The commodore only succeeded in rising to his feet with the aid of a servant's arm.

You are excused.' He faced Lindsay and added thickly,And as far as I'm concerned you can....'

He turned and walked unsteadily to the door without finishing it.

Lindsay left the room and waited for a house-boy to fetch his cap. He heard footsteps and saw the young midshipman staring at him.

`I'm sorry, sir. I'd not have had this happen for anything.'

Lindsay forced a smile. `Forget it. My fault entirely.'

You don't understand, sir.' Kemp's face was tight with concern.I know him. He'll try and get his own back on you.' He dropped his eyes. `He's not like you, sir. If he were, I'd never have needed to be told to enter the Navy.'

The boy's sincerity, his shame and humiliation, made him appear even more defenceless than usual.

Lindsay said quietly, `That was a nice compliment. One which I happen to value very much.'

He took his cap and walked quickly into the garden.

Behind him the boy stood staring at the open door long after Lindsay had disappeared in the shadows.

A slow, lurching taxi carried Lindsay back to the base, his head lolling to the jerky motion, his throat parched in spite of the wine.

By the time he had found the jetty a moon had appeared, and in the pale .light he could see the Benbecula resting against the piles, the dazzle paint strangely vivid and garish. A sentry paced back and forth on the gangway, and in the glow of a blue police light he saw the quartermaster drooping over his desk, probably engrossed in a book or some old letter from home.

It was very still, and after lighting his pipe Lindsay walked the full length of his ship, from her towering straight stem to her outmoded poop where the ill-used twelve-pounder pointed at the moon like a rigid finger. Then with a sigh he walked up the steep brow, nodding to the startled quartermaster and then walking forward towards his quarters. .

As he passed a door he heard the crash of breaking glass. It was Stannard's cabin, but as he made to reach for the clip he heard Dancy say, `I'd leave him, sir.'

Dancy had been leaning against the rail, his body merging with the deep shadows.

He added quietly, `There was a message sent aboard just after you left, sir. Pilot's brother is aboard one of the hospital ships.'

Lindsay watched him. `He got away then?'

Dancy did not seem to hear. He went across right away. He's been in there drinking ever since.' Dancy rested his elbows on the rail and added,He saw him all right. But he'd got no arms!' His shoulders shook uncontrollably. `And he can't see either, sir!'

Lindsay stared past him towards the distant buildings, so white in the moon's glare.

`You've been here all the time?'

Dancy nodded. `Just in case, sir.'

Lindsay touched his arm. I'll not be turning in yet. Come and have a drink in my cabin when he's asleep.' He waited.If you feel like it.'

Dancy straightened his back. `Thank you, sir.' Lindsay walked on towards the bridge ladder. In just one evening he had learned a lot about his officers. And himself.

16

A miracle

For three more days no fresh instructions were sent to Benbecula or any intimation of what her next duty might be. Lindsay had still not had the expected interview with the admiral or even his chief of staff, but at first this omission had not troubled him. Indeed, when he thought about it at all, he was almost relieved. The local naval staff had enough work on hand as it was, and he was being kept more than busy with his ship's repairs.

But it was concerning Benbecula's repairs and general replenishment which at -last gave him a hint that something was happening outside his own knowledge. Small items for the most part, which added together grew into a definite pattern.

Lieutenant Hunter had called on him to complain of his inability to secure any six-inch shells to replace those fired, although he had been told that plenty were available.

When Lindsay had asked, `Have you spoken to Guns about this?' Hunter had sounded guarded.

`Well, sir, he has been a bit preoccupied lately. Anyway, I can deal with it once I've got the authority.'

Maxwell had been acting even more strangely, that was certain. He had stayed ashore every night, although nobody had seen him or knew where he went.

Goss too h been perturbed by the apparent lack of ,attention w ch was being paid to his list of repairs by the dockyard staff. That was normal enough on its own. Goss saw every dockyard worker as a potential thief, layabout and someone bent on spoiling his ship's appearance and efficiency. But it was true that some of the work had been skimped rather than properly rectified.

Lieutenant Barker had much the same tale. Stores were difficult to obtain, and apart from the basic rations of food and clothing, very little seemed available for the Benbecula.

Added together; Lindsay felt it was more than mere coincidence.

The ship's company on the other hand accepted the situation with obvious delight. Trips ashore, strange sights of, native women and rickshaws, elephants and snake charmrs, all helped to make each day an event.

Stannard had been ashore very little. In fact, apart from occasional duties he hardly seemed to leave his cabin.

Lindsay had seen him alone after the night of the commodore's dinner party and had asked. if he could do anything.

Stannard had replied, They've sent Jason to a hospital, sir. He's being sent up to another one at Karachi tomorrow. After that, they say it'll take time.' He had looked at Lindsay with sudden anguish.Just tell me how I'm to write to the old man, sir. Can you imagine what it will do to him?'

After that brief interview Lindsay had seen little of him. Even Dancy seemed unable to reach him or help ease his despair.

Perhaps when they got back to sea things might change. Lying alongside a jetty in the blazing heat was no help to anyone tortured with such thoughts as Stannard.

On the morning of the fourth day the summons to naval H.Q. was received, and with Jupp hovering around him like an anxious hen Lindsay changed into a white uniform which he had not worn since the outbreak of war.

Jupp remarked, `A bit loose around the middle, if I may make so bold, sir. You should've let me get it fixed sooner.'

He handed Lindsay his dress sword, adding, `Not been feedin' yourself enough, sir. Too much worry is bad for you.'

Lindsay looked at himself in the bulkhead mirror. Even in-war the formalities had to be observed. To show there was no crack in the foundations.

He grinned. `I shall eat better when I know what's going to happen.'

He waited, half expecting Jupp to supply a rumour or at least some reason for the sudden call to H.Q. But Jupp seemed concerned only with his appearance, the impression Benbecula's captain would make when he got there.

At the gangway Goss had to shout above the rasping rattle of a rivet-gun.

`You won't forget about my paint, sir? We're getting very low, and I'm not happy about the port anchor cable.'

Lindsay smiled briefly. The side party stood in a neat line, the bosun's mates wetting their calls on their lips ready to pipe him over the side.

Lieutenant Paget, who was O.O.D., stood very erect, his eyes fixed on Lindsay with something like terror, as if he expected the brow to collapse or one of the side party to run amok in his presence.

He said, `I'll do what I can. I've a few questions of my own, too.'

Then with one hand to the oak-leaved peak of his cap and the unfamiliar feel of his sword in the other, he hurried down the brow where a car was shimmering in heathaze to carry him to the presence of the mighty.

But he was met by a harassed flag-lieutenant who hurried to explain that the admiral would not, after all, be able to see him. The F.O.I.C. had been whisked away to some important conference. It was one of those things. Unavoidable.

Lindsay spent a further twenty. minutes in a small room before the lieutenant reappeared to usher him into an adjoining office. The Chief of Staff came round a big desk and shook his hand.

Sorry about this mix-up, Lindsay. Bad times. But I have no doubt you've seen enough of admirals anyway.' He smiled.As I have.'

Lindsay took a proffered chair and watched him as he stared out of a window towards the harbour.

The other man said slowly, `Also, we've been waiting for instructions from Admiralty. Certain recommendations have been made, and it's my duty to inform you of them.' He turned and studied Lindsay thoughtfully.

`The war's speeding up. Increased submarine activity and long-range aircraft have made previous ideas obsolete. Almost overnight, in a manner of speaking.'

Lindsay tensed. He had been expecting a hint of orders, even acceptance of his own recommendations for some of Benbecula's company. But something in the Chief of Staff's tone, his attitude, seemed to act like a warning. He was troubled. No, he was embarrassed.

`My staff, are arranging your orders, Lindsay. But I think it best all round if you know without any more delay.' He sat down behind the desk and looked at his hands.

Benbecula will return to U.K. .as soon as the dockyard say she is seaworthy.'

Seaworthy. Not ready for action or patrol duty. She merely had to be able to make the passage home.

Lindsay asked tightly, `And then, sir?'

'Rosyth. I gather they want her as a sort of depot cum accommodation ship for incoming drafts, replacement personnel and so forth.' He flicked over some papers. Your first lieutenant will be promoted to commander upon arrival there. He will also assume command from that time.' He tried to smile.Bit of a rough diamond, I gather, but he should be all right for the job.' He dropped his eyes again. `It seems very likely that your promotion is already on its way here. I'm glad for you. Yo u've more than earned it.'

Lindsay felt as if the walls were moving inwards. Crushing the air from his lungs.

`And my appointment, sir?'

The Chief of Staff did not look up. The Navy's growing every day. Recruits are flooding the depots like ants. We're having to cut courses rather than lengthen them, and they need the very best help they can get.' He plucked at the litter of papers.I detest this job. I entered the Service to feel a ship around me. I know this work is important and I'm doing more good here than I would be on the bridge of some cruiser in Scapa Flow.' He shrugged. But I still find it hard to take.' His eyes lifted to Lindsay's face and he added quietly,As you will, at first.'

`Shore job?'

`They're putting the finishing touches to a new training depot on the east coast. Hasn't got a name yet, but I've no doubt their lordships will have dreamed up something grand by the time you take command.'

Lindsay was on his feet without noticing he had moved from the chair. East coast. Shore job. Probably a peacetime holiday camp or hotel converted for training purposes. A white ensign on a flag mast. A ship's bell by the main gate. A temporary illusion for temporary sailors.

He said-, `I thought I was going to get......'

The Chief of Staff watched him sadly. `I know. You can appeal against the decision of course, but you know as well as I do what weight it will have.'

Lindsay crossed to the window and stared blindly at the courtyard below. He could see the new depot as if he had actually visited it already. Could almost hear voices saying, `The new captain? Oh yes, came to us because he's a bit bomb happy.'

Most of the officers who commanded such establishments were old, retired and brought back to the Navy to help spread the load. Men like Commodore Kemp.

He heard himself ask, `I take it this was Kemp's idea, sir?'

You know I cannot discuss confidential reports.' The Chief of Staff added,But you may draw your ownconclusions.'

`I will appeal.' He turned away from the window and saw the other man give a brief shake of the head.

`It is your privilege. However, as there is a war on, and on the face of things you are being given a just promotion, I think you should be warned against such a course of action.'

A telephone rang impatiently and the Chief of Staff snapped. No. Wait.' He slammed it back before adding quietly,I do not know Kemp very well. I would go further. I do not wish to know him very well. But from what I hear of him I would say he is not the sort who would act without apparent justification.'

Lindsay strode to the desk and leaned on it, his voice almost pleading. `But there must have been signals, sir? Some hint of all this?'

Again, they are confidential. But there was a full report made to Admiralty.' He looked away.Includingone from the staff medical officer.'

Lindsay straightened his back, sickened. He recalled the bearded surgeon with the wife who could not stop eating. Kemp must have planned the whole thing. Must have worked on his first dislike which their meeting at Scapa had begun.

He remembered the midshipman's voice when he had said, He'll try and get his own back on you.

Or, maybe he had started it all himself when he had defended the boy at the dinner table. Had walked into the trap which he had sprung by his own carelessness.

In those dragging seconds he could even see the looming bulk of the Benbecula leaning against the piles in the bright sunlight. Now even she was being taken. That realisation most of all was more than he could bear.

`Look, Lindsay, try not to take this too badly. The war is not going to end next week. And who knows, you'll probably find new orders in England which will make all this seem like a bad dream.'

A bad dream. It seemed to linger in his mind. Perhaps someone aboard his own ship had made the first move. Had listened to his ravings as he relived the nightmare. Had recorded every small action or mood in order to destroy him.

He thrust out his hand. I will leave now, sir.' He met the other man's troubled gaze.I would not have been in your shoes for this. Thank you for trying to spare my feelings.'

The Chief of Staff smiled. `I have tried. But I feel like an executioner nonetheless. I only hope the men who pass through your hands appreciate what you will no doubt offer them.'

`And what is that, sir?'

I am not going to indulge you with all the trite words of leadership and example.' You'll get plenty of those later.' He sat down again, his eyes suddenly distant.Give them the same sense of value, of belongingas you have to the old Benbecula. That'll be more use than a room full of admirals.'

Lindsay picked up his cap and walked slowly to the door. It was over. For him and the ship.

He said, `I willl try to remember that. There will be plenty of time from now on.,

Outside, the flag-lieutenant handed him an envelope and said, `Here's a brief rundown on appointments, sir. It will be all right to mention them to your people if you so wish.'

Lindsay walked through the building without another word. He got vague impressions of men at desks, the chatter of telephones and typewriters. A different sort of war. One he would soon be joining or watching from the sidelines.

He returned the salutes of two marine sentries and headed for the parked staff car.

He must hold on. Just long enough to reach his cabin. Hide, like Stannard and Maxwell. But he knew it was only a deception. For there was nowhere he could hide from himself.

Goss stood a few paces away from Lindsay's desk, his face hidden while he listened to the neatly typed instructions.

So you will have the ship after all, NumberOne.' Even as he said it Lindsay thought this bare fact was the only shred . of comfort which really affected him.And with promotion, you should be well placed after the war with another shipping company when you may be competing with younger men.'

He did not know what he had expected. Goss's silence was like something physical. He turned in his chair and asked, `Aren't you pleased? I thought it was what you wanted?'

Goss opened his big hands and closed them again. I always wanted the Becky. Ever since I can remember.' His fingers clenched into tight fists.But not like this!'

`She'll be safe as a depot ship. No more convoys. No being left alone with nothing but a few First World War guns to hit back.'

Goss said quietly, A ship dies when, she's inactive. I've seen a few good ones go like that during the depression.' He seemed to be struggling with his words..A ship should be at sea. She needs it. It's her• life. Her purpose for being.' He turned slightly so that Lindsay saw the emotion on his heavy features. `Like an old man who takes to his chair. He starts to die from then on. He can't help it.'

Lindsay tore his eyes away from Goss-'s despair. `I'll leave it to you to tell the others. You can use this list. Stannard's to go on an advanced navigation course. He'll probably be appointed to a new destroyer. de Chair and his marines are to be sent to Eastney Barracks for re-allocation, and Maxwell's to get his half stripe. He'll be going to Whale Island for an instructor's course.'

He wondered how he could keep his voice so level when his whole being was screaming like a tortured instrument. Calm, even matter-of-fact. It had to be that way. The only way.

He recalled the time his mother had made her decision to leave for Canada. For good. He had wandered round the old house, watching the familiar things which he had always taken for granted, going under the auctioneer's impartial hammer. Things he had known all his young life. Things he had loved.

It was like that right now. Familiar faces being parted and sent to the winds.

`Young Dancy is going on a navigation course, too. His work with Stannard will stand him in good stead. The other young subs are being transferred to escort vessels when they return from home leave. Hunter is to be gunnery officer in one of the Western Approaches ships.'

Goss asked abruptly, `What about Fraser?'

`The chief is transferring to a fleet repair ship.'

I see.' Goss walked a few paces and stopped, as if uncertain where to go.Isn't anyone staying from the old company?' ,

'Dyke will take over the engine room, although being a depot ship his duties will be pretty limited.' He added, `I thought you disliked Fraser?'

