Francis

This story is for persons of eighteen years or over. All comments, good or bad, are welcome and all will be answered.

Part Nineteen

It was the Tuesday night I was attacked. I had gone to the latrines and I was on my way back to my hut when a pair of hands grabbed from behind. I knew it had to happen sometime, and I had been prepared for this, so it didn't really come as a surprise with me being the only "female" in the camp.

I heard him coming a second before he hit me, his arms coming round my front, and I was already going forward as I took him into a roll with me and smashed him into the ground with me on top of him. The impact knocked the wind out him and his arms released me as I got up and calmly took his hand and broke his wrist. He gave out a scream and I walked away for others to find him.

Did they?' Wesson asked, looking up from his book as I entered our hut. I heard the scream.'

`Only one.'

`Who was it?'

`Dunno, I didn't stop to look. We'll find out in the morning.'

The Colonel mentioned it at breakfast that a man had, allegedly, slipped in the showers and broken his hand.

Showers can be very dangerous places at night. He's lucky he didn't break his neck,' I said with a straight face. I could see that there were several hidden smiles from further down the table. Another piece of folk lore had been just been added to the history of the camp. I hope it wasn't one of my squad?'

`No. He was from your squad I believe Coggins.' All eyes turned to a young lieutenant down at the end of the table.

Er, yes sir. He obviously didn't believe the...' his voice faltered under the stare of the Colonel, the...that...that the showers can be very dangerous places at night.' He stammered to a stop, his face a bright red.

`Yes gentlemen, I think you should warn the men about the showers at night,' the Colonel said, finishing and closing the subject, having just prevented young Coggins from making an awful gaffe. Wesson managed to control his choking and I just calmly carried on eating.

There were no more attacks, and I began to ease up on them as they got to know me. I even allowed a certain amount of banter when we lolled on the grass for a short break. The closest they got to being personal was when I was asked if Wesson and I were an item. I told them that we were partners in the field, and there was no man other than him that I would rather have behind me in any action. There were still some sniggers at this because it could be taken two ways, but I just gave them a smile. Then they wanted to know about the combat course that I had done at the camp, things like that. But I wouldn't tell them as I liked some of the myths that had come into being and loved to hear the stories get better and better with every telling.

Then before I knew it, we were in November. The Colonel knew I had to go to London for the next weekend, but hadn't been told why. So I said goodbye to Wesson on the Friday after having a good fucking from him the night before. We had to do it on the floor because the bed made too much noise. `If only the squaddies could see me now,' I said through gritted teeth as Wesson did a good job with his cock up inside me. We managed to stifle our cries of coming as he surged into me and mine going all over the blanket.

So I left the camp, promising to be back on the Tuesday. Next day I collected a hired morning suit and checked in with Frobisher to find out what we had to do. He knew that Diane and baby Francis would be there and he agreed to pick us up from the Savoy Hotel in the Strand on the Monday morning in plenty of time. Saturday I stayed at my house and also saw John to find out that everything was running smoothly.

Sunday I was at the station, booted and suited to meet Diane and Francis. I had a car waiting which had my suit and other things. Hers were added and we went off to the Savoy. The hotel had found us one of the maids who didn't mind babysitting while we dined downstairs. It was a lovely evening and night we had together and I was envious of the dress she had bought to wear to the palace the next day.

I was a bag of nerves in the morning and couldn't take a bite of the breakfast we had in our room. Diane had to get me dressed and saw to it that the Legion of Honour medal was straight. Francis had a nice small suit on and Diane looked gorgeous in her dress, as we were finally ready when Frobisher came to pick us up. It was a Rolls Royce and it made me think of mine sitting in the village not being used. We were driven in through the front gates of the palace and Diane was ever so thrilled while I was quaking. I was sorry for little Francis being too young to know what was going on.

We were all escorted through several chambers till we reached the one before the throne room. Here, a major domo talked us through the procedure, where we were to stand, what to do, where to kneel and what to say. Diane and Francis had their place to stand and watch, Frobisher hadn't brought anyone with him.

Then we eventually went into the throne room and took our places and waited for the King and Queen to appear. It was said to be a private investiture, but there must have been at least thirty people in the room, not counting the flunkeys. Then the King and Queen entered and there was lots of bowing and curtseying and then I saw and was surprised at how small the King was. He must have been about my height and to tell the truth, he didn't look a well man.

Frobisher went first and after a few brief words he knelt down on one knee as the King took the proffered sword off a velvet cushion and tapped Frobisher with it on both shoulders and then the King said a few more words to him and shook his hand. Frobisher returned to his place walking backwards before bowing once more to the King. Then it was my turn. It seemed an agonising long way those few steps to stand before my King in his palace.

Good morning Mr. Lyon. We welcome you here today to show our appreciation for what you have done for our country in this time of peace.' All I could stammer out as I bowed my head was to say Your Majesty.' I caught the sight of the sword from the corner of my eye and remembered that I had to kneel. I went down on one knee and felt the gentle tap of it on my shoulders as I looked at the King's shoes. Then I was standing again and the King held out his hand and I shook it.

`The story of your exploits was thrilling to read. It is such a pity that many other people cannot do the same. You have served us well and we thank you for it.' Then I was back with the others. I don't remember my walking back and bowing.

Then Frobisher went back to be with the King and Queen for a photograph and then I went up for another with all four of us in it. Then Frobisher moved off so that it was just the King, Queen and I in the next one. I could see the tears running down Diane's face as I smiled at her.

Then it was over. I had not even heard the words `Arise Sir Gervaise,' spoken by the King, and it seemed strange to be thus addressed as we were escorted back out into the ante room.

`Well Sir Alex, how does it feel to be finally recognised?' I didn't catch the rest of the conversation. Alex! I chuckled to myself as I made a bet to myself that Wesson didn't know his first name.

Sir Gervaise?' I believe the man said it twice before I realised he was speaking to me. Come this way please and sign the book.' Frobisher was already signing his and then I wrote my name beneath his, taking care to put the Gervaise before the Francis. Then Diane kissed me and I kissed her back in exuberance and kissed little Francis too. More pictures were taken out on the steps, this time I had Diane and Francis in the picture as I held the award in its lovely box.

After being told that the pictures would be sent on to us, we got back into the Rolls and went off to the Savoy for lunch. The hotel, having found out where we'd been, gave us the royal treatment as we went into the hotel. A member of the staff took Francis off our hands so that we could lunch. I couldn't resist it when we had the menus in front of us.

How do I address you in the office now sir,' I asked. Sir. Sir Alex. Sir Alex Frobisher?'

`Don't be flippant Fr...Gervaise. It was Frobisher then and it still is, though you can also keep calling me sir. Though one word of warning. Never let me hear you call me Alex.' I saw a glint of humour in his eye.

Yes sir, I said meekly, By the way sir, what are we Knights of,' and I slapped the table, the Round Table?' He gave out a bellow of a laugh and Diane joined in because the table we were sitting at was actually round. He wiped his eyes on his napkin before answering me.

`I am a Knight Commander of The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, which means I can use the letters KCB after my name now. You are a Knight Commander of The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, KBE, and at the tender age of only nineteen years.'

`Oh good Lord! In the excitement I forgot it was my birthday yesterday,' I exclaimed turning to Diane, touching her hand.

`So had I,' she replied.

I hadn't,' said Frobisher, pushing a small silver box across to me. Happy Birthday, er, Gervaise.'

`Happy birthday darling,' said Diane, leaning towards me and kissing my cheek.

`Thank you Lady Lyon, my second kiss from a real lady, and thank you too sir for this gift.'

Well open it,' he demanded. I did so and found that the silver box was in actual fact a card case. Inside were a pack of printed cards that said I was Sir Gervaise Francis Lyon, K.B.E.'. Tears sprang to my eyes.

`Thank you sir.'

`Let's order lunch shall we,' said Frobisher, lifting up the menu to hide a tear himself I think.

It was a lunch that I'll never forget, and when it was over, Frobisher shook hands with us and went off and we collected little Francis and went up to our room. He'd been fed while we had been eating and was now asleep, so we lay him down in the provided cot and I took Diane into my arms to break the news that I couldn't stay for the night. I was officially in the Army and was due back at camp.

`But you joined the Merchant Navy to stay out of the Army,' she cried.

`I know, but now I am an acting Captain and it seems that I am some sort of an expert at unarmed combat and they need me to train the boys that will shortly be going off to war. If I hadn't joined the Navy, I could now be one of those boys. So I've got to give them the best that I can offer so that they may survive.' She was crying on my shoulder and one thing led to another so we finished up making love.

We lay there afterwards as I talked and explained how I couldn't stay, and she said that she understood, so I left the morning suit with a maid to see that it would be returned to Moss Bros. I got dressed in my other suit and kissed both of them goodbye and fled before I burst into tears. I had a taxi take me home where I could change out of the suit and get back into a dress.

It was expensive, but I had a taxi take me all the way to the camp and I arrived there just after dinner was finished. They all seemed pleased to see me back, none more so than Wesson.

`We weren't expecting you till the morning.'

`I thought you'd be extra pleased to see me tonight?'

I am, I am. Come, let's go to our hut and you can tell me all about it,' and then added in a whisper, Sir Gervaise!' I couldn't slap him there, but I did when we were alone in the hut. We kissed first before we sat down on one of the beds and I told him all about what had happened. Leaving out the sex with Diane and Frobisher's Christian name. It was well past lights out time when I'd finished, so we kissed in the dark and he whispered that he had missed me, so I pushed him back onto the bed and sucked on his erection till he groaned and came in my mouth. Then I was off to my bed and happily went to sleep.

At breakfast, I asked how this squad had been progressing, it being our last group of twelve. Not very good so far. You haven't been there for two days and I think they are missing you. I gave him a rap over the knuckles with my spoon for that smirky comment.

`Right you worthless piles of horse shit, let's see what you've learned in two days. Come on then! Haven't you learnt or heard anything from the previous piles of shit I've had to deal with. Two of you. On the double, come at me! Let me feel your foetid panting breath as you'd like to do what you can only dream of.' I saw the two of them whisper to each other and they then moved a little way apart and I knew what they had in mind.

They suddenly came rushing at me from two sides. I didn't move till there were just and arms length away before I suddenly dropped and swung my legs round taking the feet of one right out from under him. His body was still moving forward and the other one was too slow to move out of the way. He took the full impact of the man's head in his stomach and both went down in a heap. I stood up to clapping and whistles as the two lay writhing on the ground.

`If you are going to act as a team, make sure you know what the other is going to do before acting. Think first, act second. Unfortunately with most of you I cannot help with the first because you're to have a brain before I could even begin. I can only help with the second one. How to act!'

So began our fifth week of training with Baker squad and I was glad when Saturday came. Now we had to do our evaluations on all the men we had handled, because we, the officer's, were going to pick our own squad of six men for the next three weeks exercises. So I had to list at least fifteen men in order of preference because we could only pick one at a time each in order. This we would be doing after breakfast on Sunday. The five sergeants were to be the umpires in our combat games. So the officer's mess was full of us, writing down our names before our dinner. We were both too tired for love making, so we went to bed early.

I was up early and made Wesson get up too so that he could guard the shower for me. I enjoyed my breakfast, eager to get started to pick my team. So when a hat was passed round for us to draw out the name for our group. I nearly jumped up when I saw that I was to lead Able squad. This meant that I had first pick of the men. Wesson had drawn Charlie, that dismayed me because his would be the first squad we would to have to go up against according to the roster and wouldn't meet again for several days later.

