Chapter 5

By the beginning of the New Year Robert had graduated from the wheel chair to crutches and then later to support sticks. Each had been a milestone in his recovery. Being able to move around freely was a welcome relief after his confinement to his bed. He was now able to use the en-suit bathroom and toilet unaided.

His right leg still showed the raw red scars of the operations he had undergone, but Gale had assured him that in time they would almost disappear. Some nights he would experience pain from his leg, which would build until he was forced to call a nurse to administer a pain med. He hated the fact that he still needed it.

Sir Royston was sitting at his desk when Ann entered with the mail and as usual she had placed the envelopes in order of priority. The top one had a MoD logo on it. Slitting it open with his ivory letter opener he quickly scanned the single page. “It seems Ann that our hero is to be invested by Her Majesty with the Victoria Cross. MoD wants to know if he will be fit enough by the second week in February to receive it.”

“Oh I’m so pleased to hear that,” said Ann a big smile breaking out on her face. “I know all the girls will be pleased for him.”

‘Um well don’t mention it yet as it’s not official until Robert gets confirmation and it still is down to me to say if he’s fit or not.”

“Oh course Sir Royston”, said Ann closing the door behind her.

He sat back in his chair a rueful smile on his face. Strange he thought, I’ve had the top sports and movie stars pass through here and yet to the thirty four permanent staff of the grange they are just patients. Yet with Robert the females act like love struck calves whist the men have the utmost respect for him. Perhaps it’s the fact he is their own genuine hero that they are nursing back to health. He had to admit to himself that he too had grown very fond of the boy. The courage he had shown throughout his stay, never complaining when Sir Royston knew he must have been in a great deal of pain. But always ready with a smile.

Yes he conceded the boy does deserve the VC.

Robert was officially notified two weeks later. Sir Royston had conferred with his senior staff. While they agreed that he still had a ways to go in order to be fully fit they agreed that he should be fit enough for the hour and a half investiture ceremony. Also, if he maintained his exercises there was no reason that he couldn’t return home after it.

Later that week Bev came into Robert’s room carrying a familiar case, it was his old leather case from his room at RAF Renton.

“This was delivered for you. Shall I unpack it?” enquired Bev.

“If you don’t mind Bev” replied Robert.

Beverly unzipped the case. Inside were two uniforms complete with shirts, ties and shorts, two hats and his greatcoat. At the bottom were two pairs of shoes polished to an unbelievable shine and a small package with a label stating Personal Effects.

She handed the package to Robert who tore open the cover to reveal a leather wallet, an old Rolex stainless steel day date watch, and a gold signet ring. Robert could see Bev was staring at them with a thoughtful look on her face.

“The watch and ring were my father’s”, he said as a way of explanation, “The ring has been in the family for over a hundred years. I never flew combat missions with them on. Wouldn’t want them to fall into the wrong hands,” he said with a forced laugh.

The plans were made. Robert would travel down to London the day before the investiture. He had been booked into a five star hotel. Someone from the Palace would contact him with the details of what he needed to do. Afterwards he would be free to travel home to Aventon.

Bev got him a copy of the train schedules from London Victoria to Christchurch in Dorset. He decided on the seven fifteen fast train which would get into Christchurch at around nine thirty pm. Next he put in a call to Mrs Mac to tell her the news and to ask her to get some food in for him. Mrs Mac, who had always been like a second mother to him, was laughing and crying all at the same time.