Sitting back on his bed, Andy put his mind to reviewing what he knew about the security of the Red Hawk system. There were no civilians working on this base. They were all RAF personnel. Activities on the base were easily observed from the sea wall, to which the public had access. With the dogs, it was unlikely that someone would try to breach the security fence at night to gain access. Since the trials would simulate operational conditions, then JSTU personnel would be on duty ‘round the clock’. Everyone on the unit had to have high security clearance therefore there was little or no risk from the unit personnel. What about the squadron and base personnel? Their security clearance wouldn’t be as high as the JSTU personnel but they would be unlikely to be a risk. What information did the Russians want? The radar, still, and its operating frequency; key components in the missile, launcher and control system. The missile and launcher would be on the airfield but the control system would be in the hangar initially. The weak link would be the supply of spare parts to the JSTU from the manufacturers. The Russians had made one attempt at stealing a component en route. Would they try again? Andy decided that he needed to put himself in the shoes of the Russians and work out how they would approach the problem. A knock on the door broke his train of thought. It was Lance and he wanted to talk about going north when they had a free weekend. Andy told him to come in and sit down. There was only one chair in the room and he sat on that. “I’ve been talking to Anne and she wants me to go up when we have a weekend free. That should be the weekend after next. The whole system will be set up by then. What do you think, Andy? Are you interested in coming up with me?” he asked.
Andy sat up straight. “Of course I’m interested,” he replied. “What about Dan?”
“I haven’t asked him yet,” said Lance, “but I’m sure he will be. He talked a lot about Margaret on the way down here and they are keen to keep in touch with each other.”
“M-mm. You started something when you invited us to view Roman ruins!” said Andy with a laugh. Lance gave a wry smile in reply. Andy went on, “I’m sure Alice would like me to go up with you. We’ll need to book some accommodation in Wylam unless Alice and I continue up to Alnwick. I’m sure my mother would be delighted if we did that. I think any arrangements we make should be tentative at present, until we know what’s happening and what the duty rosters will be.”
Lance nodded in reply. “I suppose you’re right. I’ll talk to Dan. Let’s make tentative arrangements then.”
“Fine,” said Andy. “Now I have some work to do. I’ll see you later.”
Lance slid off the chair and headed for the door. “Fine, talk to you later,” and he closed the door as he went out of the room. Andy let out a big sigh. He was going to have some juggling to do on three fronts to satisfy each — his unit work, his Lutterworth instructions and also a romance. He hoped he could manage to do it all successfully. The trouble was, he didn’t know what other surprises were likely to come his way. He opened his desk and got a pad and pencil to write down his thoughts on the unit and on the latest Lutterworth brief. Then he would write to Alice and also his parents.
It was 10.00 p.m. and Walmar slid quietly out of bed to avoid disturbing his wife, picked up his clothes and crept down the stairs to get dressed and head out to his fishing boat. He knew the other fishermen in the village would be doing the same. Walmar dressed quickly, picked up the hamper packed with food and a flask of hot cocoa, and left by the back door. As he walked down the street, Anderson, another trawler owner/skipper, came out of his house and they walked quietly down the street together towards the harbour. Back in their beds, Penny Walmar and Anderson’s wife had heard their men leave and each said a prayer for the safe return of their husbands. The North Sea could turn very dangerous and night fishing always was more risky. When Walmar and Anderson reached the harbour, Berin was waiting on the deck of the Penny Jane. The two skippers wished each other “Good fishing — and take care,” and headed for their respective boats. Other men arrived and just as quietly headed for their boats. Soon the silence was broken as they started the motors on their fishing boats and cast off. Walmar’s Penny Jane led the way out of the harbour. Berin handled the spotlight to show the way out and then it was switched off as they followed the channel lights out to deeper water. The whiting were running and they needed to fish while they were there.
Back in her bedroom, Penny Walmar heard the fading sounds of the fishing boat motors as
