Bat'sDon't like Water

We once again were up before dawn at five hundred hours. But this time we dragged Bat out of the bed. Well Dog and I did whilst Polar Bear growled at him to get up. It was obvious that whatever truce we had last night while talking about Cub was now over. All because he had slipped up and let me know that he had failed first time around. It didn't bother me. I mean we all fail at something right like I still have yet to pass my driving test. But I didn't bring it up and he didn't mention it. We turned up at the clearing with Bat still bleary eyed but on time.

I looked around and it seemed that all the late units from A, C and M. It seemed that they too had learned their lesson and arrived on time. I hoped that we wouldn't be forced to go on another run and it seemed as though my wishes were rewarded. Then I realised it was because we were being forced to go on a three miles swim in the frozen lake in the Brecon Beacons. Oh the joys of training with the SAS never ends I thought sarcastically. We quickly stripped down to just shirts and underwear.

Polar Bear was the first of our unit to dive in. I not wanting to be shown up followed him in. Dog looking less than happy about what he was expected to do followed us in. We had left Bat on the side. I had a feeling that the obviously posh soldier would be less than willing to leap in after us. After all, he probably had a private swimming pool that was kept heated all year round if the rest of his life was anything to go by. Polar Bear I could tell was getting exasperated. Not that I blamed him we had already been on kitchen duty once whilst I may not mind it didn't mean I wanted another punishment on my record.

'Hurry it up,' the sergeant growled at those left on the side of the lake including Bat. 'Adder, Bat, Lizard, Saber, Hound, Mole, Rat get in.'

Bat didn't seem to be moving. I showing once more the terrible impatience that dad had said affectionately I'd inherited from my mum. Well I knew I hadn't inherited from dad. Honestly that man could wait for paint to dry. So I swam back to the edge and literally pulled the brunette into the freezing Welsh water with us. Bat's curls were drenched flopping over his face. I thought he looked quite comical. He looked like he'd been left out in the rain and was shivering all over glaring out at me through dark brown eyes.

'Get going,' growled Polar Bear somehow able to talk through the cold.

'S-s-s-soon assss we s-s-start the s-s-s-sooner it'sss o – o –over,' I stuttered. 'A-a-and we c-c-c-can g-g-g-get w-w-w-warm.'

I began to swim not bothering to see if Bat was following behind me. I focused on putting one arm in front of the over. Just keep going I told myself. Just a little further I promised myself. I reminded myself that as soon as this was over we were going to get breakfast. I knew it would only be gruel but still it was better than nothing. I was so cold even the exercise wasn't warming me up particularly. I kept going and going pushing through the mind numbing cold and the ache in my limbs.

'Good work men,' came the sergeant's voice.

I turned my head slightly so I could see where the sergeant was. He was still in full SAS gear dry on land. Or as dry as you ever can be in the Brecon Beacons were there seem to be only two types of whether; wet and wetter. But it was drier – however slightly – on land than in this freezing lake. Why he thought this would be a good morning activity was beyond me. I supposed it was some sort of stamina exercise or something. But to hell if I was ever forced to swim in a frozen lake at five in the morning or any other time for that matter again.

'Out,' ordered the sergeant.

There was a sudden rush of tired, half naked men swimming for the shore line relief etched on every one of our faces. I hadn't even known that Bat could swim that fast. But they did say that you could run faster out of greed than fear. Well it seemed in this case it was right. We pulled ourselves up onto the land where we turned to see what our sergeant's next instructions were for us. I desperately wanted to put on some form of clothing. I was freezing but didn't want to get into trouble for disrespect – again!

'Get showered a changed. Report back here in ten minutes,' ordered the sergeant.

'We've just swam in the lake why do we need another shower,' complained Bat.

'To get the muck from the lake off,' Dog replied.

'Why couldn't we do it in a nice warm, clean swimming pool,' complained Bat.

'Its stamina building,' growled Polar Bear. 'You won't get swimming pools on the field. You'll have to wade through swamps and all sorts.'

Bat still seemed mutinous about this whole exercise. Not that I blamed him. I didn't think I'd ever feel properly dry again. Or warm either. But Bat wisely in front of a cold, wet, tired, and testier than usual Polar Bear kept his silence. But I was glad at least someone could control Bat. I wondered if that was why they'd been put in together. Polar Bear to control Bat. We arrived at the shower block. There certainly wasn't enough room for thirty-six soldiers to shower all at once. Luckily I was a fast swimmer and walker even in SAS standards.

So I had managed to claim one of the first showers. Polar Bear just growled at some of the younger recruits to get into a shower. That was one way I supposed. I felt a bit sorry for Bat and Dog who had to wait. Bat seemed particularly unhappy about this. I supposed that Bat hadn't had to go one day of his life without something he needed. I did wonder why he said he didn't like his family when they so obviously spoilt him. But I supposed that I loved my family and I most certainly not spoilt. I wasn't neglected either it just was.

