Sam watched the policeman go and tried to think of something encouraging to say to Ruth. She touched his arm and he looked down at her.
‘Let’s not worry about it now, we’ve got an entire evening to be together. I’m going to be posted tomorrow or the next day, so we knew we’d be unable to meet up easily.’
He smiled. ‘You always make me feel more optimistic. Some poor sods are in Africa and haven’t seen their families for years. We’re the lucky ones, safe as houses in Blighty.’
‘I agree, we have to count our blessings, don’t we?’ Her eyes twinkled and he chuckled. He’d used the proverb unintentionally, but his lovely, intelligent girl had picked up on it immediately. She was too bright for him, came from a different class and maybe it would be better for her if they were at opposite ends of the country.
He couldn’t bear to think of her moving on, finding an officer instead of him but in that moment he decided that ending the relationship now might be the best for both of them. She could do better for herself. She could do so much better than him, find herself an officer, someone more like her.
She patted the chair next to hers and he resumed his seat, not intending to point out that RA batteries would follow the infantry troops when the allies invaded and then he’d be in the line of fire too. ATS were unlikely to go so she’d be safe and that’s all that mattered to him.
‘We can write every week, maybe telephone occasionally, and if we’re lucky we’ll get leave together one day,’ she said as she snuggled up to him.
He was about to blurt out that he loved her but that would be cruel and selfish and make things so much worse. ‘I was thinking that as it will be hard for us not being able to go out and enjoy ourselves without feeling guilty…’
‘What do you mean? Of course we can both have fun with our friends, I intend to go to dances but that won’t change how I feel about you, won’t stop me being your girlfriend.’ She shrugged off his arm and stared at him. ‘Don’t you trust me? Do you mean to flirt with other girls?’
‘No, I don’t, but I want you to be able to enjoy yourself, mix with a better class of blokes. I’m not good enough for you…’
She punched him hard, and he winced. ‘How can you sit there and say something so stupid? I’m a bastard with a good education, so I’m the lucky one having a wonderful man like you prepared to ignore my birth and go out with me.’
Her language made him flinch. It was deliberate, but she’d wanted to shock him into seeing things from her side. He blinked back unwanted tears. ‘I love you, Ruth, and had decided to let you go, let you find someone more suitable.’
Instead of being upset, she was furious. She tensed, and was preparing to launch a full-scale physical attack so he reached out, grabbed her arms and kept her in the chair.
‘I’m sorry, love, I’ve got this horribly wrong, haven’t I?’
She relaxed and tears trickled down her cheeks. ‘You’re a fool, Sam, but I love you anyway.’
For a second, her words didn’t register then he smiled, picked her up and put her on his lap. ‘Are you sure? I know you could find someone better.’
Her eyes were fierce, she reached up and yanked his hair. ‘If you dare say such a stupid thing again, Sergeant Johnson, I’ll do you some real harm.’
He did the only sensible thing and kissed her. She responded passionately and if they hadn’t been interrupted by the sound of boots approaching at the double for a second time, things might have got out of hand.
Hastily he put her back on her own chair and adjusted his uniform to cover his embarrassment and stood up, using the back of the chair to keep his weight off his injured ankle.
Thomas arrived. ‘You’re needed, Sarge, there’s been an accident, I reckon Tiny Bates could be a goner.’
Sam snatched up his crutch and followed. He forgot about Ruth and concentrated on the emergency.
‘What’s happened? Details,’ Sam said as they hurried towards the gunsite.
‘Silly bugger was chatting to one of them telephonists in the dugout and lost his balance. Fell headfirst down the steps and ain’t moved a muscle since.’
‘Has someone sent for the medical orderly? Rung for an ambulance? Rung HQ?’
‘Not sure, Sarge, chaos up there.’
Sam was about to yell for a gunner when Ruth called out from behind him. ‘I’ll do that, Sarge, I know where to go. I’ll let HQ know what’s going on.’
Ruth was efficient and definitely officer material. It was a pity there wasn’t someone like her working here.
The gun park was behind a hedge but he could hear the panicked shouting. He was on general duties tonight so Ronnie should have been here. Where the hell was he? Those manning the guns should have been doing routine checks, not talking to the girls on the telephones.
