Red Hawk Rising

by Peter William Hall

CHAPTER 11

  It was Sunday morning (9th) and Andy was in the telephone box calling Alice. The operator connected the call and Alice’s father answered the ‘phone. The operator’s voice said, “You’re through, caller, press button A and commence.”

  “Good morning, Mr Walton. How are you?” Andy said.

  “Fine,” was the reply. “I’ll call Alice but I want to speak to you first. Your father said that you were looking to buy a car. Well, I’m buying a new Rover and the old one might suit you. I’ll sell it to you at trade-in price. What do you think?”

  Andy responded with, “That sounds good, Mr Walton, but I’d like to have a test drive and also talk to my father first.”

  “Fine, Andy,” said John Walton. “I understand you’re coming up next weekend. Why don’t you use it to go up to Alnwick and then decide? I’ll call Alice, and you can have an extra three minutes on me.” Andy barely had time to thank him when he heard the receiver being put down and John Walton calling Alice. Alice picked up the receiver and started chatting. Alice asked about the coming weekend and going up to Alnwick. He told her it was fine for her to go with him and they could go up on the Friday evening. His parents would stay up until they arrived. Now that her father had offered the car it would be easier. Alice was excited at the thought of them driving up to Alnwick together.

  The operator interrupted with a “Your three minutes is up. Do you wish to extend?” Alice said they did and to reverse the charges. They continued talking, the tone of their voices indicating to each the feelings they had for each other. Too soon the three minutes were up and Andy promised to telephone again mid-week. They hung up, Alice going to get ready for church and Andy then putting three pence in the box to ‘phone Jamie Rogerson.

  Bob, the publican, answered and Andy pressed button A, gave his name and asked to speak to Jamie. Bob told him to hold on and went off to get Jamie. Within a minute, Jamie picked up the ‘phone with, “Hi! Andy. Thanks for ‘phoning. What are your plans today? We need to compare notes.”

  “I could be there in half an hour, if you are able to talk. It might be better than waiting until opening time,” was Andy’s response.

  “Do that,” said Jamie. “We’ll have a tea-break and talk.”

  “Okay. See you soon,” said Andy and hung up the ‘phone. He went back to the barrack block, got changed into civvies and headed for the village, thinking that a good brisk walk would do him good. As he walked, he thought about the offer from the Chinaman, Mr Lee. Andy wasn’t familiar with Shaolin martial art but he was impressed with what he saw Mr Lee do and thought it could be useful to learn it. As Mr Lee said, it would keep him fit. More importantly, thought Andy, it would keep his reflexes good. He could keep fit at the base but he knew that his responses would slow without others testing him. There was a cool breeze and Andy quickened his pace. They would soon be having frosts again as autumn turned to winter. Already the few trees along the road were losing their leaves which lay scattered along the side of the road. The leaves still on the trees were a mix of colours, some still green while others were in stages of turning yellow or russet. The fields on either side of the road lay dark brown, almost black, the seed having been planted to lie dormant until the spring. Andy had little time for these thoughts as he walked briskly down the road. He was reviewing the events of the last few days and wondering what was going to happen next.

  Arriving at the pub, Andy went round to the rear entrance and knocked on the door. After about thirty seconds he heard a bolt being withdrawn and the door opened. It was Jamie. “Come in,” he said, opening the door wide for Andy to enter. He took Andy through to the lounge bar and introduced him to Bob, asking if he could have a tea-break so that he and Andy could have a quick chat.

  “Aye, go into the ‘snug’ for it,” said Bob, “and if you go and see the missus, she’ll give you something for your break.” Jamie said his thanks and told Andy to head for the ‘snug’ while he went to the kitchen. Andy went in and found a table near a window and sat down. The room tended to be used by small groups wanting to hire a meeting place. Jamie arrived with a tray laden with a pot of coffee, mugs and freshly baked scones. The two men quickly transferred the items from the tray and settled down to enjoy the coffee and scones. After passing pleasantries, Jamie proceeded to tell Andy what he had found out and the possibility that the Penny Jane fishing boat might be the source of the transmissions that he had to check on. He also told Andy about Walmar and Bill Enderby. He explained his suspicions about Enderby possibly not being who he said he was and that Hamilton was going to have him checked out. “It is easy to watch everything that is going on at the base if you are on the sea wall,” said Jamie. With a pair of binoculars you can get a lot of detail.”