The first man I chose seemed a strange choice to the others, because it was the mouthy one I had decked on the first day, but he had shown some respect after that and had really worked hard to try and prove himself. Then each squad officer named his man as we worked through our lists. I was pleased to see that of my fifteen choices, I only lost one of the first six to another officer. Obviously we all saw something different in those that we had chosen. With the squads sorted out it, we then had to pick out defend or attack for our first round. The second time of meeting would be the other way around.

I grinned at Wesson as I had first go against Charlie squad and I drew out defend. The others then drew theirs. On the slip also was the designated sector we could operate in, so we knew where we would be sometime meeting.

After lunch, the sixty men, the one with the broken hand having been replaced almost immediately, were gathered on what passed for our parade ground. There they were told the rules of the game. Each exercise was expected to cover two days. They would be issued with paint guns and they would be sleeping out in the field. If a sergeant said they were dead, they had stay where they were until the exercise was over, even if it meant them sleeping out there all night. Other members of the squad could assist wounded men. If any squad man betrayed the game, like giving away an ambush they might have laid. The penalties would be harsh. Without any mucking about because this was now the serious stuff, the minimum sentence would be solitary confinement of one month up to three. If, found guilty by a summary court of committing more than one offence, the sentences would be added to and would end up in that person or persons being amongst the first to be shipped out as cannon fodder.

So they were told to return to their tents and collect all their gear and report back in thirty minutes, fully equipped where they would be then told what squad they were in and who would lead them and be issued with their guns. They would collect the tents as they were detailed off.

I was at a slight disadvantage because Wesson knew the terrain better than I did, though I did remember some of where our sector would be. There was a jumping off point and as defenders, we would be given a four hour start before being followed. We had to find and dig in somewhere to defend while they tracked to attack any time over the two day period. The two squads would bivouac together for the first night only. We stood round and studied our sectors while the men got their stuff together. They would have to pitch and sleep in the one tent while us officers carried a small pup tent for our own use.

The sergeants hustled the men back and brought them to attention in full packs and then stood them at their ease. The first two squads were called out and they each then found out who their officer was before they went off to collect a tent and move off. The second lot were called and dispersed. Then I heard the names of my lot being called and had to wait till Wesson's had been called. When my name was mentioned, I got a ragged cheer from my group and a wicked grin from Wesson at this. I had changed from a dress and now wore the same camouflaged combat gear that the men did.

I went off with my men, my pack on my back and through the grapevine, they knew that I had personally asked for them all, but not in the order that I had chosen. We went together for them to take down a tent and stow the pieces between them. I then took them at a hard pace to get to our designated camp site before Wesson's squad to pick the best place and build up some sense of superiority over his choice of men.

It was a four mile hike and were blown when we got there, but had first choice of camp, and our big and small tent were up when they arrived. A fire was made and we had our dinner and then it was time to talk about the exercise. I had extra weight in my pack and would be glad to get rid of it, and they were most surprised when I pulled seven cans of beer out and gave them one each. I'm sure that the sounds of the cans being opened could be heard by the others only a hundred yards away.

`Before you start Captain, may I ask a question?' This was the man who I'd made my first choice, the one I had knocked out.

`By all means.'

`Why did you pick me? Especially after that first day.'

`I picked you because of that first day. You and one other here learnt the first and most important lesson for when you are out in the field. I gained the respect and authority of the other men. I think yours came a little bit later. It's when an officer gives you an order out in that field, he expects and demands that it be obeyed instantly. He has made a decision, and it may be vital for your life and of those with you that it is done instantly. If we are going along a muddy track and I call out down. It's not to get pleasure out of seeing you get covered in mud the same as I would be. I want you to get covered in mud because I may have seen something that prevents you and the others from being killed. Unfortunately, we are not given enough time to train you up to the standard that Captain Wesson and I have reached. We have fought every day for the past six months, and I still haven't beaten him in hand to hand combat, but I have beaten him several times in games of strategy, and that is what this is about tomorrow.

Not to belittle Captain Wesson, but I think I can outwit him in this game, because that is what it boils down to. The two captains out in the field are seeking out a way to get close enough for the kill. I've taken on a command post in one of these fields and captured it single handed. That is not meant to sound as a boast, it's because I only had myself to worry about and I knew that my body would obey instantly the command that my brain gave it. That is the crux of winning and living. The split second you are given an order, obey it, whether it means falling into a field of flowers or a pile of horse shit, do it. It could save your life.

Now I've pontificated too long on that subject and to get back to the original question you asked, it's because I believe in you. An officer who can't believe in his men is on the path to destruction. Not only of himself, but all those who are behind him. Don't forget, I'm in the front to take the first bullet and if I get it, then surely you won't have to wait long before you get yours. I think I saw this in all of you and that is why I picked you. You might not have liked my methods to start with,' here I punched this man on the shoulder, `but I did see potential soldiers that I think I would be proud to say that I was one of them. Now look! You've started me making a speech again. Now gather round this map while we've still got light.'

So I explained where we were and where we would make our stand as defenders, and how I proposed that we would do it. So with that, we turned in for the night. We had the disadvantage there, by having to start first which meant they could sleep later and be fresher than us when night fell.

We left at eight o'clock the next morning and I led them out at one hell of a pace. I needed to be at our position well before sunset.

`Stagger the line, we don't want to make any easy trail.' I'd detailed one man on an hourly switch to cover the rear with me. We kept criss crossing the trail to make sure that nothing was dropped or whatever that could give away our trail. But that was because I was only going to leave a total of two clues as to our direction. Only one was what I wanted to leave, but then realised that the lead man and the others might miss this but they shouldn't miss two.

My lot did well and we didn't pick up one thing. The two clues I did leave was the tightly rolled up ball of silver paper from a fresh packet of cigarettes, it was small, but enough. The second was a ground out cigarette butt at what could have been a brief halt.

This would point out that our destination was a small copse of trees about two miles further on. The grass of the field before the trees was quite high. High enough for the purpose that I had proposed. Then at the edge of the copse, I had the men start digging straight away so that through field glasses, those following could see that earth had been thrown up as in a redoubt. Then we rested with a lookout up in the trees being relieved every hour.

After three hours, it was time to move into our positions. Now Wesson had seen me in action twice and would have not given it a thought that I would have noticed. In those two actions I had moved out and gone round to either come in from behind or from the flank. I assumed, or hoped he wouldn't think that that was what I would do in this case. He knew damn well that I wasn't just going sit there and wait. So I believed he would come in two files either side of the breastworks that he will have observed, also noticing that at least two men were still throwing up these earthworks. They would then approach us watching their flanks and rear. That is why we crawled out into the very centre and lay in a herring bone pattern in what I hoped would be the middle of his two files. We were to lay head to tail about thirty feet apart so that we covered both sides and yet could see the next man along to signal when the approaching squad was observed. We started the pattern at about fifty feet out so when I got into position I was about sixty yards out from our redoubt.

The work for the two men left behind was to take it in turns to throw a shovel full of earth out as though we were still digging in. The other was to study the terrain to spot any movement. The distance and the timing was crucial, because I knew that he would try and hit us early, so I had to be told how far away they were spotted, then how long it took them to cover fifty yards.

When this was established, they were both to use their shovels to throw up earth so that they knew how many could be out on the flanks.

Each man of our line was to hold his fire until I shouted out, and then I crossed my fingers that they would do just that and that Wesson had done as I had predicted. Then I caught the low whistle from the redoubt and then the message was whispered along the line. As predicted, two lines about three hundred yards out and about thirty yards apart.

I had a watch with me this time and I waited for the next message which came twenty minutes later that they were now at two hundred. So it meant that they would be up with us in about thirty minutes, maybe a bit longer because they might slow down the closer they got.

Exactly thirty eight minutes later I saw the first one moving in his line. I made my signal which was passed down that the enemy had been sighted. Four minutes later I saw the next one. Now I wasn't sure which line Wesson would be in, so the line I was watching could have either three or four, so I just had to hold my breath as I saw the third one crawl past.

My heart then started to thump as I heard some movement to my left and guessed instantly what it was, I ever so slowly moved to my right and waited because Wesson was coming down the middle. As soon as I saw his helmet appear in the grass, I shouted `Fire', and just had time to see his surprised face as I splattered his helmet with paint.

I didn't stop, but was up instantly, running towards the line I had been facing and found that each man had been shot in the side or in the head and it was the same on the other side. Some of my men were up on their knees, guns still at the ready when a Very light went up and a sergeant came out from the trees.

Brilliant.' He called out. One hundred per cent for the defenders.' Cheers rang out from my squad as they got up and went to see to their victims and I turned to see Wesson coming at me fast. He had nearly caught me by surprise, but it turned out to be a classic example of what I had said the night before. Split second timing is crucial and that was all I had to catch his attack and go with it and use it to my advantage. I parried his charge so that when we went down I had control and we wrestled on the ground for over half a minute with neither of us getting the upper hand. We still tried for another half minute whilst a ring of men gathered round to watch, each cheering on their captain, until we finally broke apart and got to our feet.

`You lost this round Wesson, admit it,' I said, my chest heaving for breath and with my arms open wide. He was panting the same as I was, but he grinned and stood upright and we went into each other's arms and hugged in front of the cheering men. Then we walked through the ring of men with our arms around each other's shoulder.

`You cunning bitch. How did you guess my tactics?'

`Oh it was something I read somewhere. Some obscure book by a foreigner, I forget the tile and his name. He wrote, quote, "Know thy enemy." Unquote.'

`You devious little...'

Not in front of the men,' and then I whispered in his ear, behind the copse tonight and then you can do what you want with me.'

The men were all friendly and they pitched their tents together and a fire was got going. Water was put on to brew up some tea, and I went to my pack and pulled out a dozen beers and gave them out to the soldiers. I then showed Wesson the half bottle of brandy I'd bought along for us.

The men were happy with the beer and everybody got along very well, though Wesson and I did stay away from them as befitting our rank. The sergeant didn't stay as there was no need and he wished us a nice day off and saluted and went off himself, back to camp I presumed.

I liked the way you set out the men in the ambush,' Wesson said later as we lay against our packs, sipping brandy and seeing a cloudy sky that showed signs of either rain or snow. It was good. Covering opposite sides and yet being in eye contact with each other. Where did you get the idea?'

`Breakfast.'

`Breakfast?'

`You're repeating me, yes. I had a kipper and when I'd finished, the bones were going opposite ways yet the eyes could see both sides.'

`You're having me on,' he said as he grabbed and rolled over on top of me.

`Yes I am. On top of me. Kiss me Wesson,' and he did and to hell if any of the men were watching. After we'd pitched our two small tents, we went away out into the darkness, and though it was cold, I stripped off naked and did a little dance for him. I then went into his arms and helped him get his trousers down and I howled to the moon as he fucked me there out on Salisbury plain.

It was some years later that I found out that one of the members of Able squad, out in Korea, with his officer killed, took over and put the men into that very herring bone or kipper, whatever you like to call it, and came out alive after a successful defence. I never did find out who it was, but it warmed my heart to know that I had at least saved one life out there in that fighting. Also, several years after the conflict I heard other tales where my name was mentioned by survivors that if it hadn't have been for me etc, etc.

