1
Disaster Strikes

15th February 1941

It was just dusk as the small group of Hunt Class destroyers entered harbour on this February evening in 1941. The leader HMS Melksham commanded by the flotilla captain Capt the Lord Radcliffe led the weary battle stained   half flotilla into Portsmouth harbour. The leader was closely   followed   by HMS Corsham and three other destroyers of the group when suddenly and without warning out of the low rain cloud came a small formation of ME 109’s. machine guns and cannon blazing as they strafed the sitting targets below them.

The shore AA batteries opened up quickly and two ME 109s bit the dust, crashing on a nearby   beach but the damage had been done. The bridge of three of the destroyers had been severely strafed, and although the material damage to the ships was minimal, they left behind a large number of  dead and wounded men, both on the bridge and on the focsle where seaman were busily getting the ships ready for berthing... 

It was early in the war and the Royal Navy still had much to learn about defending ships entering and leaving harbour. In particular the ever present dangers of entering harbour when they were in close formation, in a narrow channel.

 The ships gunners quite naturally were also thinking more about the next run ashore or being home with their families and being able to relax for a few days, rather than the possibility of imminent attack from the air... 

They all knew that the ships were earmarked for a short refit, and an increase to their anti aircraft armament, and so obviously the possibility of a few days leave was foremost in their minds. The war in the Atlantic and on the East Coast against E Boats was hotting up, and the destroyers and their ships companies  were being worked to the limit of their capabilities. The shortage of suitable convoy escorts put more pressure on these small destroyers, and they were being asked to do a job which was largely beyond their design capability.

Chaos rained on HMS Melksham as Lord Radcliffe the Captain, and his First Lieutenant were killed outright together with both the lookouts. In addition the Yeoman of Signals Tony Nash was badly wounded and was the only member of the bridge complement still barely alive as the ship yawed off course. 

Tony Nash seeing the ship veering towards the harbour wall, just seconds away from disaster quickly realised that if the ship sank here, it would block the entrance to this vital harbour.  Despite being badly wounded, and losing a lot of  blood, he managed to get to the voice pipe to tell the Coxswain to reduce speed and alter course, at the same time he told the Coxswain that all the bridge officers were dead or badly wounded before he too collapsed in a pool of blood.  

It was about two days later that Tony gradually woke, to the cloying smell of disinfectant and rubber bed sheets and became aware of his surroundings in the naval Hospital at Haslar. He was in a lot of pain and he struggled to get to grips mentally with what had happened to him. In the following days he had a number of mates from the ship visit him, who told him that the ship itself was not too badly damaged but the attack had killed over 20 sailors from both the Melksham and the Corsham. He was however being credited with saving the ship, and the new captain had recommended him for an award ; his prompt action having saved the ship from going aground or sinking and closing the harbour entrance.

It was two days later that he was eventually told that his best friend Alan Stokes who was the Yeoman of Signals on the Corsham had died from his wounds. Tony was heartbroken,   Alan and Tony were like brothers both having been brought up in the same orphanage, and they had come through their naval training together.  Alan had recently married, Tonys ex girlfriend, and his wife Joan was living in Portsmouth. Tony had quite naturally been his best man at the wedding. Alan and Joan had only had two nights of married life before they had sailed on another east coast convoy.

 Tony like Alan had no home or known relatives. He had been found abandoned on a doorstep in Central London on the day he was born on September 10th 1918 he was only a few hours old when he was found... He had been told as he grew up in a London orphanage that he had probably been born a proper cockney, as he had been born within the sound of the Bow Bells. Nothing had been left indicating his identity, the only thing that he now had was the knitted shawl that he had been wrapped in. Now the only valued possession he had from his childhood days.

His name had been given to him by the orphanage, and despite extensive searches, no trace of his parents was ever found, and as the years passed Tony gave up his half hearted search for his parents and concentrated on his naval career...  

It was there in the orphanage that he had first met his best friend Alan Stokes. Alan was an orphan and had come to the Dr Barnardos orphanage when his parents had been killed in a house fire. Both boys got on well, and being roughly the same age they became almost inseparable as they grew up. In their early teens they had been sent to the SS Arethusa which was a boys naval training ship which specialized in taking young boys who were orphans, and who had an interest in joining the Royal Navy or the Merchant Marine. It was run by a sea -faring charity, and they gave the boys a good basic education and grounding in seamanship. When he was sixteen they had both qualified for entrance to HMS Ganges the Royal Navy boys training barracks at Shotley nr Ipswich.

 HMS Ganges was a hell hole; the discipline was dire, and in many ways was more akin to a prison than a training ship. Instructors carried rope ends or sticks and boys were frequently beaten for minor offences. The officers turned a blind eye to the instructors disciplinary misdemeanors no doubt feeling that they knew what they were doing.   However, the technical training was good, and Tony was also able to improve his basic educational skills while he was there, and he survived to join his first ship together with Alan as a boy signalman in 1935.

The pre-war years saw them gain a lot of useful experience on a number of ships and qualify for their leading rate. With the outbreak of war and the rapid expansion of the Royal Navy, and after qualifying at the Signal School. Tony and Alan both got quick promotion to Yeoman of Signals and they were both well on his way to becoming a Chief Yeoman.

It was Tony that had introduced Alan to his wife Joan. She had been Tonys girlfriend for At the time  but after meeting  Joan and Alan   had clicked and although at the time Tony had been sad at losing Joan to Alan, he was happy that Alan had married a girl who would make him a good wife. Her family liked Alan and the future looked bright for them both. They had both wanted a family, but alas time had been against them.

Tony was devastated that he could not go to the funeral. He was bed bound and the doctors told him that it would be weeks before he could walk, if he ever walked again.  The doctors told him that there was a lot of work to be done in reconstructing his knee.  

A   few days after Alans funeral a disconsolate Joan came to visit him. She was heartbroken and she told Tony that she had hoped that she would be pregnant after their honeymoon, but it did not happen. Her family had been very supportive and wanted her to go home to live with them.  Tonys heart went out to Joan. She had been a bright lively girl before Alans death, but she had changed; now she was much quieter, she was still a very pretty girl, but she had lost that vital spark which had first attracted Alan.

Then one day she said “Alan gave me this ring to give to you before he sailed. The lady that he bought it from said the ring had very special and very powerful qualities, to the right owner. Apparently she said the owner must use those qualities to do good and must use the unique powers of the ring with care and discretion. She said the special qualities would give him protection against evil.   Apparently Joan said the old lady would not elaborate on what those qualities were. Alan had worn the ring for about three months, but he did not find any of the qualities that the lady enumerated, so he then decided to give the ring to you in the hope that it would bring you some luck and happiness.” 

Alan thanked her and put the ring on straight away. He was pleased to have something personal of Alans to remember him by. As soon as he put the ring on his finger he felt a tingling sensation through his body, the nagging pain in his knee also seemed to diminish, and for the first time in a while, he felt mentally very relaxed. As soon as Joan had left Tony examined the ring with great care. It seemed to be made of silver or a metal that looked like silver and had small emblems engraved around the outside that could probably have been Arabic.

Then just as he replaced the ring on his finger he had a vision of an elderly bearded man in a robe who said to Tony.  “Welcome my son to the power of the ring. This ring will only help you if you use it for good. It will warn you against danger to yourself, and others close to you, and as time goes on you will find that the ring has many beneficial qualities. If you abuse the rings powers then those powers will disappear. By using the ring for good you will find that the powers will gradually increase. The ring has a terrific potential to the right owner. The ring will warn you only once if you attempt to misuse its powers. You will not get a second warning.”

As Tony came back to reality he heard a nurse say “Tony what happened, you were in some form of trance?” Tony grinned at her and said. “No nurse   I was only daydreaming.”   

Soon Joan was visiting Tony every day and bringing him little gifts of fruit and books, and gradually she took over doing his personal chores like doing his washing, and then she progressed to giving him a very possessive kiss on the cheek and a hug when she arrived and before she left. The doctors were astounded at the pace at which his knee was healing, and now they were more confident that his recovery would be quicker than they had anticipated. They told him that he probably would always have a limp, and may have to use a stick but they were confident that sometime in the near future he would walk again. 

Then one day when Joan was visiting him Tony suddenly found  he could read her mind. What he saw was an image of Joan and Alan having an affair behind his back while he was still going out with her and Alan was saying to her. 
“You must tell Tony about us or I am going to finish with you. He is my best friend, and I will not continue to betray him like this.”

Then one day as he lay in hospital  Tony  got the vision of Joan telling a lady that she was planning to marry Tony as a replacement for Alan. In the vision he heard her say.
 “Tony is good man, and I will be a good wife, to him but he is not like my Alan. I don’t love him like that. I can never love any man like I loved Alan.”

For the first time it hit home just how powerful the ring was becoming in his life. He even considered taking it off, but he hesitated, so far the ring had only done him good. It had done nothing to harm him so Tony decided that he could live with it for a while longer.

At the Tony   felt quite shattered by the vision, it took him some days to come to grips with what he had seen and he was quite determined not to be trapped into marriage with Joan. He realised that the power of the ring had given him a warning about Joans intentions.  He was fond of Joan, but he was not in love with her, and he knew it would be a big mistake for both of them, if he were to marry her.” 

One day  shortly after this vision a Naval Commander came in with two photographers and a young lady wearing a WRNS First Officers Uniform, and asked the ward sister if they could speak to Tony.  Joan happened to arrive in the ward at almost at the same time, and followed closely behind them. The commander then approached his bed and asked. 
“You are petty Officer Tony Nash.”
“Yes Sir.” Tony replied.
“I am pleased to inform you that you were recommended for, and have been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. For your action in saving your ship, when it was under attack, although you were severely wounded yourself. May I be the first to offer you my Congratulations?   Now I have some press people here who would like to talk with you, take some photographs and have a brief interview with you. Is that OK?”
“Oh yes sir.”
It was just then that Joan intervened and took over combing his hair and tidying his bed.

The Commander looked a bit confused and said.  “We understood that you are not married.”
“I’m not sir. This lady is the widow of a close friend of mine who was killed the same day on the Corsham.”
“I’m so sorry for your loss.” He said to Joan, then quietly and very diplomatically ushered Joan out of the way telling her that the photographs they were about to take were for the official records.

Then the cameras started to flash.  The young lady then came and sat by the bed. She introduced herself as Sady and told Tony she was with the public relations department of the Port Admirals Staff. She had her note pad and pencil and wrote quickly, while she interviewed Tony about his background, and the events of the day when he was wounded. She ended by telling him that there would be a press release the next day to the national press when a number of bravery awards would be announced, and that he may in due course get notice of an investiture at Buckingham Palace to be presented with his medal by the king himself...

One day after about five weeks in hospital and he had made a significant recovery, the welfare department sent a lady to talk to him.
“I understand that you will be considered soon for possible release but we have a slight problem because you do not have a permanent  home address. Joan quickly intervened and said.
 “Tony will stay with me; I am his closest family now.”  
Tony felt a bit confused and a little angry at Joan’s comments. But he did not want to hurt her feelings by turning her down flat. He realised that staying with Joan may help her overcome her sense of loss over Alan.

Tony said. “I am a bit nervous about going out on my own. Could I try an overnight, or a weekend with Joan first, but I do need to go back to London to continue my search for my parents as soon as I am fit.” The welfare lady seemed relieved and  said. “That seems like a good idea.”  

It was a week later that Tony ventured across the ferry from  Gosport  to Portsmouth with Joan at his side. He was a little tired, and his leg ached and he went to bed quite early. As he entered her apartment Tony had a very clear vision that Joan was planning to seduce him that very night. She had everything carefully planned, he could actually see her in the vision protesting that he was seducing his best friends widow, and attempting in her own way to blame him for the seduction.  The warning upset Tony a bit as he thought it smacked of duplicity on Joans part, but the warning gave Tony a chance to develop a strategy to Joans seduction plot. He had no objection to making love with her, but he was not going to let her use it to coerce him in any way. 

He woke about two hours later as Joan slipped into bed beside him. Tony realised the vision had predicted this would happen.  He had always found Joan a very sexy and very desirable girl, but marriage to Joan was definitely not on his agenda. He was glad that he had been forewarned. He had strong feelings for her as a friend, and was concerned that he did not hurt her. He knew he had to let her down lightly.

He took her in his arms and held her. He could feel her heart beating and he put his head down and started to lick her nipple he could feel it harden and he felt Joan begin to move. 
“Tony dear what are you doing.” 
"You're hard dear and this all wrong I’m your best friend’s widow she exclaimed with feigned surprise, but as she spoke she snuggled closer and kissed him on the cheek.
“But you were the one that got into bed with me Joan.” Tony said quietly.
“Tony darling you know this is all wrong?”
“Yes I know.” Tony said quietly as he released her and said. “Perhaps if that is how you feel  you had better go to your own bed.”
Joan burst into tears. “You don’t want me any more? Is that what you are saying? 
“No Joan I am not saying anything. I just don’t want to cause you any more grief.  I thought you wanted to make love, but we can only do that if it is what you really want.”
 Then just as though she had come to a decision  Joan moved closer to him and  started nibbling his ear her warm breath tickling him, and the exotic smell of her warm body filling his nostrils,.
Then he felt her free hand playing with his cock.

She laughed gently. "Tony I miss Alan a lot. But if we do this we will have to be very careful. You are tempting me, and I love you, and for the first time since Alan died   you are making me feel like a proper woman and making me feel really wanted.  I miss Alan so much and you make me feel as though he is here with me.”

Then she started smothering his face with soft wet kisses as he grabbed her and pulled her over on top of him. She felt very soft and very sexy, her body was warm and still had that smell of a sleepy woman, with just a faint hint of the erotic perfume she had been wearing the night before."