  “I know,” said Andy, “we’ve already seen the flash of sunlight off binoculars. The problem is getting someone down there to apprehend them. There is no way through the fence and by the time you got there they would be gone.”

  “There’s a birdwatchers hide near the sea wall. If we passed it back to Lutterworth, do you think they could set up a watch to trap the person? My bet is that it’s Enderby,” said Jamie.

  “I think it’s worth a try,” said Andy. “You contact Lutterworth by ‘phone, Jamie. I’ll write a report and send off. In the meantime, I’ll see what can be done from the base. The problem is that the sea wall is a public footpath and unless a person had notes on them of what they had seen, it would be hard to prove that they were spying.” Jamie agreed with Andy. “Jamie, let’s try and keep tabs on Enderby until Hamilton comes up with something,” said Andy.

  “Okay, Andy. If you can go down to Parfleet St Peter this afternoon then I’ll go tomorrow. I’m meeting with Yvonne, anyway,” replied Jamie.

  “Fine,” said Andy, “I’ll talk with you tomorrow evening. Now I’d better let you do some work.” The two went their different ways, Jamie to the kitchen with the tray of dirty crockery and Andy to walk back to base.

  On the way back to base, Andy decided to turn off along the farm track and see where it led him. He had already been to the sea wall by going down the edge of the fields but Jamie spoke of a well-beaten track to the sea wall. It was further south of where he had gone and seemed to be a short-cut to Parfleet St Peter. Another two fields further south from where Andy had turned east previously, he saw the track that Jamie referred to. Andy turned and followed it. Near the sea wall there was a small wooden footbridge over the ditch with a single metal hand-rail. Andy went over and up onto the sea wall. He turned south towards Parfleet St Peter and could see the village about ten minutes’ walk away. Andy walked at a brisk pace to keep warm. He passed the birdwatchers’ hide and saw that it would make a good look-out to check on people using the sea wall. A couple were walking towards him, leaning forward into the breeze with their overcoat collars turned up. Reaching the village, he headed for the harbour and thence to the seafood shop-cum-cafe. He thought a seafood lunch was very much on order.

  In the Yorkshire Dales, Andrei Garasov and his companion had gone for a hike in the morning and arrived back in Hawes for lunch. They were sitting in the lounge waiting for a vacant table in the dining room. A lot of other people had had the same idea about lunch. Janet had excused herself and gone to the ladies’ room. Andrei picked up a magazine from the coffee table. It was a recent edition of “North Country Hospitality” and featured hotels and restaurants in country towns. He flicked through idly and came across a feature on Morpeth in Northumberland. It featured the Queen’s Head Hotel, an obviously old establishment. A photograph of a group in the dining room caught his eye. It consisted of two older couples and a younger couple. It was the younger couple that caught his attention, particularly the man. It looked like the RAF Corporal Hill. He read the article and caught the names, Walton and Hill. Now Garasov was alert. He didn’t hear Janet return as he read the article.

  “It must be an interesting article, Andrei,” broke Garasov’s concentration.

  “Sorry,” he sai
d, “but I thought there was someone I knew. I’m sure I’m mistaken.” He put the magazine down and got up as a waiter came forward to take them to their table. Garasov decided that he would get a copy of the magazine and have some checks done on the families.

  Andy walked down to the harbour and headed towards the fish shop. He noted the size of the harbour and the fishing boats tied to the wharf and picked out the Penny Jane. Being Sunday, there was little activity on the vessels. Andy went into the shop and joined a queue of three customers ordering fresh seafood and fried fish and chips. Jamie’s friend, Yvonne, was behind the counter and taking the orders. Another lady was busy making up the orders for fresh fish. As he waited his turn to order, Andy looked out of the window and saw Bill Enderby walk past, heading for the main street of the village. Andy wondered where he was headed. “Well, this is a surprise!” The remark broke into his thoughts and he turned to the counter to see Yvonne smiling at him and waiting to take his order.