But to my howling at the moon. It was cold but his body heat inside me was enough as I had him push his way in and out to ease my longing and his relief and work out his ire at me beating him in the field. There were some comments among the men as they ate their breakfast about there being the possibilities of there being wolves out on the plains having heard one howl in the night.

`I'd have killed the bastard if he had said hyena,' I whispered to Wesson. He roared with laughter at that and the men stopped eating to look at him, wondering what the joke was.

We made it a leisurely stroll back to base and neither Wesson nor I made any attempt to stop the horseplay that went on between them. About a quarter of a mile from base, I called a halt.

Able squad! Fall in! Come on, act like soldiers and not girls out on a picnic! Get in fucking line!' I screamed at them. When we get into base, don't start getting cocky because of one skirmish. Before we've finished, I can guarantee that half of you would have been shipped back home in body bags. One battle doesn't win the war. It's the last one that does.' I could see that Wesson's Charlie squad were getting themselves together, and I think that Wesson let them listen to me, rather than repeat it later. `You came out here as boys and I want you to go back as men! You men of Charlie squad! You came out the worst of this. Is not the fault of your officer or of you, though you did signal your approach. Let's start again as from tomorrow. Any man who comes through the rest of the engagements, that includes the Charlies, without being killed, will be given a bloody good night out in London at my expense. My body is not part of the bargain, so if you had ideas in that direction, forget it. I don't expect to have to spend anything, but the offer is there. Now we're going into camp and you are going to march in as soldiers and not like a rabble or whipped curs. Do you hear what I'm saying?' I roared out.

`Loud and clear ma'am.'

Okay. By the right, field march!' This confused them because I'd just made up the order of march. They'd started and then faltered as they were not sure what to do. Halt! You wallowing lumps of dog meat. You!' pointing at a man in Charlie squad, `have you never heard the order, field march before?'

`Er, no sir, er, ma'am.'

Neither have I,' I grinned. Captain Wesson. Would you be so kind as to lead them off in good marching order over this type of terrain. Now watch the Captain and get into step and keep it until you hear the cry of halt. Have I made myself clear?'

`Yes ma'am,' came the cries along with the grins.

`Okay, ladies and gentlemen, By the right, march.' With that, he set off at what looked like the right way to me, but then I didn't know, Wesson did. It took them a few minutes to get into the rhythm, but soon they were all in step and they did look good.

`You can you now fall out Captain. The rest of you keep that step going, you're doing just fine.' Wesson dropped back from the front and joined me as we went along watching them march in step, the two squads with Able in the lead. Into the camp they marched as fine a bunch as I'd ever seen.

Squads, halt,' Wesson barked out, and they came to a good stop. 'Right face! Hold it, hold it. Squads, attention!' Wesson turned to me and came to attention and saluted me, the cheeky bastard. All I could do was answer the salute, before he swung round to face the men. I saluted you,' he whispered out of the corner of his mouth. `It's up to you to dismiss them.'

`Squads, dismiss!' With that they broke up into a mass of men to then go and find a place to pitch their tent for the night before getting their dinner in the mess hall.

`If I didn't say it earlier, I'm proud of you Francis,' Wesson said, slinging his arm around my shoulder as we went towards our mess for a drink.

We didn't do too well against Echo squad finishing up with three dead and three wounded, though they had four dead, two wounded. Both officer's, myself and the young Coggins suffered flesh wounds. That's where you just catch a fine smear of paint. We had drawn to defend again and the sector was a bad one, there only being one place to make a stand. I made Nolan, he was the mouthy guy, though he wasn't any longer, he was now one of the quietest of the men. I made him corporal and had him deploy the rest of the squad in our trench that had been previously dug by others. That was three at each end with just myself in the middle.

No movement was observed out in the field during our time in our trench up to the last of the daylight, so it was assumed they would approach us during the night. Therefore, one stood watch at each end while the others snatched a little sleep, changing watch after an hour. This way they all got nearly two hours sleep each. I got nearly three hours because it was assumed they wouldn't hit us until about midnight or later. It was half past midnight when they came. They had played the same way as us with three men on each flank and the lieutenant in the middle. It was their mistake of not both hitting at exactly the same time.

The firing started on our left which killed two of ours with one wounded, they had one killed and two wounded. Our right flank men were alerted by the firing and were ready when they were attacked, killing all three but we suffered one dead and two wounded in the exchange.

I had counted the gun flashes and noted that it was three either side, meaning that one man was still out there. The lieutenant spotted me first and fired, his paint just catching my sleeve, and I fired just off to the right of the gun flash. I cursed myself later for not having noticed in the mess that the man was left handed, so instead of hitting him dead centre, I only caught his sleeve like he had me.

It became a stand-off. The lieutenant knew he was pinned down and after about fifteen minutes gave out a signal for his men to withdraw. Technically, we won, but could no longer defend, and he couldn't attack, so it was agreed as a draw.

Our next one was to attack. The sector was heavily wooded with many clearings and it was one I would rather have defended. There were so many places to set up ambushes, and I nearly walked into it. They tried to be clever and not use the whole area to draw us in, but to set it up early.

The small wood that we approached was almost crescent like and you were basically funnelled into the middle. It wasn't a dense wood, but it was almost divided by this trail through the middle. We were almost through, my eyes scanning the clearing up ahead, and I nearly stepped out, but suddenly called out,

Down!' Dropping flat and I was pleased to hear them almost as one hit the ground. Back! Back ten yards,' I whispered fiercely, and we all worked our way back into the trees. When we were safely out of sight of the clearing, I got the six men round me.

Right. Two at a time, come with me to the edge of the glade. We'll go to the right and stop there. You others wait till you're sent for.' With two of them, I moved off to the right and settled down just inside the cover of the trees. Then in turn, I gave them the small pair of binoculars. Sweep the whole clearing and tell me why I stopped the patrol.' They both looked for several minutes, but couldn't give me an answer. Then I sent one back to bring up the others. Each in turn looked, but said it looked all right. Then I told them. `See the three bushes off to the left?'

`Yes.'

`See the two bushes off to the right?'

`Yes.'

`What colour are they?'

`Green.'

`Okay. You haven't seen it. Yes, they are all green. One of them is of a darker colour than the rest. It's been recently planted there and they've put it into the ground the wrong way. The sunlight has lightened the colour of the leaves so they should all be the same. I only spotted it at the last moment. Now all look again so that you'll understand what I mean.' This they did and agreed with my hypothesis.

`Now the way I see it, is this. They've got a man in there, probably dug in with a covered trap door. They've had enough time to do it. He's the observer. The others will be dug in before the belt of trees. He signals them of our approach and will attack our rear when the fighting starts. I think they expected us to walk into the ambush. That observer has probably been in that hole looking at this tree line for at least three hours, and by the time it gets dark, he's going to be useless. Tired and dehydrated, he will have to be relieved when darkness falls. His replacement is more likely having a sleep now. If we'd skirted the wood and carried on to the end of the sector and not found them, they would have won the game. So they are going to sit tight. We've got six hours of daylight left, so let's all get some sleep till then. Draw straws, three long, three short. The short ones will stand two hour watches each watching the clearing for any movement, but especially that bush. Wake me if you think you spot something going on, otherwise just note what you see for later.' With that, they drew the straws for the watches and the rest settled down to sleep.

Captain!' A hand touching my arm woke me up instantly, nerves tingling. It's almost dark. Shall I wake the rest?'

`Yes.' I poured some water over my face to freshen me, then rubbed some dirt so that it stuck to my skin thinking that I preferred make-up than this. Now I doubled the watch on the ground between the bush and the further trees, moving the other man ten metres off to the right. About half an hour after darkness had fallen, a whisper came from the right. A man had been spotted crawling through the grass, and we all watched and could just see the vague movement by the bush as predicted. It was signalled that a body was crawling back to the trees.

That was it, time for us to start. I gathered together and told them what we were going to do. Two of the squad would go out and approach the bush from either side and nab the observer. I stressed that theirs was the most important job. They had to hit him at the same time and prevent him from crying out. Then they were to drag him back to us. If, from that point you can see the trees, take it slow till it's safe to move faster. Watches were checked and they went off, one to the left and one to the right. All we could do was sit and wait.

If we take this observer,' I was telling two of the men, I'll be doing things that you will think is wrong. Do not interfere and don't let the other's. Assume that it's what I always do. I will then move off for a few minutes and I want you to talk between yourselves. Make up something that will fit the scene and make out that I'm some sort of sadist. Don't lay it on too thick or he won't buy it. I think you're intelligent enough to see what will happen.'

`Captain! Movement out front,' came a whisper, then a few minutes later the two men came to us dragging another.

`Well done. Bring him right back into the wood.' I left one on watch and followed as they dragged the man to a small clearing.

Tie him to that tree,' and this was quickly done. Now pull his trousers and pants down to his ankles.' I got curious looks, but they did this. He can't kick out when he's like that,' I explained. I turned to the tied up man who was shaking as we all looked at his shrivelled penis and balls, his thighs pale white in the gloom. Take the gag off him,' and then I moved forward and looked at him. I know you. You were in my first training squad?' He nodded, his eyes wide. Well you know what I can do to a man,' I said pulling out my knife and squatting down in front of him.

What a small cock you've got,' I said as I put the point of the knife under it and lifted it up, the cold steel making him shiver even more. The balls are small too,' as I put the point to one. `I don't think you'd notice the difference if I took one of them out. I wonder if you've ever seen a testicle outside of its skin.' I was looking up at his sweating face, his eyes almost screwed up in terror.

You two stay and watch him for a minute,' this was to the two that were going to discuss me, the rest of you follow me.' And we left the clearing to see if there had been any movement out front. Nothing. So I went back the clearing. They stopped talking as soon as they saw me arrive. Make ready a small fire for me and sharpen a small stick.' This was quickly got together and then stood by waiting for orders. Go back to the others and leave me here with the prisoner. What you don't see or hear, you can't testify to in court, now move off and don't let any others come here. Off you go.' I got a wink from one of them as they left the clearing.

Now my little friend. Before I take one of your balls out and cook it front of you, I want you to know that whatever happens here, even though you have lost one or two of your balls, it will only be your word against mine in court. I'm a Captain and you're a private. Who will they believe?' I asked as I tickled his still ever shrinking cock with my knife. Now you are going to tell me everything of what's going on over there. What was your signal from the hole and when and how do you keep in touch. Speak or lose what little you have.'

He couldn't stop talking, well almost gibbering as he spilled out all he knew.

Shit!' I said, looking at my watch and quickly left him and went back to the men. Wilson! You've got exactly seven minutes to get out to that hole and signal back to the trees with the torch in the hole. Two dots and one dash exactly on the hour and then give us a single flash and wait there till I come and get you. Go now, quickly as you can.' He scuttled off into the darkness.

`So he did speak Captain?' I was asked.

`Couldn't stop him. Both go back and kick the fire away, untie him from the tree and let him pull his trousers up, it's getting cold. Then gag him and bring back here, arms tied of course.' I waited anxiously, hoping that Wilson had made the hole in time and given the correct signal. The others came back and sat our prisoner down and tied him to a small sapling and also tied his feet.

Gather round. I hope that Wilson is in time to give the signal and assuming that he does, they will stand down, leaving two men on guard, one at each end of this trench,' I drew a sketch in the dirt. They are watching for a signal from the post if we're seen to be coming or is all clear. The other four are in the middle and should be asleep by the time we get there because they are doing a two hour watch. Now Willis, you go out to the right and Cripps, you go left. You've got to be in position behind the two guards to hit them in precisely one hour and twenty minutes time from the time you set off. We will go in from the front and hit them at the same time.`

Captain!' our look out man hissed. Single flash from the bush.'

