“I understand, Iain. If possible, I would prefer to keep the police at a distance in case tactics are required that they are not allowed to use.” The two men were of equal ranking and on first name terms.
“Understood, Edgar. Let Communications know when you expect to call in so that we can stay close to you.” Rice pulled a face to himself — being told how to ‘suck eggs’— but he knew Iain Hamilton was concerned for him.
“Fine, Iain, I’ll be careful.” Then he hung up and headed out to Parfleet St Peter. It was twilight when he arrived and he drove through the village, noting the different buildings and side streets. Then he drove down to the harbour. The tide was running in and the fishing vessels were lifting off the harbour floor. The wind buffeted the car as he turned it and there were white caps on the water in the harbour. It was clear that there would be no fishing this night. Rice decided that he would call in at the pub when he had finished his tour of the village and then head back to the hotel in Louth. He decided that he had better telephone in and let them know when he would arrive so he pulled up with a view of the fishing boats. While making the call he studied the fishing vessels and noted which one was the Penny Jane. He also noted Walmar’s shed. Tomorrow he would look around more thoroughly and possibly ask for a support man from MI5. It was that or ask for a policeman to accompany him. He preferred the former approach and would lodge the request when he checked in later this evening.
Having completed his tour of the village, Commander Rice noted that it was now past opening time at the ‘local’ and drove back and parked across the road from the pub. There were others who had the same idea and were arriving and going into the bar. Rice got out of the car and followed them in. As he walked up to the bar, he overheard a young woman ordering a meal. Rice thought that it might be a good idea to follow her example. When the barman turned to him he ordered a pint of bitter and asked about a meal. “Well, it’s not normal for a Monday evening but you’re not the only one asking. We can only offer you fish and chips and peas tonight. The fish is fresh locally caught,” the barman said. Rice thanked him, paid for the meal and beer and went over to a corner table adjacent to one where some locals were sitting. Rice sat sipping his beer and listening to the conversation. They were all fishermen but this evening the main topic of conversation was the incident of the morning. The lady at the bar came over and joined the locals.
“Here’s our heroine!” one of them exclaimed.
“Shut up, Tim,” another responded. “Come on, Yvonne, don’t mind him. We’ll look after you.”
“Thanks, Jimmy,” responded Yvonne, as she pulled out a chair and sat down.
“Any news of Jamie, lass?” an older man asked.
“He’s in the RAF hospital at Nocton Hall and he was still unconscious when I telephoned at three o’clock this afternoon,” she replied.
“How are you feeling after that swim this morning?” Jimmy asked her.
“I’m fine. A hot bath and a change of clothes, plus some brandy, made all the difference,” she said. The conversation went over the event and the arrival of the ambulance and the police. Jimmy and Tim were the two who went over in the dinghy to get Yvonne and Jamie before they drifted out to sea. The conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Yvonne’s meal. “I just didn’t feel like cooking tonight,” she said to the others. Rice’s meal arrived shortly after and he started eating. The conversation at the other table turned to the weather and the likely fishing.
The bar door opened and three young men walked in. “One of those RAF lads was here this morning,” Tim exclaimed. “What do they want?”
“They most likely want to see me,” said Yvonne. “One of them is a good friend of Jamie’s.”
“Well, we don’t want any trouble here,” Tim exclaimed.
“They aren’t like that,” said Yvonne. “If they wanted trouble there would have been a lot more of them.”
The three airmen went up to the bar. Andy turned and saw Yvonne as she looked up from her meal. He gave her a wave and turned back to the bar. Commander Rice followed it all with interest. “I’ll go over when Yvonne’s finished her meal,” said Andy. “I’d like to hear her version of the events.”
“Better not upset the locals,” said Lance. “They might be a different proposition to the farm lads.”
“Don’t worry,” Andy replied. “I’ve no intention of doing that.” They engaged in discussion on plans for the coming weekend. Commander Rice studied the three airmen. They looked fit and healthy. He noticed that none of them smoked, which he found interesting. They looked very relaxed and apparently not looking for trouble. He put the one who waved to Yvonne as the leader. It was interesting that he had been sent over once news of the incident had reached
