Geoffrey Jenkins - A bridge of Magpies

I rushed to her defence and he gave me an amused manto-man look.

'I'd like it better in her own words!

'My father.,..' she began; and told him of her search and researches. As she went along I watched his attitude change. Until now it had been brisk and business-like-with a shade of apprecialion-over Sang A. Now it softened, if a face hewn by war, sea and command could be said to soften. He went and sat on the arm of a chair next to her and swirled his drink round and round-his eyes fixed on the spinning liquid as if it were a crystal ball which was mesmerizing him by conjuring up the past. He never looked up until she had finished.

She added, 'J missed my chance to speak to you about it when I didn't get to Luderitz. But my own business has been completely lost sight of in these other terrible things that have happened. If it's worth anything now, my file's still open.

The C-in-C stood up and looked down at her with a curious, unexpected compassion. She met his eyes, startled and questioning. He held out both his hands to her and she raised herself to her feet.

'I think I have a final notation for your file,' he said. He put his arm round her shoulders. 'Come. This is for you alone. It may be something of a shock..

He opened the door and led her out on to the deck and as he did so the sun came out and shone on her bright hair.