Within minutes she was laying between his legs. She was rubbing her body hard against him and he was enjoying the feel of this sexy female against his body. He could not think about her as Joan his best friends wife. He wondered whether Alan would approve if he was looking down on them..

She whispered “Oh Tony I know this is all wrong but I want you badly.” Tony could feel her body rubbing against his cock 
"Yes Joan, I want you to." he said.
He looked up at her and it was his turn to smile as he saw the lust in her eyes.  She leaned over and gave him a smile and a long passionate kiss on the lips. 

Tony gazed into her eyes as he kissed her back, he realised then just how beautiful Joan was. He knew in his heart, that if they made love  now,  it would probably not be the last time. He wondered whether he should stop, but he could not ignore her wishes now. He knew that if he stopped she would feel rejected and he knew also that he had to try and let her down lightly, if he decided that their union was not to be.  She gazed down at him her eyes showing her indecision, she was panting a little bit and a look of concentration in her eyes    Then she bent down and once again their lips met. He somehow knew then that she had made a momentous decision and they were destined to become lovers at least for the present.

At the same time he felt his cock slip between her legs and rub against the lips of her vulva. The warm sticky moistness, told him that playtime was over and that she wanted him to get down to business.“
Are you ready?” he asked
She gave a wide-eyed little nod of her head.
"Then put me in "  He said quietly.

She reached down shuffling her body a little as she grabbed his cock and lined it up with the entrance to her love tunnel. She held his cock in a firm but  gentle grip. She rubbed him up and down her vulva lips. She placed him at the entrance to her pussy, taking her weight on her hands as they rested on his hips

Gradually she let her body sink on to his cock until he could go no farther. She started moving up and down gently and within seconds he knew she was having her first orgasm, as she came with a little wail of contentment..

Tony pushed against her to prolong her orgasm, when she finished cumming she looked up at him in awe. She put her arm up and pulled his face down to kiss him.
“That was fantastic and the first time since I lost Alan."

They spent the next hour proving enjoying each others bodies.  Each time Tony made sure that he did not cum inside her.  She came several times even stronger than before as he did.   Her moans and screams were loud,  and often proving beyond all doubt that she was still capable of enjoying sex.

Joan really was an incredible lover; Tony marveled that she had managed without sex since the loss of Alan.  She seemed to be able to come time after time no matter what he was doing to her. After an hour they both fell back exhausted, she rained long slow passionate kisses on his lips before they fell asleep again with her head still on his shoulder 

Breakfast was a quiet affair and Joan seemed to be rather shy. Eventually she broke the silence 
“I enjoyed last night Tony, but I still feel a bit disloyal to Alan, it is only six weeks since he died, but I know Alan would want us to be together if he had a say. He loved us both, and you are so much like him in so many ways.”

Tony looked at her and said quietly. “Joan I love you, but I am not sure that I am in love with you just yet. We must wait awhile and let some time pass before we can make any life changing decisions. I know however, that you will always be an important part of my life no matter what happens. But you must come to terms with your loss in your own way. I will always be close to you, but neither of us knows what the future may hold.”              

  Chapter 2
Lady Sheila 
*********
It was the photograph of Tony in the Observer newspaper which first caught the eye of Lady Sheila Radcliffe as she ate her breakfast which immediately aroused her interest. Suddenly, as what she was reading sank in she gasped, surely it could not be possible. She left her breakfast and ran to the lounge grabbing an album of old  photographs. She compared the photographs of her husband when he was twenty with the picture in the newspaper .
 “Could it be possible after all this time?” 
Both her and her husband had spent a lot of money over the past years trying to trace her abandoned baby  son, the baby that she had foolishly abandoned as soon as it was born. The searches had been totally ineffective and they had both become quite despondent. She knew that they had made a bad decision. In hindsight, she would gladly have faced the disgrace of having an illegitimate baby, because nothing or no-one could ever have parted her permanently from her beloved Larry.

It had been wholly her decision to abandon the baby,   Larry would have taken the blame willingly and married her, which he had done anyway later, but she was the one who had panicked and insisted on abandoning the baby. Two hours after they had left him on the doctors’ doorstep, she had changed her mind and they went back for him, but he was gone.  Now until just a few moments ago she had almost given up hope of ever finding him, now after losing her beloved husband in an air attack on his ship she was thinking of once again resuming the search. But where could she start? 
The photograph was so much like Larry in his youth that her hopes had been rekindled. It was so like her husband that if she had not known better she would have said that it was a copy of her dead husbands photograph.

In the days of her youth, having an illegitimate baby would have ostracized both her and her fiancé in the eyes of society. Her boyfriend Larry, the father of the baby and later to be her husband and who had also later inherited his fathers’ title of Lord Radcliffe had spent thousands of pounds in a futile search for their abandoned baby son. They had hired private detectives but all to no avail. But at the time the baby was born, they realised that they had panicked, and just left the new born baby on a doctor’s doorstep where it would be found and cared for. The doctor had since died and on-one seemed to have any recollection of finding the baby. It was just as though it had disappeared into thin air. 

The records at local orphanages were vague and often incomplete and so the years had gone by.
Their search had taken on a new urgency when they found that they could not have any more children She had not sought proper medical attention after the birth and that seemed to have been a possible cause of her lack of fertility, and so their marriage had ostensibly been childless and now the title was vacant... 

She could not take her eyes off the photograph in the paper, she read the article time and time again and she kept coming back to the photograph.  She continued her breakfast in an air of introspection. It was a possibility she could not, dare not ignore, according to the newspaper report he was about the right age, and there was no doubt about it, the photograph was so similar to her late husbands’ likeness in his early twenties.

Rising impatience and some little hope, won in the end and she rang the breakfast bell and asked the maid   to send the butler to her straight away.  She told Hammond the butler to go and buy a copy of every newspaper that had an article on the same story.

She waited impatiently and spent the morning reading and re-reading every newspaper she could get hold of that ran the story. Eventually, she was so convinced that she was on the right track, that she rang a friend of her husbands at the Port Admirals office in Portsmouth. 

“Would you like to meet the lad?” He asked.
 “He was the boy who saved your husbands ship from a collision after he was killed although he was badly wounded when Larry was killed.”
“Can you tell me his date of birth?” Her ladyship asked.

“Yes I have his papers here. He was born on the 10th September 1918 and he is an orphan I presume, as he has no next of kin.”
Lady Sheila had to sit down. She felt faint as she gasped into the telephone.
“Bob I think that he may be our son and I may be his mother, but please don’t tell anyone else for the time being.”
“Its OK Sheila old girl.  I will pop round and pick you up and we can have a chat on the way to the hospital.”

Her friend Bob a naval captain and a close friend of her husbands said to her in the car. 
“Look Sheila dear take it easy; let’s find out all we can about him first. You are visiting him as his ex captains widow. He may well be resentful of the fact that his mother just dumped him all those years ago, and he may not want to know you at all; you’ve waited all these years so don’t blow it now. Just wait a bit until you have sounded him out and given him a chance to get to know you.” 

On arrival at the hospital Joan was sitting by Tonys bed, and when the visitors arrived she kissed him possessively on the cheek and on leaving said. 
“I’ll bring you some fresh pyjamas tonight dear.”
 Sheila felt a pang of jealousy as Joan left. After she had left and she had been introduced she could not help but ask. 
“Is that your girlfriend?”  
“No your ladyship, that’s my best friends widow.  Her husband was on the Corsham which was the next ship to ours and he died of his wounds. We had been best friends, just like brothers since we were about eight years old. We met in the orphanage where we were both brought up.”

As soon as Lady Sheila had sat by the bed, Tony had a very powerful vision showing him a picture of a young girl with a tear stained face placing a small bundle wrapped in a white shawl on a doorstep, with a young man in a Midshipman’s uniform at her side looking very sad. The girl bent over and kissed the baby and he heard the young man say.

“Sheila dear you can change your mind. We can keep him and face the disgrace, what does it matter if we stick together.” Lady Sheila had hesitated, but then said “No dear they will not let us see one another again, and they will force me to have the baby adopted anyway, to save the families disgrace. It is better for everyone  this way.”

Tony realised then that the vision was telling him that Lady Sheila was his mother, but he was so confused that he dare not say anything. He badly wanted time to think. The vision ensured that Tony was quite intrigued with Sheila’s visit. Playing a bit for time he said.  
“I’m sorry for your loss your ladyship. The skipper was a good bloke and we got on OK.”
 Tony had a strong sense that she was thinking that he was her son, but frightened to broach  the subject and she also was too scared to talk to him about it.
 
He found that he was reading her thoughts quite clearly and had to smile when his vision told him what she was thinking, as Lady Sheila nearly retorted with the comment that’s good because he was your father, but stopped herself just in time.

After a few minutes the Captain said. “Could you leave us for a few moments Sheila dear as we have some official business to discuss?”
 Sheila very reluctantly left, her heart was beating at twice its normal rate and she was now totally convinced that Tony was her long lost son. She thought deeply about how she would tell him, and then she had an idea.  

Meanwhile Bob had been talking to Tony about his Naval Career. You were one of the early attacks that the Luftwaffe were ordered to make on British ports. The fact that you saved the channel from being blocked and saved a ship from inevitable serious damage or worse was vitally important to us. 
Officially Tony you are going to be medically discharged from the Navy, with that knee we can not afford to let you go to sea again, but you have acquired skills and experience which the admiralty can use in shore establishments during wartime. You will release skilled signal staff for sea going appointments. We are desperately short of people with signals and coding experience. Would you consider staying in the service with an immediate upgrade to “Chief Yeoman of Signals? Or alternatively, you could stay on as a civilian with supervisory responsibilities. You would be graded as Grade D and unfit for sea service if you decided to stay in the service.”

Tony laughed and said. “Well sir its rather funny, because I have just applied to join  the Metropolitan  police force when I am fully fit, and here am I worrying about getting employment when my sick leave is up.. Can we leave it for a while to give me a chance to think it all through, everything is happening too fast for me to make sudden decisions. I have to remember that when the war ends my career in the Navy will be finished, the Police Force however will, give me a continuing career.

When Lady Sheila came back she said. “Tony would you consider coming to stay with me while you convalesce at my country home. It would give us a chance to talk about the ship which was so dear to my husband.”
 
 Tony said. “Thank you lady Sheila, may I think about it. I have had so many offers today I will have to see what the doctors say and give me a chance to think.” 
To Tonys surprise she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. He realised that the vision had been absolutely correct. He wondered how either of them could positively establish the relationship, and then he remembered the shawl which had been given to him by a nurse at the orphanage as a memento. He wondered if she would recognise it.

“You look after yourself Tony.” She said, and with that she rushed out of the ward before she broke into tears of relief and happiness. She was now 100 per cent sure that Tony was her long lost son. It was such a pity that his own fathers death had brought him into the limelight and allowed her to find him at this late date. 

For a long time after her departure Tony pondered the almost impossible circumstance which had brought them together. His mind wandered back to his Captain on the Melksham and the fact that he had probably been his father. However, what he did know about his late father was all positive, and he 
had only good memories of his time on the ship.

He also thought about how they should approach the recognition. He knew with the help of the vision what Lady Sheila thought and he sensed her worries. The vision had helped him realise the circumstances of his abandonment, and in his heart he harboured no resentment. He had always wanted to know who his parents were and now that he knew he was not disappointed.

The fact that Lady Sheila came from the upper class was probably the biggest hurdle for them both and she had the problem if she was willing to accept him of introducing him to all her friends. How would she explain to everyone the fact that she was producing a son and heir into society after all these years? He realised that she had a massive problem of acceptance if she was to formally acknowledge him.     

Londons Burning
Chapter 3
Civilian Life Beckons

Tony was now quite sure in his own mind that he had discovered the identity of his mother. He somehow had a feeling that he also recognised his natural father as his ex captain. However common sense was telling him to exercise discretion, and let events take their own course. Common sense was telling him that if she was his mother, she should initiate any action.  He could hardly start calling her “mother” without some form of recognition on her part 

The day of his discharge soon came along and Tony joined the crowded train at Portsmouth harbour station, with the aid of a  the Red Cross volunteer lady, who  carefully put his walking stick, his overcoat and attaché case on the luggage rack above his head of his seat. The train was full of military and naval personnel and what made it worse was the fact that at this time all military personnel going on leave had to carry their full kit and rifles home with them. The reason for this was the imminent fear of invasion. If this happened they were ordered to report for active service to the nearest army unit... This of course meant that the carriages and the corridors were jammed with people sitting on the floor with kitbags and rifles adding to the congestion in the corridors.

The Red Cross had had provided him with refreshments and a newspaper for the journey to London. They had ensured that someone would meet him on arrival, and see him to the Salvation Army hostel he had given as his temporary address.  In parting, the lady told him that his kit bag was in the baggage car and it would be delivered to the Salvation Army hostel at Stratford in East London for him to collect some time the next day...

Tony now had no excuse now about searching for his parents, but the vision had warned him of Joan’s plans of marriage, and so still using that excuse of going to London would get him away from Joan for a while. She needed to get over Alans death her own way, and Tony was sure that she would not do that if he was still around.

Tony had never been to Stratford but he had decided he wanted to get back to the London area, and stopping in central London on his meagre savings would be foolish...  The choice of Stratford was very much due to the man in the next bed in the hospital. They had talked for a long time about a lot of things and Tony had found him good company. He had been born and brought up in Stratford in East London and was always talking about his home and family. When the Welfare asked him for an address he thought of Stratford and suggested the Salvation Army hostel until he got a permanent address. He had sent a little note to Lady Sheila telling her that he had to go to London as he had a personal task to carry out while he had time, but that he would gladly accept her invitation in the future if it was still on offer. 

