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Chapter 44
Planning the Move
0900 – Hereford, UK
Georgie was sat on the side of the bed in the spare bedroom unpacking her belongings. Elvis was in attendance, running back the video feed on the surveillance cameras. She glanced at him. He was absorbed in his task and she wondered how long this close protection would go on. At least he was not wearing the pistol today.
"Tell me again why you insist on continuing this …..scrutiny, despite the fact you fucking know Pettigrew and Evans are dead?" she asked flailing an arm in the air. Elvis responded with a congenial smirk.
"George. They could tell me the world would fuckin end tomorrow and I would still 'ave to check."
She wheezed out a laugh. She knew that. She knew him. "You are not saying this is going on indefinitely….." she asked with a concerned edge. He turned completely around to look at her.
"Negative. Actually I am going to start to dismantle everythin."
She released a sigh of relief that would have been difficult to miss. Elvis' eyes locked on her.
"Babe, I'm sorry. It was for the best."
"I know it was. I just don't want to feel like I'm living on a Forward Operating Base, yeah."
He laughed breathily. "Best damn accommodations I've ever seen on a FOB."
"No argument there." she said grinning. When she resumed unpacking she noticed something out of place beneath a jumper. She looked up at Elvis but he had gone back to disconnecting the monitors. Georgie lifted a small cardboard box out and placed it on her lap. Her eyes shot to Elvis again….seems leaving surprises runs in the family. She lifted the lid and found a handwritten note from Nonna resting on top of the contents.
My dearest Georgie. I know you will need these as Elvis probably already ate all of the cannoli.
Georgie chuckled as a reactive hand shot to her mouth. She placed the note aside and lifted the wrapped contents out, unfolding a familiar patterned dish towel. "Awwwwww!" she sighed as she saw the cannoli tubes. Underneath was a handwritten copy of Nonna's recipe. "Sooooo sweet." she murmured softly, but Elvis heard her. Curious, he looked up at her from under the table.
"Wha's sweet George?"
Her smile captivated him. "Nonna….she sent me home with my very own cannoli tubes."
"Did she?"
"Yeah, and her recipe!"
Elvis crawled out from beneath the table. "Reckon we will 'ave to put powdered sugar on the grocery list."
"I reckon you'll have to run four extra kilometers if you continue to eat like that."
He laughed. "Roger 'at. This all 'at needs laundered?" he asked indicating the small pile of clothing she had created.
"Yeah. That's all of it."
Elvis leaned down to gather the items. She tousled his hair and he looked at her.
"It's growing back." she said.
"Shhhhhhh. Pretend I still look shorn."
She laughed. "It wasn't that short."
"I felt bald."
"You are unreal." Oh how she had missed him she thought, as she stroked the side of his face. "What time are they comin?" she asked.
"1300 hours. I best get crackin."
Xxxxx
1445 –
"Georgie I got this." Toni said bringing the last of the dirty dishes to the sink.
"Most of it's goin in the washer." Georgie said.
"That's fine, but why don't you get off your feet."
Georgie looked down at her ankles. "Reckon they are a bit swollen."
"Sorry. More than a bit I would say. And you plan to continue working now." Toni said as she rinsed sauce from the plates.
"Yeah. I am, yeah." Georgie said pulling a second chair out to prop her feet up. "Classroom activity is not too bad. Peters helps considerably. I am glad they didn't count my time in Hoddesdon as leave though."
"Fortunate there. But how could they?"
"Exactly. The SAS has been quite kind about all of this shit."
"Agreed. Atkinson is tough, but he looks out for the Regiment."
"Toni leave all this. I will take care of it." Elvis said as he strode in for more beers.
"I want to do it Elvis." Toni said, stacking items in the dishwasher.
He glanced back at Georgie as he opened the fridge. "You OK?"
She smiled and nodded. "Perfect."
"Can I get ya one Toni?" he asked waving a bottle of Guinness.
"Yeah pop me one."
"Water babe?"
"Please."
"Thanks boss." Toni said. "As always your pasta was fantastic!"
"Thank you for the vino."
"Cheers" Toni said, clinking her bottle against his, then they both clinked Georgie's water bottle. Elvis bent down to kiss the top of Georgie's head and grabbed several more bottles of beer before heading back into the lounge.
"He's chuffed now that everyone has their mission plotted out once we take ownership of the cottage."
"He'll always be a captain Georgie. Or a major, or …..whatever…"
"He always says he likes being a captain. He can still get in there with his lads and cause some shit."
Toni laughed. "Elvis does like to cause some shit."
Georgie took a sip of water and eyed Toni. "How are you holding up?"
"Me?"
"Yes you. Ya went through the wringer didn't ya?"
"I surely fucking did." Toni said gulping down a swallow of beer. "I am glad I did. The Judge declared the rulings as precedence. Abusive behavior will not be tolerated. Women advance the military far more than we are given credit for. I am looking forward to my advancement to staff sergeant. What about you? Could be Sergeant Georgie Harte."
Georgie laughed. "If I stay that long."
"If? Did I hear you say if?"
"Loud and clear. There was a time when I had every intention of making the army my lifelong career."
"What happened?"
"Elvis Harte is what happened."
"He would never ask you to step away."
"I know. But Toni…a day will come when Elvis and I will both walk away. Proud that we served our country well."
Toni considered that and took a hearty swallow of beer. The two women grinned when they heard the raucous laughter and barking coming from the next room. Elvis, his lads, two cousins and a Doberman all in the same room. The cottage cleanup was going to be something else and Georgie could not wait.
Xxxxx
2100 –
"It was nice to see the lads and Toni." Georgie said as Elvis plopped next to her on the sofa.
"Yeah."
"Toni said Adam Jones gave her the evils more than his uncle did."
"At's about all he can do."
"But he will be out in two years."
Elvis nodded as he rubbed his face. "And out of the army."
"I hope he leaves her alone." Georgie said chewing on a thumb nail.
"Why you say 'at?"
"He strikes me as someone who would hold a grudge." She blanched as soon as the words came out of her mouth.
"Are you worried about us as well?" Elvis asked, leaning forward to make eye contact.
"I reckon the thought occurred to me."
"George. After spending two years in a military prison I doubt Jones is gonna want to be locked up again or worse if need be."
"Yeah. You're right. Yeah." She said smoothing her hair back.
"Tomorrow babe." He said with an encouraging lift of his brow.
"Tomorrow?"
"Contracts."
She burst into a grin and ran a hand along his back. "All is well in the world." He said planting a kiss on her cheek.
Xxxxx
The following morning…..
0830 –
"If you both would please sign on this line the cottage will be yours." Chloe said handing a pen to Elvis. He tipped it to Georgie to sign first.
"Happy birthday." He said softly. She smiled and clicked the pen. He watched as she wrote her full name out in cursive. She looked up at him and smiled, holding the pen towards him. Elvis smiled and proceeded to sign his name. It appeared more as a scribble but there was no mistaking the elaborate E and H. ….The cottage is now theirs.