Goss said vaguely, 'Dyke can't do the job. It takes a proper chief engineer. She's old. She must have proper care.' He added with sudden fierceness, `No, I've never liked him much. But he's a good chief. The best inthe company, and no matter what he's told you, he bloody well cares about this ship right enough!'

I know that, too.' Lindsay stared at the papers on his desk. They were blurred, like those on the Chief of Staff's desk.You're keeping Barker. He's getting a half stripe like Maxwell.'

Goss walked to the desk and stood looking down at Lindsay for several seconds.

pAnd you're on the beach, sir. I know a lot of people'll only see your extra stripe and envy you, most likely. But I know different. I'm not a clever man an' never was. I sweated blood to get where I am, and saw many a useless bastard get romoted over my head because I'm slow by nature. I'm slow, and I take my time. I've never been able to afford mistakes. There's not been a captain in the company I've not envied, nor one whose job I've told myself,I couldn't do better given the chance.' He rested his hands on the desk.But I've not envied you, because I couldn't have done what you've had to do. No matter what I've kidded myself on that score, I know that, and nobody can tell me otherwise.'

Lindsay did not look up. `Thank you.' He heard Goss moving restlessly to an open scuttle.

Goss added slowly, `Christ, she can feel it already. Poor old girl, she can feel it.'

Lindsay lurched to his feet. `For God's sake, Number One, we have to carry out orders. Nothing else can matter. Ships don't feel. They're steel and wood, pipes and machinery, and only as good as the men who control them.' Even as he said it he saw the other man shaking his head.

It's no use talking to me like that, sir. You don't believe it either. She feels it all right.' He swung towards the scuttle, his eyes staring into the harsh sunlight as he shouted,Those toffy-nosed bastards who sit in their offices will never understand, not if they live a million bloody years! I don't know much but by the living Jesus 1 know ships! And above all I know this one.' When he spoke again he was very calm. `Sorry about that. I should be used to kicks at my time of life.'

Somewhere a tannoy bellowed, `Hands to dinner. Leave to port watch from 1400 to 2300. Chief and petty officers 0830 in the morning. Ordinary Seaman Jones muster at the quartermaster's lobby for mail.'

Goss moved to the door. Can you see her tied up to some stinking pier,, full of gash ratings and layabouts, sir? With nothing to do, no use any more?' He waited, staring at Lindsay's lowered head.No, and no more can't I.'

As the door closed behind him Jupp entered the cabin and asked, `Will you be wantin' your lunch now, sir?'

Lindsay shook his head. Goss had known. Must have known. One more minute and he would have broken down.

`Fetch some whisky, please.'

Jupp picked up the dress sword from a chair where Lindsay had thrown it and replied, 'If you'll pardon the liberty, sir, it's not fair.'

`Just the whisky.'

Jupp hurried away. For once in his long life he could think of nothing to say or do which would help him understand what was happening.

In his pantry a young steward said, `What's up, Chiefy? The end of the world comin'?'

Jupp looked at him and saw the steward pale under his fierce stare. `For once in your miserable life, I reckon you're right.' He picked up a clean glass and held it automatically to the light before putting it on his silver tray.

The steward stammered, 'I was only jokin', Chiefy!'

Jupp placed the decanter carefully on the tray and thought of Lindsay in the next cabin staring down at his desk.

Aloud he said, 'You don't joke, son, when someone's dyin'.'

But the steward had already gone.

Lindsay could not remember how he had reached this particular restaurant. He seemed to have been walking for hours, his feet taking him down narrow streets and away from the main crush of people and tooting vehicles. It appeared to be quite a small building. The upper part was an hotel under the same ownership and bore a sign depicting a bejewelled elephant and the words `English and French dishes. Only the best.'

It was evening and the sun already hidden beyond a towering white temple on the opposite side of a dusty square. He guessed the hotel. would probably look very shabby in harsh sunlight.

But it was quiet and seemed almost deserted. No uniforms or familiar faces like those he had seen at the Naval Club where he had paused for a drink. He had recognised several people there. From the past. From other ships and forgotten places. They had meant well but always he seemed to see the questions in their eyes. Curiosity, sympathy? It was hard to tell. He had finished his drink and started walking again. He realised now that he was very tired, his shirt clinging to his back like a damp towel.

A board creaked beneath his feet as he thrust through some bead curtains and dropped into a chair at one of the small cane tables. There were fortunately only two other occupants and neither gave him more than a cursory glance. Their conversation seemed to consist entirely of the latest rubber prices. The cost of local labour. The general inefficiency of transport. He guessed they were both planters, so familiar to each other that neither appeared to listen to what the other was saying.

A smiling waiter bowed beside the table. 'Sair?'

Lindsay stared at the proffered menu, realising for the first time that he had been drinking heavily since noon. Since he had seen Goss. But the drink did not seem to have had any real effect, other than to make the thought of food impossible.

`Perhaps the commander would wish to order later?'

He looked up at the second figure who had appeared. Either the newcomer was cat-footed or Lindsay was more drunk than he imagined. It seemed impossible he could have missed seeing such a man.. He was gross, his huge body impeccably covered in a cream linen suit, his girth encircled by a crimson sash to match a small fez which appeared minute on his round head. A chair groaned loudly as the man sank into it.

A drink first, maybe?' He snapped his fingers.I have some gin.'

Lindsay eyed him dully. He wanted to leave right now. He did not wish to talk. There was nothing to say.

The man announced calmly, I am the owner.' He waved a plump hand, several rings glinting in the coloured lanterns overhead.And bid you welcome.'.

The waiter was pouring out two glasses of neat gin. On the bottle he saw the words. Duty Free. H.M.Ships only.

`Thanks.' He took a glass, wonderingwhat it would do to his stomach.

The owner sipped at the gin and smiled. My religion regards gin as an evil However.' He took another sip.One must adapt to the country's ways, eh?' He watched Lindsay unblinkingly. He had very dark, liquid eyes, like those of a younger man encased in a grotesque mask.

He continued in the same gentle tone, I am Turkish. Once, although some may find it difficult to accept, I was in the Grand Cavalry. A Captain of Horse.' He chuckled, the sound rising from a great depth.Now it would take more than one beast to carry me, you are thinking?'

Lindsay smiled. `I am sorry.. I am bad company.'

`Only loneliness is bad, Commander.' He signalled to the waiter.'I fought your people on the Dardanelles in that other war. I learned to respect their courage, even though their leadership was less inspiring. So when I had to flee my own country! decided to come here. Halfway between two ways of life. East and West. I will be happy to end my life here.'

Lindsay felt the gin scraping.his throat like fire. `I really

must go.' He tried to smile. As I said, I am bad company.' The man shook his head.Not yet. It is not time.' `Time?'

The man smiled gently. `Do not play with fate, Commander. You will have one more glass, and then, perhaps, it will be time.'

Lindsay stared at him. He must have misheard or had finally taken leave of his senses. He looked quickly around the room but it was quite empty. The two planters had vanished..

The man said quietly, It is all right, Commander. They were there. They have gone up' to their rooms for an arrangement with some women.' He wrinkled his nose disdainfully.They drink a lot first and then their women begin to appear beautiful again!' It seemed to amuse him greatly.

Lindsay sighed and raised the glass to his lips. What would they be doing aboard the ship? Some might be celebrating their forthcoming promotions and appointments. Others would be ashore, making the most of the last few days in Ceylon. Back in England it would be cold and grey. Air-raids and ration queues. Tired faces and pathetic bravery. The memories of Ceylon would become precious to many of Benbecula's company in the months or years ahead.

The massive Turk snapped his fingers and as if by magic the gin bottle disappeared.

I must go to the temple and make amends, Commander.' He stood up and took a deep breath.I have enjoyed our little talk.' He held out one fat hand. `Maybe you will come again. But I think not.'

Lindsay groped for his cap, thinking he should offer to pay for the drinks but knowing also that the man would resent it.

He heard him add quietly, `Now, you may leave. Somehow, I feel that your hurt will be easier to carry.'

Lindsay thanked him and walked out into the purple gloom, his mind still dazed by the unexpected encounter. Perhaps the man was crazy. Why the hotel was so deserted.

He lurched against a shuttered shop front and gasped. But the gin was real enough.

At the end of the street he saw bright lights and the hurrying criss-cross of crowds. Perhaps he might find a taxi. He could not face fighting his way back to the base through those same cheerful throngs of people.

But there was no taxi available, so with tired determination he increased his pace, shutting his ears to the din of voices and music, car horns and rickshaw wheels, while he tried to concentrate on the gross Turk who had once been a Captain of Horse at the Dardanelles.

`Hey, mate, got a light?'

He stopped to face two Australian soldiers who were clinging to each other for support. He took out his matches and waited while one of them made several attempts to light their cigarettes. Their voices reminded him of Stannard.

The first soldier squinted at Lindsay's shoulder straps. Tommy sailor, eh?' He grinned. `But never mind, mate. You got me an' my cobber out of Singapore.' He laughed as if it were one huge joke. 'Leastways, somebody did!' They staggered away, their bush hats strangely alien against the coloured lanterns and bazaars.

He took out his pipe and then realised the soldiers had left without returning the matches. He was still patting his pockets when a taxi scraped against one of the nearby stalls and sent a mountain of fruit cascading under the wheels. A crowd gathered in seconds, prepared to be freely amused by the fierce exchange between driver and merchant. He tried to free himself from the growing crush but it was impossible. Above those around him he saw two impassive faced policemen forcing their way through the crowd towards the taxi which was now completely hemmed in by spectators.

He saw a dark doorway and'decided to make for it. The police would take several minutes to clear the crowd. He might even find some matches. Two white figures were already in the doorway, probably with the same idea as himself. An eddy of figures pressed against him and he felt himself being pushed slowly towards another shopfront. He gave up. It was hopeless, and he'was feeling worse. Sick.

Yet even through the excited babble of shouts and jeers he seemed to hear a voice. It was like part of a dream. A nerve laid bare in his memory.

`Commander! Commander Lindsay!'

All at once he was fighting his way back through the crowd, pushing with all his strength even though he knew it was just one more crack in his reserve.

A policeman grabbed at his arm, yelling at him, but he knocked him aside, his ears deaf to the roar of voices, his eyes blind to everything but the doorway and the two figures in white.

Against the darkness they seemed to hover like ghosts, and in those last desperate moments he imagined he had at last gone mad.

Gasping with exertion and almost sobbing he burst from the crowd and threw himself into the opening. Then he stood quite still. Afraid to blink or breathe, even though it was just one more dream.

She said, `I knew it was you!'

Very slowly he reached out and put his hands on her shoulders. Eve.'He felt her shiver under his grip. `Eve. I thought.....'

She was still staring up at him, her face almost hidden in shadow. The other Wren had moved away and stood uncertainly by the shopfront. Then he pulled her to him. Holding her tightly as he murmured, `Oh Eve. All this time.'

She said quietly, You're not well.' To the other girl,Tell that policeman to get us a taxi.' Then she pressed her face into his chest and whispered, It's a miracle. We were trying to get back to the base. Then this crowd, and I saw you. I had no idea you were here.' She trembled.I still can't believe it.' Then she looked up at him again, her eyes very large in her face. `You didn't get my letter then?'

He stared at her, still fearful it would suddenly end. `We've had no mail except local letters.'

And you thought I was in Canada!' She laughed, her eyes shining with sudden tears.There was a last minute mix-up. My medical report got confused with another Wren's, and by the time it was sorted out the convoy had sailed without me. So they sent me here instead. I'll bet they're laughing like hell about it in Canada.'

She reached up to touch his face. `You're like ice! Tell me, what happened?'

The convoy.' He could feel his body trembling violently.Itwas attacked. The ship with the Wrens aboard was destroyed. I was there. I saw it.' He felt her hair with his fingers. Burning. I tried to find you.' He broke down and whispered,To bring you back.'

A policeman shouted, `What's going on here?'

The other Wren replied just as loudly, `Get a taxi and don't be a bloody fool!'

Lindsay heard all of it but was conscious only of the girl pressed against his body. He had to hold on to her. Otherwise...

She asked, Is the taxi coming, Marion? We must get him to his ship quickly. He's ill.' She touched his face again, her hand very gentle.It'll be all right now. My poor darling, I'm so sorry!'

`Here's the taxi!'

Lindsay remembered very little of the journey. There was some sort of argument at the dockyard gates, a pause while the other Wren hurried away to make a telephone call.

Then she said, `We can't come any further. Regulations. We've been on four days leave: Should have been back hours ago.' She pulled his head down on to her shoulder, speaking very softly. 'Or else I would have knownyou were here. Would have seen your ship come in.'

The other girl came back and peered. into the taxi. She said vehemently, `I spoke to the Third Officer and explained. Silly cow!'

Eve whispered, `You'd never believe her father was a lord, would you?' She was half laughing, half crying,

The other Wren added, `Then I got the sentry to put me through to the ship. Just as you said. I wouldn't speak fo anyone else but him.'

Feet scraped in the darkness and Jupp loomed above the girl's shoulder.

'Ah, there you are, sir!' He saw the girl and nodded gravely. `I'm so glad for you, Miss. For you both.'

She said, Take good care of him.' As Lindsay tried to keep hold of her arm she added,It will be all right, darling. I shall see you tomorrow. I promise.'

'Come along, sir.'

Jupp helped him from the taxi, the driver of which was watching with fixed fascination until the Wren whose father was a lord snapped, `Our quarters, and double quick!'

Lindsay realised they had reached the brow. At the far end of it he could see the same quartermaster. The same blue light.

Jupp said evenly, Just a few more paces.' He moved back.On your own, sir.' He followed Lindsay, his eyes fixed on his shoulders, willing him up the endless length of brow.

The quartermaster had been joined by the O.O:D. It was Stannard. He saw Lindsay and Jupp's set face behind him and snapped,'The captain's coming aboard!' Then he

stepped between the quartermaster and the entry portand said quietly, `Welcome back, sir.'

Jupp smiled but kept his eyes on Lindsay.

`I think some 'ot soup might do the trick, sir.' Stannard watched them fade into the shadows. Paget had been O.O.D., but when Jupp had come to him to ask for his help he had sent the lieutenant away, although hecould not recall what for. He had been in his cabin drink ing ing with Dancy at the time: Not talking, just drinking in companionable silence.

He was touched in some strange way that Jupp had chosen him. Had trusted him to share his secret.

Paget came back breathing fast. I couldn't find it, Pilot.'What?'

`What you sent me for.' Paget stared at the gangway log.

`The captain's aboard then?'

'Yeh.'

`And I missed him.' Paget sounded cheated.

`Shame, isn't it?' Stannard walked towards his own quarters whistling quietly to himself.

Jupp had succeeded in getting Lindsay to his cabin without meeting anyone else.

He waited until he had dropped on to his bunk and then said, `I'll fetch the soup, sir.'

Lindsay's eyes were closed. Don't bother. I'm all right.'I 'ad it ready. It's no bother.' He saw the readinglamp shining directly across Lindsay's face. `I'll switch it off.'