As he was settling himself in his seat in the overcrowded compartment crushed between the window and another sailor.   Tony had noticed the young sad looking blonde lady sitting opposite, who gave him a little smile of welcome as he took his seat. Almost immediately the vision told him that this was a lady who had big troubles of her own, and she was doing her best to hide them.   He was glad to be out of hospital, but now he knew he was entering a new phase in his life, now for the first time he was forced to think about having to earn a living. He had the offer to stay in the Navy  which was on the table and waiting for him to respond to, and  his application for the Metropolitan Police was still somewhere in the pipeline. He was now on sick leave for nearly three months pending his medical discharge from the Royal Navy. Fortunately, he had built up a useful bank balance on his meagre naval pay while he had been at sea and could afford to find somewhere to live until he found work.

His recovery had been phenomenally quick much to the surprise of his doctors. They  had told him that he would be able to walk reasonably well again sometime in the near future, but he would probably always have a slight limp. The wounds in his chest had healed well and they did not anticipate that he would have any long term problems with that. The doctors had stressed that he should walk as much as possible on his leg, and increase the length of his walks to build up the muscles, but to stop walking at any time if it became too uncomfortable. 

His compartment on the train was full with naval personnel going on leave and the young lady, and he was getting some looks of sympathy from the other servicemen who had seen the Red Cross lady help him to the compartment. They had also recognised his medal ribbon. Tony was feeling rather low, now he had come to the realisation that he faced an entirely new life, one that he was afraid that he was ill equipped for.  As the train started to move the young lady opposite said.
 “Excuse me, but isn’t that the DSM you are wearing?
 Tony said. “Yes miss but they give them out for anything these days.”
Her comment immediately attracted the interest of other servicemen in the compartment
“What ship were you on?” She asked. 
Tony smiled at her.  “Hardships miss, and you should know we are not allowed to discuss, things like that in wartime.” 
She blushed with embarrassment and said. “Yes I’m sorry I should have known better. My husband is in the Navy, or was in the Navy, but I tend to forget. Oh by the way my name is Kate. Middleton”

“Pleased to meet you Kate, my name is Tony.”

At this time several servicemen butted in with the comments of “rubbish you earned it mate.” With one sailor saying.
 “You were the guy who saved the Melksham weren’t you?”
Tony just smiled, and didn’t answer as he tried to concentrate on enjoying   the passing scenery

Suddenly, and not for the first time Tony had the feeling that the power of the ring was increasing. 
as the vision gave him a picture of  HMS Victory and the  Court Martial gun being fired and the Union Flag at the main mast signifying that a court martial was sitting. The vision told him that woman opposite was extremely lonely and in great personal distress, and then he saw a cabin on HMS Victory and he realised he was looking at the Court Martial scene. 

 As the vision faded Tony then started to take a greater interest in his traveling companion. The vision told him that someone close to her, perhaps her husband had been the subject of the court martial. 
 She was an attractive  looking woman, well dressed and he judged she was about his own age, or perhaps a shade older. She had quite a nice complexion and nice blue eyes and as far as he could tell she had a nice trim figure and a nice welcoming smile. Somehow he knew that she desperately needed someone to whom she could talk. She was feeling very alone and very tearful and badly needed friends.

The journey would take about an hour and a half unless there were any delays through air raids, and she seemed friendly enough, and so gradually Tony initiated the conversation on generalities which helped to pass the time away, although Kate pointedly avoided any further questions about her husband. 

Kate Middleton was anything but relaxed. She had just spent two days at her husbands Courts Martial aboard HMS Victory. He had been sentenced to three years hard labour in the naval Detention Quarters for getting drunk threatening to shoot an officer, and attempting to rape a WRNS second officer. He had also been given a dishonorable discharge from the service. 

His whole demeanor during the Court Martial was arrogant and it was apparent that he suffered no remorse for his actions. He had  leered at Kate across the court which was the only hint of recognition he gave her... After the trial she asked if she could see him, but he sent the message by return that he did not have anything to say to her. He did however ask to see his brother.

Kate had married her husband Ted in 1938 shortly after she had inherited a public house from her deceased father. Her marriage had been a disaster, her husband, she soon found was an aggressive bully, he drank a lot, gambled a lot and she suspected him of having several clandestine affairs. She found that she took the brunt of his anger when he was out of sorts and she had suffered several quite nasty beatings at his hands. It had been a relief to her when Ted had been called up for the Navy shortly before the outbreak of war having been in the local RNVR. His leaves had been times of stress; he drank a lot and frequently helped himself to money from the till.

Running the public house in wartime was not easy; fortunately she was able to get fairly regular deliveries of beer from the brewery, although spirits and wine were rarer than ‘hens’ teeth. However, she managed to acquire a reasonable additional supply of cigarettes and spirits from seaman arriving on foreign ships at the nearby docks who were more than willing to sell duty free goods for extra cash... Fortunately, she also had a good barman who was reliable, and who kept the place running in her absence.

She had been shocked at the evidence the prosecution brought forward, at the Courts Martial and which was not refuted in the hearing. Although she was very disillusioned with her marriage, she had done nothing about ending it. She knew that in the back of her mind that had he been killed, she would not have shed many tears.  But the evidence brought forward painted a picture of a man she didn’t know.

 He had neither shown, nor expressed any remorse for his actions, and the evidence presented   which he made not attempt to dispute, had shocked her, and now she began to realise that she had married a very evil man. She had no doubt that the evidence conclusively proved that  he was far worse than she could ever have imagined, during the hearings she  come to the final decision to dump her husband and seek a divorce... 

The naval welfare people had been good to her and had found her accommodation while she attended the Courts Martial and they had put her in touch with the officer appointed to defend her husband...  He had not been optimistic about Teds chances, and he had been fairly accurate in predicting his possible sentence. In their spare time between court sessions she had told Teds defending officer that she had made up her mind about getting a divorce and being a solicitor in peacetime, he had advised her on how she should go about it, and even recommended some solicitors near her home which she could contact. After the case, he wished her luck and he had said quite bluntly. 
“I think you are doing the right thing.”
 As her husband had refused to see her she had asked his counsel to inform him of her decision about getting a divorce, but she received no immediate response from her husband when the message was passed.

Now she was faced with having to make some decisions about how she was going to manage in the future.  No-one would want to buy a public house   with the war on, on the other hand  it did give  her a living but with little or no margin for contingencies.   It had been the Red Cross lady telling her Tony on about where to pick up his kit that had brought her to speak to Tony.   Her pub “The Feathers Inn.” was also in   Stratford and had been quite prosperous until the war with a good trade especially from locals, and from itinerant seaman who traveled to the port on a regular basis. In peacetime the pub had been a good money maker, now times were harder and selling, which was one of her options at the present time, would probably not be a realistic proposition.   

They were about half an hour into the journey and having a very pleasant and light hearted conversation, when a very rough looking individual burst into the compartment and said to Kate. “What’s this I hear about you divorcing our Ted; if that’s what you are thinking just forget the idea?  I’m moving in with you darling to help run the pub, and you forget divorcing our kid just because he’s had a bit of hard luck.”

Tony had a warning from the ring of imminent danger, as he listened to the heated conversation. Kate looked up at the irate man and said. Her eyes full of anger. 
”Forget it Ray I’m finished with your family, you try anything, and I will have the law down on you straight away. I am the Licensee and your family is definitely out.”
Ray then turned to Tony and said.
 “Shift mate I want that seat that is my Sister in Law and this is family business we have to discuss.” 
Tony despite the warning just laughed and said. “Forget it chum.”
Almost simultaneously Kate had stood up and faced her brother in law. “Go away or else I will call the guard.”

A couple of sailors becoming aware of the raised voices stood up and grabbing the brother in law by the arms threw him out into the corridor.
For some reason something had told Tony that despite the warning he had nothing to fear from Ray on his own. The man was a coward and a bully, although Tony knew that he would be in great danger if he mustered some support
   
Prior to the incident with Ray, Kate had been considering an idea that had begun to form in her mind. She thought now that it would be a forlorn idea, but she was still going to make the offer anyway. They were just about ten minutes away from the journeys end when she came to her final decision. She leaned forward and put a hand on Tonys knee, and she said. 
“I am sorry about the scene but I was going to offer you some accommodation. I understand that you have nowhere to stay tonight, unless you stop at the Salvation Army, and I have a public house with six bedrooms which means five are now empty, would you like to rent one off me, until you can find somewhere more permanent. I know the scene with my so called brother in law may have put you off the idea, but I thought I would make the offer anyway”   
Tony did not take long before he accepted. “I would love to, as long as it is no trouble and the rent is reasonable”
 “No Tony, don’t worry about the rent, frankly I would also welcome having a man sleep on the premises, especially after what has just happened.  We can talk rent later if you want to stay on for any length of time.”... 

The train was met by the Red Cross who were there to help Tony, but Kate assured them that she would look after him and see him safely on the rest of his journey.  She told them that she had offered him accommodation and she gave her address and telephone number… 

It took some time to travel from central London to Stratford and the train had to make one or two unscheduled stops.  Tony was pleasantly pleased and also impressed at The Feathers Inn and it was obvious Kate was very proud of her inheritance. The Public House   was in a very good condition and it looked as though it was well run. 

Kate introduced him to Bill Reed her barman and his temporary assistant, who was his eighteen year old very attractive daughter Clare, who had come in to help her dad while Kate was away in Portsmouth. Clare was very simply dressed; she was a beautiful slim young redhead with blue eyes and a cheeky smile. She had a few faint freckles on her nose and very kissable lips. She held Tonys hand a shade longer than absolutely necessary and Tony immediately got the impression that she could very well be keen on his company.    It had been dark for about two hours by the time they got to the inn and so far that evening the Luftwaffe had not put in an appearance.

Tony was impressed with his room. It was well furnished with a double bed, with plenty of wardrobe space and it had a bathroom adjoining which was shared by Kate and all the other residents when the rooms were in use. Despite the blackout blinds and the reduced lighting it looked very comfortable.

They had only been home for a few moments when Kate called him down to the kitchen with a snack meal of soup…  She apologised for the scantiness of the meal but said she was a bit low on provisions due to rationing. Tony gave her his ration cards so that she could shop the next day. 

They had just finished the meal when the air raid sirens started their evening wail. There seemed to be no real activity in their immediate neighborhood and so people did not necessarily rush for the shelters and the bar remained open. The shelter for the pub was in the cellar below the bar, so customers could just take their drinks down stairs if bombs started dropping nearby.

Tonys few belongings that he had with him, consisted only of toilet gear and only took seconds to unpack, and he then decided to go down to the bar to have a drink. Business was not very brisk and he was having quite a nice long chat with Bill the barman and his daughter Clare. While he was talking he noticed the piano in the corner and he asked Bill if it was working.  Bill asked if he could play and Tony told him he could not read music, but he could thump out a tune when required.

Tony sat down on the stool and started to play a few simple tunes and the then he turned to some of the wartime pub favourites such as “There will be bluebirds over the White Cliffs of Dover.” “Roll out the Barrell”  “Sally’ and” Run Rabbit Run” and many more which were all the rage at the time. Suddenly Clare joined him and between them they started to sing to some of his favourites until after about two hours he felt a bit exhausted and stopped, as he went to shut the piano there was a loud burst of applause, and turning round, he was surprised to find that the bar was nearly half full and Bill and Kate were kept busy serving customers.

Kate smiled across the room at him, and then brought him a pint of mild. She was delighted.
“Do you know we don’t do this much on a Saturday night, it was your playing that brought all the passing trade in despite the blackout?”   There were many calls for him to continue, but Tony explained that his shoulder ached and it had been some time since he had played. Kate told everyone that Tony had just come out of hospital, and had been badly wounded, so he needed a little time to get up to speed. 

It was one of those nights that the sirens went quite late and the sound of activity was some miles away. He did not hear the air raid sirens sound the all clear, and slept through and woke to the smell of frying bacon the next morning. After a quick bath, he went down to the kitchen where Kate had prepared a cooked breakfast for him. She said. “We took as much last night at the bar, as we do over the weekend thanks to you. I am so glad I met you on the train and invited you to stay.”   

After breakfast Tony joined Kate and Bill in cleaning the bar, washing the dirty pots and restocking, before opening time at midday. One of the prime tasks was to cut up newspaper and put it on a string for use as toilet paper in the toilets. Kate protested that they could manage, despite the fact that she had to go out and queue for food.  But somehow Tony had already begun to feel at home. The fact that despite his injuries and having to rely on his walking stick,  he had managed to do two or three hours solid work without too much of a problem had given him some self confidence. 

Once the bar opened Tony still in uniform, went for a walk as instructed by the doctors… He walked round the block so that he would not be too far away from the pub at any one time if his leg caused problems and it would also give him a chance to get to know the area. He was approached by a couple of young girls who were offering personal services, but he just gave them a smile and kept walking. 

It was later over lunch that Kate told Tony about her husband and the fact that she had been attending the Courts Martial on HMS Victory, she also added that she planned to divorce him, and expected some trouble from his family. Teds family was very similar in temperament to her husband, especially Ray the brother, who he had met on the train; they were unwelcome visitors to the bar at the best of times... They usually refused to pay for drinks claiming that the pub, and Kate was family. There were two sisters whom Kate had got on with reasonably well, although they were a bit on the rough side as was to be expected with that family.   They were usually no trouble to Kate.