Chaos was indeed what he found. The telephonists, who worked in the safety of a dugout so communication with the other sections and HQ was kept open at all times, were weeping in each other’s arms and weren’t where they should be.
He took charge and sent the milling crowd of agitated soldiers back to their posts and jumped down to see for himself and winced as his injured ankle hit the ground. The man was ominously still, his head at a strange angle. Sam dropped to his knees and checked for a pulse he knew wouldn’t be there. Tiny had broken his neck in the fall. A bloody tragic accident that shouldn’t have happened.
Tiny was so called because he was huge, over six foot and weighed twenty stone at least. It was going to be a bugger of a job getting him out of there.
As Tiny was face down, there was no need to cover him and Sam didn’t want to move the body anyway. The MPs would have to be told, statements taken, but his biggest concern right now was the whereabouts of both Ronnie, the sergeant on duty, and his bombardier. They should both have been here overseeing the drills and the fact that they were absent was something he needed to investigate before an officer arrived from HQ to take charge.
If his friend was skiving, he’d be court martialled for gross dereliction of duty. This death could have been avoided if the men had been doing what they were supposed to be doing and hadn’t been wandering about chatting.
The men in his section were a team, they stuck up for each other and wouldn’t nark on the men who were missing. With any luck, they could cover for Ronnie and Dinger Bell, the bombardier who was missing too. Sam hoped they were just off having a fag and a cuppa somewhere and not actually AWOL.
He hopped up the short flight of steps that led from the underground shelter, wishing he was fully fit and not hobbling about. Lance Bombardier Jimmy Sainty was waiting, ashen faced, to speak to hm.
‘Sarge, them two what are not here went to sort something out with Section B. Been a lot of aggro between A and B earlier and it needed to be dealt with pronto before it got out of hand like.’
‘Bloody hell, how long ago did they go?’
‘’Bout half an hour since, Sarge. Cycled across the fields so didn’t go past no guards.’
‘Right, ta for telling me.’ Sam waved his arm and the men reacted immediately and were standing to attention in front of him moments later.
‘Tiny broke his neck in the fall. Nobody’s fault but his own. Jimmy, nip down in the dugout and ring B section. Tell them what’s happened and make sure whoever you speak to gets the message to our two.’
The medical orderly arrived and after a quick look agreed there was nothing to be done for the poor sod. ‘He’ll need to go to the morgue in Lincoln, Sarge. Bombardier Cox is organising all that. I’ve covered Tiny with a blanket for now.’
‘Good. Stay with the body. No rubberneckers. Got that?’
‘Yes, Sarge.’ The orderly pointed at Sam’s foot. ‘You’re supposed to be resting that, not galivanting about the place.’
* * *
Ruth had informed HQ of the disaster and asked if an officer would be coming to deal with the incident. She’d been told that the MO – a Major Crossley – would be there in fifteen minutes. She was puzzled as it wasn’t usual to have two senior officers at headquarters. Maybe this doctor was on a temporary assignment of some sort.
She’d been impressed by Sam’s authority, his command of the situation and remembered what somebody had told her about senior NCOs: that they were the men – and presumably women – who were the true backbone of the army and that officers were just there for decoration.
Word had spread rapidly around the small barracks and soldiers from the other sections were drifting towards the gun park. The last thing Sam needed was a crowd of men gawping at what was going on.
‘You men, there’s been an accident in A section. Nothing to do with you. A section gun park is not part of your remit.’
Ruth spoke directly to the leader, keeping her eyes on his. None of them had stripes so she outranked them, but would it be enough?
One of the men smirked. ‘We ain’t taking no orders from no ATS girl, are we, Arnie?’
‘Shut your trap, Fred, the bombardier’s right. It ain’t none of our business.’ He nodded politely at her. ‘Begging your pardon, we was just curious.’
She remained rigid, unsmiling, apparently in total command of the situation until they were walking away. She unclenched her fists and tried to swallow but her mouth was too dry. If they’d refused her direct order, she wasn’t sure what she’d have done.
Relieved that things had worked out for her, she doubled to the gun park to see what she could do to help. There were two ATS girls – presumably the ones from the dugout – hovering on the periphery of the disaster area, obviously not sure what they should be doing. Now this she could deal with.