No. Leave it.' He opened his eyes.You saw her, didn't you?'

Course I did, sir!' He grinned broadly.Don't you worry, light or no light, she'll see you tomorrow, if I'ave to fetch 'er meself, an' that's a fact!'

Lindsay's eyes closed again. `There was this Turk. He made me stay there. Said it wasn't time. Something about fate. I wanted to go and yet I couldn't move. Kept on about the time and the Dardanelles.'

Jupp waited as Lindsay's words grew quieter and his features became more relaxed.

`Was trying to find some matches. And then I heard her call my name.' His voice trailed away.

That's right, sir.' Jupp watched- him sadly.I don't understand a word of it but I'm sure you're right.' He snapped off the light and padded from the cabin.

In his pantry he sat down on a stool and stared at the soup which was simmering on a small heater. He'll not be wanting it now. He cocked his head to listen but heard nothing. Just the creak of steel, the muffled sounds of a sentry's regular footsteps.

Then he groped into a locker and took out a bottle of Drambuie. It was his one weakness for special occasions. He wiped a clean, glass and held it to the light before pouring himself a generous measure.

For to Jupp it was a very special occasion indeed.

17

The house by the sea

Petty Officer Ritchie waited until he heard Lindsay's voice and then stepped into the cabin.

`Good mornin', sir.' He placed his signal pad on the desk and then handed him a sealed envelope. 'Just arrived from H.Q., sir.'

As Lindsay slit open the envelope Ritchie darted a quick glance at Jupp. He had already heard about Lindsay's return on board. Jupp had awakened him just before dawn to tell him. He saw the untouched breakfast on the cabin table and Jupp's obvious anxiety.

Lindsay said, `Orders. You'd better ask Number One to come and see me as soon' as he's finished with Morning Colours.'. He stared at the carefully worded instructions. Four days time. It was not long.

The bulkhead telephone buzzed, and he made himself sit very still until Jupp announced, `Just the O.O.D. About requestmen an' defaulters.'

`I see.'

He tried to hide the disappointment and to concentrate on his written orders. Work, was to be completed before sailing time but leave for the ship's' company could continue at the captain's discretion. Further information would be forthcoming etc. etc. etc.

Beyond the cabin a bugle blared the Alert' and on the tannoy system a voice bellowed,Attention on the upper deck. Face aft and salute!'

Lindsay stood up and walked slowly to an open scuttle, feeling the morning sunlight on his face. As he listened to one of de Chair's marine buglers he could picture the ensign rising at the taffrail, while the Jack was hoisted in the bows. Once at sea the ensign would be replaced by one of the well-worn ones, tattered and stained, which Ritchie retained for harder use.

He had awakened in his bunk with Jupp touching his shoulder, a cup of black coffee poised and ready. For just a few seconds he had been gripped with something like terror until Jupp had grinned at him.

"S'all right, sir. It append just like you remembers!'

As he shaved and dressed and the ship had come alive around him for another day he had tried to piece it all together in his mind. Each small moment, so that he could hold it intact forever.

To' think that mere seconds had saved them. Another moment and they might never have met. The letter which she had written had probably been lost or bogged down in some forgotten mail office. If he had not stayed in that strange restaurant. If, if, if.... It seemed unending.

Goss appeared in the doorway, `You wanted me, sir?F 'Orders, Number One. Four days notice.'

`Not much. Still a lot of work undone. I suppose they don't care any more.'

`Well, do what you can. They might still cancel the orders.'

Goss shook his head doubtfully., `I went ashore last night and met an old mate of mine. He says there's a big convoy being assembled. Any time now, it seems.'

It made sense. Every available escort would be required if the convoy was to be a large one.

He replied, `Leave will be granted. as before.'

Goss nodded. `Good. Gives me room to get things sorted out with most of the jolly jacks ashore.'

The telephone buzzed again. Jupp's face was expressionless. `It's the Signals Distribution Office, sir.'

He handed the phone to him and said breezily, `Now, Mr Goss, what about a cuppa while you're 'ere?'

Her voice seemed right against his ear. Sorry about the deception, although this is the S.D.O.' Then she asked quickly,Are you all right?'

Yes. Never better.' Goss, Jupp and the cabin had faded away.When can I see you?'

He heard a typewriter clattering in the background as she replied, Now, if you like. At the gates. I must see you as soon as possible.' She added very clearly,There isn't much time, is there?'

No.' He glanced quickly at his watch.I'll be there right away.'

When he had replaced the handset he saw Goss watching him, a cup like a thimble in his large hand.

`I'm going ashore, Number One. Not for long.'

Goss nodded. `I can cope, sir.' He studied Lindsay over the rim of the cup. So that was it. Well, bloody good luck to him.

Jupp asked, `Nice coffee, Mr Goss?'

Goss stayed poker-faced. Very nice.' Surprisingly, he winked.Better for some though, eh?' Then he followed Lindsay from the cabin.

At the brow he stood beside Lindsay and looked at the busy jetty below.

By the way, sir, if, and I say if you were thinking of taking a bit of leave yourself.' He waited until Lindsay was facing him.Then we can manage quite well.' He shrugged. After all, the sooner I get used to carrying the weight on my own the better, so to speak.' .Yes. Thank you.' He turned to watch a column of soldiers marching along the next jetty, their bodies deformed by packs and weapons. `I may hold you to that.' Then he saluted and ran quickly down the brow.

She was waiting just outside.the gates, looking very young in her white uniform. But exactly as he remembered her.

She said, There's a little Chinese restaurant just up the road. It's quiet.' She shot him a quick glance.Not too ,bright either.'

As they hurried past the dock-bound vehicles and groups of saluting sailors she added breathlessly, 'I had to pinch myself this morning. Even now I'm afraid I'll wake up.'

The restaurant was just as she had described it. And at such an early hour quite empty.

They were ushered to a table and he said quietly, 'My God, you're even more beautiful than I remembered.'

'It must be darker in here than I thought!' Her voice was husky, and for a few moments neither of them spoke.

Then she removed her cap and shook out her hair. That too was like a touch against his heart.

'I'm working in the S.D.O.' She did not look at him. 'So ' I know about your orders. Four days.' She fell silent until a waiter had brought some tea. 'I will be going, too. Back to old England.' She faced him and reached out to grasp his hand. 'Maybe we'll be in the same convoy.' She squeezed it gently. 'Don't worry. It won't be like that other one. It can't be.'

'No. But why are you going back so soon?'

She wrinkled her nose. 'I was sent here with some others for the Singapore operation. We were to work here on communications. Now that's all over we're going home again. Maybe I'll even get my proper signals course now.' She dropped her eyes. 'I'm sorry. I was forgetting about those other Wrens. It must have been terrible.'

He started to speak but she tightened her grip on his hand.

'Just a minute. There's something I must tell you. I, don't know what you'll say or think but I must say it.' He waited, suddenly tense.

'You remember my friend Marion?' 'The one whose father is a lord?'

`Yes, that Marion. Her father's terribly rich. But she's very nice.' She seemed suddenly nervous. 'He has business out here. Her father. There's a place down the coast. We stayed there during the last leave.' Her hand trembled slightly. 'I can get leave again now that I'm on draft.' Then she turned. and looked directly into his eyes. 'If you'd like that.'

'You know I would, Eve. If you're sure

She stared down at their hands on the table. 'I'm sure. It's just that I'm afraid of losing you again. This way well know.' She tried to laugh. 'I was also scared you'd think I was in the habit of taking all my commanders to a coastal villa!'

'When can you leave?'

She looked up again, her eyes very bright. 'Today. And you?'

He remembered Goss's words. Perhaps he knew about it, too. Maybe the whole ship did.

'This afternoon. How do we go?'

`I can get a car. Or rather Marion will. She can get anything.'

'I'm beginning to like` her, too.'

She replied quietly, 'We'd better go now. There are things I must do.' She replaced her cap and added, 'At least you'll know you've got a good driver.' She faced him and he saw the colour on her cheeks. 'The best in Scapa, they used to say!'

'They were right.'

Outside the restaurant the sunlight was almost blinding.

He said, 'I'll phone your quarters.'

'Yes. Then I'll pick you up.' She grinned. 'That sounds bad.'

'Not to me.' He touched her bare arm. 'I love you.'

A working party of seamen marched along the road, and- as they passed the petty officer bawled, 'Eyes left!'

When he turned again she saluted him too and said, `And I you, sir!'

He watched her until she had disappeared into a nearby building and then hurried, through the gates after the working party. Even when he reached the top of the brow he was still expecting something to go wrong. A change of orders. A staff conference. Some crisis which would hold. him aboard like one last cruel trap.

Goss listned to his instructions and said, `Where will you be staying, sir? In case I need to contact you.'

`I'll telephone the ship when I know the number where I can be reached.'

He saw Stripey, the ship's cat, sauntering up the brow after a brief visit to the dockyard.

Goss nodded. `Then I suggest you get going, sir.'

In his cabin as he threw a few things into a case he kept one ear for the telephone.

Jupp helped him pack, and as he was about to leave said, Perhaps you'd take this too, sir.' He held out a tiny silver replica of the Benbecula. It was less than two inches long but perfect in scale and detail. He added awkwardly,It was made by the Becky's boatswain many years back. Shouldn't be tellin' you this o'course, but 'e 'ad to melt down four silver teapots from the first class dinin' saloon to complete it.'

Lindsay stared at him. 'But you'll want to keep this!'

I was savin' it, sir.' He shook his head.Maybe this is what for. Anyway, I reckon she'd appreciate it.' -

Lindsay placed it inside the case. `She will. As much as I do.'

Jupp shifted from foot to foot. Well, this won't get the work done. Chatterin' like this.' He hesitated.An' good luck, Cap'n.'

'I shall miss this sort of treatment when I go back to the real Navy.'

Jupp grinned. `I'll probably take a pub after this lot's over, sir. You can come an' see me sometimes.'

`It's a promise.'

Jupp followed him to the ladder and watched as he - hurried down to the promenade deck. It was strange to be parted from the little silver ship after all these years, he thought vaguely. But the girl for whom it had been intended had not waited for him. His lip curled with disgust. She had married a bloody bricklayer, and it - served her right.

He heard the trill of pipes and gave a deep sigh of relief. Lindsay had got away all right. He loped into the.

cabin and picked up the telephone.

"S'all right, Bob. You can reconnect the phone now.

All's well.'

Then humming cheerfully he went to his pantry to find

the bottle of Drambuie.

The car was a very old open M.G. but the engine sounded healthy, and when they had cleared the town limits the miles began to pass more quickly.

Once, as they swung around a wide curve above the sea she asked, `Why are you staring at me? It's not fair. I have to watch the road.'

Lindsay rested his arm along the back of her seat, his fingers touching her hair as it ruffled in the wind. He had never seen her out of uniform before. At the dockyard gates he had almost walked past her. The dress was pale green and very simple. Itwas, she had explained, straight off a stall, and had proved it by removing a price tag which had been dangling from the hem.

`I'm enjoying it. So you drive and I'll stare, okay?'

Another time, while they waited for some cattle to wander aimlessly across the road, they held hands, oblivious to the heat and dust or the native driver who paused to study them.

Green hills with trees almost touching above the road changed in seconds to long open stretches and only an occasional building or bungalow to show any sign of life. The dust poured back from the wheels in an unbroken yellow bank, the car jerking violently across deep ruts and loose stones with careless abandon. Climbing in low gear then roaring down again, with quick flashes of dark blue between the tall palms to show that the sea was never far away.

Then another road, narrower than the main one, and the girl had to reduce speed to take an increasing number of bends.

She said, `What you were saying about the ship. Is it definite?'

He nodded. `Yes.'

She reached out and grasped his hand, keeping her eyes on the road. You feel bad about it, don't you?' She hesitated.Maybe I can get transferred near this place you'll be going.'

She must have been thinking about Canada again for she added, 'I'm not jolly well going away from you again, if I can help it!'

`You'd better have a word with Marion! She's bound to know about these matters.'

She laughed, showing her even teeth, and shouted above the engine, `She did that already for another. girl. Told her to get herself pregnant to avoid going overseas.'

`And did she?'

`Shouldn't think so. You should have seen her bloke. Like a rhinoceros!'

The car stopped eventually on the crest of a small hill. Below, Lindsay saw a crescent of beach, the sea making a necklace of surf to the next headland. There was some sort of building set amongst the palms. It looked as if it had been there since time began.

'Is that it?'

She turned and studied him gravely. You are nutty. That's an old temple.' She let the car move forward again and called,There, see!'

The house was inside a low wall, painted white and partly screened by a line of trees: It looked very cool and inviting.

Lindsay could see no sign of life, and even when the car halted outside the gates nothing moved.

She said, 'An old chap and his son look after things most of the time. When proper visitors come here they have more servants, of course.'

`It's marvellous.'

She jumped from the car and dragged at his arm. `Brother, you ain't seen nothing yet!' She was laughing. Like a tanned child. Watching his face as she pulled him towards the house.

There was only one storey, and the whole house seemed to have been built of stone and marble: Even in the days of cheap labour it would have cost a small fortune.

She said, 'Ah, here he is.'

The head servant, was grey-bearded and extremely wrinkled. He must be about eighty, Lindsay thought.

He said, `Welcome back, Missy. I have sent my son for your luggage.'

The girl looked at Lindsay. You'll be wanting a telephone?' She gestured to a door. 'In there.' For an instant her face clouded over.Don't go back. No matter what. Even if the base is on fire!'

`What will you be doing?'

She ran her fingers through her hair. Ugh, the dust! I'm going to have a swim. Then we'll have something to eat.' She made a mock curtsy.Anything sir desires.'

Lindsay walked into a low-ceilinged room. There was little furniture but what there was looked old and handcarved. An unlikely brass telephone stood beside the window, and he imagined someone in the past sitting there. Listening to a voice from the outside world. Who would ever want to leave such a place, he wondered?

The line was surprisingly clear, and after a short delay he was connected to the ship's telephone.

`This is the captain. O.O.D., please.' He waited, picturing the sudden bustle on the-upper deck, and tried to control a pang of apprehension.

But it was not the O.O.D.

Goss sounded calm and matter-of-fact. Everything's all right this end, sir. Two marines just brought aboard drunk. And I'm about to kick the arse off a thieving coolie I found in the bosun's store.' He paused.A normal day, in other words.'

Lindsay 'looked at the number on the telephone and gave it to Goss. Then he said, `Thanks for holding the fort.'

No bother, sir.' There was a pause and the sound of someone else murmuring in the background. Then Goss said abruptly,Just heard where I can lay my hooks on some paint. Can't stop, sir. Might lose it!' The line went dead.

`I take it from your cat's smile that the base is not on fire?'

He swung round and saw her framed in the open doorway. She was wearing a black swimsuit which made her limbs appear even more tanned.

`You're staring again!'

He walked towards her. 'As I told you. You're very lovely. Especially today.'

She put her hands on her hips and tried. to frown. My mouth is too wide, I'm covered in freckles and I've got a figure like a boy.' She watched him as he put his hands on her shoulders.And I love you, even if you are a liar.'

