A Regimental Affair (24 page)

‘I know, but you’re too grown up not to know better.’

Ginny remained silent. She knew Netta was right but she wasn’t up for a lecture on the subject; she was feeling too raw and too hungover for anything other than sympathy.

‘So when are you coming over to see us?’ demanded Netta.

‘Soon, I promise.’

‘I thought you might come at Christmas.’

‘I know but I did explain. Apart from problems with travel if the weather really clamped down, I honestly didn’t think you would want me there if you were about to go into labour. Anyway, Petroc wouldn’t want me getting under his feet if you weren’t there.’

‘Don’t be so silly. You know he loves you to bits. And you don’t get under his feet, you’re always a great help.’

‘Maybe. But you don’t need me. You’ve got Petroc’s mum and all his relations to help you out. When the novelty of the new baby wears off and they stop rushing around to help, I’ll come. I’ll come in the spring, I promise.’

‘You better had. It’s been a year now since we’ve seen you and it’s too long. The kids can hardly remember what you look like or even who you are.’

‘I promise. Neither hell nor high water will keep me away. I’ll put in for three weeks’ leave, if you can bear to have me for that long, so it gives me ample travelling time too.’

‘You’re on.’

Chapter Fifteen

Debbie was buying some tonic water in the NAAFI when she ran into Sarah. Sarah seemed to be on a similar mission but she was also stocking up with inordinate quantities of bread, beans, and cereal.

‘It’s having the kids home,’ explained Sarah as Debbie glanced in her trolley. I give them three square meals a day and yet they seem to spend the intervening hours consuming vast plates of beans on toast or huge bowls of cornflakes.’

‘I expect they’re growing,’ said Debbie, who couldn’t imagine what it would be like to have kids as old as Sarah’s. They seemed so terribly grown-up compared to Danny.

‘Jen had better watch that she only grows upwards and not outwards,’ said Sarah. ‘At her age it’s all too easy to develop a bit of podge.’

‘But didn’t I see them out for a run with their father yesterday? If they’re doing all that exercise then surely they can eat loads too?’

‘Maybe. Listen, I’m glad I ran into you.’ Sarah had a quick glance around the shop to see if they might be overheard. ‘Is something up with Ginny? Alisdair says I’m imagining things but she doesn’t seem right to me. You’re a friend of hers. Do you know what’s going on?’

Debbie wasn’t about to betray any confidences but equally she wanted to know what Sarah’s suspicions were. ‘In what way?’ she asked.

‘I don’t know. But I noticed she didn’t turn up to Alice’s and Bob’s drinks …’

‘She
was
duty officer,’ interrupted Debbie.

‘I know but she could have dropped in for a few minutes. And she’s asked for a posting.
And
I noticed that she seemed quite upset the other evening at Taz’s.’

‘Just a bit maudlin I think,’ said Debbie lightly.

Sarah gave her a hard stare. ‘I think it’s more than that. To me it seems as though something happened while they were out in Kosovo and I think someone has done something to really upset her. Should I ask Alisdair to have a word with her?’

‘No!’ Sarah looked startled by the vehemence of Debbie’s reply. ‘No, don’t bother him. I’m sure it’s something trivial and it’ll blow over.’

‘It can hardly be trivial if she’s after a posting. Is there something going on between Ginny and someone else in the regiment?’

Debbie really didn’t want to continue this conversation. It was getting into seriously dodgy territory. She pretended to look at her watch. ‘Look, I’m going to have to dash. I’ve left Richard holding the baby, so to speak, and I promised I wouldn’t be long.’ Debbie made her way to the checkout to pay and as she did so she was aware that Sarah was staring after her, apparently deep in thought.

When Debbie got home she put the tonic away in the cupboard and then leant against the kitchen sink and gazed the length of the garden, although she didn’t see the bleak wintry scene. Things were getting serious. Sarah was beginning to put two and two together, and if she was, then how many other people were noticing and coming to some sort of conclusion? And what about Richard? He really ought to know that matters in the regimental headquarters were far from plain sailing. For heaven’s sake, he worked with both of them and he had a right to know. If the shit hit the fan he would be one of the main people who would have to cope with the mess. But, if she told him, she would be betraying Ginny’s trust. And things were further complicated by Richard’s position in the regiment. As the adjutant, he was the CO’s right-hand man. He was the link between the junior officers and the CO and he was expected to know of anything that might upset the smooth running of the unit and tell the CO before things came to a head. But wouldn’t it put Richard in an impossible position if he had to tell his boss that there were rumours about one of his officers and him? Debbie groaned.