That afternoon Tonys kit arrived, and he was able to unpack his few meagre belongings. He was not quite sure whether he was allowed to wear civilian clothes or not while he was on leave, but he decided to take the chance. He made a quick trip to the shops, and using a few of his meagre allocation of clothing coupons was able to buy a pair of trousers and a couple of shirts. That afternoon Bill and Kate showed him how things worked behind the bar after he insisted.  Kate had already indicated that she would like him to stay on at the inn, and she said that she would put him on the payroll, especially as he could play the piano and bring in the extra business. She was sure that she could get extra supplies of beer from the breweries if the business was there.

It got dark quite early and they had to put the blackout shutters and curtains up, and the doorway had double thick curtains to limit the light should   a number of people come in at the same time. Given the encouragement of the previous night Tony decided to have a go again with the piano just before opening time, and Clare and Kate decided to join him. He found that they were both accomplished soloists, and they both volunteered to do a solo with him later that evening. The sirens started wailing not long after dark, and just as they were opening the doors, but as the action seemed to be some way away from them,  people sneaked in for a drink after their evening meal.
  
The pub was the unofficial Air Raid Wardens den for the locality as during air raids if the action was some distance away, they would congregate at the bar unless and  until the eventuality occurred that they were needed. Providing she had the supplies Kate would supply hot coffee or tea. Sometimes the wives would come with them as well and give her a hand... 

Kate told him to stay the other side of the bar, because hobbling around on a stick while they were busy behind the bar made him a danger to herself and Bill.  Clare came and sat with him on the piano stool. Immediately, he got the sense that Clare was very attracted to him and was waiting her opportunity to get to know him better. Between them they put together an outline programme of songs for the evening and decided on those which Clare could accompany him. Every time that Clare came near him he could sense a special something that told him that essentially she would be his for the taking. 

Clare was obviously playing up to him, with lots of giggles from Clare and a little intimate touching despite strong looks from Kate and her father behind the bar. As they sung their duets her hand would rest possessively on his shoulder.   

Suddenly there was a commotion at the bar, and Ray the aggressive brother in law that had been on the train came in and started shouting at Kate, and attempting to get to her behind the bar. People moved away from the disturbance, and Kate was trying to say something, but was being shouted down. Clare whispered it’s her husbands brother Ray; he is a nasty piece of work. But Tony instinctively knew what to do. 

Tony stood up and sauntered across and as Ray raised his hand as though to strike Kate, Tony hooked him round the neck with his walking stick and yanked it back savagely pulling him backwards, he fell in a heap on the floor. He was not hurt and was mouthing threats up at Tony, who now had his foot on his throat.
“Get up and get out.” Tony said,
Quickly Ray got to his feet and aimed a punch at Tony. Tony easily ducked the punch and using his bad leg Tony aimed a quick kick at his crutch, which sent Ray to the floor writhing in pain. Tony turned to a couple of men nearby “Drag him outside for me please.

Kate came round the bar and she kissed Tony on the cheek. “Thank you Tony dear, but I am afraid he will be back and he won’t come back alone.”  
After closing that night Tony helped clear up and went to bed. He had only bed in bed for a few moments when Kate came in and she jumped into bed wearing a white silk nightdress,  and snuggled up against him as he pulled the covers back over them and put his arm round her. She was on her side facing him and he was still lying on his back. She draped her right leg over him.
"Tony you're hard already!" she exclaimed with surprise.
She snuggled closer and kissed him on the cheek.
Tony held her tight for a few minutes.   She started nibbling his ear her warm breath tickling him and the exotic smell of her perfume filling his nostrils .Her other hand was embracing his cock 

She laughed gently. "Tony I fancied you when I saw you on the train. Somehow just being around you makes me feel really appreciated and gives me confidence.  My husband never did that. I can see now that marrying him was a terrible mistake”

"She was laughing and smothering his face with soft wet kisses as Tony grabbed her and pulled her over on top of him. She felt very soft and very sexy; her perfume was obviously expensive and very erotic"

She ended up lying between his legs. She rubbed her body hard against him enjoying the feel of this young sexy male against hers. She could feel his hardness and she wanted him badly, it had been such a long time since she had enjoyed sex of any kind. Her husband only wanted her when he was drunk and that was a’ wham bam thank you maam’, sort of experience at best leaving her feeling dirty and very frustrated.   Now she felt she could relax with Tony, just working with him had made her feel good. The little courtesy’s were important and he had treated her with respect as the boss and as a woman...
Now she lay there and she could feel his erection rubbing against her stomach.
Tony said quietly "Yes Kate dear, that's my knee you are rubbing against."
Kate giggled.” Oh Tony dear what a disappointment I had hopes it was something else.”

It was his turn to grin, as he saw the amusement on her face. She gave him a grin and a passionate kiss on the lips.  He gazed into her eyes as he kissed her back, - he realised then just how beautiful she really was. For a brief second he wondered just how any man could treat her as badly as her husband had done or ignore such a beauty. She gazed down at him her eyes serious, she was panting a little bit and a look of seriousness in her eyes. 

She said I’m coming on top Tony because of your gammy leg.”    Then she bent down and once again their lips met. At the same time he felt his cock slip between her legs and rub against the lips of her vulva”
Are you ready?” he asked
She gave a wide-eyed little nod of her head.
"Then put it in” He said quietly.

She reached down shuffling her body a little as she grabbed his cock and lined it up with the entrance to her love tunnel. She held his cock in a firm but gentle grip. She rubbed him up and down her vulva lips, taking her weight on her hands as they rested on his hips. She gradually let her body sink on to his cock   until he could go no farther. She started moving up and down gently and within seconds he knew she was having her first orgasm as she came with a wail...

Tony pushed against her to prolong her orgasm, when she finished cumming she looked up at him in awe. "How did you do that? I have not climaxed like that for years if ever”
Tony  pulled out of her  rolling her over so that now he  was on top despite his leg he managed it, again he pushed into her 
"You came so quickly Kate dear, because I care and want to make you happy"
She put her arm up and gently pulled his face down to kiss him.
“That was fantastic and the first time for as long as I can remember."

They spent the next hour proving that she was still capable of enjoying sex. Tony went through everything in his repertoire she came several times even stronger than before as did Tony.  Her moans and screams were loud and proving beyond all doubt that   for the first time for a long time she was capable of enjoying sex. Kate with the right partner was an incredible lover; Tony marveled that she had been doing without for so long. She seemed to be able to come time after time no matter what Tony was doing to her. After a couple of hours they both fell back exhausted, she rained long slow passionate kisses on his lips before they fell asleep with her head on his shoulder. 

She awoke early next morning and she wanted him again. Finally she whispered. “Thank you Tony you have just satisfied all my latent doubts that I am married to the wrong man.  I may not be able to have you, we shall have to wait and see how we get on together, but there has to be more like you out there and I am going to find one”

Next Chapter 4    

Chapter 4
The Truth Comes Out

Lady Sheila Radcliffe was waiting for them at the station and was obviously particularly pleased to see Tony, but less pleased to see Kate although she was scrupulously polite and welcoming to her. Tony knew  from the vision of the baby being placed on the doorstep that lady Sheila was almost certainly his mother of that he had no doubt. Lady Sheilas excuse of interest in him because he had served with, and been with the captain who was his father when he died was to cover her ingrained fears because she was concerned in case he should reject her. He detected her nervousness as they drove.

Lady Sheila chattered away nervously on the short drive to Frindley Park the country home of the Radcliffe family. As they drove through the park gates and into the grounds, Tony was astonished   at the size and scope of the estate. He had never seen deer grazing in the wild before, and it seemed a long drive before they came to the house. As they neared the house Tony could see that much of the open land near the house was being ploughed and he assumed that the intention was to plant vegetables or grain to aid the war effort. 

The house itself was absolutely magnificent, either he or Kate had never ever been near a house this large, and to be invited to stay for Tonys recuperation was something they had never dreamed about.  They were greeted by Hammond the butler a man of about 30 years of age, and an elderly footman who grabbed their luggage and disappeared into the house. Tony quickly sensed through his extra sensory powers that Hammond had already taken an initial dislike to him. He obviously had picked up or overheard something about Tony and was very aware of Lady Sheila’s interest in Tony, and in some way he had discovered her reason...

Lady Sheila escorted them into a lounge where she offered them a drink. Tony in his curiosity started asking questions about the estate, and the house.  Lady Sheila told him that much of the house was now closed down and that the third and fourth floors were completely shut down. She was only keeping such rooms that were likely to be used open for the time being. She had offered the use of part of the house to the Ministry of Defence as a hospital or rehabilitation centre for wounded servicemen while they were recovering. But so far she had not had a positive response to her offer.

A large part of the estate itself was gradually being converted into arable land, with the rest being used   for grazing for dairy and beef cattle, but it was taking more time than she liked for the conversion to take place, especially as there was a shortage of suitable skilled labour to manage the conversion. Kate was obviously becoming bored with this conversation, and asked if she could possible go to her room and freshens up. 

Lady Sheila called for a maid to take Kate to her room, and Tony sensed that she relaxed quite visibly as soon as Kate had left the room. As soon as she had gone Lady Sheila turned to Tony. 
 “I expect you are wondering why I am taking such an interest in you.” 
Tony said. “Yes I did wonder initially my lady.”
“Initially, you mean you know why I’m interested in you?”
“Yes I have an idea.” Tony replied.

“Well Tony, I understand you are an orphan and that you were brought up in an orphanage for a large part of your life, and I expect that you are full of resentment for the mother that abandoned you?”   
Tony replied. “No not really Lady Sheila you see, from all my searches and enquiries it seems that my mother must have had a damn good reason, or thought she had at the time”
“What would you say if I told you that I am fairly certain that I am your mother?” 
“I would be absolutely gob smacked to put it bluntly and delighted.” Tony replied no longer pretending that it was news to him. 
“Well I am fairly sure that I am, and I am hoping that after all these years you don’t hate me for abandoning you like I did.”
Tony just sat looking at her; he could see that she was struggling to find the right words.
“You see it was on the 10th Sept 1918 that I gave birth to a baby boy, and we, that is your father and I left you on a doctor’s doorstep in the city, we were frightened of the shame of our producing an illegitimate child out of wedlock, and we panicked.

 We went back a couple of hours later to claim you, having changed our mind, willing to face the blame as we were ashamed of what we had done, but you had been found by then, so as it were, we decided to let sleeping dogs lie and, we decided to not to try and find you.”
Tony sat silently looking at Lady Sheila. “But all this is supposition.” He said quietly.
“How can you prove it?” “I can’t” She replied.  
“You left a naked new born baby on a doorstep?”

“Oh no, I left him wrapped in a shawl. A special shawl which I had knitted from odd lengths of wool and sewed together. A sort of patchwork effect.”  
“I was left in a shawl of that general description.” Tony said. “But there was something very special about that shawl wasn’t there?”
Lady Sheila thought for a minute. “Yes it had an attempt at an anchor knitted in one corner, but not very well I am afraid”

Tony smiled at her “Lady Sheila I have a shawl that fits that description in my bag upstairs.”
Within a fraction of a second he found that lady Sheila had wrapped him in her arms and was kissing him, so much so that Tony had to ease himself away from her.
 “I am as pleased as you are my Lady, but we are still strangers and it is going to take us a lot of time and patience to rebuild these lost years. I think that we have to take things easily, and it is going to take us quite some time to rebuild our relationship.”

It was then that Kate returned to the room.   It was obvious from her face that she sensed that something out of the normal had taken place in her absence. When she learned that lady Sheila was Tony’s mother, she was as pleased as he was. It was over dinner that Hammond asked Her Ladyship. Will the young gentleman like a hand to assist him to his bedroom madam? Lady Sheila replied
“No thank you Hammond, his Lordship will be able to manage with my assistance thank you.

Tony looked askance at Lady Sheila. “His Lordship?”
“Yes Tony, as our son you have inherited the title from your late father. We have a few formalities we will have to go through, but I have already taken some steps in that direction as soon as I knew the truth.”
Tony looked at Kate, then at Lady Sheila. “My Lady I never thought about that, and I am not sure I can live with a title?”
“Tony can you call me mother now we have broken the ice please, and we can ease into titles and things on another day?’  

After dinner Tony fetched the shawl, and there was no doubt about it Sheila was absolutely convinced that the shawl was the one that she had knitted as she examined it minutely, and he had his birth certificate which he also handed to Sheila. said. “One of the first jobs is to get this birth certificate to my lawyer, and get it corrected; now we know who your parents are.   

Kate joined Tony in bed that night despite being in lady Sheilas house. She started teasing Tony with “Does his Lordship want to fuck a poor lady publican like me.” 
Tony laughed quietly as he took her in his arms. “I know my mother does not really approve of you, but one thing I promise. I will not forget my friends, and I will try not to change too much. I am going to come back to the Feathers for a bit, as I have a job there and I owe the lovely landlady such a lot.”

Lady Sheila was quite aware that Tony and Kate were sleeping together, she did not approve of Kate, but she resolved that now having found Tony she was not going to let any stupid prejudice get in the way of their relationship. If he eventually insisted on marrying her she was not going to try to stop him either. All that mattered now was that she had a chance to make amends for a stupid decision in abandoning him in her youth. She was not going to lose Tony now – no matter what.

The next morning Kate informed Lady Sheila that she was going to leave to get back to London as she had a business to run.  She said however. “Lady Sheila I know that you do not approve of me, but Tony and I have not considered anything other than friendship. We are a long way from any commitment, if we ever do? I have to get a divorce, and Tony and I are just close friends. Both of you are welcome at the Feathers any time you wish to come.”

