pause before Marc took up the challenge. ‘First of all, sir, we’re facing a superior enemy. That means every able-bodied person has to do their bit.’
‘I saw what happened with the invasion in France,’ Joel said. ‘Whole towns turned to rubble. Dead people and animals everywhere. If the Germans do invade Britain, it’ll be worse for us than going undercover in France.’
‘I see,’ Captain Ramsgate said. ‘But working undercover could be extremely dangerous. If you were captured you could be tortured mercilessly. Have you really considered the consequences?’
Marc showed his missing front tooth. ‘We’ve all been in France, we know what it’s like. I’ve had a tooth ripped out by the Gestapo. Paul and Rosie’s dad died, then their boat got bombed. Joel had family in Germany who’ve all been beaten up because they’re Jewish.’
‘I agree with Marc,’ Paul said. ‘I’d rather fight and die than sit on my bum. If the Germans win we’ll suffer ten times as bad.’
As Paul said this, Henderson appeared in the doorway. It was gone nine and he’d come upstairs to make sure that all the kids were going to bed on time. He was stunned by the sight of Captain Ramsgate on the corner of Rosie’s bed.
‘I thought you were arriving tomorrow,’ Henderson said warily, as he saluted the captain and then shook his hand.
Captain Ramsgate laughed. ‘To see the freshly polished floors and watch a parade of neatly dressed boys, no doubt!’
Henderson’s stance shifted awkwardly. ‘Well, sir, it’s rather what’s expected under these circumstances.’
‘Yes,’ Captain Ramsgate said. ‘But I think I’ve learned a good deal more chatting with your young trainees. They’re a bright bunch, no doubt about it, and raring to go undercover. I look forward to seeing them perform in the field tomorrow. Now perhaps you’d be kind enough to find me a bed for the night?’
‘Yes,’ Henderson said, his voice sounding warmer than before as he realised that Captain Ramsgate’s unconventional approach made him more likely to take a positive view of his espionage unit. ‘Perhaps you’d like a drink at the house first, and I can introduce you to Superintendent McAfferty.’
‘I like the sound of that!’ Captain Ramsgate replied.
As the two officers turned towards the door, PT stepped away from the table. ‘One moment, Captain Ramsgate.’
When the captain turned around he was surprised to see that PT held a calfskin wallet, a set of keys and a military identity card bearing his own picture.
‘Yours, I believe, Captain,’ PT said. ‘Your wife and daughter are both very pretty.’
Ramsgate’s mouth gaped as he felt inside his trouser pockets to confirm that his things were really gone. ‘Well, I’ll be darned,’ he laughed. ‘So I’m not the only one who knows a few tricks, eh?’
But Henderson seemed cross. ‘PT, using your pickpocketing skills on a senior officer is not appropriate behaviour. You’re lucky he’s taking it in such good humour.’
‘I didn’t take anything,’ PT explained. ‘But I had to check that you were who you said you were. You might have been a German storm trooper for all we knew.’
Captain Ramsgate and Henderson both laughed. ‘What would you have done if I was?’ the captain asked.
Joel answered. ‘Commander Henderson showed us how to make garrottes out of chicken wire last week. I’ve still got my one under my bed.’
‘They’ll take your head clean off if you twist hard enough,’ PT added, before making a dramatic choking noise.
‘OK, that’s enough, you lot,’ Henderson smiled. ‘You should have been in bed and lights out ten minutes ago and we’ve got a busy day tomorrow.’
Captain Ramsgate spoke discreetly as Henderson opened the door out on to the hallway. ‘I’m desperate for a tinkle.’
‘No problem, sir,’ Henderson said. ‘There’s one just down the hall. Our facilities are newly installed and quite impressive, even if I do say so myself.’
The two men were all smiles as they headed down the hallway. Back in the bedroom, PT, Paul, Marc and Rosie gawped desperately at each other.
‘They’ll find Luc!’ Paul said.
‘Maybe they won’t,’ Troy said encouragingly. ‘He might be asleep or something. But remember, I had nothing to do with it, and I’d better get back to my room. Goodnight!’
‘Dammit!’ Marc said, as he crashed backwards on to his bed. ‘We’re right in the shit now.’
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Captain Ramsgate’s early arrival had scuppered Henderson’s plans for an elaborate display, but he was too busy to deal with the incident in the showers and an unspecified punishment hung over the trainees’ heads as they rose early and completed their normal