`Great bleedin' way to spend Christmas`, moaned Goniff as he sat huddled near the fire in the safe house.
`Aw leave it Limey, at least we're not out in the cold, and we have five days to get home, so stop grippin' will ya? Asked Casino impatiently.
Goniff looked at him.
`I'm just sayin' why us? Ain't nobody else fightin' this war ?
Craig sighed.
He knew it was only a matter of time before one of them started moaning, but even so he wished just once that they realised that he missed Christmas just as much as they
did. For an instant he wondered what they would all be doing if he hadn't taken them to work for the army. Probably all be sitting in one prison or another , whatever it was
you could be sure that Goniff or Casino would be moaning about it.
Actor interrupted his thoughts.
`I'm sure that Angel will keep everything ready for when we do manage to get back, surely that is something for you to look forward too?
Goniff grinned.
`Yeah`, he said,` Better late than never eh?
`Exactly`, said Actor, `Now I believe it is time for me to relieve Chief`.
Craig looked at his watch and nodded.
`Right on time`. He said.
`Aren't I always? He asked.
`Depends on whether or not you're skirt chasin'. said Casino.
Actor turned haughtily and walked to the door.
`I will expect you in four hours Casino`, he said. `Don't be late`.
Casino bowed.
`Wouldn't dream of it your Highness`, he said grinning broadly.
Actor walked out closing the door rather more loudly than was necessary.
….
`Anything? Actor asked Chief as he walked to meet him.
`Naw, all's quiet`, said Chief. `Didn't expect anyone , did we?
Actor shook his head.
`No, but better safe than sorry`,
Chief nodded and took a few steps forward and then stopped dead .He looked up studying the sky.
`We got a plane heading this way`, he said.
Actor shaded his eyes and looked , but could neither hear or see anything but he knew better than to question Chief. Suddenly in the distance he heard the faint rumbling .
`You see it? He asked.
Chief pointed.
`Over there`, he said.
Actor squinted , but it was a few more seconds before he could see the plane.
`It's one of ours`. Said Chief.
`That may well be, but they don't know we're on their side`. Said Actor.
They watched as the plane started to turn, and then as it flew overhead they heard the whistle of the bomb plummeting to earth.
Chief looked towards the safe house, realising that he had no time to get the others he opened fire, hoping that this would warn them of the danger.
He saw the door open and then three men ran from the house.
The flash as the bomb hit the field behind the house was blinding, and Chief hit the ground holding his hands over his ears to protect then from the explosion.
Wood and glass suddenly flew all around them.
Chief stayed where he was until the noise abated.
He was scared but tried instinctively to hide his fear , he looked across at Actor and saw that he too was badly shaken.
They stood for a few seconds , taking in the devastation in front of them.
`Warden`, Chief whispered and ran towards what was left of the house.
The fire was raging covering everything with black smoke, and the grass in front of them was covered it pieces of wood and furniture.
`We have to find them and get them out of here`, said Actor.
Chief peered through the smoke.
`There`, he yelled pointing to a figure on the ground.
They ran together , each man praying in there own way that it was a body and not a corpse that they were running too.
They heard a low moan as they got nearer.
`Goniff`, yelled Chief.
Goniff looked at them with a stunned expression, and tried to focus.
`I'm okay, just hurt me ankle, you go look for the others`, he said in obvious pain..
`Just stay put and don't move until I get back`, said Actor.
`Okay mate`, said Goniff.
`Actor! Found Casino,` yelled Chief, `He's out cold.
Actor ran to him and started to examine Casino while Chief stood looking around .
`Can't see the Warden`, he said. `You okay here while I take a better look?
Actor nodded.
Chief walked slowly away scanning his surroundings.
His call when it came sounded more like a scream to Actor, who took one more look at the unconscious Casino and then ran towards Chief.
`He's here`, yelled Chief , his voice filled with panic.
`Oh my God`, said Actor as he looked down at Crag.
`He dead? Asked Chief nervously.
`No but he soon will be if we don't get him help`, he said as he knelt beside Craig trying to stop the flow of blood from the deep gash on his head.
`See if you can find anything that we can use for bandages`, said Actor.
Chief nodded and began to search through the wreckage. He returned a few minutes later with what Actor assumed to be the remnants of bed linen.
`These do? Asked Chief.
`They will have to if that's all you can find`, said Actor
Actor did the best he could and tied the linen tightly around Craig's head.
`Someone's comin' hissed Chief.
Actor swore quietly and picked up his gun.
They laid as flat as they could, hoping that from a distance they would look just like bodies caught in the explosion.
They watched as the lorry stopped and two men got out.
Actor sighed , at least they weren't in German uniforms.
`Anyone alive? The first man asked.
`Can't tell`, said the second.
There was a moments silence.
`Lt. Garrison`.
Actor looked at the men and then at Craig. The man needed help and quickly.
Actor started to stand.
`You are Lt. Garrison? The man asked.
Actor shook his head and nodded towards the ground.
`The Lt. is badly wounded, and we have two more that will need assistance`. He said.
The man looked at him.
`My name is Claude, we were supposed to meet you and take you to the rendezvous`.
`Can you still do that? Asked Actor.
Claude looked at him and nodded.
`If you can travel`. He said. `The sub will be waiting in an three hours, we must hurry`.
`They will have to travel, we have to get out of here before the Krauts decide to come and investigate`, said Actor`.
`Then let us go `, said Claude.
Actor and Chief looked down at Craig.
`He's bad ain't he? Chief asked.
Actor nodded.
`If we don't get him some attention soon it will be too late`.
`We'd best get started then`, said Chief softly.
Claude and Gaston headed towards Casino and between them got him into the back of the truck.
Goniff was walking , somewhat unsteadily towards them with Gaston's help.
`You okay? Asked Actor.
`Me ears are ringing a little , and a bit dizzy , but otherwise yeah, apart from me ankle I'm fine`, Goniff replied. `How's the others doin'.?
`Casino will be fine, but the Warden`, Actor left the sentence unfinished.
The four of them lifted Craig into the back of the truck.
`As gently as you can Claude`, Actor ordered.
Claude nodded , and headed for the front of the truck.
`Claude`, said Actor , with haste if you can`.
Claude looked at the body and got behind the wheel of the truck.
`Don't think it's going to matter much how quick we get there, think it's too late for him`. he said to Gaston as he started the engine and drove as quickly
as he darted across the field.
…