Sunday, March 26th
The next day, like the one before, dawned bright and sunny with a biting easterly breeze. Chief had spent a second day coppicing. Goniff had once again disappeared early, taking the Jeep with him. Despite the fact that it was Sunday and all shops were closed, the pawnbroker's would be open for those in need after an over-indulgent Saturday night.
It was late afternoon before Actor finally locked the apartment door behind him, pocketed the key and headed resolutely for Paddington. Ahead of him the comfort of the Mansion and the somewhat odd camaraderie he shared with the rest of Garrison's team.
As he'd promised Richards, he'd spent his leave in the City, just not in the way either he or Richards might have expected. Tucked into his holdall was the manilla folder. Tucked into his memory was a plethora of additional information that went some way to filling in some of the gaps.
At the Mansion, a front had driven through as dark fell, turning what should have been a spring evening into one more reminiscent of something from the depths of winter.
With three of the men away, Molly had been only too happy to leave Chief and Goniff to fend for themselves by virtue of a bacon and egg pie left in the warming oven of the Aga. Portions were deliberately generous... middle aged, she might be... blinkered, she was not. If she'd been a betting person, she was onto a 'cert' when it came to the idea that Amber and Millie might be sharing the pie.
Supper over, the four had retired to the common room. A large blaze was burning in the hearth, throwing out heat and sparks in equal measure. With the light it provided there was no need for lamps.
Chief had adopted Actor's armchair and was lounging there comfortably, his long legs extended towards the flames, one hand resting gently on the curls of Amber's hair as she curled alongside his feet.
Goniff had taken one of the old, unused cots, which had been pulled close to the hearth. He was stretched full length, Millie in front of him, facing the heat. Her eyes were closed, appearing to sleep but in reality, very aware of her boyfriend's fingers gently stroking her hip. Whilst some part of her might have appreciated the fingers to stray a little further, it wasn't a large part. It might have required her to take action... and for the moment, the last thing she wanted to do was... to do anything at all.
A decent night's sleep and a couple of quiet days at the farm had done a lot to restore Millie's equilibrium and make the memories become less real. It wasn't something she would want to experience again, but at least she now knew what Rodney went through each time he went off with Garrison. Hopefully she could put the knowledge to some use in the future. Having completed her chores, she'd declined supper and headed for the Mansion to make her peace.
A log shifted in the fire, sending a shower of sparks floating up the chimney. A hissing sound from raindrops coming in the opposite direction, accompanied by the rattle of hail against the window woke Millie from her stupor. She glanced at her watch. "I need to be going." Whilst she wasn't on early milking tomorrow, she still needed to be up and about by 7. There were chucks to feed, Charlie to muck out... and breakfasts for 10 to produce.
The farm rules were sacrosanct... if you didn't milk then you did breakfasts.
Amber opened one eye but didn't interfere. She'd heard the conversation too many times before. No matter how foul the weather, Millie stuck to her guns. There would be 30 minutes of prevarication after which the little cat-burglar would finally pull himself to his feet, drag on an old oilskin, and trudge through the mud to walk the land girl home.
Chief didn't even bother to open an eye.
The nurse had to admit to her own misgivings. What she would really like to do was sleep in until mid-morning. Instead, she needed to get to the hospital for her next shift. She looked at the clock and groaned.
Chief followed her gaze and smiled. "Called the hospital earlier to tell them you'd be late. Spoke to the Matron and she said not to worry. She'd switch the rotas around. They don't want you back till tomorrow, about 10'ish." Chief looked smug. Amber didn't need to know how he'd managed it, and he wasn't telling.
GGG
By the time Goniff returned from the farm, Actor was back, looking tired but otherwise ok.
"You eaten?"
Actor nodded.
The pickpocket was relieved. He'd polished off the last few morsels as he'd come back in via the kitchen.
"What happened?" Goniff poured Actor a generous measure of brandy then went over to try and coach a more generous blaze out of the common room fire.
Actor sipped at the amber liquid. It wasn't his preferred blend and tasted harsh to his palate, but it was all they'd been able to acquire locally.
"He's to have some time off."
Goniff heard the words that hadn't been spoken. "Will he be back?"
"Hopefully."
The cockney nodded. 'Maybe,' that amounted to. "How long before Major Johns puts us on a flight back to the States? "
Actor shook his head. "It depends on how long Richards can fend him off. I'd guess two weeks at the most." He downed the rest of the brandy and headed for bed.