‘Aren’t you feeling well?’ said Richard, just behind her. Debbie jumped as if she had been touched by a cattle prod.

‘God!’ she shrieked. ‘Don’t creep up on me like that.’

‘I didn’t creep,’ said Richard, aggrieved. ‘I walked into the kitchen perfectly normally. You were miles away. Anyway, back to my original question – don’t you feel well?’

‘Why do you ask?’

‘Because people don’t normally groan for no reason.’

‘Oh.’

‘So?’

‘I was just thinking about something.’

‘And?’

‘Nothing really.’

‘Liar. Something is really bugging you. I’ve seen you deep in thought a few times recently. So, tell me what it is.’

‘No.’

Richard put his hands on her shoulders. ‘You’re worrying me. If something is getting to you, I want to know. It can’t be anything so bad that we can’t overcome it.’

‘It’s not to do with us.’ She saw Richard’s face clear a little. ‘Honestly, I’m worried about someone I know. They’ve done something a bit silly and I’m not sure how to help. Or even if I should. OK?’

‘So, who is it?’

‘I can’t say.’

‘I see.’ His face hardened, resentful at being shut out.

‘Honest, it’s not important.’

‘But it has to be, because it’s worrying you.’

‘Well, it isn’t.’

‘Is it someone I know?’ Debbie wasn’t going to lie to Richard so she didn’t say anything in reply. ‘Is it someone in the regiment?’

‘Please, Richard, don’t keep asking me. I’m not going to tell you.’ And, although a few moments earlier, she had been undecided about whether to tell Richard, she suddenly made up her mind that he didn’t need to know. Or at least, he didn’t need to know unless Ginny did something even more foolish. As things stood, it looked like Ginny had accepted that the affair was not going to continue, and that the best thing for her to do was to quietly leave the scene. Debbie might tell Richard after she had gone but wasn’t going to right now.

‘If you’re not telling me, it’s because this isn’t just a bit of gossip is it? If I find out I might have to take action, is that it?’ Debbie shrugged. ‘So it
is
someone here.’ Debbie remained shtum. ‘And it’s got to be an officer.’ Richard’s face lightened as the answer came to him. ‘It’s Ginny, isn’t it?’

‘Please, Richard. I can’t tell you what it’s about. I’d be breaking my promise to her. Believe me, if she wanted you to know she’d tell you herself.’

‘Is this about her wanting a posting?’

‘I’m not telling you anything.’

Richard began to get exasperated. ‘For heaven’s sake, Debs, I’m her adjutant.’

‘Yes, and I’m her friend.’

‘What on earth was it that made her so unhappy all of a sudden?’

But still Debbie kept quiet. She wasn’t going to let the cat out of the bag.

Richard began to think out loud. ‘Why would a normally bouncy woman suddenly become miserable and introverted?’ He stared at Debbie as if he expected her to provide the answer. ‘Oh, God! How could I be so stupid? It was love, wasn’t it? Someone ditched her –
that’s
why she wants to leave. So, who was it?’

‘What?’

‘I want to know who it was. Ginny’s the best regimental admin officer I’ve ever come across. I’d far rather we got rid of the little toe-rag who has screwed Ginny up than lose her.’

‘I can’t possibly tell you.’

‘Why?’

She looked away. ‘Because I don’t know who it is.’ There. She’d lied, but if she gave Richard a clue that she did know, he’d try and worm it out of her.

Richard had seen Debbie look away from him. ‘You’re lying,’ he said.

Another silence.

‘I’m going to have to ring the CO about this.’

‘Don’t.’

‘This is something that is going to affect the regiment and he has a right to know.’

‘Trust me. Don’t.’

‘Debbie, this isn’t just about Ginny. This is about the regiment too. The regiment is bigger than just one woman, even if she is a good friend of yours. The colonel isn’t going to have a go at Ginny. She’ll probably never even know that he knows. But the regiment must come before an individual.’

‘Bollocks,’ said Debbie. ‘I don’t care what twaddle you spout at me about the regiment. Please, just take my advice and don’t go to the colonel.’

They glared at each other until Richard realised that Debbie wasn’t going to give in and he walked out of the kitchen in a huff, muttering to himself.

