Free Easterleigh Hall at War by Margaret Graham Page B

very special friend, they’ll be delicious. We’ll share them round, just a crumb each but I’ll write and she’ll send more, direct this time.’ Both women smiled.

Chapter 4
The same day
    AS HE ENTERED the camp, seeing shadows flitting in the dusk from tent to tent, to latrine, to barn, Jack was met by Auberon, who motioned him to one side, leading the way to the lee of the barn, out of earshot of everyone else. ‘We’re on the move, six hundred hours tomorrow, Jack, out of deep reserve. All I know is that we’re heading to an area, here.’ He held up a map against the side of the barn, lighting it with his torch, tracing the route they were to take.
    â€˜We’ll entrain to here.’ He stabbed at a junction. The right-hand corner of the map folded down. Jack pinioned it back, looking closely as Auberon traced the way to the embarkation point. ‘We’ll march to here and await further orders.’ He stabbed again. ‘I know nothing more, except that the Indians are on the move too. Get your men together and ready, but I don’t need to tell you that. And keep your mouth shut, though why anyone would think there was nothing going on with all the damned movement, God alone knows. The Huns will have their reconnaissance planes up, tracking everything.’
    Auberon switched off the torch, tugged the map from beneath Jack’s hand, folded it, and tucked it into his pocket. ‘Could be close contact, could just be festering in bloody foot-rotting trench. Be prepared for anything. But again, I don’t need to tell you. I’ve sorted beer for the men. It’ll be at the pigsty at twenty hundred hours. Keep an eye on the Lea End mob, only a pint each, there’s a good chap. They seem to prefer it to rum.’
    Auberon dragged out his cigarette case, offering it to Jack, who took one. They were better than roll-ups any day. ‘At ease, Jack. Mufti time.’ They leaned back against the barn. Jack struck a match, lit both, flicked the match away. Soon they’d be at the Front and they’d not be hanging about lighting too many matches. He’d have to remember to remind the lads. Thank God he made it to Le Petit Chat, thank God for so many things about today.
    He stared up at the sky. It was beyond dusk now and the stars were out. Auberon said, ‘Did you deliver the cake?’
    Jack nodded, drawing on his cigarette, exhaling, seeing the smoke rise in the chill air. ‘Aye, I did that, Auberon.’ Was that the Milky Way? He was right bad at stars. He asked, ‘Bloody sweepstake on it, was there?’
    â€˜I won it.’ They laughed and Auberon added, ‘That’s why there’s beer. There’ll be rum first thing tomorrow.’
    Jack looked at him. ‘A boss couldn’t do anything else, could he really?’
    â€˜More’s the pity. I’d have liked to go to Le Petit Chat myself if my Very Adorable Darling was available, but as you say, best to roll out the barrel, bought I might add from Rogiers’, the other
estaminet
, to leave you in privacy. Not even time for a drink for myself.’
    â€˜My heart bleeds.’ Jack drew again on his cigarette.
    â€˜I’m hoping it doesn’t, Jack. I’m hoping that things . . .’ Auberon trailed off as Jack stood away from the barn. ‘Sorry, none of my business,’ Auberon said quickly, though he remained lounging.
    Jack said, ‘A while ago someone called those three women, Evie, Veronica and Grace, a monstrous regiment. Can’t remember who but I reckon they were right. Veronica’s been writing about it to you, so you knew it was cake, and chose not to tell me? Well, Auberon, you can write and tell that “regiment” that we’ve met and we understand one another and the whole thing has been resolved. Is that enough for now?’ He relaxed against the barn again, looking back at the stars. Aye, he was sure it was