Chapter 2 – Business at Hand

Newkirk trudged into the barracks, with Carter right behind him. They both headed for the Colonel's quarters.

"It's about time gentlemen," Hogan remarked, with a sharp glance at Carter.

"Sorry sir." Carter took a seat on the lower bunk as Newkirk slouched against the window sill.

"I don't have to tell you how important this mission is. Are there any issues between you two that may impact the outcome?" The Colonel looked directly at Newkirk.

"No sir, there are no issues", mumbled Newkirk.

"You're sure about that Corporal?"

"Yes sir. I am." Upon hearing the Colonel's tone, he straightened his posture. "You needn't worry about the mission. Andrew and I won't have any problems. Right Andrew?"

"Right Peter."

Hogan sighed. "All right, I'll take your word for it. Your contact is with the Hammelburg underground, code name 'Nightingale'. You will meet at the Hofbrau at 2200 hours. Recognition code is as follows. Nightingale will say to one of you, 'Have we met before? You look like someone I knew in Dusseldorf before the war.' You reply 'I attended university in Dusseldorf.' You will then regroup at an abandoned barn off the Hammelburg road; Nightingale will guide you there. Another contact will be there waiting to pass on the locations of rocket launching sites in this area for transmission to London. You secure the information and head back. Think you can handle this?"

Both men nodded.

"You'll be going disguised as Infantry. Newkirk you'll be a sergeant, Carter, a corporal."

"Why not go as civilians Colonel?" wondered Carter.

"The way the war is going the Krauts are getting really hard up for fighting men; two men your age in civilian dress might attract the wrong attention. Your papers will show you're home on leave. If there aren't any other questions, get down to the tunnel and get your gear ready."

"Yes sir", both answered in unison.

"And fellas? Please make this a textbook mission. Don't make me regret this!"

They both nodded again on their way out the door.

"Blimey! The Colonel doesn't trust us does he?" Newkirk complained as he crossed the barracks on the way to the tunnel entrance.

"It's not that Peter. I'm pretty sure he's just concerned about what happened earlier."

Newkirk grunted in reply.

"I still think it'd be good for you to get whatever it is off your chest before the mission."

"Carter pack it in!"

"Jeez, I'm just trying to help."

Newkirk banged on the bunk harder than necessary and the tunnel opened up beneath. He slid down the ladder without a backward glance. Carter followed, shaking his head.

They made their way to the tunnel alcove designated as the dressing room. Newkirk disappeared for a moment and returned with his arms laden with the two uniforms they were to wear. He turned to snap at Carter, "Make yerself useful and go get the boots will ya?"

"Sure Peter." He slowly walked out, head down.

A pang of guilt hit Newkirk after Carter walked out. He'd done again hadn't he? Taken his anger out on his friend.

Carter came back, boots in hand. "Here Peter."

"Ta mate. Let's get this lot organized, what do you say?"

"Okay."

As they sorted the uniforms and accessories out, Newkirk glanced sideways at Carter. "Andrew…I'm sorry I snapped at ya. I've been out of sorts today and I've been takin' it out on you."

"It's obvious something's been bothering you Peter. I just wish I knew what."

Newkirk sighed. "It's a long story Andrew."

"We've got the time. We've got to get these uniforms complete, and then we've got to clean the guns and then…"

"I get the picture mate." He looked at Carter and decided to go ahead and tell him. "I only 'ope I don't 'urt yer feelins' any more than I already 'ave Andrew."

"Why would my feelings be hurt?"

"Cuz I was jealous of ya mate. You were natterin' on and on whilst you wrote that letter to yer mum and it just got on me nerves. I couldn't take it anymore."

"Oh…" Carter knew little about Newkirk's family situation. He had only heard him speak of his sister Mavis. "Well Peter you don't have to apologize again for that…I mean…"

"Andrew….'ow can I say this? It's not yer fault mate. Fifteen years ago today I lost me mum and...and I've been really gutted about it."

"Gutted?"

"Upset Andrew, upset."

"Golly I'm sure sorry Peter."

"Thanks mate. It's just that you still have a mum, and a dad as well. And they both love you. It just got to me. I'm sorry I took it out on you."

"How did you lose your mom, if you don't mind me asking?"

Newkirk scrubbed a hand over his face and sighed. "I reckon she worked 'erself to death. Took sick sudden like. Somethin' to do with 'er lungs. After she'd been sick a little while, she finally 'ad to go in 'ospital. Me old man never bothered to go visit 'er. Spent most of 'is time rat arsed 'e did. Didn't give a flippin' care about 'er. I'd try to spend as much time as I could with 'er but I 'ad to earn a livin' what with the old man bein' what 'e was. Somebody 'ad to make sure Mavis 'ad food and clothin'. We was both there when mum passed. I remember it like it was yesterday…" he trailed off, looking down. "I took Mavis 'ome and then walked the streets the rest of the night, cryin' me eyes out. I wasn't but 15 years old then. Soon after that, me old man kicked me out of the 'ouse. No surprise that. Me and the old man never got along. I'll never know why 'e 'ated me so. I suppose Mum was the only thing what kept us from killin' each other."

Carter was taken aback. He knew Newkirk had grown up in London's streets but didn't know the details. He put his arm around Newkirk's shoulders. "I'm sorry Peter. I'm really sorry you had to go through that. I'll try not to mention my mom and dad too much if it makes you feel bad."

"You don't 'ave to do that Andrew. It's not yer fault. I don't know why this is 'ittin' me so 'ard this year. I..I…just really miss me mum."

"I'd feel the same way if I were you Peter. Don't worry about me. If it makes you feel better, you can yell at me anytime you get mad. I can take it. I know you don't really mean it."

"Oh Andrew…" he honestly didn't know what to say. Now he felt even guiltier for how he had acted. "Thanks for bein' such a good mate. I promise to try to keep me feelins' in check." He set the uniforms aside. "C'mon let's get these guns cleaned and ready. Maybe we'll 'ave time to try to get a bit o' rest before we 'ave to go."

Carter nodded and they both sat down to finish the business at hand.