The air was filled with the acrid tang of coal smoke as the steam train came to rest. The doors on the carriages opened swiftly and a tidal wave of people, left the station. The boys of 666 stood and smoked tautly, waiting for the signal to embark and return to war.
Biggles stood silently with Mary a little way apart from his squadron. His lit a cigarette with hands that were slightly unsteady and took a deep drag.
"May I?" Mary indicated the cigarette.
"But you don't smoke," he said, handing it to her with a bemused smile.
"I need to do something. This waiting about is getting on my nerves." She coughed and handed it back to him. "God that's awful. How can you smoke them?"
"I've been smoking for a long time. You won't be taking it up while I'm away then."
"No, dear."
"Glad to hear it, lassie. You know I'm an autocratic bully."
Mary buried her face in his shoulder and held him tightly. "You're not. You're the kindest man in the world," she choked.
Biggles put his arms around her. "I've never been described as kind before," he said quietly. "But you promised me, no tears."
"I'm sorry." He tightened his arms as she fought for control. Her hands clutched at the back of his tunic, her fingers white under the strain. Gently he kissed the top of her head. "You can do it you know."
The clock ticked by the minutes. Biggles continued to talk softly, saying anything that came into his mind. Mary relaxed, soothed by the sound of his voice.
The train gave a scream of impatience. "All aboard!" The passengers started to make their way into the carriages. "I wish there was something special I could give you," Mary said suddenly.
"You have given me something special, darling," he smiled.
"Oy! There's a war on, you know," Algy called, as the others boarded the train.
"See you in a few weeks." Biggles gave Mary a lingering kiss, before picking up his bag and turning away and boarding the train. Mary watched them go.
.
.
There was a flurry of movement and the sound of running footsteps. "Ginger!" a voice called, and a figure pushed through the crowd.
A window was flung open and Ginger's red head appeared. "Jeanette!" He leaned out of the window and she ran to him. He nearly fell out of the window as he kissed her passionately.
With a hiss and a snort the train began to move. Ginger was pulled back through the window by the laughing men and released Jeanette safely.
Jeanette stood crying. Mary could see Biggles standing behind Ginger. He raised his hand in silent farewell and she returned the salute; a lonely little figure in the sea of humanity. She walked over and put her arms around Jeanette as the train disappeared around a bend. "Come and get a cuppa."
