One of the others asked, “Now what do we do with this other prisoner? We are pretty sure that he’s Russian. If he is, the Russians will react by arresting one of our people or an innocent British citizen and accuse them of spying. We don’t want that if we can avoid it.”
One of the others agreed and said, “I think we should pass it back to the chief and suggest he discreetly contact his opposite number with a view to doing a deal and handing him back through Berlin, if he is one of theirs. That would avoid a lot of bad publicity and headaches. They won’t send him back here again.” After discussing the alternatives, they all agreed on this suggestion and Hamilton headed for the office and the telephone.
Leonard Bailey was informed that he would be taken back to his home in Manchester and released. He was asked about insurance on his car and, since it was insured, he should put a claim in. A note was made of the insurer. Bailey was visibly relieved at this outcome but he was warned that if evidence was found to implicate him with the attempted theft then he would be arrested and charged.
Hamilton returned from the office and said it was all under control. He was going home for the night and would go back to Newcastle in the morning. Hamilton wondered about Corporal Hill. He was already a marked man and there had been one attempt on his life recently. After that photograph in the ‘Daily Mail’ there would most likely be another. Perhaps the deal to return the Russian could include leaving Corporal Hill alone. He headed out to the car.
***
Lance drove into Corbridge with his two colleagues-cum-friends in the car with him. They drove down to the Waltons’ house where Andy got out and Margaret Muir got in. Dan had been able to contact her and she was delighted to be able to go out for a meal with him. Alice was standing outside the house with a big smile of welcome.
“We’ll pick you up about ten on the way back,” said Lance. “See you later.” The car drove off, heading for Hexham. Alice greeted Andy with a kiss on the cheek and, putting her arm through his, led him into the house. She led him into the lounge where her parents were sitting.
“You’ll join us for dinner, Andy?” queried Judith Walton.
“I’d be delighted,” he replied.
“Good,” said Judith. They all moved into the dining room for the meal.
“How long is the unexpected stay for, do you know?” asked John Walton.
“We move on Monday,” said Andy. “The work here is complete so the equipment will be taken down to Lincolnshire and the whole detachment goes down too.”
“Oh! So you have the weekend here?” asked Judith.
“Mummy!” exclaimed Alice, a little put out that she wasn’t the one asking the questions.
John Walton cut in, “The reason we are asking is that I spoke with Andy’s father yesterday and we renewed our acquaintanceship. We plan to get together for a meal, possibly in Morpeth.”
Andy responded, “I was hoping to see them sometime this weekend but I wanted to discuss it with Alice first.”
John replied, “That’s fine. You two discuss it later and let us know what you decide.” Andy nodded and they all got on with the meal.
Later, Andy and Alice went for a walk. She led him westward, away from the town, towards the site of the Roman ruins. They walked without speaking for a while, just enjoying the warmth of each other’s company. Alice had put her arm through his and snuggled as close to him as she could, he shortening his pace so that they walked comfortably in step with each other. It was a cool autumn evening with a clear sky and, as they left the street lights behind, more stars became visible. There was rustling in the hedgerow as they walked, some bird or other creature disturbed by their passing. They turned in through the gate to the Roman ruins and Alice stopped and turned to face Andy. She tilted her face up to his and her eyes invited him to make a response. Andy bent forward and kissed her. Alice went up on tip-toe and put her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. Time seemed to stop still and their surrounds seemed to melt away. For a very long moment they seemed to float into an ethereal world. Alice ended the kiss and looked up into Andy’s face with sparkling eyes and a smile that seemed to say, “We belong to each other.” She wasn’t the first young woman he had kissed but why did this seem so different? Andy looked back at her wonderingly and turned his head and looked up at the sky. A shooting star seemed to flash earthwards. He turned his head to look at her face again and Alice pulled his head down so that their lips met again. When they ‘came up for breath’, Andy suggested that they walk a little. Inwardly, he wanted to try and sort out his emotions. This wasn’t just something physical and it filled him with wonder. They walked back through the gate and continued down the road. The moon came up behind them and Andy raised the question of the weekend. He said that he ought to try and visit his parents in Alnwick.
“Can I come with you,” was the quick response from Alice.
Why wasn’t he surprised at that and also his promptly given “Yes?” Before Andy could say anything, Alice asked if they could go up on the Saturday. He said that he would have to check with his parents.
“If we walked back home now, we could telephone them, couldn’t we?” asked Alice. “I suppose so,” Andy replied. “They don’t go to bed
