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By Root 735 0

running away at Dunkirk, and we’ve heard you saying our flag should be red, white and yellow. You talk about winning the war for us, as if we haven’t done anything or achieved any victories. Well, for what it’s worth, what we think of you is that you’re a bunch of arrogant and ignorant idiots, that you’re boastful braggers who don’t even know what it’s like to fight, and who don’t have what it takes to see that if we look poor and down at heel, if we don’t have much food, and our homes are shabby, it’s because here in this country we believe actions speak louder than words, and what we’re doing, why we’re going without, is because of what we believe in. We don’t need Americans to tell us the importance of freedom, as though it’s something they invented, and we don’t need people like you looking down your nose at us with contempt…sir!’ she finished as she ran out of breath.

Now, with the adrenalin rush of anger that had fuelled her outburst depleted, she recognised miserably that she had behaved dreadfully and broken every rule in the book, which would no doubt now be thrown at her, resulting in her spending the rest of the war on a charge. But she didn’t care. It would be worth it, Diane told herself defiantly.

‘Finished, have you?’

Diane looked away from him.

‘Because if you have, here are one or two things I’d like to say to you, soldier. First off, I’m one man, not the whole of the American forces. Second, no way have I ever considered myself to be part of an occupying force. Third, for what it’s worth, what I personally think of the British people and their country is—’

‘None of my business – I know,’ Diane cut in smartly.

‘What I think of the British people and their country is that their bravery grabs me by the throat and humbles me; that every time I see a person in the street, wearing clothes that look worn and shabby, it brings home to me the sacrifices this country and its people are making in the name of freedom. Fourth, if you ever, ever speak to me like that again, your backside will be so sore you won’t sit down for a week.’

Outraged, Diane spun round. ‘You have no right—’ she began, but he would not let her continue.

‘I have every man’s right to defend myself and my honour.’

‘By physical violence to a woman? Your wife may—’

‘My wife would never soil her pretty painted lips with the kind of talk I’ve just had from you, nor her head with such aggressive thoughts,’ he told her brusquely. ‘She’s a Southern belle, who never forgets that fact. And another thing…’

Diane waited warily.

‘I’m getting a little tired of calling you “soldier” – Diane, and since it looks like we’re going to be working together for the next week or so, you’d better call me Lee.’

‘Yes, sir…Lee…’ Diane amended huskily. She couldn’t believe now that she had ripped up at him in the way she had, and she certainly couldn’t believe that he had let her get away with it. As for his comments about what he thought of Britain and its people…She blinked quickly. She wasn’t going to make even more of an idiot of herself, was she?

‘Right, food…’ the major announced firmly.

It wasn’t until Diane saw the base looming up in front of them that she realised where he was taking her.

‘But this is—’

‘Burtonwood,’ he finished for her. ‘I guess it seemed easier to come back here than to keep on searching for a pub to serve us.’

The checkpoint was in front of them, the men on guard duty saluting as he stopped the Jeep.

‘Major Saunders,’ he told them, showing them his pass. ‘The soldier here is my guest.’

Diane’s hand was trembling as she produced her own ID, but neither of the soldiers on guard showed by so much as the flicker of an eyelid that they found anything strange in her presence with the major.

Even so, she still protested, ‘I’m not sure I shouldn’t be doing this,’ as they were waved through.

‘You’re forces personnel and since I’m vouching for you there’s no problem with you being on the base.’

Although, of course, like everyone else, she had heard about the work being done at Burtonwood to prepare it for the arrival of the Eighth