Lady Sheila was rather relieved and she changed her opinion of Kate on the spot. She kissed Kate on the cheek. “Thank you Kate, I guess I have to learn to be a mother after all these years don’t I?
“So do I if ever I become a mother.” Kate said as she said goodbye.

After they had both seen Kate off at the station Tony talked for a long time with his mother. They both realised that so many years had passed that it was going to be a major task to rebuild the relationship. Later that day, his mother took him for a tour of the estate; Tony was absolutely flabbergasted at the size of the estate itself. he was even more flabbergasted when Sheila said. “It is all yours now as your father left the provision in his will, that if you were ever found then the estate would be yours. He also made a provision protecting me financially...”

Tony sat quietly for a moment as he digested this information. “I am not sure that I want all this. I have always dreamed of finding my parents of course, but to find that I have inherited all this, to be quite honest I would like you to retain ownership. I was quite happy being Tony Nash…”

“No Tony I can not and I do not want you to go against your father’s wishes, or mine. I know it is a bit of a shock and I will be here with you all the way. I will show you your fathers plans for the estate, and we can work together dear to bring them to fulfillment. It will also help us get to know one another.”

On their return to the house his mother said.   “I know that you are terribly short of clothes, so would you mind if we went through your late fathers wardrobe and see if he had anything of his that fits you. Much to Tonys surprise most of his father’s clothes either fitted him or were capable of being altered to fit. Her ladyship called Hammond the butler to move the clothes to Tony’s room, and it was obvious to both her ladyship and Tony that for some reason he objected to Tony. So much so, that Tony called him in and challenged him. 
Suddenly the ring gave him a very clear vision of Hammond and gave Tony all the ammunition he needed. 
“Just what is your problem Mr. Hammond.?” He asked. 
“I think that you are an imposter sir.” He said.
“What makes you think that?” Tony asked.
“Well sit it is obvious that you are a common sort of fellow. Sir.”
“Tony suddenly had a vision that showed him very clearly, that Hammond himself was a bully, and he had been forcing himself on a couple of the younger maids. He had also got himself exempted from military service by getting his younger brother who had very bad asthma to stand in for him at the medical examination...

Lady Sheila did not interrupt the conversation, but sat back to watch how Tony handled himself.
“Is it not true Mr. Hammond that you are more frightened that I might interfere with your rackets, and your sexual advances to some of the young maids? I have picked up quite quickly that you are a bully and a fraud, and you have consistently stolen small amounts of money and odd items of jewellery, such as some of my father’s cuff links and tie pins.”
“I believe that some guests have possibly lost small items and small amounts of money when they have been here have they not?” he asked his mother. 
“Well yes, but how did you know?”
Because Mr. Hammond here falsified his references, and omitted to mention that he had been in prison twice for petty theft.
“Is this true Hammond?” Lady Sheila asked. 
Hammond was devastated and broke down and admitted that Tony was right.
Lady Sheila said “What shall we do about him. Shall I call the police?” 
“It is up to you mother.” He replied. “But I think first of all we should go to his room and see what we can discover.” 
Lady Sheila led the way to the butlers quarters and within minutes they had discovered a number of valuable items that had been reported as stolen in the previous years, including several items belonging to Tonys father which Lady Sheila had not yet noticed were missing. 
Lady Sheila eventually decided not to call the police, but called a couple of the garden staff to watch him pack and escort him off the premises.
“How did you know what was going on?” 
Lady Sheila asked when they were alone. 
Tony replied. Mother dear. There was no logical reason for his behaviour towards me except that he was frightened I would queer his pitch as it were. My experience with people from all walks of life, has given me the gift of being able to sort out “the rotters” from the good guys quite quickly, plus of course I made some educated guesses.”  

Tony realised that he had to be a little careful where his vision was concerned, and that making revelations like those with Hammond could make life a bit embarrassing.

After the move was finished and over Lunch   Tony said. “I have two things which I would like you to consider mother. First of all I would like to meet the estate manager or farm manager, whatever you call him and secondly I would like you to come back to Stratford with me and stop at the Feathers for a while. I think it would give you a chance to know Kate and to get to understand me better.”

Lady Sheila said.  “No bother at all, in fact I would love to stay in a proper London pub and to help if Kate allows me too. I will also send a message to Fran Radley she is the Estate Manager; she has been brought up in farming and is a real asset.

“The only thing mother I must warn you about and that London is not really a safe place. Every night the Luftwaffe comes and London is literally burning, and if you do come you are taking a risk. But I would like to get to know you as my mother on my ground, if you know what I mean.

It was about 3.00 pm that afternoon when Miss Francis Radley rode up to the house on a quite nice looking chestnut hunter mare. She was a nice looking brunette of about thirty years of age with a tanned face and an athletic figure. She strode into the house and said to Lady Sheila quite politely. 
“I hope this is important my Lady I am up to my eyes in work and I must get back as quickly as possible.”
“OK point taken Fran, but I want to introduce you to my son and the new Lord Radcliffe who will be working with us in the future.”
Tony held out his hand and said “Pleased to meet you Fran.”
Fran replied “Likewise my Lord. 
“I hope that is the last time you call me My Lord Fran, just call me Tony and I can call you Fran if that’s OK with you.”
“Yes My lord.” She replied and then burst into laughter.
“Fran, I understand that you are doing a really good job here, and you will have my full support. I will not hold you up, but I want to have a long talk with you as soon as it’s convenient with my mother. I need to learn the business from you,  but lady Sheila and I are going away for a few days and then we can get down to it when I get back.” Tony said. .

The next day Tony and lady Sheila boarded the train to Ealing, with a large bag full of fresh produce and eggs from the estate .including a brace of rabbits from the estate for Kate.    

Next Chapter 5

   

Chapter 5
Fire

About a week passed and trade quickly built as Tony played for the regulars every night. Lady Sheila fitted in remarkably well at the Feathers and soon   Kate and Lady Sheila were working quite well together, and quickly becoming close friends. . She enjoyed working in the bar and was quite proud of Tonys piano playing for patrons on the piano.

Quite quickly the word spread about the atmosphere created by the nightly sing songs and whole families were coming in when the air raids allowed them to. Every night now there was a raid sometimes the sirens did not go until later in the evening, some times they were early but people were coping. They quickly learned to adjust their lives to the nightly raids. People started puling together and helping each other. One good instance was the holding of places in food queues’ for each other and often sharing the food they managed to obtain.

Kate and Tony stopped sleeping together while lady Sheila was there, except on a couple of occasions when lady Sheila went up to the West End to visit friends. They thought that it was the courteous thing to do. But they took full advantage of her absence when she was not there.

One day Kate had one of her sisters in law come in to talk with her.  She warned.   “Kate watch out for Ray and his mate they are plotting something, and they have it in for your boyfriend.” 
Kate told her.  “He is not a boy friend; he is on the pay roll. We only met on the train and I offered him a room here as he has no family, and later I found he is a bloody good piano player so I hired him, but come to think of it I wouldn’t mind if he was my boyfriend..:”

Tony had the previous week applied to join the auxiliary Fire Service as he felt he ought to be doing something positive about the war. The lady who interviewed him said with your injury, and the fact that technically you are still in the Navy.  I am afraid that we can not use you in an active role, but your experience in communications would be most helpful and it was agreed that they would contact him later for another interview and probable training.

Lady Sheila returned to Frindley park after a week and Tony told her that he would follow in a few days.  She felt that being away from the estate too long would not be a good policy, but she had promised Kate that she would love to come back to London for a holiday at a later date. 

It was later that night and as usual the sirens had gone just after dusk and apart from some sporadic anti-aircraft fire in the distance things were pretty quiet. Suddenly a warden popped in. “I have a family trapped and they are dropping incendiaries. Tony looked out the door and the whole area seemed to have come alight. There was no doubt about it that tonight they were attacking civilians and not the docks.

People were running around with buckets of sand and stirrup pumps and putting the incendiaries out as best they could. Many buildings had incendiaries landed on the roofs which were blazing and in danger of starting major fires. They all knew the Germans would probably follow up shortly with high explosive bombs to spread the fires by blowing the incendiaries around amongst the buildings.

Tony helped as much as he could, having commandeered a stirrup pump from a warden...  But in an adjoining street Tony saw the unexploded bomb tapes go up. He asked the warden what’s happened. 
”There is a land mine gone through the roof at number 46 and Mrs. Wails mother is trapped in bed , we are waiting for the bomb squad. But it could go off at any time; some of the bloody things have time fuses.”

“Has no-one gone in to help them out?” 
“Not bloody likely.” The warden said, we have enough to do out here and I dare not risk anyone at present...  We have so many people to rescue in less risky situations. We have to leave that one for the experts”
Tony suddenly found he could see the scene in the house of the old lady lying in bed and her daughter by her side gently crying. The land mine was gently swinging just over their heads, its parachute snagged on a projecting beam. He said to the warden.
 “I’m going in and see if I can get them out.” 

Without waiting for a reply he nipped under the barrier, and abandoned his walking stick by the front door. Limping he made his way through the open front door hanging on to the stair rail, he managed the stairs. Arriving on the upper floor he came to the master bedroom where the elderly woman lay in bed. She was covered in dust and shivering with fright, her married daughter was holding her and crying. The scene was just as the vision had predicted. The land mine was hanging about eighteen inches from the old ladies head and swinging gently in the evening breeze which was coming through the hole in the roof.  Looking up he could see the stars in the sky above. Tony knew that if there was a big gust of wind and the mine swung and touched anything it could explode instantly. 

She told Tony “I’m not leaving my Mum, and you can’t make me...”
“I am not going to make you do anything Missus” Tony said.
“I would like you to help me get your mum out though before this bloody thing explodes.”
Tony could see the land mine swinging from the beam, and he could hear the beam creaking every time it swung under the weight of the mine. Putting his ear to the outside of the mine and steadying it he  pretended to listen, he found that he had a vision of a clock, which showed that he had just  seven minutes to get them out, before it was timed to explode.  He turned and said to the two frightened ladies.
 “We are OK and we have about seven minutes to get you out, so we have plenty of time.”
 
Tony realised that the parachute could give way any moment in the breeze that was coming through the damaged roof.  However the vision had given him confidence that they had some time before it went off.
“No problem it won’t go off yet, but let’s get out of here anyway.”
 He said to the daughter “I will need your help. I have an injured leg, but with your help we can make it.”
“Can she walk at all?”
The daughter shook her head.
Looking around for ideas, he asked. Have you got a single bed mattress anywhere in another room perhaps?” 
She said. “Yes on my bed”
Tony quickly fetched the single mattress from the adjoining room, and told Mrs. Wails.
”We must lift your Mum on to this mattress and tie her or strap her on to the mattress with anything we have and let it go down the stairs like a sled while between us we must take the weight to stop it going too fast.”
Fortunately the old lady was quite frail and quite light and between them they easily lifted her on to the mattress. Dragging it along the landing to the top of the stairs Tony went first, and sitting on the stairs he took the weight of the mattress on his back and shoulders, while he inched his body down one stair at a time, while Mrs. Wails managed to put a brake on its movement from above, and between them they managed to slow the descent to the ground floor. They pulled the mattress through the door on to the street, and managed to get a couple of wardens to come and drag the mattress to safety. 

The strain had been too much for Tony’s leg and he collapsed in agony. Fortunately Kate appeared with the barman and between them managed to pull him to safety, just as the mine exploded, showering everyone within a 200 yards radius with debri and dust... Fortunately the blast largely went upwards as it was contained a bit by the thick walls of the house.

The press were there with photographers and Mrs. Wails was expounding to the press how Tony had come to save them, but after she had finished she turned to Tony and said.
 “I thought you said we had seven minutes?” 
Tony grinned despite the excruciating pain in his leg. “Well we did. It went off just on seven minutes. I think, didn’t it?” He realised as he spoke that once again the ring had come to his rescue 

Kate and Bill got Tony to bed in the Feathers as he refused to go to hospital that night. He was hoping that his leg would recover with rest, and the help of the ring, knowing as well that the hospital would be busy with casualties from the raid. The blast had broken all the windows in the Feathers, but as Bill the barman said. “We will get the windows boarded up and with the blackouts up no one will know the difference and we will be open tomorrow night as usual.”  

Tony felt exhausted after his life saving operation, his leg ached and Kate gave him some aspirin which helped him drop off to sleep. His slumber was quite fitful and he awoke several times to the distant sound of explosions, but usually he would drop off to sleep again quite quickly. The next morning Kate fetched a local doctor who charged half a crown to examine him, and who suggested that he rest up for a few days and if it got no better to contact the naval medical service. 

He said “Look laddie you did well last night so you take it easy now and give that bloody leg a rest.” 
He left the half a crown on the side table; he had obviously decided not to charge him for his visit. Tony had Kate popping in and out, during the morning, and he sensed the desperation in her voice as she mentioned the mess in the bar downstairs, but Tony told her. 
“Don’t worry about me love; you get your pub open for business.”

Kate suddenly said. “I have an idea I will talk to Bill”   It was about an hour later when the door opened and Clare walked in with a glamorous young girl friend of hers who she introduced as Zoe. Her friend Zoe was also quite a looker.  She was a slim blonde with long hair and was about the same age as Clare.  The girls took off their coats and sat on the bed one on either side of him. 

Clare said “How are you darling, you are my local hero again?”  
Clare then brazenly leaned forward and kissed Tony passionately on the lips. Tony did not object and he thought he recognised a plea in Clare’s eyes for him to say nothing. She said.
 “Kate asked me  to come and look after you darling as she is busy getting ready for opening time, and Zoe was with me, and she so wanted to meet you as well.” 
 She acted very possessively plumping up his pillows and holding him up with her arm possessively round his shoulders.

