The Fourth Estate

“My demob papers should be through fairly soon,” Dick said as he checked his Windsor knot in the mirror. “Three months at the most, Colonel Oakshott assured me.”

“Three more months?” said Charlotte in disbelief.

“Something’s come up that could turn out to be very important for our future.”

“And as usual I suppose you can’t tell me what it is.”

“No. It’s top secret.”

“How very convenient,” said Charlotte. “Every time I want to discuss what’s happening in our life, all you say is ‘Something’s come up.’ And when I ask you for details, you always tell me it’s top secret.”

“That’s not fair,” said Dick. “It is top secret. And everything I am trying to achieve will in the end be for you and David.”

“How would you know? You’re never here when I put David to bed, and you’ve left for the office long before he wakes up in the morning. He sees so little of you nowadays that he’s not sure if it’s you or Private Benson who’s his father.”

“I have responsibilities,” said Dick, his voice rising.

“Yes,” said Charlotte. “Responsibilities to your family. And the most important one must surely be to get us out of this godforsaken city as soon as possible.”

Dick put on his khaki jacket and turned round to face her. “I’m still working on it. It’s not easy at the moment. You must try to understand.”

“I think I understand only too well, because it seems remarkably easy for a lot of other people I know. And as Der Telegraf keeps reminding us, trains are now leaving Berlin at least twice a day. Perhaps David and I should catch one.”

“What do you mean by that?” shouted Dick, advancing toward her.

“Quite simply that you might just come home one night and find you no longer have a wife and child.”

Dick took another step toward her and raised his fist, but she didn’t flinch. He stopped and stared down into her eyes.

“Going to treat me the same way you treat anyone below the rank of captain, are you?”

“I don’t know why I bother,” said Dick, lowering his fist. “You don’t give me any support when I most need it, and whenever I try to do something for you, you just complain all the time.” Charlotte didn’t blanch. “Go back to your family if you want to, you stupid bitch, but don’t think I’ll come running after you.” He stormed out of the bedroom, grabbed his peaked hat and swagger stick from the hall stand, ran down the stairs and strode out of the front door. Benson was sitting in the jeep, engine running, waiting to drive him to the office.

“And where the bloody hell do you imagine you’d end up if you left me?” Armstrong said as he climbed into the front seat.

“I beg your pardon, sir?” said Benson.

Armstrong turned to face his driver and said, “Are you married, Reg?”

“No, sir. Hitler saved me just in time.”

“Hitler?”

“Yes, sir, I was called up three days before the wedding.”

“Is she still waiting for you?”

“No, sir. She married my best mate.”

“Do you miss her?”

“No, but I miss him.”

Armstrong laughed as Benson drew up outside the office.

The first person he came across as he walked into the building was Sally. “Did you get my message?” she asked.

Armstrong stopped immediately. “What message?”