“Miss St. John, we need to prepare a report tomorrow on the Red Hawk system. I have a meeting with Group Captain Clarkson on Monday morning. I want you to check the manufacturing status with the contractors of the main assemblies and sub-assemblies of the system and we will need that in the report. Would you get telexes out to each of the contractors today requesting reports by 10.00 a.m. tomorrow, please. Here is the file. You may need it.”
She took the file with a, “Certainly, Mr Griffiths. I’ll attend to that right away.”
Back in Newcastle, Hamilton had driven across to the RVI to see Louden. He had been stitched up with no serious injury, thanks to the blade hitting the ribs and not penetrating between them. The prisoner had been charged and put in a cell for the night. He would interview the man again the next day. Hamilton hoped to wrap things up by midday on the Friday so that he could get the afternoon express to Kings Cross and be home for the weekend.
***
Andy went for a walk around the base to kill time and get some exercise. He cut down past 13 Group H.Q. and headed for the airfield. There were a couple of Ansons parked outside the hangar and a Chipmunk taxiing out to the runway. He stopped to watch. Suddenly, the peace of the afternoon was shattered by two Hawker Hunter F6’s coming down in tandem to do ‘circuits and bumps’. The Chipmunk waited on the ‘approach’ as the fighters carried out their practice. From their squadron markings, Andy realised that they were based at RAF Acklington. After two runs, the fighters climbed into the eastern sky and the roar of their engines faded away. The Chipmunk taxied to the end of the runway and then, with its throttle opened wide, it raced down the runway, became airborne and turned onto a southerly course. Quiet returned to the airfield. Away from the buildings and toward the boundary fence, Andy noticed a couple of rabbits feeding. They must have become used to the noise of the aircraft and were undisturbed. He looked at his watch and saw it was 17.35 hours. Alice and her father should be home by the time he walked back to the telephone box. When he arrived there, he found it occupied and had to wait. The airman finished his call and Andy went in and placed his call to the Waltons. Judith answered the ‘phone and Andy briefly explained the situation. John and the twins were not back from work but Judith was sure the girls were not busy that evening. She suggested the he and Lance drive over for about 7.00 p.m. Andy thanked her and went off to find Lance and give him the news.
He found Lance with Dan in the NAAFI and gave him the news. Lance nodded his approval and, looking at his watch, suggested that they head for the mess for the evening meal. After the meal, Lance and Andy showered and changed to go out. Dan decided to leave his arrangements as they were. He was seeing Margaret on the Friday evening and for much of the weekend. Lance and Andy drove out of the base and headed for Corbridge to arrive about 19.00 hours. Judith had reported Andy’s telephone call to her husband and daughters over dinner. Alice was disappointed and wondered about the weekend arrangements. Her father told her not to worry. “Wait until Andy gets here and we can discuss it and work something out,” he said.
Judith said, “This is part of service life. I had the same problem with your father during the war. We just have to be flexible.” Alice relaxed somewhat after these remarks. Anne was secretly delighted that Lance was coming too. She would have more time with him before he left on Monday. They had been going out together for a while now and she was sure that they would be engaged as soon as she had her 21st birthday.
The sound of a car in the driveway and headlights on the lounge windows signalled the arrival of Lance and Andy. John Walton signalled that he would go to the front door and his daughters were to wait in the sitting room. He opened the front door and went out to greet the two young men. “This is an unexpected pleasure!” he exclaimed as the visitors got out of the car. The two greeted him as in chorus. “So you’ve had a change of orders, Andy? Any particular reason?” John Walton asked.
“I’m needed to help with preparations to receive the unit at West Sanby, so I’m told,” replied Andy.
John Walton noted the guarded tone in Andy’s voice but said nothing. He noticed Lance was quite relaxed but wondered about Andy. “Better come in so we can sort out the plans for the weekend,” John said. They entered the lounge and greeted the ladies.
“Come and sit down,” said Judith Walton. “Would you boys like a glass of port? We’ve just finished dinner.” They nodded assent.
“Well, Andy, what are your movement orders?” asked John Walton.
“I’m to get the train from Corbridge tomorrow morning and travel up to Alnwick. Then on Sunday morning I’ll have to get the train from Alnwick south to Doncaster and change for Grimsby. I’ll most likely have to change in Newcastle or York. I haven’t checked yet,” Andy replied.
John nodded and said, “That kills the idea of you hiring a car. We’ll have to think of something else.”
Alice chimed in, “Couldn’t I get the train up on Saturday morning, Dad?”
