Francis

This story is for persons of eighteen years or over. All comments, good or bad, are welcome and all will be answered.

Part Twenty Six

That was it then. We went back to the hotel and packed our bags and were soon at the airport booking the first plane out of Germany. It fitted into our story that the first plane was for Paris. We didn't have to wait long there to get a connecting flight for London. If was a great relief to be back in England, and I couldn't wait to get home. It was late and I was dying for a bath and bed, which followed in short order. Then came the pleasure of stroking Wesson to the point where he could relieve me of the tension I had been under over the last two days.

I didn't want to go to work the next day, it being Friday, but Wesson insisted that we report to Frobisher. So we duly went to the office and knocked at Frobisher's office door and waited for the summons to enter.

Welcome back,' he said standing up. Come in, come in. Help yourselves to a drink even though it is still morning.' Wesson shook his head to my raised eyebrow. I still wanted one, morning or not, so I mixed myself a gin and tonic before sitting down before Frobisher's desk.

`I must say well done,' he began, waving a newspaper that he'd picked up from his desk. He then tossed into Wesson's lap.

`Page five. Small bit near the bottom. "Gang land gun fight" for your benefit Francis. It's a German newspaper telling of an event at the "Blue Angel" night club.' Wesson had riffled through the paper to read the small item there.

`Well it seems to have worked sir,' Wesson said, refolding the newspaper and putting it back on the desk.

`Now tell me all about it,' Frobisher asked, sitting back in his chair.

`Francis will tell it better than me, she went in first,' Wesson said. So I had to relive that time in the room, and I was glad that I had taken that drink.

`So you killed this Rose person before you had the proof?'

I was pretty certain by the way they were acting,' I protested to justify my precipitate action. I've never liked the phrase or excuse that the end justified the means, but I was right,' I finished defiantly.

`Here sir,' Wesson then intervened to pass across the paper that he'd taken from the leader's pocket. Frobisher took it and quickly scanned it before putting down.

`I'll give you a full written report on Monday sir,' I said.

`No. Actions like these are not written about, or acknowledged. Your verbal report is enough for me to pass on. The German Chancellor will be made aware that his life has been saved in all good time, thanks to this piece of paper, and that it is the British who did it.'

I found out later that it was used as a lever in certain negotiations that took place sometime later, also Her Majesty was later informed as well as the Prime Minister. Our names were not mentioned, but I think, due to the place where it happened, Winston Churchill knew that I was involved. Frobisher thanked us again, though he threw another curve at us before we left the office.

`The Ministry of Defence has seen fit to confirm your captaincy in your regiment Wesson even though you are attached to this office.'

`But sir...'

`You don't have to thank me,' Frobisher interrupted.

`But I didn't want it,' Wesson whispered aside to me.

`Well it looks like you've got it,' I whispered back.

`And for you Francis, though I should say that this is for Sir Gervaise. He has been given a retroactive captaincy in the Signals, read as intelligence. You are now on the official list of Army officers.'

`But I don't want it either,' I protested.

Do you know,' Frobisher smiled, I think you could well be Winston Churchill's illegitimate daughter, because it is on his orders that these two captaincies have been ordered.'

Don't be silly,' I said with a nervous laugh. This is a joke, right?'

`No joke. I think he is as proud of you as I am. Now before we go all mushy, I suggest you go and clear your desks and then take the rest of the day off.' With that, he picked up a paper to read and ignored us. Wesson and I looked at each other and as Wesson gave a shrug, I could only do the same and get up from my chair. I put my empty glass on the side and we left his office without another word being said. But the bastard hadn't finished with us as we found out when we got to our desks.

I'd gone to the cafeteria to get us both some coffee while Wesson went to our little hole downstairs. When I got there with the coffee, Wesson looked at me and waved an internal memo at me.

`There's one on your pile too. You ain't gonna like it! You just ain't gonna like it,' he said. I passed across his coffee and sat down to read the memo on my pile of paper. He was right. I didn't like it. It was a Ministry of Defence order that Captain Sir Gervaise Lyon report for parachute training on Monday 11th.

They can't do this to me,' I protested, waving this flimsy at Wesson. I'm a fucking civilian!'

Not now you're not, according to the Prime Minister. I'm also to go with you to accompany you for your first drop. That's going to be so exciting for you.' Wesson enthused. I remember the first time for me. I was terrified at the prospect, but have since come to enjoy that free fall flight before you pull the cord.'

`Yes, terrified! That's what I'm feeling now and I'm still sitting at a desk!' I replied.

`You get extra pay if you're qualified for jumps.'

`But I don't get paid at all!' I expostulated. Then for once, Wesson really made sense of it all.

`Then don't bring it up! Keep that as an ace in the hole. Then if, at sometime in the future, a really bad thing comes your way, that's the way out. In war time it's different, but, somehow, I wish that I hadn't been paid, then I could have got out of some nasty situations, believe me.'

`But I don't know anything about parachuting?' I protested.

That's what the course is for. To teach you, wait. Let me find out a bit more.' He picked up the phone and got through to the Ministry of Defence. He asked for somebody he knew and then spoke for several minutes to the man on the other end of the line. Well it seems that you're to join a course that's half way through.'

Half way through?' I almost screamed at him. Do I just get shoved out of a plane and be wished a happy landing?'

No, no,' he laughed. Their first week is spent in learning how to land.'

`You get pushed out of a plane and what do they expect? That you'll float away in the air. For Christ's sake, you're going to land anyway. Gravity dictates that.'

How to land,' Wesson patiently corrected me in my tirade, the correct way so that you don't finish up with broken legs or arms.'

Oh thanks for being so cheerful,' and then I suddenly grinned at him. Maybe you want both my legs and arms in plaster so that you can bring me the bed pan and then wipe my arse for me when I've finished.' He laughed with me.

`No. We're going home now and I'm going to teach you in two days what the others have been learning for a week.'

`And what is that?' I demanded.

`Just how to land without breaking your ankles, legs or arms, or even if it comes to that, your neck. Such a pretty neck,' he grinned as he reached across the desk to stroke it. I couldn't help but laugh with him, so we got up and left to go home. Fuck the paperwork.

The first thing he did when we got home was to dress me in combat fatigues and then haul me off to our gym. He got Palmer to help him to drag in several tables before letting him go. He'd cleared some of the mats so that the table was firm and placed the displaced mats before it.

We start off with this,' he said. He'd also changed into combat gear and then he climbed up onto the table. You start off by jumping from here to the mats.' Which he did, rolling over on landing. The trick is to keep your knees bent as you hit the ground,' he said as he got up. That way you minimise the risk of breaking your legs or ankles. Straight legged and you're sure to break either one or all of them. Now you try.' This I did for the next hour before he dragged another two tables in and stood two together and putting another on top of them.

Right. You're now just over six feet from the ground, so jump and do the same as before.' This wasn't too bad until he put a chair on top of the top table and told me that I was then over ten feet from the ground. Now this will be about the speed you will hit the ground.' He lied! But I didn't know this at the time. It was more likely twice as high according to the speed when I did finally hit the ground. We kept up this jumping and rolling over the weekend and I now knew how to land from that height.

Then we were off to the parachute school on the Monday morning. I joined a group of ten other young people as we were about to be harnessed up to a chute from a bloody high platform. A cable would hold and drop us to the ground at the expected speed and we were expected to roll the correct way.

This was the jumping platform for Monday. Tuesday's platform was twice the height and the ground looked a long way away, but we all survived, swinging out on our harness to fall to the ground. Wednesday was spent learning how to fold and pack a parachute, though to my relief, I found that we would be using those that had been packed by a professional. After seeing the way I had packed mine, you wouldn't have got me off the ground let alone trusting myself to my own packing ability.

Then came Thursday. Our first jump from an aircraft. I think I went and crapped twice before takeoff. Being the last to join the group, I would be the last one out of the plane, except for Wesson, who would be behind me. I made him promise that he was to push me out rather than have the ignominy of having refused to jump.

