by Griff Hosker
His face became serious, "Quite right, Captain. Now I need to go through some more detail with the Major. What say you and Lieutenant Ferguson have a wander around the building. We have just begun to put in place the team that will be supporting you and to whom you will be reporting. It might be good for you to get to know them."
"Thank you sir, that would be useful."
"Of course they were only moved from the other side of the building today. As they are all ATS girls I am guessing they make have their knickers in a twist already."
Hugo said, "I don't think so sir. Senior Commander Dunne, the ATS commanding officer, is a calm woman. She terrifies me. The girls call her Dragon Dunne. I think they will be like a swan sir, calm on the surface and paddling for all they are worth below the surface."
"You may be right. She terrifies me. Anyway give us a couple of hours. We'll go to my club for lunch."
"Sir."
Chapter 6
Hugo led me down some dingy, ill lit stairs. "They are down in the basement. We had some squaddies clearing it out. Now that it is painted it looks a little better. What the General meant was that there is a whole section dedicated to Operation Neptune. You are part of that. Your element will be called Operation Dormouse. They will be collating the information you bring back and adding to the information from aerial photography and the French resistance. We did have some SOE agents but we lost too many of them last year to make that source of information reliable."
"It is a pity we couldn't have 'Lady Luck'. I prefer that to a submarine."
"I am afraid it was badly damaged last month. This time it is a right off."
"And the crew?"
"Alan and most of the lads survived. I have no idea what happened to them. They were a good team. I hope their talents were not wasted."
The problem was always that Alan could never keep his mouth shut. He argued with the brass too much. They don't like it.
We stood outside a pair of newly made double doors. There was glass in the top half. I could see that the ATS were still organising the room. A formidable looking woman with severely cropped, greying hair stood in the centre barking out orders while the rest hurried around carrying files, maps, even tables and chairs. Others laboured under huge typewriters.
"They look a little busy, Hugo. Perhaps this is not a good time."
"It is the only chance you will have, Tom. From now on everything comes through Major Foster or me. Your little jaunts to London end today."
I sighed, "Very well." I knew it was important that we put faces to the people who would be responsible for us while we were away but I did not relish bearding the dragon in her den!
As soon as the door swung open Senior Commander Dunne turned around. She was stockily built and reminded me, bizarrely, of Gordy Barker. She raised a quizzical eyebrow and said, "Yes, Lieutenant Ferguson?" Her voice showed she was used to command but I detected a twinkle in her eye.
"General Marlowe sent us down, Senior Commander. This is Captain Harsker and he is part of the team."
"The team?"
"Yes, Senior Commander, Operation Dormouse."
I saw her swing her gaze to me. I was not certain if I was about to be devoured. She certainly looked capable of that. She held out her hand. "I am pleased to meet you, Captain Harsker." Her eyes took in my medal ribbons. "I can see that you are not a desk jockey like Lieutenant Ferguson." Poor Hugo blushed and looked for somewhere to hide. "I suspect this will be our only meeting." She turned and said, "Attention!" Reg Dean could not have done it better. She turned to me and shook her head, "Not as crisp as I would have liked but they are learning. Ladies this is Captain Harsker. He is a real soldier not the lazy types you all seem to date. This is the only time you will see him but you will be processing the information he provides. He is here to see us and, perhaps, understand our work. Now get on with what you are doing. I want this room operational by the end of the day!"
It was as though a light had been switched on in a dark room as they scurried away. "Sergeant West?"
"A Sergeant of the ATS appeared next to me. She had her hair in such a tight bun that her face looked pinched, "Yes Ma'am!"
"This is Sergeant West. She is the nearest thing to a soldier we have." The Sergeant looked pleased with the back handed compliment. "Sergeant West makes sure that every part of the operations room functions. We only arrived this morning and so far it is a shambles but we will make it better." She nodded to the Sergeant to continue.
"Yes sir, we will have a radio fitted in the far corner. I have a couple of girls who have been training on that. They will communicate with the aircraft and ships used in the operation." I nodded. "Everything else will be organised so that each piece of information which enters this room is recorded, logged, filed and cross referenced."
She looked at me expectantly as though waiting for a comment. "Very efficient. I will have to make sure my writing is up to muster then!"
The Senior Commander said, "Not to worry, Captain. I was an English teacher and Deputy Headmistress for thirty years. I will be able to decipher your handwriting. Make no mistake."
I nodded, "And I take it you know the details of the operation?"
For the first time she did not look as confident as she had. "Not the detail Captain." She waved a hand at the uniformed women who scurried around. "These are good girls and can type, file and cross reference but they don't need to know where you are operating."
I smiled, "But you have an idea where we are going, don't you Senior Commander?"
A genuine smile appeared on her face for the first time. "I have a mind, Captain and I use it. I can guess but your secret is safe with me. Well then if you would like to wander around and talk to the girls I have so much to do!"
I nodded and was about to say that I had seen enough when I suddenly caught sight of Doris' bleached blond hair. If she was here then the chances were that Susan would be too. "Thank you Senior Commander. Right Hugo let's go over there eh?"
