more than that –
‘I was just thinking, sir – ’ Oddly enough, that certainty steadied him. But, then again, not oddly at all: it was uncertainty that was unsteadying. The only thing that was odd was that he hadn’t been more frightened at Osios Konstandinos. But then he had had Kyri with him, of course. And he had only been an innocent bystander, too –
‘That’s what I want you to do – go on!’ What was wrong with the voice was that it had no origins. It wasn’t public school and Sandhurst (as he had a right to expect), or Oxbridge, or BBC, or Home Counties or Scottish or soft Irish (Welsh was not to be expected) –
‘I didn’t mean that.’ He mustn’t think any more about that voice: it would only unsettle him again. ‘I was thinking about what a friend of mine once said – not so long ago, actually.’ As he smiled at the Brigadier he felt his unwashed, unshaven face crinkle with the effort. ‘He advised me against getting mixed up with dummy4
units like this one. He said I should stick to bridge-building . . . and mine-clearance and bomb-disposal.
Because that would be healthier for me, he said.’
The Brigadier looked at him expressionlessly for a long moment. Then quite unexpectedly the eyes disengaged, staring past him. ‘
The sound of the People’s Car-door opening was quickly succeeded by a boot-stamping sound: Driver Hewitt must be actually standing to attention, that sound suggested, unlikely as it seemed.
‘
The Brigadier drew a breath. ‘
‘
‘Now . . .’ The Brigadier smiled his smile at Fred again, stepping forward as he did so until he was alongside him, and then draping a friendly arm across his shoulders ‘. . . we shall walk a little way, and – and
‘No, sir – ’ If the Brigadier had struck him Fred would have been less astonished, so that it took a considerable effort of will to simulate even partial relaxation ‘ – yes, sir –’
dummy4
‘“Freddie” is how my intimates address me – ’ The Brigadier steered Fred with an iron hand ‘ – and that is what you will call me in the mess tonight, when we meet again – do you understand, major?’
‘Yes, sir.’ Fred had the impression that he wasn’t being steered back towards the car, but obliquely to it.
‘But . . . that will maybe be a bit confusing.’
‘Confusing?’ The Brigadier’s head came closer. ‘How so?’
Fred swallowed. ‘There’s a move ... to call me
“Freddie”, sir.’
There is?‘ The pale eyes were terrifying at close quarters. ’But your diminutive is “Fred”. So whose idea was that, eh? One of Colbourne’s little jokes, I suppose –eh?‘
‘I . . .’ Words failed him.
‘Don’t worry. We’ll correct that.’ The iron hand actually patted him. ‘In fact . . . we’ll make a joke of it ourselves. And you can practise laughing right now –
so
It was so unarguably an order that Fred instinctively tried to obey – the more so as Brigadier Clinton was himself obeying the order.
Another pat. ‘That is, without doubt, the poorest parody of laughter I have ever seen, Major Fattorini.
Do you always obey orders so inadequately?’
dummy4
Fred tried again, but stopped as he saw not laughter, but hysteria grinning at him from out of the trees ahead. ‘I was laughing inside actually, sir – Freddie – ?’
That’s better!‘ The Brigadier dropped his arm suddenly, and swung round. ’
‘
The Brigadier took several steps towards the rigid little man. ‘You were told to bring Major Fattorini here, and then proceed to Schwartzenburg Castle. Can’t you obey a simple order, man?’
Silence.
‘Sir ... I – ’ Another pause. ‘Yes, sir!’
‘Well then – what are you waiting for?