Tony suddenly got a vision of Clare boasting to her friends about her new boyfriend Tony who had got a bravery medal for fighting the Germans. When her Dad had out of the blue asked her to go and look after Tony she could not stop her friend Zoe from tagging along.  

The nearness of Clare had got Tony to a full erection and his cock was enlarged to its full size pressing and throbbing in his pyjamas.  Clare either sensed or felt his erection through the bedclothes and she put her hand under the sheet and grasped his cock. 
 "No, no, you shouldn't do that," Tony protested. 
“Oh never mind Zoe, she would probably like to have a feel as well if I know her, she is very frustrated as her boyfriend is away in the army.” Clare said with a chuckle.

“Can I?” Zoe asked s she not waiting for an answer put her hand down to join Clare’s under the bedclothes to grope with his erection.
 “Oh you are bloody big; my Sid is nowhere as big as that.”  As she spoke she whipped the bedclothes back to expose Tony’s erection.
“You never told me he was a whopper like that.” As she continued to fondle Tonys cock.
Tony was very much in shock as the two girls were obviously intent on playing with him.
Zoe stood back and quickly started to strip. “I want some of that.” She said.
“But he’s my boyfriend not yours. “  Clare shouted in despair.
“Well I know you’ve fucked my Sid at least twice, so I think that I am entitled.” 
Within seconds Zoe was totally naked, she had a lovely firm pair of breasts 

She straddled Tony and said to Clare as she looked down at his erection. 
“I think it’s too much, but if you can take him I am sure I can - let me come on top.” Zoe said. She sat up straight lowering herself back down on to his cock very slowly and carefully,   and then she leaned over to kiss him with her pouty heavily lipsticked lips, behind the curtain of blonde hair that hung down around their face, her body swaying slowly and rhythmically as she moved.  Tony could do nothing, but to be fair he was enjoying this attention. He looked across at Clare - she was livid and he felt very sorry for her. He guessed that she had been boasting to her friend how she had got Tony as her boyfriend and it had all come horribly unstuck as far as she was concerned. 

He felt very sorry for Clare, he liked her and did not like seeing her so upset, so he called across to her, and he was not going to show her up.
 “Never mind darling you and I have got all night! 
Zoë took her time, until eventually Tony was fully inside her and she started riding up and down on Tony’s long cock, with great enthusiasm pushing them both closer and closer to the brink with each careful stroke. Then she leaned way back, her hands on the bed clothes  feeling his cock pushing into her  at a  slightly different angle, bringing new pressures and responses that raced through their bodies, bringing a  climax  that came almost simultaneously. 

She slumped forward onto him, smiling and passionately kissing his face, as she tried   desperately to get her breath back, as strange but very welcome feelings started running through her body.  Dragging her hard nipples up his chest, she put them against his mouth, one after the other.  He held them in his lips and teeth while Zoe gripped tightly onto the last inch of his straining cock.  

Zoe looked down at him and said “You bastard - now you have spoilt me for my Sid. What am I going to do now?”
Tony looked up and said. “Well you’ve just raped a sick man and being honest I must say I enjoyed it, but Clare is my girlfriend not you, so please don’t come back.”
Clare had gathered up Zoë’s clothes and thrown them out of the room on to the landing. 
“Now fuck off, bitch you are no friend of mine any more.”

Tony said come here, she came and sat down on the bed and Tony sat up and put his arms round her, he kissed her.
 “I guessed what had happened between you, but I was under quite a bit of pressure, but I did enjoy it. I will play along with being your boyfriend Clare if that is what you really want. I would be proud to have you as a girlfriend.”
She turned to Tony and she was smiling through her tears. “Do you want me to take my knickers down and let you fuck me?" Clare asked seductively. She was stripping as she talked and soon a naked Clare was in his arms. 

Clare reached down and stroked his new erection. "Oooooohhhh, gnawed! Zoe was right it’s really big!" she whispered. "Don't, please Zoe don't!" Tony begged unless you want to go all the way.  Clare rubbed against him, pushing her tits against his arm. She reached down and gripped his cock...

 Tony knew he was beyond pulling back now. As he suspected their was no way they were going to stop now.  Clare continued to play with his erection. She was seducing him, and he knew it. But now he didn't care. He wanted whatever she was prepared to give.
"Okay, Clare Do what you want to me. I will do what you want me to do.”  
"Ohhhh, luvly" Clare exclaimed. Well after all you are my boyfriend.”
"Oooooohhhh, Clare whispered.
Clare ran her hands along the length of his cock, feeling underneath for his balls and squeezing them gently, she could feel Tonys cock throbbing as she played with it. On an impulse she stood on her tip toes and planted a soft passionate kiss on his lips “Thank you Tony” she said...
"It's really big, no bloody huge!" Clare mumbled.
Tony reached out with his free hand between Clare’s’ legs and rubbed her wet pussy.
 Clare meanwhile still held on to his big cock...
Clare bent over and put the tip into her mouth not even attempting anything more than the tip as she licked it slowly like a lollipop she could feel his finger in her cunt jerk in time with her licks. For fun she started varying the times, suddenly she realised that his fingers were moving in time with her licking faster and faster. And suddenly Clare erupted in a massive orgasm

Clare pulled her  lips away from his cock, and she kept hold of Tonys cock again  He leaned over  and pressed his lips against her  lips  and gave her  a  series of   passionate kisses  his hands slid down over  her bare buttocks. He could feel her trembling with suppressed passion.
"Ohhhh, Tony!" Clare gurgled. As he lay back and Clare straddled him forcing his large cock into her tight wet love tunnel.
"No!" Clare cried. "No Tony it’s nice it’s not too big!"

 Clare let her weight fall on him feeling her cunt give way as she started lifting herself up and down. She was getting into the spirit of things now “Fuck me, go on fuck me darling “Clare yelled. Tony fucked her as best he could with his injured leg giving him a slight handicap. 
Clare came quite quickly.  Tony could feel her body tense and then she pushed back hard as the first orgasm hit her she screamed. "OoooOOOOOOoooo Followed quickly by Tony who shot his load into her in great spurts 

Tony was not spent yet and he kept moving inside her, he kept moving in long hard strokes.
Clare came again, and again and it was some time before they were both sated. Clare turned and put her arms round his neck and said. 
“Thank you my darling boyfriend - thank you so much.”
She lay down beside him and pulled the sheets over her and went to sleep in his arms. Kate came later to see how Tony was managing and she gave a little sad smile as she closed the door quietly behind them.

Next Chapter 6

Londons Burning
Chapter 6
The Black Marketers.

Superintendent Fred Bates was chairing a meeting of his senior officers. “I am getting flack from above because of the amount of stolen and smuggled   food that is finding its way on to the black market in the London area. We have had several warehouses blitzed recently and it seems that they are managing to get in and out quite quickly with a large amount of rationed goods.”

PC Fay Tonks an attractive slim blonde sat at his right hand was the daughter of one of the Deputy Commissioners at New Scotland Yard.  She was an Economics graduate from the London school of Economics, and to her dismay, she found herself acting as the Superintendents personal assistant in recent weeks since graduating from the police training school at Hendon. Fay desperately   wanted to go out on active Police work, but since foolishly giving in to the Superintendents sexual overtures, she had found herself very much kept in a desk job in the station...She had remonstrated with the Superintendent several times and was seriously considering resigning  from the Police Force.

 I have asked Fay here to compile a list all the recent suspected fires and with a list of black market goods that we have found on open sale in the region. There is no doubt that some goods are coming in as private ventures by visiting seaman, but we can do little or nothing about that even if we wished to. The problem is that air raids are acting as cover for these villains who raid warehouses and steal as much as they can and then setting fire to them to cover their tracks”

Fay spoke up. “Excuse me sir I have a list of items that have been sold on the black market quite openly in the last week. I have reports of Sugar, Jam, Butter and Fresh Oranges. In the last three days alone, in addition all of these items were proved to have been in warehouses that have allegedly been firebombed in the dock area.

Superintendent bates said. “Right then can we mount a CID watch on warehouses containing foodstuff in the dock area as from tonight.” 
On of  the inspectors spoke up. “I agree sir, but I think that they have someone on the inside here who is tipping them off about police activities. We seem to be getting led on false evidence trails after every raid which gives the robbers time to get away.”

There was a murmur of agreement from several other officers. “Right gentlemen if that is the case then we must find the traitor – it seems gentlemen as well as some cute police work we need a stroke of luck. From now on log every lead, and every countermanded order. Every operation will have an Inspector in charge, and no-one outside this room knows about the logging. ”

***********
 It was midday in the Horse and Jockey public house where Ray Middleton and his six cronies were drinking their lunchtime pints of  wartime  beer. Ray was not feeling very happy as he had received his calling up papers that morning for the army. But the meeting had been called to decide on their target for the night. They had a list of eight warehouses which had recently taken in full loads of imported foodstuffs from the USA.

As they were in the middle of their discussions one of  Rays mates Dick Money, who was a Sergeant in the Metropolitan Police wandered in and walked up to the bar.  .Ray immediately got up and walked to the bar to stand beside the Sergeant and he slipped him a large bundle of pound notes.
“Stop away from the dock warehouses for the next few nights there is going to be a big surveillance operation.” Dick said.
“Thanks Dick” Ray murmured as he took his drink back to the table with his mates.
“We have problems for tonight the police are on to our warehouse scam.”
One of his colleagues muttered. “Well we knew it was going to happen, but we have other targets don’t we?”
“Sure. How about the Co-op warehouse, we move as soon as the siren goes, load up with anything saleable, set the fires and as soon as we hear the aircraft we set the fire,”
After a little discussion the final details were agreed and the party broke up.   

***********
 
It was later that evening as Tony stood in his bedroom looking out on to the road below as twilight fell. There were no street lights and people were hurrying past using shaded torches the little traffic that there was had tin shades over their headlights, which did little to help them find their way.  Workers were hurrying home from work wanting to get home with their family before the nightly blitz started. In half an hour or so the bar would start to get busy, and he would start his nightly piano sing song. 

If they were lucky they would perhaps get their evening meal before perhaps having to go to the air raid shelter when the sirens sounded their nightly warning.  He casually watched Tom Weeks the Caretaker/Watchman lock the gates of the Co-op Food Warehouse opposite, as he too hurried off home for his tea. Tom suffered terribly from rheumatism and would have retired were it not for the war.

Tony hated the blackout curtains they made him feel claustrophobic and he and Kate often would lie on his bed with them drawn back watching the flickering searchlights in the sky, or the nightly pyrotechnics as the AA guns opened fire, and sometimes from his bedroom window he could see the barrage balloons being pulled down and then being relocated into slightly new positions.

He knew that as darkness fell the road below would soon be busy with taxis pulling auxiliary fire pumps and the Air Raid Wardens appearing for their nightly duties. The bar downstairs would soon be getting busier as some of the auxiliary firemen and the ARP wardens popped in for a quick one or two from their local depot nearby, depending on whether the Luftwaffe were early or late arriving  that night. As the nights got shorter the raids tended to get shorter as the bombers did not like to be caught over England or the channel in daylight hours.

The daylight raids were becoming few and far between now. It had now been 58 consecutive nights of raids on London. The Luftwaffe had taken a terrible toll from the RAF fighters in the day time raids and had increasingly switched to the nighttime sorties. They liked the bright moonlight nights with a full moon. It was called a ‘bombers moon’ which provided the ideal conditions the bombers enjoyed for their nightly raids. They could follow the Thames to their target in dockland which mad navigation much easier.  Despite the moonlight the RAF Hurricane night fighters had an almost hopeless task in the dark against the German bombers, even though their escorts had long left them over the coast and had returned home before they ran out of fuel. Radar for night fighters was very basic and did little at this time to help them.

Sometimes the night fighters were lucky and shot down one or two bombers down. But Tony knew that as they returned to France the Spitfire squadrons would scramble to catch them over the coast, and the massacre would start. The returning bombers would hope to see their   ME 109 escorts waiting for them if they got their timing right. Despite the cover of darkness the Luftwaffe were taking enormous losses from returning bombers and many of the planes that did make it back to the airfields in France were beyond repair, or had injured crew members .   

Very often they were unlucky as the escorting ME 109’s only carried enough fuel for ten minutes over England and the English Channel and if the bombers were early or running late they would be sitting ducks for the RAF and coastal AA batteries 

The losses were enormous for the Luftwaffe, but despite this they were still inflicting terrible damage on London, the docks and industry.  Tony knew that someone or something would have to crack soon.  Many factories and schools had re-located outside London, but somehow the war effort continued, and people found new strengths to carry on even though they were short of food and sleep.

After about twenty minutes he turned away and was about to draw the blackout curtains when he saw a flicker of light from the warehouse opposite. Just then he noticed the gates were open and three large 5 ton Lorries rushed out and disappeared in different directions. He could not physically see the number plates in the dark but suddenly the rings qualities kicked in and he could see the numbers as clear as if it were daylight and he recognized one of the drivers as well. 

He rushed down to the bar despite his injured leg, and called out “There is a fire in the warehouse opposite.” He called to Kate “Call the police I think that they have been burgled.” About ten men some of whom were from the Auxiliary Fire Service rushed out of the pub and across to the warehouse through the open gates to the back of the warehouse, together with a Taxi which was towing an auxiliary pump.

 Tony hobbled over to the back of the warehouse as fast as he could, arriving about three minutes after the rest of the men.  The shutters at the back of the warehouse were open and inside it were easy to see three piles of burning cardboard and rubbish piled high against some sacks of sugar and cans of golden syrup. It looked like a deliberate attempt at arson. Fortunately the sugar had not caught fire. 