The trick is to close your eyes as you shuffle along,' he told me. When you feel the tap on your shoulder, you just step out, simple as that.' We'd already been shown what straps to hold and which cords to pull to go either left or right, but that is if we would remember them as we fell to earth. At least we didn't have to worry about pulling the rip cord to open the chute. This was done by us clipping ourselves to a metal cable that ran the length of the plane and was fixed to our chutes to pull them from the pack as we left the aircraft.

We'd taken off and I felt miserable and terrified as the plane soared aloft and Wesson kept up a ceaseless chatter to try and put me at my ease. We could feel the plane climbing before it turned and then levelled out at the desired height, and then came the order to stand up. We stood and faced aft and the door was opened a great rush of air began swirling around inside the craft.

`Hook up!' was shouted and we each in turn snapped our clip to the cable. I could just see at the other end of the line, a set of lights, one glowing red, which suddenly went to green, and the line started to move towards that open door. As the line diminished and I was getting ever closer to the sergeant at the door, I closed my eyes and just kept shuffling forwards and then for a heart stopping moment, I felt a tap on my shoulder and then there was nothing under my feet.

My breath was taken away by the blast of air that whirled me sideways, and the roar of the wind and engines was deafening. I wasn't even prepared for the sudden jolt and whoomph as my chute was pulled and opened from my pack. Nor the second jolt which took my stomach down to my toes or almost tore my groin apart as the straps dug in to the force of the chute opening. Then it was quiet, well almost, compared to what I'd just been hearing. Now it was a gentle hiss of the air moving about me and I felt myself swinging about. Then, and only then, did I open my eyes.

There below me were the open fields of England in all their glory. I could see for miles and I didn't even feel the cold I was so taken up by the panorama that was spread out before me. I suddenly remembered my instructions to hold onto the straps to stabilise my pendulum swinging, glancing up to see if I'd got the right cords. Then I could see my big white canopy that was holding me up in the air, full and taut, a large shell of silk that was helping me down to earth. I looked round and saw the other mushroom type chutes helping the others down, and a glance up showed me Wesson, following me down.

I was enthralled and excited to pick out landmarks, and people so far below me, and wished that I could float like that forever. The ground seemed so far away and it looked as though I was never going to land. I never really got over the phenomenon of parachuting, that one minute you're miles above the earth, and then in the blink of an eye, it's rushing up to meet you at an alarming speed.

They lied! The bastards lied were the words rushing through my brain as the ground came at me at an alarming pace. Knees bent, keep the knees bent I shouted to myself as I approached the field.

For all the good that did me, because just before I touched, a gust of wind took me sideways. My feet trailed and scraped across the earth's surface as I now seemed to be travelling across the surface without actually landing.

This gust of wind then suddenly dropped and I did too. Like a sack of potatoes I went down and the sheer momentum was enough to roll me over and over, catching up with the ropes and cords of the deflating chute. The more I rolled, the more entangled I became in the shrouds and finished up like a trussed chicken beneath the settling canopy. I lay there exhausted but exhilarated as I watched the silk slowly settle over me.

`Francis! Francis! Are you alright?' came Wesson's anxious voice from somewhere outside my cocoon.

`I'm a bit tied up at the moment, but otherwise I'm fine,' I called out, and then I could see the shadowy figure of him start to remove my covering.

You look just ready for the oven,' he laughed when he saw the state I was in. I could have used my knife to cut myself free, but I didn't want to damage my very first parachute that way. He helped me get out of the knotted cords and helped me gather the chute together. Well what did you think of the drop, apart from the landing?' he asked with a laugh.

`Fantastic! I can't wait for the next one. I was terrified when I fell out of the plane, but the floating down was awe inspiring. Though I'm glad I landed safely. The ground appeared so fast after the slow descent, and then the wind caught me.'

`Yes, I saw you. Good job the cows haven't been in this field yet.' It was a moment before I realised what he was referring to and then had a fit of laughter at the thought of the cow pats.

`Do we go up again?' I asked.

`After lunch,' he said as we got to the truck that was to take us all back to the airfield.

As officers, we dined in their mess as we had done so since our arrival. I kept out of the Colonel's way after our first encounter.

`Captain Lyon. Your hair's too long, you should get it cut.'

`Sorry sir, but I was ordered here on such short notice, I didn't have

time.'

`Well there's a barber on the camp.'

I'd rather wait and have my own barber see to it sir,' I said as haughtily as I could. I'll keep it as tidy as I can till then, sir.' So what I had taken to doing was to brush it tight back and twist a rubber band to make a pony tail of it so that I could fold it back up under my cap. But I couldn't do this in the mess as hats or caps were not allowed to be worn inside, so I did my best to keep out of his way. Wesson, being the good scrounger that he was, had passed across some money to our batman to purloin two mess uniforms for us as we hadn't brought any with us. They weren't a very good fit, but they passed muster. We also had two rooms in the bachelor's officers quarters, each with its own shower.

It was here that was the only place we could be alone together, but the shower stall was too cramped to do anything when we were both in it. We'd both be wet and soapy as we aroused each other, so we'd get out of the stall and I would bend over holding onto the sink.

It was a dangerous place to do this, but we were so desperate that we didn't care. I could then watch his face and see his smile as he entered me from behind and revelled in the pleasure of seeing his face as he pleasured me. He would smile as he pushed inside me and give me a wink as he began thrusting his hips. Then he would close his eyes as he built up a rhythm and his head would go back as he began to come.

The cord muscles of his neck would stand out as he held me tight to him as he pumped and jerked his come into me. A smile would slowly crease his face as he opened his eyes again as he finished before pulling out of me and it was back into the shower to clean ourselves but we only managed to do this twice during our week there.

It was seeing his face as he fucked me that prompted me on our return to London to try and find a mirror so that I could see the whole action for myself. It was similar to a cheval-glass but able to be twisted sideways instead. Quite often then, I would place this mirror by the bed and revel in watching him get on the bed behind me, cock rigid and sticking out in front. To feel and watch at the same time as he entered me, the different expressions on his face. I would quite often come without having to touch myself as I watched our performance on the bed.

But that was later, we still had another jump to do after lunch and we joined the other soldiers to collect our parachutes and a lovely girl gave me mine.

Captain sir, can I have your autograph please. I recognised you the moment I first set my eyes on you,' she asked. Flattered, I took the proffered pen and signed her book. Thank you sir,' she smiled, `and I packed your chute specially,' she said passing it across the counter.

`Thank you very much,' I smiled back at her before going out with the others. Wesson had followed me and then took my chute from my hand. With his strong grip, he wrenched at it and tore the pack.

Corporal!' Wesson called out to a passing soldier. I appear to have damaged the captain's chute. Would you be so good as to take it back and bring another one out.'

`Yes sir,' the corporal said, saluting and taking the now damaged pack back to get a replacement.

`What's that all about?' I demanded of Wesson.

`I would never accept a parachute that I'd been told had been specially packed for me. Call me superstitious or plain suspicious, but beware Greeks bearing gifts, that's why I'm still alive.'

`You don't think...?'

No,' he interrupted, but it's better to be safe than sorry.' I saw the logic and felt ashamed that I hadn't thought about how easy it would be to kill an agent like that. I didn't like the thought that I might be on somebody's hit list, or Wesson either. I put aside these dark thoughts as I took the new parachute and after Wesson had inspected it, put it on and did up the straps. Then I checked his strapping as he checked mine before boarding the plane for our second jump.

I still kept my eyes shut as I fell out of the aircraft, but was ready for the heart stopping thump as the chute opened, and then I marvelled again at seeing the world from this angle, high up, floating and drifting down like a bird. Again, I was well up in the sky and the next hurtling towards the fast approaching ground.

No cross wind this time and I made the slight swing so that I landed in the perfect position to do the roll and was soon up on my feet to hold the chute down as I pulled the cords towards me. Wesson landed just a few feet away from me in a text book landing with a roll and managed to gather his chute in quicker than I did mine.

