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Chapter 50

By Your Side

0600 – Hereford, UK

Georgie was stood in the doorway watching Elvis close the final button at his neckline. He looks magnificently handsome in his dress uniform, she mused. He eyed himself in the mirror and smiled when he noticed Georgie's reflection and her seeming approval.

"Reminds me of our wedding day." she said entering and going to him. She reached up and fingered the existing medals and ribbons that were meticulously pinned sided by side at his left breast. "I am so very proud of you captain." she said. He looked down at her. Their eyes melted into each other.

"Thank you Georgie." he simply said with a humble smile.

"Honestly it is hard keepin my mouth shut! I want to tell everyone!" she said.

He chuckled. "Can't do it George."

"I know that, yeah. But who is privy?"

"Baxter's clan, advisors and such, Dave Warner, you get the gist."

"Too bad Toni and Tina can't attend."

"Yeah, well, I am a very lucky man." he grinned.

"You most certainly are." she agreed, tilting up to seal her comment with a kiss. Elvis tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear.

"You look beautiful babe." he said admiringly.

"Thank you. I bought this dress when I went shoppin with my mum." she said smoothing the fabric over her bump. The burgundy maternity dress with draped chiffon top fit her perfectly. He gazed at her from head to toe. "Ya reckon these flats look alright?" she asked stepping this way and that.

"They look fine Georgie. They're practical. You will be glad ya wore something comfortable."

"That's true." she moved alongside of him and they looked in the mirror together.

"I love you Mrs. Harte." he said. She hugged his arm and addressed his reflection.

"I love you as well." Elvis reached for his mobile and snapped a selfie of their reflection.

"That's a good one." she said. He looked at his watch.

"0615 hours, we best move." he said.

"Right, let me run to the loo then we can go." She said, waddling out of the room.

Elvis shook his head and grinned as he positioned the beige beret on his head. This was a day he would never forget and was grateful Georgie would be by his side.

Xxxxx

0645 – SAS Garrison – Hereford, UK

Elvis stood with his section before they entered the tarmac. Georgie snapped several photos of them. They were an impressive lot dressed in their finest. "I will get these messaged out to you lads." she said.

"What if I say something stupid?" Spunky said, tugging at the cuffs of his uniform.

"Keep your gob shut, then you won't have to worry about it." Jackson offered. The team chuckled.

"Let's move fellas." Elvis said, offering his arm to Georgie and slinging their garment bag over a shoulder. Georgie huddled close to Elvis, trying to keep her dress hem from flapping up due to the whirlwind of the blades. He helped her board the helo, lifting her up as Spanner steadied her embarkation from inside.

"Thank you very much." she said finding her seat as Elvis settled in bedside her. Once strapped into place the pilot called for wheels up. Soon Elvis and his team were bound for London. Georgie opened her handbag and withdrew a blue envelope. She looked up at her husband.

"Elvis. This is for you." she said softly, handing him the envelope. Surprise caused him to hesitate but he smiled his acceptance.

"Wha's this?"

"Open it and find out." she said, anxious for him to do just that. He turned the envelope over and began to open it carefully. He glanced at her with a half-smile then pulled the card from inside.

The front was a lovely picture of the countryside, when he opened the card he smiled seeing that the sentiment was written in her hand:

My dearest Elvis. Don't be shocked that I am giving you a greeting card. I just want you to know that I am thrilled for you and look forward to seeing you honored for your service. No soldier deserves it more than you. I am proud to stand by your side today and always. With all my love, Georgie.

Elvis cleared his throat when he finished reading it. She felt like a child waiting for a response.

"This is really special. Thank you babe." he said, kissing her tenderly on the temple. "Was a bit shocked actually." he added leaning against her playfully.

"You're rubbing off on me." she joked. He laughed and kissed her again.

"Mind holdin on to it for me?"

"I can do that. I brought a big enough bag to hold everything." She said patting it on her lap.

"We getting choppered back to base boss?" Spunky asked.

"Affirmative, but won't be until late." Elvis responded. "Gives us a wee chance to celebrate. Ya brought a change of clothin eh?"

"Yes sir. Tina packed some rags for me."

Everyone chuckled.

"What's funny then?" Spunky asked. Everyone just looked at him. "It's not funny. She goes on about my sense of style."

"I reckon ya look fine when we see ya." Georgie said.

"That's cause Tina pust it together." Spanner said.

"Fuck off." Spunky said and added a hand gesture for good measure.

"She has a good eye for fashion." Georgie winked. "At least you're not kitted out in blacks and blues all the time." she added with eyes darting towards Elvis.

"Oi! Don't be talkin about me. I fancy keepin it simple." Elvis said.

Georgie chuckled. "You always look fit."

