Chapter 7
Aldbourne, England
October 1943
I didn't open the letter that Nikolai gave me until I got back to my living quarters. I was quartered with a lovely English couple who generously opened their doors to me with open arms. They were a friendly elderly couple called Anne and John who ran the local bakery in town. They were constantly offering me treats despite the country's rationing restrictions.
Bill and Joe Toye insisted on walking me back to my quarters from the pub despite my protests. They soon left when I past the doors threshold, using the spare key under the doormat that the Jones's left for me to let myself in after a late night out. The boys were sweet for walking me home even when I felt like it was unnecessary since I could certainly take care of myself. I sighed as I entered my room in the cosy cottage, immediately taking off my boots tiredly, heading towards the bed in relief. I sat on the edge of the bed, shrugging out of my outer jacket slowly. I heard the rustling of the letter beneath my clothes and I picked it up once it fell into my lap. I cautiously tore the seal open and removed the contents: one off-colour piece of paper.
Orders from the Kremlin to travel to London for a meeting with some officials in 5 days, the letter was vague and didn't explain who I was meeting or what it was about. Just for me to be at the Russian embassy in 5 days. I sighed in exhaustion before placing the letter in my nightstand and turning out the light in the hope that sleep will come peacefully tonight.
-Line Break-
I immediately informed Colonel Sink about my orders the next day, including Captain Sobel who was also in attendance. Captain Sobel looked suspicious to say the least at my announcement but I didn't care what he thought, the pompous ass. I soon left the HQ building with coincidentally Bill, George and Joe hanging outside the building, leaning against the wall. I walked towards them suspiciously, Bill not so subtly nudging George when he noticed me.
"What brings you lot here?" I asked, certain that they were waiting for me. Especially since I know that although Joe and Bill made up after the incident on the U.S.S Samaria they were not best friends by any definition.
"Just hanging, what brings you here sweetcheeks?" George answered quickly, looking guilty as sin all of a sudden. I raised an eyebrow questioningly at Georges response.
"George!" Joe and Bill reprimanded George in unison.
"What do you want?" I asked amused at their guilty faces.
"Perco saw you going into Colonel Sink's office, we just wanted to make sure that you were alright." George explained, showing concern on his face.
"I'm fine, why wouldn't I be?" I answered back in confusion at what they were getting at.
"Well Perco also saw Sobel following not long after, wanted to make sure the bastard hasn't tried to get you kicked out from easy." Bill replied this time looking irritated while spitting Sobel's name in disgust.
"I'm fine guys, just informing Colonel Sink and Sobel that I'll be away for a few days soon." I assured them, feeling really touched that they cared about me.
"That got anything to do with the letter Nikolai gave you last night?" Joe asked, talking around the newly lit cigarette in his mouth as he looked at me intensely.
" Maybe," I replied, staring right back at Joe before I broke our eye contact and I started walking away from them. I walked about 10 feet away from them before I turned back.
"Oh and by the way, tell Frank he's a gossiping old woman who I will personally assign to stick with Sobel when we get into combat if he doesn't stop opening his mouth." I declared before I started walking again, not waiting for a reply from the 3 guys.
-Line Break-
Later in the day we had a field exercise where I was thankfully assigned to be with Lieutenant Winters second platoon and half of third platoon. Captain Sobel had first platoon and the other half of third. I could barely suppress my smirk at George and Franks face as they found out they were going with Sobel. I knew George saw my slight smirk as he scowled at me through the whole briefing. Frank just looked pale whenever we locked eyes, I guess my message got delivered and I'm sure that George took great joy in delivering it to Perco.
"Sobel's late." Dick exclaimed, checking the time on his wristwatch. I rolled my eyes as if to say what else is new.
"Idiot probably got lost again." I muttered quietly so only Dick could hear, Dick gave me a reprimanding look before signalling for Lipton to join us.
"We're gonna move." Dick told Lipton with a nod from me in agreement.
"Without Sobel Sir?" Lipton asked uncertainly as he bit his lip.