  “Sorry,” Andy said, “I was busy looking out of the window.”

  “Obviously,” Yvonne retorted. “That’s Bill Enderby. He’ll be off to his skipper’s house for lunch with the family.”

  “Was I that obvious?” Andy asked.

  “M-hm,” Yvonne nodded, “What would you like to order?”

  “Oh! A piece of fish and some chips, plus a cup of coffee.”

  “What fish would you like?” asked Yvonne.

  “Plaice, if you have it,” Andy replied.

  “To eat here or take away?” he was asked.

  “I’ll eat in here.”

  “Fine,” said Yvonne, “we’ll serve it on a plate. That’ll be two and sixpence, please.” Andy paid her and went and sat at a table near the window. He had a good view of the harbour and noted that it was quiet except for sightseers, some taking photos of the fishing vessels and others walking fairly briskly against the cool wind. The shop was busy and it was obvious to Andy that this little place had a good reputation for seafood, rather like Craster and Seahouses near his home. Observing Yvonne, he noted her efficient movements in the way she worked. After nearly ten minutes, the other lady brought a tray out to his table. It had his fish and chips, coffee and also a side-plate of bread and butter. The lady quickly laid them out on the table, including the cutlery. There was sliced tomato and a segment of lemon also on the plate with the fish and chips. He was liberal with the salt but refrained from the vinegar. Andy set to with relish. He found the batter nice and crisp without being burnt. People were eating at other tables and there was the clatter of cutlery and a low, intermittent hum of conversation. Today, people preferred to eat inside instead of by the harbour due to the cool wind. Andy finished his meal but still felt hungry. He noticed apple slices for sale among the cakes and got up and ordered a slice and another cup of coffee. Andy paid Yvonne and returned to his table. A few minutes later she came out with his order. “I’ve got time for a coffee now. Mind if I join you?” she asked Andy.

  “Not at all,” he replied.

  Yvonne sat opposite Andy and gave him a smile that told him questions were to be asked. He deliberately relaxed externally but inside he was wary. It was clear that Yvonne was keen on Jamie and would want to find out as much as possible about him. It must also mean that Yvonne hadn’t been satisfied with what Jamie had told her about himself, which of necessity wouldn’t have been much. Andy decided to take the lead in the conversation. “You’ve got a busy little shop here for a cold autumn day, Yvonne. It must have a good reputation. Where do most of your customers come from?”

  “Mainly Louth and Mablethorpe,” she replied, “but we seem to draw from a wide area. People can be sure that all the seafood is fresh when they buy here and that is what they like.” Yvonne drank coffee, sighed and leaned back in her chair. Looking directly at Andy, she asked, “How long have you known Jamie?”

  Andy thought to himself, “This is it — be careful,” and then replied, “About three years. We are members of the same mountaineering club and meet occasionally on mountaineering trips.” So far he was telling the truth and hoped he could keep it that way.

  Yvonne went on, “Where is Jamie from in Scotland? He said he lives near Dundee but his accent isn’t very strong.”

  Andy replied, “I can’t give you the answer because I don’t know but I would place him somewhere on the east coast. Education can also soften the accent so it becomes hard to tell.”

  Yvonne persisted with, “Where did you first meet him?”

  “That’s easy,” said Andy, “it was in the Cairngorms. The club had a refresher training course and we camped by Loch Morlich. I remember because it was early spring and there was still a lot of snow around.”

  “Your voice has that same catch in it when Jamie talks about mountains,” said Yvonne. “Well, I had better get back to work. No doubt I’ll see you again,” she said.

  “You’re sure to,” replied Andy. Inwardly, he breathed a sigh of relief and rose from the table and headed out of the shop.

