Chapter 42

After he had climbed to his desired altitude he levelled out and throttled back to economy airspeed, glancing over the instrument panel to see everything was in order. Then he settled back for the long flight back home. His mind began to think of what lay ahead regarding organizing the training of the Jewish force. The training of map-reading and astral navigation would be left to the Prof and Cookie could be left to explain the intricacies of explosives and how to exist in the field. But the question of weapons, where to get them, what was available, figured most in his mind.

Yasmine dropped him off outside his home as she continued to the hospital block. He dropped his overnight bag on the bed then stripped and entered the shower. Thirty minutes later he entered the living room and poured out a drink for himself, taking it to the settee and sat down. He took a sip, then rubbed his eyes, tired from the long flight.

Sharon found him sleeping in the settee. He hadn’t even finished his drink she noticed. She smiled and unfastened his tie and shoes. Removing them, she lifted his legs and swung him around to lay along the settee. He murmured something in his sleep, but she could tell by his rhythmic breathing he was fast asleep. She brought a blanket from the bedroom and covered him before bending to kiss his lips.

She was outside on the stoop having breakfast when Shaun, freshly showered and shaved, made his appearance. He smiled apologetically, “Sorry darling, I must have been more tired than I thought”.

Sharon looked at him, “It’s a long trip from Cape Town and you had every right to be tired. Have some breakfast then tell me all about the trip”.

They moved into the lounge to drink their coffee and she waited until he lit a cigarette.

“Ken’s going to bid on nine Jeeps and three trucks, all brand new. There are extensive parts that are on offer as well. He knows what we need so I’ve left it with him to organize it all. The main problem is the weapons for them so I’m rather hoping your father has some ideas on that”.

“When will they arrive?” Sharon asked quietly.

“Well, he’ll have to organize freight for that amount so he’d need a least five flatbeds. They may need to lay on a special train for that lot. Which, surmising he gets it all, could take a week or so”.

“I’ll let Mum know and she can pass it on to Dad,” Sharon said.

“You can also let him know we are ready for the first trainees. They’ll need to arrive in ones and twos to avoid suspicion. Prof and Cookie should be here by then, hopefully”.

Sharon nodded, looking closely at him, “There’s a lot to do darling, and not a few problems to sort out”.

“Tell me about it,” he smiled ruefully.

Three days later Ken arrived at the Crater.

Shaun brought drinks out to the stoop while Ken brought him up to date with events.

“It all cost £20000,” he said with a smile. “That’s nine Jeeps and two trucks plus all the spares and twenty jerry cans. I also bought two trailer bowsers, a water bowser, and a fuel bowser. The trucks can tow them, I hope I didn’t overstep the mark but they were going for a pittance”.

Shaun laughed, “No, not at all. I should have thought of that. We will need them in the Sinai. When do they arrive?”

“Should be arriving within the next week. Their putting on a special train and the flatcars will be put into a siding when they arrive, so they said. That cost £1500 to lay on and all you need to do is get them to the Game Reserve. The Jeeps have been taken out of their packing cases and have been started up along with the trucks. The Naval Commander had the batteries charged up and filled the tanks with petrol but you will probably need more to get them to where they’re going. I’ll have the jerry cans filled with fuel once they arrive”.