Actor entered the café , took a seat by the window and ordered a coffee. The town looked much as it had a few days before with the exception of the blood stained
wall at the end of the main street. He had overheard the men talking about the reprisals that had taken place for the towns refusal to tell the Germans
where the resistance had escaped too. He knew as they all did that this was just an excuse for the killings. No-one knew where the resistance was , that was the way
of things. Actor looked across the main street and caught his breath as he saw the man cross the road and head for the cafe door. He tried to pay no attention, not
until he was really sure of what he had seen, but the man ordered coffee and then took the sat at the next table with his back to Actor and then started to read his
newspaper.
Actor took another sip of his coffee .
`We have missed you my friend`, said a soft voice behind him, `I will meet you in the Doctor's office in twenty minutes `,
Actor listened but remained silent.
The man finished his coffee , tucked his paper under his arm and walked out of the café leaving Actor trying hard not to show how relieved he felt.
….
Marcel watched as Actor entered the office and then quickly walked towards him and grabbed his hand and shook it warmly.
`You are not all that is left I hope? He asked
Actor smiled.
`No my friend , the others are about a days walk from here, with the resistance gone we had no choice but to go after them, we did not expect you to come
looking for us`.
`Ah`, said Marcel. `When we got word that you were missing I could do nothing else for the men who saved our lives`,
`I am as relieved to see you as the others will be, but the question is can you get us out? asked Actor
`Oh that is easy, I have contacts in the next town , once we are there we can arrange for your pick up`,
Actor sighed,
`That is good Marcel, thank you. Now when can we leave? He asked.
`I have a truck not far from here, can we get to your friends by road? asked Marcel.
`For the most part , yes and then I will go and find them , it would be easiest if you could hide the truck whilst I fetch them,` said Actor.
`Good , then we have a plan, we will leave within the hour, I will get some food and drink for them , I know how hungry Goniff gets`, laughed Marcel.
Actor sat down in the armchair.
`That is it my friend, relax , you are safe now`, said Marcel `I will be back soon`,
Marcel turned and walked towards the door leaving Actor thanking God that they had managed to save Marcel and his brother from the firing squad those few
months before. There was something to be said for being in the right place at the right time after all.
…..
Chief turned to Craig.
`Someone's coming Warden`, he whispered.
`Actor? Craig asked
`Too soon for him, but it's only one person`, said Chief.
Both men lay flat and watched the trail below them. It was Chief who smiled first.
`Don't know how he's done it , but it's Actor `. He said as he rose to his feet.
He helped Craig up and waited until he got his balance before he released him.
`You run all the way here? Asked Chief as Actor approached him.
Actor looked at him and smiled.
`Actually I got a lift`. He said
`You what? Asked Craig.
`Would you believe the resistance came looking for us? we have a truck hidden not far from here and according to Marcel an easy way home after that`. Said Actor.
`No more walking? Asked Goniff hopefully.
`Not after we get to the truck`. Said Actor `And yes Goniff , before you ask I did bring food`.
`You Actor , are a gentleman`, said Goniff beaming.
`I know`, said Actor with a condescending nod of his head
`Okay, enough chitchat ,let's get the hell out of here `, said Craig trying to pick up some of the gear .
`Got this `, said Chief as he picked up the bag that Craig had been reaching for.
Craig nodded gratefully.
`You okay Chief? He asked
`We gonna get back in time for the wedding? Chief asked quietly.
`Probably not`, said Craig noting the sadness in the question.
`She'll be gone then, never got to say goodbye properly`, he said.
Craig nodded , as he realised that Chief's thoughts mirrored his own.
`She has to have a life of her own Chief`, said Craig. `And no I don't like it any more than you do that she's leaving, and I'm going to miss her more than I care to
admit. But if it's what she wants I'll do all I can to make things easy for her, and you know she'll write to you as soon as she can, she won't just forget you ,
you mean to much to her.`
`She was my best friend, could tell her anything`. Said Chief.
`As could we all` . Said Actor. `We will all miss her, she was special to all of us.
Goniff walked up to join them.
`You guys are talking about her as if she's dead, she 's only getting married, and after the war we'll all be going back to the States anyway, so we'll see her
as often as we like then,` said Goniff cheerfully. `Now can we get going, me stomach's rumbling`.
Craig smiled at Chief and watched as the smile slowly crept across his face.
`Guess something's never change then `, he said as he watched Goniff start down the trail.
`Well I suppose I had better catch him up `, said Actor laughing `Especially as he has no idea where he's going`.
Actor and Chief both turned and followed Goniff.
`You alright Casino? Craig asked
`Yeah fine Warden, just fine`, he said.
`Then let's go`, said Craig.
` Going home ain't gonna be the same without her at the mansion waiting for us.` Said Casino.
