The four days passed quickly. A troop transport picked everyone up after breakfast and took them off to the 'victim's' premises. Tommy, the injured instructor, had turned up to watch. His left forearm was in plaster and there were scabs on his face from his accident, but other than that he seemed quite well recovered. The trainees were paired up then sent in to see if they could penetrate the defences.

The first business, a garage, was relatively easy. It had an old safe with tumblers that settled with a satisfying click when you got to the right number. Access to the office was a single door with a simple lock.

Everyone managed both door and safe, much to Tommy's surprise. "Didn't expect Leo to get that right. He was like a rabbit in the headlights when we covered this stuff in class two weeks ago."

Casino had been pleased too. It was Leo he'd labelled as the 'no-hoper' when he'd picked up the training.

The second place was more of a challenge. It belonged to an insurance company and had two safes and three doors to negotiate. Five of the eight managed to crack both safes, but only two finished in the time limit Casino had set for them. "Just remember," he reminded everyone. "In the field you screw up and the next thing you know you'll be lying on the floor with a bullet through your brains."

The third challenge was a solicitor's office. Just a single safe, but with a modern and sophisticated mechanism. The time was tighter too with only Anna, the 'natural', getting out in time. Casino was worried about her though – she was getting too cocky. With time on his hands, he sent everyone in again – and this time he was going to join in the role play himself.

Seven down, one to go. Leaving Tommy to debrief the previous student and send Anna into the office to try again, Casino pretended he was heading for the gents. Doubling back, he ducked into the office and concealed himself behind a set of long curtains and a filing cabinet. He heard the scratching at the door as she picked the lock, then it swung open. He could just see the red-haired woman as she crossed the office to the safe. She hadn't paid any attention to what, or who, might be in the room.

He watched and waited as she quickly dialled the numbers – at that speed she must have memorised the combination from her first attempt. She pulled the 'document' she'd been sent to collect out of the safe, shut its door and turned to head out. Casino jumped from his cover, grabbed her by the throat from behind and thrust the barrel of his gun against the back of her head.

Anna screamed loudly, causing Tommy to throw open the office door and reveal the scene inside to the other trainees.

"Bang, you're dead." Casino released his hold and put the gun back into the waistband of his pants. Anna spun round and tried to slap him across the face, but he was too quick and caught her arm in a vice-like grip. He stared her down then let her go again.

"Remember. This isn't a game. In a few weeks you'll be out there doin' this for real and I can tell you the Krauts won't be shooting blanks."

It was a somewhat subdued bunch of people that made their way to the transport. Even Tommy seemed affected - he hadn't thought much about what would happen to the men and women who passed through his hands on the courses.

"Did you have to do that?" he asked, finally.

"Better they learn now, baby. They'll not last long if they don't." Casino hesitated. "What did you do before the war?" The slightly built man clearly understood his subject but just as obviously had never fought in his life.

"I worked for the company that makes a lot of these safes and locks. They decided I was more use as an instructor than with a gun in my hand."

Thursday was their 'bank job' and for this one Casino ran a briefing. In some ways it made him feel home sick for the team back at the Mansion. There was that sense of anticipation and fear when the Warden laid out the plans for each mission. They might whine about the jobs, but the adrenaline rush was addictive.

The Bank had provided plans for the building. What they hadn't done was give any details of what might face the apprentices. It would be interesting to see how each team did. Casino had split them into two groups of four – this was less about actually getting into the safe itself, than to do with anticipating what they might find and how to deal with each challenge.

Deliberately he'd given Anna's team the least competent student, Leo, curious as to how he would be deployed. Would he be their lookout? Would he be searching for the 'booby traps' that had been laid? It was as much an exercise in man management as in breaking and entering.

Anna was certainly more subdued than she had been the previous day, but still inclined to try and take everything on herself rather than delegate and even though Leo was coming up with some good ideas she wasn't really listening. The second team though were working well together, with clear areas of responsibilities.

Not surprisingly Team B won the day. They'd lost out slightly on time but had successfully disabled all the alarms. Team A, Anna's team had been quick – but they'd also missed two of the alarms and if the raid had been for real would have been well and truly caught.

