Chapter 12

A wailing siren announced the arrival of the local wooden tops and gradually the smile faded from the bitch's face,

"I think you might find that you two are the ones who're fucked" I said as a jam sandwich skidded to a halt beside us,

"Right, what's occurring here then?"

My hopes sank as I stared at him, this was the last thing I needed, a fucking brain dead wooden top,

"You're out of your league mate" I said, "Just keep hold of sonny and mummy there until some people arrive, they'll tell you everything you need to know"

He grinned and shook his head,

"A quiet word sir if you please"

We took a couple of paces so we'd be out of earshot,

"Look, I don't know who or what you are, but I can make a fucking good guess, I live in the village and I heard about the little fracas you had here a while ago, I didn't say this, but if I were you, I'd make myself scarce, do I take it that a certain section of her Majesty's armed forces may be on their way?"

As he spoke, John's car skidded to a halt and he got out greeting the copper with a familiar grin,

"The officer groaned but smiled and said,

"Hya mate, I suspected you lot might be involved"

"Hello Paul, be with you in a minute mate"

Turning to me, he said softly, "I've just been on to Hereford mate, they're in the air now so if I was you, I'd make myself scarce"

"Yeah John, I hear you, but she saw me and Katie, you know, messing about and she'll spill everything"

"Well we can't slot them Dave, it's gonna be a police matter, you know, prevention of terrorism act and all that, just bugger off and I'll see who they send"

As much as anyone on earth, I trusted John and there was nothing else I could do anyway except to tell him that they were in quite a compromising situation themselves, he nodded and I took Katie's hand.

As we reached the cottage we heard a chopper and turned to see it landing in the field near the trees, half a dozen police cars pulled up too, so all I could do was wait,

"It'll be ok Dave" Katie said and squeezed my hand, I just wished I shared her optimism!

Of all the people, it had to be Fairweather, he arrived an hour later in a white Range Rover,

"It's not good" he said as we sat with a coffee, "She's quite prepared to tell everything that she saw and I believe her too, she's a nasty piece of work"

"That's it then" I groaned and looked at my sister, "We've had it"

"There is a way though" he said and I began to realise just why he was a colonel and I'd never made it above sergeant!

"As you know, we sometimes employ specialist individuals or companies in a strictly civilian capacity for security work either on the base or around it, I gather you run quite a successful security company yourself"

"Yes sir"

"Right, that's it then, sorted"

"What is?" I asked, I must have been even more dense than usual,

"I'll put your company on our list, nobody will listen to her then, you and all your employees will be subject to the same level of security and protection as the serving members of the regiment"

"Will there be a D notice on it all?"

"Oh definitely"

"Thank you sir, thank you very much"

He beamed and shook my hand,

"You may not think much of me, in fact I know that you think I'm a desk warrior, that doesn't bother me at all, there are better men than me to organize all the gung-ho stuff that you lot get up to, my main concern is for the people under me and that includes all ex-regiment members as well, we never forget you know"

"I know sir and I'm grateful"

Katie crossed over to him and planted a kiss on his cheek,

"You're very kind colonel, thank you"

"And you're very lovely miss" he was blushing a deep shade of red as he bade us goodbye and drove back up to the trees to where his men were waiting,

"Is that it Dave?" she came into my arms and kissed, "Is it over?"

"It's over Princess"

"Can we take a holiday Dave?"

"I don't see why not, it'll do us good to get away"

"Can we t--?"

"Go and phone her" I grinned and she squealed with delight.

I heard Claire's similar squeal just as John and Sandy pulled up outside and I put the idea to them as we sat in the garden with a can of beer each,