`Okay you two. Off you go now and be ready in exactly one hour and twenty minutes.' Off they went to get into position.

Now they will make good time,' I said to my remaining men, going round so should be in position before us. From the bush we crawl slowly, five feet apart, and silently to about five yards before their trench. I'll be in the middle and I'll pick up Wilson on the way to tell him what we're doing. Then you lay and wait for my signal, then up and over the top. Okay let's move out.' I patted our prisoner on the cheek as we left.

We quickly covered the ground to the bush and congratulated Wilson that he had given the signal on time. So filling him in, we slowly made our way to the hold position till it was time. That was only a few minutes before I gave the signal and we rose up and a few steps later flew over the edge and onto the sleeping bodies below. In less than a minute it was ours.

My squad was exhilarated at the success and kept asking how had I made the prisoner spill so much so quickly, so I had to tell them. They laughed at it, but I turned it serious.

`If we'd been in action in Asia and I had a prisoner like that, once I had the information, I would have slit his throat, because that is what he would have done to me if our positions were reversed. Life is cheap to them. Death is glory in heaven.

Now if you take four prisoners for example, and you want information. Assume you've got an interpreter, and you ask the first man what you want to know. He won't say anything. Then shoot him in the head and ask the second man, he'll probably not answer. Shoot him too. The third man might break and tell you. Say you don't believe him and shoot him. If the fourth man tells you the same as the third, it is possibly true, but shoot him all the same.'

`Why kill him if he tells you what you want to know?'

`What if he escapes or your position is overrun. You can be sure that he will turn and kill you. But not straight away. He'll take great pleasure out of torturing you first for as long as it amuses him before he kills you. The fact that you've already killed three men, one more makes no difference to them. They do not know of the Geneva Convention. They're told to go and kill, and that's what they will do. So don't be squeamish. It's kill or be killed.'

`They say you took on three men at once and killed them all in half a minute, is that true?'

`Who said that?'

`Well Captain Wesson told the sergeant of your first squad,'

`I'll kill Wesson next,' I muttered.

`It's true then?'

Yes,' I said between clenched teeth, and it was fifteen seconds, not thirty.'

`I bet you couldn't take out one of our squads in thirty seconds.'

`I could do it in twenty, except for you lot. You know me too well,' I laughed, trying to get off the subject, and I thought I had succeeded, but found out a few days later that I hadn't.

Are you crazy?' Wesson rounded on me in the hut. Boasting that you could take out a squad in twenty seconds!'

I wasn't boasting!' I cried out. It just came out after I had been told that you had talked about the three men in Rome! They said thirty seconds and I corrected them. I was angry at you for speaking of it and when they said about a squad, I sort of joked about it. That's the truth.'

`Well it's too late now. The Colonel's interested, and wants you do it.'

`Oh shit,' I said, taking my head in my hands.

`Yes, shit is right. You've put yourself on the line, me too.'

Why you?' I asked looking up, it's me that said it.'

`True. But I said that if you said you could do it, you would be able to deliver. Then I spoke out of turn and bet the whole of the officers mess bill against ours.'

That was it then. The mess bill didn't worry me as I had more than likely spent that much on one dress in the past. The trouble was that the squad would be ready for me unless I could divert them.

Wesson agreed that the plan I had devised would work and also that the observers would have to be close to verify the facts or events as they occurred. So we explained to the two sergeants that would be the observers and told them what I was going to do and to watch closely to confirm the kills as they happened.

Because the squad would know that I was going to attack them, it was agreed that I could do five passes as it were, and hit them at the time of my choosing. This was agreed and the other squads had the day off to watch, Baker squad being the victims. The spot chosen was by a bank of trees and a path alongside and the open ground rose up on the other side of the path, not steep, but this was covered by the other men who had gathered to watch.

Baker squad would come along the path in single file as I approached from the opposite direction pushing a bicycle, the observers alongside but close to the trees. The Colonel explained that it was to be assumed that it was a peasant women being stopped by a patrol for her papers to be checked, and what could happen if they were not prepared.

I approached the patrol and the front held up his hand to stop me and asked for my papers. I let the bicycle fall to the ground, away from them as I spoke rapid French to them walking to the last man of the line as I pulled some papers from my pocket to show them. The front two men picked up the bicycle and looked through the basket fixed to the back. I slowly walked back towards the ones holding the bicycle still talking and waving the papers at them. They were edgy and held their rifles ready, but I took the bike and went on past. I did exactly the same on the second walk, and they relaxed when I went past. I hit them on the next pass. The observers had been told I would do it, and were ready for it, but the patrol wasn't.

The hand was held up and I dropped the bike the same way as I went down the line speaking and pulling my papers out. The front had the bike upright and opened the basket to a loud bang that made everybody jump. The first men were dead instantly from the booby trap and I hit the end man across the throat, stopping at the actual point of making contact. I was already then moving at the second one pulling a knife out and sweeping it across his throat before stabbing the third one also in the throat. This third man was blocking the fourth man from turning his rifle on me as I dropped round this last one killed to pull him forward by the gun and whipping my arm around his head to break his neck.

At this point the watch was stopped, having been started the moment the small bomb had gone off.

`Sixteen and a quarter seconds,' the time keeping observer called out. The men on the slope clapped and cheered and I couldn't help grinning at them as my hand was shook by the timekeeper. Baker squad stood around looking most disgruntled as the observers said that they had all been killed. Crushed throat, a severed throat, jugular cut and a neck broken. The other two killed by small fragmentation grenade hidden in the basket.

`Well gentlemen. I must confess that I didn't think Captain Lyon would be able to do this, especially when the squad knew it was going to take place. You have just seen a classic example of what can happen if you are not on your guard the whole time. A civilian can be more deadly than a soldier with a rifle. Now Captains Lyon and Wesson will run through it again and point out the mistakes made by this patrol. So let's show our congratulations to Captain Lyon.' They all gave me a cheer and lots of wolf whistles.

I had a short break and then Wesson and I went over it again step by step, again, I think I saved some more lives that day in the field. It was quite a celebration in the mess that night and Wesson couldn't wait to get me into the hut when we left.

We kissed and undressed in the dark and I threw a blanket to the floor. I crooned as he entered me from behind and relished his thrusting in and out of me.

Sixteen and a quarter seconds,' he said in time to his movements, that's quicker than I can come.' His cock sending little ripples of heat up inside me as he moved.

Don't come at all,' I gasped, just keep on fucking me till morning. Keep going for as long as you can.' It must have been six patrols at least before he mashed his thighs tight up against as he throbbed and surge inside me. `You lovely big fucker. I only wish I could suck you at the same time,' I panted as he came to a grinding halt.

God I love doing this to you!' he said, his breathing very thick and heavy, giving me a twitch inside. Every time I see you smile at me, that beautiful smile, I want to be inside you. It drives me mad with frustration.' Then he sighed and pulled out and I gave my little cry at the loss of his heavy presence within me. I pulled the used condom off and we got onto his bed and I lay the opposite way to suck on his still hard penis. Then to my joy I felt him kiss mine and put his mouth over the head. I sucked as vigorously as I could on his as he gently sucked on mine. I was in my heaven having him suck mine as I sucked his. Then I felt a waft of cold air cross it as he took his head off of me.

`You won't come in my mouth, will you?'

No darling, I won't do that. I'll tell you before it happens,' then his mouth went down on me again and I loved my man to be sucking me, but I couldn't hold on long. I'm coming,' I gasped, and his head came up off me. `Keep your hand going,' I begged, and he kept moving it as I started to shoot out.

Hey, I could feel it coming up the inside,' he said in wonder, and it's going everywhere. Doesn't it stop?'

`Nearly there,' I gasped as the throbbing of my cock started to ease off.

I cleaned myself up and also what went over him and then lay in his arms, pleased with this gorgeous man who was showing that he wasn't afraid to, well, almost do as much as I did for him.

`That wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Like a piece of strong rubber,' he said.

`Oh you darling, I do love you, I said as I scratched his hairy chest. I wanted to say more, but thought that more would come in time. I fell asleep in his arms, something I shouldn't have done because of where we were, but nobody came into the hut to find us like this.

My squad came top with the most wins and least losses and Wesson's came second. The colonel knew that I had made Nolan a corporal in the field and backed it up by making it official. Two other men from different squads were also made up to corporal too. Nolan came top of our squad, apart from me, by only sustaining three wounds and not being killed. I was wounded once and had one flesh wound. Wesson had been killed once, by me, and wounded once, he didn't say so, but I believe his own men hit him. I didn't get a chance to see the paint colour to confirm this.

As I had promised, I gave Nolan my address and telephone number to call when he was next in London for a good day and night out, and we did this a few days before Christmas, letting him stay at the Savoy Hotel as well. I heard that he went out to Korea and survived, though he did lose the little finger of his left hand in a sniper attack.

The Colonel profusely thanked Wesson and me for our input. There wouldn't be another exercise like this till well into the New Year because the light artillery were moving in to stay over the Christmas on their training period. It's not the same, he'd said, lobbing mortar shells at people you can't see. Goodbyes were said all round and Wesson and I went back to London for a rest and Christmas.

It was nice to get home and have a good bath, to soak and feel the tiredness and grime seep out of your body. To feel clean and smell sweet perfume instead of body sweat. Palmer was pleased to see us and so was Mr and Mrs Perkins, until then, I hadn't known their names, which was rather remiss of me of not knowing earlier. We had a lovely dinner served by Palmer of what Perkins had prepared, and then we went to bed. It was a lovely night of loving.

Next morning at breakfast, I had a back log of post to go through while Wesson read the newspaper. I was delighted find the photographs from Buckingham Palace and couldn't help but push his paper aside for him to see. They had come out so well and I felt very proud to see myself with the King and Queen. I even had to call Palmer in to show him the pictures, and even though I said it was my brother, he knew that it was me. He had to take them downstairs to show them off to the Perkins. There was nothing else of interest in the post, so I quickly finished going through what was left so that I could take the pictures to a photo shop and have copies made.

I then told Wesson that we just had to go to the village, so that I could have some of the pictures in my front parlour. It would please Flora and the village, having met Gervaise. Wesson reluctantly agreed to come with me, on the promise that we would be here, in London for Christmas. I didn't care where I spent Christmas, as long as it was with him. We had a few days to ourselves before we went to the office. We kept calling it the office, though it wasn't ours, but there wasn't anything specific we could say to anyone. The office was as good as anything we could come up with.

Frobisher was delighted to see us and had been very pleased at the glowing report he'd just received of our conduct out there. I asked him if he'd received his pictures and he said that he had, and opened a drawer and showed us his, already in a lovely frame.

`Sir what do we call you sir? Sir Frobisher or Sir something else?' Wesson asked.

`My title of address is the same as in the past Wesson. Sir, or Frobisher,' he said looking at me.

Yes sir,' I said smiling at him. He hid his grin from Wesson. But aren't they lovely. Mine are really beautiful. I couldn't wait to rush out and get lots more copied.'

`The ones I received are more than enough,' he said, taking the picture back and returning it to the drawer.

I bet he takes it out of the drawer,' Wesson said later, when alone and drools over it.'

