THE CRASH

They were all relaxing in the garden. It was a beautiful spring day and everything was alive with colour. Yellows and purples of the crocuses dotted about the lawn, and the neat rows of tulips that

some one had obviously taken great care in planting, and then the bunches of daffodils, , sunshine in the garden, that's what Angel had said they reminded her off. Her favourite flower for this time of

year. Everything was so peaceful.

`You sure you don't want to learn how to play poker baby? Asked Casino.

Angel glanced towards him and shook her head.

`No thanks `, she said closing her eyes once more.

`Ah leave 'em Casino they look too comfortable to move`. Said Goniff.

`Too right`, she said.

Actor was leaning against a tree reading his book , with Angel lying

on the grass resting her head on his legs, they both looked extremely settled,

`You all right ? She asked Actor.

`I'm fine , thank you , lift your head a moment please`.

She did as he asked and he put his coat under her head,

`That more comfortable? He asked.

`Yes thank you`, she said smiling at him, `You will tell me when your legs go numb , won't you?

`Most definitely, but for now they are fine`, he assured her.

Chief was down by the lake, throwing stones into the water. He was the first one to see the plane, although he paid little attention to it.

Actor looked up.

`That sounds low`, he said

`The planes engines spluttered.

`He's in trouble` Chief shaded his eyes to get a better look, `And he's not one of ours, it's a Kraut plane`, he yelled

`It was then that the plane opened fire`.

Everyone moved quickly as the plane strafed them and then carried on towards the mansion. pulling up as it passed to make another turn.

Angel and Actor were on their feet almost as one.

Everyone all right? He shouted.

Seeing that they were he yelled,

`Let's get back to the mansion, and watch out`.

The guns from the dugouts were firing at the plane, trying to shoot it down before it could strike again.

Actor pushed Angel behind one of the walls that surrounded the garden,

`Go , into the corner and stay there , it's target is probably the house, All right? He asked

`Go , I'll be fine, and be careful`, she said

`Goniff you stay with her until it's safe to come out`.

`Right you are mate`, he told Actor.

`The three of them headed for the mansion to see what they could do to help.

The plane had now turned and was heading back towards them, strafing the barracks as it went and then attempting to climb , to turn again.

Suddenly one of the engines exploded, and flames engulfed the plane. They could see that it was out of control.

It overshot the mansion, and then started to spiral down, exploding just before it hit the ground, sending debris everywhere.

`You all right? Shouted Craig as he ran towards them.

`Yes, `said Actor we're all safe`,

`Right, see what's left of that plane`, he said , `don't expect to find any survivors, but stranger things have happened..

They took the guns that the Sgt Major had anticipated they would need, and headed back towards the garden.

Pieces of metal were scattered everywhere, flames shot through what was left of the plane.

`No one was getting out of that`, said Casino.

Chief stood and listened and then set out at a run.

Craig followed , knowing that something was wrong.

The wall where they had left Goniff and Angel was completely gone.

`In the corner was a pile of rubble with an arm sticking out of one side.

`Goniff`, yelled Chief as he ran towards him.

`They started to take the bricks away , and then heard Goniff moan.

`Well he's alive , thank God`, said Casino.

`I'll go and get the medics`, said the Sgt, Major

`Gil, Craig yelled,

The Sgt Major turned , hearing the panic in Craig's voice

`Hurry`, he said

Gil Rawlins looked towards his Lt. and froze. Lying on the ground, covered in blood was Angel.

He ran faster than he had in a long time, and dragged the Dr, and the corpsmen back with him.

Gil looked at Craig. He was like a man lost, he knew the look, knew the fear, he had felt it when his wife had died.

She had to be alright, just had to be, because he knew that none of these men would ever be the same again if she wasn't.

…..

They had paced the corridors of the hospital for what seemed like hours, there was no news on either Goniff or Angel, both had been taken straight through to be prepared for surgery,

but they all knew that it was not looking good for either one of them.

` ,Don't know what we're worryin' about, they'll be okay they're both fighters`, said Casino, with more optimism than he actually felt.

`Actor walked over to him and put his arm on his shoulder,

`We're all worried too Casino`, he said quietly.

`Yeah I know, but they've got to be okay, they've just got to be`, he said ,

Actor looked at Craig, who had sat in the chair with his head in his hands and said nothing since they had arrived at the hospital.

`You alright Warden? He asked

Craig looked up at him.

He was in shock, Actor could tell that much, but then so were the rest of them. Things like this weren't supposed to happen , not at the estate In London , Yes.

But not where they were supposed to be safe.

`I can't lose her too, I can't, she's all I have left`, he said

`We are not going to lose either of them, the Doctors know what they're doing, and they are both survivors, Angel especially. With all that she has been through, she will fight this`. Said Actor.

Craig ran his fingers through his hair and once more put his head in his hands.

Actor moved to Chief, who had been staring out of the window.

`You hanging in there? He asked.

`She was my best friend, ever`, he said

`You talk as if she was already gone, she's not, and she knows how much she means to all of us, she will not give up , and neither must we.` Actor told him firmly.

`Actor's right, ` said Peter Roberts.