`I know`, said Craig .
`Don't care what you say Warden, when I get back the first thing I'm gonna do is get stinking drunk , and I'm warnin' you , you'd better not get in the way`, said
Casino.
Craig looked at him
`Casino the first rounds on me `, he said `Now move it before you get this crutch up your backside`, he said.
Casino stood up and smiled at Craig
`Whatever you say Warden`, he said as he hooked Craig's arm over his shoulder, `Whatever you say`.
…...
Angel looked at the dress hanging from the wardrobe door , it really was beautiful, she took it down and holding it against her stared at herself in the mirror. She
remembered the day that Actor had offered to take her shopping , telling her that he had personal things to attend to but would be finished in time to bring her home
if she would like him too. She had been standing in the shop trying to decide whether the dress she was trying on was suitable for her wedding when she had heard
the door open . She had turned to see him looking at her.
`Will you please go and take that abomination off , it makes you look like an old woman.` he said.
She looked at him.
`I am trying to find something that will be wearable after my wedding, there is a war on you know`, she stated.
`If you don't take that thing off I'll buy it anyway and then tear it too shreds`, he said quietly.
`You wouldn't dare`, she said.
`Angel this is your wedding dress we're talking about, not something that can be just used again, this has to be something special`, he said.
`Now please take off the dress`,
Angel gave in and as she was about to get redressed a hand and a gown had appeared through the curtain.
`Try this`, said Actor.
She had walked out from behind the curtains and straight towards him.
`I am not buying this`, she said.
`Don't you like it? He asked.,
`You know I do, it's beautiful`, she said but it's so frivolous, I'll never get to wear it again,`
`Good , then we'll take it and the accessories`, he said.
`No we will not`, said Angel sharply.
Actor looked at her.
`Angel, you have spent the last year looking after us, you have given us your time and your love, something that no one else bothered to do, you have taken care of
all of us in turn, helped us when we needed it and gone out of your way to keep us out of trouble, so will you please , for once , just accept the gifts we have for you
and just let us each say thank you in our own way? He said.
`Actor I ,` Angel stuttered
`We have all done something special for you`, he interrupted. `So please say thank you and accept graciously`.
Angel looked at him.
`Thank you`, she said smiling at him. `It really is too much though.
`Angel`. Warned Actor.
`But I will accept , graciously`, she said giggling at him.
Actor laughed at her and then accepted the hug she gave him.
`You'd better take that off , I'll arrange to have it delivered`, he said.
Angel nodded and went back behind the curtain.
When she came out Actor had gone and in his place stood Goniff and Casino.
`Come to take you to lunch`, said Casino,
`And then to see a movie, said Goniff. `That's if you 'd like too , if you've got no other plans.
Angel smiled as she remembered what Actor had told her .
Each in their own way.
This was their way of saying thank you.
`Why gentlemen I would love too`, she exclaimed
She linked arms with both of them and they left the shop laughing.
…
The closing of a door brought her back from her memories and she quickly hung the dress back on the door and almost ran out into the hallway.
John stood there with a smile on his face.
`You've found them? She asked.
`Not personally,` he teased, `But the resistance have , they should be home in two or three days.
`Are they hurt? she asked .
`As far as we can tell apart from a few cuts and bruises they're all fine`, he said.
Angel flopped down in the chair and put her head in her hands.
`Thank God`, she said quietly.
John took her in his arms and held her .
`It's all going to be fine now, so stop fretting about them`, he said.
Angel looked at him and smiled.
`Do you know exactly when they'll get back? She asked.
John immediately knew the real question.
`Honey I'm sorry , but they aren't going to make it for the wedding, and probably not even before we have to leave`. He said.
Angel looked at him,
`I can't leave before they get home, I have to know they are okay`, she said.
`Angel we have to leave tomorrow after the ceremony, I can't get an extension, I did try, but we have to be on that plane tomorrow afternoon,
we have no choice`, he said.
Angel held his hands tightly.
`I know`, she said.
`You have my word that they are all fine, and I'll arrange for them to send a telegram to us the minute they get back, it will be waiting for you when we get home,`
he said.
Angel smiled at him.
`Thank you`, she said as she pulled him closer to her. `You do know how much I love you don't you? She asked tearfully
`Yes honey I do`, he said, `It's almost as much as I love you`,
John stroked her hair and wished with all his heart that he could shake the feeling of dread that had engulfed him.
…
Angel stood in front of the mirror and looked at her reflection. The dress truly was beautiful, and it made her look and feel the same way.
She picked up the flowers , took one last look and then headed for the door. She wished it was Craig waiting for her on the other side but at least he was safe,
that would have to do for now, they were all safe, this time.
Angel stood with her hand on the door handle for a few seconds longer than necessary, and then opened the door.