Chapter 13: Dear Rat Friend Jack

Moffitt looked at the return address on the envelope he picked up at mail call. It was from Hitch's friend, Isla, and he wondered why she was writing to him. She had asked them all to write to her when they parted company a few months ago but somehow he hadn't followed through. He took the letter to the roof of Headquarters where he liked to be alone with his thoughts. He inhaled the tantalizing aroma of the Chanel #5 emanating from the paper where she had dabbed her "signature scent." Utilizing his penknife, he slit opened the envelope, removed the letter, and read:

My Dear Rat Friend Jack,

I pray this letter finds you well, although if you're not hospitalized, I have to wonder why you haven't yet written to me. All kidding aside, I do worry about the four of you and truly hope you are all well.

Currently, I am in England, rehearsing a production of the ballet, "Giselle," that we are performing next month for the royal family. I'm sure Mark told you all about it. Rehearsals are going well but I am so nervous being with all these professional ballet dancers. I hope I don't embarrass them or myself.

I haven't heard from Mark for a while, but I know letters sometimes go missing or take a circuitous route before getting where they are meant to be, especially when travelling about so much. Maybe you have indeed written to me, but your letter just hasn't arrived. If that is the case, then I apologize for my earlier snide comment.

When I first arrived in England, I had a few days before beginning rehearsals, so I went to visit your parents. They made me feel right at home and were delighted when I told them about our time together. I hope I didn't spoil the surprise when I told them about your Distinguished Conduct Medal. I thought they would both burst with pride.

They told me about your brother, Ian, as I was with them on his birthday. I am so very sorry his life was cut short by this bloody war. They are still grieving his loss and continuously worry about you and the dangers you face. They spoke of him at length and were concerned you might be having difficulty as you remembered his special day. I hope you were able to talk about him with your teammates. I always find it helps to talk about difficult things with a close friend (usually Mark) and I always feel better when I do.

Your mother gave me her recipe for treacle tart, which I had never made but I will be sure to do so in the future. I gave her my Granny Mac's recipe for Scottish Tea Bread, and we enjoyed baking a batch together. Your father heartily approved, and I think you will enjoy it since you soak the fruit overnight in tea and sugar. She said she would make you a loaf when you return home.

Your father gave me a tour of Cambridge and it reminded me so much of New England, it almost made me homesick. It just emanates a sense of hallowed history, and I can see why you love it so much. I attended church with them, and the vicar asked me in advance (at the behest of your parents) if I would sing during the service. Fear not, I don't sing in my "sexy chanteuse" voice when singing "The 23rd Psalm."

We had a delightful time together and I told them all about what an amazing man they had raised. I hope I didn't shock them too much when I told of your removing shrapnel from the wound I sustained when making an ass of myself. They love you so much and appreciated hearing about the work you are doing in Africa. Your father autographed a copy of his latest book for me, and I read it during rehearsal breaks. It is fascinating.

Now I will come to the ulterior motive for writing to you. I haven't heard from Mark and I'm afraid I really messed things up with him by kissing him when we said goodbye. Has he said anything? Did I frighten him with my actions? I am so nervous I have damaged our friendship with my impulsiveness. Please, let me know what he is thinking or encourage him to write. I know he confides in you a lot so I am hoping you will help me figure out what's going on and what I can do to repair any damage I've caused.

Maybe I'm overreacting and his letter is on his way to me. I keep asking myself why I did it and then, when he didn't react at all, I grew afraid that I had botched things between us. He's my best friend in the world and I don't ever want to jeopardize the relationship we share. Please, help ease my anxiety and let me know what's going on. It's the not knowing that's driving me crazy.

Thank you so much for listening and I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible. You and the other Rats are in my daily prayers. I hope to hear from you as soon as possible and long for a time when we can all be together when the world stops blowing up around us. I will write again after my performance for the king. Take care of yourself and the others.

Moffitt returned the letter to the envelope with a sigh, catching the scent of her perfume as he did. He was glad she had visited with his parents and was intrigued by her description of the tea bread. He knew Hitch had written to her and hoped that would clear everything up for her. He didn't really want to get caught in the middle of the situation. He decided to keep her letter to himself for now but would return to his quarters and write a response immediately. She really was the most fascinating woman he had ever met and cherished the memory of her performance of The Swan. Hitch was such a fool sometimes.