Dragonflies The Duncan Peters Files

by Fontien, Samantha

  Dear Duncan,

  I’m so sorry I’ve had to write this letter. It’s funny, in my mind, I’ve written this letter a thousand times over, but putting pen to paper to you is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do… But I just can’t stand living a lie anymore. I’m not only lying to you, I’m lying to myself.

  I understand you had enlisted just before we met. But it was you who signed up, not me. I thought I could support you with the choices you made. But you made those choices, they certainly weren’t my mine.

  I’m sorry Duncan, I can’t do this anymore. I feel like I’m living a lie. We lead such different lives. We are so different. Over the years it has become more, and more apparent. You’re gone so much, I feel like I’m living on my own. I’m married, and yet I lead a single life. I live alone, I eat alone, and I sleep alone...

  Duncan couldn’t read anymore, after her comment of ‘I sleep alone’, knowing full well her letter was full of nothing, but sanctimonious bullshit. He crumpled it up in his hand, clenching it hard, feeling the paper crinkling into a firm ball in his fist. He wanted to hurl it as far as he could, which wouldn’t have done much, but land in a corner somewhere in the tent. He walked outside, the ball of paper still in his fist, tightly, out to Rubin, who was sitting on a containers having a cigarette. Duncan sat down beside him, Rubin handed him his pack of cigarettes. Duncan smacked the bottom of the packed, causing one to rise, which was promptly placed in his mouth, as Rubin’s lighter flashed across it as he drew on it.

  “Want to talk about it?” Rubin asked staring out into the distance.

  Duncan didn’t answer, choosing to puff away on the tanned filter, he had forgotten about the letter until it arrived. He knew it was coming, he should have remembered, he felt stupid, he shouldn’t have opened it. He should have just come out here and burned it.

  “Well, you have my ears old man if you need them, maybe you can tell me over a bottle of scotch?”

  Duncan exhaled out heavily, he flicked his ash to the ground, as he watched it roll in the slight breeze. He sucked on the butt, till it was time to flick it to the dusty ground.

  “Fuck it Rubin, the woman is a whore, and I don’t want to hear her name again.”

  Rubin patted him on the shoulder, giving him hardy pats as he spoke.

  “My friend, there are plenty of wee fishies in the sea,” he stood up clutching his groin with one hand. “And I, my friend have the rod to catch them.” He laughed.

  Duncan could only shake his head at his friend, trust Rubin to find the humour in everything.

  “I’m extending my time here, I’m not going back at the end of the month, I’ve extended my tour under the new thing they’ve just brought in.” he looked at Rubin.

  He knew Rubin wouldn’t let him do this on his own either; he knew they were a team. Where he went, Rubin went. He knew he had made a decision without talking to him about it.

  “Okay, another three months in this dusty shit hole?” he questioned Duncan. “Man, that’s another three months of serious tanning. My fucking tan is going to rock; the ladies won’t be able to keep their hands off me.”

  Duncan watched his loyal friend, cigarette still in the corner of his mouth as he spoke, clutching his t-shirt, and pulling it over his head, exposing his sculpted torso. He had to admire his friend, his vigour for life, held no bounds. He knew it was a cool call to make, and that Rubin understood why. No words were needed between them on that subject.

  *****

  Rubin had seen the postmaster hand out the letters, as he sat on one of the containers in the sweltering heat. He sucked hard on his cigarette, watching these ‘hard-faced fuckers’ faces turn to mush recognizing their letters from home. He took one last drag before he flicked the butt onto the floor, and being extinguished by someone’s size twelve army issue boots. He never went in for that lovey dovey crap. He had seen only too well what that did to a good man, and he always considered Duncan a better man them him. He could live without all that complicated crap. He had seen Duncan receive his letter, and head into the tent. No doubt that would be the infamous ‘Dear John’ letter or rather ‘Dear Duncan’ in this case. He wanted to give his friend the time he needed. Duncan would come to him when he was ready.

  He certainly didn’t expect to see Duncan come out of the tent so quickly; he caught sight of the tiniest piece of white clenched in his fist. No doubt it was that bitch’s letter, he thought.

