Watching Fritz

Chapter Thirty-Four

Evelyn and David rose to greet Colonel Wyndcom, then they all sat in the stuffed leather chairs around a low table. "Have you settled in, Wilfred?"

"Yes, I have. The hotel suite is adequate, though I expected far better. Oh, and I prefer not to be called by my given name in front of juniors."

"There are no juniors here, Wilfred. We're all in this together."

"But he's only a Lieutenant. And a Colonial one at that."

"And what does this have to do with our roles here? And speaking of which, have you any idea what his roles are?"

"Beyond being your Aide-de-Camp, I could find nothing in my files."

"Did you bother to ask him?"

"I..." He looked down at his hands. "I kept being interrupted by his wife." He snapped his head to look at David. "And you never did tell me why you had brought her into the Embassy."

"Are you aware of the Injured Prisoner of War Program?" Evelyn asked.

"I saw something about it in the files Lieutenant-Colonel Picot had left. A bloody misguided idea, welcoming injured Germans here."

"And the French and the British, Wilfred, not only the German. Treating as many injured prisoners as is possible, so we can get them out of the camps and give them a chance to recover."

Wilfred nodded. "It could have some merit. But, the Germans —"

"David's wife, Maria, and my wife, Edith, conceived the idea. The Red Cross, the Vatican and the Swiss Government are collaborating with the separate countries to bring the programme into form. And Henry has been assigned to run it. That's why you've replaced him."

Wilfred nodded again; then he looked at David. "And Lieutenant Berry is now working with Lieutenant-Colonel Picot on this. Yes, I see."

"No, you do not see. David is working on projects under the direction of the Prime Minister's offices."

"And what are these projects, pray tell?"

"You are not cleared to know, Wilfred. And besides, it's of no..." Evelyn paused at the knock. "Yes, come in."

"Your lunch, Sir."

The three sat silently as platters of cold cuts and cheeses and a basket of bread were set on the table, along with plates, cutlery and wine glasses. Evelyn pointed at the wine bottle. "We'll leave that for later, Pierre. Could you make a pot of tea for us to sip in the meantime?"

After the staff had left, Evelyn continued. "Wilfred, David's roles are of no concern to you, except that you not interfere with him nor with his activities. And if he requests something from you, you are to comply. In effect, Wilfred, you are working to support him."

Wilfred sputtered. "Preposterous!"

"No. Reality."

"But he's little more than a child. His dossier shows him as twenty-one and a Lieutenant. I'm a full Colonel. I've led men into battle, I've —"

"I've read your record, Wilfred," Evelyn interrupted, then he watched as Wyndcom's face reddened. "I'll save you further embarrassment and not share it. Just be aware I'm aware."

"Humf! My record's of no concern here, anyway." He shook his head and looked at the meat platter.

"But back to the topic, Wilfred. We have managed to save the library from destruction. You may hate the Germans, but the information we glean from their newspapers, documents and books is valuable not only to our efforts, but also to David's safety."

"I still don't understand what he does."

"You have no need to understand. You simply need to support him and do as he asks without question."

Wilfred sputtered again, then wiped the spittle off his chin. "Be ordered around by a child who has never seen battle, doesn't know the terror instilled by an attacking enemy, the gut-wrenching fear of turning and running with the Huns advancing..." He paused and looked down.

"Precisely, Wilfred. He doesn't know cowardice. Allow me to tell you a bit about David's background. He was —"

"And of what import is that to me? To my position here?"

"Of utmost importance, Wilfred. Please allow me to continue. David was in the trenches at Ypres when the Germans launched their first chlorine attack. He was twice mentioned in dispatches during that first day, before he was wounded. The following day, he answered the call for volunteers among the walking wounded to move forward to assist in holding the gap that had been left by the French when they abandoned their positions and fled. The following day, he was granted a field commission, and a few hours later, his actions won him the Distinguished Service Order." Evelyn glared at Wilfred. "Shall I continue? There is much more to..."

He paused at the knock on the door. "Yes, come in."

"Your tea, Sir."

They remained silent while the steward brought in the tea and poured it. When he had left, Wilfred wagged his finger and said, "But the DSO is given only to senior officers. He has fabricated his story to you."

Evelyn sighed. "Allow me to continue. You appear unaware that in rare circumstances, the DSO may be awarded — and that's the word, Wilfred, awarded, not given. Awarded to a junior officer whose actions while in command under enemy fire are just short of meriting the Victoria Cross." He paused and looked at David, then back to Wilfred.

"If he had been killed or wounded, I have no doubt his actions would have merited the Victoria Cross. His DSO was presented by the King at Windsor Castle last July. You can go to the library and check the entry in the Gazette — I'm assuming you haven't had those destroyed."

Evelyn paused to take a sip of tea, "Now, Wilfred, allow me to be blunt. For us to work effectively together, I must ensure you realise David has priority. Also, you must learn that this is neither the time nor the place for pomposity and bluster. We're not strutting cocks. We're not fighting each other, we're fighting Fritz, the Huns, the Krauts. Focus your vile attitudes on them."

He took another sip and savoured it as he looked at Wilfred. "I do like the smokiness of this Lapsang Souchong, don't you?" Evelyn paused, slowly nodding. "I can easily find ways to have your concoction of acting rank, temporary rank and brevet removed and return you to your battalion. Ways your uncle will not be able to countermand. Are you curious to find out what tea they serve in Salonica, Captain Wyndcom?"