That was much, much better,' he said slapping me on the back as we went towards the truck that was lumbering across the field. After tomorrow's two jumps, you'll be qualified as a proper parachutist and entitled to wear the wings.' I felt my chest pump up at his praise and the thought of those precious wings that not many people were entitled to wear.

I did the two jumps the next day and I actually kept my eyes open as I jumped on the second drop, though I wish I'd kept them closed. It seemed more terrifying to watch yourself jump out into empty space irrespective of the fact that the trailing drop cord opened your chute for you. There was a small ceremony back at the base as we were each presented with our wings, Wesson watching as he already had his.

You can call me an angel now,' I teased as we went to our rooms afterwards, now that I've got my wings.'

`You've always been my little angel,' he said with a sweet smile. Later, he made arrangements for us to go fairly regularly to do some jumps where I had to use a rip cord to open my own chute. Also to practise night drops.

These were more terrifying because you couldn't see the ground coming up at you. We'd carry our pack as we jumped and then would let it drop as it was attached to one leg by a ten foot length of rope so that when the weight disappeared, you knew you were just about to hit the ground. I twisted my ankle on that first one, but managed to disguise the fact so that I didn't miss the second drop of the night.

I shouldn't have done that because it made it worse and it swelled up like a balloon the moment I took my boot off. But I became proficient in handling the various cords to be able to shift my position in the air and land exactly where I wanted.

We went back to London and I told Wesson what I wanted to do for the Queen's coronation, which was only just over two weeks away. As a knight of the realm, I'd been sent an invitation to be present in the Abbey, but as I would be right at the back, I declined as I would rather watch it on television. Also I wanted the village to have a coronation party as many towns were doing and be a part of it. Wesson agreed to visit with me and suggested that the girl's might like it too. No, no, he protested at my look, them together and us together, no swapping, so I agreed.

It was nice to get home and out of the uniform and soak in a hot perfumed bath and then put on a pretty dress. I called the girls down and told them about the party and they were enthusiastic about it and offered to help. Even Flora got excited when I phoned her and wanted to help too, though it was her I had been relying on to help organise it. It would be held out in the lane outside the village hall. But if it rained, as it so happened, it did, it would be held in the hall.

My name was good in Trowbridge for obtaining credit, so Flora was told to get whatever she wanted and get the bills sent to Mr. Truell's office for payment. I spoke to him on the Monday to tell him to expect the bills and to also see about purchasing the biggest television set he could find to put into the hall so everybody could watch the ceremony. The television could then be put into my house to replace the old one that I had originally bought for Donald.

It was back to the office and the papers for the next two weeks until the Saturday before the coronation. Allen Farthing brought the Rolls up to London for us to travel down to the village in style and we got a rapturous welcome when we arrived there. Bunting was already being put up, criss-crossing the lane and the pub was almost invisible behind all the flags that they'd put up.

Flora and Beatrice were at the front door of the house to welcome us as usual. They both bobbed a curtsey as I approached them and I gave them a hug and a peck on the cheek in thanks. The house was spotless and there was a lovely smell of Flora's cooking that made the mouth water in anticipation. Allen saw to the baggage as Flora told me all that she'd done so far in preparation for the party. I couldn't have made a better choice for there was nothing for me to do.

The last things out of the car were the bunches of flowers we had bought on the way there. Allen gave them to me and I then excused myself from everybody and went off to the churchyard alone. They knew where I was going and so nobody followed me. I knelt at each of the four graves in turn, my mother and father being in the same one, and placing a bunch down and saying a short prayer to them that I'd not forgotten what they had all done for me. When I'd finished, I dusted my knees and then saw Peter Blake, the vicar that had taken over after the death of Donald, watching me from the porch of the church.

`Welcome home Lady Francis. You've certainly set the village alight with this party. I've never seen so many smiling faces for a long time. We even had a full church last Sunday and I expect even more this week now that you're back.'

`Thank you Peter. It is nice to be back, but I'm afraid it's not for long as I have work to do in London. So let's enjoy ourselves, you'll come to lunch after the service on Sunday?' I asked.

`With pleasure. I don't think Flora's cooking can be surpassed by anyone else in the village.' I smiled at him as I said goodbye, wondering how he got on for sex and also if he'd bought his own female wardrobe to dress up in now that mine wasn't there. I smiled and inwardly giggled at the thought that if he only knew what was under my dress, he'd probably have a fit.

Everybody had settled in when I got back to the house and Flora said that dinner would be ready for seven. I looked at the clock and saw that it was just on five.

Let's all go to the pub for a quick one,' I said, and that suggestion was well received, so off we all went, except Flora and Beatrice that is. There were quite a few villagers in there already and we were greeted with cheers and a warm welcome from Dave, the landlord. He was immediately teased by my old joke of being asked what were Sir Gervaise's arms. The pub howled with laughter as much as they did the first time I'd uttered the words that they all shouted. The things hanging from his shoulders.'

`Drinks all round,' I shouted to Dave above the laughter and this was greeted with more cheers from the locals as he quickly began pulling more pints of beer. It was a bright and cheerful hour we spent there before saying our goodbyes to go and get ready for dinner.

As good cooks both the Perkins and Palmer were, they couldn't better the cooking of Flora. It was a culinary delight. Not fancy, but down to earth home cooking, and we all appreciated it. Washing it down with wine from my vineyard back in France that made me comment to Lou to make a note that I should soon go there to see how the new vines had come along. Excellent though this wine was, I hoped that Marcel's boast was correct and that the new vines would surpass that of what we were drinking that night.

Flora and Beatrice left after dessert had been served and we poured our own coffee and brandy and had a good evening. Then it was to bed in my old room with Wesson, where we made slow love with much kissing and sucking before spending ourselves in each other.

Breakfast was a haphazard affair of cooking whatever took your fancy. Lou had been down first and had already eaten when I got downstairs. She made me some scrambled eggs but told Wesson to cook his own, and I'd just finished mine when the phone rang. This had been installed between my visits. I looked quizzically at Wesson and hoped that it wasn't Frobisher with some calamity. It wasn't, but it was still a calamity all the same. Lou answered it and then with her hand over the mouthpiece beckoned to me.

`It's a Mister Stacey wanting to speak to you,' she said. The name didn't ring any bells but I took the phone from her.

`Hello,' I said into the mouthpiece.

`Good morning Lady Francis. You don't know me. My name is Harold Stacey, the nephew of Patrick Truell. I'm afraid to say that he passed away sometime over Friday night. He was found by his cleaner yesterday morning and I've just got round to ringing people up to tell them of the sad news.'

It was indeed bad news. I choked back a sob at the thought of that lonely old man dying without anyone to hold his hand. I know you were his favourite client and would want to be told as early as possible.' I tried to speak but could only make vague noises down the phone. We are holding the funeral on Thursday morning at eleven at the Trowbridge cemetery. Reception at the house afterwards. I do hope you will attend.'

`I'm so sorry Mr Stacey, of course we'll be there. I didn't know he was ill.'

`Neither did we. It was a heart attack, sudden like.'

Well my condolences to you Mr Stacey and we will definitely be there. Thank you for ringing and letting us know.' I then put the phone down and saw that they guessed that somebody had died. Mr. Truell, my solicitor in Trowbridge has died. The funeral is on Thursday. I said that we'd attend.' Penny was downstairs by now and so I didn't have to repeat myself.

`I'll go and get dressed for church. I want to have a word with the vicar before the service.' I went upstairs with a heavy heart. He might have been a bit cantankerous when I first started putting my foot down with him, but we got along well after he saw the light, so to speak. My black dress was in the wardrobe that I had last worn when Donald died and the sight of it made me sit down on the bed and cry. I was upstairs for nearly an hour before returning below after a good wash and putting on my make-up.

It was all black underwear before donning that hated dress in respect of poor Mr. Truell, and carrying my black hat, the one with the veil, down to the sitting room. While they went to get dressed, I went over to the vicarage to inform the vicar of Mr. Truell's passing and asked if he could say a special prayer for him sometime during the service.