  He thought back to when they had first met and the mess he was. Duncan was in no means the mess or even anything remotely like him. But he knew his friend was pretty cut up. As a bloke he didn’t do the emotion thing, he never really allowed himself to. Losing his mum was the toughest thing he had ever had to deal with. Never mind catching your wife, with someone’s prick in her, he shook his head with the thought nah; he would have beat the man to death if it had been him. Mind you knowing Duncan, he would have left him in a bad way. They had learned lots since completing the SAS training which took a long hard 24 weeks. This was the dream, to be the best of the best. And they were…

  He wasn’t surprised Duncan had extended his tour here; it of course meant he too would also extend his tour. Where Duncan went, so did he, it was that simple. Another year and they’d too be officers in the SAS. They had been earmarked since they had been approached by one of their recruiters. However they were the best at everything they did. They were specialists at everything they accomplished. Languages, weapons, explosives, classified intelligence. He pulled off his t-shirt and sat back down on the container, lighting yet another cigarette.

  “You know we should look at setting up our own security company when we get back. Our tours will finish at some point and we need to look towards the future.”

  He wasn’t even looking at Duncan, to know, that his good friend’s brain was already ticking with ideas.

  “I’m just saying, we are going to be knackered farts by the time this conflict gets sorted. We need a plan Duncan. We have the contacts. We know who’s worth a piss or not? Civvy Street will be heading our way at some point and we can make a serious amount of dosh Dunc, just saying.”

  On 22 January 1992, three, eight man patrol units from B Squadron were inserted by Chinook helicopters, behind Iraqi enemy lines. They set about their orders with ‘Road Watch Patrols’, and ‘Desert Fighting Columns’. Saddam Hussein tactics had now resorted in using his Scud missiles to strike back at the Allied Forces. The SAS were ordered to seek and destroy the mobile Scud launchers that were air striking villages causing untold civilian casualties. One of the three patrols, unit Bravo Two, Two, were patrolling on foot. The patrol was attacked by a heavily armed Iraqi unit. They were unable to call for assistance due to the fact they had been issued the wrong radio frequencies from command. They were left with no choice but to try and evade capture from the Iraqi’s. The SAS were forced to operate in unmerciful dry, arid desert, which offered very little cover. Also the desert attire they had been issued with, offered little or no protection against the freezing night-time sub-zero temperatures, that and along with snow, sleet, and rain. Many of the squad developed frostbite and hypothermia. It was a mission they would never forget...

  5..

  Butterfly..

  1992 whizzed quickly by for Duncan and Rubin with a quick tour in Northern Ireland, before they knew it, it was New Years Eve. They had walked into a huge private party they had crashed at the ‘Calvary and Guards Club’ in London. It was a very grand affair indeed. He had to hand it to Rubin, that man, could blag his way into anywhere and anything.

  They were at the bar, when he first caught sight of her. When she walked past him, she almost seemed to glide, as the small train on her dress fluttered after her. Her scent was fruity, as he breathed her in as she passed. Rubin also noticed her, mind you, so did most of the men in the private club. She was also with a stunning brunette, who Rubin called dibs on. Duncan had no problem with this. The girls were with two pricks who smiled like idiots on each girls arm,
no doubt fellow officers

  This young woman was the most captivating he had ever seen, she looked totally out of place, in a place like this, and he was going to tell her.

  He ordered four glasses of champagne; Rubin smiled and rubbed his hands together.

  “Ohh I love a wee hunt.” He smiled smugly. “Those poor fuckers may have come in here with the best looking women here.” He took the last swig of the scotch he was drinking, and put the glass down on the counter unwaveringly. “But I can tell you one thing Duncan my good man.” He turned smiling at Duncan. “They sure as hell will NOT be going home with them,” he chuckled.

  Duncan laughed to himself, as Rubin picked up two of the glasses and started to semi cha, cha, cha towards the garden /smoking area where he had spied his target namely the brunette who was now smoking a cigar, surrounded by a throng of men trying to vie for her attention. Oh Yes, she was just up Rubin’s Street. Duncan in turn, picked up his two glasses with the hope that the blonde was with her.

