Holly looked over at Trent;
"my dad?"
The train continued to chug down the tracks while rocking them back and forth.
Trent nodded, with a smile;
"yup – everyone who knows about the war, has heard of Thomas Duffy".
Frowning a little, Holly looked across at Winters;
"that recruitment officer". She mumbled, "I should have asked him".
"You don't know?" Trent asked, with a frown of his own, "Christ, how do you not know?"
Winters cleared his throat;
"Thomas Duffy passed away when Holly was two, Trent". He explained quietly, "Holly never got the opportunity to find out".
"Well, he's sure famous, Holly". Trent said with a smile, "he's really brave".
"Yeah". Zerbe added, "your King awarded him the Victoria Cross".
Holly frowned;
"what?" She whispered.
Trent grinned;
"man…what a guy". He said, "he was only a Private and he led a whole Platoon across no man's land. The Krauts killed the NCO's and the Officer. So, Thomas Duffy took over-"
"and then led them into victory". Zerbe finished, "they got into the Krauts line, took a few maps, killed a shit ton of Krauts-"
"and made it back across no man's land-"
"getting back to their trench safely".
Blinking a few times, Holly frowned;
"that…that happened?"
Trent nodded;
"God, what a guy". Trent said, "and now…I'm meeting his daughter? That's crazy".
Holly's eyes softened.
And she felt a weight press up against her chest, almost crushing her heart. With a lump in her throat, she stared up at Trent in pure wonderment.
"He did that?" Holly whispered. "He really did that?"
Trent, still smiling, nodded;
"yup – he really did, Holly".
Feeling her eyes sting, she looked away from Trent.
Taking in a deep breath, Holly faced the window, watching raindrops trickle down the glass. The men inside the compartment started to talk about Camp Croft and what training might be like. They also learned that Trent was married to a woman named Dorothy. But Holly was in a little world of her own. With information about her dad, she felt so close to him. More than she had ever felt in her life. Her father was a war hero.
Holly's lips twitched.
It was truly amazing.
Winters eyes flickered towards Holly, who was staring out of the window with a thoughtful look. He felt himself frown a little while reaching over to gently graze his fingers along her hand. Blinking a few times, Holly's stare broke from the window and she turned to look at Winters instead. Smiling small, the young man sat back against the seat.
"I'm Catholic". Trent was telling them, "so's Dorothy. We had a great wedding".
"I go to Church". Winters said, "I'm a Christian".
Trent smirked;
"let's not go to war on each other, huh?"
Winters chuckled;
"oh, I don't fight over religion, Trent".
"Some folks are weird like that". Zerbe pointed out, "thinking everyone's 'gotta practice the same religion – it's crap, huh?"
Winters shrugged;
"you can't please everyone, Eugene. It's how you react, that's what counts".
"I think folk should set an example for kids". Zerbe went on, "so should your friends and family. I couldn't be friends with a fascist".
Trent smirked;
"Hitler's got a lot of buddies".
Zerbe snorted;
"that's cause Adolf's buddies are just as nuts as he is".
"There's a funny thing going around about him". Holly added, "about Hitler".
"Yeah? What's that?" Trent asked her curiously.
Smirking, she said;
"that he's a shit painter".
The other three chuckled quietly.
"Wait". Zerbe said, "that nut-job paints?"
Holly shrugged;
"no idea, Eugene. My old boss told me".
"Where'd you work, Holly?" He asked.
"At a vet clinic, under Mr Stevenson".
Trent raised an eyebrow;
"I've heard some shady shit about him".
Holly snorted;
"yeah…same". She said, "best not talk about it, eh? Could get us into trouble".
Winters sighed;
"Holly, do you honestly think I believed you when you told me that?"
"It's true, Dick". She told him, "and he repaid the favour, didn't he? So, it's forgotten about now".
Trent let out a nervous laugh;
"just rumours…right?"
Looking at him, Holly nodded;
"aw, yeah – for sure…don't worry, mate".
When Trent let out a little sigh of relief, Holly grinned at Winters.
Who then shook his head;
"anyway…when did you get married, Trent?"
"Uh – few months ago". He replied, "Dorothy's great…she's a good person. Really caring and kind. She helps out with the old folks and goes around their houses to care for them".
