Free Scarred Beginnings by Jackie Williams Page A

last leave. It’s a brilliant and very generous gesture that you and your sister are making. I’m sure all our lads will be more than appreciative. I can’t wait to see the place. The hog roast sounds mouth-watering. It had better be as good as Joe has been telling everyone. My wife has spent a small fortune on a new dress and accessories just for the occasion.”
    David groaned audibly.
    “No pressure then. Flipping heck, Ellen is going to do her nut. There’s still a load to do. She hadn’t even found a chef the last time I called her. She’s doing the cooking herself with the help of a couple of staff. We were hoping to find someone in time for the ball but it’s getting a bit tight for time now. We’re doing a hog roast but I’m not sure that Ellen knows one end of a pig from another, she mostly served it as sausages at home. ” He rubbed his hand over his brow.
    Richards raised his eyebrows.
    “From what I’ve seen of her, your sister is an exceedingly determined young woman Dave. She’ll have it all under control by the time you get there. When are you going?”
    David looked down at his watch.
    “As soon as possible. I have to be at Portsmouth in about an hour and a half to catch the night ferry.”
    His commander sat forwards again.
    “Well, I’d best not detain you any longer. We’re sorry to see you go but I completely understand. The wife and I look forward to seeing you for New Year.” He stood up and held out his hand.
    David shook it warmly and then turned to leave the room but Richards moved around his desk and towards the door with him. He spoke again as they reached the threshold.
    “ You’re going to miss your own leaving party. I think the boys have a bit of a drink up planned. This quick leave taking wouldn’t have anything to do with a certain young lady would it? Joe has been regaling us with all your adventures in France and describing a young French woman with vivid clarity. She sounds utterly charming.”
    David’s face suddenly became exceedingly warm.
    “I’ll bloody kill him when I see him. He was meant to keep it quiet. He’s lucky he’s on duty or I’d punch him,” his words sounded hard but his smile betrayed his true feelings. He nodded at Richards. “He’s right though. She is lovely. I think I may have lost my heart to her.”
    His commander beamed back at him confidently.
    “Ha! Nothing to be ashamed of young man. Nothing quite like having the love of your life to come home to. All this stuff we do…It’s not real life you know. Not the way the public see it at any rate. A woman worries about bills and kids and if the milk gets delivered on time…not all the crap we deal with. A partner keeps you grounded. She’ll be the making of you.”
    David rolled his eyes.
    “I don’t even know if she’ll have me yet. I haven’t seen her since the summer. It’s all just chat over the internet and a few emails.”
    Richards shook his head.
    “Well, Joe seems to be pretty sure about you and her. He’s running a book on what date you set for the wedding. My wife chose her New Year’s frock on the premise that it is going to be pretty soon and the outfit could be reused for your nuptials. Doesn’t do to let her down Phillips…think of your poor Commander having to put up with an extremely unhappy Mrs Richards. Doesn’t bear thinking about. I expect the invites to be given out at the ball.” He smiled widely as he slapped a stunned David on the back and propelled him towards the outside doors.
    David marched to his car. He’d already told the guys that he wouldn’t be able to attend his leaving party. It scarcely mattered anyway seeing that he had already been to three of them the previous week and the varying shifts meant that he had seen all of his team mates at one party or another.
    He checked that his passport was in his pocket before he waved at the gate guards as he exited the base for the last time and then whistled happily as he drove towards