He looked confused. I said, under my breath, "There is a girl I want to speak to. Watch my back. Make sure I don't attract the dragon!"
"A girl?"
"A girl! I am human you know."
I pretended to be taking an interest in the room but I was scanning for Susan. I saw her bending over a desk putting files in order. I tapped Hugo on the shoulder and then nodded to her. He smiled. I walked up behind her and said, quietly, "So where would you like to go tonight?"
She turned around with a look of surprise on her face. "I didn't think you would remember me!"
I heard a squeal from Doris. Hugo was masterful. I heard him say, "Could you show me where the little boy's room is Private."
"But I know him."
"Of course you do, my dear, the Senior Commander just introduced you. Now come along. I haven't got time to waste." He used his hand to direct her away from us.
"I haven't got much time. I don't know the area. I am in your hands. Where should we go?"
"There is one restaurant, but it is really expensive. We could always have fish and chips!"
"I am not having our first date at a fish and chip shop! Never mind the price. What is this place called?"
"The Whitehall Grill."
"Good. I shall meet you there at seven thirty. That fine with you?" I smiled and was gratified when she beamed back at me. She nodded.
"Captain Harsker is that Private bothering you?"
I turned and saw a glowering Sergeant West, "Quite the reverse, Sergeant, she has answered all of my questions perfectly. She is a credit to the ATS!"
"Excellent." She added, conspiratorially, "She is one of the better ones."
"Quite. Well I have seen enough and I feel more confident having spoken to you all."
As I reached the door Doris and Hugo came in. She opened her mouth but Sergeant West barked, "Private Day please close your mouth. There is a bus coming and it might fall in! Now get back to work!"
Once outside Hugo said, "What was all that a
bout?"
"I met her last night and I wanted a date with her. Thanks Hugo. I owe you."
"I am not certain that the General would approve. Security and all that."
"Bugger security!"
I did not mind the wait for the General. I had thought I would never see Susan again and she was going out with me. I still might make a mess of it but at least I now had a chance.
When they came out he said, "See everything?"
"Oh yes sir. It looks well organised. I am happy."
"Good. We'll head for my club. Roger, fetch the car around." As we headed down the stairs he said, "Any plans for dinner, Captain? The Major said you were driving back tomorrow."
"I thought I'd try a restaurant called the Whitehall Grill."
The General turned, "Damned fine restaurant but very expensive. You can come to my club if you like."
I shook my head, "I think I need to live a little more, General. I should hate to go toes up with money in my pocket!"
He burst out laughing, "That's the spirit."
As we descended the stairs Major Foster asked, "What was that about?"
"Susan! I just met her again and asked her out."
"Good fellow." He suddenly looked worried, "You didn't tell that harpy that I was in the building did you?"
"No Major. She got nothing out of me."
"Thank God." He looked at my uniform. "When we have had lunch we must see about getting that sponged."
I nodded, "If we have time I could do with ordering another uniform. If I am to be at the camp and in France so much I shall need one."
Make do and mend was a national watchword. I did look after my battledress as much as possible. Mrs Dean often repaired it but I needed another set of Number Ones. As we pulled up at the club, close to Green Park, I saw that we were close to the tailors I used. My father had used it for years and it felt like an old family friend.
"General, I will be just five minutes . Do you mind?"
"Of course not."
By the time I had been admitted and brought to the General they were all seated around a table where a doddering old retainer was apologising for the lack of fare. The General nodded me to my seat and said, "Not to worry, Jenkins. Just bring us whatever you think we would like. I trust your judgement."
The General had brought us to his club as it was a discreet place to speak. Without going through the details of the operation we were able to iron out the last of the wrinkles. "I am afraid that you will be doing the Falmouth run at least once a fortnight, Foster. With Lord Lovat back there we will be requiring constant updates."
"Don't forget the liaison with the Americans too, General. They need to be, what is the phrase they use? Ah that is it, they need to be kept in the loop!"
Shaking his head the General said, "We share English but they speak a totally different language."
I smiled, "You can blame your namesake, Captain Webster."
"Mine?"
"Samuel Webster. He wrote a dictionary and changed many of the spellings for efficiency."
"You are an interesting chap Harsker. How can you possibly know that? Your background is Engineering."
"Mum and Dad tried to bring us up as rounded as possible."
Hugo chuckled, "That's right, General. Did you know that the Captain is an excellent cook?"
"I have never met your father but I have heard great things about him. Remarkable that he did so much in the Great War and is now so vital in this."
I remembered my conversation with Alf, the landlord of the pub in which we had sheltered. "That's the trouble sir. There are lots of chaps out there who have managed to avoid doing anything and actually profit from the war. I thought it was just my lads who objected but when the Major and I were talking with some civilians last night we discovered they are just as irate about the issue."
"I know. I just hope that they are brought to book once this damned war is over." We then talked of the changes the war had wrought in the country we all loved so much.
