but otherwise we go in reverse order of salary. That’s reverse order, which ought to put the bigheads in their place. I have your CVs and I have your individual company reports, so let’s see then …’
There was a stir in the ranks, some looking unhappy, others pleased, a few of the real army types holding their position without showing emotion. I for one was grateful, sure that my good position would save me from the job of team leader for the girls. Parker seemed to be having a little difficulty working things out, but finally began once more.
‘OK then, tail end Charlie, bottom of the heap is … O, Lucy Salisbury.’
Every single person in the room turned to look at me. I found myself responding with an embarrassed smile, and wondering if I really did receive the highest salary of all, or if Parker knew the implications of calling a girl O and had picked me out on purpose. It seemed likely, especially as several of the men were considerably older than me, and I found my sense of resentment flaring up, as well as fear. I told myself not to be silly, and that even if he had deliberately named me after a heroine notorious for accepting sexual indignities it didn’t mean he could treat me that way, but that didn’t stop me feeling on edge.
Stacey was G and Wendy Ackland was E, which left the absent Juliette Fisher as A and the women’s team leader. I’d already known we’d be in the same hut, and once Parker had finished his talk we gathered outside, talking formally until safely out of hearing, when Stacey spoke out.
‘I’m from an army family, but I’m not putting up with this pseudo-military bullshit. I’m Stacey, and as far as I’m concerned you’re Lucy and Wendy, at least when nobody else is listening.’
Wendy and I were quick to agree, although I was more concerned with our team leader, and hoping she’d turn out to be small and meek. Even having to take orders from somebody called Juliette Fisher was going to be difficult for me, at least at first, because just to hear the name had brought back all my old feelings with a vengeance. If it really was her, I was in trouble, no matter how much she’d changed or how she felt, because deep down I was still in love with her.
We were in Hut Eight, the furthest from Assembly and quite a way from the three male huts. It was much like the abandoned one I’d investigated, but carpeted, with four beds to either side, each with its own chair, along with two huge chests of drawers and a single, ancient convection heater. That was it, and Wendy immediately voiced my own misgivings.
‘Where’s the bathroom? Don’t tell me we have to go outside to use the loo?’
She’d already thrown her things down on the nearest bed and I chose the one opposite as Stacey answered her.
‘There’s a ladies’ shower block. The huts don’t have any plumbing.’
‘Oh God. Why did I let myself get talked into this?’
I was asking myself the same thing, and quietly cursing Mr Scott as I unpacked and made my area as homely as I could. Stacey had taken the bed next to mine, while Wendy seemed very easy going, making me wonder if it would be possible to get away with at least playful intimacy. There was a vulnerability to Wendy, with her fragile build and pale, freckled skin, which I was sure would appeal to Stacey, while with the door locked and the curtains across the windows we’d be in a little world of our own, opening up all sorts of intriguing possibilities. Stacey had other concerns.
‘I don’t know about you two, but I am not spending two weeks without a drink, especially cooped up here. They want it military, so they can have it military. Who’s for Operation Merlot?’
As she spoke she’d spread out a map on the floor. I crowded close, as did Wendy, tummy down with her shoes off and her legs kicked up. We’d soon located our own position, and the three nearest pubs, which included The Plough. Stacey began to explain her strategy, first telling Wendy about the incident with Parker the night before, then putting her finger on the map where it showed a village in a valley beyond the camp.
‘It’s no good just telling him to get stuffed and walking out, as it will go on our reports, so we have to be sneaky. We know Mr Parker likes a drink too, so the safest thing to do is for two of us to go and fetch what we need while the third stays here to make excuses for the others. This is Venncott, which is about six miles by road but less than two as the crow flies, so we’re not likely to be recognised. As long as we stick to the woods there’s no reason anybody should see us at all. Hiding contraband isn’t going to be a problem, even if there are hut searches. We just use the woods. Lunch is in an hour and a half, so I suggest we go.’
Wendy looked doubtful.
‘What, now? We’re supposed to be mingling and getting to know each other.’
I shook my head.
‘We’re supposed to be a team. Let’s act like one. We’ll go running together, around the fence, find a place to nip through and one of us can keep an eye out while the others go down to the pub.’
Stacey knew exactly what I was thinking and Wendy could see the plan made sense. We all had running kit and were soon changed and ready to go, looking keen as we jogged down the track and into the woods. Several people saw us go, but none followed and we’d soon skirted the open area of the airfield to where the ground fell away in a steep-sided valley. I’d hoped the fence wouldn’t be strong any more, and sure enough, we found a way underneath. Wendy stayed put and Stacey and I began to make our way down towards the river. I waited until we were deep in among the trees before stopping where a small beech had come down to make a convenient seat. Stacey didn’t need any further encouragement and was in my arms immediately, first kissing me and then allowing her hands to stray to my breasts. I hadn’t bothered with a bra and my top was soon up and her mouth fastened to one nipple as I hugged her to me. As usual I’d given in to her desire and she seemed to want me nude, so I stood up, allowing her to peel my top off over my head and pull down my shorts and panties. As I stepped free I was left in nothing but trainers and socks, which felt deliciously naughty and free in the warm sun, and even nicer because she was still dressed. She gave my bottom a few gentle swats, just to keep me on my toes, before sitting down on the tree trunk to push her own shorts and knickers to her ankles. I got down on my knees in the leaf mould, to bury my face between her thighs and lick her to ecstasy while I played with myself, a brief but delicious moment made all the better for the feeling of doing something illicit.
Our bad behaviour had left Stacey in a mischievous mood and she made me climb down the next hundred yards of the slope in the nude, leaving me flustered and aroused once more. I was only allowed to dress when we were dangerously close to the edge of the trees and in sight of the pub, a pretty, old-fashioned building set beside the tiny river. The sign was just legible, showing that it was called the Venncott Arms.
The sun was now high and hot, so as soon as we arrived we ordered a glass of lager each and took them out to the beer garden. A girl was sitting at one of the tables, alone, her back to us, her dark hair cut short, a girl much like Stacey in build, while her look and something in the way she held herself were disturbingly familiar. I felt my heart jump, told myself not to be ridiculous and then found my suspicions confirmed as she turned. It was Juliette Fisher, my Juliette Fisher.
‘Lucy? Lucy Salisbury?’
I tried to speak, but could only manage a gulping noise. Her eyes flicked to Stacey, then back to me as she went on.
‘It’s me, Lucy, Juliette. What are you doing here? Was that you coming down the slope just now? Who’s your friend? Hi.’
She was smiling at Stacey, her eyes full of mischief, and I wondered if we’d been more exposed