`How are they Doc? Asked Craig anxiously

`Well with Goniff it wasn't as bad as it first looked. He has broken some ribs and his left arm, and has a lot of bruising . We've stitched up the gash in his side, and on the whole I'd say he was a very

lucky young man`, said Peter. `He'll be with us for a while but he's going to pull through`.

`What about Angel? Craig asked quietly.

`She's still in surgery,` he said.

`That's bad ,ain't it? Chief asked.

`It's not good`, said Peter.

`Craig looked at him

`The cuts are the least of our worries, she has a piece of metal in her head, which at the moment is causing us a lot of concern.` he told them. But she is in good hands, Doctor Baldwin is one of the

best there is in his field, but we won't know much for a few hours yet`.

Craig sat down again.

`Look , Goniff is in Intensive care now and won't wake up for a good few hours yet, when he does he is going to need you, all of you , as will Angel. So I'm telling you, not asking, Go home, get some

rest and come back tomorrow, I give you my word I'll call the estate if there any changes. said Peter.

`I'm staying here`, said Craig, `I won't leave her`.

`That goes for the rest of us too baby, we ain't goin' nowhere until we know they're both okay, so you'd just better find somewhere for us to stay `, said Casino.

`Well it was worth a try,` said Peter, `Didn't think for one minute that you'd actually go`.

`Use my office, at least it will be more comfortable and more private than sitting out here. I'll get some coffee sent in, ` he said

When Craig didn't reply Actor answered for him.

`Thank you , we appreciate that, and you will keep us informed, they are both important to us, but Angel…Actor found he couldn't finish the sentence.

`She's my friend too Actor. Knew her before you guys did, don't forget that, I care about her too`, said Peter.

`Sorry Doc, kinda forgot that`, said Casino.

`She means a lot to all of us`, said Actor.

`Come on, I'll show you where my office is , ` he said, and waited for them to follow him.

Actor went up to Craig.

`Warden`, he said

When he got no reply he said

`Craig, we have to go now, `

He took Craig's arm and led him after the others.

`Where are we going? Asked Craig.

Actor realised that he had heard nothing of what Peter had told them.

`The Doctor has found is somewhere more comfortable to wait `, he said.

`Okay, he said.

Craig followed the others, lost in his own world.

Actor looked on worriedly, and prayed for the first time in a long time that nothing happened to Angel, because if it did, he wasn't sure if the Warden would be able to shake the depression he was

slowly falling into.

….

They all slept for some of the night, each waking up and feeling guilty for not staying awake. At six thirty the next morning Peter came in with coffee, and sandwiches`.

`I don't want any arguments, you need something to eat,` he said,

`I'll be back in half an our and then if you've done as I ask I might be able to swing it for you to see Goniff for a few minutes.

`The limey's okay? Asked Casino.

`He's in his own room now, and I've told the nurses that you can visit whenever you want, thought we might as well keep it legal, as I don't suppose for one minute that I'd be able to keep you

away`. He said smiling.

He walked over to Craig

`Angel's still in intensive care , and we're actually very hopeful, but all we can really do now is wait`, he said.

`Can I see her? Craig asked.

`Well it's breaking all the rules, but just you , and just for a moment, and I do mean a moment, right now the thing she needs most is rest`.

Craig nodded.

`Just need to see for myself that she's okay`, he said.

`Understand Craig, she if far from okay, she's battered and bruised and covered in bandages, and it's not the way you should see her`, he said.

`Thanks Doc, I understand`, he said.

`Right then, you three , sandwiches,` he said. `You come with me Craig`.

Craig got up eagerly and followed Peter.

As they stood outside the door to the unit Peter looked at him.

`You're sure you're ready for this? He asked.

`Yeah Doc, I'm sure`, he said.

`Just keep telling yourself that no matter how bad this looks, she's alive and fighting,` he said.

He opened the door and allowed Craig to enter first.

`It took Craig all the courage he had not to turn and run.

There were so many tubes, so many bandages , this wasn't Angel. Couldn't be Angel. No-one could survive this, it was unreal. He felt himself sway and grabbed the end of the bed.

`Right that's it, out of here now`, said Peter.

Craig allowed himself to be turned round and guided out of the door.

`How can she survive that? He asked.

`Just remember that for the time being, all that is helping her stay alive. She could be in there a few days, she could be in there weeks, it all depends on her, I'll arrange for you to sit with her for a

little while each day, if you'd like, but don't be ashamed to say if it's too much for you.

Watching someone that we love go through this is one of the hardest things any one of us has to deal with`, Peter said.

`I can do it`. Said Craig, `It was just the shock of seeing her like that, I'll be fine, I need to be with her`, he said

`Good`, said Peter , ` Because she'll need you to help her through this, all of you`, he said

`Right so now, coffee , something to eat , and some sleep, and I mean real sleep. `You're going to need all your wits about you from now on`, said Peter.

`Whatever you say , Doc. Then I'll need so see Goniff`, said Craig.

`Agreed`, said Peter.

He had an awful feeling that trying to keep these four under control for the next few days was going to be next to impossible.