The warehouse had several stirrup pumps and fire buckets and within minutes the fires were put. The police were soon on the scene  and they were very suspicious, and made it quite clear they thought this was the work of black marketers, who deliberately broke into warehouse took as much foodstuff as they could carry, and then set fire to the place hoping that the resulting fire  would be put down to bomb damage. 

Tony told a young police sergeant, that he had seen three five ton trucks leave the premises and recited the numbers telling them that one of the drivers had been Kate’s brother in law Ray Middleton. The Sergeant immediately radioed this information in to the station  He told the police quite positively that he had seen the caretaker lock the gate before he went home.

Just after he had done this a senior Sergeant came and took over the crime scene  
 “Why were you watching the premises?” Sergeant Dick Money asked.
He had arrived quite quickly on the scene, but he had been delayed by the duty inspector. Quite quickly he had been apprised of the evidence that Tony had given to his fellow officers, which was already being followed up. He asked Tony quite aggressively.
He tried to get the younger sergeant to cancel the police follow up on Tonys information, but it was too late. All he could do was hope that luck would favour him.
How did you manage to see fires starting with blackout curtains up in the warehouse?
“Because I was just looking out of the bedroom window thinking about things in general and I noticed what was happening, that is how I saw the flickering of the flames.”
“You could not have seen any flames sir, that would be impossible.”
“Well how do you think I knew about the fires then?” 
 “I have been wondering about that sir, I suspect that you are in league with the felons and I am arresting you on suspicion of being involved in the theft of goods from this warehouse.”
He called to the young Sergeant “Bill cancel that information I think we have a suspect here.” 
The young Sergeant called back. “You are too late Dick I think they have caught one of the Lorries.”
Tony was aghast at the police sergeants attitude and he sat down wearily on a box as his leg was hurting him from the running.
But the police took no notice and the police hauled him to his feet and threw him in the back of a police car handcuffed and without his stick. When he got to the police station a policeman took pity on him, and helped him into the station. He was put in an interview room to wait until someone was available to interview him.

Sergeant Dick Money eventually came into interview him. He was angry and a very frightened man as he knew that the information that Tony had given his fellow Sergeant was absolutely correct. .He had spent a futile time but to no avail trying to put his colleagues off on the wrong track...  He was under no illusion that he had not succeeded. He knew full well that if the gang were caught they would implicate him and he would be finished. 

The tragedy had been for him that that a junior Sergeant was first on the scene and had quickly  initiated the action based on Tonys information with the support of the duty Inspector. Sergeant Money knew that the information was right and he wondered how Tony had been able to be so accurate. He knew that it should have been impossible for him to read the number plates or recognise any of the drivers from that bedroom window. But he had done just that. Tony told him quite plainly before the interview started that he would be suing for wrongful arrest. “I believe that you are from a competing gang and you are squealing on the mob that did this tonight to put them out of business.” The Sergeant had accused him weakly.

“But first of all let’s get your details down right lets have your name.”
My name is Petty Officer Lord Radcliffe DSM. P/JX435610.  I am on a medical discharge from the Royal Navy having been wounded by an ME 109 attacking my ship in February last.”
The sergeant was not amused. :”Stop taking the piss sir and let me have your name.”
“You have it Sergeant and I am not saying any more until I have a solicitor and a doctor. 
“Have you got your identity card?
“No all my identity papers are in my room at the Feathers.” 
“Well Sir, Did you know that it is an offence to not carry your identity card in wartime?”
“Yes Sergeant I did, but as this was an emergency and we had a warehouse on fire, I did not put all my belongings back in my pockets, which I am sure that your inspector and any court will appreciate Sergeant?
“Fucking rubbish, you are trying to take the piss.” 

Just then the door opened and an Inspector walked in with two other officers. Sergeant Mooney you are under arrest for corruption and assisting in black marketeering. We have arrested the whole gang using the information you gave us sir.” He said to Tony.
“They have all confessed and complained that you must have squealed on them  citing you Sergeant Money as their accomplice.”
Tony said “Thank you Inspector I wondered why I was being manhandled so badly.”

Later Tony was told that when he stopped the first lorry driven by Ray Middleton the Inspector had quite deliberately let it slip out that the information given by Sergeant Money had been absolutely correct and that it was the information from him that had tripped them up. Ray had then decided to blab and had betrayed the Sergeant to the Inspector.  A very successful evening by the police the Superintendent had of course claimed all the credit.

Next Chapter 6

Chapter 6
Tonys Love Life

Tony was just about to make his way out of the station on a borrowed walking stick, feeling quite aggrieved and very tired at the way in which he had been treated and wondering how he was going to make it back to the Feathers. When he saw PC Fay Tonks walking towards him, her lips parted in a welcoming smile. She was about 5ft 6” tall with short cropped blonde hair, aqua blue eyes and a lovely athletic looking body. He guessed she was probably about twenty three years of age. She had a sort of cheeky look in her eyes as she looked at him. She very sexily rolled her tongue around the edge of her lips.  He could see her breasts rising and falling as she stared at him under her uniform jacket. Tony waited for her to speak.  

“Oh, ah, Tony. Err My Lord   I’m, eh, glad we ran into each other before you left.  I am PC Fay Tonks.  I wondered if you could come to the interview room with me for a few moments, as I need to take your statement.  It is better if we are alone and we will not get interrupted.”  PC.  Fay Tonks was obviously quite embarrassed, and she looked vaguely unhappy.  Tony followed her back to the interview room, When they reached the interview room she locked the door. 

He could see the conflict of emotions in her mind, as she fought against a rising sexual interest in him and the instructions her Superintendent had given her. It was not in her nature to throw herself at a man, just any man and she was a little confused at her feelings. Tony realised that for some unknown reason the ring was exerting its power to bring them both together. He could see the struggle that Fay was experiencing s she struggled to bring her emotions under control.     

“I’m sorry about the way you were treated Sir, we never suspected anything wrong with  Sergeant Mooney before, we are all in shock over the incident, and my Superintendent will call on you in person another day to apologise in person. Nothing like that will ever happen again. I assure you.” 

Tony could not reply he found he was just staring at her, he was reading her mind and he could see that her attraction for him was gaining the upper hand. He found that he was reading her mind as easily as if it were written on a piece of paper. Tony sensed that something unusual was happening and he recalled the ring telling him that his powers would increase if he used them wisely.  But this was the first time in his experience that the ring seemed to be initiating an action. He could tell that this PC Fay Tonks was finding it almost impossible to control herself in his presence. He doubted it was a natural phenomenon and he was sure that for the first time the ring was using its influence..... 

Fay was feeling rather aggrieved, she knew the Superintendent was using her to placate this young man and he had said quite clearly to her.  “Do what you must, but stop him complaining.” She had no doubts what the Super had meant. He could not afford to have a complaint by Tony lodged against him especially when he was so near promotion. The fact that one of his senior Sergeants had been accused of corruption was bad enough, and now to have a complaint by a peer of the realm against him would be the last straw. Fay was a little aggrieved that he was using her like a call girl, and not like a valued lover, or a proper policewoman. But now seeing Tony, her instincts and her rising passion seemed to her that she would thoroughly enjoy carrying out her orders to the letter.   

Tony himself found it hard to concentrate with the glamorous Fay so close. At that moment he felt a tingling in his penis.  His cock seemed as though it was getting much bigger he thought his mind was playing tricks on him, but he put his hand down surreptitiously to feel it, and to his amazement it seemed to have suddenly grown. Now it seemed to be about nine inches.  It was also thicker than before.

He knew from reading Fays mind that she was no virgin and that she had been having a long term affair with her married Superintendent and she was a very put out by the fact that he was asking her to give herself to just anyone, but now he could see that she was realising that Tony was young and good looking and that her sexual interest was growing apace. 

Tony was reading all these emotions in Fays mind, and he realised that she was certainly very willing, but he determined to let her make the first move. All of a sudden the glamorous PC.Fay Tonks’s felt extremely amorous. She stepped up to Tony quickly, putting her arms round him and holding him tightly and gave him a very heated kiss.  Tony had anticipated this and pulled her into him, and they began exploring each other’s mouths in earnest with their tongues.  

Fays  moans were getting louder; her kissing more passionate though when Tony cupped her buttocks  with his hands after  a moment of so of necking and she pulled back, he thought he had gone too far,  however, Fay  had pulled away so she could get her hands free to unbutton her skirt.  
Tony realised that Fay was originally obeying the principal of the orders she had been given, but this had now been replaced by a natural enthusiasm for sex, he was a little surprised at the intensity of the need being portrayed by the vision before him.  PC .Fay Tonks was now undoing her shirt and pulling her under vest over her head and her face was flushed red.  She had quickly shed all her clothing and was standing before him in a white bra and matching panties.  “Damn you Tony I’m so sorry I don’t know what has come over me bit I want you badly …I’m so hot,” she kept repeating.  

She stepped forward, pressing her body against him again, reaching out to pull his shirt out of his trousers...  She let her hands roam over his torso under his shirt and up his chest, groping him.  She pulled him close and they were kissing again.  After a minute she pulled her head back and then leaned into him again, licking his ear. “Tony please Take me, Tony.  Fuck me Right now.  I need you so badly, that feels sooooooo good…”  Tony had unhooked her bra and let it fell to the floor between them, her nipples hard, rubbing against the fabric of his shirt.  Her tongue shot into his mouth and she moaned again.

“Tony stepped back as he started to finish undressing.  By the time he had tossed his shirt to the corner of the room she had unbuttoned his fly buttons and she frantically pulled his trousers down along with his underpants, and then she knelt before him, as she worked on his shoes and socks.   Swiftly she rose, pulling him into her again, her nipples raking across his chest.  She was sweating, and it served as lubrication as she slid her body up and down her chest.  “Tony…I’m so hot…I’m hot for you. I don’t know why please help me?”

Tony picked her up and sat her down on the edge of her desk, then he leaned over and pushing her back slightly he began suckling at her breasts. “Oh, Tony! That’s so good.  You know how to make me feel good.”  Her head tilted back, and she let out a low-pitched moan in pleasure.  Tony began to edge her panties down, and PC.Fay Tonks wrapped her arms around his neck for leverage, lifting her body to make his task easier   Tony looked down at her pussy, admiring the neat triangle of her blonde pubic hair. 

 Leaning her back so she was flat on the desk, he bent down and leaned forward so that the backs of her thighs were resting atop his shoulders. He placed his mouth on PC.Fay Tonks’s pussy  
 “Oh My God!” Fay screamed as she felt Tony’s mouth licking her pussy.  She began shaking and groaning in excitement as he began to lick her and eat her out in earnest.

Fay had not slept with many men; her only long-term relationship had been the Superintendent. He was married and had never made love to her like this. Nor had any of her few other lovers. In fact she was not even sure she had ever had a proper orgasm.  The one thing she was sure of at that moment was that she was receiving more pleasure from Tony, than she had ever felt before.  Soon her body was bucking and thrashing wildly, her pelvis rising up to keep in contact with the lips and tongue of the young man before her.  After just a few minutes the pleasure became almost unbearable.  Her head started to shake from side to side, and her moans became even higher pitched.

Tony knew she was about to come. He knew the signs of an approaching orgasm.  Fay’s body became stiff, her knees tensed around his neck to trap his head in her crotch, and she let out a prodigious scream: “Yes, yes! I’m coming, Tony, I’m coming!” 

Tony stood back and watched her as she came down from her orgasmic high, studying her body.  Her nipples were visibly erect, her body covered in sweat, and by the looks of her she was hyperventilating.  Her eyes were closed and the corners of her mouth were curved up in extreme satisfaction.  Tony leaned over and began to kiss her, first her firm breasts, and then up her neck, to her face, coming to rest at her lips.  She opened her eyes and stared at him.  She could not stop thinking that about the pleasure he had given her.  Now she was sure—she had never orgasmed before today.  Now for the first time she knew what she had been missing.  Their tongues continued to duel, and she began to become more relaxed...
 
Tony had her lay back again.  He positioned himself between her outstretched legs, guiding his now massive cock to her pussy.  When he made contact, he rubbed the head up and down her wet slit, teasing her, just a little.  He knew that he couldn’t hold out much longer with out penetrating her.  Fay began whimpering softly, her eyes looking up at him expectantly. 
“Put it in me, Tony, please.  I need it, I need you now…so hot…I’m so hot.”  Tony shifted his weight forward and head of his enhanced manhood penetrated this lovely policewoman.  She moaned loudly, and then began to gasp as he pressed himself inside her.  “That’s right that’s so good, Tony, so hot.”  

When he was in as far as he could go she let out a soft moan of satisfaction.   He held himself still within her, tensing and relaxing his cock muscles.  Her love tunnel felt like it was rippling around his shaft, her legs locked around his back, holding him in place.  She looked up at him again with a look of half-love, half lust in her eyes.  Tony looked back at her.  He was afraid he was going to cum straight away, and he desperately hoped he could hold on for a while.  

Her legs relaxed a bit, allowing him to begin moving.  He gradually built up speed, and started fucking her with a great deal of vigor.  All of a sudden her body tensed up again, becoming stiff.  She threw herself forward and slammed her crotch at his cock, impaling her pussy to the root.  “I’m coming, Tony. You’re making me come again.  Oh my GOD!”  He could feel her pussy spasm around his cock, and the sensations overwhelmed him, as he shot his juices into her pussy.  She was hyperventilating again as Tony withdrew from her. He lifted her into his arms, and held her naked body tight in his arms as she gradually recovered from hr experience... 

