by Carl Leckey
I indicate the dirty plate and the remains of my petite dejeuner “Me I have had a good English fry up and it was real tasty.” I smack my lips she gives me a good hearted dig in the ribs. I run through the routine checks with Louise then start the vehicle.
Within half an hour we are off with me behind the wheel on our second days travel. We fairly bowl along meeting very little traffic, we do however encounter many road workers patching and repairing, most of them appear to be Middle Eastern in appearance.
We have another stop for lunch, and to perform natural functions close to a wooded area. I again lay out the canvas and stretch out while the two women disappear into the woods. I must have nodded off when I am disturbed by a shout of alarm. I leap to my feet in time to see the two women running towards me. Sister Marie has her habit hoisted up to free her legs. At first I am unable to see what is scaring them until I detect four men bursting out of the tree line. The men begin chasing Louise and Marie towards me. Bloody hell how shall I tackle all four of them?
I haven’t time to crank Pompey Lill up. I am in a quandary until I remember the Luger stashed in the cab. I climb aboard with the agility of a monkey and locate the gun just as the women arrive breathless at the vehicle. I order them aboard wave the pistol in the air and shout. “Halt or I fire.” The men observe the pistol and come to a halt about thirty feet away and begin arguing between themselves. They appear to be of the same nationality as the road workers we have been passing all day. I shout another order. “Go on bugger off you lot or I’ll shoot.” They hesitate then begin edging forward evidently they think I am bluffing. Whether they don’t understand my threats or consider they can overcome one man and two women is debatable. I personally hope they go away as I haven’t a clue of how to cock or fire the gun. Louise stands behind me and shouts something in rapid French. The men ignore her spread out and begin advancing as if to a prearranged plan. Louise urges me. “They are getting closer, go on Adam shoot the blooming thing.” “Louise.” I whisper my mouth as dry as a desert. “I don’t know how to fire the bloody gun.” “Here give it to me.” She takes the pistol fiddles with it for a couple of second’s aims at the nearest and most daring fellow and bang. She discharges the Luger in his direction. He howls with pain grasps the side of his head shouts abuse in his native tongue and dashes towards the trees leaving a trail of blood on the grass. Louise either by luck or judgement has shot the fellows left ear off. His companions take to their heels with a scream of alarm. I congratulate Louise on her accuracy with the weapon. She shrugs and admits it is the only time she has handled let alone fired a weapon. “I didn’t mean to shoot him I just meant to scare them off. I sure did that eh?” “Bloody Hell Louise you could have blown the poor buggers head off with this cannon?” I laugh.
She remarks. “That’ll teach em to threaten women.
If I had aimed a bit lower I could have stopped him meddling with girls forever.” Despite the serious situation we have been in minutes before we collapse into laughter an excellent way to release the tension. I am cranking the engine for a quick getaway in case they pluck up courage to return when a figure on horseback gallops out of the woods. He thunders over to the charabanc and hauls the horse to a slithering halt alongside, he addresses me in French. The officer is dressed in the uniform of the Foreign Legion with the rank of Captain. I hurriedly hide the Luger alongside the seat amongst the tools when he approaches I don’t have any idea how he will respond to the shooting. Thank goodness for Louise, she sees my dilemma and replies on my behalf. I gather from some words I recognise she is describing the incident. The Captain graciously thanks Louise salutes and gallops away on his charger in the direction Louise indicates. “May we get going Louise? I’d sooner not hang around here.” I enquire. “Yes the gallant Captain will sort them out; he is in charge of them. He asked me if I am able to identify them. I told him to look for a man with his left ear missing.
I also informed him we can’t delay and we will not bother pressing charges. After all I think they came out worst in the encounter don’t you? They are French colonial troops from Algeria repairing the war damage. Louise appears all dreamy and says. “Didn’t he look splendid in his fancy uniform on that mighty steed? He reminded me of the knights of old in the picture books.” I set Pompey Lill in motion glad we escape without a tragedy but can’t resist teasing Louise by saying. “You seemed rather taken with the bold Captain my dear Louise?” She retorts indignantly. “Don’t be silly Adam he was just a nice brave man who rushed to our aid at the sound of gunfire.” “Oh come on Louise, you were pouting like a love sick girl. Tut. Tut.” I receive a sharp rap on my head for my cheek but I am able detect her blush reflected in the mirror. All the time we exchange banter we have not noticed poor Sister Marie. She is curled up at the back of the vehicle shaking like a leaf. I pull over and climb into the rear. By the time I reach the couple Louise is holding Marie in her arms like a baby as she croons softly to comfort her. Louise whispers to me. “She spoke she actually spoke. Although it was only one word she actually spoke. Father Peter will be so pleased.” “That’s fantastic Louise but we can’t stay here, we must get on and find somewhere to stay this evening. Can you make her comfortable and stay with her, I’ll keep going?” “Don’t worry I will look after her do carry on Adam.” To our surprise Sister Marie speaks again. So quietly Louise asks her to repeat what she says and puts her ear close to her mouth.”
“Tres bien Marie” She gives her a hug. “Adam, Marie tells me there is another convent about twenty kilometres away.
