The Dardanelles Conspiracy by Alan Bardos (best ereader for pc TXT) 📗

have some very difficult questions to answer. Once I’ve made my point, I’ll get it returned.’

‘As you will,’ Gabrielle stood up. ‘I need to get back, you can send me a note – on HQ stationery.’

She smiled enigmatically.

Chapter 41

Johnny waited obediently while Sir George finished having dinner. He was putting on a show for the First Lord of the Admiralty’s brother and Johnny was playing his part as the dutiful servant, being called to heel.

After jam roly poly, Sir George beckoned him to the table with a twirl of his hand.

‘Swift, what the hell do you want?’

‘Sorry to disturb you at the club, Sir George, I have some documents that require your urgent attention.’ Johnny handed a dossier to Sir George, who took them with a self-important flourish.

He felt a glint of fear as Sir George took the money orders out and started to flick through them.

‘Shop in the Club, again. Disgraceful.’ The Major gave Johnny a filthy look. He was the type who would cheerfully wring Johnny’s neck and then buy him a drink for being a good sport about it.

‘Sorry Churchill, this can’t wait the Expeditionary Force is short of just about everything, from boats to water containers.’ Sir George said and held a hand out to Johnny, who gave him a fountain pen. Like the last time, Sir George was too busy trying to look important to pay any attention to what he was signing.

‘Would you mind witnessing?’ Sir George passed Churchill the documents. He took them with a deep sigh and began to sign them.

‘Hello what’s this?’ Churchill snapped and Johnny’s heart stopped.

‘What’s what?’ Sir George asked.

‘It’s covered in gibberish.’

Johnny relaxed, his language skills meant that he’d been made responsible for the never-ending pile of scrawled invoices that needed to be translated and collated.

‘You speak the local lingo?’ the Major asked.

‘I've picked up the odd smattering here and there, sir. My Turkish is better, but European languages are more my forte.’

‘Swift likes to show off at every given opportunity,’ Sir George said. ‘Well, off you go Swift, grown- ups are talking.’

Johnny reached down to retrieve the documents. Churchill grabbed his wrist and Johnny jumped out of his skin.

‘You do look familiar somehow.’

‘I told you, he’s my office boy,’ Sir George said indignantly.

‘Yes, of course,’ Churchill winked.

Johnny left his gentlemen’s outfitters and made his way along the Corniche, a bright seafront lined with grand Western style buildings that promised decadence and corruption to the promenading officers.

He entered the Palace Hotel and made his way through the gaudy lobby. Gabby was with a group of nurses who were smiling at him, the debonair officer. His growing excitement faded when she detached herself from the herd and led him onto the veranda.

‘Won’t your friends be joining us?’

‘Of course not! They’re only here because I couldn’t wait on my own in the lobby, anything might happen.’ Gabrielle said coyly.

‘You got my note then?’ Johnny asked as they settled at a table overlooking the Mediterranean.

Gabrielle gave him a mocking look. ‘It’s very convenient to meet in a hotel.’

‘Yes, I thought so.’ Johnny leered.

‘And you took the trouble to book a room?’ She asked and smiled at the inevitability of it. ‘So the scheme worked?’

‘Well he signed the requisition and it’s winging its way to stores. I’ll give it a day to be delivered then settle some old scores.’

‘And you will be sent to the front and eventually be killed in action?’

‘I say.’ Johnny was slightly taken aback then saw a hint of a smile on her face.

‘I cannot have another lover that could be dead or alive.’

‘Another, I thought your fiancé had been killed.’

‘No, it would seem that he is missing. Presumed dead.’

‘I didn’t realise or I wouldn’t have… honoured you quite so much.’

‘Yes you would have, but it would be selfish to continue our liaison if he is alive.’

‘Yes especially when there are so many other women craving my attention.’ Johnny said. She didn’t laugh.

‘Take this.’ She passed him a letter. ‘It is a note asking that I be informed if.’ She shrugged.

Johnny took the note and put it in his brass box.

‘Now would you like to talk about the feel of my opulent body against you, or the fever of my hips on you, and of course my intelligence and kindness?’ Gabrielle giggled at his embarrassment.

Johnny felt himself blush. He couldn’t believe that he’d exposed his feelings like that.

‘I was going into a dangerous situation and this is how you respond? Mocking my overtures of love?’ Johnny grinned back at her.

‘Well don’t just sit there, mon biquet, do you not wish to honour me one last time?’

Chapter 42

Johnny practically skipped through the lobby of the HQ building, ready to face another day of tedium and repetition, with a smile on his face and the certain knowledge that this would all soon be over.

He was pleased to find Williams waiting for him in his office. Even by his melancholic Welsh standards he was looking grimfaced.

‘Hello Williams, cheer up I’m getting out of here soon and I’ll take you with me!’ Johnny said trying to hide the ridiculous grin on his face.

‘You better get in there quick.’ Williams replied beckoning for him to follow.

‘What, where?’ Johnny asked following him up the grimy corridor.

‘You’ve really done it this time.’

‘I certainly have!’ Johnny’s mind was still on last night.

‘Crassus is here and he’s in with your C.O.’

‘Why? I sent his order yesterday.’

‘I’d rather not say anymore sir, Dawkins is still my officer and I can’t betray a confidence, same as I wouldn’t for you.’ Williams said coming to a stop outside Sir George’s office.

Johnny knocked on the door and confidently entered.

Crassus was standing