Don't be nasty Wesson,' I said, giving him a slap on the arm, I'm going to drool over mine.'

Only kidding,' he laughed. I'd better get a picture of me done. Then you will have something to drool over.'

`I don't need a picture to drool over you. I'm almost drooling now because of what you got between your legs. In fact I'm getting a hard on and feeling rather randy. Let's go home and maybe you can drool all over me too, in bed.'

`I don't mind if we do,' he said as he hugged me. So for the second time now, I had him sucking on my cock as I sucked on his. I let him know that I was about to come, so he jerked me off as I continued to work on him. When I started to spurt out, the sight must have triggered him off, because he came in great spurts which I swallowed and then licked my lips with a smacking sound. It was supper time before he was up and inside me to come again.

We went and looked at the houses that John's crew were working on and it wouldn't be long before four of them would be ready for the interior decorating and furnishing. I said I was most happy the way that the work was progressing and made a note for some Christmas boxes for the workers. I also had other thoughts and I phoned the lawyer, whom I had kept on with quite a substantial retainer. I spoke on behalf of Gervaise who wished him to look into the business of purchasing a letting agency to add to G.F.L.Holdings. It needed to be in a good location to cater to people with lots of money. He didn't think he would get very far this close to Christmas. I him told that it wasn't that urgent, but that he had a month. Which really was saying that it was urgent, and as he was getting a nice fee from me, he would do it.

Then the photographs were ready and the man in the shop was only too happy to show me the best silver frames that he had and I waited till he had fitted all that I could think of that I was going to give away. The one with the King and Queen and myself, I had a few blown up in size. One I left for him to get framed, which was for the house, one spare and one to give to the pub in the village.

I phoned the village and got Allen to start early in the morning to pick us up in the Rolls as early as he could get to us. He was that keen, he arrived before we'd had breakfast, so he was fed downstairs, because we still hadn't yet got dressed. Then after feeding and looking my best and with Wesson in a suit, a suitcase was put in the car and we set off for Dorset.

Diane was pleased to see me, and she could see two other people by the car so it was a cheek to cheek kiss because she saw I was there as Francis. She shouted out a hello to Allen, who waved back and I introduced her to Wesson. She had cocked an eye at me and I gave a short nod, so I saw that she inspected him critically.

She was delighted with the pictures I had brought with me and they were put up on the sideboard in pride of place. She asked if we could stay, but I begged off and promised to visit soon. Little Francis seemed to take to Wesson and gurgled and chuckled when he was picked up and bounced about in his arms.

Oh Francis,' Diane whispered to me, what a gorgeous hunk of a man you've got there. If you weren't married to me, I'd take him away. We definitely couldn't live together with him around.' It was a lovely thing for her to say to me when you consider it. Here I was married to her, a beautiful girl in her own right, and yet, she was happy for me to live and have sex with another man that she too would like to have.

`How is being Lady Lyon suiting you?' I asked.

`To me, nothing's really changed, I'm still the same. But it has made a big difference in the village. They all want to stop and talk to me. Calling me Lady Lyon and all, you know. Then the awkward questions like, why isn't your husband, Sir Gervaise with you, no problem is there? You know the sort of thing. I tell them that he is tied up too often in London, foreign affairs and all that. Why don't we see his name then? Very hush, hush I tell them. He has to keep in the background, but you can see that they think very highly of him.' We giggled together over this.

`Just wait till I show them the pictures!' We chatted for a little longer and said that we had to go, the people of the village would be getting restless because they knew I was on my way. So after a kiss with Diane and a kiss for Francis, we got back into the car to go to my village.

Allen had been most voluble about the visit of Gervaise, and how everybody couldn't believe it when he had turned up. It was like seeing yourself there, he'd said, which made Wesson titter. Like peas in a pod, he also added.

There were waves from some of the villagers as we turned down into the lane and Flora was soon at the door to the house, Beatrice right behind her as usual. I got the bob from them both as we approached and they let us into the house.

`This is Wesson, my boyfriend, though he's no boy to look at, is he?' They laughed and made themselves known to him and by the way I had introduced him to them, they knew that we would be sleeping together. So that cleared that little hurdle out of the way. Didn't they just gush over the pictures that I had brought with me. Pride of place, they went alongside those of my father and mother and of my two aunts.

`But, isn't that,' Flora started to speak and she hesitated a moment, pointing to Diane in one of them.

`Yes, it is. I took Gervaise to Diane's house just after he'd been shot saving the life of the French President. Diane always liked me and she fell in love straight away and they were soon married. I thought you knew. They've even got a baby now and I'm an Auntie!'

Well blow me down,' she said, he, er, Sir Gervaise never breathed a word of it when he visited.'

`Perhaps he thought you knew.'

`When he came, well, I thought it was you all dressed up in man's clothes. You two are so alike I just couldn't believe my eyes and what a nice gentleman he is too.' I got Wesson and myself some drinks and let her rattle on. It was best that she got it all out of her system and then it would be dropped.

`So you are now a proper Lady Lyon?' she asked.

`No, That's Diane, she's Lady Lyon. I'm still Miss Francis Lyon.'

That's not right!' she said indignantly. You've always been Lady Francis in this village ever since you were a little girl and you always will be, so there.' With a sniff, she went off to the kitchen.

My God,' said Wesson quietly from his chair, I would never have believed it. Ever since you were a little girl?' I went and sat on his knee and put my arm round his neck and kissed him on the cheek.

There was only one person here who knew, apart from my aunts, and they all took my secret to their graves, and that was Donald. He was the vicar, he...was killed saving me right outside. That was, God, only last year. It seems ages ago as so much has happened in that time. I was so excited at coming here I even forgot to get my flowers. I have always brought flowers for the graves of my family.' Tears came to my eyes and started to run down my cheeks. Have I become that callous and hard Wesson that I forgot about them.' He pulled me into his lap and cuddled me, and then Flora walked back in to see to the table.

`Oh dear, what's the matter?' she asked, with a concerned look on her face.

`Francis has just remembered that she forgot to bring some flowers for the graves.'

`Oh Lady Francis, it's not the flowers that they need, it's just the thought that they are remembered. Flowers are just an added touch that we do in the hope that others will think of us when our time comes. One more day will not make any difference to them when they have all of eternity, it's the thought that they can feel. Now go upstairs and make yourself pretty again for Mr Wesson. Dinner will be on the table shortly.' Wesson gave me a hug.

`Do as she says. Go upstairs and come down as such a pretty woman that I will immediately want to take back up there,' he grinned. I had to give him a smile for that, but I still went and powdered my nose, as they say.

Wesson was effusive to Flora on her meal and she fairly simpered and quickly ushered Beatrice out so that we could be alone.

What a woman,' said Wesson as he pulled back my chair and took me into his arms, and it also applies to you.' We kissed and didn't bother with coffee and went up to my old bedroom

We were soon in bed where I was pleased that he started to fondle and suck on me first and I then went down on him. We made love with the pillows under me so that I could see his face in the light of the candles that I had lit as he moved in and out of me. I was on my own old bed being gently reamed by the new man of my life and I couldn't stop the tears of joy from flowing.

Next day, we went to see old Mr Truell, I say old, because he was now not looking as spry as he was a few years ago. He greeted us very cordially and after the pleasantries about health etc, I asked him what he thought of my brother. He said, apart from being astounded at the sight of him he thought he was a gentleman, even after considering the fact he had been raised in France.

This tickled me pink, but I had to move on as there was so much to do. I told him that Gervaise had created a holding company and had, since being here, taken a controlling interest in a small construction company. He had also acquired a whole block of Regency houses in the centre of London and was now in the process of buying a letting agency to handle these properties.

`But, he only took fifty thousand pounds.'

`That brother of mine is now worth over two million pounds.'

`In so short a time! It's unbelievable,' He said, wiping his brow.

`That is why I am here. I am merging my holdings with that of his. We will be joint partners. Here is his lawyer's name and address and that he will contact you about the merger, though I did say that you will still be looking after my and the village's interest. He will contact you sometime in the New Year. Happy Christmas to you and your staff.' We left without giving him time to think over what I had just said. He was in fact losing control of my interests and inheritance, but that would sink in later. I made a note to make sure he got a good Christmas present. Next stop was the florists who knew me by now and did me up some splendid floral displays which Allen took to the car.

`I don't think I'm ever going to get used to the way you can make people do exactly as you want and think that they are doing it of their own free will. Are you doing this to me too Francis?'

`Oh Wesson, that hurt, that has really hurt me. I love you. I love you with all my heart. I'm not buying you! You are your own man and in the house you are the master. You must be the master because that is what I need. You are now seeing the other side of me. There, at the training camp, I did what I had to do. Get their respect. That was all that mattered then. I kicked their butts, you saw that. I made them fear me, but I turned that into belief. I made them believe that what I was doing was for their own good. They saw it, and do you remember the cheer that went up when Able squad heard that I was their Captain. Who else got that? I got their respect. Not by buying it, but by earning it. The same as here, in my village. I didn't know that I owned the bloody place till I was sixteen. Did it change them in respect of me? No! To them I was still the girl that they saw grow up there and I haven't treated any of them any different. It's called respect. I haven't tried to buy you or influence you, but I have tried to win your respect. Throwing each other around the gym hasn't been any macho thing, but to try and show that I respect you. For what you were trying to do, to help me and I have seen the sin of your pride. The pride when me, your pupil takes on the best and wins. I haven't had to do that here. I've always been me. I've never spoken ill or done harm to anyone. I've helped them, always have and always will.

When I was a little girl, I could walk into any house in the village and if they were sitting down to their tea, they would give me some from their plate and go hungry. That was love, and they still have it. All I do is return it twofold and you think that I am manipulating people. If you think that is what I am doing to you, you are mistaken. If you do not believe me, Allen can turn the car round and go back to the station. I will let you go and I will cry, oh yes I will cry because I will have lost your love and respect. That is all I want from you Wesson, just love and respect, whatever else comes will be a bonus.' I couldn't say anymore. I was on the verge of throwing myself out of the car, oh why oh why Donald didn't you let the truck hit me instead.

Wesson pulled me towards him and cuddled me as I began to sniff back the tears.

`Francis. My darling Francis. I wish I could bite my tongue out for what I said. I've never loved or been loved before. I wouldn't have believed it that I could fall in love with you. I would have punched any man on the nose a year ago if he said that I could fall in love with another man. Though you are that in your body, I fell in love with you because of what you are. A woman in the mind and in your heart. A hard woman that is not frightened to stand up for what she believes in, yet a gentle woman when compassion is called for. That is what I am looking for now, some of that compassion for the ill thought words that I said. I'm rough and uneducated and cannot find the right words to say to you right now. I only seem to be able to say what I really feel is when I hold you in my arms when we are in bed together. What I am asking for now is for you to forgive me for what I said.'

`Will you be able to say more in bed tonight then,' I said with a smile coming through my tears.

`I'll keep you awake all night if you say that you forgive me.'

`I forgive you Wesson,' and offered up my lips for him to kiss which he did.

I was glad that the sliding glass panel between Allen and us was shut. I just had time to repair the damage to my make-up before we turned into the lane and Allen stopped the car by the church gate.

`Darling, you will forgive me when I say that I would rather be alone when I visit the graves of my parents.'

`Of course Francis. This is your time with them, not with me. Allen will keep me company and maybe tell me something about this village and what makes it tick.'