I'm surprised they allowed you in the Wrens.' Her skin was very smooth.You must need glasses.'

She -dropped her head against his chest. 'A nice liar.' Then she pushed him away. Get your pants, or whatever commanders wear for informal occasions, and join me on the beach.' She paused and looked back at him, her cheeks flushed.Old Mohammed will tell you where your gear is stowed.'

`Is that really his name?'

But she was already running out into the sunlight, her

bare legs like gold against the nodding palm fronds. The old man was waiting at the door of an end room,

the swimming trunks in his hands.

He said impassively, `The young missy is very much alive. It pleases me to see her so.'

Lindsay threw off his soiled shirt. 'Was she unhappy?'

'I think lonely. But that is gone now.' He picked up the shirt and added, 'I will have the women attend to this for you.'

Lindsay watched him walk slowly down the hallway. Old but very dignified. Another Jupp perhaps. .

Then he turned and looked around the room. The green dress lay on a chair beside the bed. He touched it. It was still warm. Then he opened his case and took out the silver model. On -a teak table was the girl's wristwatch. After a second's hesitation he put the little ship beside it. Four silver teapots, Jupp had said. It must. have taken some explaining at the time.

With a smile he turned and ran down the hallway, the floor very cool under his bare feet.

He found her standing waist deep in the sea, her slim body being pushed from side to side in the deep swell.

Come on!' She was squinting into the sunlight and he wished he had brought a camera.There you go! You're doing it again!' Then she laughed, the same sound he had heard that 'night at Scapa Flow, and plunged into the water.

When finally they emerged dripping and gasping from the sea the light was already fading. The tall line of trees was topped in the last of the sun's rays, their shadows like black bars across the house.

She threw him a towel and began to rub another one vigorously over her hair.

She said suddenly, `I haven't asked yet.'

He turned but she had her back to him. What?'How long?'

`Two days.' He saw her shoulders stiffen, the skin still shining with droplets of spray.

Then she replied quietly, `We'll make it last, won't we?'

Her shoulders were shaking now as if from -a chill breeze, but when he put his arm around them she said, I'm. not going to cry.' Then she twisted on his arm and looked up at him.I'm so happy. I can't tell you.'

He picked up his towel. 'By the way. The old man was quite upset when I called him Mohammed.'

She stared at him, appalled. You didn't!' Then she saw his face and exclaimed,You beast! I'm not speaking to you again, ever!' She chuckled. `Although I suppose he is pretty old!'

Together they ran up the shelvingbeach and into the house. Several lights were already burning, and in the low-ceilinged room a table was laid and a bottle of wine stood chilling in-a silver bucket beside it. They stood side by side in the doorway just staring at the table and the quiet room. Then he slipped his arm around her shoulders again, the damp skin almost cold under. his touch.

He heard her say, `It's quite marvellous. I didn't know 'things like this could happen.'

`Nor me. I have a feeling that your friend Marion has had a hand in it.'

Yes. I was thinking the same thing.' She moved away, light on her feet, before he could reach her.I'm going to change. I shall try and look like a lady, just for you.' She paused. `Then -you can get into something. But not uniform. This once.'

I wasn't going to.' He smiled.This once.'

Help yourself to a drink over there. Not too much. I want to share everything.' She ran down in the hallway towards the bedroom.God, I feel wicked! I really do!'

The old servant appeared silently with a bath robe. `I will call you when missy is ready, sir.'

`You've done a fine job here. Thanks very much.'

The man shrugged. `It is nothing.' But there was a hint of a smile as he walked away as dignified as ever.

Lindsay was stooping at a drinks cabinet when she burst in on him again. She.was still wearing the swimsuit and was holding the silver ship in her hands.

`This is a wonderful present, darling!' She ran to him and kissed him impulsively on the cheek. Her face was wet, but it was not spray this time.

`It was Jupp's. He wanted you to have it.' -

Bless him.' She stood back and studied him for several seconds.And you.' Then she walked away again, very slowly, holding the ship against her body like a talisman.

The dinner, like everything else, was perfect. While Lindsay had been changing into shirt and slacks, candles had appeared on the table, and while the old man and his son waited on them, he and the girl sat facing each other, aware of nothing but 'each other. In the distance an animal was howling in the darkness and insects maintained a steady buzzing attack on the screened windows. But .beyond the circle of candlelight nothing was real or important.

She was wearing a dress of soft yellow which left her shoulders bare. In the candlelight her face was very clear, her expression changing to match their mood with each passing moment.

Only once did she touch on that other world.

`When is it all going to end? It might be years yet.'

Don't think about it.' Their hands clasped across. the table.Think about us.'

After thatt they said very little, and when the table was cleared, the coffee cups empty, Lindsay could sense yet another change in her mood.

She walked to the door and said, Don't look at me. 1-1 don't want to make a fool of myself.' She turned towards him, her voice very low.But it's so little time.' Her lip quivered. And I want you so badly.' When he made to speak she added quickly,Just give me a few minutes.' Again she tried to laugh. `I'm a bit fluttery inside!'

Lindsay sat in the quiet room listening to the insects against the screens. The animal had stopped howling, so that the silence seemed all the more intense.

Then he blew out the candles and walked from the room. One light still burned in the hallway and beneath the bedroom door was another.

She was lying quite motionless in, the bed but her eyes followed him as he moved into the lamplight and stood looking down at her.

A black nightgown lay across a chair and she said, `.It belongs to Marion.'

He sat down on the edge of the bed and touched her hair.

She added quietly, `But I don't want anything belonging to anyone else. You don't think I'm silly?'

No. Of course I don't..' He leaned over and kissed her forehead.I think you're very special.'

I just want you to be happy with me.' She dropped her eyes to his hand as he pulled the sheet gently from beneath her chin.I don't want to spoil anything.'

Then she closed her eyes and lay still as he dragged the sheet away and sat looking at her, his hand moving gently across her body. She did not move until he had slipped out of his clothes and lay down beside her, an arm beneath her head, his other hand around one of her breasts. Then she opened her eyes and watched him, her breath warm against his face.

`Two days and three nights.'

He felt her body go. rigid as he moved his hand across the gentle curve of her stomach, and when he lowered his head to her breast he could feel the heart beating like a small trapped animal. Beating to match his own.

Her arms came up and around his head, her fingers gripping his shoulders with sudden urgency as she whispered, `Oh, God! I do love you!'

The fingers seemed to be biting into his flesh as he moved his, hand still more, feeling her come alive to his touch, the need and the desire breaking down their reserves like an unspoken word.

As he rose above her she threw. open her arms and stared up into his face, her mouth moist in the lamplight.

Then he was falling, feeling her arch to receive him, holding him, dragging him down and down, until the fierceness of their love left them entwined in the soft glare like statuary.

The next thing Lindsay realised was that he was awake, his head cradled against the girl's hip while she ran her fingers gently through his hair. The lamp was out and through the shutters he could see the faint gleam of dawn

She whispered, `You cried out, my darling. Just once, and then you were still again.'

He kissed her hip and felt a tremor run.through her. Was the nightmare gone at last? Had it found the one, unmatchable strength and left him in peace?

He kissed her again and said, `I want you.'

She pulled his head across her stomach, moaning softly as he postponed the moment a while longer.

Later, as they lay and watched the first yellow sunlight through the shutters, she said simply, `I-don't feel like me at all. Strange, isn't it?'

`Whoever you are, I think you're wonderful:'

He thought he heard footsteps in the hallway. The clatter of cups. He almost expected to see Jupp peering around the door.

He dragged the sheet over their bodies and said, Cover yourself, you- shameless creature.' He kissed her hard on the mouth.Or we may be asked to leave.'

She took the mood, swinging her legs over the bed and seizing her robe from a chair.

`Lay another finger on me and I'll......'

She ran back to him and held him against her. `I'll probably let you do anything you like with me.'

And that was how it continued for the next two days and nights. Moments of peace and intimate silence. Swift, exploring passion which left them both breathless and limp like young animals. The sun and blue sea, the isolation and the sheer perfection of it all was like a backcloth to their own happiness.

When they climbed into the old car again Lindsay said quietly, I will never forget this place.' He squeezed her hand.One day I'll remind you of it. When you start getting fed up with me.'

She looked at the house. The old man and his son had made their farewells as if to allow the moment of departure a certain privacy.

`They'll put a plaque up there one day.' She shook the

hair from her eyes. To Wren Eve Collins, who fell here.' They smiled at each other and he said,Time to move.' The car jolted up the hill past the ruins which they had

not found time to visit.

They hardly spoke during the return journey, and once when he had seen a tear on her cheek she had reached out for his hand, saying, I'm all right. Don't worry, my darling.' She had placed his hand on her thigh and continued to drive along the dusty road above the sea.It's just me. I'm selfish, pig-headed and silly.'

He gripped her leg, knowing she felt as he did. `And perfect.'

The first buildings of the town swung into view as she said, `I'll drop you at the gates.'

He nodded. `Right. I'll ring you as soon as I know what's happening.' The car stopped, the bodywork glittering in the harsh sunlight. She kept both hands on the wheel.

`You're not sorry?F

'Grateful.' He watched her turn to look at him. `And happy.'

She revved the engine. 'Me too, as it happens.'

The car moved away into the traffic and Lindsay walked towards the gates.

He returned the sentry's salute. `Good morning.'

The marine watched him from the corner of his eye.. `Good for some,' he said.

18

Passage home

Goss's private information proved to be very true. Within. twelve hours of the libertymen returning aboard, the last few missing ones being found and delivered by shore patrols, Benbecula was steaming out of harbour.

The day prior to sailing Lindsay had attended a conference at the H.Q. building, and from it had gleaned some importance of the ships being allotted to the convoy. Troops, munitions, oil and food, it was to be organised like some vast relay race. The first leg across the Indian Ocean was more or less straightforward, as Japanese submarines had so far made little or no impression there. Once around the, Cape more escorts would be joining and leaving the convoy, like guards changing on a valu able treasure, and a powerful cruiser squadron would be at sea the whole time, never too far away to give support against heavy enemy units.

Off Gibraltar the convoy would be reorganised. Some ships would slip under the Rock's own defences with supplies for the fleet and the desert army. Others would be joining with another convoy to head westward to America. The bulk of the ships would press on for the last and most hazardous part, to run a gauntlet between U-boats and German long-range bombers.

The fact that so much care was being shown for the final part of the voyage was proof of the importance given to it. It was hinted that an aircraft carrier arid her escorts would be available to provide vital round-theclock air cover, something almost unheard of.

Once at sea, Benbecula joined with other naval vessels in sorting out and organising the ships into three columns. There were twenty-four to be, escorted in all. Lindsay had .been in far larger convoys but somehow this one seemed so much bigger. Perhaps the size .and majesty of individual ships made up for actual numbers. The four troopers, for instance, were ocean liners of repute before the war. Large, well-powered and new. The other ships were as varied as their flags, but unlike most other convoys Lindsay had seen, were fairly modern vessels,' well able to keep up a good pace under almost every circumstance.

As they had gathered, from Colombo and Bombay, from Kuwait and as far away as New Zealand and Australia, he had been conscious-of the variation. Almostt every flag seemed to represent a country occupied by an enemy. French and Dutch, Danish and Norwegian, there seemed unending colours on hulls and flags. There were several British ones and two Americans, and Lindsay wondered what it must feel like to be at sea, depending on your own resources but free, while your homeland was under the enemy's heel.

Goss's special information had omitted one fact, however. Because of the convoy's changing shape and size it would be necessary to retain one naval officer in sole charge, in a ship which would be employed for the whole of the journey. Benbecula was that ship. Commodore Kemp was to be senior officer.

Maybe Kemp was still unsure of Lindsay's reaction, or perhaps be was at last aware of his own unpopularity with higher. authority. Either way, he appeared content to stay at a distance, keeping his contact with Lindsay to a bare, cool minimum.

When he had first come aboard he had said, `You command the ship. I will control the overall pattern of events.'

. Now, four days out, and steaming south-west across the blinding blue glare of the Indian Ocean, Lindsay, wondered what the commodore had been offered as his next appointment. A lot would no doubt depend on the success of the convoy, although with such a well planned series of escorts it was hard to see how things could go' wrong.

He walked to the extent of the port wing and stared astern at the great panorama of ships. Benbecula was leading the starboard line, while one of the big troopers led the centre. The port column was headed by a dazzlepainted cruiser. He let his eyes move along each ship, and wondered how many would survive the whole war. Oiltankers and freighters, grain ships and ore carriers, while in the centre the four stately liners carried the most precious cargo of all. Even without binoculars it was possible to see the packed masses of men on their decks, like pale khaki lines over every foot of open space. The second troopship was partly hidden by the leader, and he wondered where Eve was at this moment. Peering at the Benbecula? Resting in her cabin or chatting to the irrepressible Marion? He could not see the ship without seeing her face in his mind.

Because of the convoy conferences, the planning and last minute organisation he had only been able to meet her twice, and then briefly.

As he strainedd his eyes towards the ship he thought of all the coincidences which had brought and held them together. Even the mistake at Liverpool which had sent a girl to her death and kept Eve safe seemed like part of some uncanny plan.

Through the open wheelhouse door he heard Stan

nard's voice as he handed over his watch.

`Course still two-two-zero. One-one-zero revs.' He heard Hunter's muffled reply.

Stannard walked on to the wing and stared at the ships.

`Quite a sight, sir.'

Lindsay glanced at him. He looked strained and sounded as much. He had not spoken of his brother again and made an obvious effort to be his old self. But the signs were only too clear. Perhaps when he got involved with the new navigation course and his next ship he might be too busy to brood.

`How does it feel, sir?'

Lindsay saw the Australian's eyes move to his shoulder straps. The fourth gold stripe was very bright and new against the others.

The unexpected promotion had been one of the first= things which Goss had mentioned when he had returned from the two days leave. You never really knew a man like Goss. If he was deadly serious or trying-to hold on to a secret joke.

He had said, `Two bits of news, sir. One good. One not so good.'

The good news had been Lindsay's advancement to captain. The bad had been Commodore Kemp's arrival on board.

He smiled. `I don't feel any different.'

It was true. Once, years back, he would have imagined that reaching the coveted rank was all a young officer could wish for. He had changed. Everything seemed and felt different now.

Stannard seemed surprised. `It's just that 'I've never seen you looking so well, sir. I guess I'll never know the strain of command. Not sure I want to.'

Lindsay looked at the ships. `I am getting married when we reach the U.K.'

Stannard gasped. Well, Jeez, that is, I'm very glad, sir.' He held out his hand.Hell, that's good news.'

`You're the first to know.' He wondered why he had told Stannard. Just like that. Seeing his obvious pleasure made him glad he had.

`Certainly sudden, sir.'

A signalman called, `From the John P. Ashton, sir. Permission to reduce speed. Engine failure.'

Lindsay nodded. `Affirmative. Better now than when we run into trouble.'

