were kept busy; they too realised that this may be the time to make a pile of money as the men queued for their services. The locals looked on with some amusement at the men standing in line outside various brothels. Others were disgusted saying the area around the town should be cleared by the police and all the prostitutes put behind bars. But the police were aware that would beunwise at this particular time and on the whole if the girls didn’t cause any trouble, they were prepared to look the other way. That’s how it was in wartime.
Cairo Fred drove his girls hard, thinking his cash flow would be sadly affected once the boys sailed across to France, taking their money with them. His girls complained bitterly, but he was not interested, only in the money they earned.
The law was different for those dealing in the black market. Men who dealt in American goods, filtered by the quartermasters who were on the fiddle, were syphoning off as much as they dare whilst they were able to do so. The racketeers loaded their vans. They took everything that was offered, but the local police had several of them under surveillance and pounced on them when their stocks were full. The courts were busy with a waiting list of cases to be dealt with.
As one of the judges remarked during a case, ‘Greed is the downfall of many a criminal.’
At lunchtime, Cora waited in the Lord Roberts for Hank after hearing that leave had at last been given to the men, hoping that he would have a few hours free. She sat nervously waiting and looked up anxiously each time the door opened, until eventually he walked in and hurried over.
Taking hold of her hands he leant forward and kissed her.
‘Gee, Cora, I was so worried I wouldn’t get to see you before we shipped out.’
She felt the blood drain from her face. ‘When are you going?’
‘Nobody knows for sure, but very soon. That’s all Iknow and this will probably be the last leave I get. I have to be back by midnight.’
Her heart sank, but not wanting his last night to be a sad one she forced a smile.
‘If that’s the case, what would you like to do?’
He gazed at her taking in every detail of her face so he could remember each part of it. ‘Let’s have a drink here, then go back to your place. I just want us to be alone.’
As they were sitting quietly together, he gave her an address to write to when he’d gone.
‘Keep those letters coming, Cora, ’cause it’s the only thing that keeps a man going when they are in a war zone. I’ll write back when I can – don’t worry if you don’t hear for a while – mail collection is uncertain.’ He smiled and said, ‘Let’s get out of here.’
When they arrived at her room, they undressed and climbed into bed. Hank drew her into his arms and they just talked for a while and then they made love, taking their time, enjoying every touch, every kiss, unhurried in their need for each other, wanting this moment to last. To be remembered. To be cherished.
To Cora’s delight, he’d brought some eggs and bacon with him which she cooked and they sat and ate together. When eventually it was time for him to leave, they stood in the doorway and clung to each other.
Cora watched him walk away, tears streaming down her face.
Jackson was curled up in bed with Belle on his final leave. She was trying to give him support mentally for what layahead, but strangely, he was the one who was the stronger of the two.
‘Don’t you worry none, Belle,’ he told her. ‘Whatever happens to me is in the good Lord’s hands, but if my life is to be over soon, I have no regrets.’ He gazed at her and kissed her cheek softly.
Belle could hardly contain her emotions and with tear-filled eyes she pleaded with him. ‘Jackson, don’t talk that way. I can’t bear it.’
‘Aw come on, honey, don’t you fret none. Whatever happens, if I survive, you know I have to go home after to my family, but I’ll never ever forget you, Belle. As
Cairo Fred drove his girls hard, thinking his cash flow would be sadly affected once the boys sailed across to France, taking their money with them. His girls complained bitterly, but he was not interested, only in the money they earned.
The law was different for those dealing in the black market. Men who dealt in American goods, filtered by the quartermasters who were on the fiddle, were syphoning off as much as they dare whilst they were able to do so. The racketeers loaded their vans. They took everything that was offered, but the local police had several of them under surveillance and pounced on them when their stocks were full. The courts were busy with a waiting list of cases to be dealt with.
As one of the judges remarked during a case, ‘Greed is the downfall of many a criminal.’
At lunchtime, Cora waited in the Lord Roberts for Hank after hearing that leave had at last been given to the men, hoping that he would have a few hours free. She sat nervously waiting and looked up anxiously each time the door opened, until eventually he walked in and hurried over.
Taking hold of her hands he leant forward and kissed her.
‘Gee, Cora, I was so worried I wouldn’t get to see you before we shipped out.’
She felt the blood drain from her face. ‘When are you going?’
‘Nobody knows for sure, but very soon. That’s all Iknow and this will probably be the last leave I get. I have to be back by midnight.’
Her heart sank, but not wanting his last night to be a sad one she forced a smile.
‘If that’s the case, what would you like to do?’
He gazed at her taking in every detail of her face so he could remember each part of it. ‘Let’s have a drink here, then go back to your place. I just want us to be alone.’
As they were sitting quietly together, he gave her an address to write to when he’d gone.
‘Keep those letters coming, Cora, ’cause it’s the only thing that keeps a man going when they are in a war zone. I’ll write back when I can – don’t worry if you don’t hear for a while – mail collection is uncertain.’ He smiled and said, ‘Let’s get out of here.’
When they arrived at her room, they undressed and climbed into bed. Hank drew her into his arms and they just talked for a while and then they made love, taking their time, enjoying every touch, every kiss, unhurried in their need for each other, wanting this moment to last. To be remembered. To be cherished.
To Cora’s delight, he’d brought some eggs and bacon with him which she cooked and they sat and ate together. When eventually it was time for him to leave, they stood in the doorway and clung to each other.
Cora watched him walk away, tears streaming down her face.
Jackson was curled up in bed with Belle on his final leave. She was trying to give him support mentally for what layahead, but strangely, he was the one who was the stronger of the two.
‘Don’t you worry none, Belle,’ he told her. ‘Whatever happens to me is in the good Lord’s hands, but if my life is to be over soon, I have no regrets.’ He gazed at her and kissed her cheek softly.
Belle could hardly contain her emotions and with tear-filled eyes she pleaded with him. ‘Jackson, don’t talk that way. I can’t bear it.’
‘Aw come on, honey, don’t you fret none. Whatever happens, if I survive, you know I have to go home after to my family, but I’ll never ever forget you, Belle. As
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