Allen passed me my flowers and I went in alone to stop at each grave to place some flowers down and say a little prayer. In my prayer at Donald's grave, I heard him thank and forgive me because it was as Flora had said, it's not the flowers, but the thought and prayer that goes up to them that you have loved.

I was back with them in fifteen minutes and Allen insisted that he drive when I said we would be going up to the pub. So for that short distance we drove and Allen opened the car for us and the people from inside had come out and shouted out their welcomes. I thanked them all as we went inside and Dave, the landlord gave us our first drink on the house. Clever man, because he knew I would spend at the very least, twenty pounds that lunch time.

They all couldn't wait to tell me of the visit by Gervaise, with the usual platitudes of our likeness to each other. I asked Dave, as he had expected, that each and everyone be given a drink as they came in and for me to settle up the bill afterwards. Some bar snacks were put out for Wesson and me. Even though they were there on the bar, no one made a move towards them. I then asked for a few more plates to be put out for the others.

When I gave Dave the large picture of Gervaise with the King and Queen, well, the place became an uproar. Dave couldn't thank me enough, even Mrs Drew came out and thanked me.

`Do you think that the brewery would let us change the name of the pub to the Gervaise Arms, or The Lyon's Arms, Lady Francis.'

`I don't see why not,' I said, giving a wink to Wesson, Dave forgetting that I actually owned the pub.

`What are the arms of Sir Gervaise, Lady Francis?' Dave asked.

`Those things hanging from his shoulders I think.' And I couldn't help myself from bursting out at this and the whole place went mad in laughter. Even Wesson couldn't help himself as tears ran down his face as everyone howled at this joke. It took some time before the place returned to normalcy and many questions were asked of me that I answered as best I could.

Wesson had several beers whilst I stayed on gin and tonics, and we'd had quite a few when Dave shouted out that it was time to close. I slipped him the twenty pounds knowing that the total had not come to that, but it was worth it for the fun we'd had. I think the balance went towards the frame that was used for the picture that eventually took pride of place behind the bar.

I thanked Dave and Wesson did too, saying that he once lived at a pub but it had never been so happy and friendly as this one. That pleased Dave immensely and I gave Wesson's arm a squeeze.

You're learning,' I said, and I could see from his eyes that he knew exactly what I was referring to. I love you Wesson, you great hunk and brute of a man,' I said hugging his arm as we walked down the lane. You couldn't have said anything better to Dave. Did you see the way his face lit up? That's what gives me joy. To see the genuine pleasure that the right word or two can do to another person. You have now risen in his estimation. Mind you, you are still only just above a Neanderthal compared to me,' I said as I smiled up at him and then hiccuped at the same time. Oh dear, I'd better go and lie down after all that drink. Would my cave man care to come and enter my cave?' I gave another hiccup.

`This cave man would deem it a pleasure to visit this cave of yours. Maybe he might savour some other delights before dallying at the entrance to this cave of yours. What might this cave man find within this cave of yours?'

`Pleasure I've no doubt he will find within. Then if I also find it's been a pleasure for him to visit my cave, maybe I'll be able to coax him to visit it again a little while later.'

`The pleasure will be all mine,' he said with a smile.

`No, mine.'

`Mine!'

`Mine! And we burst out laughing and hugged each other as we went into my home and up to bed. He did savour other delights, kissing, licking and sucking on me as I did on him, before we set the bed to rights for him to enter me. We looked at each other, smiling and blowing each other kisses, my legs up high as he moved that wonderful shaft of his in and out as he fucked me. Though I didn't, nor ever had liked it when a hard cock was pulled out of me, didn't waste time to rid him of the condom to suck out the residue of his come. There was still enough in that solid flesh that I could squeeze out, to roll around my mouth before letting it slowly slide down like a small oyster.

This was more of an aphrodisiac to me than any oyster or whatever other product that people say enhanced your sexual stimulation or awareness. We lay kissing each other until I drifted off into a beautiful sleep.

He woke me up with his kisses and eventually crawled out of bed and went for a shower before dressing for dinner, I slapped his hand away from my bum as I pulled on my stockings and literally pulled him out of bed for him to go and shower.

We had a lovely bottle of wine with our dinner and we only spoke of general things until Flora had said her goodnights and left us alone.

`I began to see some things in a different light when we were in the pub this afternoon. What is the name of it anyway?'

`I've no idea. It's always been known as the pub. There's never been a sign outside as far as I can remember. Why?'

`No reason really, but what is the arms of Gervaise?'

`I don't know about that. I'll ask Frobisher. He's probably got his up on the wall already.'

`I would have thought it might be the Alms of Allah.' I laughed and said that he now seemed to be developing a sense of humour.

`I think it's you that's causing that, but I can't but help keep thinking about what you said in the car after my faux pas. In the pub, there was no tangible thing that you could put your finger on, but I could feel something. I first noticed it with the tray of food on the bar. It was there and since you had taken the first piece off it to eat. Nobody would touch it. If you had pushed the plate towards them, they would have eaten from it. But you hadn't, so they didn't. That showed respect that what you touched was yours, but then you didn't seem to notice this.

Then you go and order a tray for them to eat from. That is what I found so strange and perplexing before, but I think I'm slowly beginning to understand it.

Palmer does it at home. Flora, Allen, Dave. They all seem to come under a spell when you are around. Now I think on it, even bloody Frobisher has these, these turns, is the only way that I can describe it. One minute he's bawling you out and the next he's almost kissing your arse. It baffles me.'

We were drinking, or had drunk, I should say, our coffee on the settee in front of a wonderful log fire, and the large white hearth rug looked inviting.

`Come my spellbound lover and lie down and love me,' I said as I got off the settee and rolled onto my back on the rug and held up my arms. He grinned and didn't need a second invitation, but joined me there. We took our time in our kissing as we slowly took the clothes off each other. The only trouble with lying in front of a fire is you burn on one side and freeze on the other when you are naked. With his arm under my neck I let my hand wander down his chest to his belly and found his hardness lying there.

`Now don't tell me I've cast a spell over this what I can feel?'

`That has a mind of its own. I can't control it. I should really call you my early morning alarm instead of Francis.'

`Why?'

`Because that what you can feel is always up at the crack of dawn,' and he laughed. It was nice to hear him crack a joke. I gave him a slap on the chest and laughed with him. I moved round on the rug, loving the sensuous feel of the fine wool on my bare skin as I then lay so that I could see his hard cock before me. I stroked it, running my fingernails along the underside that was uppermost on his stomach.

It twitched under my touch and that sweet secretion slowing began to ooze from the eye of his penis. This I delighted in licking off and savouring the pleasant taste of it before taking the whole head into my mouth. With my hand gently moving the flesh up and down, I sucked and teased him with my tongue. He gave out a groan and copied me by turning round and taking my erection into his mouth and began using his tongue on me as I did on him. I loved to hold that heavy throbbing piece of flesh as I sucked and sucked on him. Wesson too was sucking and building up the tension in my balls, and my back was getting hotter from the fire, but I didn't want to stop because Wesson was making such a fine effort and it is very difficult to speak around a mouthful of prick.

`I nearly there,' I said coming up off of him before going back down.

`So am I', was the brief gasp as he released me before taking it back in.

`I'm just about to come,' I gasped, and quickly went back to rubbing and sucking him.

`Me too. Just do it!'

`Are you going to take it?' I asked between sucks, astonished.

`I'm going to try,' came the muffled response.

`Oooh don't hold it in your mouth. Swallow it as it...ooh.' I quickly took him back in as I felt him stiffen and start to come, and that triggered me. I came into his mouth as he came into mine, and he never let go of me, but kept on sucking. I had his come in my mouth and I rolled it round in my mouth before swallowing it. My hips were jerking as his were, sending out the last few drops, and then his tongue was licking me. What a partner! I gave his cock a couple of extra squeezes as I sucked and I felt him copy in response.

I then had to tug him to roll over as my back was beginning to burn, and he rolled without letting go of me. Then we came to a mutual stop and I turned round and slid up against his body and kissed him.

You beautiful man,' I said between kisses, you did it for me.'

`It wasn't as bad as I thought it might have been my love.' I held him tight until he started to complain of the fire against his back. So with a few kisses more, he broke off and we picked up our clothes and went to bed. He has sucked on me, I shouted to myself, and took it all. I really hugged him in bed and kept telling him over and over again how much I loved him. I let him take me in the usual position in the morning, creaming my inside to my great joy before we showered.

We said our goodbyes in the morning, giving our regrets that we couldn't stay over the Christmas, and Allen drove us back to London. It was an imposition, but I asked Allen to drive back again on Christmas Eve to collect the presents that I hadn't as yet bought, to deliver for me. He didn't mind at all, he said.

Palmer and Perkins came out to collect our bags and Allen drove off, and didn't we have a surprise indoors. The three of them had decorated the place for Christmas and had done a wonderful job. Holly, ivy, mistletoe, paper chains, the lot, and a lovely tree in the sitting room all covered in balls, tinsel and lights. The house was a festive eye catching delight and we really praised them in their efforts, and I took this opportunity to ask if I could see over their quarters. Palmer's was very conservative in his decorations and I had a chance to see what a wonderful collection he had amassed of classical music. I could also see what I could get him for Christmas. I did the same with the Perkins, although I had to sit and have a cup of tea, which I seldom drank, as she talked. That way I found out what I could get her, and on seeing what books he collected, knew what he would like. Wesson's, I already had upstairs and Perkins had liked it, and Frobisher had helped me get what I had asked for.

Next day, the Saturday, was the last shopping day before Christmas Day as it fell on a Monday this year. I was out early in the crowded shops of London, frantically trying to get it all before the shops shut. I finished up hiring a taxi to follow me around and taking the presents off of me as I emerged from each shop. Finally done, he drove me home and happily took the three hundred dollars I'd offered him instead of sterling. Mrs Perkins and Palmer gladly helped me wrap up those for Allen to collect. My infectious gaiety rubbed off on them as the gaudy paper was used and tied with ribbons as I wrote out the cards to go with them. Those for the household were kept secret, except that for Mrs Perkins, because Palmer had to carry it upstairs for me.

I bubbled around the rooms on Christmas Eve, as excited as I had never been before. I just couldn't wait to see Wesson's face when he saw what Father Christmas had bought him. After dinner, the Perkins and Palmer were invited to stay for an hour for some drinks and I played the piano and we all sang some carol's and had a nice evening. Then in bed with Wesson, after a lovely session, which he seems to want as much as I do, we lay in each other's arms to try and plan for the next year.

Do you know,' I said to him with a catch in my throat as we lay in the darkness. when I saw you with little Francis the other day, I knew what I would have liked to have given you for Christmas? But it's something I can't.'

`What's that my sweet?' he murmured.

`I would have liked to have presented you with a baby. A baby of ours with your good looks, but with my brains of course.'

How wonderful that would be,' he laughed, giving me a kiss on the nose. But I don't see why we can't go on trying,' and I felt his hardness press up against me. I kissed him happily and rolled over for him to try again to get me pregnant.

It was a really Merry Christmas. I went and helped Mrs Perkins, under the supervision of Palmer of course, prepare our Christmas dinner, to which we were all going to eat together. We had to banish Wesson because he kept getting in the way, so he helped Palmer get the wines upstairs. At one time when he was out of the way, Palmer and I carried down his present and put it near the tree, covered up, it was too big to wrap.

