My thoughts were centered around the fact I would need a whole new military wardrobe.
My Mum had pinned my new award on my suit coat. I would have to look up how it was to be worn.
It was great to see the family. The Queen graciously stayed for a while and greeted people. When Mary was presented she told her that she needed to stop and see Princess Ann as the Princess had some clothing questions for her.
Mary never blinked an eye as she replied, “My pleasure your Majesty. Could this result in a Royal Warrant as a Purveyor to the Crown?”
Even the Queen was startled by this request. Who had put Mary up to this?
“It might be possible, but as a mother, I will have final approval of any clothing. As to a Warrant, we will see.”
I translated this as a Mum’s maybe which meant no way. I was proven wrong after Princess Ann chose outfits that were designed and manufactured in England by a new division of the company which actually made the clothing in Mary’s collection.
As to where she got the request, it was from the manufacturing company. They, and through them, Mary were going to make a mint. I saw their building on Carnaby Street. It had a very modern storefront.
I had to laugh as they featured those funny looking trousers that Denny and Eddie wore in that fashion shoot.
That was later, a General from Coldstream approached me and introduced himself. He informed me that I would have to attend an orientation on being an Officer in Coldstream.
This was a proud Regiment, Second to None, and there would be no mucking around with their reputation. I had the feeling there had been some arm twisting to find me a home in the military.
As a reserve officer, I would have no active duty and if called up I would directly serve the Queen. I privately gave a sigh of relief, I could not picture myself in a Bearskin hat standing guard in front of Buckingham Palace.
I would probably crack up when the tourists got up to their antics. That or clobber one of them.
The General did say, “Good show,” on my escape from the Communists so I wasn’t to be a leper, I think.
After the ceremony, Mum, Dad, and the kids bundled into a Bentley and followed me back to The Meadows. Grand Mum hadn’t come down to London for the presentation.
She had her good days and her bad days. This must have been a bad one because I knew she loved the pomp and circumstance that surrounded any Royal event.
It was fun the next few days having my family nearby. I still had to go to classes but the evenings were nice. Mum and Dad went to London one evening to see a play.
They were going to stay for Guy Fawkes fireworks on Saturday and head home on Monday.
I had a date in Switzerland on Saturday night but at Dad’s suggestion, I called her and asked if she wanted to come to England and spend the weekend with us.
She jumped at the idea. I would fly over and pick her up on Friday, and return her on Sunday.
All went well until the fireworks. Mum had used some influence to get us a box on the Thames to watch the huge London show.
Somewhere during the display, Mary disappeared. We thought she had got lost in the crowd. She was smart enough to let a Bobbie know that she had been separated from her family.
As a group, we went to the nearest policeman to report her missing. I would certainly tease her when she was returned to us.
As we were walked along a man grabbed me by the shoulder and handed me a note then disappeared into the crowd.
The note said, “We have your sister. Do not tell anyone, bring one person with you 8:00 am tomorrow morning to the Glienicke Bridge. We will free her in exchange for you.”
I started to panic and then thought, this is Mary you have to do this.
I turned to Nina, “A change of plans, we need to get to the airport at once.”
Without notifying my parents we drifted back into the crowd. Since the show was still going on we were able to catch a cab to Heathrow.
I had the Greyhound Cessna in a private hangar so it was easy to get in the plane and leave after all the checks. It took most of the night to get to Tempelhof after stopping for fuel.
Nina understandably wanted to know what was going on. She had been a real trooper in going along with me so far without questions.
I explained that Mary had been kidnapped, showing her the note.
“It has to be the Stasi, East Germany secret police. They want revenge over my previous escape from them.”
“Rick, you can’t let them take you as a prisoner, what will they do to you?”
“I can’t let them keep Mary, besides they will just lock me up until they can exchange me for one of their spies.”
I didn’t mention the condition or fate of the last prisoner they had returned.
The plan we came up with was simple. We took a taxi to the bridge. I paid him a small fortune to wait, he was to take Nina and Mary to the British Embassy as fast as he could.
During the exchange, Nina was to pick Mary up and run to the taxi. I had a bright idea as we were going to the bridge. There was a camera shop open. I had the taxi driver stop and I bought a Hasselblad camera with a telephoto lens.
I asked the driver to take as many pictures of the exchange that he could. He was then to give
