She laughed, showing her even teeth, and shouted above the engine, `She did that already for another. girl. Told her to get herself pregnant to avoid going overseas.'
`And did she?'
`Shouldn't think so. You should have seen her bloke. Like a rhinoceros!'
The car stopped eventually on the crest of a small hill. Below, Lindsay saw a crescent of beach, the sea making a necklace of surf to the next headland. There was some sort of building set amongst the palms. It looked as if it had been there since time began.
'Is that it?'
She turned and studied him gravely. `You are nutty. That's an old temple.' She let the car move forward again and called, `There, see!'
The house was inside a low wall, painted white and partly screened by a line of trees: It looked very cool and inviting.
Lindsay could see no sign of life, and even when the car halted outside the gates nothing moved.
She said, 'An old chap and his son look after things most of the time. When proper visitors come here they have more servants, of course.'
`It's marvellous.'
She jumped from the car and dragged at his arm. `Brother, you ain't seen nothing yet!' She was laughing. Like a tanned child. Watching his face as she pulled him towards the house.
There was only one storey, and the whole house seemed to have been built of stone and marble: Even in the days of cheap labour it would have cost a small fortune.
She said, 'Ah, here he is.'
The head servant, was grey-bearded and extremely wrinkled. He must be about eighty, Lindsay thought.
He said, `Welcome back, Missy. I have sent my son for your luggage.'
The girl looked at Lindsay. `You'll be wanting a telephone?' She gestured to a door. 'In there.' For an instant her face clouded over. `Don't go back. No matter what. Even if the base is on fire!'
`What will you be doing?'
She ran her fingers through her hair. `Ugh, the dust! I'm going to have a swim. Then we'll have something to eat.' She made a mock curtsy. `Anything sir desires.'
Lindsay walked into a low-ceilinged room. There was little furniture but what there was looked old and handcarved. An unlikely brass telephone stood beside the window, and he imagined someone in the past sitting there. Listening to a voice from the outside world. Who would ever want to leave such a place, he wondered?
The line was surprisingly clear, and after a short delay he was connected to the ship's telephone.
`This is the captain. O.O.D., please.' He waited, picturing the sudden bustle on the-upper deck, and tried to control a pang of apprehension.
But it was not the O.O.D.
Goss sounded calm and matter-of-fact. `Everything's all right this end, sir. Two marines just brought aboard drunk. And I'm about to kick the arse off a thieving coolie I found in the bosun's store.' He paused. `A normal day, in other words.'
Lindsay 'looked at the number on the telephone and gave it to Goss. Then he said, `Thanks for holding the fort.'
`No bother, sir.' There was a pause and the sound of someone else murmuring in the background. Then Goss said abruptly, `Just heard where I can lay my hooks on some paint. Can't stop, sir. Might lose it!' The line went dead.
`I take it from your cat's smile that the base is not on fire?'
He swung round and saw her framed in the open doorway. She was wearing a black swimsuit which made her limbs appear even more tanned.
`You're staring again!'
He walked towards her. 'As I told you. You're very lovely. Especially today.'
She put her hands on her hips and tried. to frown. `My mouth is too wide, I'm covered in freckles and I've got a figure like a boy.' She watched him as he put his hands on her shoulders. `And I love you, even if you are a liar.'
`I'm surprised they allowed you in the Wrens.' Her skin was very smooth. `You must need glasses.'
She -dropped her head against his chest. 'A nice liar.' Then she pushed him away. `Get your pants, or whatever commanders wear for informal occasions, and join me on the beach.' She paused and looked back at him, her cheeks flushed. `Old Mohammed will tell you where your gear is stowed.'
`Is that really his name?'
But she was already running out into the sunlight, her
bare legs like gold against the nodding palm fronds. The old man was waiting at the door of an end room,
the swimming trunks in his hands.
He said impassively, `The young missy is very much alive. It pleases me to see her so.'
