Chapter 25

The men were climbing out of the three-tonner with their bags and cases as Shaun pulled up behind it. Bobby and Bill were welcoming them back with ribald remarks concerning lazy bastards. Ted detached himself and came over to the Ford. “I here you had an interesting leave Shaun,” was his opening remark. He said something to Tim and indicated Shaun should follow him back to his tent.

“Pull up a chair, Shaun.” He sat down wondering why he was here.

Sandy knocked on the tent post. “You wanted to see me Sir.”

Ted nodded “come on in and close the flap”. Once he had done so Ted asked him to examine Shaun’s shoulder. Sandy helped him remove his shirt and after removing his dressing he touched the wound. Then taking Shaun’s arm lifted it asking him to tell him when it was too painful. After ten minutes he said Shaun could put back his shirt, telling him he didn’t need a dressing now. “So Sandy what’s your prognosis?” Ted asked.

“Well his shoulder blade took most of the cut but the knife nicked his shoulder muscle. The wound has healed so I can take the stitches out tomorrow.”

“Will it affect him carrying out his duties?” Ted asked.

Sandy chuckled “He won’t be playing table tennis for a while, but apart from being stiff and sore he should be okay”.

Shaun looked at the two of them, “If you are both quite done inspecting the meat can someone help me put on my shirt?”

Ted laughed, “Thanks Sandy. That will be all.” He helped Shaun slip the shirt on, “As you no doubt realised Captain Silverman told me about your mishap. He was concerned you may not be able to take out your patrol, hence the medical examination. It seems that you are able.” Ted said dryly.

It seemed the word had got out about Shaun’s run in with the Arabs as the men asked about him. Jack came over to inquire and Shaun gave him the pocket version ending by saying “Jack before our next leave I’m going to need a 7.65 PPK and a Leica camera and film”.

Jack nodded “I hear Sharon’s quite a good shot, so she’s got your PPK?” Shaun nodded.

Over the next two days the men worked on the trucks and Jeeps checking everything and then began loading them. Shaun had spoken to Bobby who had made three runs out to the cave stockpiling petrol ammunition and food.

“You should be alright for about three weeks”, he said has he handed Shaun a list of what had been taken out. He remarked that the runs had been milk runs, no enemy patrols were seen or aircraft.

On the third day they set out. Shaun sat with Titch in Sue, whilst Sammy drove the Jeep with the Prof as his passenger. They arrived at the cave entrance on the fourth day.

They climbed from the vehicles, stretching and bending to release cramped muscles from the constant jarring of their passage across the desert. The burners were broken out and the pan for the tea was soon bubbling away. Shaun pushed up the goggles and pulled down the scarf, wiping his face with it. He rinsed his mouth with his water bottle then spat it out, clearing the dust that had accumulated in his mouth. He lit a cigarette, drawing in the smoke leaning against Sue’s front wing.

Sammy came over with his mug. “Bet you’re ready for this boss,” he said cheerfully. Shaun smiled and nodded, noticing that the tea had milk in it. Cookie must be using the evaporated milk that Aunt Vicky sent him. After the tea Jack sent down five men to move the boulders across the entrance of the wadi. Two others climbed to keep lookout.

Tim came over to him. “How’s the arm,” he asked.

“Not too bad, still a bit stiff but not as painful”, he murmured. “We’ll let the men have a good night’s sleep, then tomorrow we’ll check out the traffic opposite Bomba where the road drops down to the coastal plain.

Tim nodded “By the way I gave that roll of film to the Prof to develop, but with getting ready for this he hasn’t had a chance to do it yet”.