The Shepherd Read Online Free PDF

a pattern, always a pattern.
    "I'm sorry it's not very hospitable, old boy, said Marks, having failed to find the absent Joe. Being only the two of us on station here, and no visitors to speak of, we've each made two bedrooms into a sort of self-contained apartment where we live. Hardly seems worth using all this space just for the two of us. You can't heat them in winter, you know; not on the fuel they allow us. And you can't get the stuff."
    It seemed sensible. In his position I'd probably have done the same.
    "Not to worry, I said, dropping my flying helmet and attached oxygen mask into the other leather chair. Though I could do with a bath and a meal."
    "I think we can manage that, he said, trying hard to play the genial host. I'll get Joe to fix up one of the spare rooms God knows we have enough of them and heat up the water. He'll also rustle up a meal. Not much, I'm afraid. Bacon and eggs do?"
    I nodded. By this time I presumed old Joe was the mess steward.
    "That will do fine. While I'm waiting, do you mind if I use your phone?"
    "Certainly, certainly, of course, you'll have to check in."
    He ushered me into the mess secretary's office, a door beside the entrance to the bar. It was small and cold, but it had a chair, empty desk and a telephone.
    I dialled 100 for the local operator and while I was waiting Marks returned with a tumbler of whisky. Normally I hardly touched spirits, but it was warming, so I thanked him and he went off to supervise the steward. My watch told me it was close to midnight. Hell of a way to spend Christmas, I thought. Then I recalled how thirty minutes earlier I had been crying to God for a bit of help, and felt ashamed.
    "Little Minton, said a drowsy voice. It took ages to get through, for I had no telephone number for Merriam Saint George, but the girl got it eventually. Down the line I could hear the telephone operator's family celebrating in a back room, no doubt the living quarters attached to the village post office. Eventually the phone was ringir~g.
    "R. A. F Merriam Saint George, said a man's voice. Duty sergeant speaking from the guard-room, I thought.
    "Duty Controller, Air Traffic Control, please, I said. There was a pause.
    "I'm sorry, sir, said the voice, may I ask who's calling?"
    I gave him my name and rank. Speaking from R. A. F Minton, I told him.
    "I see, sir. But I'm afraid there's no flying tonight, sir. No one on duty in Air Traffic Control. A few of the officers up in the mess though."
    "Then give me the station duty officer, please."
    When I got through to him he was evidently in the mess, for the sound of lively talk could be heard behind him. I explained about the emergency and the fact that his station had been alerted to receive a Vampire fighter coming in on an emergency G CA without radio. He listened attentively. Perhaps he was young and conscientious too, for he was quite sober, as a station duty officer is supposed to be at all times, even Christmas.
    "I don't know about that, he said at length. I don't think we've been operational since we closed down at five this afternoon. But I'm not on Air Traffic. Would you hold on. I'll get the Wing Commander (Flying). He's here."
    There was a pause and then an older voice came on the line. I explained the matter again.
    "Where are you speaking from? he said after noting my name, rank and the station I was based at.
    "R. A. F Minton, sir. I've just made an emergency landing here. Apparently it's nearly abandoned."
    "Yes, I know, he drawled. Damn bad luck. Do you want us to send a Tilly for you?"
    "No, it's not that, sir. I don't mind being here. It's just that I landed at the wrong airfield. I believe I was heading for your airfield on a Ground Controlled Approach."
    "Well, make up your mind. Were you or weren't you? You ought to know. According to what you say, you were flying the damn thing."
    I took a deep breath and started at the beginning. So you see, sir, I was intercepted by the weather plane from Gloucester, and