"It's a T intersection, we improvise. Lay down a base of fire cutting off the roads in all directions." Dick replied confidently. Lipton nodded before running off to his squad to give them the new orders. I ran back to my squad that included Guarnere to give Dick's orders. We smoothly manoeuvred into our new positions with no trouble at all and I would like to think it was mainly to do with Dick's amazing leadership. Not long after we heard Sobel and his platoon running down to road with Sobel obnoxiously yelling 'HI-YO SILVER'. When he got near to us he seemed shocked that we managed to beat him yet again, I snorted as quietly as I could but Joe seemed to have heard me as a smirk appeared on his face instantly in delight. I gave Dick a pat on his back in congratulations, at leading his men to success once again and also on causing the gaping fish look on Sobels face and the best thing was that I could see the start of a smirk appearing on his face in return.
The next day I was just leaning against a wall with Dick and Lew, killing time before our next lesson was to begin. Some of the boys thought it would be a good idea to cram in a short basketball game. The familiar roar of a jeep distracted me from exchanging teasing remarks with Lew, I rolled my eyes in annoyance as I recognised Sergeant Evans, Sobels lap dog, getting out of the jeep. Of course he had to stop right in the middle of where the boys were playing their basketball game, what an asshole. It came as no surprise when he started to walk in our direction, probably another ridiculous order from Sobel. I glared at him in irritation as he approached Winters directly and saluted us all, that we reluctantly reciprocated.
"With Captain Sobel's compliments." Was all he said smugly as he handed Dick a letter before he saluted us again and returned to his waiting jeep. He drove off quickly, but not quick enough to avoid the basketball being bounced off his bumper by Bull. He briefly glanced at the boys but decided to not turn back and argue with them. When Evans was out of sight, Dick quickly opened the letter and read it with Lew looking over his shoulder curiously.
"Spelled court martial wrong." Lew commented around the cigarette in his mouth casually.
"What?" I asked surprised as I ripped the letter from Dick's hand in surprise. I quickly scanned the letter and shoved it at Lew before storming off in the direction of Sobels office building. I didn't get very far before 4 arms were restraining me from taking another step. Dick was on one of my sides while Lew was on the other.
"Oh no you don't princess." Lew exclaimed, I just glared at him in response.
"He would just punish you if you say anything or do anything." Dick also commented. Oh I was gonna do something alright I was gonna kill him.
"He can't court martial me, I'm not apart of the U.S army." I replied back, struggling against the both of them, trying to break free from their clutches.
"I know he's not gonna court martial you because you're gonna kill him." Dick retorted, giving me a look as if he knows something.
"Well I was going to make it look like an accident on the battlefield but I can work with him shooting himself while cleaning his service weapon," I replied calmly, Lew looked gobsmacked and resembled a gaping fish just like Sobel had the other day.
"How did you know?" I asked Dick, slightly impressed with his perception.
"Your hints weren't exactly rocket science to interpret." Dick replied with a roll of his eyes.
"Don't do anything Ana." Dick stressed with pleading eyes.
"Why? He's court martialling you Dick! We need you, easy needs you!" I replied back, trying to get him to see my point of view.
"Yes but I don't want him dead Ana, the situation will be resolved." Dick replied back confidently while lowering his voice in case anyone overhears their conversation. Dick and Lew let go of my arms, confident I won't be running off again to confront Sobel.
"It better be resolved by the time I get back from London or I will take action." I stated truthfully before walking back in the direction of my living quarters. Locking eyes with my brother who was standing across the road from us and from the looks of things saw the whole encounter. I shook my head at him, discouraging him from talking to me before walking past him.
The days past fast and it soon came time for me to leave for London, the boys heard about Dick's court martial through the grapevine aka George and were outraged at possibly losing their best Lieutenant. I kept my word that I wouldn't confront Sobel but he made it hard when he would smirk in Winter's direction every chance he got. I told the boys not to do anything stupid before I left and they grudgingly agreed, Bill put up a big grumble but reluctantly agreed when I said I will take care of the situation if it hasn't been resolved by the time I came back. They letter never said how long I would be needed in London but I hoped for it not to be too long as I know that my boys need me now when their company's leadership situation is in chaos.
