Darkest Hour by James Holland Read Free Book Online Page A

had been flattened and broken stems
hung limply, clearly showing where something heavy had rolled across -
something like a man's body. And on the road there were faint footprints where
dew-sodden boots had trodden. So there was a
fourth man, thought Tanner. How easy it must have been: the corner
was almost at right angles; the bowser would have had to slow down almost to a
stop to turn. Then, before it had built up speed again, the driver had simply
jumped out. Ahead, to the roadblock and beyond, the road was dead straight so
the lorry had thundered towards Ellis. Whoever had jumped from the cab would
have had all the time in the world to make good his escape and, with the bowser
full of fuel, the inevitable crash, when it came, would cause an explosion that
should have killed the three men still in the cab. Jesus ,
thought Tanner, as he went back to the checkpoint. The Pole had been telling
the truth.
    When he reached the others, he was still deep in
thought. He pulled out a cigarette, then heard the sound of screeching tyres
from the direction of the hotel, followed by shouts and the gunning of a car
engine. 'For God's sake, what now?' he said. He heard more shouts, then saw a
car's dim headlights approaching.
    'Bloody hell, this one's not going to stop either!'
yelled McAllister.
    'Yes, it bloody well is,' said Tanner, striding into
the centre of the road and shining his torch directly at the vehicle.
    It made no attempt to slow down or stop. Tanner took
his rifle from his shoulder, pulled back the bolt and fired a warning shot into
the air, but still the saloon came towards him.
    'Watch out, Sarge!' said Hepworth. The driver swerved,
but Tanner was forced to leap out of harm's way. He heard laughter as the car
drove on and cursed to himself. Then, having regained his composure, he drew
the rifle to his shoulder, aimed at the rear wheel, pulled back the bolt again
and squeezed the trigger.
    The shot cracked loudly in the still early-morning
air. There was another report as the left rear tyre burst. The car lurched from
side to side, ran off the road and eventually came to a halt in the hedge a
hundred yards ahead.
    'Blimey, Sarge, what have you done?' said Hepworth.
    Tanner slung his rifle back on his shoulder.
'Hopefully taught them to respect checkpoints, Hep.' With McAllister and
Hepworth, Tanner jogged down the road to the car. The men who had been inside
were already staggering about beside it. One was being sick into the hedge.
    An officer, clutching his forehead with his handkerchief,
strode awkwardly towards them. 'What the bloody hell d'you think you're playing
at?' He swayed; he could barely stand.
    'We'll get the truck and take you home, sir,' said
Tanner, noticing squadron leader's rings on his jacket cuffs.
    'No, you'll bloody well tell me what the hell you were
doing.' He had taken a step forward so Tanner could smell the alcohol on his
breath and felt spittle spray his cheek. Wiping his face, he said, 'Mac, go and
get the truck.'
    'Sarge,' said McAllister, and hurried off.
    'Is this the bastard who shot at us?' said another
man, staggering towards Tanner.
    'We'll be getting you home in a minute, sir,' said
Tanner.
    The man, a flight lieutenant, stood beside the
squadron leader, and pushed Tanner in the chest. He took a step backwards, his
anger rising.
    'Who the bloody hell do you soldiers think you are?'
said the flight lieutenant. He shoved Tanner again, then made to punch him, but
Tanner saw it coming and stepped deftly to one side. The pilot lost balance and
fell over onto the road. He heard Hepworth laugh.
    'So you think it's funny, do you?' slurred the
squadron leader. 'Let me tell you this, sonny, you won't be laughing tomorrow
when your CO hears about it. You won't be laughing at all.' He stabbed a finger
at Hepworth. 'And as for you, Sergeant,' he said, turning to Tanner, 'you're
going to regret your men firing on us like that.' He tugged at the stripes on
Tanner's sleeve. 'Think you might not be