Lindsay threw off his soiled shirt. 'Was she unhappy?'
'I think lonely. But that is gone now.' He picked up the shirt and added, 'I will have the women attend to this for you.'
Lindsay watched him walk slowly down the hallway. Old but very dignified. Another Jupp perhaps. .
Then he turned and looked around the room. The green dress lay on a chair beside the bed. He touched it. It was still warm. Then he opened his case and took out the silver model. On -a teak table was the girl's wristwatch. After a second's hesitation he put the little ship beside it. Four silver teapots, Jupp had said. It must. have taken some explaining at the time.
With a smile he turned and ran down the hallway, the floor very cool under his bare feet.
He found her standing waist deep in the sea, her slim body being pushed from side to side in the deep swell.
`Come on!' She was squinting into the sunlight and he wished he had brought a camera. `There you go! You're doing it again!' Then she laughed, the same sound he had heard that 'night at Scapa Flow, and plunged into the water.
When finally they emerged dripping and gasping from the sea the light was already fading. The tall line of trees was topped in the last of the sun's rays, their shadows like black bars across the house.
She threw him a towel and began to rub another one vigorously over her hair.
She said suddenly, `I haven't asked yet.'
He turned but she had her back to him. `What?' `How long?'
`Two days.' He saw her shoulders stiffen, the skin still shining with droplets of spray.
Then she replied quietly, `We'll make it last, won't we?'
Her shoulders were shaking now as if from -a chill breeze, but when he put his arm around them she said, `I'm. not going to cry.' Then she twisted on his arm and looked up at him. `I'm so happy. I can't tell you.'
He picked up his towel. 'By the way. The old man was quite upset when I called him Mohammed.'
She stared at him, appalled. `You didn't!' Then she saw his face and exclaimed, `You beast! I'm not speaking to you again, ever!' She chuckled. `Although I suppose he is pretty old!'
Together they ran up the shelvingbeach and into the house. Several lights were already burning, and in the low-ceilinged room a table was laid and a bottle of wine stood chilling in-a silver bucket beside it. They stood side by side in the doorway just staring at the table and the quiet room. Then he slipped his arm around her shoulders again, the damp skin almost cold under. his touch.
He heard her say, `It's quite marvellous. I didn't know 'things like this could happen.'
`Nor me. I have a feeling that your friend Marion has had a hand in it.'
`Yes. I was thinking the same thing.' She moved away, light on her feet, before he could reach her. `I'm going to change. I shall try and look like a lady, just for you.' She paused. `Then -you can get into something. But not uniform. This once.'
`I wasn't going to.' He smiled. `This once.'
`Help yourself to a drink over there. Not too much. I want to share everything.' She ran down in the hallway towards the bedroom. `God, I feel wicked! I really do!'
The old servant appeared silently with a bath robe. `I will call you when missy is ready, sir.'
`You've done a fine job here. Thanks very much.'
The man shrugged. `It is nothing.' But there was a hint of a smile as he walked away as dignified as ever.
Lindsay was stooping at a drinks cabinet when she burst in on him again. She.was still wea
ring the swimsuit and was holding the silver ship in her hands.
`This is a wonderful present, darling!' She ran to him and kissed him impulsively on the cheek. Her face was wet, but it was not spray this time.
`It was Jupp's. He wanted you to have it.' -
`Bless him.' She stood back and studied him for several seconds. `And you.' Then she walked away again, very slowly, holding the ship against her body like a talisman.
The dinner, like everything else, was perfect. While Lindsay had been changing into shirt and slacks, candles had appeared on the table, and while the old man and his son waited on them, he and the girl sat facing each other, aware of nothing but 'each other. In the distance an animal was howling in the darkness and insects maintained a steady buzzing attack on the screened windows. But .beyond the circle of candlelight nothing was real or important.
She was wearing a dress of soft yellow which left her shoulders bare. In the candlelight her face was very clear, her expression changing to match their mood with each passing moment.
