The day brought a flurry of unexpected activity. The initial surprise came early, the appearance of Whitmore as they ate breakfast in the mess, causing several men to almost choke on the slabs of coarse toasted bread and slices of lukewarm bully beef that passed for a cooked meal. Atypically, the Warrant Officer appeared uneasy, prompting whispered speculations from those not chewing that the depot was about to be vacated and all hands relocated to distant airfields. When the coughing subsided, the men rose from their wooden benches and stood to attention.
‘At ease, men.’ Whitmore waited a few moments before advising the purpose of his visit.
Listening to the WO drone on about Group Captain Clarkson’s plans for the cellar, Rob’s emotions swung from relief to irritation and back again. Re