She will direct you when you get closer as it is not situated on the main road.” The rest of the day is uneventful except Marie recovers rapidly from the drama and begins communicating more and more. It is their joint decision that they will have me competent in speaking French by the time I return to Le Havre. To that end they point things out name them, state phrases make me repeat them over and over until I get it perfect or at least to their satisfaction. On the second night they stay again in another convent. Me! Well I stay with Pompey Lill. This time I am ready for the night cold and wrap myself in every piece of clothing I possess.
The next morning we are on our way as soon as it is daylight.
The convent has kindly given us fresh bread, cheese and hard boiled eggs. A strange combination but gratefully received by us as our stores are depleting rapidly. We arrive at the outskirts of Metz in the late afternoon. We decide to spend the night at yet another convent and sort the recovery of the truck out tomorrow.
I park up outside the high walls and prepare for another night alone in the vehicle. The women have been inside for about an hour when I notice the small door opening Louise and another woman emerge.
They climb aboard the charabanc and Louise introduces me to her companion. She is an English girl from New Brighton in her early twenties a nice looking girl with brilliant red hair and a freckled face. “I thought you would like to meet one of your country women Adam. Meet Hazel she was a nurse with your Medical Corp during the war and stayed on in France, you two will have a lot in common. She is preparing to take her vows to become a nun.” I shake hands with her. I must admit it is great to hear the Merseyside accent again and talk of places we both know. After about an hour Louise tells me they have to return to the convent. I reluctantly watch them disappear behind the gates. I have mixed feelings since meeting her. I have emotions I have not experienced before, am I homesick? I don’t think so. I dismiss this idea as nonsense there is nothing in England for me anymore. To be honest with myself there never was much, just bad experiences in the orphanage and school.
Although I must not forget there was the exciting encounter with Peggy. God I wish I was cuddled up to her right now I could do with a night of passion with Peggy. Ha with any woman! Agh! What the hell I am committed to the life I have chosen too late to go back now. I open a bottle of wine then another and get drunk. I turn in and have a wild night of passion in my dreams. In the dreams I am servicing Denise. Louise.
Peggy. Christina and unbelievably the novice nun I have just met Hazel. When I wake up the results of my night encounters are evident in my underpants. Bloody Hell I desperately need a woman,
This is the big day Louise informs me she has agreed to pick some supplies up for the convent in Metz.
We can deliver them on our return with a small diversion. It seems a fair exchange for their hospitality and I readily agree. Marie guides us towards the main Gendarmerie where Alec informed me the truck is being held. As we pass through the streets evidence of shell and bomb damage in everywhere. Some roads are still blocked and we are forced to divert. Thank goodness for Marie and her local knowledge although she is a lot quieter than yesterday and only offers replies when directly asked. Louise whispers. “She is getting closer to where she was abused. It is a place on the Franco Belgian border named Mars-La-Tour. I hope she doesn’t go back into her shell.” We arrive outside the bullet scarred half wrecked building. Marie opts to collect the supplies for the convent from the nearby market. She will return and remain with the vehicle while we go inside to sort things out with the police. In the reception area Louise takes charge of the negotiations with an official summoned from an office in the rear. He examines the paperwork then demands our identity cards. Satisfied with our identity and my documents he escorts us to the back of the building where we locate the truck parked amongst other vehicles in a yard. I examine the vehicle it appears to be intact except for a few bullet holes in the cab and the rear of the truck. I point them out to the official he shrugs and pushes a clip board in front of me. Louise explains. “He wants your signature and a payment before he will release the vehicle. He doesn’t know why there are bullet holes and frankly he doesn’t care. I have asked him if we may bring the charabanc around here. He has agreed but he wants to go for lunch and demands the payment now. He tells me the driver abandoned the truck after a chase it had run out of petrol and was towed in here. I count the Francs into his hand sign the papers and he disappears into the building. Louise offers to drive the charabanc while I check the truck out in detail. Before she leaves I ask her to find out where we may purchase more fuel. The petrol tank is dry as a bone in the truck everything else appears alright the tools and the spare wheel are still in their places. In the rear of the vehicle are bits and pieces of clothing some cigarettes stale food and bottles of water.
As I sort through them I come across a packet of papers. It looks to me as if they have been abandoned in a hurry. I am about to examine them when I hear the noise of the charabancs engine as Louise drives it into the yard. I toss the packet into a corner to be investigated later.
I jump down to greet my co-driver. I am unloading a couple of the spare petrol cans to refuel the truck when she informs me. “Marie has not returned from the market.” “Bloody Hell Louise do you think she will be alright? Look I’ll refuel the truck and give it a run you go and look for her and bring her here, do you mind?” Without hesitation Louise heads off to seek Marie. It takes me about an hour to refuel and get the trucks engine running. With a few adjustments and a clean carburettor she is perfect. Then I begin to worry because the women have not returned. I begin blaming myself first of all for leaving Marie alone then for sending Louise to search for her. The official returns from his lunch and stands in the doorway of the building smoking. I am about to seek his advise when they arrive laden with bags and parcels accompanied by a young boy and a small girl equally loaded. “God Louise where have you been I was worried to death?” I rush to them and help to load the goods onto the charabanc. “Oh Adam,” she rebukes me with a smile. “You are a worry we can look after ourselves you know. Marie has picked up a few street kids. Can we take them to the convent they have an orphanage there?” At the mention of an orphanage my skin crawls. “Sorry Louise I am not putting any kids into one of those places after what I went through, as far as I’m concerned they will be better off on the streets.