The ship in question was an American destroyer, and apart from Benbecula the oldest in the convoy. They had been launched the same year, and Lindsay could sympathise with her captain's problems. She was one of the old four-pipers, now on way to be handed over on loan to the Royal Navy for anti-submarine duty. She was not the first to change flags by this arrangement, but unlike the others she had been on picket duty at Singapore when the Japanese had struck. Now, rolling unsteadily abovee her own image, she was falling away on the convoy's flank, her captain no doubt praying that the fault was nothing fatal:

Ahead of the convoy two other destroyers were barely visible in sea haze, but Lindsay knew one to be the Merlin. Her captain would be thinking, too. Of his next command. Not one ship but a group. A positive job. Something which really mattered.

For the first time since rejoining the ship he felt the return of resentment 4nd bitterness. Ashore, he had tried to hide his feelings from Eve, guessing she was probably grateful for his new, appointment. You could not get drowned or burned alive in a training depot. Unless you were born unlucky.

But now, as he watched the escorting cruiser, the wink of signal lamps, he knew the same feeling.

He saw de Chair standing on the forward deck watching some of his marines exercising with Bren guns. In their shorts and boots, their bodies tanned from Ceylon's swimming and sunlight, they looked like strangers.

From. John P. Ashton, sir. Am under way again.' The man paused.This chicken is ready for the pot.'

Stannard said, `What a helluva name for a ship. I wonder who he was.'

Lindsay grinned. `Old or not, she'll be very welcome. Just about anything afloat is wanted now.'

Eighteen days out of Ceylon the convoy was off the Cape of Good Hope and heading north-west into the Atlantic. Each day was much like the preceding one. Drills and general routine, with the weather still warm and friendly.` The leading destroyers had been relieved by another pair from Cape Town, and the Royal Indian Navy sloop which followed them this far had returned to her own, country. The cruiser was still with them, and surprisingly, so was the John P. Ashton. She had had two minor breakdowns but always she seemed to manage to be there when a new dawn broke.

As the forenoon watch took stations around the ship, Lindsay climbed up to the bridge and found Commodore Kemp sitting in his chair staring at the open sea across the bows. Goss had the watch but was on the starboard wing, apparently staying as far as possible from his superior. The latter had hardly shown himself throughout the voyage so far. He had a large cabin aft, formerly an extended stateroom for. very important passengers, which was still retained for much the same reason, although Lindsay suspected Goss's sentiment had a good dealto do with it.

Kemp turned as Lindsay saluted formally. I was going to send for you.' He turned to stare forward again.I've Stannard looked up at the masthead and said quietly, `Except the Becky. They don't want her any more.' .

Lindsay looked away. I know how you feel.' What he had said once. before to Stannard.But there's nothing we can do about it.'

Stannard sighed. `Well, [ think I'll get my head down, sir. Plenty to do later, I guess.'

Lindsay waited until he had left the bridge and then raised his glasses to study the second ship of the centre column. It was just possible he might catch-a glimpse of her.

just had a top secret signal from Admiralty.' He sounded hoarse, and Lindsay'wondered if he was drinking heavily in his private quarters. 'Been a spot of bother off the Cape Verde Islands. A freighter has been sunk Believed to have been shelled by a surface ship.' He shifted his shoulders beneath the spotless drill jacket. `Not our problem, naturally, but it's as well to know these things.'

Lindsay watched him narrowly. `Was that all, sir?'

`Admiralty appears to think there may be some connection with another report. A cruiser was badly damaged by a mine. Too far out in the Atlantic for a drifting one from a field. Dropped with some others apparently, on the off chance of hitting any stray ship.in the area.' '

Lindsay clenched his fists to steady himself. `It must be that raider again. Has to be.'

Kemp replied evasively, We don't know that for certain. Nobody does. Anyway, if the two attacks are connected, the Hun is in for a shock. This convoy is on the top secret list, and so is our additional cruiser screen. If the enemy tries to tangle with us, I can whistle up enough heavy guns to cut him into little shreds!' He swivelled in the chair and glared at him.Satisfied?'

Lindsay caught the smell of brandy. `Not entirely.'

He walked to the teak rail and ran his hands along it. `Was there any other information from the freighter before she was silenced?'

Kemp swallowed. `She was a Greek. Said she was going to the assistance of a Spanish merchantman which was in difficulties.'

Lindsay bit his lip. How long would it take for people to realise and see through this simple trick? Without effort he could visualise the savage gunflashes against the drifting ice, the burning hull and the Wren who was blind.

Kemp was right about one thing. If the raider came upon this convoy, even the one cruiser in company should be more than a match. But with the distant screen as well she would not stand an earthly, even of getting in range.

Kemp appeared to think his silence was an acceptanceand added curtly, In another week we'll be meeting with a heavy additional escort from Freetown.' The thought seemed to give him new confidence.Like a clock, that's how I like things.'

The rear door slid back and Midshipman Kemp walked into the wheelhouse.

The commodore watched him make a few notations in the bridge log and said, 'Ah, Jeremy. There you are. Wondered what you were doing.' He gave a careful smile. `Been hiding from me, eh?'

The boy looked at him. `Sir?'

The commodore spread his hands. `I shouldn't beat all surprised if you have a pleasant surprise waiting for you in England. I'm not promising anything, of course,-but if I put a word in the right direction, I believe you may get something to your advantage.' He beamed around the quiet wheelhouse. -The impassive quartermaster, the signalman, a bosun's mate who was looking anywhere but at him.

The midshipman asked flatly, `Is that all you wanted, sir?'

The commodore swung away. Yes. Carry on.' As the door slid shut he snapped,Bloody ungrateful little tyke!'

Jupp came from the port wing carrying a tray covered with a napkin. He saw Lindsay and showed his teeth.

`Coffee and a sandwich, sir.'

Kemp said coldly, `What about me?'

Sir?' Jupp placed the tray carefully on a vibrating flag locker.I will inform your steward that you wish 'im to fetch somethin' for you.' He looked at the man's angry face.. `Sir.'

The commodore -thrust his thickset body from the chair and stalked to the door. As he disappeared down the ladder Lindsay seemed to feel the men around him come to life, saw the quartermaster give a quick wink at the signalman.

He said, It won't do, Jupp.' He smiled gravely.And it won't help either.'

Jupp folded the napkin into four quarters. `I'm not with you, sir? Did I do anythin'?'

Lindsay grinned. `Get back to your pantry while you're still alive!'

Goss re-entered the wheelhouse and yawned hugely. `God, it smells better in here!'

Lindsay turned away. They were all at it. Even Goss. For the ship and for him. It was the only way they knew of showing their true feelings.

Jupp was still hovering by the flag locker. `Beggin' yer pardon, sir, but I 'ave to report some missin' gear from the wardroom.'

Goss interrupted calmly, `Not to worry. I expect some bloody coolie lifted it. Or maybe it went down a gash chute by accident.'

Lindsay did not know how to face them. `Silver teapots?'

Jupp sounded surprised. `Well, as a matter of fact, yes, sir.'

Goss sighed. `One of those things.' He walked to the wing again, his face devoid of expression.

Lindsay began to see more and more of the commodore in the days which followed. He said little and contented himself. with examining incoming signals or just sitting in silence on the bridge chair.

That he was growing increasingly worried became obvious as news was received from the Admiralty signals of a new and changing pattern in enemy activity. It seemed there was no longer any doubt that all the incidents were linked. A German raider was at large, and more to the point, was the same one which Lindsay had last seen off Greenland.

Her captain was a man who appeared to care little for his own safety. Several times he had barely missed the searching cruisers and the net was closing in on him rapidly. The last sinking had been three hundred miles north-east of Trinidad, and because of it some small convoys had been' held up for fear of another attack. There were too few escorts available on the opposite side of the Atlantic, and the U-boat menace further north, made the hope of any quick transfer of forces unlikely. Badly needed convoys were made to stay at anchor or in port while the cruisers increased their efforts to hunt the German down once and for all.

Two. days before the anticipated meeting with the Freetown escorts Kemp sent for Lindsay in his quarters. He was sitting in a deep sofa, the deck around his feet covered with signals and written instructions. He seemed to have aged in the past week, and there were deep furrows around his eyes and mouth. He did not ask Lindsay to sit down.

`Another sinking report'.'

Lindsay nodded. He had seen it for himself. A Danish tanker sailing in ballast without escort had been shelled and sunk barely a hundred miles from the previous sinking. This time the Danish captain had managed to get off more than a cry for help. There was now no doubt the raider was the same ship.

He replied, The German's working south, sir. Trying to catch the Americas trade as much as possible.' He added,He'll sink a few more poor devils before he's run to earth.' He did not try to hide the bitterness.

Kemp picked up a signal and then dropped it again. I . know he can't get at us.' He looked up, his eyes blazing.They've ordered our cruiser screen westward. Taken it away from my support!'

Lindsay watched him coldly. `Yes, sir. I heard.'

`Didn't even consider what I might think about it.'

`They've no choice. If the raider continues to move south or south-east the cruisers will have him in the bag. He can't run forever.'

This is a valuable convoy. Perhaps vital.' He seemed to be speaking his thoughts aloud.It's. wrong to expect me to take all the responsibility.'

Lindsay said, `Was that all you wanted, sir?'

The commodore watched him with sudden anger. `I know what you're hoping! That I'll make some mistake so that you can crow about it!'

Then you don't know me at all.' Lindsay kept his voice level.When. you are in charge of any convoy there is always the risk of change and sudden alteration in planning. It doesn't necessarily go like a clock.'

There was a tap at the door and Stannard stepped into the cabin.

Kemp glared at him. `Well?'

Another signal from Admiralty, sir. Request you detach the cruiser Canopus and destroyer escort immediately.' He looked at Lindsay.They are to leave with all speed and join in the search.' He shrugged. `It seems that the net is tightening.'

Kemp nodded. Execute.' As the door closed he muttered,Now there's just this ship until the Freetown escorts arrive.' He looked up. `When will that be?'

`Forty-eight hours, sir. We crossed the twentieth parallel at noon today.'

Lindsay left him with his thoughts and returned to the bridge. The cruiser was already moving swiftly clear of her column, and far ahead of the convoy he could see the two destroyers gathering speed to take station on her.

`Signal the freighter Brittany to take lead ship in the port column.' He raised his glasses and watched the lamp winking from the other vessel's bridge.

He said, `It seems we're in charge of things, Yeo.'

Ritchie, who was keeping an eye on his signalman, nodded. "Cept for the Yank, sir.' He jerked his thumb over his shoulder. `She's still with us, more or less.'

Lindsay smiled. There was no real danger but it was strange that in a matter of hours their hidden strength had melted away to leave the two oldest ships as a sole protection.

`Signal the John P. Ashton to assume station ahead of the convoy.

Ritchie said, `She'll blow 'er boilers, sir.'

`Her captain will know he's the only one now with submarine detection gear. He won't have to be told what to do.'

Later, as the elderly destroyer thrashed past the other ships he saw her light blinking rapidly and heard Ritchie say, Signal, sir. This must be Veterans Day.' He shook his head.He ain't kiddin' either.'

When darkness fell -over the three columns the - American four-piper had retained her position well ahead of the convoy. Lindsay hoped she did not break down overnight. She stood a good chance of being rammed by several of the big ships if she did. With that in mind, her engineers would no doubt be doubly careful:

He was lolling in his chair, half sleeping, half listening to the engines' steady beat, when Stannard roused him again. He was actually asleep when the watch had changed -and had heard nothing at all. He had been dreaming of a sunlit beach. The girl, wet with spray and warm in his arms. Laughing.

He straightened himself in the chair. `Yes?'

Stannard had his back to the shaded compass light and Lindsay could not see his face.

`Just decoded an urgent signal, sir. Admiralty. If you come into the chart room you can read it.'

`Just tell me.' He waited, almost knowing what he would say.

'R.A.F. reconnaissance have reported a large German unit at sea. Out of Brest, sir.'

Lindsay stared at him. `When was this?'

`That's just it. They don't know. Weather has been very bad for aerial photography and the flak has been extra thick around Brest lately. The Jerries have been using all sorts of camouflage, nets and so forth. All they do know for sure is that one large unit is not there any more.'

`When was the last check made?'

Two weeks back, sir.' Stannard sounded apprehensive.Won't affect us, will it? I mean, this is a top secret convoy.'

Lindsay slid from the chair. Nothing's that secret. How can you hide twenty-four ships and God knows how many people?' He added sharply,Send someone to rouse the commodore. He'll want to know.'

As Stannard hurried to a telephone Lindsay walked out on to the port wing. He could see the nearest troopship quite clearly in the moonlight, her boat deck and twin funnels standing out against the stars like parts of a fortress.

A mistake? It was possible. The Germans were always trying to move their heavy units to avoid bombing raids. They had to keep them afloat and to all appearances ready for sea. Just by being there they were a constant threat. Enough to tie down the Home Fleet's big ships at Scapa andd others further south. Having the whole French seaboard as well as their own, the enemy were more than able to extend the menace.

He gripped the screen and tried to clear his mind of the nagging doubt. Just suppose it was part of a plan? That the raider's attacks on Loch Glendhu and the other convoy had been a working-up for all this? At best, it would mean the Germans had been right in assuming that a single raider could tie down, a far greater mass of ships than her worth really suggested. At worst .. he gripped the screen even tighter. Then it would mean that every available cruiser had been withdrawn from this convoy to search for a red-herring, The raider would be caught and sunk. He stared fixedly at the troopship. But in exchange for their sacrifice, the Germans might hope for the greatest prize of all. A whole convoy. Men, supplies, vital materials and....

He swung round as a man called, `Commodore's comin' up, sir.

Stannard joined him by the screen. `What shall we do, sir?'

Wait, Pilot.' He did not look at him.And hope.'

The following morning was another fine clear one. Even during the last part of the morning watch the sun gave a hint of the power to come and the horizon was hidden in low haze, like steam.

Maxwell was officer of the watch, and-as Lieutenant Hunter started ,the daily check on the columns and bearing' of the various ships nearby, Maxwell stayed by the screen, staring at the tiny shape of the American destroyer directly ahead. The haze was playing tricks with her upperworks and spindly funnels. As if she had been cut in halves, with the upper pieces replaced at the wrong angle.

He glanced at Lindsay but he was still asleep in his chair, one arm hanging down beside it like that of a corpse. He returned to his thoughts, unconsciously clasping his hands behind him as if on parade.

Soon now he would be getting his half stripe. Without effort he could see 'himself at the gunnery school on Whale Island. The toiling ranks of marching officers and men. The bark of commands and snap of weapons. It would be like picking up the threads all over again. With luck, further advancement would follow automatically, and people would forget the one mistake which had cost him so .much time.

Maxwell had been young and newly-married to Decia when it had happened. Her family had been against the marriage from the start but had put a brave face on things when it had come about.

As gunnery officer in a destroyer he had been in charge of a practice shoot, a normal, routine exercise. His assistant had been a sub-lieutenant, a spoiled, stupid man whom he should never have trusted. Perhaps he had been thinking about his new bride. The excitement and sudden prosperity the marriage had brought him. He was a proud man and had at first disliked the idea of having a rich wife while he lived on a lieutenant's meagre pay.