Only once did she touch on that other world.
`When is it all going to end? It might be years yet.'
`Don't think about it.' Their hands clasped across. the table. `Think about us.'
After thatt they said very little, and when the table was cleared, the coffee cups empty, Lindsay could sense yet another change in her mood.
She walked to the door and said, `Don't look at me. 1-1 don't want to make a fool of myself.' She turned towards him, her voice very low. `But it's so little time.' Her lip quivered. `And I want you so badly.' When he made to speak she added quickly, `Just give me a few minutes.' Again she tried to laugh. `I'm a bit fluttery inside!'
Lindsay sat in the quiet room listening to the insects against the screens. The animal had stopped howling, so that the silence seemed all the more intense.
Then he blew out the candles and walked from the room. One light still burned in the hallway and beneath the bedroom door was another.
She was lying quite motionless in, the bed but her eyes followed him as he moved into the lamplight and stood looking down at her.
A black nightgown lay across a chair and she said, `.It belongs to Marion.'
He sat down on the edge of the bed and touched her hair.
She added quietly, `But I don't want anything belonging to anyone else. You don't think I'm silly?'
`No. Of course I don't..' He leaned over and kissed her forehead. `I think you're very special.'
`I just want you to be happy with me.' She dropped her eyes to his hand as he pulled the sheet gently from beneath her chin. `I don't want to spoil anything.'
Then she closed her eyes and lay still as he dragged the sheet away and sat looking at her, his hand moving gently across her body. She did not move until he had slipped out of his clothes and lay down beside her, an arm beneath her head, his other hand around one of her breasts. Then she opened her eyes and watched him, her breath warm against his face.
`Two days and three nights.'
He felt her body go. rigid as he moved his hand across the gentle curve of her stomach, and when he lowered his head to her breast he could feel the heart beating like a small trapped animal. Beating to match his own.
Her arms came up and around his head, her fingers gripping his shoulders with sudden urgency as she whispered, `Oh, God! I do love you!'
The fingers seemed to be biting into his flesh as he moved his, hand still more, feeling her come alive to his touch, the need and the desire breaking down their reserves like an unspoken word.
As he rose above her she threw. open her arms and stared up into his face, her mouth moist in the lamplight.
Then he was falling, feeling her arch to receive him, holding him, dragging him down and down, until the fierceness of their love left them entwined in the soft glare like statuary.
The next thing Lindsay realised was that he was awake, his head cradled against the girl's hip while she ran her fingers gently through his hair. The lamp was out and through the shutters he could see the faint gleam of dawn
She whispered, `You cried out, my darling. Just once, and then you were still again.'
He kissed her hip and felt a tremor run.through her. Was the nightmare gone at last? Had it found the one, unmatchable strength and left him in peace?
He kissed her again and said, `I want you.'
She pulled his head across her stomach, moaning softly as he postponed the moment a while longer.
Later, as they lay and watched the first yellow sunlight through the shutters, she said simply, `I-don't feel like me at all. Strange, isn't it?'
`Whoever you are, I think you're wonderful:'
He thought he heard footsteps in the hallway. The clatter of cups. He almost expected to see Jupp peering around the door.
He dragged the sheet over their bodies and said, `Cover yourself, you- shameless creature.' He kissed her hard on the mouth. `Or we may be asked to leave.'
She took the mood, swinging her legs over the bed and seizing her robe from a chair.
`Lay another finger on me and I'll......'
She ran back to him and held him against her. `I'll probably let you do anything you like with me.'
And that was how it continued for the next two days and nights. Moments of peace and intimate silence. Swift, exploring passion which left them both breathless and limp like young animals. The sun and blue sea, the isolation and the sheer perfection of it all was like a backcloth to their own happiness.
When they climbed into the old car again Lindsay said quietly, `I will never forget this place.' He squeezed her hand. `One day I'll remind you of it. When you start getting fed up with me.'
