‘But,’ Mitch was saying, ‘if you are prepared to forgo luxury, 17 Wing Winnipeg have a Hercules transport plane at Moose Jaw collecting emergency relief supplies to take out to Eastern Europe. It has to touch down in Newfoundland, then at RAF Waddington, in your home county. You’re welcome to wait for the executive jet, but if you’re prepared to rough it, the transporter will get you home today. It leaves in two hours. It isn’t quite what we had planned for you, but you’re looking real concerned. I can get you there if you want.’

There was no decision to make. He couldn’t leave Kate alone on Whisper Fen for yet another night. ‘We’re already packed, Mitch. I’ll go and alert Matt, then we’re good to go.’

Will gave Kate a quick ring to tell her of their change of plan.

Not only was there no answer, but she had switched the answerphone off. He cursed inwardly but decided that it made little difference, he would just be home earlier than he had thought.

* * *

Within half an hour they were driving towards Moose Jaw. As they got closer, Will remembered about the hotel bill. ‘Hey, Mitch, when I went to pay my bill, the hotel said that you guys had taken care of it. I wasn’t expecting that. Is it usual?’

Mitch pulled a face. ‘Well, it’s not exactly “us guys,” but one man in particular.’

Will was intrigued.

‘No one has actually said that I can’t tell you, but even so, perhaps you would keep this to yourselves?’ Mitch said.

Will nodded.

‘There was accident on the base last year. The wife and child of one of our commanding officers were involved. Captain Hogan got them both out of their burning vehicle. He saved their lives, Will. He was regarded very, very highly by the squadron. You are part of Guy’s family, so the major pulled a few strings to afford you every hospitality.’

‘I never knew! Eva never mentioned it,’ Will said.

‘That’s the way he was, Will. He reckoned anyone would have done the same, but I don’t think so, and neither does the major.’

Will whistled softly and looked at Matt. ‘Then that would have been the officer who read the eulogy? I hadn’t quite understood what he was saying about outstanding bravery, now I know.’

‘Yep, that was him, Major Ted Chipman,’ said Mitch.

‘It was a pity that neither of Guy’s parents were there to hear that service. They would have been so proud,’ added Matt.

‘It would have been too much for them. They are in very poor health — his mother is in a nursing home and his father is crippled with arthritis. No way could they have coped with it. I thought it was a miracle that little Sophie stood up to it so well, poor kid.’