The subject of their altercation was blissfully unaware of the ructions she had caused and was cheerfully tucking in to a gin and tonic at Taz’s house. Taz was frying some chopped onions and Ginny was sitting at the kitchen table watching her hostess stir them around with a wooden spatula. Amelia was sitting in her high chair gnawing on a breadstick.

‘It’s paella. I hope you like it,’ said Taz.

‘Sounds scrummy.’

‘It’s something Amelia will eat too.’

‘What very sophisticated tastes you have,’ said Ginny, addressing the little girl. Amelia gave her a smile displaying her tiny, perfect teeth and pushed her breadstick in Ginny’s direction. Ginny pretended to nibble it and then pushed it back to Amelia who giggled deliciously and demanded that the game be repeated.

Taz watched them for a while as she stirred. Then she said, ‘So how come you’re so good with kids?’

‘I’ve a sister with a huge brood. And I like kids.’

‘Don’t you want some of your own?’

‘Well …’ Ginny shrugged. ‘One day, perhaps.’ Taz looked at her and Ginny knew what she was thinking. ‘I know, I’m no spring chicken.’

‘I wasn’t thinking anything of the sort.’

‘Liar,’ said Ginny with a smile to show there were no hard feelings. ‘It’s just a question of finding Mr Right.’

‘It isn’t always essential,’ said Taz, indicating Amelia. She pulled a green pepper on to a chopping board and began to deseed and slice it.

‘Maybe not for you, but in my job there’s so much upheaval and going away suddenly, it just wouldn’t be fair on a kid not to have at least one parent providing a bit of stability.’

‘So, with all those men to pick from, you still haven’t found the right one.’

‘Pathetic, isn’t it?’

‘No one even close?’ Taz swept the little bits of pepper into the pan with the onions and reached for a tin of tomatoes.

‘Well …’

Taz opened the can and tipped it into the mixture. ‘So, what does “well” mean?’

‘I found him but I couldn’t have him.’

‘Unfortunate.’

‘Very.’

Taz saw that Ginny’s glass was empty and reached for the gin bottle. ‘How about the other half?’ she offered.

‘Great.’ Amelia held up her hands to show that she’d now finished her breadstick. ‘Ginny, be a poppet and get Amelia another stick out of that cupboard by you.’

While Ginny was engaged doing that, Taz sloshed a vast slug of booze into Ginny’s glass and topped it up with tonic and some more ice. She handed it to Ginny, who took it with thanks.

‘Cor, that’s a meaty one,’ said Ginny after she’d tasted it.

‘Oh, I’m sorry, is it too strong?’ said Taz, innocently.

‘Good job I’m not driving.’ But she didn’t complain. After all, it was the weekend, she was off duty, and she didn’t even have to contemplate work until Monday. The thought that on Monday she would have to face Bob again made a knot of apprehension grip her. She frowned involuntarily.

‘Something wrong?’ asked Taz.

‘No. I just remembered something I wish I hadn’t.’

‘Which was?’

‘Work on Monday.’

‘Ah. That would certainly explain it.’

Taz turned her attention to her paella and Ginny played with Amelia again. After a minute or two Taz said, ‘So why couldn’t you have your Mr Right, if you don’t mind me asking?’

‘The usual. He’s married.’

‘And the army doesn’t approve of that, I take it.’

‘They’ll turn a blind eye if the marriage is on the rocks and the affair pretty much happens as the divorce becomes inevitable. However, affairs between male and female officers when the spouse of one still thinks the marriage is OK aren’t generally considered to be favourable to one’s career.’

‘But if you love each other isn’t it worth sacking the career?’

‘I would. He’s got a bit more to lose.’ Ginny didn’t know why she was telling Taz all this. Part of her wondered if it was the gin loosening her tongue, or whether it was because Taz was nothing to do with the army and couldn’t possibly affect anything.

Taz put the lid on the paella, turned the heat down and left it to simmer. Then she lifted Amelia out of her chair, picked up her glass with her barely touched drink and said, ‘Let’s go through to the sitting room so Amelia can play with her toys and we can chat in comfort while lunch finishes cooking.’

Suddenly Ginny found the idea of unburdening herself to someone completely unconnected with everything extremely appealing. And Taz was so sympathetic – and such a good listener.

Richard waited until Debbie took Danielle to the swing park before he phoned Bob that afternoon.

‘I’m sorry to bother you at home, Colonel,’ he began, ‘but I need to talk to you about something a bit tricky.’

‘Now?’

‘Well …’