 She looked up and gave him a lovely smile then fastened her lips on his and rested her head against his chest. She looked up at him and said. “Tony we must do this again please.” He agreed, but wondered how he would manage it in his complicated life.
Then Fay chuckled “I still have to take your statement Sir!”

Tony rang Kate and told her that he had been cleared of all charges but was stopping at the station to make a statement.  Fay was pleased that she had got Tony to herself for a few hours and after taking the statement she found some food and refreshments. They talked for a long while and then made love again and as the “all clear.” sounded they reluctantly admitted that the time had come to part.

But Fay was a very determined girl, she found herself very attracted to Tony and she was determined that they would meet again. She had been quite open and honest with him about her previous sexual adventures and her relationship with the Station Superintendent. “It was alright, but not minds blowing like our love making tonight.” She had told him.

“I am going to see you again and if you don’t make me welcome I will arrest you.” She said facetiously. “I don’t need to work, and joining the police to be a bed mate for a senior officer was not my idea of police work.”
“What are you going to do then?” Tony asked.  
Today I am going sick and I am sending in my resignation.” Tony was already reading her mind and was privately grinning to himself. 
“My uncle is a doctor and I am going to get him to write me a note a note saying I have Gonorrhea or Syphilis or something highly infectious, and make the Superintendent sweat, but he can do nothing if I don’t turn in for duty. I am finished with the police as of now.”
“What are you going to do to earn a living then?” Tony asked.
“I am going to be Lord Radcliffe’s mistress if he will let me?”
Tony could see that she was very serious and he needed to get her to slow down.
“No that is not possible, but you can come and keep me company while I work tonight” Tony told her. 

***********

The Hon Felicity Fox flounced around in front of her dressing room mirror. Her maid Hannah a slim brunette hovered nervously in the background. Felicity was a natural slim waisted, blue eyed spoilt, blonde beauty of hot female flesh so typical of many of her class in the 1940’s. While her parents were quite happy to do anything themselves to assist the war effort they were very frustrated at the lack of patriotism shown by their only daughter. She was not alone as many girls of that class revolted at the thought of war being allowed to interrupt their social or love life. Her brother Tim was a captain in the Coldstream Guards and was on embarkation leave for a foreign posting to a place unknown.

Felicity was sulking because her mother wanted her to go and stay with her Aunt Sheila for a week or so... “Darling you know that poor Uncle Larry was killed a few weeks ago and she needs cheering up, besides darling she has found a long lost son, she abandoned when she was your age, and I am sure that she would love you to take him in hand. Apparently he was a sailor on the same ship as Uncle Larry.”  

Felicity sulkily agreed, very aware that her mother was very good at applying sanctions that would interfere with her social life should she refuse the request. Soon she was on the way in their chauffer driven limousine despite wartime petrol rationing. Her father always seemed to be able to get extra petrol on the Black Market when he needed it. Although she was resolved not to be partnered with a mere sailor, or to be coerced into some form of society marriage with a common sailor, even though he was a peer of the realm.

Arriving an hour later at Frindley Park she was greeted by her Aunt Sheila in the entrance hall. She had always got on well with Sheila although they were not actually related by blood as Sheila was her mother’s closest friend and confidante all the way through school. In fact Felicity’s mother was the only person who Sheila had confided in after Tony’s illegitimate birth.

Lady Sheila had invited Felicity to stay with her as she thought it would ease her relationship with Tony if he had someone near his own age to talk with, and to have a third person in the house would help her to bond with Tony. It may also lead to a romantic liaison, something which she would welcome.  Soon Felicity was chattering away to Sheila forgetting her irritation at being blackmailed into this visit by her mother as they moved into the downstairs dining room where coffee was waiting to be served... 

Next Chapter 7

Chapter 7
Disaster Strikes Again.

10th May 1941.

The Feathers opened for business as usual that night. It was only a few days later that everyone realised that this night was to be the last big fling of the Luftwaffe. By the end of the night the total of deaths would have risen to 43,000 civilians killed. As usual the sirens sounded as darkness fell which was not unusual as it had now been 57 continuous days since the start of the Blitz on London. Tony hoped that soon Fay would be joining him, as she had despite many protests from her father, insisted on resigning from the force. This she had been allowed to do because she was a probationer. Since leaving the police force he had been in the habit of   every night of the week singing with Tony and staying most nights with him much to the annoyance of Clare. If Kate showed any resentment in Fay’s obvious pursuit of Tony she did not make it obvious and welcomed Fay with open arms...

Tony had in the past few days received notification of the presentation of his medal by the King at Buckingham Palace, after much thought; he had elected to take Joan as his partner. He had made it clear to everyone that Joan’s husband and his father had been killed at the same time, and he thought she should at least have this moment of glory as a remembrance to Alan. Lady Sheila his mother was his obvious first choice, but she declined the offer to accompany him, as she wanted to avoid the publicity surrounding her finding Tony and his obvious succession to the title.... 

The press had visited him and was intrigued at having discovered that not only had he inherited his fathers’ title but he had been recommended for a further award due to his rescue of   Mrs. Wails and her mother from the land mine the previous month. Apparently as Tony was still officially in the Royal Navy   he would possibly get a bar to his DSM and not the George Medal as a civilian.

Tony was rather embarrassed at all the fuss, and once again his photograph was in the papers as the investiture list was announced.  Much fuss was made about him taking Joan and despite the fact that Tony had made it clear that although he had a fiancé; Joan was a long standing friend and deserved to be present on the occasion, as her husband had died in the same attack. To his surprise on reading Joans mind he found that she was relieved that he had found someone else, and that she had given up the idea of marrying him. She congratulated him on his medal, but did not ask any questions about his fiancé. Tony was relieved as at the time, mentioning a fiancé was still a figment of Tony’s imagination; he was also very relieved that Joan was not upset.

Tonight was going to be his celebration  and farewell party in the Feathers,  but he did not want a big fuss, as in his own mind he was not sure that he had done anything out of the ordinary line of duty.  Tony had decided that he should in the next few days move to join his mother. Both Kate and Fay understood, and Fay had asked if he could find her a job on the estate. She was desperate to stay with Tony, and in her own mind; she knew that he was the man for her. She loved horses and as the estate had to use many horses for the farm work; Tony thought that there might be some form of opening for her in the stables....  

The more they were together the closer they had got and Tony had soon found that Fay had a highly intelligent and pleasant personality. He enjoyed being with her and thoughts of marriage were definitely foremast in his mind.  

Unusually Fay had not arrived that night which worried Tony slightly as this was intended to be a special night. His worry was increased as they had to move quickly to the cellar under the bar as the bombs started to fall, and it soon became evident that tonight the Germans were making a very special effort. In an interval in the bombing, Tony and Kate went to his bedroom, and looking out across as far as he could see they could see whole batches of incendiary bombs go off in a few seconds. They saw the intense flashes and then saw them simmer down to pin points of intense white light burning ferociously. Kate looked at him and said quietly. “Tony tonight they are intent on burning London to the ground. Tonight they are out to kill us all.”

They could see the pin points of light go out one by one as they were smothered with sand or water, but there were too many, for every incendiary that was extinguished two more took their place, as they watched they would see a yellow flame erupt as a major fire broke out and another building caught fire.

Tony felt the power of the ring telling him that he had to go out and help and he turned to Kate and told her 
 “Kate I can not stand and watch. I’m going out to help; you must look after your customers.” 
As Kate returned to the shelter in the cellar with Bill and his daughter, and the few customers who had been in the bar at the time of the start of the raid. Tony joined the ARP Wardens and the firemen and volunteers in the streets outside, smothering the incendiary bombs with sand, or helping in the rescue of people trapped by the high explosive bombs that came with the next wave of bombers.

It was not long before the emergency water tanks were empty with the intensity of the bombing and the resultant fires, but gradually they managed to cope with the worst of the incendiaries. It was just turned dawn, as a very tired and very dirty   Tony trudged back through the rubble of burnt houses and smoking debris to the Feathers. As he turned the corner he saw the area had been flattened. The Feathers was a smouldering wreck. A number of people were frantically trying to remove rubble and get to the cellar where they hoped some people might still be alive when the building had collapsed and caught fire. Amongst them Tony saw a much disheveled Fay, her face covered in grime, tears and dust and her hands were bleeding from the unusually hard work. She turned and seeing Tony she ran towards him, jumping into his arms crying in relief as she smothered his face with tears of relief and passionate kisses...  

Tony knew then for certain that this was the girl he wanted to marry. They both knew that it was a forlorn hope to find any survivors alive as they continued to help in the rescue work, but eventually the experts shook their heads and said. “It’s no good.” And turned their efforts towards other people trapped nearby. Fay took Tony back to her apartment which had survived. They both had a quick bath and went to bed. It was confirmed later that Kate, Bill and Clare had lost their lives in the raid and once again Tony realised that the ring in telling him to go and help others had also saved his life.

Fay was late that night as she had experienced a stomach upset and had elected to stay at home. Because of the intensity of the raid that night, the telephones would not accept private calls so she was unable to get through to the Feathers to tell Tony.  It may just have been coincidence but Tony was firmly of the opinion that the ring had somehow stopped Fay from being killed that night in the Feathers.

The following night was memorable as for the first time for 57 days the Luftwaffe did not make an appearance. London still fighting the residue of the previous nights attack for the first time in a long while slept in peace without interruption, although a siren did go off but was soon followed by the all clear. The emergency services were standing by, but as the hours passed they began to relax. They were fairly certain that they would face more problems in the future, but for once they were grateful for this breather.

It was a few days later that Lady Sheila welcomed Tony back home, but she was very saddened by the death of her friends at the Feathers. She took to Fay immediately and she knew Fays father which helped to give them a mutual interest.  Felicity virtually ignored Tony and on occasion was quite rude to him. Lady Sheila became very irritated at Felicity’s behaviour and was quite proud of the forbearance that Tony showed. She began to see Felicity as a spoilt brat, and was quietly glad to see the back of her now Tony had come home. She was desperate to get to know this son of hers and, to make up for all the lost time. 

Tonys arrival coincided with a Wing Commander  Forbes visiting from the RAF wishing to take up the offer of accommodation for a number of slightly wounded and  battle weary  RAF officers, which took up a lot of Lady Sheila’s time.  Tony meanwhile was preparing for his investiture at Buckingham Palace and getting out his number one uniform that had not been worn for some weeks. Fortunately it had been at home with Lady Sheila when the Feathers was bombed.

After a day or so resting, Tony and Fay started to take an interest in estate matters. Looking at his fathers long term plans, he could see that his father was of the opinion that turning the estate into a farming project was not just war time expediency, but he saw it as the future for the long term survival of the estate itself. He had planned to retain a deer sanctuary near the house, but he envisaged that the long term aim should be for a financially viable farming venture. In his notes he had written that he envisaged a much changed world after the war, and there would be a large demand for home grown produce and livestock.  

All Tony’s efforts to hold detailed discussions with Fran the farm manager were fruitless, she constantly pleaded lack of time, and it soon became obvious that she resented Tony having any say in the running of the estate. Tony with the help of the ring realised that Francis was frightened of losing her position, and was concerned that Tony was beginning to interfere and wanted to take over her job.

 It took Lady Sheila eventually to insist that Francis come to dinner one night. After dinner Lady Sheila said quietly. “Francis we wanted you here for a discussion on the future of the estate.” Hardly were the words out of her mouth when Francis jumped up and said in an angry voice.
 “That’s it I am resigning, your bloody son can take over if that’s what you want.”    
For the first time Tony saw the steely side of Lady Sheila. 
She said quite forcibly. “For gods sake sit down girl, and shut up for two minutes while we explain our plans for the future, and he is my son, and a peer of the realm  not my bloody son. Show some respect and common sense girl.”

Tony interrupting not wishing to see the row escalate said “Francis you have it all wrong, we are talking about a massive expansion of the farming venture, and you are at the heart of it. I am no farmer and frankly I don’t really want to be. I want to marry Fay and raise a family. I may even stay in the Navy”
Fay quickly intervened and said. “Of course this is the first I have heard of it of it, but my answer is about bloody time you proposed. The answer is yes.”

It was just at that time that the new Butler interrupted and said.
 “Excuse me my Lady, but I think you should know that Germany has today invaded Russia.” 
Everyone sat in silence for a minute and then Tony said.
 “Germany has lost the war now. It does not matter whether America joins in, and it might take us ten years, but to take on Russia, must be the nearest thing to suicide that Hitler could possible do – he must be stark raving mad..”

It was with a new mood of optimism that they all got down to planning the future of the estate and the expansion of the labour force. . The only thing that Tony wanted changing was that the area bordering the house should not be immediately cultivated. He thought that eventually a large lake and the deer herd would give the house a more pleasant view pointing out that the house would soon be catering for several RAF officers and they wanted a peaceful environment...
“Its going to take at least five years, possibly longer to get all this conversion in place – let’s just leave the house area to the end.” 

The following week the investiture took place and Tony returned home following the investiture with Joan to meet Fay and his mother. It was a month later that Tony, Fay, and his mother  returned to a vastly different London for the memorial service for those that had died when the Feathers was bombed. It was the last time that Tony was to wear his naval uniform. 

Tony was a little amused to see that the ugly concrete emergency fire reservoirs were now being used as swimming pools by the local children. The streets were open, shops had opened for business and although food was still in short supply London was very much alive. The streets were full of servicemen and volunteers from Australia Canada and the Commonwealth. London was very much still alive it had survived its own holocaust and survived.  

At the end of the service a local solicitor approached Tony to inform him that he had been left the Feathers in Kate’s last will and testament as a wedding present… Lady Sheila putt her arms round Tony and Fay. “How appropriate its time to go home son, we girls have a wedding to arrange.”

The End