"Won't argue with 'at." he said with a toothy grin and Georgie groaned.

Xxxxx

0900 – M15 – London, UK

The Metropolitan Police contacted M15 to report a call placed by a local bank regarding suspicious activity on an account. Jason Spears accepted the incoming call.

"So Detective Collins, a substantial amount was withdrawn what concern is that to our investigation?" Spears said.

"I think you will find the name on the account rather striking." Collins answered.

"And that would be?" Spears said, hoping it would be a tangible development.

"Margaret Drake."

Spears' eyes locked on air as he emitted utter silence.

"Thought it a bit coincidental to Midge Drake." Collins added.

Spears pinched the bridge of his nose. "You stated a nephew is alleging robbery."

"That is correct. Thing is Jason, he is a military bloke."

"Name?" Spears deadpanned, now wiping a hand over his mouth.

"Oliver Thomas Knots." Spears eyes squeezed shut when he heard the name. "It would appear he is a major working out of the MoD. Made a point of throwing his title out there." Collins added.

Spears head bobbed as he sucked in a deep breath. "Have you spoken to Knots as yet?" he asked.

"Yes. After the call came in from the bank superintendent. Knots is alleging his passport was stolen as well. That is how the alleged imposter was able to execute the withdrawal, along with a copy of the POA." Collins advised.

"Thoughts on the allegations?" Spears pressed.

"He was well and fully upset about it. Maybe a bit too nervy for my liking. Seemed like a twit, but clearly something is amiss here I'm afraid." Collins said.

"Right. Allow me to get my team together. I will include Dave Warner on this." Spears said.

"Very well Jason. Let me know your intentions." Collins said.

Xxxxx

1000 – MoD – London, UK

"It's nice they gave us that room for a rendezvous." Georgie said.

"Roger 'at. We can change up later and meet the boys." Elvis said as they walked down the hall to engage their ground transportation. "Just a second." Elvis said as he noticed a lone soldier in the middle of the hall. A huge grin erupted on his face as they grew closer and he hastened his steps. "Well knock me down with a feather." He exclaimed as he approached the man. Charles James knew that voice and abruptly turned to acknowledge his best mate.

"Well if it isn't Elvis Harte!" he said happily.

"Indeed mate, how ya been?" Elvis said reaching to clasp his mate's hand.

"Just got back from tour." Charlie said, now noticing Georgie and surprised by the formal attire.

"Syria was it?" Elvis asked.

"Yes. Glad to be back home."

"Roger 'at." Elvis said glancing at Georgie.

"How are you Georgie?" Charlie asked, somewhat taken aback at the sight of her pregnancy.

"Yeah good, yeah. Nice to see ya back safe." she said smiling.

"Understand you had a baby shower recently." Charlie said, having been updated by Molly.

"It was brilliant!, yeah." she said.

"What are you doing in full dress captain?" Charlie asked eying both of them.

"Classified mate." Elvis said with a playful smirk.

"Ah, investiture?" Charlie quietly surmised. Elvis lifted his brows.

"I gotcha. Congratulations mate. Well deserved." Charlie said with a genuine smile.

"Thanks. Oi! Ya headin to Bath anytime soon?" Elvis asked.

"Can't get a transport until later, why do you ask?"

"Team is 'ere, we're celebratin afterwards." Elvis said.

"Yes! Please join us!" Georgie said.

"Arnold's Pub mate. Keepin things close. I'll text ya with the time. Talk soon eh?" Elvis said.

"Right. Lines open." Charlie said as Elvis and Georgie made their way further down the hall. A creeping shadow lurked near a stairwell exit. Ollie Knots had perfected the craft of being a sneak. It galled him that Elvis Harte was receiving a medal. He was incensed when Baxter had made the private announcement. Knots' entire world was crumbling and Elvis Harte was going to Buckingham Palace.

Xxxxx

1030 -

When Ollie Knots returned to his office he paced about, then sat wishing he had answers. Who came in here and stole his passport along with the POA document? The possibilities frightened him. He was tried to relax when his assistant announced a guest at his door.

"Yes, fine. Let them in." he barked. When the door opened, he wanted to propel himself out the window.

"Major Knots." Dave Warner said as he entered, followed by Jason Spears.

Knots was so stunned he could barely remember his solicitor's name. "Have a seat gentlemen." he managed to say. "What can I do for you?"

"Better question major, what can you tell us." Warner said.

"I…I do not follow." Knots said looking between the two.

"You reported your passport stolen and concerns related to activity on a bank account." Spears said getting directly to the point.

Knots swallowed. "I did indeed sir."

"We would like to know more about that." Warner said pulling his laptop from a case."

Knots stared at them….."Of course."