Code Red (WAYHAUGHT)

Chapter 19

Having grown accustomed to adventure, Nicole and Waverly knew they couldn't return to their old lives. They decided to travel, see where the compass led them. With Nicole's inheritance, money each had saved, plus a small pension Nicole would receive, they had sufficient finances to go where their hearts desired.

They went first to North America, believing this would be a refreshing change from the battle-weary Europe they were leaving behind. They flew into New York on a rainy Tuesday, spending several weeks enjoying the buzz of the city. Someone suggested Florida, another California, Texas was even mentioned, which appealed. They loved the freedom, the way things were done in this new continent. The fashion. Most of all they loved silk stockings which were in abundance, along with chocolate. Chrissy visited several times. She loved everything about America, so much so, she stayed marrying a diplomat who enjoyed fine dining. She was blissfully happy, putting on a few pounds before realising she was eating for a little Chrissy. Nicole and Waverly were overjoyed when they heard the news, attending the christening along with Alan in Washington DC.

It was Nicole who suggested they visit Canada. She had always wanted to and well, they were near enough! They started on the east coast, but the west beaconed and they eventually bought a small plot of land with a beautiful house overlooking a lake just outside Calgary. Somewhere to return to after their travels were done. It was cold in the wintertime, but that suited them perfectly snuggling up by an open fire, reading to each other, dancing. Swimming in open lakes was off the menu, given the sub-zero temperatures for much of the year. Alan visited, staying for a few days. It was too cold for him. The idea of wearing multiple layers to leave the house never appealed. He preferred light suits, adding a pullover only if the weather turned inclement, which it had a tendency to do in England.

Waverly fancied South America. Somewhere warm. They spent months in Brazil, getting lost, finding themselves. There were hot nights under the stars, making love on secluded beaches, drinking cocktails at small bars in remote villages. It was perfection. No, it was heaven on earth. They didn't want to leave. It was lively and Brazilians seemed to accept everyone and everything. They could go out and not worry about being together. Alan visited. This time it was too hot for him, looking flustered no matter what time of day it was. They decided he was best suited to a more moderate European climate and waved him off at the airport one particularly steamy afternoon.

They had been travelling for a little over two years, when Nicole received a telegram. Their heroic actions in Gabarret had been brought to the attention of a certain Commander of a newly formed Intelligence Unit. He was looking to pull together an elite group of agents, capable of going above and beyond the call of duty. What they were about to embark on made their adventures at Station X look like a walk in the park, with or without the feeding of any ducks.

It would be safe to say, they worked exceptionally well together as a 'spy' team, as one would imagine.

The next phase of their lives really is a thrilling story to tell.

Ah, but it's a secret.

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POSTSCRIPT:

I hope you enjoyed this brief trip down memory lane. There were so many other stories used in its creation.

The most endearing is that told by Sarah Baring (nee Norton), aka Vicountess Astor as Chrissy would undoubtedly know! She worked at Bletchley Park, as a translator. Her book 'The Road to Station X' is hilarious. The adventures of an upper class gal thrown into the war effort.

Another story I've drawn heavily on is that of Yvonne Baseden. Field name: Odette.

According to Wikipedia: She was one of the youngest SOE women (aged 22) to be dropped by parachute into occupied France. Baseden left from RAF Tempsford on the night of 18/19 March 1944. She parachuted into France with Gonzague Saint Geniès, a French operative (Field name: Lucien). They parachuted into South West France, very close to the village of Gabarret. The local resistance hid them for a few days, then she made her own way across France, her wireless equipment travelling separately, to Jura in Eastern France, where she worked for four months as a wireless operator. Her cover story: she was Mademoiselle Yvonne Bernier, a shorthand typist and secretary.

The most fascinating part of the Bletchley story is its contribution to modern computing. Colossus was the first programmable computer in the world. It was used at Bletchley Park as the codebreaker of the Lorenz cipher, providing valuable military intelligence. Colossus is the foundation stone for the computers we use today. It typifies the proverb: necessity is the mother of invention.

Vicountess Astor would be very pleased her wartime efforts now allow us to tell tales of adventure online!

(If you want to feel the era of this story listen to: It's Been a Long, Long Time - Kitty Kallen...it was a hit at the end of World War 2 as lovers reunited).

In love and light...