Then we listened to the King's speech before we sat down for our feast. Crackers pulled and hats put on and the jokes read out before Wesson carved up the turkey which I passed round and we tucked in to all the goodies that covered the table. We were all rosy cheeked after many glasses of wine and full to bursting with food before I gave out my presents.

Palmer carried in the rocking chair for me to give to Mrs Perkins, who was thrilled with it.

`How did you know I liked to do my knitting while rocking myself?' she exclaimed, not remembering talking about it a couple of days before. Perkins himself was delighted with the bound copies of Shakespeare's plays that I gave to him. Palmer too was happy when he opened his to find a brand new record player.

Then I took Wesson over to the draped item that was for him. I had got the idea when I started looking for furniture for the house and as I said earlier, Frobisher helped me get what was underneath the cover and inside. Wesson pulled the cover off and stared in surprise at the elegant display case that contained lots of memorabilia of his army regiment. Cap and badge, shoulder flashes and insignias. A miniature regimental flag with its battle honours, a commando knife of the type he'd used and many other little items. On top was a book that told the history of that regiment and I also had framed, a copy of the two despatches that he was mentioned in.

He'd given out a gasp at the wonderful collection and gave me a big kiss and whirled me round as he thanked me for such a wonderful present. Then he rushed off to the bedroom and came back with a large box for me. Inside was a full length mink coat which drew an exceptionally loud gasp from Mrs Perkins.

It's wonderful,' I said to Wesson, giving him a kiss after I had put it on and turned round to show it off. It must have cost a fortune.'

`About a year's pay, but it's worth it to see you so happy wearing it.'

We all cleared the table's debris away to the pantry and I told the others that I wouldn't call on them that evening, and Wesson and I went into our bedroom. It was still early, but we were still going to go to bed. I undressed in the bathroom and only wearing my high heeled shoes and the mink coat, walked back out into the bedroom. He was already in bed when I posed before him, giving him a seductive smile.

`What would happen if I did this in Piccadilly?' and I opened the front of the coat to give him a flash.

Cause a pile up of cars and get arrested,' he laughed, and maybe frighten a few people too.'

`You got that a bit wrong. It was Mrs Campbell who said that she didn't mind where people made love, as long as it wasn't in the street and frightened the horses.' I slipped off the coat and draped it over a chair and got onto the bed with him. Since that night in front of the fire, Wesson now didn't mind taking me as I often took him, in the mouth. We would lie and play for periods of time, licking and sucking each other, enough to keep us erect till we eventually wanted to spend ourselves.

Then when we wanted to cuddle as we made love, as we both wanted to do this night, we got off the bed and he sat on a hard backed chair. I got the condom and rolled it down over his erection before straddling the chair and lowering myself down onto it as I faced him. I would close my eyes in bliss as I slowly sank down, him filling me completely until I was sitting on his thighs.

Now we could hold each other tight as I sat in his lap with his hardness deep inside me. We would then kiss and gently rock and it could last up to an hour with us just whispering to each other as we slowly moved together. It was reminiscent of how Donald and I use to do it when my toes couldn't touch the floor. He would bounce me on his lap till he came inside me. Then, when I was able to come myself, he would jerk me off while in that position, to spray his chest and smear it between us. Then we'd have to lick each other after to clean it up.

Now I loved doing it with Wesson as I thanked him for the mink, and he thanked me for his display cabinet as we slowly fucked on the chair as we held each other tight.

We didn't go out during that period between Christmas and New Year, but stayed and played at our sexual games. This included our wrestling matches in our own gym, in the ancient Greek style, naked. We varied this sometimes by having a fine coating of oil on the body and this made it very difficult to keep hold of one another and also made it very erotic when we did get to grips. We quite often finished up having sex in the middle of the room because of this.

We had our own little New Year's party, inviting the Perkins and Palmer to drink a glass of champagne as midnight approached and we sang Auld Lang Syne as we saw in 1951.

A couple of days later, we were in Frobisher's office to find out if he had anything planned for us. After the usual words about the New Year etc, he told us that there wasn't much going on. There was only one ongoing investigation, and that, at the moment, just involved surveillance of a believed spy rendezvous. Due to winter sickness, they were short handed and he had volunteered us to lend a hand. It would only be for a month, because we were wanted back at the training camp for another two stints of turning greenhorns into some sort of killing machines.

I hadn't realised how boring it could be to watch a house for hours on end without seeing anything to break the monotony. We had the eight in the morning till two in the afternoon shift, cooped up in a car about fifty yards away from the house. The side windows of the car were tinted so that we could use binoculars and not be noticed. Wesson sat in the front passenger seat and I would sit in the back, reading training manuals and field craft books between my watching stint. We each spent half an hour looking at this house because after that amount of time, your mind started to wander and you tended to close your eyes.

It only took one day to learn that all bodily functions had to be done before your shift and make sure you had enough fluid to drink and something to eat in the car. For the whole month of watching, we had a blank sheet to report, though we did have one bit of excitement during that period. It was on our third week and we'd just been relieved and I asked Wesson, who was driving to stop at a branch of my bank, as I was getting short of ready cash.

He parked opposite, and I went in and stopped at a desk on the side to fill out a withdrawal slip. I'd only just sat down to do this when three men came bursting into the bank, all wearing stocking masks over their heads, one brandishing a sawn off shotgun.

`Everybody stay just where they are,' he shouted, waving the gun across the two cashier's behind the counter as the other two men leapt over to hustle them away from the cash drawers. There were four other customers in there and they cowered together, me being slightly off to one side.

You!' he shouted at me, get with the others.' Just another frightened woman to be herded across the floor he must have thought. I got up and started to move across towards the others, making it at an angle so that I would pass close to him. I could see that the others were trying to fill bags as fast as they could from the tills and I hadn't seen them carrying any guns.

I was about six feet from the gunman and when the gun moved off me, I dived in. He caught sight of me coming in fast and tried to swing the gun barrel round to meet me, but I caught the underside of it and pushed it up as I closed in. The gun went off with a deafening roar, peppering the ceiling and showering us with plaster as I hit him. It was a right handed punch to the solar plexus and then a quick short armed uppercut as he started to bend down. The women in the bank, both sides of the counter, had begun screaming at the very loud noise that the gun had made and this panicked the other two. They saw their associate going down and the gun being torn from his hands and bolted. Jumping back over the counter, thoughts of money now gone from their heads, just flight being uppermost in their minds.

Call the police,' I shouted as I smashed the gun's wooden stock on the floor, breaking it off from the breech, and throwing the wrecked gun over the counter, and don't touch the gun!' I then ran out of the bank after the other two, but I needn't have hurried for they were both flat on the pavement where Wesson had caught the pair as they had emerged from the bank.

At the sound of the shotgun roaring off, Wesson had leapt from the car and had just reached the pavement when the two came out. He clocked both of them, catching them unawares and they went down and he was then able to deal with them one at a time.

`You all right?' he panted as I came out.

Fine,' I said, panting as much as he was. There's another one inside, but he won't bother us. We stood guard there for a few minutes, passers-by giving us a wide berth as we could hear the bell of an approaching police car. I moved off as it came to a screeching halt at the kerb and three burly coppers jumped out.

Two went straight into the bank and the other stopped by Wesson and I noticed that the fourth one stayed at the wheel of the car. I went across the road and got into our car. I saw Wesson show the card in his wallet and said a few words to the police man and then he came over and got into the car and we drove away.

`What did you say to the police?' I asked, my heart rate now slowing down from that quick fast exciting action.

`I showed him my card, saying that we were working undercover on another operation and that we couldn't compromise ourselves. I said that they could take all the credit for catching them if they wanted, but we couldn't be involved. He was quite happy about that. But what about you?'

I told him what had occurred inside and he told me that I had been stupid to tackle him on my own. I let it all wash over me. Wasn't that exactly the kind of thing we'd been practising and training the soldiers to do, but I didn't say anything. I suppose to him, that was all make believe and not the real thing as putting myself in danger. I hadn't given it any thought and had just reacted as I had been trying to teach the soldiers to do.

I got a bollocking from Frobisher the next afternoon as well. It had been front page news for the papers. "Young Woman Foils Bank Raid" was the headlines. The police officers on the scene denied this, said the report, but eye witnesses inside the bank had said that this unknown woman had tackled the armed gunman and disabled him. There was more, but it was enough for Frobisher to use.

`I know it was you, so don't bother trying to deny it. Taking on an armed man, by yourself! Bloody stupid.'

`Exactly what I said sir,' chipped in Wesson and I glared at him for that unwarranted comment.

`Well the Chief Constable was delighted, so I suppose I should be too, seeing as you're from this department, but don't make a habit of it that's all. Why did you tackle him anyway?'

`I don't like people waving guns at me and trying to take money from my bank.'

`Your bank?'

`Well, a branch of the bank where I've got my money. It might have been my money they were trying to steal.'

I just can't believe the messes you get into,' he mused, shaking his head. Go on, push off, and well done, the pair of you,' he finished.

`Pity that I hadn't been Gervaise yesterday,' I said when we were outside and on our way home.

`Why?' Wesson asked.

`It would have looked good in the papers for them at the village to see,' I grinned, and got a slap on the thigh for that.

We finished our period of surveillance, without seeing anything and then we had two weeks before off to the training camp. During the interim period, we spent a lot of time with Frobisher, looking over reports from various agents. He seemed to be drawing us further into the business and was beginning to ask us for our valuations on some of them.

It was around this time that my lawyer informed me that he had found a letting agency that fitted the bill and had made an offer that was accepted, and so it was bought on behalf of G.F.L.Holdings and renamed London Rental Estate Agents. The staff were kept on with a small pay increase to carry on as usual.

Then we were off for our training of more men and found that they had changed the rules slightly in respect of the war games period. We were only to act with a guiding hand and not take an active part with the men. The difference was enormous. I don't think any squad over the two intakes ever achieved their target when on the attack. The defenders didn't come off too well either. My squad came fourth and Wesson's third of the first lot, and we came equal third in the second lot. Not any of them had the quality to take the initiative and plan and lead properly. God help them when they got to Korea.

Then when we were back in London, we found that Frobisher wanted us to go there. He'd been aware of the fact that Russians were out there, supposedly in an observer capacity, but believed that some officers were actively directing the North Koreans in some of the attacks. This had come from reports that had filtered through the intelligence system, though it was a known fact that Russian arms were being sent and used. He wanted us to go out there and get more concrete information that he could use for the British government to put pressure on the Russians.

I'm afraid that you'll have to go out there as Gervaise,' he said to me. We can't go having your cover as Francis being exposed when you're with a bunch of sweaty soldiers. The training camp was okay, but not for this. You have both been put into the army records as being Captains in the Observer Corps. Here are your pay books and other necessary items of identification. Go to supplies and draw your uniforms and then see Trubshaw of planning, who will pin point the area where we know there are Russians. I'll leave it up to you to see it first hand when you get there and act accordingly. Well good luck and don't come home in a body bag. You leave tomorrow night.'

He knows I don't like being an officer,' Wesson complained as we went to see Trubshaw, and leaving tomorrow night!' We spent the rest of the morning and part of the afternoon looking over the latest maps and intelligence of the area they had targeted for us, then collected out kit before we went home.

Well Captain Lyon,' Wesson said after dinner, I think we should turn in early and make the most of what we are going to have difficulty doing over the next few months.' I licked my lips and whole hearted agreed to his suggestion. We wallowed in the same bath before drying ourselves and began a long night's session of love making. Three times he managed to rise up and see to my needs in that department as well as taking me twice in his mouth.