Whatever he had been thinking about, it had not been the shoot. The sub-lieutenant had made a serious mistake .with deflection, and instead of hitting the towed target, the shell had ploughed into the tug and killed seven men.

The sub-lieutenant had been dismissed the Service with dishonour. But he had been inexperienced, a nervous breakdown following the accident had more than proved the point to the court's satisfaction. So if Maxwell had not directly pressed the trigger, he was certainly recognised as the true culprit. Only his excellent record had saved him from the same fate. To be required to resign was a lesser punishment in the court's eyes, but to Maxwell it spelled disaster.

Returning to the Navy because of the war, he had half expected that his past would be buried. Another chance. One more fair opportunity. He had been wrong. One empty job after another, until finally he had been appointed to Benbecula. The bottom rung of the' ladder.

He swayed back on his heels. But when he reached Whale Island again no one would sneer or cut him dead. He would be the man who had sunk a U-boat and made history. Ancient six-inch weapons with half-witted conscripts behind them against the cream of the German Navy. And it had been his eye and brain which had done it.

Then he thought of Decia. The nightmare vision of the bedroom and the man on his knees pleading with him. It would all be too late. He would not have her. Not see the admiration and envy on the faces of brother officers when he entered a room with her on his arm.

The telephone by his elbow made him start. `Officer of the watch?' His eye moved to the pod on the foremast as he formed a mental picture of the lookout.

`Aircraft, sir. Green four-five.'

Lindsay was awake. `What was that?'

Maxwell kept his eyes on the foremast. `Say again.'

`I'm sure it wass an aircraft, sir.'

Maxwell covered the mouthpiece and looked at Lindsay. Bloody fool says there's an aircraft on the starboard bow, sir.' He frowned.Fifteen hundred miles from the nearest land and he sees an aircraft! Must be the bloody heat!'

Lindsay moved from the chair and took the handset. `Captain here. What exactly can you see?'

The seaman sounded flustered. Can't see nothin' now, sir.' Then more stubbornly,But it was there, sir. Like a bit of glass flashin' in the sun. Very low down. Above the laze.'

Keep looking.' To Maxwell he added,It's disappeared.'

Maxwell sniffed. `Naturally.'

Hunter came out of the sunlight, folding his shipping lists. Could be a small plane, sir.' He smiled awkwardly as they looked at him.But I was forgetting. There are no carriers hereabouts.'

The phone rang again.

Lindsay took it quickly. `Captain.'

`Just saw it on about the same bearin', sir. Just one flash. Very small, but no doubt about it.'

Lindsay handed the telephone to Hunter. Inform the commodore that I would be grateful of his presence here.' He waited for Maxwell to pass his message.Very well, Guns.' He glanced towards the nearest troopship. `Now you can sound off action stations.'

For a moment longer nobody moved. Then Maxwell asked, `But, sir, why?'

It may give us,' he paused, recalling the deserted restaurant, the gross Turk at his table,it may give us time.'

Maxwell shrugged. Without another word he pressed his thumb hard on the red button.

Dancy rubbed his forehead with a handkerchief. In spite of the bridge air ducts it was stifling.

He asked quietly, `Do you reckon anything will happen?'

Stannard glanced at the commodore's bulky shape in the chair, at Lindsay who was standing just outside the starboard door.

'I dunno. This waiting makes me sweat a bit.'

The ship had been at action for two hours, although it seemed much longer.

Without warning the commodore heaved himself from the chair and snapped, Chart room.' He waited until Lindsay had followed him and added,You, too, Pilot.'

In the chart room it was even hotter with every scuttle and deadlight clamped shut.

The commodore said, `Nothing.'

Stannard looked at Lindsay. He seemed very composed, even calm.

The lookout was certain about the plane, sir.' Lindsay watched him across the table.He is an experienced rating.'

I see.' The commodore's'hands fluttered vaguely and then came to rest on the chart.What do you suggest?'

Lindsay relaxed slightly. `If I'm right, sir, it would be inviting disaster to make a radio signal for assistance. One, we know the Freetown ships will not make contact before tomorrow at the earliest. Two, if there is an enemy ship out there, it might be in total ignorance of our position.'

`Well?'

`I suggest you should alter course to the east'rd, sir. Or turn one hundred and eighty degrees and then call for assistance. Increase to maximum speed. It would give us time and room to manoeuvre.'

Do you know what you are asking?' Kemp's voice trembled.For me to run away from a shadow! You must be out of your mind!'

Lindsay said patiently, That aircraft was probably catapulted from its parent ship. If so, you can expect the worst.' He added with sudden sharpness,What is the alternative? Head on into destruction?' He spoke faster as if to prevent interruption. Stannard saw his hands clenched into fists against his sides, could almost feel the effort he was making to break Kemp's resistance. `Think, sir, of the effect it will have if we allow this convoy to be decimated. Quite apart from damage to morale on top of the Singapore disaster, the actual losses would be terrible. These troops are vital for the next few months, and for all we know, so too are the supplies and equipment.'

Kemp took a few paces to the bulkhead and turned his back on them. `Can't do it. It's too big.' He added hesi

tantly, `We have to take the risk.'

`There have already been too many of those, sir.'

Lindsay spoke very quietly. `Admiral Phillips took a risk with Repulse and Prince of Wales but they were both sunk, and Singapore fell just the same. We took risks by send ing an army to help the Greeks when anyone but a fool should have seen it was impossible to stop the rot there. Result, we lost more men and plenty of good ships trying to get them away at Crete.',

`You're accusing me of risking this convoy. Is that it?'

Kemp still did not turn.

`I do not see you have any choice but to take evading action now, sir.' When the commodore said nothing he - persisted, 'If you wait, it will be useless trying to scatter the convoy. We have a whole day of clear visibility.....'

Kemp faced him abruptly. 'Leave me to think.'

Stannard asked, 'What about my plotting team, sir?'

Kemp shouted, `Let them wait until I am ready! Now for God's sake leave me alone!'.

Stannard followed Lindsay into the passageway and thrust past the waiting midshipman and his yeoman. Under his breath he muttered, 'Stupid bastard!' Then he slammed the door behind him, making one of the messengers jump with alarm.

Above the bridge in his armoured control position Maxwell heard the door slam. His shirt was wringing with sweat, and the backs of his spotting team and Lieutenant Hunter immediately below his steel chair looked as if they had just emerged from the sea. In the Denmark Strait they had somehow kept going with thick clothing and the small electric heaters. In this glare there was no defence at all against the sun.

Hunter twisted round and looked at him. 'No more aircraft. No bloody anything. So why can't we fall out action stations?'

Because that stupid commodore can't make up his mind, that's why. But aloud Maxwell replied sharply, 'For God's sake, don't you start!'

Hunter shrugged and reached out to open a small observation slit on the port side. It made a very small breeze, but the sight of the nearest troopship was somehow reassuring. The same view, day after day, after bloody day. He felt Maxwell stirring behind him and smiled. Whale Island. Maxwell would love that. All mouth and trousers, like the rest of his breed.

For a split second he imagined an aircraft had dived from the sky, although it was impossible., The screaming roar seemed to press down on him, until his mind was a complete blank. Then came the explosions, and as he stared incredulously at the troopship he saw the towering waterspouts rising beyond her, higher and higher, until they shone like white silk in the sunlight.

As the tall columns began to subside he saw the tell-tale pall of black smoke, growing and rising against the clear sky like a filthy stain. A ship on the port column had been hit. But with what? It had all been just a matter of seconds. Seconds in which everything and each man around him seemed suspended in time and space.

Then Maxwell yelled, 'Don't gape at me! Start tracking!' He punched the shoulder of the nearest seaman. 'Come on, jump to it!'

He pressed his eyes to his powerful sights as the control position turned slightly on its mounting. He blinked in the harsh light and rubbed his forehead with his wrist. Nothing. The horizon was still hazy but not that much. You should be able to see something. He felt a chill run down his spine as he picked up the handset and reported, 'Captain, sir. Those shells came from below the horizon.' He heard Hunter gasp. 'No target, sir.'

Lindsay heard his flat voice and then ran to the wheelhouse door. The ship which had been straddled by three or more heavy shells was falling out of line, her upper deck burning fiercely beneath. the towering smoke pall.

He snapped, 'Make the signal.' He scribbled a brief addition before Ritchie dashed to the W/T office. 'At least someone will know what's happening.'

He heard the commodore pushing through the bridge watchkeepers, his voice shaking as he called, 'What was it? Where is the enemy?'

Again that screaming roar, and Lindsay tensed, imagining the projectiles hurtling down from their high arc of fire. He had been right. Three columns of water shot above the far line of ships.

He shouted, 'I've reported we are under attack!' He did not take his eyes from the burning freighter.

`Yes, yes.' Kemp seemed unable to think clearly, He was also peering at the ship, at the smoke and flames which had now engulfed the whole of her poop.

Lindsay said, Spotting plane. It was just a freak hit.' He glanced at the other man's stricken face.But I'm afraid we can't rely on luck any more.'

.Then he left the commodore on the gratings and entered the wheelhouse. It was too late to turn the convoy now. At any second the other ship would show herself. But to shoot this far and with such accuracy she must be big. Too big.

He saw the faces of the men around him, watching, waiting for his decision.

He said quietly, `As soon as we know the enemy's bearing we will make a signal to. the convoy. To scatter.'.

Kemp's shadow filled the doorway. 'I-did not order that!' He was tugging at his collar. `I demand to be informed!'

'Then I am informing you now, sir. Do you have any objections?'

Kemp dropped his eyes. `I suppose some will getaway. There's nothing we can do.'

Lindsay eyed him calmly. Christ, how could he feel so remote?

He said, `As you told me when you came aboard, sir. This is my ship. When the convoy scatters, your control will be at an end.'

Kemp stared at him, his eyes watering with fixed concentration. `There's still the American destroyer!'

For once Lindsay did not bother to hide his contempt. You'd send her, would you?' He turned his back.She'll be needed anyway, to shadow the enemy when it's all over.'

As if to mark the finality of his words, the tannoy speaker intoned, `Control to bridge. Enemy in sight!'

T he burning freighter had dropped a mile astern of the convoy when the port column of ships wheeled away in response to Lindsay's signal, their rising wash giving evidence of increasing speed.

`From John P. Ashton, sir.' Ritchie steadied his telescope. 'Request permission to engage the enemy.'

The bridge shivered as another salvo came screaming -out of the sky. The shells exploded in an overlapping line of spray and dirty smoke, a mere cable from the leading troopship.

Negative.' A near miss from one of those shells would sink the elderly destroyer.Make to the second column to scatter now.'

Stannardmuttered fiercely, `They can't get far. Christ, those bastards are shooting well.'

Another sullen roar enveloped the bridge and he saw the shells explode where the big liner might have been but for the change of course.

Lindsay slid open a shutter .on the starboard' side and raised his glasses. At first he saw only haze and the clear blue sea below the horizon. Behind him he heard Hunter's voice on the speaker.

`Green three-oh. Range one-eight-oh.'

Then quite suddenly he saw the enemy ship. She was a darker blur in the horizon haze, but as he watched he saw the ripple of orange flashes which momentarily laid bare her superstructure in the powerful lenses. He tried not to swallow,, although his throat was like a kiln. He knew those nearby were watching him. Trying to gauge his reactions.

19

`They made it safe.'

A cruiser at least. He heard the screaming whine of shells as they tore down over the scattering ships, the tell-tale shiver as they exploded harmlessly in open water.

`Make the signal to our column. Tell them to be as quick as possible.'

The enemy fired again, and the rearmost ship in the column was straddled by three shells. As she steamed stubbornly through the falling torrents of spray he saw she had been badly mauled. Her boat deck looked as if it had been crushed by an avalanche of rock.

'All acknowledged, sir.' Ritchie scribbled automatically on his pad. Not much point. Nobody would ever read it.

There was a sudden silence in the wheelhouse as Lindsay said, `Give me the mike.' He took it from Dancy, seeing in his mind the men throughout his command.

`This is the captain speaking. We are under attack by a heavy enemy warship which is now about nine miles off our starboard bow. She is big and therefore fast. With bad visibility or darkness the convoy might have been saved by scattering.'

He paused as the sea erupted far away on the port quarter, smothering another ship with those deadly waterspouts. Across the distance he heard the jolting metallic cracks, like a woodsman using an axe on a clear day. The sounds of jagged splinters biting into her hull.

He continued, `To have even a hope of escaping, these ships must be given time.'

Lindsay snapped down the button and looked at Ritchie. `Very well, Yeoman. Hoist battle ensigns.'

The commodore, who had been staring at the freighter with the smashed boat deck, swung round and shouted, Stop? I order you to....'

Lindsay interrupted harshly, `I intend to give the convoy as much of a chance as possible. With or without your help, sir.'

Ritchie pushed between them and grasped the wrist of a young signalman. `Come on, boy! Somethin' to tell yer kids!'

Lindsay stooped over the gyro. `Starboard ten. Midships. Steady.'

`Steady, sir. Course three-four-zero.'

`Full ahead both engines.'

Stannard listened to the urgent telegraphs. `Shall I call up the chief, sir?'

No. He knows what's happening up here.' Lindsay felt the gratings shaking and rattling under his feet.He knows all right.'

As the ship heeled slightly on to, her new course Lindsay saw a dark shadow fall briefly across the screen. He looked up at the great ensign climbing the foremast and at some of the gun crews turning to watch it.

He heard Ritchie remark, `Funny, really. Bin in the Andrew all these years an' Never seen 'em'oisted before.'

When he turned again Lindsay saw that the sea astern seemed full of ships moving away on differing bearings and angles. Once more the air cringed to the ripping passage of shells, and again they exploded close to a careering tanker.

`Aircraft, sir. Dead ahead.'

He watched the sliver of silver above the horizon as it moved calmly in the sunlight. The enemy's eye, unreachable and deadly. Reporting each fall of shot. Standing by to pursue and guide the cruiser like a pilot fish with a shark.

Too fast for Maxwell's ponderous guns. Out of range for the automatic weapons.

But as yet nobody aboard the enemy ship appeared to have noticed the Benbecula's challenge. Maybe they imagined she was out of control or trying to escape in the wrong direction.

Stannard said tightly, `Maxwell's guns will never even mark the bastard at this range.'

Lindsay did not look at him. He picked up a handset, feeling it shaking violently as the bridge structure hummed and vibrated to Fraser's engines.

`Guns? Captain. Commence firing with the starboard battery.' He waited, shutting out Maxwell's protest. 'I know the marines can't get their guns to bear. But we must draw the enemy's fire from those ships. I will try to close the range as quickly as possible.'

He replaced the handset and heard the fire gong's tinny call, the immediate crash of guns as One and Three lurched inboard together.

`Short.'

He lifted his glasses in time to see the thin feathers of spray falling in direct line with the enemy's hazy outline. But she was much clearer now. Bridge upon bridge, her turrets already swinging as if to seek out this sudden impudence.