‘You two, what are you doing up here? Get back to your positions immediately. I’m ashamed of you both for abandoning your posts.’
‘There’s a body down there, Bombardier…’
‘I’m well aware of that. Have you forgotten there’s a war on? People die but those that remain must carry on doing their duty regardless. You’re bringing the ATS into disrepute; if you don’t resume your post then I’ll have you both on a charge.’
The two girls exchanged a glance and decided Ruth meant what she said and that having to work with the mortal remains of a friend of theirs was better than the alternative.
She followed them to the steps that led down into the area where the telephones were manned. She nodded to the medical orderly, who was standing watch over the body.
‘Blimey, I’m glad them two are back. That blooming phone has been ringing non-stop but it’s not my place to answer.’
To prove his words were not an exaggeration, both telephones rang and Ruth was pleased to see the girls put on the headphones and answer them professionally.
Sam arrived and beckoned her up. ‘Well done, I was just getting onto that.’ He was limping badly and had lost his crutch.
‘Lean on my shoulder, Sarge, and we’ll get out of the way. The doctor from headquarters will be here any minute to take charge.’
‘I just hope that our missing sergeant and bombardier are back before he arrives. Sod’s law that they’re absent when this took place.’ He quickly explained why those two weren’t there.
‘I’ve a horrible feeling that an officer at the other gun park might well have noticed them. If there’s bad blood between the sections then the men there won’t feel any obligation to lie if asked.’
Sam’s expression was grim but then he smiled. ‘Thank God, here they come.’
Ruth turned and saw two red-faced soldiers leap off a battered bicycle and race towards them.
‘I’ll get out of your way, Sam, having me here won’t help when the major arrives.’
He barely glanced at her and nodded. Before she left, she decided to go in search of his missing crutch and she found it immediately. It had been dropped just in front of the dugout and no one had noticed. She retrieved it, brushed it down and handed it to Sam as she walked past.
This time he smiled and was obviously happy to have his support back. Ruth was just returning to the office when a car roared in. The officer from HQ had arrived. Before he had time to emerge from the vehicle, an ambulance, bell clanging, screeched to a halt behind the car.
She hesitated for a second and then headed for the ambulance driver. She smiled and spoke to him through his open window. ‘There’s no emergency. The soldier’s dead and needs taking to the morgue.’
The driver grinned. ‘Ta, Bombardier, we knew that. Me and Tom like having the bell on so we can drive fast.’
The officer, a surprisingly young man to be a major and a doctor, didn’t look too fierce. She wondered why he wasn’t on the front line but promptly put those thoughts aside as he strode towards her.
‘Bombardier Cox, I presume?’
She jumped to attention and saluted. ‘Yes, sir.’
‘Come with me and explain exactly what happened.’
Ruth could only suppose he wanted her to accompany him because she’d been the one to inform HQ. She gave him a succinct account and he listened silently.
‘Right. Thank you.’ He stopped so abruptly she almost walked past him. ‘Tell me, Cox, why Sergeant Johnson was needed when there’s already a sergeant on duty at the gun park?’
‘I don’t know, sir, I just followed orders.’ Even to her, this sounded like an evasion. He stared at her for a moment. ‘As I thought. You’re dismissed.’
She saluted again but this time received no response as he’d turned his back, marched away, and was approaching the gun park. There was going to be trouble and she prayed it wouldn’t include Sam. He was already in enough deep water to drown. Despite the dire circumstances, her mouth curved. Had she always used so many truisms and only being with Sam had made her aware of this?
* * *
Sam quickly told Ronnie what had happened and his friend was shocked.
‘Sod me, how could the silly blighter break his neck falling down a few steps? What a bloody stupid way to die.’
A gunner hurtled up to them. ‘Officer coming, he don’t look too happy, Sarge.’
‘Ta, get lost, you don’t want to be asked to lie. Tell the others to play dumb when questioned,’ Sam said.
‘No, mate, this is my mess, I’ll not let you take the blame.’
A voice spoke from directly behind them. How the hell had the bloody major appeared so silently?
‘Wise move, Sergeant Smith, I’d already decided that you were absent from duty when this accident took place.’