I know I would have been.” She looks crest fallen Marie intercedes speaking slowly in French I am able to follow, she enquires. “Do you trust Father Peter Adam?” Louise translates even though I am able follow what Marie is saying. “Of course I do.” I reply. “If you don’t hold with orphanages will you agree to take the children back to our village?” I forgot she was present when I told Father Peter my story about my experience in the English orphanage. Marie presses home her proposal. “I guarantee they will be welcomed and adopted by families there. You are aware of the situation in the village Louise and I will make sure they are happy and well looked after.” I contemplate what she proposes and have to agree they will be better off with families than on the streets. Unbelievably she puts her fingers in her mouth and whistles. Five more kids appear from around a corner squealing with delight they clamber into Pompey Lill. Bloody hell what have I got myself into, these crafty buggers sure kidded me. Ha! I would have done the same in their place? Marie climbs aboard to join the children I start Pompey’s engine. Louise takes up her position in the cab. I mount the truck and follow the charabanc out of the yard on the first stage of the journey on our way home. Another top up with fuel and a short run to the convent on the outskirts of Metz where we halt to unload the goods they have ordered from the city. The kids are climbing all over the vehicles within minutes of stopping. Poor little undernourished children in rags and shoeless but as happy as if they wanted for nothing. I feel a lump in my throat I am glad I made the decision to take them with us I only hope to a better life.
One thing that worries me I will need to investigate. Is what we are doing legal? Are we guilty of kidnapping the kids? Louise emerges from the gate accompanied by the woman Hazel. I notice she is carrying a suit case. What is happening now? Plans are being changed by the minute. I originally started off with agreeing to Louise accompanying me then Marie was foisted on me then eight kids.
Now it looks like I have acquired another nearly Nun, where will it all end? I ask myself, I feel a bit like the Pied bloody piper? Louise leads Hazel over to me in the truck. “Adam can we give Hazel a lift to Amiens?” “Yes no problem.” I respond. “She will have to squeeze in with the Kids though.” Hazel peers into the cab and observes the empty passenger seat and requests. “I’ll travel with you if you don’t mind we can have a chat about our home town.” Before I reply she tosses her case into the rear and climbs into the cab alongside me. It looks as if the decision has been taken out of my hands. This time I lead the small convoy as I drive Hazel strikes up a conversation with a startling statement. “I have decided to go back to England. It’s all your fault you know.” “Me! What have I done?” I answer shocked at her suggestion. She replies with a smile. “Oh I realised after we spoke the other day a nun’s life is not for me.
I would miss the company of men too much. I can’t believe I even contemplated locking myself away from life forever. It was the war to blame really. I saw so much man made horror I just wanted to get away from so called civilisation.
The convent life seemed to be the right place to do it. Anyway I have made my decision I am going back to nursing I want to be a woman again.” “Well I must say I am glad you are doing that. I think it would be a great loss to the hospitals to lose a good nurse. Apart from that you are too nice looking to lock yourself away from us men.” My complement makes her smile. “Thanks for that Adam now I know I have made the right decision.” She asks me about the kids and my plans for the future. I explain about the war time disaster that overtook the village males and my intention of marrying Denise in a week or so. “So are you staying in the village when you are married?” She enquires. “No, no.” I reply hastily.
“I have interests in a transport company in Le Havre. As soon as we are married we shall be heading back to there.” She sits quietly for a while deep in thought. She breaks the silence by asking. “How do intend getting the charabanc and the truck back to Le Havre, you can’t manage that on your own?” “I have been thinking about that one. The village is short of transport Louise is a competent driver I
am considering leaving the charabanc with her.
I haven’t much use for it at the moment, in Le Havre it’s trucks and drivers we are short of not charabancs. I have not broached the subject with her but I will as soon as we get back to the village.”
We stop for lunch feed the kids and to give them a chance to stretch their legs. They run around happy as one of those peace time outings the Sunday schools used to arrange. We adults sit in a group on the grass eating our rations watching their actions. “Louise.” I ask.
“What are your plans when we get back home?”
She replies. “Marie and I have been discussing that very thing. We know the decision to bring the kids was made on the spur of the moment without us considering the consequences but we couldn’t leave them there. The children were being looked after by an old woman in an overcrowded wrecked house. She has failing health and just couldn’t manage any more. No one else appeared to care for them. They have their own problems I suppose? I believe we have a solution. You know the size of the farm house? It is large enough to put the kids up. I know my Aunt and Uncle will welcome them
With the help of my relatives and Father Peter we will be able to feed and clothe them. Marie is a trained teacher I am a nurse we have the accommodation and there is plenty of land available to grow our food. The kids can help with that. I know Father Peter will approve.” “So you are in all intents going to set up an orphanage?”