  He needn’t have worried, there they were. Duncan and Rubin looked at each other and went into action. He had to admire Rubin as he made straight for the Brunette, and handed her the glass, with one of his debonair looks. She smiled at him instantly caught in Rubin’s eyes as he moved in closer to speak to her, like the other chaps, didn’t matter at all. Yep Rubin sure had balls. Meanwhile, the blonde who was in the company of the brunette, had noticed Duncan who stood at the doors watching her. She looked up coyly at him. He was truly smitten, as he made his way over to join them. She smiled as she took the glass from Duncan, her hand brushed his, and both of them instantly looked at each other. ‘She felt it too’ he thought as their eyes met, both of them semi hypnotised by each other.

  “Hi,” she smiled, “I’m Simone.” She extended her free hand to him to shake.

  “Duncan, pleased to meet you Simone,” as he firmly shook her hand not taking his eyes off her. “May I?” as he signalled to the space beside her.

  Rubin as always was very entertaining, especially when he asked if he could have one of her cigars, which he lit while telling one of his funny quips, which kept flowing all night

  Duncan couldn’t tell you when the other guy’s had given up and left, or where the two chaps who were supposed to be their dates had gone. He had been so enthralled with Simone and their conversation, he hadn’t noticed them leaving. It was Rubin who suggested they left the Calvary and Guards Club and go somewhere else which had better music, than the old fart stuff they were playing inside. Before Duncan knew it, he had Simone by the hand, as they made their way out through the grand foyer and down the steps to the streets of Piccadilly. Duncan whistled, while extending his hand in the air, as a black taxi cab pulled over to the kerb. The driver pulled down his passenger window as he chirped,

  “Where to gentlemen?” as he leaned over in his seat to hear them, Rubin leaned into the window at him.

  “Shepherds Bush please, Lotus Rd my good man,” as he grabbed the handle of the door and opened it, allowing his Brunette to enter first. He promptly followed her into the cab into the back seat with his lady.

  Duncan could only stand there apologetic at his friend’s very bad manners. Just as he went to apologise, he turned and was met face to face with this beauty. He swallowed, as he bit lightly on his bottom lip, before he stepped back and raised his hand, which still had hers in it towards the car. She smiled as she stepped into the vehicle. He closed his eyes slightly annoyed with himself for missing the perfect opportunity to kiss her. He told himself off mentally, wasting a perfectly good opportunity; he was giving himself a good telling off in his head, as he too stepped into the cab. He looked over at Rubin, who already had his tongue down that poor girl’s neck. It was then, he noticed Simone was sitting in one of those stupid seats in taxi’s, the ones right behind the driver, which you have to pull down to sit on them, and they had springs that bounced back instantly. He too settled into his seat nearly next to Simone. He could only smile at her, as the window’s started to steam up due to the passionate kisses being exchanged between Rubin, and who he later found out to be Jessica. She was apparently an airhostess who worked the transatlantic routes. Yep she was undeniably Rubin’s type with bells and ribbons.

  He tried to make idle conversation, it was getting quite heated and neither he nor Simone knew where to avert their eyes to the heavy kissing session being conducted in their presence. The journey seemed to take forever back to Rubin’s. Now he was by no means a shrinking violet. Since moving permanently into Rubin’s that night, he, had no problems at all, but this young lady seemed to send him into a bit of a spin.

  Once the taxi stopped, Rubin once again opened the door and led Jessica out by the hand. They had only made it halfway down the path when they erupted back into their kissing frenzy, with Rubin, franticly trying to put the key into the lock and open the door, he finally opened it and fumbled his way in, still attached to her lips. By the time Duncan had stepped out of the cab, assisting Simone, and had paid the driver. That again too, was so typical of Rubin, always dodging the bullet with that. He laughed to himself, as he took Simone’s hand again and led her towards the door that was left wide open. He gestured to Simone to step in, and followed her down the hallway, until she stopped at the sitting room. Duncan stood there momentarily, before he gestured to the living room. They had been sitting talking for a while, just general chit chat. He liked her a lot, he didn’t want to be all gropey and handsy. She was a lovely girl and he didn’t want her getting the wrong idea about him, especially if her impressions of Rubin were anything to go by.

