Maggers lay deep within a thicket at the edge of an unmaintained field. He had been there since dawn and it was the best place he could find in the little time available. The thick foliage covered him from anybody passing but he knew he had to move soon or run the risk of discovery. He reached into the chest pocket of his flying jacket and pulled out the remains of his fruit bar, the last of the emergency rations every aircrew carried when on operations over Germany. Unwrapping the foil he nibbled slowly on the precious chocolate, ensuring he savoured every last morsel before placing the last few pieces back in his pocket and crawling toward the edge of his hiding place.
The light was fading and it was important he memorised the scene in front of him before it got too dark. He had watched the farm most of the day and though he had seen an old couple feeding some chickens, there was no sign of any dogs. He knew he had no choice. He needed food and though he had managed to eke out his rations so far, this farm offered him the best chance he had had since being shot down. Where there were chickens, there were eggs, and if he was careful, he could be in and out within minutes and miles away before anyone was the wiser.
An hour later, Maggers crawled slowly through the grass toward the hen house, stopping every few yards to check for any sign of life from the farmhouse. All seemed still but he waited for the light from a flickering candle to go out in an upstairs room before completing the final leg. Within minutes he reached the shed and eased himself through the unlocked door. The sound of the unnerved chickens from one side guided him to the right place and though he knew it was risky, he pulled out his petrol lighter to shed some light on the situation. He held up the lighter in front of him, intending to keep it lit just long enough to get his bearings, but as he pulled back the ridged wheel to ignite the fuel, he found himself staring into the end of a double-barrelled shotgun.
The two men stared at each other, both terrified at the presence of the other. Eventually the one holding the gun lowered it and spoke in a hushed whisper.
‘Maggers,’ he said, ‘I almost shot your bloody head off,’
‘Ryan,’ answered Maggers, ‘thank God it’s you.’ The two men shook hands vigorously. ‘How did you get here? I thought you went down with the plane.’
‘I almost did,’ said Ryan, ‘but I managed to get out just before it hit dirt. My chute only just opened before I ended up in a tree.’
‘Bloody good to see you,’ said Maggers. ‘Any sign of the others?’
‘Not yet,’ said Ryan. ‘I know Bloomer and Gunner got out but I think the rest creamed in.’
‘Poor buggers,’ said Maggers.
‘Comes with the job,’ said Ryan.
‘Yeah, I know,’ said Maggers. ‘Anyway, what’s the score here?’
‘I’ve been here for two days,’ said Ryan. ‘Came up trumps really. It seems there is only an old couple in the house and no dogs to be seen. The old woman comes in here once a day to feed the chickens but apart from that, it’s as quiet as a graveyard.’
‘Any sign of the Bosch?’
‘No, I think we are too far out in the sticks. Did you bury your chute?’
‘Yeah, but it won’t be long before the crash site is found, and when the body count doesn’t tally, the local police will inform the army. It won’t be long before Jerry is all over this place. We need to get going.’
‘I know,’ said Ryan. ‘It was just nice to have somewhere dry to sleep for a couple of nights.’
‘Any eggs in those?’ asked Maggers, pointing at the chicken’s nest.
Ryan dug into his pocket and pulled out four eggs.
‘Got these beauties earlier,’ he said. ‘Here, you have them.’
‘What about you?’
‘I had a load earlier. The old couple went out so I lit a fire and cooked a pile of scrambled eggs. Can’t have a fire now though, they might see the light.’
‘Oh well,’ said Maggers taking the eggs, ‘it’s all food I suppose.’ He cracked the four eggs one at a time directly into his mouth, his eyes tight shut as he swallowed the much-needed protein.
‘Yuck,’ he said when he was finished. ‘What I wouldn’t give for a bacon sarnie.’
‘Me too,’ said Ryan. ‘So, have you got any idea where we are?’
‘Somewhere north of Hamburg,’ said Maggers. ‘We had just swung north toward Denmark when the old bird caught the flak. I reckon we are pretty near the border and if we can make ten miles a night, we could be in Denmark in a few days. Once there we can try and contact the resistance.’
‘Then we had better get started,’ said Ryan.
‘Bring the gun,’ said Maggers.
‘Are you sure?’ asked Ryan. ‘It’s a bit ancient and there’s only one cartridge. Besides, what use will this be against a machine pistol?’
‘Perhaps nothing,’ said Maggers, ‘but if nothing else, it may just get us a rabbit.’
After checking the coast was clear, both British airmen made their way out into the night and after waiting for a break in the clouds to find the North Star, headed toward Denmark.