I spent the night in a proper bed for the first time in, well, ages actually. Army bunks don't really count as real beds and neither do the torture devices they had in the hospitals I ended up staying in after suffering from bullet holes and broken bones from an ambush.
This bed is warm, dry comfortable and not covered in cardboard and pigeon shit that I had to lay in. In short, it was fucking fantastic and I woke up feeling rested yet anxious about the day's events.
LT Jones or JJ as we call him, and his wife, Lauren, got me cleaned up, spruced up and bought me some new clothes.
My hair is now a pale platinum blonde; I'd never been blonde before and I found I kind of liked it. If I met myself in a bar I'd probably try to hit on me, if you know what I mean.
---
I had the nightmare again last night though; more faces appeared in that rocky hole, more of the people I've lost along the way. At least this time I didn't wake up screaming. I'm sure JJ and Lauren wouldn't have appreciated me waking up their son, little Albert, in the middle of the night; it took the little bug hours to go to sleep as it was.
I really don't have any idea what I'm getting myself into today, all I know is that JJ will take me to the office and get me set up then I'll presumably get briefed. I'm not used to doing things in this ad-hoc manner but it's a job, and I really could do with nailing this.
I take a look in the mirror, checking myself out front, sides and back, adjusting seams and shoulders ensuring everything is just so - I've spent almost all my adult life in uniform and uniforms have to be right or you never hear the end of it, so old habits die hard.
As I take one last look in the mirror, I'm struck by just how professional I actually look. The suit is similar to my dress uniform in styling and for the first time since the ambush, I'm feeling a little bit more like the old me. I'm finally ready to face the world, or at least James Porter.
JJ's given me a bit of a background on Porter as I've dumped the robe and got dressed. James Porter, born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 30 years old, ex-US Ranger, decorated four times on active service.
Based on information, James is highly selective about the individuals he employs. His staff is made up of former military personnel from specialized units around the world, all of whom have experience in combat and have successfully led their teams to safety. He takes pride in offering his clients bodyguards who have survived combat, making them feel secure. His business provides a range of services worldwide, from personal bodyguarding for celebrities to protective duties in combat zones, such as the ones I experienced in Iraq and Afghanistan with Jones. Most of the time, the company provides personal protection for businessmen seeking to conduct deals in newly liberated societies.
It was a lot to process, but it seemed that James Porter made his living off of the experiences of others, he just knew what it was like to bleed.
Surprisingly, this made me feel better.
---
"I like you, Sarocha; you're my kind of soldier, you've got skill, you've got respect, you've got integrity and you've got intelligence. I think we could work well together; I think you'll be good for my company, a real asset. Welcome aboard." James Porter said smiling as he offered his hand.
I stood up and shook his hand, "Until tomorrow then, Blondie, you have a good evening ya' hear." He smiled cheekily and strode away.
I sat back down in the chair, breathed out a sigh of relief and thought about the last hour.
Somehow I'd managed to pull it off, despite my temper. All I had to do now was prove myself; well, that I was used to.
More than used to in fact, every day in Iraq and Afghanistan you were asked to prove yourself, and every day you survived was the proof that you were good enough.
---
The next day at the office, news seemed to have spread fast and I'm greeted with warm applause and congratulations as I walk in with James.
"Everyone, I'd like you to meet the newest member of Secure365 Protection Services, Miss Freen Sarocha. I know she'll be a valuable asset to our company."
Again with the applause and I find myself blushing at the unwanted attention. Sensing my unease, James drags me off into his office.
He handed me a piece of paper with a figure at the top. It was a big salary.
"It may look like a lot of money, Sarocha, but I swear you'll earn every penny of it. This isn't a nine to five operation and I expect the best from the best. There are perks though, especially for you in the role I have selected for you. In the envelope you'll find the keys to your new car, your phone, the keys to an apartment I'm lending you while you get yourself on your feet, your company credit card and some cash for personal expenses in the meantime...you can call that a corporate loan against salary if it makes you feel any better."
'Jesus, he is good, I'd just been about to refuse it.'
"Rules are simple, Blondie; the flat is one we use for all employees that are transferring in from other locations so it's a stop gap, nothing more. You'll need to find yourself something within the next two months or so. It's rent-free for that period. After that, if you still need it and it's not required for someone else, well we'll come to some arrangement."
"The company car is all-expense so use that credit card for your fuel and anything else you need. Any clothes you need, suits etc put on the card as well, JJ may have mentioned that I pay for corporate work wear, get good quality stuff as well. With my clients, we want to look the best we can be, if you're not sure what to get, take Lauren; I'm sure JJ won't mind. Frankly, those posh girls were born to shop, but please be sensible. Don't go bankrupting me on your first day."
He gave me a cheeky wink at that one, as if it was the funniest thing in the world, before continuing.
"If you need any personal items you can put them on the card as well. I'll sign them off no problem and I tell you what, I'll give you the standard £5K golden handshake for starting, that's what all my best people get and I know you're going to be one of my best people. Get yourself whatever you need with that. After that, Sarocha, you're on your own."
I stammered out my thanks, I'd have been happy with just the damn job.
"Don't mention it, Blondie, now here's your first real assignment. I've been pestered by this guy for the last six months to find him a Close Protection agent that he'll trust. Your meeting is at 11am tomorrow in Bath. I suggest you get sorted and read that file. Don't let me down or this might well be the shortest job you've ever had."
He smiled and shook my hand, dismissing me.
---
Leaving James' office, I went outside to find JJ stood waiting for me.
"Congratulations, Freen, well done. I knew you'd get in effortlessly. I'm going to show you to your car and then take you over to the apartment and get you settled in."
I nod dumbly, still a little shell-shocked, as I'm led downstairs into the underground car park. I'm just staring at the almost brand new, dark blue BMW X3 that's parked in front of me.
"It's a nice car," I heard JJ as I brought myself back to reality.
"It's more than fine, JJ. You could have given me a bike or a bus pass and I'd have been ecstatic. I'm glad I met you that night JJ, you've pretty much saved my life."
"Well you saved mine, Sarge, several times, in fact. I owe you a lot, we both do. I'm happy to be paying some of that debt back."
I looked at the guy that had performed this miracle and decided that I liked him, I don't have friends, but I can at least be friendly. I put out my hand to him and waited for him to take it.
"We're more than even Lieutenant, trust me. Now are we going to get moving because I need to go shopping with your wife. I've got a big meeting tomorrow apparently and I need to get a change of clothes or two."
"Ah yes," he said knowingly, "This is what I recommended you for. I knew you'd be perfect for the role."
"So, yes, you have a big meeting tomorrow with Robert Armstrong, he's the head of Armstrong Industries. They're quite a large manufacturing corporation with sites around the world. He's been receiving death threats from extremist groups in Pakistan because of his links to manufacturing sites and the government in India."
"You'll need to be at your best tomorrow, Freen; we're really counting on getting this contract because Armstrong Industries could put a lot of extra work our way."
"Don't worry JJ," I replied more confidently than I felt, "I'm sure Daddy Armstrong and I will get along like a house on fire."