Code Red (WAYHAUGHT)

Chapter 4

Unlike Chrissy, Waverly found it hard sleeping in a new house and a double bed all to herself. It was so new, strange, unsettling. She loved the idea of being somewhere different, out in the bigger world, appreciated for what she had to offer beyond her physical beauty. Brains over breasts.

The smell of bacon greeted her as she came downstairs. Chrissy was already at the table tucking in. "Hope you don't mind me starting without you. This bacon is excellent. Try some."

Waverly looked at Chrissy trying to work out if she was being funny, or still couldn't get her head round the fact she didn't consume meat. She sat at the table, buttering two slices of toast.

Nicole was nowhere to be seen. They finished breakfast, collected coats and handbags from their rooms and waited in the lounge. Nicole finally made an appearance just before 7.45am. She had her uniform on, which Waverly got to admire again in all its finery. What is it about people in uniform? she wondered. Nicole really did look amazing in it. It transformed her from the glamorous film-star, who had made an appearance at dinner the night before, into someone who oozed confidence. The sex appeal remained, but it now had a sharp, metallic edge to it. Waverly felt unsettled.

"You girls sleep well?" she asked, not waiting for an answer, grabbing a handful of unopened letters from a side table. "We need to get going. Alan doesn't like waiting outside too long." Turning, she rushed out of the room. The girls followed.

A black Sunbeam-Talbot saloon sat outside the house, its engine running. Waverly looked in amazement, as she exited the house. She had only ever ridden in one car previously for a family funeral. This was something else. Sleek, sexy, not at all what she expected a maths whizz to drive. Nicole opened the front passenger door, beckoning the girls to get in the rear. As they did, Waverly saw her kiss Alan on the cheek. He looked pleased to see her. "Alan, this is Miss Earp and Miss Nedley, part of my new team."

Alan briefly turned his head to smile, nodding in acknowledgement of the girls in the rear, not uttering a word.

"I've gone over the calculations you sent me," Nicole said, as the car moved off. "I must say, they are genius. I would never have thought to do it that way," she continued, a look of appreciation on her face. Alan remained silent.

It was only a short drive from the village to the station. The car swept into the driveway, making its way to a covered parking area just behind the main house. They exited the car, Nicole straightening the collar of Alan's shirt, which was sticking out at a curious angle, saying she would see him at lunch. They walked towards Hut 4. The start of another long day.

Chrissy tugged Waverly's arm, in a bid to hold her back a little, in order to speak out of earshot of Flight Officer Haught. "Told you. K-i-s-s-i-n-g!" she giggled.

"You're incorrigible," Waverly replied, unable to stop herself from giggling as well.

"I would be, if I knew what that meant," both girls now giggling uncontrollably.

Nicole turned her head briefly to see what the gaggle of girls she had with her were laughing about. Deciding it wasn't worth her asking the reason, she shook her head, carrying on along the gravel path. Chrissy shot Waverly a look that said, 'oops,' before both resumed their giggling. Happy days.

The second day was just as busy. Messengers filing in at regular intervals, hundreds of new messages to translate. A tea trolley came round at 10am, much to Chrissy's relief. There were biscuits. Nicole sat at her desk, head down, working intensely on something, brow furrowed. Waverly couldn't help but admire her work ethic. This woman was everything she hoped to be. Powerful, determined, focused. Why couldn't the world outside Station X be like this? she pondered, realising Nicole had looked up from her work and had caught her day dreaming. She was smiling at her. Waverly smiled back.