week on base.
David would not have to undergo his paratrooper training in unarmed
combat and weapons. A downed pilot in Arab territory had a much better
chance of survival if he was proficient in this type of fighting.
David went straight from le Dauphin's office to the telephone in the
crew-room. He caught Debra before she left the Lauterman Building for
lunch.
Warm the bed, wench, he told her, I'll be home tomorrow night.
He and Joe drove up to Jerusalem in the Mercedes, and he wasn't
listening to Joe's low rumbling voice until a thumb like an oar prodded
his ribs.
Sorry, Joe, I was thinking.
Well, stop it. Your thoughts are misting up the windows. What did you
say?
J was talking about the wedding, Hannah and me. David realized it was
only a month away now, and he expected the excitement amongst the women
was heavy as static on a summer's day before the rain. Debra's letters
had been filled with news of the arrangements.
I would be happy if you will stand up with me, and be my witness. You
fly as wingman for a change, and I'll take on the target.
David realized that he was being honoured by the request and he accepted
with proper solemnity. Secretly he was amused. Like most young
Israelis David had spoken to, both Debra and Joe claimed not to be
religious. He had learned that this was a pose. All of them were very
conscious of their religious heritage, and well versed in the history
and practice of Judaism.
They followed all the laws of living that were not oppressive, and which
accorded with a modern and busy existence.
To them religious meant dressing in the black robes and wide-brimmed
hats of the ultra orthodox Mea Shea rim, or in following a routine for
daily living that was crippling in its restrictions.
The wedding would be a traditional affair, complete with all the
ceremony and the rich symbolism, complicated only by the security
precautions which would have to be most rigorously enforced.
The ceremony was to take place in the Brig's garden, for Hannah was an
orphan. Also the secluded garden and fortress-like walls about it, were
easier to protect.
Amongst the guests would be many prominent figures in the government and
the military.
At the last count we have five generals and eighteen colonels on the
list, Joe told him, to which add most of the cabinet, even Golda has
promised to try and be there. So you see, it's going to make a nice
juicy target for our friends in Black September. Joe scowled and lit
two cigarettes, passing one to David. If it wasn't for Hannah, you know
how women feel about weddings, I would just as soon go down to a
registry office. You are fooling nobody, David grinned. You are
looking forward to it. Sure, Joe's scowl cleared. It's going to be
good to have our own place, like you and Debs. I wish Hannah had been
sensible. A year of pretending, he shook his head. Thank God it's
