Post by Diarist on Dec 17, 2016 18:52:31 GMT 1
At TRADOC I spent 10 minutes with COL van Voorhis then joined Sally who was already in John Gort's office. "Sally has already explained the situation, Bob."
"So Christmas Day at my Dad's place is unavoidable. Sally's parents will also be there. I'm hoping we can have a TRADOC party on Christmas Eve. Have you arranged anything here?"
"We've reserved the Saffron Hotel restaurant for the early evening. There will be a warm buffet and drinks. Free for enlisted personnel, £1 for junior officers and £5 for senior officers."
"A good idea. Here is £10 for Sally and myself. No arguments. Sally is a minister's chief secretary and her salary is greater than that of a major. Have you been recruited for the visit of the French and Belgian leaders this weekend?"
"Indeed I have."
"Sally needs the car this weekend so can I drive with you to Chequers?"
"Naturally."
"What was the secret meeting this morning all about, Bob?" Sally asked.
"It was about the events in Prague and Warsaw last week."
"How's the planning going?"
"Everything will be finished by the end of January. The approval too. Then we have to go Holland to inform them what we've been planning. The next step is for Edward and I to accompany General Winkelmann to confer with Queen Wilhelmina. Afterwards I'll fly to Palestine with proposals for an end to the troubles there. It's going to be a busy February. There will be less chance of good flying weather so I might be gone for a while and miss all the fun here."
"What fun?" John asked.
"Maiden flights of the Merlin-powered aircraft for example. Hopefully Gloster will soon have something for the FAA too. I want to find some nice Easter eggs when I arrive home. If only to keep the Air Ministry off my back."
"I understand. Shall we visit the hotel? Luigi is home for the holiday period," John asked.
No vote was necessary.