Watching Fritz

Chapter Sixty-Four

David continued thinking as he rode the lift to the hotel's top floor. What would it mean? France surrenders, and then what? With open access to the sea and to trade, how long before Fritz crosses the Channel to rape and plunder Britain? Then what? He entered the suite, still disturbed by his thoughts as he walked across the sitting room.

Rick stepped out of the bathroom towelling his hair, and when he saw David, he quickly moved the towel in an attempt to cover himself. "I'm sorry, Sir. The bath was too inviting to refuse."

David chuckled. "I now see the cause of your tiff with Manny."

Rick reddened as he looked down and rearranged the towel. "Some seem obsessed with it. I thought I'd be rid of it when I left the regiment."

"I know what you mean. I've endured a steady stream of heckling and cajoling since my first Army showers. Difficult to have a conversation without someone taking it far off track on prurient tangents."

Rick nodded. "Yeah. Became impossible. Fortunately, Manny is the only one here who has made any fuss about it. Some seem obsessed."

"I thought I had left it behind when I went to Oxford for training, but a member of my former regiment arrived a few weeks later with a new course intake. He called me Big Dave, and the ridiculousness started again."

"Hah! Big Dave is mild. I've been called Hunguy, Allcock, Three Leg, and many other slurs. The worse is Prick. I don't know if it has the same offensive meaning in Australia, but Manny thinks it's funny."

"I was called Sir Lotalance at Oxford. Finally, frustrated with its spread, I resorted to calling them Notalotalance. That stopped most. Maybe you could start calling him Mini Manny if he persists."

Rick laughed as he continued towelling his hair. "Same sort of thing, isn't it? You think he would catch the message?"

"He might. His is likely the same thumb-size as most I've seen in the showers." David shook his head. "What a shock that was, the first day in Valcartier, my first Army shower when I realised this isn't normal." He began filling the bathtub as he undressed.

"I've seen two others, both on syph parade." Rick looked down and shrugged. "So I knew this was not unique."

"Maria began a research project, sifting through the works of others, but she finds conflicting data. Some reports show these don't exist, while others indicate a few per thousand exceed fifteen centimetres flaccid." He laughed. "Research here shows they all do. That's the major problem with research statistics; the quality of the data."

"She loves the sexuality research, doesn't she? I found her so easy to talk with about it. Totally accepting and non-judgemental."

"Did you find the session with her useful?" David stepped into the tub, sat down and began soaping.

"Absolutely! I learned so much about myself from it; about women as well. What makes us behave the way we do." Rick smiled as he replaced his comb in his ditty bag and reached down to give himself a twirl. "Bud and I got plenty of exercise. I'm delighted how well her advice works."

"Did you sense the women suspected anything odd about you?"

Rick let out a loud laugh. "I told them all Swiss are built like this." He grinned, then continued, "But to your intention; none of us sensed any suspicions. I reminded the men every day about the risk, not only to themselves but also to the mission."

David stood and rinsed with the hand nozzle. "Shower stalls certainly are more convenient than this."

"For sure. The ones at Sonnenhang are the finest I've ever used."

"We installed those when we had the carriage house converted into your barracks and mess. We also put them in the new bathrooms in the schloss when we had it restored and renovated. There was no indoor plumbing of any sort when Frau Eberhardt bought it; nothing but water buckets and chamber pots." David got out of the tub and began drying himself.

"This is one of the things I've often wondered about. How Sonnenhang came into the picture. How you managed to get us based there."

David laughed. "It's a long story. We've told you about Maria, Rachel and I crossing the mountains from Freiburg to the Schaffhausen border at Erzingen."

Rick nodded. "And about Frau Eberhardt having the vineyards on each side of the border there. But what's the connection?"

"She's Rachel's aunt; Maria's great aunt. That's why we call her Tante. We stayed with her in Erzingen when we arrived. Then we helped sell her slaughterhouse, move across the border, buy Sonnenhang, restore it and move in."

"Is it true what Maria said? You were still a Private then. When you met her."

David laughed as he hung his towel on the rack. "I thought I was, but I learned later that I had been granted a field commission the day before I was wounded and left for dead."

"Maria told me about your wounding and being trapped behind the lines. She said that's where you began acting your ruses." Rick tilted his head as he looked at David. "How does one get a field commission?"

"Lead. Show initiative and inspire others. Allow your organisation and interpersonal skills to catch the attention of your superiors. Georg has been impressed with you from the beginning, and he recommended I assess you."

Rick looked up from lacing and tying his shoes, his face twisted with a questioning expression. "When will you do that?"

"I've been doing it since we arrived before Christmas." David smiled and began dressing.

Rick blew out a big breath. "Wish I had known I was being watched."

"Why?"

"So I could show you my best side."

"That would have been artificial. I saw your natural side and the easy way you lead. The men respect you. Even Manny." David chuckled as he pointed to Rick's crotch. "Now it appears he respects you for something he'll never be able to match."

"But his attitude doesn't show respect."

"On the surface, no. But inside, beneath his crude comments, there is a different story."

Rick nodded. "Yeah, I can see that. So, how much longer will you be assessing me?"

"I've finished now."

"Finished! When?"

"A few moments ago when I told you I was assessing you." David chuckled. "Actually, I made my decision this afternoon in Pirmasens."

"You wouldn't be telling me this if I hadn't passed, would you?"

"That's another of your strengths, Rick. Knowing what is appropriate to discuss and with whom."

Rick blew out a large breath. "Thank you, Sir. I don't know what else to say. Thank you." He ran his fingers through his hair. "So, what's the next step."

"To look for ways to begin your training." David sat to put on his shoes.

"I'll have to leave Sonnenhang for that, won't I?"

"I'll inquire whether that's necessary." He smiled, picked up the room key and pointed to the door. "In the meantime, we'll start your training with an overview of the style in which many senior officers prefer to dine."