I sat in my usual pew with Wesson beside me and Lou and Penny taking the other seats. Peter gave a good service and spoke well of Mr. Truell for which I was grateful. It was a sombre lunch and Peter did his best to keep the conversation light.

It had hit me harder than any of the others. Wesson to some degree but not to the girls who I think only met him once. Wesson made gentle love to me that afternoon as we went to bed for an afternoon nap after the huge lunch we had, and held me when I wept softly.

I was alright by dinner time and could even laugh with the others at some outrageous jokes that Wesson told during the meal. He really had them laughing when he described my first parachute landing and getting myself tied up in knots. Then I had Penny make lots of notes after dinner of things that we had to do, not just for the party, but the funeral as well.

Because I was then relaxed, many thoughts kept flowing through my brain and I had them both writing them down as they kept pouring out. About the hotel on the island, aeroplanes, boats, vines, chateau, building work for the construction firm. Land purchase in the city, military tailor, civilian tailor, dinner party and lots of other trivia. It was really late and two bottles of wine later that I seemed to dry up and everybody was yawning, waiting for me to say the word. When I said the magic word, everybody was up and hustling to get upstairs to where the word was.

Bed. I flopped on ours and let Wesson undress me, kissing the flesh that he revealed and let him go the whole way when he took my erection in his mouth and made me come. Then I serviced him the same way, lovingly teasing him till he began to beg for me to finish him off properly, and a copious finish it was too.

The next day was a hive of industry in the village, people cooking and setting up the tables in the lane, hoping that the rain would hold off. Lights strung up and more bunting erected. Allen flew backward and forwards to Trowbridge, fetching and carrying. I also got him to order a big wreath for Thursday's funeral in between trips.

As we didn't have a village constable, Dave kept the pub open all day and did a roaring trade as people finished one task and then went for a drink before starting another. In spite of all that Flora did, she still turned out the perfect dinner for us and this night, we went to bed early and sex was more of a quickie than anything else.

June the second and everybody was up and out early and it was disappointing to see that it was just about to start raining, so all the tables and chairs had to be crammed in the village hall. Then we saw the astounding headlines of the newspapers that a British party had climbed and conquered Mount Everest. What an announcement that was, to be made on the day of our Queen's coronation.

The hall was filled early with everybody wanting to watch the television, and I was surprised at how many children there were now in the village. When Mrs Stokes, the old shop keeper had died, Mr. and Mrs Seward had given up their cottage to run the shop, living on the premises. Their cottage had been let to the Ramsey's. He had been born in the village, but had got married and moved to Trowbridge. But he had wanted to come back, with his four children and now worked on the farm that was next to the Farthings.

The farm that was at the back of my house had become vacant after the death of the farmer and I had my agent buy it at the auction. The farmhouse itself, was currently on a short term lease to a couple with three children, so the village was coming to life again with these youngsters moving in. We'd probably have to start thinking of a school for them all, but that was put on the back burner for now.

Today, everybody wanted to see the Queen get crowned, and as we watched her procession down the aisle, there were lots of oohs and aahs.

`You should really be there,' Wesson nudged me as we watched with the others.

`No. Here is where I belong on this day,' I replied, and I felt like a queen myself, surrounded by my subjects watching the other Queen turn and sit on her throne. There was lots and clapping and cheering when she finally sat facing the huge assembly there with the crown on her head, and that was when our celebrations started.

There had to be two sittings in the hall as it was by then, raining outside. It was all good fun with everybody helping each other to the mountains of cooked and cold food, cakes, jellies and the like. Lots of orange squash for the women and children while the men drank beer, washing down all that had been eaten.

The party lasted well into the night till not a single scrap of food was left and the noise got louder as the beer continued to flow. Sleeping children were carried home to be put to bed, clutching at their small coronation gifts, for one of the parents to come back to carry on celebrating our new Queen.

It was gone eleven before we called it a day, and made our weary way down the lane, leaving others to finish off what was left of the beer and other drinks. All in all, the day had gone off very well in spite of the rain, but it was nice to crawl into bed to sleep off all that food and drink we'd consumed.

We were late getting up next morning, and looking out, saw that it was the women only who were clearing away the debris of the party. Paper plates and cups had been left all over the place where people had put them down in the dark and forgotten where they'd left them. Streamers, confetti, paper hats and lots of unidentifiable rubbish were being swept up as the men of the village nursed their hangovers in bed. Our participation of the party was over, leaving the others to do the clearing up as we had our makeshift breakfasts. We just lazed away the day only ringing up the florist to confirm that our wreaths had been delivered to the home of Mr. Truell.

Allen was waiting for us next morning, suitably dressed to convey us to the cemetery in Trowbridge. It was a reasonable turn out and I recognised various faces of the townsfolk that came to pay their last respects. It wasn't a long service in the church and we were soon all by the graveside as he was lowered into the earth. I'm sure, well I know I did, identify Mr. Stacey, going round to various people, thanking them for attending his uncle's funeral. Then he soon approached us.

`Thank you for coming Lady Francis. I recognised you from some photos. Please come to the reception that is being held at his house. I would like to talk to you later. Do you know where it is?' I said that I didn't, but he could give the address to my chauffeur who would undoubtedly find it. He then spoke briefly to Allen who nodded and then beckoned us to the car.

It was quite a large house in a small plot, not having much of a garden, and the drive was full of cars as we arrived. Allen declined to come in, saying that he'd rather keep an eye on the car. We were greeted again by Mr. Stacey and his wife and soon were seated down with a drink in our hands. Penny found some paper plates and gave us some small snacks from the buffet. I was surprised at the number of people, as they wandered around, stopping to say hello, knowing me by sight which I couldn't reciprocate. Then, after a short while, Penny reappeared, her face flushed and you could see that she was just brimming with news that she wanted to impart.

You are not going to believe this,' she said breathlessly as she sat down next to me. Listen, all of you,' beckoning Wesson and Lou closer. `You see those two women over there?' I could see to whom she was referring to.

`Well, the one on the left is, or I should say, was the cleaner to Mr. Truell. The other woman is her best friend, or so she said. I was sitting with my back to them but heard every word she said to her best friend. In secret mind you.

Well it was her who found Mr. Truell on Saturday morning. It appears he has, or had, a room upstairs that she'd never been into before to clean. It was his study or private room or whatever. It had always been locked, so she'd never seen the insides before.

Well, she arrived for work last Saturday, putting the kettle on first as usual, calling out if he wanted some tea. Well, getting no answer, she went upstairs to knock on his door and found it unlocked. Well...'

Penny!' I interrupted. Will you please stop prefacing every sentence with the word "well".'

Sorry. Well, er, sorry again. Er, she opened the door and found him sitting in his chair. She called out to him but got no response,' I winced at her English but didn't stop her from continuing. and there he was, sitting there with his pecker in his hand. I jumped to the same conclusion that she had. He'd been masturbating when he had his heart attack.

Now this is the best bit. The wall that he was facing was covered in dozens of photographs, and do you know who they were of?' I had the feeling that I knew the answer before she said it.

`You Francis! He'd been jerking himself off while looking at pictures of you. There were even a couple of Gervaise can you believe.' She sat back with the smug look of a proper gossip.

So what she did,' Penny leaned forward again, was to get his pecker out of his hand and put it away and button up his fly. Then she took all the photos down and put them into a side drawer of his desk before she went downstairs to phone the doctor. How's that for an ardent admirer then, right to the last.'

It was sickening, yet somehow pleasing, I felt both of these emotions at the same time. I wish she hadn't told me this for it somewhat sullied the memory I had of him. I was about to make some comment along these lines but was saved from uttering my thoughts by the approach of Mr. Stacey.

`Lady Francis, again, thank you for coming. Would it be inconvenient if we could have a talk in private?' he asked. Oh shit, I thought. He wants to talk about his uncle jerking himself to death over my pictures. I squashed these thoughts immediately.

