Prologue

Garrison's team had arrived back from their last mission, to rescue some Italian gold, late on 5th January 1944.

The mission had been successful, but Chief had been shot whilst they were waiting to be picked up. It had been a tough return journey for the scout - 15 hours in a motor torpedo boat then over twenty four hours of planes and cars. Although the wound had been treated at the Naples hospital, by the time the car arrived at the Mansion, Chief suspected it was infected again. He was certainly not feeling his best.

With their normal handler, Major Richards still out of action courtesy of the flu epidemic that had also prevented Actor and Goniff taking part in the mission, his stand-in, Major Cavendish had been the officer to handle the debriefing - and unlike Richards he saw no reason to leave London. As a result, early the next morning Lieutenant Garrison had set out on the long drive to London, leaving his men to their own devices.

Diesel had gone out foraging whilst he waited for the Warden to come back from London. He'd needed some time to think and roaming the grounds did just that. He came back with no conclusions reached but a couple of fat bunnies had been careless and now filled the old canvas game bag slung across his shoulder. Molly had been delighted with the off-ration meat and wasted no time in turning the furry parcels into a rolled and stuffed joint.

It was late in the afternoon before the Lieutenant returned. With the exception of Chief, the remainder of the team had been waiting on tenterhooks for their CO's return and gathered in the common room as soon as they heard the noise of an incoming vehicle.

"No briefcase," advised Goniff, watching out of the window as the Warden climbed stiffly out of the car.

"Looks like we're off the hook for a bit," added Casino, hopeful that a London pass might be on offer.

The Lieutenant deliberately held them in suspense for a while before making his way to join his men. He stood there silently smiling, waiting to see who would be first to ask. Of course, it was Casino.

"So what's the deal Warden?"

"Guaranteed 48-hours in London. No missions until Actor gets signed off by the medics, unless there's an emergency." He handed over the passes to the men. Casino snatched his out of the Warden's hand. Goniff, Diesel and Actor took theirs more slowly.

"Bet Chiefy'll be gutted losin' out," gloated Casino.

"I think Chief has other things on his mind at the moment," replied Actor enigmatically.

Garrison said nothing. The men hadn't asked, so he hadn't told them, but he had his own pass and was looking forward to his own two days of R&R. Unofficially the team was stood down for two weeks, unless there were any emergencies since Actor probably wouldn't be signed off for another week to ten days and Chief would probably be a couple of weeks before he could jump.

It was an unusual evening at the Mansion compared to those of late. With no need of her services, Emerald had gone back to the bothy to keep Sapphire company and resume her job as a Land girl.

Casino had been unable to tempt either Actor or Goniff to visit the Doves after dinner, so finally had spent his evening playing solitaire. Actor had let himself be coerced into a game of chess with Diesel and Goniff was unravelling and winding the old sweater project that Amber had put aside. Although the little Cockney hadn't admitted to it, he was actually a capable knitter. It had been something everyone did when he was growing up and invoked good memories sitting on the rug in front of the fire with his mum and his auntie, listening to them put the word to rights to the endless clack of needles.

Garrison had retired to his office, determined to clear his desk so he could go away with a clear conscience. He'd made a phone call before he left London to set up his own plans for the forty-eight hours, knowing that 'walls had ears' back at the Mansion.

Amber had taken a plate of food upstairs for Chief, but he'd only eaten a few mouthfuls before pushing the plate away. It was unlike him, but he insisted he was fine and she had no option other than to take the plate away and leave him to it.