Winters smiled;
"that is nice, Trent".
"Yeah, she's always putting other's before herself". Trent said, "including me…poor Dorothy".
Zerbe smirked;
"can't imagine a tougher job, pal".
Trent laughed;
"wow, thanks, Eugene".
Zerbe looked over at Holly;
"think your big guy will send us Yanks in?"
Holly frowned, looking confused;
"what?"
He smirked;
"your big guy…Churchill…think he'll get us involved?"
Holly shrugged;
"not even sure if he's asked for help yet, mate".
Zerbe looked at the other two;
"best be preparing ourselves…it won't be long until we're fighting the Huns".
Trent sighed;
"you don't know that, Eugene". He argued quietly, "America might stay out of it".
"London and Liverpool got the hell bombed out of them". Zerbe said, "you read that? All those folks dying, losing their homes and businesses". He sighed, "it's a damn sin".
Holly looked over at Zerbe;
"yeah…I heard". She said lowly.
He raised his eyebrow;
"so, how come you're fighting with us and not with them, Holly?"
She shrugged;
"I was accepted to train here, Eugene".
He snorted;
"your lot got us into this mess-"
"hey". Winters cut him off, "that's not what happened, Eugene and you know it".
"Yeah, Britain had to step in 'cause the Krauts invaded Poland". Trent added, "it ain't their fault, Eugene".
Shrugging, Zerbe brought out another cigarette;
"you won't be so pally with Holly Duffy when we go to war".
Frowning, Holly looked over at Winters.
He smiled at her, assuring Holly that everything would be fine.
"You know, we've got eight hours to go". Trent informed them, "it should take us ten hours to reach South Carolina".
"Ten?" Holly asked, eyes a little wide. "Jesus…".
He chuckled;
"are you forgetting how huge America is, Holly?"
She snorted;
"looks like it, eh?" Holly then added, "if you travelled from Dumfries to Wick, it would take less time. And Wick is pretty much at the top of Scotland. You can see Norway from Wick".
"Ever been to Wick?" Winters asked.
She shook her head;
"too much travelling".
They both shared a grin.
"Well, after spending ten hours on a train, would you be willing to try?"
Holly shrugged;
"depends on who's driving, Dick".
"You can't drive". Winters pointed out, "so, looks like I'll be driving".
"Good of you to offer, Dick". She said, "you like little villages? Cause there isn't a lot in Wick".
He shrugged;
"sounds like a good getaway for some peace and quiet".
"Here's a deal". She said, "if we end up fighting the Jerry's and we survive, we'll take a trip to Wick for some peace and quiet".
Smiling, Winters reached for her hand;
"deal".
Smiling back, Holly shook his hand;
"and you drive?"
"Yup – I'll drive".
"Brilliant".
"Sandwich?" Trent butted in, "I made sandwiches".
Winters passed;
"I'm fine, thanks".
Holly curiously looked at the wrapped sandwiches;
"what's on them, mate?"
"Uh – ham, cheese, butter…pickles-"
"aye, suits me".
Trent handed her a wrapped sandwich.
"I've brought some other snacks along too". He told her, "I even brought cola – hey, do you like Hershey's? And I also got those gummy snakes".
A bright smile lifted Holly's face;
"you've saved this trip, Trent".
…
Camp Croft was one of the original Replacement Training Centres established by the army in 1940. It was very large, serving as a mini-city for the enlisted men. At Camp Croft, it had everything a soldier would need to get by. A large mess hall, two-story barracks where they would sleep, post exchange buildings where they could buy treats or relax on a day off. And more importantly, training equipment. Assault courses, running tracks and sporting gear.
It was all very overwhelming for a newbie. Someone who hadn't seen an army base before, stared at their surroundings with wide eyes and wonderment – with perhaps, a tiny amount of fear for what was to come. The men were sorted out into Platoons, where they would be drilled in all things soldier by their Sargent. Holly and Winters were lucky enough to be together, along with fifty-three other men.
Sargent Slusher was in charge of their Platoon. He was a tall, thirty-something man, who wore a stern expression. And he looked at his new recruits up and down, as if they were nothing but a piece of shit. His first order was for his men to stand at attention. And from there, he walked up and down the line, taking in each man. He corrected postures, called out some men for their messy shirts and trousers. And then he stopped at Trent.
