Part 2
Joe breezed into the church hall and spotted Captain Mainwaring. He looks so pompous he must be in charge Joe laughed to himself. Evening Guv he said and slapped the small man on the back. Evening Guv ! Mainwaring repeated furiously. That's no way to speak to your commanding officer. OK keep your hair on, I haven't even signed up yet. At that moment Arthur Wilson second in command came in. A tall suave laid back man. Evening Wilson said Joe just as Frazer the dour Scot shouted for everyone to get a move on. Hello Taffy aid Joe. Well Mainwaring said you seem to know everyone. Course I do I supply essential supplies dont I. Ere if you want any elastic for your missus give us a shout he grinned.
They spent the next hour going through drill. Joe was very fit and had to adjust to the old timers speed. The butcher Jack Jones was comically always late in line and Godfrey the eldest well he was half asleep. The other young guy Pike was very innocent. Joe asked him f he had bird. No he replied his mum wouldn't like that. Very different to young men Joe knew. That night in his flat he reflected on this. His elder brother was in prison for petty crime, his other had ran away shortly after their dad had died when they were all young. Only his mother was left in London, made of tough stuff she was. His sister was on her uppers though and Joe had moved away from the city to stay out of trouble and for a fresh start. He was confident he'd make a good living in Walmington
Enough brooding he thought and went off to The Red Lion Pub. The others from the platoon were there. Getting the drinks in he chatted up the barmaid and the waitress at the same time. As they started to argue over him he put his arms around them both and said Dont worry girls there's enough of me to go around and winked . Charlotte and Beryl both blushed. Sitting down he rolled up his sleeve to reveal ten different watches and asked who wants to buy. Mainwaring wasn't impressed. Pike laughed and spilt all the drink. Dont worry Spike said Joe I'll get more and sauntered over to the bar. At that moment a pretty blonde tripped up and Joe caught her. Dont fall for me darling we haven't been introduced he said. Going red in the face Jessica thought what a loud spiv. She couldn't help turning back for a better look though. Something about him made her feel a bit lightheaded