`Of course,' I replied, standing up and passing my glass to Wesson.

`Let's go upstairs.' That I didn't want to do, but followed him just the same. He paused and opened the door to what was obviously Mr. Truell's private little sanctum. I went in and he followed, closing the door behind him.

Please sit down,' offering me the only chair in the room, the one Truell obviously died in while he perched himself on the edge of the desk. I have many things to thank you for,' he began. `First for coming today, but more importantly, for helping my uncle to become a fairly rich man.' This surprised me, not knowing how I could have done so. Harold soon told me.

My uncle quite often told me how you surprised him by your business acumen. He said,' and he gave a little laugh, that you first went into his office. A little chit of a girl telling him what she wanted, and when. He was affronted at first, but came to realise that you were something special. You bullied him into doing what he wouldn't have dared to do, speculate. It was your determination and guts that fired him to follow whatever you did. In following your advice,' what advice, I said to myself? `he followed your investments, using his own money. You made him a rich man. More to the point, you made me a rich man, because he told me about six months ago, that all he had would be left to me. More than that, he said that I was to try and hitch myself to your star because, in his words, you were going to go very far.

Well my wife and I would like to thank you for what you did for him. He's left us twenty thousand pounds, his shares and this house, as well as his shares in the office. I know your relationship with him was purely as client and solicitor, but I think it went deeper than that for him. He was a lost man after his wife died, and I think that you were the only person who kept him going after that sad event. I think it shows in this,' and he opened a drawer and pulled out a bunch of photographs which he handed to me.

I took them and riffled through them, surprised that there was even a couple of photos of me as a young child, in a pretty dress, smiling for the camera, photographs I'd never seen before. I also caught a glimpse of two of Gervaise. I didn't really know what to say to him. How much did he know? I think he guessed how his uncle had died, but did he make any connection between Gervaise and myself. I doubted it, but I wasn't sure. I stammered out some words that I didn't deserve the accolades he had been heaping upon me.

`I know this is not really the time or place to talk business, but you seem such a busy person that I've taken this chance to ask if you would listen to me for a few more minutes.' I nodded, wishing that I had a drink in my hand.

Since my uncle told me the story of you, and to hitch myself to your star, I've tried to find out as much as I could about you. What you do, what businesses you run, and found that you are an enigma. Between you and your brother,' he didn't know I sighed, you are multimillionaires. You own various concerns and always seem to be expanding.

Knowing that farm at the village where you live was coming up for auction, I tried to bid for it. I didn't have the money, but knew I could get a mortgage on the strength of my uncle's will. I failed because I could not go above what your agent paid for it.'

`Harold. May I call you Harold?' I started.

`Please do,' he replied.

`I...I'm not quite sure how far your research into me has gone, but I happen to own the whole village, except for the vicarage and the church. I wanted that farm because my house backs onto it, and I didn't want it to be bought by a speculator to turn it into some kind of housing estate or factory premises. This was to protect the village and if ever the other farms come up for sale, I'll outbid anybody who tries to change that place.'

`Lady Francis, please forgive me. Maybe, well I think I haven't really put myself across properly. It wasn't for speculation that I bid for that land. It has been a dream of mine, and that of my wife, to start a small business that promotes the countryside.

All I really wanted was the farmhouse and some of the land to start a market garden. A place to grow flowers and plants to sell from there and also take to sell in the market here in Trowbridge. Maybe vegetables as well, there is a market for fresh farm produce in a growing place like Trowbridge.

Now I'm getting to the nitty gritty of why I wanted to speak privately to you. I want to follow my uncle's advice and hitch myself to your star. If I'd been able to buy that farm, it would have taken me years to get funds to really get it off the ground.'

Here he took a deep breath before continuing.

I have the twenty thousand pounds plus, that my uncle has left me and I would be most honoured if you would sell or lease part of that farm for us to do this market garden, or,' and another deep breath was taken, put up an equivalent amount and become a partner in the venture.' This last part came out in a rush. I could see all kinds of expressions cross his face in a space of a few seconds. Hope, anguish, despair, pleading, resignation at what my answer would be.

`I could do with a drink,' was the only thing I could say at that moment. He was up in a flash and at the door to which he opened.

`Mavis! A drink for Lady Francis if you please,' he shouted down. He turned to me, the question in his expression.

`Gin and tonic please. A large one.' This was shouted down and we just sat and looked at each other till Mavis, who up until then had just been Mrs Stacey came in with that welcome drink. She gave me a shy smile and seemed to half curtsey before she left us alone again.

She's a very shy person,' Harold said somewhat apologetically, but she's a wonderful mother.' What that meant exactly, I didn't ask. But I took a hefty swig of the drink and found that there was little tonic in it, but that was how I really liked it. The bite was enough to get my senses going in the right direction. This was now business taking over.

`So you want me to put in twenty thousand pounds with yours to create a market garden on my own land?'

`No. It doesn't have to be there, but it makes sense to have it there. It's only a few miles from Trowbridge. Close enough for the townies to come and buy from, and not that far to go to sell the produce.'

`I will not sell the land. That's final.'

`Lease then! We'd only need about six acres. That would leave enough of the land to even build an airport on.'

That hit me! I got up and went to the door and called out for Mavis.

`Yes,' came the instant response, obviously the two had talked this meeting over and was waiting agog for the outcome.

`Could you ask Lou to come up with some more gin and tonics please.'

`Certainly Lady Francis.' Within a couple of minutes, Lou was there with an open bottle of gin and several bottles of tonic. In the meantime, my mind was in over gear. Airport! What I could do with that thought in mind. Not an airport per se, but a base for my planes!

I tried to visualise the farm. How flat was it? What was the length of the flattest piece? Long enough for a jet to land on? I didn't know, but would have to find out. I made myself appear calm as all these thoughts tumbled through my mind before Lou appeared with the life giving drink. She poured me a stiff one, I think sensing that I needed it. I took my time in sipping the drink, almost gasping at how strong Lou had made it. I let my thoughts swirl around before I spoke, taking care that I used the right words.

`Let's say Harold, hypothetically, that twenty acres were up for lease. We both put in twenty thousand pounds to rent and develop what you plan. Is that it?'

`Yes. No. I would still pay rent on the farmhouse. Apart from that, it would be a fifty-fifty split.' I could see that he was beginning to sweat. Poor sod, he was begging for this.

`Harold, would you call Mavis up please,' I asked, taking another slug of my drink, finishing it and offering the glass to Lou for a refill. He was off the desk and calling down for her to come up. She entered the room shyly and went and stood by his side.

`How much do you love your husband?' I asked. She seemed flustered by the question, but stammered out an answer.

`As much as any wife could be expected to.'

`Enough to put your trust in him to what he or you both want?'

Yes,' was the instant response. I have faith in him and what he wants to do, and will support him in all that he desires. He has,' she then seemed to struggle for the right words to say, `he...wants to put his faith in you. That you'll see what he dreams of,...to do something that he can be proud of. To make a dream come true. I may not be saying the right words, but I love this man, and if you can help him, you'll make me and others happy too.' That was enough for me. I didn't want her going down on her knees to beg.

Harold,' I said, getting up and offering my hand to him, you, or I should say we, are going into the market garden business. My lawyers in London will have a fit, but we have a deal.' His face split open in a huge smile as he clasped my hand.

`God bless you Lady Francis. You'll not regret it. Will she Mavis?' he said turning to his wife to embrace her.

`Now if you would tell Lou here what you plan, we can sort out the details later.' I shook hands again with Harold and Mavis, who bobbed a curtsey to me as I left the room to go downstairs to see Wesson and Penny.

`What was that all about?' Wesson asked me as I sat back down beside him. A drink suddenly appeared, courteously from Penny's hand.

`Well it appears that I'm going into the market garden business. But much more than that, I'm going to build my own airfield! It costs a fortune to rent hangar space at any airfield, so I'm going to have my own. I've even got accommodation on site for flight crew.

