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Chapter 10

Selection Processes

1830 – Hereford, UK

Elvis and Georgie were en route to Forester's Pub looking forward to a time well spent with their mates. Georgie was thrilled that Toni wanted her opinion on the wedding dresses. Elvis smiled as his wife went on and on, hands moving, full of energy, clearly delighted. Georgie had her mum and sisters to share with as she had prepared to wed. Toni really had no one. Her parents had since passed on. There was a brother who lived in Chelsea, but his wife never understood why a woman would want to be in the military and so never grew close to Toni.

"Sooooo…we're set to embark on a pre-emptive hen do." Elvis joked.

Georgie scrunched her face comically. "Noooooo…it's a consultation."

Elvis laughed. "Ah."

"You two lot just go play darts or something, yeah." She said tapping his thigh. He looked down at what she had done and grinned.

"Pints and darts it is! You'll never know we're 'ere."

"That will be hard to believe." She mumbled playfully.

"Oi!"

They looked at each other and Georgie blew him an air kiss. Elvis winked, which was more like a blink. Georgie laughed. "Toni is sooo chuffed! I am really glad to be a part of her happiness."

"Yeah." Elvis said. They stopped at a traffic light and he began to tap his fingers on the steering wheel slowly, then briskly as his mind began to race. "Say, George….somthins been pryin on my mind."

"Yeah what? What's goin on luv?"

He paused and shuffled in his seat. "Right. So yesterday I asked Spanner if he ever heard of Jones."

"Awwwww Elvis! What for?"

"I gotta bad feelin about him 'at's wha' for!"

"Don't you listen?!" She said with exasperation, then threw her hands up. "Why no of course you don't!"

His eyes slid to hers as the light changed and he stepped on the gas pedal. "I'm bein serious."

"Well so am I! Why can't you give it a rest? Drop it!"

"Because I can't! Somethin stinks!"

"You had better keep your nose where it belongs Elvis!"

"Look. Jones already stuck his nose in my shit whining to Godfrey about his fuckin nephew."

"Elvis…."

"Who does 'at?! This is Selection for shit sakes! Nobody, I mean nobody has the bollocks to interfere!"

"Well obviously Jones did."

"Ah jeez Georgieee give over will ya?! Ya don't just dress up someone's application to get into Selection then expect us to put a nappy on him 'cause he's some colonel's nephew!"

She could not be fully angry with him. She knew he was right, but he seemed obsessed. Her brow knitted and she scratched her head uncomfortably. "Did Spanner tell ya anything? Does he know him?"

"Well 'at's just it. He told me to talk to Toni."

Georgie felt her heart drop into her lap. "You're kidding?"

"Nope."

"Promise me it will not be tonight. Please Elvis!"

He stared at her. He felt his chest slowly tighten. He knew she was right. There was to be happiness and joy in the Pub tonight and as much as his instincts were driving him to engage the conversation with Toni, he would hold back. As he parked up in the lot next to Forester's he let the ravenous desire to collect more intel melt away from him. At least for now. He sighed harshly and gave her a side long glance.

"Thank you." She said sincerely. She could not recall Elvis ever being this fussed up about someone. If he chooses to continue digging there could be consequences. She began to wonder about his mental status. Had the concussion affected him in such a way that he was now experiencing paranoia? "You didn't actually receive a reprimand." She said. He looked at her.

"No. No I did not. But Godfrey said he did not want the arsehole nosin around."

"You digging may cause a stick Elvis."

He laughed sardonically.

"Georgie, we 'aven't heard or seen the last of Jones I can assure ya."

"How do you know? Why do you think that? Are ya getting bad vibes about anything else?"

"No! Look. I'm not mad if 'at's wha' yer gettin at."

"I didn't say that."

"This is Selection. Ya come in on your own. You submit on your own and the outcome is pretty much up to you." He said, his hands wildly gesticulating his point. Georgie opened her mouth, then closed it when he added. "Not some colonel gettin his knickers in a fuckin twist and havin a say about it!"

Her eyes squeezed shut and she gritted her teeth. "Be careful! That's all I'm gonna say. I told you he is a bastard!"

"Wha' else do ya know?"

"Nothing!" She drawled out.

"Did Toni talk to ya?"

"No! She has never said one word about him. Now come on! This was supposed to be a fun night out do not go spoiling it!"

Elvis' jaw clenched. He huffed, undid his seat belt and said, "Fine."

"Please don't be miffed." She said with a soft frown.

"I'm not miffed. Let's go."

Georgie gave him a cautious eye and got out of the car. "You're word Elvis."

"Yeah….yeah…ya know I'm good for it. But…..if the subject comes up….I ain't steppin aside."

Georgie bit into her lower lip. "Fuck."

Xxxxx

The couple strode into the Pub on the tailwind of their argument. As Elvis held the door he watched Georgie barge past him. He grimaced.

"George."

"Heyyyy!" She called out as soon as she noted Spanner's arm waving above the modest crowd of folks already gathered around the bar area. Elvis slowly rubbed the back of his neck and followed.

"Dammit!" He muttered. She was the only person who could get under his skin like that.

Spanner made short distance to Georgie for a hug. "Where's boss?"