"What the hell is this, son?"
Blinking a few times, Trent looked down at his shirt.
"Crumbs, Sargent". He replied, "I ate a sandwich on the train-"
"you think you can kill the enemy with crumbs, boy?!" Slusher roared, "dammit! You're messier than a fucking soup sandwich!"
He then grabbed Trent's jaw;
"what the hell is this?!" He yelled, "what the hell did you shave with, Private?! A bowl of milk and an angry cat!"
Slusher let go of his jaw and shook his head;
"dammit, Private. We ain't 'gonna get along, are we?!"
Taking a step back, Slusher then addressed everyone;
"alright, you wide-eyed kids – listen up!" He said, "move on to PX, there, you will be issued your uniform and then you will pay the barber to cut your hair!" Slusher told them, "after, we will move to your barracks, where I will personally show you how to take care of your sleeping space – up to it, boys!" He yelled, "I want all this done by sundown!"
There was a lot of information to take in upon arriving at Croft.
Uniforms were hurriedly handed over to them, with boots on the top. Soon after, they were sitting down and getting their hair chopped off by a barber, who smoked cigarette after cigarette, not caring if any ash got on their heads. When Holly sat down, the barber took out her hairband and shook his head;
"only a little". He said, "I ain't required to cut your hair".
Holly shrugged;
"I don't mind, just do it".
He raised an eyebrow;
"you serious, doll?"
"Yup". Holly confirmed, "and it's Holly, eh?"
The barber snorted;
"yeah, you're alright". He said, "let's turn it into something good, huh?"
Holly's hair used to reach her waist but now she could feel the cold reach her ears. The barber gave her the same haircut the other men had received. And when she looked in the mirror, Holly almost didn't recognize herself. Frowning, she quickly put her cap on. The barber gave her a sympathetic look;
"you still look pretty".
Holly huffed softly;
"yeah…okay".
Getting off the chair, Holly handed the man money.
And he took it, with a regretful look;
"thanks, Holly".
"It's alright, mate". She mumbled softly.
Lighting another cigarette, he asked her;
"what're you doing here anyway's?"
Holly shrugged;
"no idea".
He snorted with a smirk;
"well, I hope you survive this shit, Holly. Cause it ain't easy".
Leave the PX barrack, Holly met up with the other men from her Platoon outside. She almost felt embarrassed by her haircut and Winters didn't mention it, fearing he would make her feel worse. Trent did, however;
"it don't look so bad on a girl".
Winters sighed;
"Trent…".
He frowned;
"what? I'm only telling the truth, Dick".
Holly bit down on her lip;
"my ears are cold".
Trent snorted;
"yeah…I feel that too, Holly".
With Holly's new haircut, it took a lot of attention away from her. And she felt relieved, now that she had blended in with the rest of the men. Slusher led his Platoon to their new home for the next three days; a two-story barrack. There, he placed up a schedule, reminding his men when each activity took place throughout the day. And with that said, he added;
"sick call is held every morning. If you are ever sick or feel you need medical attention, report to me, where you'll then be given an examination from one of our physicians. Let me be clear, if you are sick and you miss too much training, you will be moved to another Platoon, where you will begin training all over again – clear?"
"Yes, Sargent". They called back.
"Alright, this is only your temporary barrack. You will be kept under quarantine for three days to rule out meningitis. If you end up having that infection, then congratulations. You've just infected fifty-four men".
Holly's nose twitched.
She took a tiny step away from the man next to her.
"Change into your uniforms. I will come back in thirty minutes to escort all you lovely ladies for supper". Slusher said, with a hint of teasing.
After a mad rush, it felt relaxing when their Sargent left the barrack.
So much so, that Holly let out a long sigh and sat down on the edge of her bed.
"Jesus". Trent said with a whistle at the end, "he's some guy, huh?"
Winters smiled;
"I'm sure he's charming".
Holly huffed out a laugh;
"he's about as charming as Liz".
He ended up chuckling;
"come on, Holly…no one is as bad as her".
She sighed;
"true".
Trent frowned;
"who's Liz?"