-Line Break-
London was spectacular. Service men and woman from all over the world walked the streets of London carefree of what the rest of the world was doing. I uncomfortably spent the whole journey by train dressed in my smart red army uniform and as soon as I saw the special city that was London, my cares seemed to drift away. Instead of getting a taxi, I decided to walk through the city that seemed to be the home of people from all over the world and it intrigued me immensely. I was saddened when the view of the Russian embassy appeared before me, located next to the beautiful Kensington park. Two Russian soldiers were posted on both sides of the entrance, I nodded at them in acknowledgment while they saluted me respectfully.
My first impressions of the interior was that it was very clean. Being at war and participating in the army left lots to be desired in the clean aspect when it came to accommodation and army facilities. A familiar figure was standing near the reception desk, flirting with the young girl manning the desk.
"Nikolai she is not interested in you!" I exclaimed when I reached the pristine desk. He looked over his shoulder at me and let out a rough laugh in response.
"That's not true, I am so close to showing her my hotel room." Nikolai replied with a wink aimed at the blushing young girl. Looking at the girl who couldn't be older than 20 made me feel decades older than I am. We were essentially the same age yet I'm positive I look older with the wear and tear of war and my own personal demons resting heavily on my shoulders.
"I take it the poor girl doesn't speak a word of English." I commented with a roll of my eyes as the girl was trying to regain Nikolai's attention.
"Now why would you say that Ana?" Nikolai smugly replied just as he tucked a piece of loose hair behind the girls ear, she giggled in response and I just sighed in exasperation at Nikolai's flirting techniques that surprisingly are quite successful.
"Because she would have slapped you by now if she heard your hotel room comment," I quickly retorted.
"I'm Captain Belikova, I'm here for a meeting." I announced in my mother tongue to the young girl when she finished drooling all over Nikolai.
"Yes of course, I'll just see if they are ready to receive you." The girl replied before dialling the phone connecting to the meeting room no doubt. I turned around and examined the interior of the Russian embassy some more, glancing at the paintings with some interest. 'Yes, of course' could be heard behind me before the girl put down the phone and let me know that I can go through the door she gestured to on my right. I nodded at her in thanks before heading for the door. A hand caught my arm before I could take more than two steps, I looked up to find the serious face of Nikolai staring back at me.
"I'll be waiting here for you afterwards." He informed me in an uncharacteristically serious tone. I nodded suspiciously at my best friend before continuing on towards the closed wooden door. I knocked lightly before hearing the call for me to enter.
3 older looking gentlemen were sitting round a marble table, I noticed that two were Generals while one wore the uniform of a commissar. I saluted them immediately, aware that these men could make me or break me with a single order.
"Captain Belikova!" The man in the centre of the three greeted me with a wide smile, showing the gold fillings between his teeth. They all got up from their seats and walked over to where I was standing, each man shaking my hand in turn. I was confused on why they wanted to shake my hand but I didn't say a word in protest, normally the higher ups just acknowledge you with a nod. They systematically introduced themselves as General Pavlov, General Chomsky and Commissar Lewinski. They gestured for me to take a seat at the far end of the table with the others on the other far end of the table, opposite myself.
"Such an honour to meet you Captain, we've all heard the stories of your heroic acts in combat and are thoroughly impressed." General Pavlov started, showing his gold teeth again once he was settled at the head of the table.
"Thank you Sir." I replied, still wondering what this meeting was about as I had 3 of the most important military higher ups sitting in front of me as if they always do this. If I even know what 'this' is.
"How goes your training with the American paratrooper unit?" Pavlov continued to ask, while looking down at a stack of papers in front of him.
"Very good sir, they are a tough bunch of men, training has been very strict and useful." I replied back proudly as I thought about the boys back in Aldbourne who against the odds have survived their biggest obstacle so far: being under the leadership of Sobel.