Georgie flung her head around and shrugged sarcastically. "Bringing up the rear."

Spanner looked up as Elvis positioned himself alongside Georgie.

"What are ya havin?" Spanner asked.

"Guinness."

"Comin up." Spanner said turning with a smile but noticing some discord between the two.

"I'll pass." Georgie said.

"Toni is in the side room." Spanner said pointing.

"I see her, yeah." She said and was off.

Elvis found himself alone. He put his head down but his eyes followed Georgie. At this point she and Toni were caught up in a friendly embrace and he could see Toni's face beaming as her head was visible across Georgie's shoulder. He unzipped his jacket vigorously and stood tall, straightening his spine. Spanner appeared with a Guinness in each hand. He looked over at the women then back to Elvis as he handed over a pint.

"Something awry?" He asked.

Elvis just looked at him with a pained expression.

"Hormones?"

"Nah. Just Elvis." The captain answered taking a slow, thoughtful sip.

xxxxx

"This is going to be so much fun! What do you have here?" Georgie said happily moving all around the table Toni had secured.

"So they're ideas mind, but there are a couple I really fancy." Toni said, her blue eyes sparkling.

"Which one is your fave at the moment?" Georgie asked eyes flitting over the photographs.

"Ohhh this one." Toni said excitedly picking up her choice.

"Ah Toni! This is beautiful! I can easily see you in this." Georgie said taking the photo from her to examine more closely. "It is absolutely stunning!"

"Yeah? You reckon?"

"Yes!" Georgie laughed. "The silhouette is perfect!"

Toni giggled. "Then there's this one….." She said reaching across the table for another example.

The boys made the walk over nursing their pints. Toni caught sight of Elvis. "Hey boss." She said as they casually embraced.

"Blythe."

Georgie watched. She watched his body language and any hint that Elvis would go in for the attack. He was a perfect gentleman. He tilted his pint, gesturing towards the table strewn with colored and black and white photographs.

"I see you've managed an impressive arsenal there sergeant." He said smiling.

"Yeah sir. Yeah." Toni laughed.

"Crack on…Spans and I 'ave some additional target practice in the rear." Elvis said taking a sip. "Cheers."

"Cheers." Toni said picking up her beer bottle and clinking against his pint.

Spanner brushed past, planting a light kiss on his fiancee's cheek.

"Don't look at the dresses." She chided as he moved away. Spanner laughed, raised his hand as if warding away evil and caught up with Elvis near the dart boards.

"Spanner said they had a smashing time at the range today." Toni said.

Georgie looked at her, then back to where Elvis was standing. He was examining the darts, touching the tips to his finger pad all the while chattering with Spanner. Elvis never looked back.

"Georgie?" Toni said belting down a swallow of beer.

"Huh? Uh, that's what Elvis said as well." Georgie answered, embarrassed that she had been caught in a moment. "Let me see this one." She said taking choice number two from Toni.

"Right. So this one has more bling….."

"Bling is good." Georgie said staring down at the jeweled studded gown.

Xxxxx

If she and Elvis had not had a row prior to their arrival this evening Georgie was certain everything would be "normal" except that she and Elvis were sat in silence. The foursome had eaten and laughed and Toni had finally pared down her dress selections. Georgie now felt a wee bit guilty for shutting down on Elvis. He was good at maintaining his demeanor, but she could still sense his disappointment in her reaction to their earlier conversation. The dreaded subject never came up this evening and she toyed with the end of a damp napkin in her hands, mindlessly rolling the edges. She groaned inwardly that she could not have a gin and tonic right about now. The plain water with a twist was void of any comfort. She felt alone, even though her husband was seated next to her.

Hormones she decided. It was those bloody, fecking hormones.

Elvis had gotten a text and was absorbed in his mobile. She watched the happy couple across from her absorbed in each other.

"Uh, Georgie. I gotta make a quick call." Elvis suddenly announced scooting back in his chair. The wood on wood skid startled her. She looked up at him. "It'll just take a sec." He said rapidly finishing a text. As he stood he saw the melancholy in her eyes. It affected him. He leaned down and kissed the top of her head. She closed her eyes, his contact felt so good. "Be right back." He said.

"Ok." She said, touching his arm as he pushed the chair back in.

Spanner looked up quizzically and Elvis waved his mobile indicating the purpose for his departure. Georgie turned and watched as the Pub door opened. She was able to catch a glimpse of the top of Elvis' head as the street lamplight caught the glisten of his dark hair.

"He's been goin at it all day." Spanner said. She looked at him. He went on, " Said he had shit load of emails this afternoon."

She nodded and stared at nothing.

"You feel OK Georgie?" Toni asked.

"Yeah."

"Can I fetch anything for ya?" Spanner asked.

"Nah. I'm good yeah."

"Well I for one need to pay a visit to the loo." Toni said and quickly vacated the table.

"Thanks for being here for Toni." Spanner said.

Georgie smiled.

"No really. You've been a good mate." He said.

"You are a lucky man Spanner."

"Don't I know it!"

Georgie dabbed at the condensation from her water glass, then could not believe what she was about to say.

"Spanner. I need to talk to you about Elvis."