Casino breathed a sigh of relief. Things had gone well. Just one more day's training before he could hand the baton back. With Friday being the last day of the course it would only be a morning exercise so that everyone could get away in daylight and for this final session they'd managed to borrow a state-of-the-art safe from the manufacturers. It had been put into the lower room of one of the towers, protected by a single door with security locks. The safe had tested even Casino's skills and he wasn't expecting anyone, except possibly Anna, to crack it.

"So that's what you do for a living?"

Casino looked around in surprise. He'd been so absorbed in his task that he hadn't heard Kat's approach. She was leaning on the door jamb and had been watching him as he worked. He glanced at his watch, realising that he'd almost left it too late to walk her to the bus. Abandoning what he was doing he grabbed his coat, gave Kat a quick kiss and taking her by the hand led the way out of the tower.

Next morning, the final session panned out just as Casino expected. Leo didn't even bother with the trial – he was happy to stand back and watch, knowing that this was one skill he wouldn't be trying to use if, and when, he finally went into the field. All the others managed the locks with various degrees of skill and most of the others partially cracked the safe. Only Anna penetrated it.

Casino wasn't unhappy. She'd learned her lesson and would be a much better field officer as a result. She even went so far as to thank him before taking her leave. Tommy was the last to go.

"Think you can run this show on your own now?"

The young British man shook his head, finding the prospect daunting. "Sure you don't want to stay?"

"Nah, not enough excitement."

"Had to ask," replied Tommy philosophically. "Seriously, what you've done is good. I might need a bit of help with the 'live' sessions, but I think we should be able to put on something pretty similar."

G G G

Casino went back to his room. The euphoria he'd experienced on finishing the course was draining away fast, leaving him feeling hollow – and slightly afraid of the return of his demons. The nightmares had certainly reduced in number and severity. Tomorrow he would return to the Mansion. Was he really ready for the stresses another mission would bring? No doubt he would find out soon enough.

'You could leave tonight...' The alter ego was back, starting to feed negative thoughts. It might be for the best. The only reason for staying was one last walk with Kat, but where would that get him? It was unlikely they would meet again... besides, he was too old for her... and a con to boot.

He stayed. Eventually the clock ticked round until it was time to meet Kat for that final walk and shrugging on his overcoat he made his way down to the hallway. She was sitting waiting for him, perched on a wooden settle that had seen better days, her coat laid across her knees. She didn't look to be in any hurry to leave.

"I thought we might have one last fish supper."

Such a simple statement, but one that meant the world to Casino. One last evening.

It was too early to eat, so they went to the library. Someone had lit the fire, but it was struggling. Maybe wet logs? Maybe just not built right? Whatever it was it gave Casino something to concentrate on, restacking the logs while he settled his thoughts.

Kat had sat on the sofa in the same place she'd sat the previous Sunday. She looked uncomfortable for some reason and was toying with a loose thread on one of the cushions.

Casino felt there was something she wanted to say, but he had no idea what it was and she wasn't yet ready to let him know. That was fine. He was used to waiting. If there was one thing he'd learned from working with Actor and Garrison it was the power of patience.

"How about we take a walk after we eat, and you can say what you want to say then. Everything's easier on a full stomach."

Kat laughed. He was right of course. "OK, so tell me about how things went." She'd been curious all week about how the 'break-ins' had gone, but Charlie hadn't mentioned them at all as they'd walked to the bus each day – although rumours on the grapevine had hinted at a few shenanigans.

The story, slightly embellished he had to admit, had Kat in stitches. He'd acted out quite a few of the scenes for her, making what could have been quite a dry tale come alive. Suddenly he looked at his watch and grabbed her by the hand.

"Sh..." He stopped himself in time. "We're late. Come on." He grabbed Kat's coat and threw it over to her before picking up his own and putting it on as they ran down the path to the rear gates. Skidding to a halt, slightly breathless, Casino could see they didn't need to have worried – in contrast to the previous week it was almost deserted.

"I could have told you there was no rush tonight," Kat managed to gasp. "Most people go home on the changeover weekend. I'm surprised it's worth their while coming at all."

This was one British institution he could get used to, thought Casino as he swallowed the last salty, vinegary chip and put their papers into the dustbin positioned conveniently close to where everyone ate their food. The only trouble with the salt was it made him thirsty. "Will the bar be open? I could kill for a beer."

"I'd imagine so. Not sure it ever closes. We're a hard bunch here."