By lunchtime, we were all packed up ready to go and I had stowed away, five thousand dollars in my kit, knowing a hundred dollar bill out there would buy me a lot of information. Then dressed in our Captain's uniforms, we saluted each other before having a last kiss before being driven off to Northolt airfield.

I don't know the type of plane, but it was American, and it took us to the States, where we were shipped across to the other side of the largest land mass I'd ever seen before. Then it was straight off to Hawaii, where we had a whole day off to ourselves and we went swimming at Waikiki beach and later made love in our lovely hotel room overlooking the magnificent view.

Next stop was Seoul in Korea, and we were then in the thick of the military. After two weeks, we were still in Seoul, fighting our own red tape instead of the enemy. While stuck there, Wesson had his birthday and, when alone, I dressed myself up as his present. I'd covered my naked body in lots of ribbons and made him untie them with only his teeth. Then with the last one off, he enjoyed what he'd unwrapped, and I liked the way he thanked me. I had really needed him in his usual place within me.

Let's strike out on our own,' I said to Wesson as I lay in his arms afterwards, a warm glow in my stomach and a slight soreness where he'd been a bit over enthusiastic. We know where we've got to go. Just get the orders and we're off.'

`It's not as easy as that. This is the army, we've got to do it by the book.'

When have you known me go by the book?' I asked, twisting his chest hairs in my fingers. Can you get the transport orders typed up?'

`They're already done. Just waiting for the General's signature.'

`Bring them tomorrow and I'll sign them. Much as I like being here with you, I'd rather get the job done so that we can do this at home in our own bed.'

With that, by late morning we'd secured transport and were on our way. We made our destination in two days, well up near the supposedly front line, a line that didn't exist and fluctuated on a daily basis. We weren't exactly made welcome, but were what you would call, tolerated. I don't think they really wanted observers, but actual fighting soldiers. We spent the next two days going over their reports of the fighting they had done and also watched patrols go out and some come back.

I then asked the commander to let me go out with one of the patrols. He reluctantly agreed, and Wesson objected when I told him that I was going out with the next one.

`We've got a lot to read through here, can't it wait?' he asked.

`It'll only be for a couple of days,' I told him, and he put up objections, but I overrode him and went.

It was a large patrol of forty men, and we had a Major Tilson in command, and I had to suffer the order of being told to stay well back out of the way. It was our second day out when he walked us into an ambush that took out him and half of the patrol in that opening fusillade of fire. It had been late afternoon when we were hit and the rest of us were under heavy fire till dark. We regrouped as best we could, and had to keep fighting them off during the night. Losing the odd man here and there until daylight, slowly running out of ammunition. It was late afternoon when that ran out and they moved in for the kill and then it was hand to hand fighting until we were overwhelmed. I know I'd killed at least five before being clubbed from behind and losing all interest in what happened.

When I came to, I found that I was tied between two posts and my wrists were rubbed raw by hanging there unconscious. I think it was the pain, not only in my arms and wrists that brought me round, but my body had been beaten and I suffered some more when they saw I was now awake. My back was a mass of pain as were my ribs and now it was to be the backs of my legs that they used the short bamboo cane. I saw that it was late afternoon and hoped that it wouldn't last all night.

It didn't, because we were soon cut down and pulled and herded into a bamboo cage where we found ten American soldiers that had been captured a day or two before us. They had been beaten as much as we had and I counted our men and saw that there were only eight of us left from the forty that started out. A bowl of water and one of rice was shoved under the cage door for us to either share or fight over. The Yanks were pretty good and let us take the first sips of the water and a small handful of the cooked mess of badly boiled rice each before they ate. My boots had been taken from me and I noticed that all the others had lost theirs too.

I suppose lady luck was with me, because just as darkness was falling, a small squadron of fighters came over and started to bomb and strafe the camp. Two of our surviving men were killed in that first wave, but the blast had also opened the side of our cage. I had seen, just before being pushed into the cage, that we were close to a bunker post and that two Russian officers had been watching us from just outside it.

This was my chance to try and do what we had come out there for. I prised open the broken poles and told the men to get out and into a trench that was close by and kill to find some footwear. I went out and wormed my way across the short distance to the bunker, holding my hands over my head as another stick of bombs dropped quite close. My shirt was almost ripped off my back in one blast that threw pieces of bloodied bodies over me. I made it to the post and fell down the steps into the bunker. The noise of the bombing covered my entrance, and it wasn't until the last moment that the Russian saw me. He was the only person in there and he went to try and get his pistol out of his holster when I got to him.

It was a one sided affair and he didn't have a chance before I broke his neck. The first thing I did when he fell to the dirt floor was to take off his boots and put them on my own feet. They were one size larger, but not that much different to be uncomfortable. Then I took his jacket off to cover my torn shirt and strapped his gun belt to my own waist. I found a bag and crammed in as much paperwork as I could fit in it before heading back towards the trench close to the cage. I shouted out to them that it was me, realising that by wearing that jacket I could be mistaken and shot by my own side.

I found them huddled together in the trench and they seemed bewildered at the sudden freedom and still a bit numb from the bombing and strafing of our own planes. They'd managed to find some boots and guns off of some dead soldiers, so we had to find boots for the others before we could really strike out to get away. But to get away was the first priority and with a lot of chivvying, managed to get them on the move and out along the trench. As we cleared the area, we'd come across dead Koreans and took their boots and clothing as well as their guns, and best of all was the water bottles that we'd found.

I was surprised that we managed to get out of the camp area in so short a time since the aircraft attack. It could only have lasted about five minutes and so much seemed to have happened in that time. At least we had got clear and would be, I hoped, the least of their problems in the aftermath of the bombing.

Then I had the most harrowing five days of my life. I didn't know where we were, except that we were in enemy territory and not the slightest idea where we had been taken. We could have been ten miles or a hundred from friendly forces. All I could do was first head south and then strike off towards the south east and hope. We travelled at night and got water from whatever source we could. No food except for any roots we could dig up to try and still the hunger pangs we were all suffering from. Not only this, but the body abuse we had suffered was an agony to endure. Then came the dysentery from the brackish water which slowed us down, apart from the usual bitching of me forcing them on and on.

We hadn't seen any enemy now for three days and our lot were coming to the end of their tether as I was too. So I was now pushing them along during daylight hours as we needed to find our troops, and very soon before we gave out. I saw some movement ahead of us, but was too late. I shouted for the men to drop just as the first shots were fired at us. A marine was slightly ahead of me as we stumbled along and he was hit and a ricocheting bullet off his helmet as he fell, smashed through my left arm and hit me high in the left chest.

The pain was excruciating to come on top of what I was already suffering, and I fell down cursing. Wave after wave of pain coursed through my body as I gritted my teeth and tried to bring my gun up. The firing became sporadic as we went to earth and I heard a voice call out to cease fire. It was a very still warm afternoon and the voice carried quite clearly from about sixty yards ahead of us. A voice from somewhere behind me called out in answer.

`Do you bastards always fire first and ask questions afterwards?'

`That was in English sarge,' a voice from the front said with a definite nasal twang which told me he was an American.

`Of course we're fucking English! Do we look like gooks?'

`It could be a trap,' another American drawl said. Then one of our Yanks called out.

`That sounds like a voice from the Blue Grass country.'

`And where might that be?' came back.

`Kentucky you trigger happy fucking confederate!'

`Who won the last World Series then,' from the American side. That was enough for me.

Fuck your game of rounders! Who won the F.A. cup and what was the score?' I called out between spasms of pain. You tell me that and we'll tell you your answer.'

`That's definitely a limey.'

`An Englishman if you don't mind Yank,' I shouted back, and that was it for me. I couldn't shout anymore and had to leave it to the others.

`Wave a white flag and stand up,' came from the American side.

`We've nothing white left, but I'm going to stand up,' someone shouted from behind me, and he obviously did so, because I could then hear movement from in front of us.

`Get the others to stand too, including that Russian you've got with you.'

`He's not Russian! He's the captain leading us and I think he's wounded,' his voice getting closer as he came over and bent down over me.

`Medic! Have you got a medic?'

Then within seconds we were surrounded by our attackers and it was nice to drink clean water from the canteen that was poured down my throat. My coat was ripped open and dressings put on my wounds and then I was lifted onto a stretcher. This action caused me so much pain that I passed out.

When I came to, I was lying on a cot in a large tent and a not too clean coated man was leaning over me. I couldn't understand what he was saying to me and all I could do was grab hold of his sleeve and ask about my bag. It was with great effort that I finally got through to him that the bag and its contents had to be given to intelligence as soon as possible. I didn't realise that I was in a M.A.S.H. unit, a mobile army surgical hospital of the American army. My bag went to them instead of the British where I had wanted it to go. But at the time I was satisfied that it was being looked after and I then succumbed to the injection I was given.

Later, I was told that I was lucky to be alive as the bullet had spent itself on the poor dead marine's helmet before breaking the bone in my left arm before lodging itself between my ribs. The doctor gave me the misshapen lump of lead as a souvenir and twenty four hours later, was flown out of the area by helicopter. I was transferred to a hospital that the army had taken over in Seoul and it was two days before Wesson found me.

`For ten days I've been out of my mind with worry,' were the first words he said to me as he sat by my bed and held my hand. I gave him a weak smile and wished that he could have kissed me, but in a ward full of men, it would rather have been out of place as well as being most indecorous.

I'm sorry darling,' I whispered, but we got caught out.'

`When they said your patrol had been wiped out, I nearly went mad. Then you weren't found among the dead, and I worried even more about you being tortured, or worse.' I hadn't had the time to think of what could be worse than torture, but I think he was thinking of my being raped. If I'd been dressed as a woman, then I would most certainly have been, that being far worse for a man than it is for a woman.

He came to visit me every day as I got better and then I could ask him questions and nearly fought him to get out of bed when he knew nothing of the papers I'd brought out with me. It took him several days to find them at the U.S. headquarters and was able to get copies of all that I had collected. It took a General on our side to prise them loose from the Americans so that our intelligence could also have a look at them. Another set of copies were immediately sent to London when the General found out from Wesson that that was precisely why we'd been sent to Korea.

It was a guarded message from Frobisher saying that it was top drawer stuff a few days later and that we should come home as soon as possible. I was a seven day wonder in the feat of bringing those that I did out of captivity, avoiding the enemy for five days to reach our own lines. What with the documentation that I brought with me, they were able to clear an area of over a hundred square miles of North Korean camps and arms caches.

They'd been able to pinpoint all these and hit them as quick as they could and it was a major military coup for them. The British General came and visited me and promoted me, not knowing the true facts, to Major and saw that my name was put forward for the Military Medal. He was then horrified to find out that I was indeed a knight and said that if he'd known that before, I wouldn't have been allowed anywhere near the front lines. Wesson had informed him of my true identity, but somehow got round how we'd even got permission to go that far forward. It made headlines back home and I know that it delighted the villagers.

But I was still in the hospital not knowing this and then it was the turn of the American top brass and was presented with the foreigner's equivalent of the Congressional Medal of Honour. I was collecting gongs as if they were going out of fashion. I was praised for the heroic show in bringing the American service men out of captivity as if that had been the purpose that I went in there in the first place. I let it wash over me and was glad when the dust settled and I could be alone with Wesson.

To be continued.