  Andy decided to explore the village and after looking around the harbour area he walked down the street towards the village hall and the school. The pub was not far from the harbour and the village shop-cum-post office was next door to it. Andy thought of going into the pub but decided against it at this time. It would be better to visit it in company of others. The wind was cold and smoke from the chimneys of houses was blown almost horizontally. People were staying in their houses on a day like this. Even the seagulls chose to stand in the lee of buildings. Andy noticed that across from the village hall stood the church. It had a square tower and seemed to be of great age. Andy wondered which house was Walmar’s but there was no indication. He decided to turn back, faced into the wind and put his hands into his duffle-coat pockets as he headed north towards the sea wall and on to the base. He would request Lutterworth to provide names and addresses of residents, knowing that they could get the information fairly easily. Andy decided that it would be better than asking Jamie to get the information from Yvonne. If they were able to attend the dance at Parfleet St Peter then they should be able to meet a lot of the locals but that was still two weeks away and they needed to move fairly quickly. Andy knew he would have to give it more thought.

  Back at the base, Andy headed for his bunk-room. It was warm in the barrack block. Still, he hadn’t really minded the walk back as it reminded him of similar conditions encountered while mountaineering. He sat down at his desk and started compiling another report to Lutterworth. When Andy had completed the report he also wrote to Alice and took the letters down to the post box and posted them.

  ***

  As Andy walked to the post box, Berin — alias Bill Enderby — walked to the bus stop just outside the village to catch the bus to Louth. He would then catch the train to Lincoln and onward to Coventry. He had put aside his fisherman’s clothes and wore a sports jacket and flannels under his overcoat. On his head he wore a cap like so many other men working in factories and workshops. He carried a small overnight bag which suggested a stay away. The old Bedford bus came round the bend and Berin waved it down. Its driver was old and weather-beaten but cheery. Berin told him a single to Louth and the driver pulled a ticket off his rack of different priced tickets, took the money from Berin and gave him his change. As Berin walked down the aisle to a seat he noticed that there were only about eight passengers on the bus. They all looked at him intently and he smiled at them as he walked to a seat. Berin chose a seat near the rear of the bus and sat at the window. The bus jerked forward as the driver released the hand-brake and put the old bus through the gears, the engine whining in the peculiar way of that type of bus. It ground its way down the country road, stopping whenever it was waved down. There were official bus stops in the villages but none on the road. Eventually it reached Louth and pulled up outside the railway station before it headed for the centre of town where it would terminate. Berin got off the bus with a thank you and a smile to the driver and headed into the railway station. He had t
wenty minutes to wait for the train’s departure and headed into the refreshment room for a coffee and to keep warm. From Lincoln, Berin would catch an evening train to Nottingham and change for one to Leicester and Coventry. On a Sunday evening the trains were popular with people wanting to get to their workplaces after a weekend away. The refreshment room had a stale smell to it, common to many of those on railway stations towards the end of a day. At least it was warm in there. He ordered a coffee and the woman serving filled a thick, white cup with it from an urn and pointed to the milk and sugar at the end of the counter. Berin sat at a table with his back to the wall from habit and reflected on his assignment.

  Back in Parfleet St Peter, Walmar sat around the table with his wife and children. They were playing Ludo. There was a coal fire burning in the grate and the room was cosy and warm, contrasting with the cold wind outside. Sometimes, after throwing the dice, Walmar would pretend to cheat and laugh as his children remonstrated with him. His wife Penny joined in the laughter. It was a very happy household. At the end of the game, Penny suggested an afternoon tea of home-made scones with cream and jam. She had baked other little cakes as well but kept them for teatime. They would be a treat for the children. Walmar leaned back in his chair and sighed with contentment. He felt that life was good and he was fortunate to have such a lovely wife and lovely children. He put other things out of his mind as he enjoyed this Sunday afternoon. The weather was poor and the seas were rough, making it poor for fishing. It was a suitable time for his deck hand, Berin, to be gone for a couple of days. He had made good money from the last catches and could afford to relax for a couple of days. Besides, the weather forecast was for the present conditions to continue until Tuesday. He could enjoy more time with his family, although Penny would complain if she thought he was getting under her feet. He smiled at that. Walmar was wakened from his reverie with the children coming back into the room, pushing the tea trolley with the afternoon tea on it. They would have it in front of the fire instead of at the table.