After reporting to Alan and having a chat, he went to his office, groaning at the sight of the stack of folders on his desk, after three hours, and he had hardly made a dent in the pile. He left for the Officers Mess finding the seven pilots sitting around a couple of tables, after putting up with the bawdy remarks concerning honeymoons, he turned to Tim.
"Tim as second in command of the squadron, I've decided that you need more responsibly, in my office you will find a few folders and files, deal with them."
The look of horror on Tim's face warmed his heart.
After chatting to them for an hour, he walked down to the flight line. A brand new A10 was sitting there with the ground crew swarming all over it; Taff came over to him after saying how much he and his wife had enjoyed the wedding and hoping the honeymoon went well; he got to the business at hand. Nodding towards the ground crew.
"We have quite a few new lads to replace those who have been posted else ware or have left the service, so we are bringing them up to speed on the A10. I'm told the remaining three will be here by the New Year, do you have pilots for them yet?"
"Not yet Taff," he replied, "The Group Captain and I have to go through a pile of service records and select from them."
"Will their training take the same form as yours Sir?"
"Pretty much yes, they'll go out to the States for the months training, the flight simulator they have is invaluable, I wish we could have one of our own. But they won't go out until well into the New Year, and then they have training back here. I don't see them going out on the next tour."
"So they'll just be the eight of you again?" Taff said.
He nodded.
Over the next weeks leading up to Christmas, he was extremely busy going through service records with Alan and all the other details that arise from a squadron. Alan and he had a short list of six pilots, deciding to put off final selection until after the holidays.
Robert had kept in touch with Terry through the laptop, but he had also used it to surf the web looking for a Christmas present for her. He had finally found a shop that specialised in the product he sought, after relaying his instructions and the address for the cottage, he relaxed knowing that was one less problem resolved.
He arrived at the cottage before Terry, finding his mail and the small package on the table by the door. After checking the contents of the package, he slipped the small box into his pocket along with a card.
He was busy setting up the Christmas tree that Archie had left when Terry arrived.
After greeting her with a kiss, he took her case upstairs to his room, leaving her warming herself by the roaring log fire.
That evening they dined at the Archers; Terry had asked him to take Buttercup as she had a package to pick up from Jack.
Surviving the greetings of those present he found himself chatting to Ruby, Archie and Mrs Mac while Terry was at the other end of the bar having an animated discussion with Jack, she was making notes on Jacks pad listening intently to him.
At the end of the night, Jack came out with a large cardboard box, sliding it over the bar to Robert for him to take back to the cottage.
Back at the cottage she unloaded the contents placing some in the fridge others into storage racks, he had been banned from entering the kitchen so contented himself by pouring out a nightcap for them both.
As she undressed in his room she smiled to herself, he's still like a little boy; she thought, afraid for us to make love in his parent's bed.
The next morning was Christmas Eve a thick frost had formed over night the fields and trees were covered with it.
He climbed out of bed quietly, so he didn't disturb her going down stairs to clean out the fireplace, and relighting it, soon the logs took hold. He made a pot of tea and some toast placing them on a tray he returned to his room.
She was still sleeping; placing the tray on the bedside table he bent and kissed her gently marvelling has always at the softness of her lips. Her eyes opened a smile appearing on her face as she saw him.
"Morning sleepy head I've brought you some tea and toast," he said.
She sat up in bed arranging the pillows behind her back, the duvet slipping down to her waist; some of her hair had fallen over her shoulder hiding her breast.
Terry he knew never wore PJ's or a nightdress under normal circumstances. He moved it aside, and then poured her tea out for her.
"Bobby you're spoiling me," she said as she placed the cup back on the tray.
"Not really," he murmured, "I had an ulterior motive," as he undid his dressing gown.
She saw his upright erection as the gown hit the floor.
"Oh, my," she whispered, "tea toast and his Nibbs for breakfast, what more could a girl ask for," as she kicked the duvet from her body.
Back down stairs after she had served him his breakfast, she gave him his orders.
"Bobby I've a lot to do today, I want to finish dressing the tree, and then I have to prepare the food ready for tomorrow, and I don't want you to distract me, so go out somewhere please."
"But I thought I could help you darling."
"I know what kind of help you are likely to give, and at the moment I don't need it," she said, "You can drop off the presents I've brought for Aggie Archie and Sir Wilbur, we can give Jack and Ruby's theirs tonight."
He stopped at the Gate Cottage and gave Mrs Mac, and Archie's present asking her to wrap the small box while he visited Sir Wilbur.
He was in his study when Davis announced him. They chatted about the wedding and Barbados, he told him about the tea and coffee service bearing; his coat of arms that they had given Jeremy and Pearl he expressed his delight about it saying it only seemed right that they should have it bearing in mind, it's history. Robert presented their present to him, which he knew was fifty Cuban cigars his favoured brand, which he had bought in Barbados.
He in turn gave him a package for himself, wrapped in Christmas paper; he moved to a drawer and removed a jewellery case.
"Robert I should like Terry to have this, it was my wife's I hope you don't mind," he opened it inside was an emerald bracelet, the stones a perfect match for Terry's eyes,
"I have no one else to give it to, certainly not that bitch of a wife, of my son."
Back at the Gate cottage Mrs Mac wrapped the case for him; he kissed her cheek wishing her a merry Christmas as he left.
Back at home he noticed a number of presents already under the tree, which sparkled with the decorations and lights which she had arranged on it, he placed his load of presents under it, to join the others.
Terry was in the kitchen singing to the carols and Christmas songs that were coming from the speakers.
"I'm back," he cried "am I allowed back in?"
"Nearly done darling, pour me out a sherry will you?"
She came out of the kitchen wiping her neck with a tissue the top three buttons of her blouse undone.
"It's hot in there with the Agar on" she said.
She took her glass and sat on his lap in the armchair, looking at the tree.