I finished in my shower feeling a lot cleaner without the lake mud and grime coating me. And then I grabbed my towel drying myself down completely with it even my blonde locks. I felt much better after that. Still covered in goose bumps but at least semi warm unlike beforehand when I felt almost hypothermic. I then pulled on a new white vest and underwear leaving the other set out to dry. I then pulled back on my army clothes. I felt much better now. I then waited for the others to join me so I could go back and get something to eat.

Polar Bear was only a few seconds after I had finished getting changed where I was resting on my bed. Polar Bear went through the same routine as I did except taking longer with his more abundant blonde hair. The two of us were quiet as we waited for Bat and Dog to hurry up. I wondered if they had managed to get into the showers yet. There was an awkward silence. I deliberated attempting to talk to Polar Bear again. It hadn't gone too badly last night until the moment of Polar Bear's revelation.

'Were they in the showers when you left?' I asked.

'Dog,' grunted Polar Bear.

'Not Bat?' I asked.

'What do you think?' growled Polar Bear.

'He's okay if a bit dependent on his family riches,' I said.

'He won't last two seconds on the field,' growled Polar Bear.

'He did okay after I pulled him in,' I said.

'But what about when there is no one to pull him in,' growled Polar Bear.

'He'll have team mates,' I said.

'Do you want service men to die to make up for his incompetence?' demanded Polar Bear harshly.

'No,' I stuttered.

'There's Bat and then there's you who protects Bat even though you're probably the best in the unit,' growled Polar Bear.

'You think so,' I beamed. 'Hey was that a compliment?' I asked.

'No,' growled Polar Bear.

'I think it was,' I grinned.

'You think wrong,' growled Polar Bear.

At that moment the door opened to reveal Dog. He looked at us strangely I supposed it was because I seemed to be the only one Polar Bear was willing to talk to. That was only after the combat training. The combat training which I had well not beat him but not been beaten by him. I guessed that was it. Polar Bear would only speak to those who he felt was worth his time. He had just said it "you're probably the best in the unit". I had to say I was honoured to have won such I standing with Polar Bear.

'Where's Bat?' I asked.

'Still showering,' answered Dog.

'Bloody girl,' growled Polar Bear.

'You don't want my sister to here you saying that,' I chuckled. 'She'd probably hack beat you up.'

At that moment Bat came in finally. He looked at Dog who was still only in a towel; Polar Bear who as per usual was glaring with particular intensity at Bat. I got the impression that Polar Bear didn't like Bat and that was without what he had said before. I wondered had he lost someone because of someone else's ineptitude. Then he looked at me where I was still lying on the bed. He had obviously heard my last comment about Jackie which was completely true. Jackie had beat half the boys in school up.

'Your sister a bit of a tough one?' asked Dog.

'A bit?' I snorted. 'I think she's probably beaten up most of the boys at our school,' I laughed. 'She's working for the police now.'

'So she can beat up the crooks?' asked an amused Bat.

'It's not the fifties,' Dog rolled his eyes. 'The police can't beat the criminals up anymore.'

'Details,' Bat rolled his eyes.

'Hurry up,' growled Polar Bear.

Bat and Dog obviously intimidated by Polar Bear quickly shut up. I didn't have anything to worry about already fully dressed before Polar Bear had even entered. There was another silence but I was getting used to that with our unit. Polar Bear didn't seem to like talking to Bat and Dog unless he had to and didn't like talking in front of them at all. He would answer my questions but that was about it. Bat, Dog and I got on reasonably well when Bat wasn't being pompous. Dog and I both knew a lot about chemistry.

Soon Dog and Bat were ready and we headed down to the mess hall. We arrived there just on time. I wondered what would happen if we hadn't. But my question was soon answered by F Unit coming one second to late. They were made to do five hundred press ups without any lunch. I didn't envy that unit I could tell them. The rest of the camp hurried inside before the sergeant could revoke our dinner rights as well. We took our usual seat at the far end after we had been served up our gruel. Did I tell you I really hated that stuff?

Yeah I did. But I do. I ate it of course after all as disgusting as it may be it was better than going hungry – slightly. And I had to say that going hungry with the physical demands put on us was not something that I wanted to do. I felt sorry for F unit. How were they going to last until lunch without a morsel of food? This had just been our morning exercises and it had been tiring enough. I ate thinking about the day. Had it only been a day at training? It seemed like so much longer to me. I supposed it was because it was so damn tiring.

'After yesterday why did F unit come late again?' I asked.

'They're idiots,' snorted Polar Bear derisively. 'They are so going to get binned.'

I supposed that Polar Bear must know something about what would cause you to be binned considering he himself had been binned. I decided I wouldn't question him about that even though I desperately wanted to. I was just too damn nosey for my own good. With dad's stubbornness and need to know everything and mum's impatience I didn't know how I had any friends left. Though I supposed my bravery counted for something. Mum had said I'd inherited it from dad. She hadn't said it like it was a good thing though.

She had said it with that sad, scared look she always wore when dad was away at work. He had been away at that point and had come back with a broken arm. He had said he fell down the stairs but I heard mum and dad have one of their rare arguments that night. That was only a few months before mum did. I was glad when we were called to our next part of the day if only to get away from the sad thoughts surrounding mum's murder. I hated it and I hated it more that the murderer had never been caught.