The Death of Hope by Andrew Wareham (inspirational books for women txt) 📕

– might be good for your future, that. Should see you as viceinside twenty years, one of the youngest ever.”

Simon left, wondering just why Tyrwhitt hadbeen so open in his plans for him. As well, what was the gain for the Commodore?

He sat in his cabin, waiting for Griffin,putting the pieces together. The viscountcy would make him a valuable followerfor Tyrwhitt, useful if he had ambitions to become First Sea Lord. Additionally,he had shown well, it might be that Tyrwhitt thought he would be good for theNavy.

He heard the pipes as Griffin came aboard,rehearsed his words – short and simple.

He kept proceedings formal, did not offerdrinks of any sort.

“Sit down, Griffin. I have informed theCommodore that I cannot work with you. I do not believe that you are suited fordestroyers. You are an able officer with an excellent record and the Commodorewill try to find you a post suitable for your talents, on a larger ship, ifpossible, if not, perhaps at a training establishment for minesweeping, if suchexists. You are to report to the Commodore immediately, without returning toLark. Your servant can pack your cabin for you; I will send the order. Thank you.You may go.”

Griffin stood, found his cap, saluted and left,not a word said.

Strachan presided over the honours asGriffin left the ship, raised an eyebrow to Simon.

“Gone. Too rigid for the boats, MrStrachan. We did not see eye to eye. Are you satisfied with the arrangements wehave for the depth bombs? I am still not entirely certain of those rails overthe stern quarter…”

Lieutenant Commander Faulds appeared nextday, late and tired from a tedious journey from Scapa Flow.

“Escaped, sir! There since August ’14 andfast reaching the end of my tether! Glad to join the Harwich Patrol, sir.”

Faulds had been in command of destroyerssince mid ’13, was deeply skilled in their handling and settled in instantly tothe habits Simon demanded.

The flotilla sailed into bad weather whichheld unbroken for a month, half a gale the least as they learned to worktogether. It was difficult, in many ways ideal – if they could operateefficiently in rough seas and poor visibility, they could meet almost any otherproblems that would come their way.

Mid-April saw them back to the yard forthree weeks to make good storm damage and pick up the latest in modificationsdreamed up by the Admiralty’s boffins.

“Leave for all possible bodies, Sturton. Fourweeks for you, commencing tomorrow. You may telephone your lady!”

It would seem that all was planned at theParretts, waiting only for the word. He was to arrive next day and would be toldof all he was to do. For the while, he must not worry himself – they had beenin contact with his uncle and all was arranged.

A week and he was standing in the parishchurch, full dress, Strachan at his side, First Lieutenant acting as best manas was only right in the absence of any personal friends in the country. Acommendably brief ceremony, the vicar having a fine idea of what weddings wereabout, and then to a surprisingly large reception.

His Uncle Perceval was present as was abanker Uncle Isaacs, Jewishness set aside for the day. Lieutenant Higgins wasprominent in the congregation, a well-preserved, handsome female in her fortiesnext to him; he was to meet the formidable mater, it seemed. He spottedBrigadier Baker as well, to his pleasure, his lady at his side, wedded threeweeks, he knew, while he was at sea. The remainder of the guests were unknown –a great mass of introductions to come, inevitable at a wedding.

The bride appeared and he forgot all else,standing beside her and playing his part, giving his responses in a firm voice,as was correct.

The reception was held at the Hall, longand lush, ignoring the war other than for the absence of young men and thenumbers of those present who wore black bands.

His uncles gave speeches and producedsuitably magnificent gifts, sparkling and golden, and joined in the toasting andfeasting that followed, wartime austerity nowhere to be seen.

An orchestra made itself known and dancingcommenced and the newly weds circulated.

“Alice, I must make you known to BrigadierBaker – known to me for years at Dartmouth and for a long cruise on St Vincentdreadnought before the war. He found the Navy not to be his cup of tea and proceededto show that he should always have been a soldier!”

Richard introduced his wife.

“We had only a very quiet affair, Sturton,due to Primrose losing two cousins in the month beforehand, the family inmourning. They were both Flying Corps. Never met them, myself.”

“You have a brigade of New Army, do younot, Baker?”

“Taking them out in May. What of you,Sturton? Three stripes up now and a collection on your chest!”

Simon announced his new status, a lightcruiser and a flotilla as well.

“Post Captain within a couple of years atthis rate, old fellow. Unheard of before the war, for either of us.”

Their ladies agreed they were outstanding gentlemen,wondered how they would do when the war ended.

The men caught each other’s eye and shooktheir heads simultaneously, Primrose noticing and wondering aloud why.

“An Army of one hundred thousand, even ofour best, is not going to bring the war to an end, my love. Germany has at leasttwo millions of men at and behind the Trenches. We may - we must – make amassive breach and bring the trench war to an end, but there will be a longslow push thereafter. How would you say at sea, Sturton?”

“We are holding our own and tightening theblockade. Germany is importing nothing by sea. A slow process. The Channel isfairly much secure. The submarines are playing merry hell in the Atlantic andthings are getting worse there. From the little I pick up, I would say there isa chance we will not be able to feed the country next year.”

“Two more years, Richard?”

“If we break the German will to fight,only one. I have my doubts about that.”

It was hard to maintain the smilesdemanded of the day. Alice, who had remained silent, commented once they had movedon that she had never seen a VC before; the Brigadier seemed a pleasant mandespite