He sat in the foyer with his walking stick between his knees, when a taxi pulled up, and Terry alighted from it.
She was dressed in a tailored dark grey trouser suit wearing a black hat with a large brim; her hair must be in a bun under it, thought Robert, her long neck exposed.
He rose to greet her, "Well how do I look?" She asked.
"Fantastic," replied Robert, "how do I look?"
"Very handsome," and realised with a start that she meant it.
They had been chatting away, when a taxi pulled up; the driver entered the foyer, seeing the Uniform he walked over to Robert. "Flight Lieutenant Barlow?" He enquired.
Terry noticed the pronounced limp, as they walked towards the taxi, the walking stick taking the weight of his right leg.
Finding out that Robert didn't know London all that well. In fact, he had said he avoided it like the plague, she, began pointing out the places of interest.
Has they neared the gates to the Palace; he noticed that Terry had put on a pair of dark sunglasses. The usual throng of tourists was milling out side the gate; most appeared to be Japanese, festooned with cameras around their necks. The police sergeant checked the pass, and waved for the gates to be opened.
The taxi deposited them around the back of the palace in the quadrangle. Pulling up by the entrance of, two large doors which were opened. A man in a morning suit stood at the entrance.
After negotiating the steps awkwardly, Robert presented him self to the man.
The man informed him that the investiture would take place on the next floor; Robert was eyeing up the long staircase with some trepidation, when the man indicated a lift of to the side, "you may find this easier sir," much, to Robert's relief.
When the lift opened another man in the same attire has the one down stairs was waiting. "If you would follow me sir," he said setting off down a long corridor.
Robert could not help but impressed by the furniture and decorations; the man entered a large room, tables by the wall were set out with cups and sources. He passed through this into another large room.
Three rows of chairs were aligned in the centre of the room.
At the far end was a raised dais with doors behind it.
"If you will sit here sir," indicating a seat at the end of the last row, "it will make it easier for you when you have to go forward." He continued, "As you are to receive the most senior award today you will be called last. Stop two paces from Her Majesty bow, and say Your Majesty, then walk forward. If she offers, her hand, don't grip it too tightly. After that, you address her as Mam, as in jam, all clear?"
"Yes thank you," replied Robert.
After sitting down with Terry on his inside, he watched as others entered the room, to join those already sitting down.
He was twiddling with his walking stick, when he felt Terry take his hand in hers, she squeezed it, "relax, enjoy it," she whispered.
"If you say so Mam," coursing her to chuckle.
Promptly at two pm, the doors behind the dais opened, and the Queen emerged, flanked by Prince Phillip, and equerries. One of which was Captain St John now in uniform.
They all rose to their feet. The investiture had begun.
When, Robert's citation was read out. Terry listened in horror at what Robert had done, his sheer disregard for his own safety; she all ready, was aware off some details from TV and newspaper reports.
But being with the shy reluctant hero now, seemed even more pertinent, today.
Robert's name was called he rose, passing his hat and walking stick to Terry, he said, "Hang on to these, for me please."
With his shoulders pulled back, he marched forward.
Terry watched as he stopped and bowed then approached the Queen. Her Majesty seemed to stare at his face for several seconds, and they conversed for a few minutes and then Robert stepped back, a few paces bowed, turned and marched back to his seat carrying a small velvet box in his hand.
When he had sat down, Terry glanced at him, noticing a thin film of perspiration on his forehead, that walk had cost him dearly she knew. She slipped her hand into his and gave it a little squeeze; she was suddenly overcome with a feeling of emotion and pride for him.
The Queen stepped down form the dais, and every one rose. She walked down past the rows of chairs, into the other room followed by Prince Phillip and her equerries. Has they passed, the front row followed, and then the second, and then Robert's row followed them in.
Inside liveried servants were distributing tea and cakes. Robert and Terry accepted tea but turned down the cakes moving into a corner of the room.
Suddenly Prince Phillip was before him, "That was a bloody good showing you put in over there Flight Lieutenant, bloody good show, congratulation on the award." He growled proffering his hand.
Robert was surprised at the strength of his grip. "Thank you sir," was all he managed to stammer.
After they had drunk their tea Robert said, "What do you say we get out of here."
Terry nodded; she realised he was quite shy and out of his depth in this kind of company.
Robert caught the eye of Captain St John, who came over.
"We'd like to leave now if there's nothing else."
"Oh, course old boy, I'll show you to the lift," he reached for a mobile phone in his pocket, "I'll warn transport you need a taxi," speaking into it, as he conducted them to the lift.
At the lift he stopped and pressed a button, "Well, congratulation's on the VC, old man, I suppose we have to let you fly boys win one now and again." He said smiling and shaking Robert's hand.
As they got out of the lift, he could see a crowd of reporters and press photographers on the steps out side; a taxi was drawn beyond them. Terry was behind him rummaging in her handbag.
As he reached the top of the steps, camera flashes began to go off, and men with either note pads, or microphones were all shouting, at him at once.
Robert felt confused and disorientated, and then one man stuck a microphone near his face and said, "What's it like to win the Victoria Cross Flight Lieutenant?"
Robert cleared his throat, trying to get his thoughts in order; finally he said.
"A lot of people, both in the services and civilian life, both in Afghanistan and here at home. Went to a great deal of trouble, to ensure I would be alive, to receive this award today. So I think it's as much theirs, as it is mine. Thank you gentlemen."
He began to move down the steps.
Fortunately at that moment a premier league football star, which had just received an OBE had appeared behind Robert, with his current girlfriend. Who was keen to display her new set of enhanced breasts.
Leaving Robert free to descend the steps, Terry was already in the taxi wearing her sunglasses.
As the taxi pulled away, and he settled into the seat, he looked over to her, "What's the matter, ashamed to be seen with me," he said with a smile.