"My cousin". Holly mumbled, "she's brilliant".
Winters smirked;
"she's really not…me and Holly are roommates". He explained to Trent, "have been for over two years".
"Yeah, we had a flat above the grocer". Holly added, "with only two neighbours".
Trent smiled;
"must have been quiet, huh?"
The two roommates answered at the same time;
"no".
Trent chuckled;
"well…at least you both get along, huh?"
"Yeah, we do". Winters said with a smile, "we decided to do this together".
Trent nodded;
"Must have the same spirit as him, Holly".
Holly frowned;
"my dad?"
He nodded;
"of course, Holly…the brass is 'gonna expect you to be just like him".
Her frown deepened;
"that's not 'gonna happen". She mumbled, "by the sounds of it, I'm nothing like dad".
Trent sent her a tiny smile;
"wouldn't be fair if they expected that from you, Holly. You are your own person, after all".
He then added lightly;
"but it's great meeting you…and I'm sorry about your dad".
They changed into their uniforms and hung up the rest. Thirty minutes on the dot and Slusher had them all quickly moving out of the barrack and towards a very busy mess hall. The line went as far as outside, they could only wait until their turn. Holly was never one to complain about the food or skip a meal but after a very overwhelming day, she had lost her appetite.
Winters frowned, thinking something was seriously wrong;
"oh, God…what is it?"
Holly shrugged;
"just not hungry".
"Why? What's wrong?" He asked, slightly alarmed.
Clearing her throat, Holly looked at him;
"I feel fine, Dick…just been a weird day, you know?"
His alert expression softened;
"I get it". Winters mumbled softly, "but we've got a busy morning ahead of us, Holly. You'd be better off eating this meal for energy".
He then added;
"besides, you'll get hungry later on and you ate all the snacks with Trent".
Trent grinned;
"yeah, we did!" He exclaimed, "good work, Holly".
Winters chuckled. He could tell they were going to get along with Trent.
Entering the mess hall, they could smell the grease and whatever was cooking away in the kitchen. Taking a tray, the cooks placed the food onto them, where they then quickly moved away from the line and found a bench to sit down at. For their first supper, they were having potatoes, beans, chicken and vegetables.
And Holly decided to give it a try.
She discovered that the meal wasn't so bad.
In fact, it tasted nice.
"It's really good". She said, sounding surprised.
"It is". Trent agreed, who had almost finished his beans, "just like mom's cooking".
"I wouldn't go that far". Winters commented with a smirk, "more like…Holly's cooking".
Eyes widening, Holly huffed;
"you cheeky bugger". She said, "that's…wars changed you, Dick Winters".
Winters chuckled;
"I'm sorry".
Holly shrugged;
"I'll see about forgiving you".
He smiled;
"thank you".
"Alright, stop flirting with me".
After supper, they had a few hours before lights out.
Changing into her nightclothes, Holly got into bed.
"What if you don't 'wanna be a specialist? What if you just 'wanna be a rifleman?" Trent was asking Winters and Holly, "I don't think I'd be a good medic, that's for sure. I couldn't be a radioman either".
"See how it goes, Trent". Winters said, "you might change your mind after thirteen weeks".
Slusher had explained that they could pick one of six specialities to learn more about.
But that was after basic training.
"What about you, Holly?" Trent asked, while pulled on his night-shirt.
She shrugged;
"I don't know". Holly mumbled, "just have to wait and see I guess".
Winters pulled back his blanket and got into bed;
"Slusher said he has a surprise for us tomorrow".
Trent almost shuddered;
"I don't like the sound of that".
Holly smiled;
"me neither". She agreed, "bet it's so nasty".
Winters sighed;
"I'm sure it is, Holly".
At exactly 2100 hours, Slusher came into the barrack;
"lights out!" He called, before turning off the main light. "I'll see you ladies in the morning – goodnight!"
"Goodnight, Sargent!"
Slusher smiled into the darkness.
Before he closed the door and let his men sleep.
Holly managed to fall asleep fairly quickly but ended up waking up at around eleven, to the sound of a bugle playing. It was a little strange and she was sure every man had woken up to the sound of the lonely instrument. But when it ended, they all somehow managed to fall back asleep again, each anxious for their "surprise" in the morning.