court even though Alex arrived five minutes early. The corporal driver drove him through the back streets to Whitehall with an urgency that concerned Alex slightly. On stopping outside the War Office, the driver ran around the car and opened the door for Alex, and he climbed out to enter the building.

  Alex was at once aware of the heightened security; the reception desk was now staffed by a uniformed staff sergeant to whom he was expected to report, and there were soldiers with rifles on duty in the lobby. He joined the queue of assorted military officers and civilians who were also waiting. When it was his turn, Alex announced that he was here to see Commander Jeffers, and the sergeant directed Alex up the stairs to Miss Willoughby’s office.

  When he reached the office, he knocked the door and walked in.

  Miss Willoughby looked up and said, ‘Lieutenant Carlton, the commander will see you straight away.’

  Alex walked through the door to the commander’s office and found Simon Potts in deep conversation with Jeffers.

  ‘Alex, my dear boy,’ began the commander, again with that detestable familiarity, ‘sorry to drag you in, but things have moved on apace. Hitler has invaded Poland! God only knows what will happen next, but the assurances that we gave the Polish people must mean that we will soon be at war with Germany, so it is good that our children are leaving the capital.

  ‘Regarding your project, there is now an urgency to get you operational as quickly as possible, but your passage next week has been unavoidably delayed; it seems that somebody with more clout than the British government has requisitioned your cabin. We are trying to book you on a different Swedish ship on Monday 11th September, which is bound for Gothenburg from Tilbury. You need to ensure that you are ready to leave by that date. Until that time, you should continue writing. How is the writing progressing?’

  Alex replied, ‘In all honesty, sir, I have started, but, with one thing and another, the reality is that it has hardly begun. But I do promise that I shall knuckle down and start producing some articles over the next week.’

  ‘Ah, yes, Simon did mention that you had celebrated your birthday in style. God alone knows what your next birthday will be like!’

  ‘There is another matter that I wish to discuss with you, si
r,’ ventured Alex.

  ‘All right.’ Commander Jeffers seemed wary. ‘That will be all, Simon,’ he concluded to dismiss Alex’s friend.

  ‘No, no; is it all right if Simon stays, as it also involves him, in a way?’

  The commander nodded assent and looked at Alex enquiringly.

  So Alex continued, ‘It’s just that, when I was recruited for this role, I had the impression that when I confirmed that I was unattached, there was a degree of relief expressed. Unfortunately – or fortunately, depending on your viewpoint – that circumstance has changed, and I am now engaged to be married.’

  How this news was received varied enormously. Simon Potts beamed from ear to ear, thrust out his hand and, clapping Alex on the shoulder, he offered his heartfelt congratulations; the commander was more reticent.

  ‘In our line of work,’ he began, ‘the involvement of girlfriends is an unnecessary complication that we try to avoid. Those who do not have a clue say habitually that love makes the world go around, but it doesn’t, you know; in reality, it makes it go ever so slightly elliptical!

  ‘We need our operatives to focus solely on their task, and the distractions of a relationship can, and often do, compromise security and safety. It is also terribly unfair on their partners, as our chaps cannot discuss anything about their work, and this causes a degree of deceitfulness, which is a weak foundation for any relationship. In the past, operatives have been expected to do things that could break the vows that they have made, but such is the nature of our work.

  ‘There is another complication, because your girlfriend will have to be screened by our security people to ensure that she is not a risk, and I have to say that they are very thorough. Many relationships have not survived the scrutiny.

  ‘What can you tell me about this girl? Her family? Her background? Who is she?’ the commander asked.

  ‘Her name is Theodora Palmer, and she is nearly twenty-two. I believe her father was a senior army officer, but he is now retired. She has three brothers: two of whom are serving officers in their father’s old regiment, and one whom the RAF has posted as “missing presumed killed”. Most importantly, however, I love her,’ declared Alex.

  Simon had been listening to this conversation and grinning like a Cheshire cat; he was visibly very happy for his friend, but again the commander was reserved.

  ‘That’s as may be, my boy,’ he said, ‘but if congratulations are in order, and Simon here clearly thinks they are, then you have mine, also.’ At this point, Commander Jeffers extended his hand to shake Alex’s. The meeting was apparently at an end, and Alex had turned towards the door to leave when the commander stopped him.

  ‘Palmer, did you say?’ he asked.

  Alex confirmed the fact.

  ‘Not Brigadier Palmer’s girl? Good God!’

  ‘I truthfully have no idea, sir,’ Alex responded, ‘I have yet to meet her father and ask for his blessing.’

  ‘If it is Brigadier Palmer, then good luck; you shall certainly need it!’

  ‘Do you know the brigadier?’ ventured Alex cautiously.

  ‘Not personally,’ responded Commander Jeffers, ‘only by reputation, and that is sufficient for me to doubt that we could ever coexist in the same service!’

  ‘Really?’ enquired Alex, imagining that the task ahead of him in seeking Teddy’s father’s permission for their marriage was more daunting than he had imagined.

  ‘Yes, really; I might tell you about it someday,’ the commander offered, ‘or maybe not!’

  XIII

  Alex went home to Onslow Gardens and changed into his uniform; it seemed that more and more young men were wearing a uniform, and those who were not were becoming more conspicuous, so even the uniform of a lowly sub-lieutenant in the naval reserve, represented excellent camouflage. He was apprehensive regarding what Jeffers had said about the service “screening” Teddy – he had been subject to “screening” himself at the hands of Treves and his cronies, and he hoped to God that Teddy would never have to endure a similar experience.