"The reports you have sent back to us seem very positive with your progress, But I wonder what you will do when they get deployed." Commissar Lewinski interjected with a look on his face that I wouldn't trust in a hundred years.
"I'm sorry sir but I was under the impression that I was to follow them into combat." I replied confused at where this conversation was going.
"Really? It doesn't seem... Plausible... for a veteran soldier such as yourself to fight and possibly die alongside the Americans when we already have all the information we need to train our paratroopers to the Americans own high standards." Commissar Lewinski replied while staring intensely at me. I shifted uncomfortably in my chair at the gazes I was attracting.
"Sir?" I asked confused at what they were getting at.
"Your current mission has been completed Captain, well done to a good job." General Chomsky stated plainly as if he was getting tired of the others going round in circles.
"Thank you Sir." I replied after swallowing loudly. Was this it? Was I leaving easy company and going back home?
"We have a new use for you now Captain and you are the only one who can do it," Said General Pavlov, crinkling his eyes seriously.
"We want you to stay with your current unit Captain," Lewinski began, I almost breathed an audible sigh or relief but managed to reign it in including my emotions, my poker face was going strong and I was hoping it can hold out until the end of this so called 'meeting'.
"All we want you to do is occasionally pass us information." Lewinski finished while beginning to light a cigar casually, as if this conversation comes up every day.
"You want me to be a spy?" I asked, keeping my voice as neutral as possible. On the inside I felt like I was gonna be sick.
"Think of it as you being more like a radio technician, collecting information and passing it on through channels." Lewinski quickly replied in response. I nodded thoughtfully.
"Aren't the Americans our allies?" I asked, mainly thinking of my brother Ron and reluctantly Joe too.
"Yes but we can never be too cautious with those who claim to be our allies, look at the non-aggression pact we signed with Germany in 1939 and then they went and invaded our country!" Lewinski quickly answered with a slam of fist on the marble table to illustrate his point.
"Captain Belikova, do you accept your new mission?" General Pavlov asked seriously. All 3 men gazed at me sternly as they awaited my reply. I know that he asked a question but I knew I had no actual choice in the matter, either I accept the mission and betray my brother and friends or I say no and then consequently receive a bullet to the back of the head for being a 'traitor' to the soviet union.
"I accept." I answered confidently, locking eyes with each man present. I didn't trust a single man in this room, in fact I hardly trust anyone anymore from my homeland accept Nikolai. But there is something about Commissar Lewinski that makes me want to fight my way through a whole German army just to get away from the man. He gave me a bad feeling, a really bad feeling. This so-called mission left a bad taste in my mouth and I felt stuck between a rock and a hard place. I was a pawn in their war games and I couldn't do anything to stop it.
They soon dismissed me from the room and gave me orders to return the next day to receive details of what I am required to do once I go back to easy. I walked quickly back into the main foyer and carried on past the reception desk, not even giving it a glance. I had to get out of this building before I broke down. I forgot all about Nikolai waiting for me afterwards, I didn't see him, not like I was paying attention to anything but escaping from the building that now seemed like a cage, trapping me from the outside world. I swiftly exited the building and entered the gardens, shielding my view of the building. I found an unoccupied bench and sat down while trying to learn how to breathe again. I felt a presence suddenly beside me and I knew that it was Nikolai.
"You already knew what they wanted." I broke the silence quietly, speaking in Russian encase anyone overhears our conversation.
"Yes." Nikolai replied while looking at me with concern.
"Why me?" I asked in disbelief at what I am being made to do.
"You already have an in with the Americans, it made sense to just continue your participation with them." Nikolai replied calmly while bringing out two cigarettes for us both to smoke. He lit them both and passed one over to me. I quickly took a shaky inhale of the fumes, willing it to calm my nerves.
"And what role do you play in all of this?" I asked, slightly calmer as I inhaled as much of the fumes as possible.