Penny! Get a telegram off as soon as possible to Stephen in the Bahamas to come over here. Four, maybe five days. Hotel guests will have to go by boat while he's away. Say great expansion and that I need his expertise. Come over by the first of our planes. Cable when arriving so that he can be met. Got that? Lyon Field, that's what I'll call it. We could even set up a flying club, a parachute club!' I grabbed at Wesson's arm excitedly.

`What on earth are you talking about?' he asked with a half laugh at my enthusiasm. I told him of my talk with Harold Stacey and what I had agreed to. Then to the other ideas that had sprung to my mind. I hadn't finished before Lou came down with Harold and Mavis, all smiling.

`Much as I regret the passing of my uncle, this day has become more memorable than you can imagine. I think he would be pleased what we have done this day, and I hope that he is now smiling down upon us,' Harold said as he shook my hand, and everybody else's. I could see that many of the other mourners were waiting to say their pieces before departing, so we made our farewells and left.

`So you are now becoming a market gardener?' Wesson said when we were back in the car bound for the village.

`No. That's peanuts. We are becoming a proper airline. Our own home base. Hangars, maintenance and all that. Plus a flying school. Parachute jumps or whatever. I've got to get Frobisher to put in a word with the Air Ministry so as not to block us from putting a small private airfield there. God, I'm so excited, I can't wait to get home for you to fuck me.' The last being whispered into his ear.

`That's the bit I'll enjoy,' he whispered back, and I clasped his arm even tighter to mine, loving this man who loved me. When we got back to the village and our house, I couldn't wait to drag him upstairs, though it didn't take much dragging. I feverishly stripped his clothes off as well as mine before going down onto my knees to suck upon his erection. Then presenting myself rearwards for his pleasure and my satisfaction.

He didn't disappoint me, being as hard as an iron bar. He entered me and I revelled in that piece of flesh of his pushing inside and easing the tension within my whole being. His vigorous thrusts soothed the inner pangs of desire and lust that I had for him. His steady metronomic movements were soothing as well as assuaging the heat that burned inside me. The throb and pulse from his hard shaft was like a balm to my insides as he methodically fucked me and me feel great to be alive to savour the pleasure he was giving me.

It was his pleasure too, he told me later, to be able to hold my slim hips and stick his dick up my arse and fuck me. When finished, he kissed me and I went down and sucked on his still erect cock Wesson was getting as much out of it as I was. Who was getting the better of the deal, I'm not sure.

We were all up fairly early next morning and after breakfast, said our goodbyes and were back in London during the afternoon. Penny got hold of William at Clement's and I asked if he'd any experience in designing an airfield. He said he hadn't, so I told him that he'd better start learning fast, giving a rough explanation of what I wanted. That would keep him busy over the weekend and for a few weeks to come.

An appointment was made for Lou to see our London lawyer in regard to the market garden for him to liaise with the late Mr. Truell's office and Harold Stacey's solicitor to draw up our agreements. There wasn't much more we could do, it being so close to the weekend, so everything else was put on hold till the Monday.

I made a point of getting in early to clear as much of my desk as I could before going up to see Frobisher. He didn't disagree with the idea, especially when I said that any clandestine operations he had in mind, he could always use the airfield as a jumping off place instead a military or civil one. So he spoke to some people at the Ministry for me and I had an appointment for the next afternoon.

I took with me a huge ordinance survey map showing the proposed site and that if agreeable, proper plans would be submitted if we got the go ahead. Of course they wanted to see the plans right away, but I explained that it wasn't worthwhile having drawings made if the locale wasn't acceptable to them.

This was then understood and the field would be acceptable to them. It was far enough away from civil and military airfields, so it didn't look to be a problem. I had taken Penny with me to make notes and she was given a long list of aviation rules in regard to our plans. I assured them that all the rules would be obeyed and qualified staff would be running the operation when completed.

A meeting was then set up with the council in Wiltshire that our village came under, and I presented my plans for the old farm. When they found out that I owned the village and had the permission of the Air Ministry, there were no objections to both projects. I did stress upon them that I was bringing work to the area and that local people would be employed wherever possible.

Then Stephen arrived and we put him up in the house and was stunned when I suggested that be become managing director and that he could still be based in the Bahamas as it was going to be funded from our off shore account. He was enthusiastic over the proposal, and we went down to view the land, dragging a surveyor along with us.

I had done some rough drawings of what and where I wanted everything so that it fitted in with the houses of the village down one side and the garden centre up at the main road.

The farm itself, had been almost rectangular, the main road frontage was about two thousand yards while the depth was just over six thousand, and the main point was that it was flat. So with an accurate council map of the farm's boundaries, he could get to work straight away with William or whoever William needed to get plans for the place drawn up.

With everybody agreeing that it was a go, I got a contractor in to put the four cottages that had been for the farm hands, brought up to scratch. These would be for the aircrew and maintenance men.

I was as happy as a pig in shit getting all this started, and was told that if money was up front, there wasn't any problem in getting it done before Christmas. Six months and Lyons Field could be a reality. Stephen stayed for a week to make sure the architect knew exactly what he wanted. Then he would pop over every month just to make sure all was going as planned. Lou and Penny were now fully occupied in their various jobs.

Lou took over one half of our gym to use the walls for charts on the various enterprises that were being undertaken, though she was barred for the hour or so when Wesson and I went naked for our unarmed combat.

Well she was at the beginning, but after walking in when we were in the middle of our wrestling, we gave up trying to stop her. The only trouble was that she'd spend more time watching us than doing her job.

We settled into a pattern of going down to Wiltshire every other weekend to see the progress being made. Other weekends were taken up either on a shooting range or parachuting.

When approaching the village from Trowbridge, the farm was on the right. First would be rows and rows of different vegetables growing, and then came the farm house, set back about a hundred yards from the road. There would be a fence going down the length of the property to keep the public from this section. Then it would be the gardens and behind them would be the four great big greenhouses, about a hundred feet long and thirty wide. Next to this would come the car park for the visitors, who would have to enter the gardens via the shop. They would also have to exit through the shop, passing the counters stacked with fresh vegetables for them to buy.

Following would be the entrance to the airfield, quite large, with a curved sign going across the entrance proclaiming it to be "Lyons Field". The four farm workers cottages were on the left of the entrance going into the property, and they backed onto the pub and village hall. Just past them would be the airfield's office and reception and opposite would be the car park backing onto the one of the market garden. In time, we would have to extend this, because the garden became so popular that we agreed to move the airfield car park further into the field to accommodate the cars that came to the garden centre.

The main runway was going to be in a direct line with the greenhouses and run for four and a half thousand yards, and this was in a south westerly direction from where the wind came most of the time. The pilots later said that the greenhouses where a perfect marker for the airfield because they could see the sunlight reflecting off the glass up to twenty miles away and so they just lined up on them and had a perfect approach every time.

Carrying on into the field, on the left was the back gardens of my lane, my garden being the last one before the cemetery of the church. It was just past here where the control tower was to be sited. The land then went left along the back of the church to where it met the boundary of the other farm that followed the back gardens of the houses on the opposite side of the lane to mine. It was in this dog leg that the hangers would be built, large enough for at least six planes. It was ideal siting because it then gave the tower sight of the whole of the runway.

At the start of the project, we used the cottage furthest from the road as a site office and one day, three men in dark suits appeared and asked for the head man. Anne, a girl from the village who was acting as our secretary and tea maker came to look for me. It took only one glance for me to know who and what they were, so without them seeing me, told Anne to give them coffee of whatever, but not mention my name.

I went and phoned my house and spoke to Beatrice, telling her to get my jewellery case and meet me at the bottom of the garden. This would save me going all the way round to the house. By the time I got down to my back garden fence, she had arrived there with my case. I took out my two brooches and pinned them onto my dress before returning to where these three men waited.

Good morning,' I said as I entered the cottage's parlour. You wanted to see me?' The men had stood up at my entrance.