  His mother was out visiting friends, but Alex left a note telling her that he had some news and he wanted to bring a friend to dinner that evening. Although this was a presumption that he had not discussed with Teddy, he assumed that she would agree willingly.

  Eager to return to Teddy and tell her his news, Alex ran towards the Old Brompton Road and was lucky to find a taxi waiting at the end of Onslow Gardens. Even though Pembroke Road was only about a mile away, it took forever as the main roads remained reserved for evacuation transport only. All Alex wanted was to get back to his fiancée as quickly as he was able, so he paid the cabbie when they got stuck in traffic and ran the rest of the way.

  On reaching Cavendish Court, he dashed into the building, and because the old lift was at the top of the building he hurried up the stairs two at a time to the fourth floor and rang the doorbell of Teddy’s apartment. He was breathless from his exertions, and, as the door opened, Teddy stood there with a worried look on her face, and it was clear that she had been crying.

  ‘My mother and father are here, and Daddy’s being his usual uncompromisingly obnoxious self,’ she complained.

  Alex took off his cap and placed it under his arm, then he mopped his brow, straightened his tie and made a cursory attempt at brushing his hair with his fingers. He smiled warmly at Teddy and winked before heading to the sitting room. Seated on the sofa was an immaculately dressed woman wearing a moss-coloured tweed skirt and matching jacket, with a cream blouse and a single row of pearls adorning her neck. Alex saw a tall man in an unfashionable, dark-grey business suit standing with his back to the door and looking out of the window. As he turned, Alex experienced a hard, dark stare from eyes that topped a patrician nose, which in turn oversaw a neatly trimmed moustache; his lips were compressed, and he looked as if he would rather be anywhere else than here.

  Stretching out his hand in greeting, Alex said, ‘Good afternoon, sir.’ He smiled at Teddy’s mother, who looked as if she was about to return the smile but instead cast her eyes downwards. Alex’s hand remained outstretched, but Teddy’s father did not attempt to take it.

  ‘So, you are the latest whippersnapper who has been tupping my daughter, are you?’ he demanded.

  ‘If by “tupping” you mean “is in love with your daughter”,’ Alex said evenly, although he had taken an immediate dislike to Teddy’s father, ‘then, yes, I suppose I am.’

  Alex, in an attempt at formality, snapped his heels together with a noise that sounded like a whip crack, performed a small bow and introduced himself formally, ‘Sub-Lieutenant Alexander Carlton, at your service, sir.’

  ‘God damn it to hell, Alice,’ exploded Teddy’s father, addressing her mother but talking directly to Alex, and then turning accusingly to Teddy, ‘Look! The bugger’s not even a regular!’

  ‘Sir,’ Alex replied to Teddy’s father in an even tone, ‘It is abundantly clear that your manner is causing my fiancée distress, and so I will thank you for keeping a civil tongue in your head while she and your wife are present.’

  ‘You damned popinjay! How dare you? God, if I were twenty years younger, I would horse-whip you!’

  Alex was becoming tired of this arrogant and self-opinionated buffoon; whippersnapper, popinjay, horsewhipping – the conversation was deteriorating into the prose of a bad Victorian novel. Squaring his shoulders and looking at Teddy’s father in the eye, Alex said with icy clarity, ‘You come here, upsetting your daughter – my intended – insulting her and disparaging my rank, and you expect me to stand idly by while you do so? Sir, I tell you with all sincerity, that had you been twenty years younger, and not Theodora’s father, then I would have most assuredly called you out for satisfaction!’

  A rumbling came from Teddy’s father that erupted as a surprised roar, which Alex took to indicate that he had overstepped some invisible mark. Teddy’s fathe
r stepped towards Alex, and Alex took a step backwards.

  ‘Well, at least this one has some spunk,’ Teddy’s father announced, ‘unlike the usual jellyfish with whom you associate. And he’s a military man – even if it is temporary – and navy, but, with any luck, the Germans will have the good sense to blow his ship from beneath him, and you will be rid of the scoundrel.’ He pointed at his daughter. ‘You are over twenty-one and can do what you damned well like! Come along, Alice; we are leaving!’

  Teddy’s father stormed out, leaving her mother, who was struggling to rise from the sofa. Alex, gallant as always, extended his hand in assistance, which she took and squeezed as she rose.

  ‘Do not worry about George,’ she said in a conspiratorial sub-tone, ‘his bark is worse than his bite, and I think he quite liked you. Not many people stand up to him as you did. I do hope you will be very happy together.’ Teddy’s mother smiled, hugged her daughter and gave her an affectionate kiss before following her husband out of the room. The front door slammed as they left.

  Alex looked at Teddy and smiled, and just managed to catch her as she swooned. He fetched a glass of brandy, which he proffered to her lips, and she sipped. ‘There, there,’ he soothed, ‘that was not so bad, now was it?’

  Teddy grabbed a cushion and hit Alex’s head playfully.

  ‘And I even think we got his blessing!’ he said with a smile.

  She looked at him in wonderment.

  ‘Well, he did say that you could do what you damned well-liked!’

  At that, even Teddy managed a restrained chuckle.

  As they sat on the sofa with her head in his lap, and with him stroking her face gently, he said quietly, ‘Germany has crossed the border and invaded Poland.’