Chapter 5 Don't Go Breaking My Heart
James watched Molly's face warp and ripple below the surface. Her eyes were shut and a slight frown furrowed her brow. Small bubbles rose from her mouth and nose and strands of hair floated around her face.
Suddenly her eyes shot open revealing burning orbs of pure hatred. Her limbs started to thrash violently as she tried desperately to surface and her hands started to claw at James' clothes in a desperate attempt to gain some purchase.
"Don't let her come up yet" said a voice behind him.
James looked around and met Major Morleys eyes. "But I'm killing her" he cried desperately
"No Captain, you are saving her life" replied the American firmly.
James turned back to the writhing figure in the pool. Molly's face was fixed in an inhuman rictus but the thrashing was growing weaker. The burning red eyes had turned a less angry pink and, as James watched, continued to fade and take on the beautiful green he had come to love.
Yes love. The realisation hit him like a train. He almost laughed our load. It seemed as if the hidden mechanism of his private universe had clicked into place, that everything was now perfectly balanced and made sense...made sense except for some idiot shouting at him...
"Captain you need to let go of her! Shes drowning you fool let her up"
It was Major Morley who was frantically pulling on his shoulder whilst Molly's tongue was lolling out of her mouth and she had gone cross eyed.
"Oh yes, sorry" and so saying he heaved her out of the water.
Molly broke the surface in a spray of liquid and took a huge gasping breath of air.
James lifted her in his arms and climbed out of the pool. Smurf appeared with a blanket and wrapped it around them both. James knelt down, tenderly cradling Molly's head in the crook of his arm. He looked down at her beautiful face, dusted with freckles and framed by her now loose wet hair. He moved closer. She parted her lips invitingly...and then projected a stream of stinking green vomit straight into his face.
"Oh Christ!" Said James, letting go of Molly so she thudded onto the floor.
"Ah yes" said Morley "should
have mentioned that would happen. She should now make a full recovery"
Molly lifted herself onto one elbow. "Sorry sir" she said.
James smiled "No, I'm sorry for dropping you" he said and offered her his hand. She grabbed it and got shakily to her feet.
Mansfield Mike came over with another towel and a water bottle.
"Yuck" he said. "Haven't seen chunder like that since I drunk that pint of creme de menthe"
James gratefully accepted the towel and canteen and offered it to Molly who took a large swig.
"Captain" said Morley "we haven't much time. We must start rounding the zombies up before they escape from the confines of the base"
James nodded and in one fluid movement pulled off his top to reveal a perfectly toned upper body. He then strode over to the pool and lowered himself into the liquid, stretching both arms along the rim of the pool to support himself.
"Ok" he said "come and get it"
Ten minutes later he was still there with no sign of a zombie.
Kinders sidled over. "No luck yet sir?"
"No. I don't understand it" said James.
"Something better happen soon sir cos your starting to get a bit wrinkly" put in Kinders.
"I am well aware of that Corporal"
Mansfield Mike then trotted over. "Want me to have a go sir? My mam says I have the body of a sportman"
"Yep" said Brains "and you keep it under the stairs at home!"
"Thank you private" said James "but we need another solution."
"We need to do something that will get your mojo going sir, and that will let the whole base know you are here" mused Kinders.
James looked across the parade ground to a large pole supporting the powerful speakers which formed part of the base's public address system.
"Dangleberries" said James "go and grab your keyboard. Two section are going to provide the entertainment tonight"
The private grinned and doubled away into the night.
"Kinders, do you think you can look out a couple of mics and rig them up to the PA system?" Asked James
"No problem sir" replied the Corporal "Brains, Fingers with me!"
James then turned to Molly "Dawes, I am going to need your help if you are up to it"
Molly smiled "I think I can still remember the words"
They soon had the equipment set up. James looked over at Molly and smiled. She looked exactly as she had done during the first duet at the base, hair down, black vest, combat trousers. He felt his ardour rise. A swing of the mic and they were off:
"Don't go breaking my heart"
"I couldn't if I tried"
The song was carried to the four corners of the huge base via the PA system and soon the first zombies were seen shuffling into the square.
James stood in the pool waiting for them. Two section spread out around the outside and grabbed the unsuspecting attackers as they entered the solution, holding them down while the antidote took effect and singing as they worked:
"Oooooo nobody knows it,
When I was down,
I was your clown"
Soon the flow of zombies increased, familiar faces among them including Jackie and Qaseem, his normally sad eyes, glowing red circles.
James was forced to help two section in the pool as the mass of thrashing bodies threatened to overwhelm them.
"Dawes, keep singing" ordered James.
Molly looked over at dangleberries "take it away!"
He nodded and started belting out another tune.
Molly smiled and sang:
"Seems like everybody's got a price,
I wonder how they sleep at night..."
Two section fell to the task with renewed vigour and joined in the chorus whilst swaying to the music...
"Everybody look to the left (yeah)
Everybody look to the right
Can you feel that (yeah)
We're paying with love tonight
It's not about the money, money, money..."
As individuals recovered they were led away to a makeshift medical centre at the edge if the parade ground.
Among them was Major Beck, dressed inexplicably in a pink negligee and matching slippers. As he came to his senses he looked down in horror.
"Errr the zombie, in its madness, must have broken into the women's quarters and got it into its head to dress up like this..."
Kinders and Smurf looked at each other and smiled then the corporal cleared his throat and said
"Of course sir, only possible explanation"
The horizon had a pink tinge as the flow of zombies started to lessen to a trickle. Mansfield Mike had the microphone and was waving his other arm in the air:
"You're everywhere and nowhere baby, That's where you're at..."
Major Morley stood by the pool and watched as the last few zombies trail in and were dealt with. He turned to Captain James:
"We have checked all over the camp and these appear to be the last of them. You and your people have done a thorough and professional job"
In the background Mansfield Mike launched himself into the chorus:
"And its...Hi ho silver lining,
Anywhere you go now baby..."
James blinked "thank-you sir"
Morley continued "they will all require a thorough debrief and the events of tonight will need to remain highly confidential. We cannot afford for news of this to leak out."
"Of course sir" confirmed James
Morley nodded and strode away.
Molly sauntered over and smiled up at James.
"So what now sir" she asked, a cheeky smile spreading across her face.
James looked quickly around to make sure no one was near enough to hear then gazed deep into her eyes.
"I thought I had lost you tonight, I never want to feel like that again. We have a lot to talk about but this is neither the time or the place. Molly we need to wait out until we get back to Brize. Tell me you understand"
Molly nodded slowly. "I do, don't worry"
James breathed out then nodded. "Come on let's go get some scoff"
They walked slowly out of the square, past two section who were swaying along whilst Major Beck, still in the negligee, and Major Morley stood arm in arm singing with heartfelt intensity
"Ooh I've been to Georgia and California and anywhere I could run..."
Mansfield Mike turned to Kinders and said "do you think there is anything going on between those two?"
"Who, Molly and the boss?"
"No, don't be daft, them two" said Mansfield Mike nodding towards the two singing Majors
Kinders just shrugged and joined in the chorus
"But I ran out of places and friendly faces because I had to be free.
I've been to paradise but I've never been to me"
The End