`You are the person in charge here?' the thickset man, the shorter of the three asked.

`Yes. Does it surprise you for a woman to be in charge?'

`Yes. I thought a man would have been in charge of such a big operation as building an airfield.' I could hear his accent and knew that I was right and that he was an Italian.

`What can I do for you?' I asked, keeping my voice pleasant.

`Well with a construction of this size, we've come to offer our help. We have interests in constructions such as this and can provide an excellent service in our work and protection.'

`Protection? From whom may I ask?'

`Well, any labour disputes, late delivery of materials, things like that.'

`I didn't catch your name sir,' I said.

`Frank Tolinni, at your service,' he said, giving a slight bow.

Well Mr Tolinni, my name is Lady Francis Lyon, and this,' I tapped my brooch, is adequate protection in all matters relating to this site.' He moved a little closer and peered at the brooch.

`Mamma Mia,' he said, a little bit in awe. He turned to the other two men and rattled off in Italian like a machine gun for several minutes. The men looked shamefaced at this tirade and their heads drooped a little.

`Please forgive me Lady Lyon. I can see by the gold brooch that you a high member of the Leopardi family. We didn't do our homework before coming here. Your name escaped me for a moment, but now I can see by your face and your stance the reason for that saying back in Italy. When the leopard and lion lie down together, all other animals of the jungle should beware. Please accept my apologies for intruding. Could you also enlighten me on the other brooch, it is unfamiliar to me?'

`It is of the House of Chen, in Hong Kong, another family to which I have the honour of belonging.'

Mamma Mia,' he said for the second time. With both those houses you have all the protection you need. I'm so sorry to have taken up so much of your time.' He took my proffered hand and kissed it before spitting out some angry words to the other two as they followed him out of the cottage. I went to the door and watched them get into a big black Mercedes and drive off.

`Who were they?' Anne asked, coming to stand beside me as the car disappeared.

`Believe me Anne, you don't want to know,' I answered. It made for a good story to tell Wesson.

In August, Marcel, in France, wanted us to be there for the pressing of the new grapes and see how different the chateau was now that they almost completed the renovations. We took a week off work and flew down in one of our planes and went to see the long awaited fruit of Marcel's labours with the new grape. The grapes being collected in big wagons and then carted off to the presses. Then the wine began to flow and fill up the barrels. It wasn't bad the first tasting, but we were told that after a while in the casks, it would be of the finest quality.

The chateau itself was a picture postcard scene, rising up from the moat, surround by verdant grass. The windows sparkled in the sunlight and there was a big welcome for us as we crossed this moat, using the drawbridge that had gleaming chains attached for hoisting, though it was inoperative. The great hall looked truly medieval with flags and banners hanging from the cross beams and the big coat of arms above that huge fireplace. The place was immaculate, as were the rooms, ready at any time for occupancy.

Our room, the main one had this massive restored four poster bed that looked fit for a king. Wesson and I really frolicked about that night in style in this enormous sensuous decadent sleeping place.

It was a fantastic week and before we left, I made arrangements for a truck load of the new wine to be sent over to England as soon as Marcel saw fit to it being sent. This was to be done under a diplomatic seal so that I wouldn't have to pay duty. It was costing quite a few cases of wine, but worth it.

Then it was back to England and watch the progress of the airfield. The runway having been finished and they were now onto doing the taxi lane and hard standing. The place was a mass of cables than ran the length of the runways which would be finally fitted into the control tower, these serviced the lights and radar installations at both ends.

I had made it a condition with the sub-contractor, that any man who applied for work from the village was to be given preference. The fact that it was manual labour was immaterial, they were earning money. Dave was the most delighted one of them all. His pub was full every lunchtime and most evenings now, so he was happy. The new shop keepers cashed in too by making up lunch packs and running them out to the workers for those who didn't go to the pub.

Harold had already planted half of the market garden in between seeing that the green houses were erected properly and in the right places. The whole area was a hive of industry. Allen was kept busy taking us backwards and forwards to London as well as ferrying Stephen and the architects on his monthly visit.

The two jets were now making regular crossings of the Atlantic, full each way and the hotel was having to turn down people who left it too late for booking into the island.

The Clement's were nearly at the end of completing all the renovations to our street, and I had lined up some nice little contracts from the Ministry of Works to keep them going. William was also kept busy by designing some office blocks for the bomb sites that I'd managed to buy from the City of London. When these plans got approved, it would mean taking on more labourers at Clement's, so they were a happy bunch too. Our estate agents were kept busy as were our lawyers and accountants. All in all, everybody was working and making money.

Wesson and I worked at our desks during the week, taking the odd time off to visit the tailors, both military and civilian for decent uniforms and suits. Then I got a phone call from a hospital in Dorset that Lady Lyon had gone into labour.

I was dumbfounded. Diane hadn't mentioned anything about being pregnant. Even Wesson was stunned at the news and laconically said that I must have done it last Christmas. I rushed down to the hospital just in time to be told that she been delivered of a baby girl. It had been a long labour, but both mother and daughter were doing fine.

`Oh Diane! Why didn't you tell me,' I said when I was allowed in to see her, kissing her and taking hold of her hand.

You were very busy. I've been following your progress in the newspapers,' she said with a wan smile. Besides, this was my very own construction project. I was going to tell you, but thought you had enough on your plate as it was. Have you seen your daughter yet?'

`No darling. I came straight into see you.'

`Well she'll be here in a minute, it's almost feeding time. Are those flowers for me that you're crushing on the bed?' I hadn't realised I was still holding them, almost sitting on them. I sheepishly handed them to her.

`Wesson and the girls asked to be remembered and hope that all goes well. It seems that it did and I'm a bit late in saying it. Oh Diane, I wish that you'd told me long ago. There's so much I could have done to help you.'

`You did your part at Christmas. There was nothing else you could do till she arrived,' she smiled. The door to her room opened and in came a nurse carrying a small bundle in her arms.

`Here we are Lady Lyon. She's just waking up at the right time.' The tiny bundle was passed over and Diane took it into her arms.

`Come and see your daughter,' Diane smiled as she pulled back the blanket to reveal a small pink chubby faced infant.

`She's got dark hair,' I exclaimed.

All babies are born with dark hair, Sir Gervaise. You'll see it change over the next few days,' the nurse said. I'll be back in half an hour,' and left us alone in the room. It was fascinating to watch Diane settle the baby comfortable and then pull out a swollen breast and push the nipple to the baby's mouth. Without her eyes opening, the baby lips moved and latched onto the nipple and began sucking.

`Like father, like daughter,' Diane laughed.

`What have you named her?' I asked.

`I haven't yet. I was waiting for you. But I think that we should further confuse people by calling her Leslie. Leslie Lovell Lyon. It has a nice ring to it, don't you think?'

Leslie Lovell Lyon it is. The three L's should look lovely embroidered on her clothes,' I said smiling down at her as she breast fed my baby. Who's looking after Francis?' I said in alarm, just remembering about him.

`He's okay. The next door neighbour just couldn't wait to get her hands on him. That's Mrs Judd. She fell in love with him the first time she saw him. She's a grandmother herself and because she doesn't get to see her own kin enough, has taken it upon herself to be a surrogate grandmother for Francis. But what about you Francis?' her hand came up and stroked my face.

`You look pale and tired, and what's with this pony-tail?' She gave it a flip with her fingers.

It's my disguise. To separate me from Francis.' Then I went on to tell her about the Colonel who wanted me to have my hair cut at the parachute school. So I'm adopting my style to fit my image. Gervaise seems to be developing a somewhat flamboyant, devil may care attitude.' We were interrupted from going any further by the entrance of the nurse to collect Leslie.

`That's enough for today Sir Gervaise. Lady Diane needs to get some rest. Five minutes,' she said as she took Leslie from Diane and left the room.

Get some rest Francis, you do really look as though you need it,' she said as she stroked my face again. Come and see me tomorrow. Where are you staying?'