Both Sam and Ronnie snapped to attention and from the corner of his eye, Sam saw the men of his section suddenly find something urgent to attend to elsewhere. Major Crossley was new to him, the medic must have joined the battery very recently and as he was based at HQ, they’d not crossed paths until now.
He and Ronnie were left to stand like stuffed dummies whilst the major dropped into the dugout to examine the body. Sam exchanged a quick glance with his friend, who looked even more grey and worried than he had before. They didn’t dare speak, even to whisper, as they were already in so much trouble.
The officer reappeared and issued orders before speaking to them. ‘Right, you two, with me.’ The ambulance men were lurking, waiting to be given permission to collect Tiny.
‘You’ll not remove the cadaver without help.’ He smiled but it wasn’t friendly. ‘Get four men to assist you.’
‘Yes, sir,’ they chorused.
Then the major marched back to the office, knowing Sam and Ronnie would follow.
‘Here, lean on me, Sam, you’re a bit unsteady, is your ankle playing up?’
‘Too right. Thanks, your assistance’s appreciated.’
Even with the crutch to lean on as well, Sam was in trouble. He’d been warned to stay off his injured ankle and was paying the price for ignoring this. Men still fought the Germans on the front line with a bullet in them so a sprained ankle wasn’t going to stop him doing his duty.
The major swore and stopped. ‘For God’s sake, Johnson, what’s wrong with you?’
‘I was run over a couple of days ago and sprained my ankle, sir. Shouldn’t be walking on it.’
The look the officer gave Ronnie could have blistered paint. ‘If you’d been where you should have been, Smith, Johnson wouldn’t be in this state and that gunner wouldn’t be dead.’
Ronnie shifted miserably but said nothing. There was little he could say in mitigation as leaving your post for any reason without permission was a heinous crime.
‘Johnson, none of this is your fault. Hobble to the medical room and I’ll take a look at your ankle. I’ll not be long.’
Major Crossley nodded and strode off. Ronnie, shoulders slumped, trailed along behind. Sam knew what was going to happen. Ronnie would be demoted, possibly back to a gunner. Tiny’s death wouldn’t have happened if Ronnie had left his bombardier in charge, even if he’d gone AWOL himself.
Ruth appeared at his side. ‘Let me help you, Sam. Aren’t you going to the office?’
‘No, to the medical room. Ronnie’s for it now. I’m not sure how this battery will manage with an officer and sergeant short and me not fully fit.’
She squeezed his arm. ‘This has been a dreadful week, especially for you and your section.’
He leaned heavily on her shoulder as well as the crutch. His ankle threatened to give way beneath him and hurt more than it had done when he’d first done it. He’d felt something go when he’d gone down the steps to check the body and had a nasty feeling he might have torn something else.
The medical orderly was expecting him. ‘In here, Sarge, you need to elevate your leg. I reckon you might have fractured it.’
‘When I went down into the dugout, something went then. The major’s coming to have a dekko.’
‘I’ll get us some tea from the NAAFI,’ Ruth said and immediately dashed off.
Sam crossed the room and flopped onto the examination table. Lifting his injured ankle up was excruciating but he wasn’t going to ask for help. Using his hands, he shuffled back and leaned against the raised end of the table, wondering what was going on in the office.
He’d expected to wait fifteen minutes at least but was only just settled when the major arrived. It was as if a different man walked in – he was smiling and relaxed, quite different from previously.
‘I expect you want to know what happened to your friend. He’s lucky not to lose all his stripes but he has a good record so he’s now a bombardier. Bloody nuisance that you’re out of action.’
‘Yes, sir, thank you, sir,’ Sam said trying not to show his relief that his friend had got off so lightly.
The major pointed at Sam’s booted foot. ‘Good thing you’ve got your boot on. That will have helped to stabilise any fracture.’
‘I saw the medic at the RAF base and he said it was just sprained and to keep it elevated and not to walk on it for a week.’
The doctor shook his head and tutted as if he wasn’t surprised the RAF medic had got it wrong. ‘Orderly, remove your sergeant’s boot and do it very carefully.’
Sam gritted his teeth whilst this was done and was relieved when it was over.