The bar was indeed open, although almost deserted. Casino got them beers since there was no red wine again and carried them to a quiet corner table. Lighting a cigarette, which Kat refused, he stretched his legs and leant back in contentment.

"What are the other men like that you work with?" Kat's question took Casino by surprise.

"No angels, any of us, I can tell you. There's a half-breed Indian that's wedded to his switch blade... he's our scout and car man. Then there's an old guy who's one of the best con men in Europe and a little Limey pickpocket and cat burglar. He'd steal his grandmother's teeth if you didn't watch him."

"You said there was another one at the beginning, one that didn't come back from the first mission?"

Casino stubbed out his cigarette, thought about lighting another then cancelled the thought. He'd been smoking less while he'd been here. No point in making it worse again. He took a swig of his beer instead. It was warm tonight and slightly stale. "Yeah, Wheeler. We figure Chief killed him. Some sort of fight over money."

Kat took a mouthful of her own beer, grimaced and put it down on the table. She wasn't enjoying it much tonight.

"So, you all get paroles once the war is over. What will you do then?"

"The duration and six months... if we keep our noses clean," replied Casino automatically, not answering the question. To be honest, he had no idea. Probably go back to what he was doing before the war. It paid good money if you didn't get caught... and if things were like they were after the last war there wouldn't be many jobs for people like him. "Can't see that happening," he said finally.

Casino's ebullient mood from earlier had melted away.

"You gonna drink that?" he asked, looking at Kat's half-empty glass. She shook her head, wishing she'd never started this conversation. It hadn't gone the way she'd expected, and she'd only asked the questions to avoid talking about herself.

"Ready to go back?" It was time to get this over and done with. Things had been pretty good between them but now he'd gone and driven her off. What was worse was that he knew he'd done it deliberately.

Kat nodded and picked up her coat, keen to get back into the open air. They started walking back towards the house, then she stopped.

"Were you trying to put me off? Make out you're a scumbag that no woman would go near? Why now? You could have simply kissed me goodnight then walked away tomorrow without looking back."

Casino's voice was gruff with emotion when he responded. "Because I like you too much if you want the truth. But I don't want you pretending I'm something that I'm not."

"Charlie, I'm not a fool. I know what you are and the sort of things you've done." She took both of his hands. Noticing again what fine hands he had for such a strong man and how fascinated she'd been watching the delicate way he manipulated the safe dials when preparing the equipment for his students. She reached up and planted a small kiss on the underside of his jaw.

Casino's response was immediate as he dropped Kat's hands so he could wrap her in his arms and put his mouth to hers. They stayed locked together for quite some time – until a cat call from a couple of soldiers brought them to their senses.

"When are you leaving?"

"There's a train mid-morning... Why?"

"Because I want to spend the night with you... if you'll let me."

"You sure about this?" Even now, Casino was giving Kat the chance to change her mind.

"I'm sure," replied Kat steadily.

G G G

Since his arrival, Casino hadn't really thought about how luxurious his accommodation might be, but Kat's reaction when she saw where he'd been housed made Casino look at it anew. At least it was private and there'd be little chance of her bumping into anyone who knew her.

He ushered her into the room, closed the door behind them and turned the key in the lock. The room was pitch black, but he knew his way to the bedside lamp and flipped it on to throw a sympathetic dull light across the space. To have used the overhead light might have broken the mood between himself and Kat, something he didn't want to risk.

Casino had his feelings under control now, but he was unsure about Kat's reactions. Would she change her mind when faced with the reality of being alone with him? He kissed her again, gently, always giving her space. His coat, tie and jacket were thrown onto a chair. He kissed her again, removing her overcoat then moving away. His boots went under a chair. Then he waited, watching. Hesitantly, Kat removed her shoes and moved to the bed where she sat with her knees tucked up, wrapped in her arms, unsure of what to do next. Casino joined her, stroking her arm gently until she gradually relaxed and lay alongside him. Casino switched out the light.

In the darkened room, Kat found the courage to start to unbutton Casino's shirt, her fingers brushing against the smooth skin of his shoulder. She stopped and tentatively investigated the scar in more detail.

"Bullet," was the terse explanation.

"Does it hurt?"

"Not any more," Casino rebutted. He didn't want to think about what wounds he'd collected over the years and months.