"I'm going to be your contact on the other side of the radio." Nikolai explained while looking out for anyone tracking our movements.
"Why you? They've pulled you from the frontlines?" I asked in confusion, I didn't know what the higher ups were thinking, pulling a good veteran soldier from the front so he could be a radio operator.
"Yes, Botros has taken charge of our old unit, the higher ups are playing a dangerous game." Nikolai responded, not looking happy at being away from our unit.
"Tell me about Lewinski, Chomsky and Pavlov." I demanded as I watched for anyone suspicious in the park.
"They're all as ruthless as each other: Chomsky, 'rumoured' to have participated in a massacre of Polish army officers in Katyn wood. Pavlov, uses our secret police like his own play toy- killing people who are 'traitors' to the soviet union and Stalin. And finally the worst of them all: Lewinski. He personally whispers in Stalin's ear, some say he convinced Stalin to pass orders 270 and 227 and if that's to be true then he is the biggest killer out of all of them, don't think you can trust any of them." Nikolai informed me, speaking with disgust clear in his voice.
"I don't trust anyone anymore!" I exclaimed while giving Nikolai a sharp look.
"Even me?" Nikolai asked while looking at me from the corner of his eye.
"Maybe, things are taking a bad turn for our home, too much needless blood has been shed," I replied truthfully while looking for Nikolai's reaction to my words.
"I've always fought for Russia, never for Stalin, never for some General who can put his feet up while letting his men be needlessly slaughtered for the 'greater good'." I exclaimed passionately while shaking my head as I thought of all the men who have lost their lives in a needless act of power from their leaders.
"Shut up," Nikolai exclaimed, nudging me hard in the ribs as he furiously scanned the park again for eavesdroppers.
"You could get shot if the wrong person heard you say that." Nikolai whispered while glaring at me discreetly from his place next to me.
"Has the wrong person heard?" I asked him while staring at him intensely with a raised eyebrow.
"Are you testing me Ana?" Nikolai asked with a rough non-humorous laugh
"Maybe, loyalties are always tested in times of war." I answered back, narrowing my eyes at my best friend.
"That's true, but you know me better than that Ana." Nikolai smartly replied while giving Ana a small nod.
"I know." Was all I said before I got up from the bench and walked off towards my hotel without saying another word to Nikolai.
-Line Break-
The next few days were spent training me on how to use the radio they were going to equip me with. Nikolai and another expert were helping me with my training. Generals Chomsky, Pavlov and Commissar Lewinski were heading back to Russia and I haven't heard from them since. Thank god for small mercies. Nikolai has gotten over our small spat of testing his loyalties to me. He understood the reason of never being too careful at a dangerous time like this, he is similar to me in his beliefs of Stalin being a monster and the corrupt system he runs. We both have no choice of what we are being asked to do, our fault in trusting the system long ago when we signed up for the army.
I found a lovely emerald green dress in a shop window when I was wondering round the streets of London, soaking in the atmosphere that almost makes me want to never leave this vibrant city, I had to buy it, it brought me some comfort of being able to act like any other woman of my age.
I was only in London 5 days but 5 days was more than enough time, I was worried about the boys in Aldbourne especially the drama surrounding Dick's court martial. So when I arrived back in Aldbourne late at about 8, I immediately headed towards my billet house to change into my new pretty dress ready to go to the pub where I knew the boys would be. My emerald green dress matched my eyes, it had a v style at the top and it fell to just below my knees. I matched the dress with some black high heeled pumps and a small black clutch bag. I styled my hair into an elegant chiffon and added some lipstick to complete my 'woman' look. I haven't dressed up since before the war and my heart ached to the thought of what my life used to be like.
I strolled through the town of Aldbourne, seeing some familiar faces of soldiers from other companies but so far no sight of easy yet. The pub that all the surrounding soldiers come to regularly comes into my view and of course the first person I see had to be my brother, leaning against the wall smoking a cigarette. When he notices my presence he narrows his eyes at my appearance.
