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Chapter 6

A Pleasant Diversion

1220 – Hereford, UK

Elvis spun around and was greeted by the erect posture of his lieutenant. "Stand easy." The captain said. "Fancy joinin us?"

"I would indeed sir. Thank you sir." Spanner said, setting his tray down as he pulled out a chair next to Elvis.

"Not using a can any longer I see." Georgie said smiling.

"No. I'm happy to just be using my own two feet." Spanner said, clearly delighted with his progress. Elvis nodded and looked at Georgie. He knew she was relieved they had a pleasant diversion at the moment.

"This meat looks like a piece of rubber." Spanner said trying to poke his fork through it. The couple laughed.

"It is." Elvis said. "Might dislocate your jaw if ya try to chew it."

Spanner looked at his captain's tray and the barely touched piece of white matter just lying there. Georgie sputtered a laugh as she opened the second carton of milk. "Go for the soup mate." Elvis suggested.

"Brilliant idea boss. You two need anything?" Spanner asked, draping a napkin over the wretched piece of meat.

"Nah, good yeah." Georgie said. Elvis waved a dismissive hand as his eyes slid to her. She peered at him from over the carton rim as she took a sip.

"Just tell me one thing and then I'll leave it till later." He said quietly, making certain that Spanner was out of ear shot. Georgie pressed her eyes closed and fondled the carton.

"Go on."

"Did you 'ave any encounters with him?"

"Elvis. No! I was there for medic training. He was there for inspections. For some reason he took issue with the recruit."

Elvis' gaze dropped to her hands fondling the milk carton then back to her face. "Good." He sat back as Spanner rejoined them.

"How are those plans going?" Georgie asked, welcoming a fresh conversation. Spanner grinned.

"Well Toni is quite the planner." He said stirring his soup.

"No surprise there." She said.

"Nah. How about you two? Certainly got to task straight away didn't ya?" Spanner said elbowing Elvis. The couple grinned and looked at each other. Elvis slid his foot, touching his boot tip to Georgie's.

"Reckon I might have some issues with dress fittings for the wedding." She said tapping Elvis' boot with her own.

"Yeah that's what Toni was saying." Spanner said smiling. Elvis' eyes were playful and Georgie tried to casually drink her milk, all the while tapping her husband's boot. Spanner swiped bread all around the inside of his soup bowl and relished his last bite. "She's makin me mad over all the details and shit." He said.

"It's a very special day." Georgie said, looking up at Elvis, noticing the thin smile of regret on his face, which she quickly turned around. "Whenever it happens. It is a day you both will always remember." Her words were sincere and Elvis' expression softened. He smiled at her warmly, slowly nodding his head in agreement.

"How did Laura take to the news she's going to be a big sister?" Spanner asked.

"Took it quite well actually. I was concerned she would think it all happened because she went away on holiday, but nah, she fancied the idea of bein a big sister. We made it sound as though she was gettin a promotion." Elvis said.

"Yeah. Elvis' parents always kept the idea open with her that someday she would have siblings." Georgie added.

"Good on you." Spanner said, wiping his beard. "You don't know if it's male or female?"

"No. No, it's too early." Georgie said.

"Have ya gotten your range clearances yet boss?"

"Negative." Elvis answered with a sour expression. "I 'ave to jump through one more hoop of an examination then I'm good to go. Full duty."

Full duty….. Georgie shuddered to think that could mean active duty if Elvis' superiors deemed it necessary. She did not even want to think of the possibilities. Hopefully this bullshit with Jones will blow over. She knows Elvis will protect himself with credible evidence should a formal inquiry develop, but they just do not need this now, what with him recovering and she pregnant. They just wanted to be back home and enjoy their life in Hereford. He was doing his duty. This complaint was blown out of proportion and laughable in light of what the self-righteous colonel had done. She drifted away from her musings and noticed Elvis looking at her. Even after all this time together and being happily married, her heart still lurched when their eyes met. She knew he was reading her mind. She could almost hear him saying, I know what's going on inside yer head." His handsome face smiled tentatively.

"Chow times over corporal. We 'ave to head out."

Georgie smiled. They were married but on military ground and there were other soldiers nearby. Elvis stood and pressed a hand on Spanner's shoulder. "I'll make contact with ya later." He said.

"Roger boss."

As the couple bundled up and walked out of the mess Georgie said, "Make contact."

"That's right."

She stared at him hard.

"Unfinished business." He said giving her a quick glance.

"Unfinished business. Elvis do not go digging!"

"Who said anythin about diggin?"

"I did. I know who you are! You'll be like a dog digging for a damn bone!"

He laughed. "Wha' breed do ya reckon?"

She glared at him but the corners of her mouth were at war with her resolve to be angry with him. "Keep it up and I'm going shopping tomorrow for a dog house." She picked up her pace and pulled away from him.

"Oi! Am I goin to the dog house then?" He called after her, then chuckled. He met up with her easily with full strides. "Come on! George. Listen to me! It's not what ya think. Don't worry. I have no intention of jeopardizing my career. Our life together is too important to me. I am not risking anything for that fuckin bastard. I promise."

She looked up at him. He never lied to her. She knew he wanted to keep her safe. "I know." She said simply.