She looked at the house. The old man and his son had made their farewells as if to allow the moment of departure a certain privacy.
`They'll put a plaque up there one day.' She shook the
hair from her eyes. `To Wren Eve Collins, who fell here.' They smiled at each other and he said, `Time to move.' The car jolted up the hill past the ruins which they had
not found time to visit.
They hardly spoke during the return journey, and once when he had seen a tear on her cheek she had reached out for his hand, saying, `I'm all right. Don't worry, my darling.' She had placed his hand on her thigh and continued to drive along the dusty road above the sea. `It's just me. I'm selfish, pig-headed and silly.'
He gripped her leg, knowing she felt as he did. `And perfect.'
The first buildings of the town swung into view as she said, `I'll drop you at the gates.'
He nodded. `Right. I'll ring you as soon as I know what's happening.' The car stopped, the bodywork glittering in the harsh sunlight. She kept both hands on the wheel.
`You're not sorry?F
'Grateful.' He watched her turn to look at him. `And happy.'
She revved the engine. 'Me too, as it happens.'
The car moved away into the traffic and Lindsay walked towards the gates.
He returned the sentry's salute. `Good morning.'
The marine watched him from the corner of his eye.. `Good for some,' he said.
18
Passage home
Goss's private information proved to be very true. Within. twelve hours of the libertymen returning aboard, the last few missing ones being found and delivered by shore patrols, Benbecula was steaming out of harbour.
The day prior to sailing Lindsay had attended a conference at the H.Q. building, and from it had gleaned some importance of the ships being allotted to the convoy. Troops, munitions, oil and food, it was to be organised like some vast relay race. The first leg across the Indian Ocean was more or less straightforward, as Japanese submarines had so far made little or no impression there. Once around the, Cape more escorts would be joining and leaving the convoy, like guards changing on a valu able treasure, and a powerful cruiser squadron would be at sea the whole time, never too far away to give support against heavy enemy units.
Off Gibraltar the
convoy would be reorganised. Some ships would slip under the Rock's own defences with supplies for the fleet and the desert army. Others would be joining with another convoy to head westward to America. The bulk of the ships would press on for the last and most hazardous part, to run a gauntlet between U-boats and German long-range bombers.
The fact that so much care was being shown for the final part of the voyage was proof of the importance given to it. It was hinted that an aircraft carrier arid her escorts would be available to provide vital round-theclock air cover, something almost unheard of.
Once at sea, Benbecula joined with other naval vessels in sorting out and organising the ships into three columns. There were twenty-four to be, escorted in all. Lindsay had .been in far larger convoys but somehow this one seemed so much bigger. Perhaps the size .and majesty of individual ships made up for actual numbers. The four troopers, for instance, were ocean liners of repute before the war. Large, well-powered and new. The other ships were as varied as their flags, but unlike most other convoys Lindsay had seen, were fairly modern vessels,' well able to keep up a good pace under almost every circumstance.
As they had gathered, from Colombo and Bombay, from Kuwait and as far away as New Zealand and Australia, he had been conscious-of the variation. Almostt every flag seemed to represent a country occupied by an enemy. French and Dutch, Danish and Norwegian, there seemed unending colours on hulls and flags. There were several British ones and two Americans, and Lindsay wondered what it must feel like to be at sea, depending on your own resources but free, while your homeland was under the enemy's heel.
Goss's special information had omitted one fact, however. Because of the convoy's changing shape and size it would be necessary to retain one naval officer in sole charge, in a ship which would be employed for the whole of the journey. Benbecula was that ship. Commodore Kemp was to be senior officer.
Maybe Kemp was still unsure of Lindsay's reaction, or perhaps be was at last aware of his own unpopularity with higher. authority. Either way, he appeared content to stay at a distance, keeping his contact with Lindsay to a bare, cool minimum.
When he had first come aboard he had said, `You command the ship. I will control the overall pattern of events.'
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