"Evening Ana, how was London?" Ron greeted me first, barely controlling himself from commenting on my appearance.
"London was lovely thank you, were you up to much when I was away?" obviously someone told him about my little visit to London, because I certainly didn't.
"It was nice of you to tell me you were going on a little trip, I haven't been up to much but I think you should talk to your company about their certain activities they were involved in once you were away." Ron replied with sarcasm as he glowered at me.
"I didn't realise I had to report everything I do to you, why are you picking a fight?" I retorted, my nostrils flaring involuntarily. Ron sighed while rubbing his forehead, a clear sign of stress.
"I'm sorry, it just bothered me that you left without telling me anything yet Winters and Nixon knew you were going." My brother explained.
"I'm sorry too, I honestly didn't think that I would be away more than a day or two and thought it would be unnecessary to tell you." I eased up, forgetting how much of a control freak my brother could be. Ron hugged me as if to start over our greeting and I readily hugged him back, taking comfort in his large, warm embrace. We soon pulled back and shared a small laugh to ease the tension before I remembered what Ron said about my company.
"What did you mean earlier about my company's activities?" I asked with a raised eyebrow. Ron then shared all the gossip on base about how the NCO's of easy turned in their strips because they did not wanna follow Sobel into combat. I know this all had to do with Dick's court martial and I was furious that they didn't trust me enough to solve the Sobel problem when I got back from London. I breathed a sigh of relief when Ron said they were all fine and surprisingly did not get shot but warned. I best part came when I heard that Sobel has been reassigned and that Dick was back with us all. I am furious at the men but couldn't be happier that the risky gamble worked and no one got hurt except Sobels pride.
"Before we go in I want you to remember what I told you before about being careful with your position, especially with how you're dressed." Ron said just as we were going to enter the loud pub. I looked over at him with a raised eyebrow.
"I remember, what's wrong with how I'm dressed?" I answered back, gleefully making my brother uncomfortable on purpose.
"Nothing, you look beautiful." He responded truthfully with a genuine smile that I missed seeing on his face. I nodded in thanks, letting him off the hook with his comment, I knew he was just looking out for me. I headed into the pub before him, letting him finish his cigarette outside.
Of course the first person to notice my presence was George.
"Ana!" He shouted so loud over everyone's conversations that everyone seemed to stop talking just to stare at me, standing by the doorway. I heard several wolf whistles from my right and I turned to see Bill, Toye, Malarkey and Muck heading towards me. Joe was trailing behind them in a visible daze. The noise levels returned as people got back to their conversations.
"Ana! Doll you sure clean up good." Bill declared as he put an arm around my shoulder casually as if nothing has happened in the past few days.
"Why thank you, now would you like to tell me what the fuck you were thinking when you went mutinous?" I responded with a full glare aimed at the Philadelphian. Bill's face dropped, it was almost comical how the rest of the boys mumbled about getting another drink and they scattered fast, leaving Bill to face my rage.
"Ana I did what I thought was best, Sobel was gonna get us all killed." Bill explained to me, showing his stubborn side when he noticed I was gonna go on a full rant. I eased up and softened my face, giving Bill a big hug which served as more of a comfort to me than him.
"I know, I just would have been devastated if I came back and found you all shot for mutiny." I told him my fears and I held him tighter.
"I'm sorry doll, we are still here though and I promise we won't pull another stunt like that again." Bill said in a soothing voice that calmed down my panic. I pulled back and tried to plaster a stern expression on my face as I told him he better inform me if he even thought of a stupid stunt like that again. We soon joined the other boys round a big table at the back of the crowded room.
"Aww I thought you were gonna actually kill Guarnere there, I brought the popcorn and everything." George said as he greeted me with a one armed hug that I accepted happily. I shook my head with a wide smile, feeling good about being home with these men who felt like my family.
"You look beautiful, Ana." Toye greeted me with a warm smile, the alcohol causing his voice to get even deeper and soothing than it normally was.
"Thank you, darling." I flirted with him as I shot an air kiss aimed for him.