`I hadn't given that a thought,' I replied.

`Stay at the house. See Francis and tell him that mummy will soon be home with his brand new sister.' I was nearly in tears when she said this, but I choked them back and kissed her before leaving. I'd hired a car and driver, and he took me to her house and promised to pick me up in the morning. I then went to the house next door to make the acquaintance of Mrs Judd, who curtsied as she greeted me.

`Oh Sir Gervaise, what a pleasure it is to meet you at last. I know you've flitted back and forth over the last year or two and I've been dying to meet you. Lady Diane is always talking about you, showing me her scrapbook of the things you and your sister are doing.' She carried on in this vein for quite a few minutes as she ushered me into her parlour where Francis was playing with some toys on the carpet.

Francis dear, here's your Daddy come to visit,' she said as she picked him up. Say hello.'

`Hello,' came the shy little voice from my son. Tears came to my eyes as he said that word to me. I longed, yearned, to snatch him out of her arms and hug and squeeze him and tell him how much I loved him. But instead I just said hello back to him and took his little hand in my to shake.

Do you remember me?' I asked of him. His eyes were round and serious as he nodded. Would you let me hold you?' I asked, holding out my arms. There was a moment's hesitation before he put out his own arms for me to take him from Mrs Judd.

That's beautiful,' Mrs Judd breathed as she saw the tears run down my cheeks as I took Francis into my arms. You should come down more often.'

I'll try,' I said, almost choking on my tears as I held the little body close to mine. I'm missing so much.'

I then spent the last part of the day playing with the toys and Francis till it was time for him to go to bed. I then thanked Mrs Judd and went to the empty house to sleep. I found the gin bottle and drank most of it before getting into an empty lonely bed for what was left of the night.

I was back at the hospital the next day with a fresh bunch of flowers which I didn't crush this time. Again I was given the sight of Leslie being fed from the breast, somewhat jealous that she was sucking on what I yearned to do. Then the baby was asleep in Diane's arms, and my heart went out to both of them. Diane then shattered that reverie as she took my hold of my hand.

`Why don't you come and live with us?' She had said it softly, but it was like an arrow to my heart, deep, penetrating and very, very painful.

Diane,' I began after several minutes to try and gather the many emotions that had run through my very being. I wish I could. I love you, little Francis and our new little Leslie, but I also still love Wesson. I lay in bed last night, alone, which is not usual. I may have proved myself a man to father two such wonderful children, but that's not what I feel inside of myself. Call me queer, a quirk of nature because that's what I am. I have a man's outer body but I feel like a woman inside. I'm in a constant turmoil,' I said as I kissed her hands, my head bowed over them.

`I love you for what you can give me, but then I also love Wesson for what he can give me. I need from him what you cannot give me. I need from you what he cannot give me. I'm being torn apart inside and it's killing me.' Her hand came up and stroked my hair.

`You're still young yet Francis, but you cannot keep us this charade forever. You've proved you are a man in many ways. Not just the fathering of two children, but in battle and adversity, why do you have to keep trying to prove it?'

Because I'm not!' I almost shouted. I'm a woman in all respects but for what's between my legs. Can't you understand? I'd have given my life to do what you've just done! To have sex and then give birth to a child!'

I stopped myself just in time from blurting out that the thing I most wanted was to have a child sired by Wesson. I don't think she would have truly understood how I felt in that respect. Yes, to have fathered a child is great, but greater still is the fact of being able to give that life to a child. To bear it, suffer the pangs and torments whilst it grew inside you. To know that you are giving life to another from within your own body. That is what I had craved and was bitterly disappointed with God that I couldn't do this.

To create from one moment of frantic coupling was not enough. I wanted to experience it all! From the sex side at the procreation, to the sickness and then to carry the growing foetus on to the suffering pangs of childbirth.

God, how I prayed to and cursed him that night when alone in Diane's bed. When able to sire a child but not be able to bear the result and bring forth a child into the world, was more than I could really take. For Him to create me and give me a man's body when it should have been a woman's, made me doubt his wisdom in all he did. It was in those dark hours of the night that I resolved myself to take as much pleasure from the world as a woman, and then to say to hell with the rest by acting as a man.

When I got back to London, the first thing was to drag Wesson to bed for him to fuck me. I don't think he understood my urgency as I piled up the pillows on the bed so that I was raised up for him. Then to hold his forearms as he came between my upraised legs and entered me. I watched his face as I urged him on as his cock, large and grand, reamed my hungry insides.

Fuck me Wesson,' I gasped between each thrust, fuck me harder. Give me a child,' I begged as he leaned forward, his hard member burning me with each forward movement. I found myself pushing back and down to meet his every push as he fucked, crying out to heaven for a child. He came in shuddering thrusts, gasping at the effort and strain that I had put upon him.

He ground his pelvis hard up to mine as his sperm surged up inside me, but I knew that it was to no avail. To paraphrase my long lost love, Donald; it might create more pubic hairs, but it would never get me with child. I cried as Wesson came and I couldn't really tell him why, though many times I had tried. I did tell him though of Diane's suggestion that I went and lived with her, and saying how I refused because I loved him more than Diane. He held me tight for quite a while after this statement and I'm sure I felt some tears touch my cheeks

I left Diane's house looking as though it was florist's shop for her arrival back from the hospital and more of a layette than she could ever use for the new baby. It had tore at my heart strings to leave, but my ties to Wesson were that much stronger so I had to leave to be with the love that was strongest for me.

I had made it known throughout that village where Diane was living, that she was to be given whatever she wanted and the bill would be paid by me. I threw my name about with abandon to ensure that she, or the children, would never want for anything.

It would be just a drop in the ocean as far as money went, but apart from giving up myself completely, it was the best I could do under our present circumstances.

But then during the night when I was laying next to Wesson, hearing him gently snore and feel the warmth of his flesh next to mine, I thought of Diane. She wanted me as much as I wanted Wesson and yet, she was the one alone. No warm body lying next to her at night as I had. Then little Francis and Leslie came into my mind. Them not having a father to love them as their mother did and tears came to my eyes as I didn't know what to do to please everybody and myself at the same time. I cried myself to sleep wondering what to do for the best.

Wesson?' I asked the next night in bed after we had made love. Do you think Diane and the children would move into the village if I asked her?'

`She might. It wouldn't be as if she was moving in amongst strangers. I think Flora would love to have children around her, she seems the type. Why? What's brought this on?'

`Well it's the children. I'm not going to see them grow up if they stay all the time in Dorset. They should be given the chance to grow where I did, where their grandfather did. The village would be theirs eventually, I don't think it would be fair to deny them that.'

`I see your point. But what would you do when you have to go to the village yourself?'

`Well depending on the business, I would either be their father or their aunt.'

`And what do I go as, if I'm invited?'

Oh Wesson, don't say it like that!' I rolled over and stroked his face before running my fingers through the hairs on his chest. I wouldn't go down without you. If I'm Gervaise, then you are my friend who is the boyfriend of Francis. It couldn't be better.'

`And what would Diane's reaction be to me turning up each time we visit?'

That's my problem!' I said, running my hand down over his stomach to find and fondle him. Diane knows I can't go without this for very long.'

`Well ask her,' he said.

`I'm asking you first. What are your thoughts?'

`Darling, I love you as much as Diane does. Whatever you decide won't change my feelings for you.'

`Oh Christ, I just don't know what to do,' I cried, burying my head into his neck and began to sob. His arm came over and held me.

`I can always be an uncle for the children,' he said as his hand stroked my shoulder.

`Oh Wesson,' I cried as my tears increased at his words, and he held me tighter in his arms.

I let the matter drop there, but I kept being haunted by the look of despair in Diane's eyes when she asked me to go live with them the last time I was there. The torment increased into my having nightmares of children wandering through deserts and empty plains looking and crying out for their father.

Wesson would wake me up and kiss and calm me down and said that I should go and see Diane to see if she would move to the village, if only to stop the dreams that were disturbing me.

To be continued.