Chapter 40

The journey South was uneventful. They did not take a break and Victoria's hand never left Mark's thigh. They talked non-stop: politics, music, their highs and lows, their families, their hopes, their aims, the children they would have and, most of all, their love. Four hours concentrated conversation meant they knew each other almost inside out and they still loved each other.

They agreed that they were both strong, forceful characters and that they would, on occasions, disagree, possibly strongly.

"Surely, darling," said Victoria, "we should be able to reach a reasoned answer."

"Mostly" said Mark with a wry grin, "but if it's an emotional issue we may have to have a cooling off period. Again, if it's an emotional issue, one or both of us may hang back from confronting it."

"I agree with the cooling off period if that's necessary, although I admit I can be headstrong, but please, darling, don't let either of us bottle up emotions. It would make us so unhappy."

Mark covered the hand on his thigh. "I'll do my best, darling, but you've seen me over our getting engaged. I get my emotions and reasoning in a total tangle and can't make up my mind."

"Well, you did make up your mind and, as far as I'm concerned, you made the right decision."

"Didn't I just," laughed Mark happily tightening his hold on Victoria's hand. "But, darling, it might be more difficult. How close are you and Rupert as twins?"

"Very. While he's been at Sandhurst I've felt some of his lows but I've known that basically he's been as happy as a sand boy."

"Serena isn't my twin but we are very, very close."

"I know, my darling."

"She felt all the anguish and mish-mash of my thinking about you."

"I know. She told me. She also told me about your cuddles."

"God!" exploded Mark.

"Don't worry, darling. Rupert and I have done some experiments but I've never gone down on him. And he never got the same reaction as you from playing with my boosies."

"So that's why there was an agreement about tucking me in."

Victoria smiled and laid her head on Mark's shoulder. "Yes, darling."

"Golly! I'm going to have to watch you two, but what I was going to say was always talk to Serena if you think there's something going astray."

Victoria nodded her agreement. "And if Rupert says something to you about us take notice of it."

"Yes, darling"

Their hands tightened their grip.

They got home slightly after midday and let themselves in through Mark's flat. They were hungry and went into the kitchen where they found a note on the table.

Dear Sir and Miss. Pork pie and salad in the fridge. Cold new potatoes if you want them. Some other things in the fridge but they won't last you long. See you Monday fortnight.

J Harris

Cpl ACC

"Bless him," said Mark.

Victoria nodded. "What's does ACC mean?"

"Army Catering Corps," he said. "That chap is as proud of his regiment, or corps rather, as I am of being a Green Howard."

"It's tribal, isn't it?"

"Yes, particularly for the regiments and yet the corps have a huge family feeling too. There was a guy in Germany who was so proud to be in the Royal Engineers. You can see the same in their team here. Like us, they have a long history and they've also got their heroes. But tribalism is one of the big things in the British Army. It generates pride and family. It's why people will do things they would never have believed they were capable of because they didn't want to let the family down."

Victoria looked at him, eyes full of love, "Nor must we, my darling, but now that we're engaged..."

"Yes, my darling, but..."

"I know. I know."

"By the way, are you on the pill?"

"Yes, my precious. Ever since I knew again that you were going to be my man."

"What do you mean 'knew'?"

Victoria giggled. "I decided I still wanted you and you, my darling love, were a pushover."

"What?" Mark demanded.

"I could see you were interested so I swung my hips a bit and bingo."

"You are a wicked, wicked wench ... or witch. I'm not sure which."

"Oh, witch! You're much too righteous to be seduced by a wench."

They both laughed themselves silly.

"Anyway," said Mark finally. "You're safe and," a wicked grin creeping across his face, "you haven't been sleeping with anybody else, as far as I'm aware."

"You shit," she smiled back at him and mock slapped his cheek.

They ate their lunch and then Mark went and changed into uniform. Victoria said she was going to buy some groceries.

Mark went to his office and rang Edward Jones, the Mess Secretary, and asked if it would be convenient for him to come and collect the glass from him. Edward said he would be around all afternoon. Mark told him that he would be over later with a military policeman.

Next he rang Mike Rawlins and told him the situation. Mike was sympathetic and helpful and promised a policeman would be at the Officers' Mess within half an hour. He asked whether Mark wanted his detachment to get involved officially saying that they could take statements from all the people involved. Mark said he was reluctant to escalate the business and that he would prefer to do the donkey work himself and then would discuss with Colonel Wilson how he wanted to play it. He ran through his case with Mike who could not detect any flaws.