Chapter 28

Ted poured out a drink for them as they sat down. Shaun told him of the encounter with the enemy ending by saying. “I want you to put Jack in for an award. He saved our necks for us out there”.

Ted nodded “Speaking of awards, Z patrol is mentioned in dispatches. Bobby, Bill, and Tim are awarded DSC and you, Shaun, a DSO, coming to you for the aircraft raid”.

Shaun looked at Tim and smiled. “We would rather have leave,” he murmured.

Ted laughed “You’ll get that after Bobby and Bill get back. You all will go to Cairo to get them”.

Shaun later went to collect his mail. There were three tins from Aunt Vicky and four letters from Sharon. He laid back on his cot and began to read them. At some stage during it he fell asleep, a deep relaxing black sleep.

He awoke feeling the chill of evening; the sun was setting. He grabbed his wash bag and towel and headed to the showers. Later in the mess tent eating spam, fritters, chips and beans, he told Cookie there was some tinned food from home for him to pick up.

Over the next week the men worked on the trucks and Jeeps giving them a much-needed service. The guns were removed, stripped, and cleaned. Tyres were replaced and springs checked. A washing line was strung between two of the palm trees holding their cleaned clothing.

The Prof had developed his photographs and delivered them to Shaun in an envelope. “She’s a beautiful girl boss”, was his only comment. Shaun realised some were a little daring as he gazed at them. Her long slender legs that merged into her thighs and hips, the flatness of her stomach. Her small but rounded breasts. Her long slender neck with the heart shaped face above. The way her eyes were looking into the camera with an impish smile on her face. Shaun was filled with longing for her. Seeing her in the red two piece had excited him.

Bobby and Bill returned two days later. In the command tent with Ted, Shaun, and Tim present Bobby gave his report.

“We recon we have destroyed 147 trucks and three tankers. A lot of the trucks were British and Italian, some were only 30cwt’s. I got the feeling they’re running out of transport. We came across a tanker and three trucks parked by the side of the road. It didn’t look right so on closer examination we noticed that the tanker wasn’t sitting down on its springs and I realised it was empty. The three trucks had a rolled up part of the canvas cover. Then we saw they had three MG34 mounted in each of them. The crafty bastards were a set up for anyone attacking. Well they won’t be using them again”.

Bobby moved to the map, “We raided from Barce to Bomba, but towards the end of our time we noticed fewer convoys coming through”.

Ted nodded, “The reason for that is they’re using Tobruk to shorten their supply line”. Ted told them about the medals and leave. “The Brigadier will be conducting the ceremony at Command Headquarters, so you have three days to get cleaned up and have your hair cut”.

Shaun used the spare Jeep to drive over to the hospital to see Jack. Finding him eventually sitting out in the garden. He handed Jack a small bag, “There’s cigarettes and a bottle of scotch in there”.

Jack smiled “Thanks Boss, I’ve been gasping for a fag”.

Shaun smiled opening his cigarette case and letting Jack take one. He took one himself and lit them both. He told Jack about the award ceremony and what Bobby had said about their patrol, and that Rommel was using Tobruk for his supplies.

Jack replied saying that he would be returning to the Oasis the next day and hoped to be there to see the ceremony. When Shaun left he was relieved to see Jack looking much better.

As Ted would be using the Ford the four officers used the spare Jeep to drive into Cairo. The desk boys rushed down to collect their valises from the Jeep as they drew up outside the Nile Palace.

But when they went to book in at reception they found the hotel was full and the only rooms available were doubles so they would have to share. As Shaun signed in, the receptionist seeing his name informed him there was a message for him, handing over an envelope.

On opening it he found a key and a short note, ‘Don’t book in. love S’. Shaun grinned at Bobby, “It’s your lucky day. I’m taking the Jeep and I’ll bring it back tonight”. With that he grabbed his valise and rushed out of the hotel, leaving a mystified Bobby behind.

The flat looked the same except for fresh flowers in the pots. He took the valise through to the bedroom and removed his jacket. Back in the lounge he poured out a vodka, adding tonic and ice to it. Then he settled down to wait.