"Is there a special occasion for wearing that dress?" George asked while examining the fine material and how well it fitted on my frame.
"Yes, Sobel is gone and we are free from his tyranny!" I replied while locking eyes with all the boys round the table. They all echoed a 'hear hear' in agreement as they took a sip of their drinks. Joe was staring at me intensely again, just like when we played that game on poker in the log cabin all those months ago.
"Can I buy you a drink Ana?" Joe asked me as he stood to go up to the bar, his dark hair brushed his forehead and I couldn't help but feel attracted to him.
"I'll have a Beer please, thank you." I replied with a wide smile. He gave me an actual smile in return, not the smirk that normally rests on his face.
The rest of the night went smoothly. We were laughing and joking all night as they filled me in on everything I missed. I belonged with these guys and I can't imagine leaving them for some other unit. They were the best and I know I helped with that. Joe couldn't stop staring at me the whole night, no troubles came up between him and Bill fortunately and they all were bonding like a unit is supposed to bond. The alcohol might have been the cause of that but I didn't mind, George was undoubtably my best friend in easy and I never realised how much I had missed him till he started to tell his stories in the humorous way that he does and I couldn't stop laughing the whole time. Ron never approached our table but I could feel his eyes check up on me occasionally.
It got to about 1am when the owner had had enough and decided to kick us all out. We came out laughing our heads off, no doubt waking up the neighbours. Joe offered to walk me home and unlike the other day where I thought it was unnecessary for Bill and Toye to walk me, I didn't seem to mind this time around. We said farewell to the other fellas before heading in the opposite direction towards my billet.
We walked in almost silence, the fresh air sobering us both up immediately. Joe suddenly lit a cigarette and shared it with me when he saw my pleading eyes. I smiled at him in thanks and continued to inhale the smoke.
" You really do look beautiful tonight Ana." Joe exclaimed, breaking the silence between us. I couldn't help but blush and smile, hoping Joe couldn't see my red cheeks in the dark.
"Thank you." I replied as I recognised that we were getting closer to my assigned house.
"We missed you when you were away," Joe commented
"I missed you." Joe added much quieter, I could barely hear him but I still managed to make out the words. We finally reached the outside of the cottage I was quartered and we stopped by the front door, facing each other, I wanted to say something to Joe but I didn't know what.
"Thank you for walking me back." I settled with, thinking that was acceptable to say. Joe took a step towards me, closing the small distance between us. He reached for a loose strand of hair that came out of my hair do and tucked it slowly behind my ear. He then leaned in softly and gave my cheek a brief peck, he pulled back a little bit to make eye contact with me before leaning in and kissing my lips. I couldn't help but kiss back, his lips were so soft and inviting. I wanted to stay in this moment forever but all too soon it ended. We both pulled back enough to see each others faces and I smiled a genuine smile at Joe before unlocking the cottage door.
"Goodnight Joe." I declared happily, looking at the now flustered soldier with glee.
"Goodnight Ana." He replied in a slightly dazed voice with the biggest smile I've ever seen on his face. I reluctantly closed the door once he left and I suddenly felt alone again.
So that was a bigger chapter than last time. A lot to process in this chapter, things are changing for Ana quite rapidly. I just wanted to let you know that General Chomsky, General Pavlov and Commissar Lewinski are not based on any real people from history and I completely made their characters up. However the Katyn wood massacre was a real event and resulted in the execution of approximately 22,000 people committed by the soviet union, however both the Russians and germans pointed the blame to each other for many years, it was only till 1990 when the Russians admitted that their secret police carried out the mass killings . If you want to know more just look it up on the internet. Orders 270 and 227 are also true and can be looked up online.
I honestly had no intention of Ana becoming a spy for the soviet union originally but the idea came to me and I'm going with it so far. Joe and Ana have finally kissed but unfortunately more drama awaits them. D-Day is coming up soon.
I hope you really liked this chapter because I sure had a fun time writing it. Please review and let me know what you think about it. Much love xxx