The Uncertain Years by Beryl Matthews Read Free Book Online

were told, and they soon found out that many of them were on leave from Norway. Jim and Stan didn’t ask what had happened to the men they were replacing.
    ‘What’s it like out there?’ Jim asked a man called Frank Singleton who had just come up with drinks for them.
    ‘Cold, but it could turn out to be a hot spot quite soon.’He downed the pint in one go and held up his empty glass. ‘Come on, you’re lagging behind. Drink up and have another one.’
    ‘I’ll get them.’ Jim and Stan stood up together.
    Jim pushed his friend down again. ‘These are on me.’
    By the time he got back with a tray of drinks, someone was playing the piano and they all joined in the singing.
    ‘Good Lord,’ Stan shouted in Jim’s ear after he’d handed round the drinks. ‘We’re never going to be able to keep up with this lot. I think they’ve got hollow legs.’
    ‘They certainly can drink, and they know how to enjoy themselves,’ said Jim with a laugh.
    ‘And I bet they know how to fight.’ Stan was suddenly serious. ‘They haven’t said what they’ve been up to, but I’ve got a strong impression they’ve been in the front line somewhere. They’re just letting off steam tonight. We’ve got a lot to learn from them.’
    ‘And we will.’ Jim slapped his friend on the back and raised his glass. ‘You know I didn’t want to be a paratrooper, but I’m glad it’s turned out this way now.’
    ‘So am I.’ Stan chuckled. ‘And I volunteered for this lot.’
    ‘You did? Good Lord, you’re a brave man.’ They grinned at each other and settled back to enjoy a riotous evening, feeling quite at home already.
     
    The next morning they didn’t have time to worry about a hangover, as they climbed into a plane and flew to Scotland.
    For the next week they climbed mountains in freezing conditions, and ploughed through the snow in mock battles, until they were exhausted.
    Stan slithered over to Jim’s position on his stomach. ‘Captain says there’s a gun emplacement on that ridge, and he wants us to put it out of action.’
    ‘Just us?’
    ‘Yep.’ Stan grinned. ‘But he said not to worry because they’ll be right behind us as back-up. They’re toughening us up. Do you feel tough?’
    ‘All I feel is cold and hungry.’ Jim studied the terrain. ‘Let’s get this done. There’s more cover to the left, and we might have a better chance of getting up there without being seen.’
    ‘Good idea.’ His friend pursed his lips thoughtfully. ‘Mind you, they’ll be expecting an attack from that direction so why don’t we try to get behind them, then we might take them by surprise.’
    ‘Let’s give it a go and hope we don’t make fools of ourselves.’
    Much to their delight and relief, their plan worked. They were aware it had been a test, and both of them were desperate not to fail. If this had been a real situation then their lives would have been at risk, so they moved as if that was the case.
    With manoeuvres over for the day, they piled into the trucks and went back to camp. After a shower, change of clothes and a good meal inside them, their fatigue was forgotten.
    After drinking down a pint as if they hadn’t had a drink for weeks, Jim laughed. ‘We’re learning, Stan. Not only how to relax when we have a chance, but more importantly we’re finding out how to survive in harsh conditions.’
    ‘I’ve no doubt that’s something we’re going to be able to put to use quite soon.’ Stan didn’t look too disturbed about the prospect.
    Jim merely nodded, wondering just what was ahead of them and how Bob was getting on.
     
    The ship Bob boarded in Liverpool dock hadn’t looked as big as he’d expected, and it was even smaller inside as the crew found bunks and stowed their gear. Still, she was built for the job she had to do, and he was glad to have been assigned to the destroyer.
    ‘Hey, Bob.’ Reg pushed his way over. They’d been together since the first day and had become good friends.