It was almost four o'clock by the time we had finished. It was a leisurely meal but I was anxious to get around to my tailors. They were expecting me but I doubted they would be able to do anything. When we emerged into a damp grey dusk the general said, "Do you want me to send my car back for your, Captain?"
"No sir. The flat is only around the corner."
Shaking my hand the General said, "Good luck Harsker. I have no doubt that we shall see each other again but I want you to know that what you are doing is important. More than that, it is vital!"
I had nipped in to the tailors and told them what I had wanted. I hoped that we had enough time now to complete the uniform. As I walked into the tailor shop I saw a uniform already on the table. "Ah Captain Harsker. We wondered when you would get here."
"But how did you..."
"We have your measurements. I doubt that you have put on weight sir. Here let's try it on for size." Maurice had been a young assistant before the war now he was one of the senior fitters. As he fussed around me he said, "As I thought sir. You have lost a little weight. A couple of darts will do the trick. We have the Commando flashes and pips in stock but we will need some time to swap over the medal ribbons sir."
"That's not a problem, Maurice. I am just pleased that you could work so fast. I have a function tonight in a restaurant."
He beamed, "Then you will be the smartest one there." As he took off the jacket to hand to one of his assistants he said, "A young lady sir?"
I nodded, "A young lady."
"Excellent! Your father will be pleased!"
Everyone, it seemed, was concerned about my lack of love life.
I was there early. It was cold and it was damp but I had my greatcoat and I sheltered under the portico of the empty shop next door. It looked to have been a shop selling high quality foods. There was little of that around these days. I wondered if they would return after the war. Now that we had begun to take back pieces of Europe we could begin to hope that the war might actually end one day. The difference between this war and the Great War was the fact that the civilians had been affected far more. As the air raid the previous night had demonstrated death was as close to those who used pubs as those who dropped behind enemy lines.
As soon as I had arrived I had nipped in to make sure they had a table for us. The owner, another who wished for the more profitable days before the war had assured me that there would be a table but he was less confident about the range of fare we could be offered.
As I waited I found myself panicking about tiny details. Had I shaved closely enough? Should I have had a haircut? What would we talk about? What if she didn't turn up? I shook myself. I could lead men behind German lines; I was about to do something so normal that just about everyone of my section had either a girl friend or a wife. If they could see me now they would laugh and quite rightly too. I said, out loud, "Pull yourself together Tom!"
Susan's voice, almost by my elbow made me start, "You know they say that talking to yourself is the first sign of madness?"
She looked up at me and her smile seemed to drive away the rain, "I wasn't certain if you would come."
She slipped her arm through mine and said, "I told you I would be here." Looking up at the rain filled, black night she said, "Can we go inside? I am sure it will be warmer."
"Of course. How rude of me."
The blackout curtains had prevented us from seeing inside. It was lit by candles. Before the war this had been romantic; now it was practical. There were just two other tables occupied. One had an elderly couple while the other had another version of Doris and what was undoubtedly a spiv. The head waiter glanced over at the couple and said, "I have a nice quiet table over here, sir." He took us to a table which had a potted plant between me and the spiv. He took our coats and said, "I will bring the menu and wine list over shortly, sir."
I could not help grinning as I said, "You look gorgeous!"
She cocked her head to one side and smiled back, "In this l
ight it is difficult to say but you do look handsome." She reached over and touched the lapel on my uniform. "Is this new?" I nodded. "I am flattered. I hope I am worth it and that you aren't disappointed."
"How could I be? As you must have realised this is all new to me."
She laughed, "I can see that but you are a war hero. After you had left the Operations Room even the Dragon was impressed. She kept going on about how you had been put in for the Victoria Cross."
I nodded, "But I may not get it. I am not even certain I deserve it."
"That was the other thing I heard about how modest you are. I am just a plain little ATS girl from Cheshire." She waved a hand around the room. "This is far grander than anything we have in Church Lawton."
"I don't get to this sort of place very often either."
The waiter returned with the menu. I leaned over to Susan, "Do you like wine?"
"I have had a glass of port once. Does that count?"
I laughed, "It is a start." I chose a red wine from the south west of France. I had had it before. Mum liked it because it was soft.
The waiter nodded approvingly, "A good choice sir and if I might suggest?" He gestured at the menu.
"Of course."
"That wine would go well with the pâté." I nodded. "And then vegetable soup?" Again I nodded. "For the main course I would have suggested the liver but I can see that might spoil the evening. How about two omelettes with wild mushrooms and garlic?"
I looked over to Susan, she smiled engagingly, "That sounds splendid to me although I have never eaten garlic before. Doesn't it have a strong smell?"
The waiter said, "If it is cooked badly, miss, then yes. We have a good chef. I will bring the dessert menu later. Bon appétit."
Susan looked down at the array of knives and forks. "I am regretting suggesting this place now. It seems even posher than I thought. Where do you start with all of this?"
I smiled back at her. "Start from the outside and work in but don't worry. I am more interested in you than your ability to choose the right knife and fork."
She laughed, "Doris said you were both posh and she was right. She was jealous when I told her I had a date with you. She wanted one with the Major."