Dancy watched transfixed as the sea writhed like surf across a reef before bursting skyward on the starboard beam. He -imagined he could feel the heat, taste the foul stench of those great shells.

He realised that Stannard's fingers were around his wrist, his voice intense as he whispered, Take this letter. Keep it for me.' He looked him in the eyes.Just in case, eh, chum?'

Dancy made to reply and then felt himself falling as the whole bridge shook to one terrible explosion. He felt Stannard and a signalman entangled around his legs, and even when the deafening explosion had stopped it seemed to linger in his ears like pressure under water.

He saw shocked faces, mouths calling silent orders, and the starboard door pitted with bright stars of sunlight. He pulled himself upright as his hearing returned and saw that the stars were splinter holes, and then almost vomited as he stared aghast at 'the bloody shape beneath them.

Lieutenant Paget had been sent to assist on the bridge and had been almost cut in half by the explosion. Yet as his hands worked like claws across his torn body his screams grew louder and louder, like those of some tortured woman.

Starboard twenty!' Lindsay locked his arm around the voicepipes as the :ielm went over.Stand by, the port battery!' He wiped paint dust from the gyro with his elbow.

'Midships. Steady.'

`Steady, sir. Course zero-three-zero.'

Jolliffe had to grit his teeth as a signalman wrapped a bandage around his arm. A small splinter had laid it open after passing cleanly through the screaming lieutenant a few feet away.

The port guns hurled themselves back on their springs, their muzzles angled towards the sky in their efforts to hit the enemy.

. Lindsay made himself ignore the cries and screams until they became fainter and suddenly stopped. He knew that a stretcher party had entered the bridge but did not turn his head as he concentrated every fibre of his mind on the other ship.

`Range now one-six-oh.'

He moved his glasses carefully. Eight miles separated the armoured cruiser and the garishly painted ship with the list to starboard. The enemy had got the message now all right. She had turned towards Benbecula using her two forward turrets alternately. The six guns fired with regular precision so that her bridge seemed to dance in the flashes as if ablaze.

When at last he glanced over his shoulder he saw that Paget's corpse had been removed. Just a brush-stroke of scarlet to show where he had been torn down.

As the gunfire mounted Lindsay changed course at irregular intervals, their progress marked by the curves in their seething wake. Starboard battery and then port. Two by two against the German's six.

Maxwell remarked over the speaker, She's the Minden. Eight-inch guns, twelve torpedo tubes.' A brief sigh.Estimated speed thirty-three knots.'

Lindsay bit his lip to hide his despair. A miniature battle-cruiser as far as Benbecula was concerned.

A telephone, buzzed, the sound muffled by explosions, the roar of fans.

'W/T have received a signal about that other raider, sir!'

Lindsay blinked as the sea beyond the bows vanished behind a towering wall of spray. He felt the hull buck to the shockwave as if she had been struck by a bomb. `Read it!'

The man tore his eyes from an observation slit and crouched over his telephone.

Raider sunk. All available assistance on way to help you.' And a few seconds later.Cruiser Canopus calling us, sir. What is your position?'

Lindsay saw the sea erupt again. Much closer this time. `Tell her our position is grim!'

Stannard touched the man's arm. `Here. I'll give it to W/T.'

Lindsay called, `How are the ships, Sub?'

Dancy ran aft and peered through the Benbecula's drooping plume of funnel smoke. In those seconds he saw it all. The scattered ships, so very small beneath the great ensign on the mainmast. The twisting white wake, the sea, everything...

Troopships out of range, sir. The, rest well scattered.'Good.'

`Range now one-five-oh.'

All four guns were firing and reloading as fast as they could move, with Maxwell's spotters yelling down bearings and deflexions with each veering change of course.

In the engine room Fraser clung to the jerking platform and watched his men swarming around the pounding machinery like filthy insects. In damage control Goss sat unmoving in his chair, facing the panel, hands folded across his stomach. Throughout the ship, above and below decks, behind watertight doors or on exposed gun platforms, every man waited for the inevitable. Meeting it in his own way.

Far astern, and spread fanlike towards the horizon, the once proud convoy had long since lost its shape and formation. The first ship to be hit had sunk, but the others which had received near misses still managed to maintain their escape,, some leaving smoke-trails like scars across the sky.

Aboard the second troopship the decks and emergency stations were crammed with silent figures, mis-shapen in lifejackets as they stood in swaying lines, as they had been since the attack had begun.

A deck officer at his boat station said suddenly, God, look at the old girl! I'd never have believed it!' In spite of the watching soldiers he took off his cap and waved it above his head. But his voice was just a whisper as he called,Good luck, old lady!'

The small party of Wrens packed at the after end of the boat deck huddled even closer as the distant ship was again straddled by waterspouts.

The one named Marion slipped her arm around her friend's shoulders and said, `Don't cry, Eve.'

She shook her head. I know I'm crying.' She strained her eyes to try and see the ship with the stubborn list and outdated stern.But I feel like cheering!'

Something like a sigh transmitted itself through the watching soldiers.

A voice called, `She's hit!'

When the sound finally reached the scattered ships it was like a roll of thunder. Even the officers with binoculars could hardly distinguish one part of Benbecula from the next because of the dense smoke.

Marion tightened her grip. `But they're still firing. How can, they do it?'

The Wren called Eve did not answer. She was seeing the little villa, the table in candlelight. And him sitting on the bed. Looking at her. Holding her.

Another set of explosions rumbled across the sea's face. More muffled now as the distance steadily mounted between them.

A man said, `Direct hit that time. Must be.'

Would you like to go below?''Marion stared sadly at the great spreading smokestain "far astern.It's safe now. They made it safe.'

No.' She shook her head.He'll know I'm here. I'm sure of it.'

`So am I.' Together they stayed by the rail in silence.

'Shoot!'

Maxwell was hoarse from yelling into his mouthpiece. The compartment seemed full of smoke and the din was unbearable as time and time again the ship rocked to the enemy's salvos. ,

Why can't we hit her?' Hunter shouted through the tendrils of smoke below Maxwell's chair.We're, down to six miles range, for Christ's sake!'

The starboard guns crashed out again and Maxwell cursed as his shells exploded into the haze. `Up two hundred!'

He was still speaking when the next salvo straddled the ship in a vice of steel. He saw Hunter lurch in his chair to stare up at him, his expression one of horror even as the blood gushed from his mouth and his eyes lost their understanding forever.

Two of the seamen were also down, and the third was crawling up the side of Maxwell's chair holding his hip and sobbing with agony.

`First aid party to Control!' Maxwell, sighed. The line had gone dead. He stood up and hung his microphone on the chair, then giving the wounded seaman a vague pat on the head climbed out into the sunlight.

Figures blundered past him in the smoke and a man yelled, `Up forrard! Starboard side!'

Number, One, gun was still firing when Maxwell arrived, and he found Baldock, his elderly warrant officer, giving local orders to its crew. The other gun was in fragments, hurled inboard above a deep crater around which human remains lay scattered in bloody gruel.

Baldock shouted, `Both quarters officers are done for on this side!'

Maxwell nodded, feeling very detached. `You carry on here then.'

He strode to the opposite side where he found the young sub-lieutenant in charge sitting on a shell locker, an arm across his face like a man in the sun.

`All right, Cordeaux?'

The officer stared at him. `Yes, sir.' Then he saw a spreadeagled corpse at the opposite gun. Headless, it still wore a jacket. Like his own, with a single wavy stripe.

A shell whimpered close overhead but Maxwell did not flinch. Luck of the draw, my boy.' He adjusted his cap.I'm going aft to see the bootnecks. Keep at it, eh?'

The youth watched him leave and then groped for his helmet. In front of him the gunlayer and` trainer, the gloved seamen who worked the breech were all waiting as before. They were going to die. All of them. Like his friend who now lay headless and without pain.

The gunlayer said thickly, `We're turnin' again, sir!'

Cordeaux heard himself say, `Stand by, Number Two.' Then with the others he watched the bows start to swing to starboard.

'Midships!' Lindsay had to yell to make himself heard. The enemy gunners were shooting rapidly and he knew that Benbecula had been badly mauled. But the noise was too great, too vast to recognise or distinguish. Time no longer meant anything, and as he conned the vibrating ship, swinging her drunkenly from bow to bow, he was conscious only of the distance which still separated the ill-matched enemies.

`Wheel's amidships, sir!' Jolliffe was clinging to the wheel, his face ashen from loss of blood.

Ritchie climbed up beside him and said, `We'll go together, eh, mate?'

The coxswain peered at him glassily. `Cheerful bastard!'

Ritchie looked away. Christ Almighty. The poor old sod still thinks we're going to survive!

Lindsay swung round as sunlight lanced through the smoke and he saw the spotter plane flashing down the starboard side less than half a mile distant. The little seaplane looked near and remote from the crash and scream of gunfire. Like a child's toy, her approach made soundless by the din. As it tilted slightly he saw the black cross on one stubby wing, and imagined he could see a helmeted head in the cockpit. Watching with the patient indifference of a cruising gull.

Somewhere aft an Oerlikon came to life, the bright tracer licking out through the smoke, making the seaplane veer away, startled, disturbed. Too far away for good shooting, but Lindsay could understand the Oerlikon gunner's gesture. Strapped in his harness, vulnerable and helpless as the ship came apart around him.

Stannard shouted in his ear, `The ships'll be safe now!' It was more like a question.

Lindsay looked at him. `There's still too much daylight left.'

He watched the seaplane turning for another run. But for the plane the ships would have been beyond reach by now. But once Benbecula had been destroyed the German captain would be in pursuit again. What had Maxwell said? It was hard to think. To remember. Thirty-two knots.

The deck canted violently and a wall of flame shot skyward from the forecastle.

Telephones buzzed and he heard men yelling over the remaining voicepipes.

`Bad fire forrard,-sir! Number One gun knocked out. Mr Baldock has been killed.'

Lindsay dragged himself across the littered gratings. `Who's still down there?'

Stannard called, `Young Cordeaux, sir.'

Lindsay wiped his face with his hand. Just a boy. And Baldock was gone. He should have been at home with his grandchildren.

A ,savage explosion tore down the ship's side, filling the air with splinters and heavier fragments. Cabins and compartments, machinery and bulkheads felt it as the scything onslaught expended itself through the hull. The funnel was streaming tendrils of smoke and steam from countless holes, and Lindsay saw that the mainmast had gone completely.

Not long now. Something splashed across the nearest telegraph which still pointed to Full Ahead, and glancing up he saw blood dripping through a split in the deckhead. Probably Hunter's, he thought wearily.

When he dropped his eyes he saw that the chair was empty. For an instant he imagined the commodore had been cut down by a splinter.

Stannard called harshly, `He ran below, sir! Puking like a bloody kid!'

Lindsay shrugged. It did not seem important now.

He raised his glasses again. There was so much smoke that it was hard to see beyond the bows. Smoke from guns and bursting shells. From the ship herself as she defied the efforts of hoses and inrushing water to quench the creeping fires.

The range was less than six miles. It was impossible to know how many times they had managed to hit the enemy. If at all. The cruiser was still coming for them, moving diagonally across the bow, her turrets tracking Benbecula's approach with the cool efficiency of a hunter awaiting a wounded beast to be flushed from cover.

A pencil rolled across the counter beneath the screen and for a brief second he stared at it. The list which had defied owners and shipyards for years had gone at last. Goss had probably flooded the magazines nearest the fires, the weight of waterbringing the old ship upright with kind of stubborn dignity. How would she appear to the enemy and the German gunnery officer? This battered, half-crippled ship, limping towards destruction but refusing to die. What would they feel? Admiration, or anger at being delayed?

He clenched his jaw again as more explosions made the hull quake. Not delay. The German must be held off until help arrived.

`Where's Canopus now?'.

Stannard glanced at him. 'W/T office is badly hit, sir. Can't be sure of what's happening.'

Lindsay opened his mouth to speak and then found himself face down on the gratings with someone kicking and struggling across his spine. There was smoke and dust everywhere. He could hardly breathe and felt as if the air was being sucked out of him. Near his face small things stood out with stark clarity. Rivets, and pieces of his watch which had been torn from his wrist to shatter against the steel plates. A man's fist, and when he turned his head he saw it belonged to Jolliffe. The coxswain had been blasted from the wheel and lay with his skull crushed against the binnacle.

Lindsay lurched to his feet, spitting out dust and blown grit, searching for the remains of the bridge party. He saw Stannard on his back, blood running between his legs, and Dancy kneeling over him.

Ritchie was already dragging himself to the wheel and managed to croak, Got 'er, sir! Steady as she goes!' He grinned.To 'ell!'

Stannard opened his eyes and stared at Dancy. `Easy, mate. I'm all right. Christ, I can't feel much of anything!'

Two more figures entered the smoke-filled compartment, slipping on blood and broken panels, groping for handholds. Midshipman Kemp and Squire, the navigator's yeoman.

Lindsay said, `Man those voicepipes!'

Kemp nodded wildly. `I've sent for the first aid party, sir!'

Dancy crouched over the Australian, holding him as the deck jerked to another shellburst.

`You'll be fine. You see. We can be in England together and....'

Stannard looked past him at Lindsay and grimaced. `The letter. See she gets it, will you? Don't want her to think I've forgotten.....'

His head lolled to one side. and Lindsay said, `Leave him, Sub. He's gone.'

Dancy stood up, shaking badly. Then he said, I'm okay, sir.' He tried not to look at his friend on the gratings.Later on I'll.....' He did not finish it.

The rear door rattled across the splintered gratings, and Boase with two stretcher bearers ran into the wheelhouse. Boase looked deathly pale, his steel helmet awry as he peered round at the chaos and death. A signalman had been pulped against the rear bulkhead, a messenger lay dead by his feet but totally unmarked.

In an unexplained lull of gunfire Kemp shouted wildly, Go on, Doc, show us what you can do!' He shook Squire's restraining hand from hisarm and continued in the same broken voice,You're bloody good at offering advice to others!'

Boase stood with his arms at his side, his helmet jerking to the relentless vibration.

Lindsay snapped, `Get a grip on yourselves!'

Kemp's face seemed to crumple. He was helping my father and that surgeon to ruin you, sir. Was giving a bad report so that you'd be finished.' Some of the fury came back to his face as he yelled at the stricken doctor,You rotten, cowardly bastard! You're like my father, so why don't you run down and hide with him?'

Squire took Boase's wrist and pushed him towards the grim-faced stretcher bearers. `Get him away, chum.' He turned his face to the screen as Boase allowed himself to be pulled from the door. A long thread of spittle was hanging from his chin.

A bosun's mate said, `First lieutenant on the phone, sir.'

Lindsay took it. `Captain.'

Goss sounded. far away. Forrard bulkhead is badly cracked. If it's not properly shored the whole thing will go.' He coughed harshly and added,There's a bad fire here, too. No room for any bloody thing.'

Lindsay forced his brain to react to Goss's brief summary. It must be bad to have got him out of damage control in person..

`You want me to reduce speed?'

Goss waited a few seconds. Yes. At full revs she'll go straight to the bottom if this lot caves in.' Another pause.We'll need fifteen minutes. No more just yet.'