Kat took the hint and dropped the subject and instead, snuggled into his arms, finally ready to finish the story she'd wanted to tell at the start of the evening.

"You asked if I'd a boyfriend and I said 'no'. That's true. Franco's best friend at school was the son of the headmaster at the boy's grammar school. His name was David and I fancied him from when I was twelve. He first asked me out when he was eighteen and I was fifteen. I was flattered, overawed and would have done anything he wanted."

"His parents made it clear that I wasn't classy enough for their golden boy, but I ignored them. David loved me, we would get married and have a family. Wasn't that what happened?"

"What actually happened was that Franco and David joined the navy and went to war. Franco went to Portsmouth, David to convoy duty in the Atlantic."

"Each time David came home on leave he was more distant, making excuses over how tired and stressed he was. But it wasn't the only problem. He kept pushing me to let him make love to me, saying if I loved him I should show him I meant it. He made me feel guilty – so in the end I gave way, thinking it would fix everything, we'd get engaged, get married on his next leave."

"It was Franco that brought me the news. David wouldn't be getting engaged – at least, not to me. He'd been seeing a Wren in Liverpool for at least a year - one with a well-connected daddy. She was now the one with a ring on her finger."

"'Why didn't you tell me before?' I threw at Franco."

"'You don't rat on friends,' was his reply. 'He said you weren't serious, that you knew how things were. You weren't sleeping together after all, were you?'"

"'No,' I said."

Casino cursed under his breath, angry at how Kat had been misled for the last five years. He pulled her closer to him, wanting to kiss away the hurt.

They fell asleep in a tangle of legs and arms.

Casino awoke in the early hours of the morning realising that for the first time in weeks he hadn't woken sweating from his nightmares. Kat was still sleeping deeply, smelling slightly of sweat and their loving. It was a heady combination, but despite the temptation he stayed the impulse to touch her again. He drifted back to sleep lulled by the rhythm of her steady breathing.

G G G

If only he could stay here for ever. They'd made love for a second time as dawn had been breaking outside. Afterwards, Kat had fallen asleep sprawled across his chest, making breathing a bit of an effort, but Casino was in no hurry to move. Glancing at his watch though he realised that he couldn't stay in bed much longer if he was to be back at the Mansion late afternoon.

"Wake up sleepyhead."

An eye peered at him through a curtain of wavy black hair, followed by a slight groan. Kat grasped his wrist and checked the time for herself then sat bolt upright in horror.

"That can't be the time, can it?"

"Yeah. Should still have time for a shower and be able to grab a slice of toast before the bus comes."

Kat started to climb out of bed making Casino reconsider his options, but he gave himself a strict talking to and headed for the bathroom. Twenty minutes later he was hurrying down the drive, kitbag slung over one shoulder, Kat trotting at his side trying, and failing, to match his long stride. He'd tried, and failed, to persuade her to stay in his room and get some extra sleep. She was having none of it. Not just that, she was coming to the station too.

They spent the journey coming up with a few plans for keeping in touch. Casino was under no illusions that it would be easy. Leave was as rare as hen's teeth and could get cancelled at a moment's notice if something came up but, he'd decided last night, he'd see where this friendship took him.

Kat stood watching and waving until the train disappeared round the bend, wending its smoky way towards Basingstoke. Sadly, she made her way back to where the bus was waiting. Like Casino she knew her chances of a settled relationship with the American were almost none, but it was a chance she was willing to take.

G G G

It was late afternoon when Casino finally climbed out of the train at the station nearest the Mansion. He was tired, dirty and hungry from the journey. He'd managed to grab a sandwich when he changed trains. He'd picked up a colour postcard too, which was sitting on his knee now. He'd scribbled a simple message. 'Arrived on time. Thank you, xx C.' He slipped the card into the post box by the ticket office as he stepped out onto the forecourt.

"Took your time, didn't you?" Chief was waiting for him in Garrison's jeep. The Indian was looking cold – he'd obviously been waiting some time.

"When'd yer get back?" Casino threw his kitbag onto the backseats and climbed in beside the other man.

"This morning. We're off out again tonight. Just waiting on the Warden getting back from HQ."

"Jeez. Who do they think we are?" Casino leant back and closed his eyes. Yep, he was back in the real world now.