  “I’m sorry. You must forgive my manners. Would you like a drink or anything?” he looked at her awkwardly, realising his poor hosting skills.

  “Errmm yes please, could I have a coffee please?” She looked up at him.

  “Are you sure? I’m sure we have some champagne if you would prefer? It’s really no trouble what so ever?”

  “No honestly, a coffee would be perfect thank you.” She smiled at him shaking her head ‘no’.

  Duncan could have kicked himself. Why didn’t he offer the champagne earlier? He stood up, and walked towards the kitchen hurriedly and filled the kettle. He tried to move as swiftly as he could, as not to leave Simone in the room on her own too long, but he needn’t have worried, as when he closed one of the overhead cupboards as he was getting the cups, he found her right behind him. She startled him; he certainly wasn’t expecting to see her there.

  “Sorry I didn’t mean to surprise you, I just wondered if you needed any help?”

  “Yes of course,’ he tried to compose himself and sound blasé. “You can grab me the milk from the refrigerator if you don’t mind.”

  Simone walked over and opened the door; the light hit the delicate beading on her silver dress and twinkled. Duncan looked over at the vision that was Simone. She walked back over to him, her dress rustling over the dark slate tiles. As she placed the milk down in front of him, he went to grab the bottle, his hand was on hers.

  “Duncan I need to ask you something.” she smiled coyly looking for his response.

  “Of course fire away.” He hoped to God it was not about the obviously loud dirty noises that were emanating from Rubin’s room.

  “Why haven’t you tried to kiss me?” she looked up at him.

  Duncan moved towards her till he was face to face with this enchanting woman.

  “That’s because, if I start kissing you, I fear I won’t be able to stop.”

  “Then don’t,” she replied as she pressed her lips softly on his.

  With that Duncan placed his hands either side of her face, and kissed her firmly back. It was what he had expected, the most enthralling kiss he had exchanged in a very long time. His mouth was steadily on hers, her arms around his neck pulling him into her. He was lost, captivated, he could feel himself start to harden as his tongue found hers. Things were going wonderfully until Rubin walked into the kitchen in a black pair of boxer shorts that also lo
oked like they were painted on his strapping thighs. The couple were clearly startled as they pulled away from each other like two teenagers that had been caught by their parents.

  “Sorry old chap didn’t mean to interrupt you.” He laughed, “I’m just on my way to get the champs.” And he comically walked to the refrigerator with his buttocks tightly clenched, causing him to walk funny. “I’ll be gone in a jiffy,” he grabbed the bottle and cleared his throat as he walked past them. “I’ll leave you two alone then shall I?”

  And like a kid brother he turned off the lights to the kitchen as he passed the switch, laughing as he ascended the stairs two at a time.

  Duncan and Simone stood there awkwardly for a moment. Thank goodness there had been a floor lamp in the corner that saved them from being immersed in total darkness. Next thing they heard was a familiar pop of the cork, and jeers of jubilation from Jessica and Rubin at the pop.

  “I’ll get the lights, I’m sorry he can be such a child, but we love him dearly,” he joked.

  “No, you don’t have too, I thought the spot lights where too bright anyway.” She laughed at the typical masculine kitchen filled with bright spotlights that shone at every angle.

  Next thing he knew, his lips were on hers, finding her hot tongue again, as they devoured each other. He again could feel himself start to rise to the occasion thanks to Rubin and his party killer. She pressed into him, which made his cock go as solid as a rock to the very tip. Their kisses deepened, along with their breaths. Since Juliette, he had learned quite a number of new things shall we say, but he certainly didn’t expect to feel the way he did about another woman like he did now about Simone. He wanted her, he wanted her bad. Under normal circumstances, she would have been stripped naked by now, and her legs would have been well and truly spread. But she, Simone was different, he knew that, but that only just heightened his need for her.

  His lips broke away from her mouth to her neck. As he sensually flicked and kiss till he reached her collar bone.