Fifteen minutes.. He could as easily have asked for a week.

Dancy was watching him, another telephone in: his fist. `It's the chief„ sir. Two pumps out of action. Engine room is flooding.'

Lindsay jumped as a shell exploded somewhere aft. He heard heavy equipment falling between decks, the tearing scrape of splinters ricocheting from the ravaged hull.

`Yes, Chief.'

Fraser seemed very calm. `I can still give you full speed, sir. But I'm warning you that things could get dicey down here.'

Yes.' Even the one word seemed an effort.Get all your spare hands' out right away and put them in damage control. It may not be long now."

Aye.' Fraser shouted something to his assistant and then added,She's not doing so badly though.' The line went dead.

Lindsay stared at the handset and then said, `Ring down for half speed.'

Dancy swung the telegraphs and stood looking at Hunter's blood on his fingers.

`They'll have us cold now, sir.'

Another shell ploughed into the forecastle, the splinters bursting out across the well deck even as the mast and derricks began to stagger drunkenly over the side. Rigging, spars and one complete winch vanished through the broken plating, smearing the remains of Cordeaux and his gun crew as they passed.

Lindsay felt someone tying a dressing around his forearm and realised he. had been hit by a small splinter. Maybe when Stannard had been killed. He could not remember. There was no real pain. Just a numbness which seemed to begin behind his brain and probed right through his aching limbs like a fever.

`Enemy's ceased fire, sir.' The remaining bosun's mate leaned against the screen as if about to collapse.

Lindsay moved automatically to the port door and knocked off the clips. When he wrenched it open he found he was looking straight down at the deck below through a tangle of blackened, twisted steel and wood. The port wing had received a direct hit. The shell which had killed Stannard, Jolliffe and the others in the bridge had carved the wing away like so much cardboard. How he and Dancy had survived was a miracle.

He felt the salt air driving the smoke from his lungs and tried to steady his glasses on the enemy. The ship was so slow now, and he could feel the deck under his feet moving ponderously and in time with each trough. She must be filling badly, he thought. Heavy in the water. Nearly finished. his glasses trained on the enemy. The cruiser had all but stopped too, less than four miles away. He could see the scarlet flag at her gaff, the haze of gunsmoke above her turrets.

Behind him he heard Goss mutter, `The bastard's picking up his seaplane, sir.'

Lindsay saw the little aircraft bobbing on its floats as it manoeuvred delicately towards the ship's massive grey hull. A derrick had already been unlimbered by the mainmast and was swinging outboard in readiness for the pick-up.

Perhaps the sight of these calm, practised movements did more to break Lindsay's reserves than any act of expected violence. The cruiser was confident of the victory. She could afford to ignore the blazing, shell-pitted ship without masts or ensigns, and would soon be off again after the convoy. Because of Benbecula's challenge many of those ships would survive. But some would not, and with sudden.anger Lindsay shouted, `Stop the starboard engine!'

Goss stood aside as he hurried into the wheelhouse.

Stand by to abandon ship. Get the wounded on deck and cut loose the rafts.' They were all staring at him.Jump to it!'

The telegraph clanged, and with a brief shudder the starboard screw spun to a halt..

Dancy called, `The enemy are training their tubes on us, sir!'

Lindsay ran to the shutters. Even without the glasses he could see the gap in the cruiser's silhouette where one set of torpedo tubes had been swung out across the side.

The cruiser's captain was not even going to allow them time to clear the ship of wounded. Maybe he knew that help was already on its way, perhaps just below the' horizon, and time was more important than a handful of madmen who had tried to prevent his conquest. Or then again he might want to do it. To wipe out the insult of this delay to a set plan.

Goss muttered, `There's no time to get the lads off, sir.'

He watched the bows labouring very slowly to starboard as the port screw continued to forge ahead. He had guessed Lindsay's indsay's intention almost as soon as he had seen his face. Knew what he would do even in the face of death.. He was surprised to find he could understand and meet the inevitable. Just as he had accepted the ruin of his cabin. He had been chasing after his damage control' parties, plugging holes, dragging the sobbing wounded out of mangled steel, repairing obsolete pumps and trying to stay alive in a prison of screaming splinters and echoing explosions. The cabin had been torn apart by splinters, his pictures and relics just so much rubbish. Anger, despair, resentment; for those few moments he had known them all. It was like seeing his life lying there amidst the wreckage. Carefully he had unpinned the company flag from the bulkhead, and with it across one arm had crunched out of the cabin. His foot had trodden on the picture of himself and the old company chairman.

Aloud he had murmured, 'Chief was right. You were a mean old bastard!' Then without looking back he had got on with his work.

Goss had seen the commodore crouching on a broken locker pleading with a young S.B.A. to treat his wound. The S.B.A. had been more than occupied with other injured men and had retorted shrilly, `You're not wounded! For God's sake leave me alone!'

No wonder the midshipman was the way he was. With a father like that it was a marvel he was still sane.

And now the noise and din were all but over. Already the sky was showing through the drifting pall of smoke, and the water between the ships was no longer churned by the racing screws. In fact, Goss decided, it looked very cool and inviting. With narrowed eyes he watched the little seaplane etched against the cruiser's side, imagining some officer giving the orders to hoist it inboard, maybe under the eyes of the captain. Like Lindsay.

Goss shook his head angrily. No, not like him.

Then he heard himself say, `I'm ready to have a go if you are.'

Lindsay met his gaze and said quietly, `It's only a faint chance.'

'Better'n sitting here waiting to be chopped.' Goss walked aft. `I'll tell de Chair. Maxwell, too, if he's still in one piece.'

Lindsay touched the screen. It was warm. From sun or fires it was impossible to say.

`Stop port.'

Before the last clang of the telegraph he had the telephone against his ear.

`Chief? Listen.' Through the open shutter he saw the seaplane rising up against the grey steel. A toy.

Dancy stood by the voicepipes listening to Lindsay's even voice. Knowing he should understand as Goss had done. But the quiet, the painful heaviness of the ship beneath him, the stifling smell of death seemed to be muffling his mind like some great sodden blanket.

Lindsay joined him by the voicepipes and groped for his pipe. But it was broken, and he said, `Disregard the telegraphs. Hold this phone, and when I give you the signal just tell the chief to let her rip.'

Before Dancy could speak he added to Ritchie, `Just keep her head towards the enemy's quarter. I'm going to give the after guns a chance. Only one of them will bear. But if we miss I'm going to turn and try again.' He smiled

grimly. There'll be no second go. By that time we'll be heading straight down.

Somewhere below a man cried out in agony and feet crashed through the wreckage to search for him.

Aft on the well deck Goss found Maxwell squatting on the side of a gun mounting, his cap over his eyes as he stared at the glittering water. Between the two guns the

wounded lay in ragged lines, moaning or drugged in silence. A few exhausted stokers and seamen waited in little groups, and some marines were looking down at de Chair in the shadow of a shattered winch. His face was enveloped in dressings, through which the blood was already making its mark.

His hands moved slightly as Goss said, `You are to engage with Number Six gun. Captain's orders.'

Two men carried a corpse and laid it by the rail. It was Jupp. Even with his face covered Goss would have known him anywhere. He sighed.

The marine sergeant said, `Right, sir.'

But as he made to move Maxwell bounded over the coaming and threw himself against the big six-inch gun.

No!' He thrust the gunlayer aside and crouched in his seat as he added petulantly,Check your sights!'.

A young marine bugler at Goss's side said shakily, 'Anythin' I can do, sir?'

Goss tore his eyes from Maxwell's frenzied movements, his hands as they darted across his sighting wheels. Gone off his head. Yes. Why not.' Carefully he unfolded the company flag and added,Bend this on to that radio antenna. We've no ensigns and no bloody, masts.' He forced a grin. `I guess the old Becky would rather end her days under her right colours anyway!'

Another marine had found a telephone which was still connected with the bridge and stood outlined against the sky like an old military memorial. Only his eyes moved as he watched the little bugler clamber up to the boat-deck and seconds later the big flag billow out from its improvised staff.

The. sergeant rubbed his chin. `The Jerries'll think we've gone nuts!'

Goss eyed him impassively. `It's what I think that counts.' Then he strode forward towards the bridge.

He found Lindsay just as he had left him. `Ready, sir.'

Lindsay nodded. `Chief says the engine room is flooding faster. Without those two pumps.' He broke off and stiffened as the seaplane rose out of the cruiser's shadow and swung high above the rail.

He turned and looked at Squire. `When I drop my hand.'

Squire swallowed hard and glanced quickly at Kemp. 'All right sir?'

The boy stared at him, his stained face like a mask. But he jerked his head violently and replied, `Fine. Thank you. Fine.'

Lindsay concentrated on the distant warship. He saw some of the Benbecula's rafts drifting haphazardly in the current. They might help. The German captain would probably imagine that some of the survivors were trying to escape.

Gently. Gently. How slowly the seaplane was moving on its hoist.

He held his breath and then brought his hand down in a sharp chop.

Squire gasped, `Now!'

Along the remaining telephone wire and into the ear of the motionless marine. Across the littered deck and pitiful wounded, past Jupp's still body and the blinded.. marine lieutenant to where Maxwell was poised over his sight like an athlete awaiting the starter's pistol.

Just one more agonising split second while the cruiser's upper deck swam in the crosswires like something seen through a rain-washed window. Maxwell had to drag his mind from the others around the gun, the trainer on the opposite side, the men waiting with the next shell and the one to follow it. This was the moment. His moment.

`Shoot!'

He felt the sight-pad crash against his eye, the staggering lurch of the gun recoiling inboard, and was almost deafened by the explosion. He had forgotten his ear .plugs, but ignored the stabbing pain as he watched the shell explode directly on target.

There was one blinding flash, and where the seaplane had been hanging above its mounting there was a swirling plume of brown smoke. It was followed instantly by another, darker glare, the flames spreading and dancing even as the breech was jerked open and the next shell rammed home.

On the bridge Lindsay had to hold down the sudden surge of excitement. The seaplane had been blasted to fragments and the whole section below it was ablaze with aero fuel.

He shouted, `Now, Sub!'

The gun crashed out again and drowned Dancy's voice, but far below them Fraser had heard, and as he threw himself on his throttles the screws came alive, churning the sea into a great welter of spray, pushing the old ship forward again, shaking her until it seemed she would come apart.

The sudden fire on the cruiser's deck had done its work. The torpedo crews were being driven back while their comrades with hoses and extinguishers rushed into the attack.

Maxwell's next shell was short, the explosion hurling the spray high above the enemy's side, the flames dancing through the glittering curtain like bright gems.

Lindsay pounded the screen with his fist. The revolutions were speeding up, and already the cruiser had dropped away on the port bow. But not fast enough, and already he could see her forward turret turning in a violent angle to try and find the hulk which had returned to life.

On his steel seat beside the one remaining gun which would bear, Maxwell took a deep breath. He ignored the bright flashes as the enemy fired, did not even see where the shells went as he concentrated on the column of smoke just forward of the cruiser's mainmast. Just the one set of tubes would do. Six torpedoes in a neat row, all set and ready to deal Benbecula a death blow. Except that now they were unmanned, abandoned because of his first shot. In spite of the tension he could feel the grin spreading right across his face. If Decia could see, him now. If only....

`Shoot!'

The two ships fired almost together, the shockwaves rolling and intermingling until the noise was beyond endurance.

Maxwell did not see what happened next. His gun, the crew and most of the marines at the opposite mounting were blasted to oblivion by the explosion. In seconds the well deck and poop were ablaze from end to end, the scorching heat starting other outbreaks below and as high as the lifeboats.

Lindsay felt the shock like a blow to his own body, knew that the ship had done her best and could fight no more. So great was the onslaught of metal that he was totally unprepared for the wall of fire which shot skywards above the billowing smoke. Then as a down-eddy parted the huge pall he saw the cruiser's raked stem moving steadily into the sunlight, the forward turret still trained towards him, her grey side reflecting the bright wash of her bow wave.

The first cries of despair gave way to a lingering sigh as the cruiser emerged fully from the smoke. Her bow wave was already dropping, and as the smoke swept clear of the upper deck Lindsay saw that her stern was awash.. The torpedoes must have blasted her wide open with greater effect than if they had been fired into the hull. It was impossible.

Lindsay felt Dancy gripping his shoulders and Ritchie croaking in either joy or disbelief. Throughout the battered hull men were cheering and embracing each other, and even some of the wounded shouted up at the sky, crazed by the din but aware that despite all they had. endured they were still alive.

The cruiser was slewing round, her bilge rising to blot out the chaos and torment on her decks as she started to roll over. More explosions echoed across the water, and even at such a distance Lindsay heard heavy machinery and weapons tearing adrift to add to the horror below decks.

There was no hope of saving any lives. Benbecula was devoid of boats, and most of her rafts were either lost or destroyed in the savage battle.

Steam rose high above the cruiser's bows as very slowly they lifted from the water, a black arrowhead against the' horizon and clear sky.. Then she dived, the turbulence and spreading oil-slick marking her last moment of life.

Dancy asked thickly, Shall I get our people off, sir?' He seemed stunned.We could build rafts.'

Fraser, without orders, had already cut the speed to dead slow, and Lindsay' guessed that many of his men would have thought their end had come when Maxwell's gun had been smashed, to say nothing of the German's violent ending.

Yes.' He touched his arm.And thank you.'

But Dancy did not move. He looked as if he was doubting his own reason. `Sir! Listen!'

Feebly at first. Little more than a murmur above the hiss of flames, the occasional crackle of bursting ammunition, Lindsay heard the sounds of Fraser's pumps.

He took the handset. `Chief?'

Fraser was chuckling. The old cow! I told you, didn't I?' He sounded near to tears.Bloody old cow judged it right to the last bloody moment- ' His voice broke completely.

Lindsay said quietly, `If we can get these fires out and hold the intake we might keep her afloat.' He lowered the handset very gently.

Then he walked out on to the remaining wing and gripped the screen with both hands. Slowly he looked down and along his command. The death and the terrible damage, even the leaping fires on the well deck could not disguise the old ship's familiar outline. Hoses which had been lying smouldering came to life again, and more men emerged like rats from their holes to control them. He saw a stoker, his head bandaged, carrying the ship's cat and standing it down by a cup full of water. Then he stood back to watch the cat's reactions, as if witnessing the greatest miracle in the world.

Three hours later, as the ship struggled forward at a dead slow speed, her hull cloaked in smoke and escaping steam, a lookout reported another vessel on the horizon. It was the Canopus, hurrying back in the vain hope of saving some of the convoy.

The sight of the riddled, fire-blackened ship with some unfamiliar flag still flapping jauntily above the destruction made her captain believe the worst had happened.

Ritchie lowered his telescope and reported, "E wants to know, sir. What ship are you?'

Goss, bare-headed and black with filth from top to toe, was sipping tea at the rear of the bridge. He looked at Lindsay's tired face and winked.

Then he said to Ritchie, Make to Canopus. This is H.M.S. Benbecula.' He turned away in case Lindsay should see his eyes.The finest ship in the company.'

End