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.Nulli Secundus -
'Second to None'
by Terence Cardwell
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Chapter
Seventeen- Elizabeth
Jack and his fellow Guardsmen went to the Red Lion,
their favourite pub. The conversation was noisy and
relaxed.
Jack picked up the empty tankards and walked to the bar
to buy a round. Bob came behind him and leaned on the
bar.
‘I didn’t want to ask in front of the others, but how
would you like to take out a really nice lady?’ he asked
with a smile.
Jack looked at him quizzically. ‘What are you up to,
Bob? You know I’m not over-fussed about chasing women—
most of ’em are more trouble than they’re worth!’
‘Yeah. But this one’s different, not your usual trollop
from the pub. She’s my girlfriend’s best mate and she’s
very pretty,’ Bob replied.
‘No, I don’t think so. My life’s with the Guards, and
there’s no room for women,’ Jack replied, shaking his
head.
‘Besides, the way things are going we could be overseas
at any time. That’s no life for a woman with her old man
overseas.’
‘Mate, I’m not asking you to marry her, just say hello
and have a drink. Do you good to get out for a change,’
Bob urged.
Jack took a drink from his newly arrived beer, and wiped
the froth sitting on his upper lip. ‘She might not want
to know me. I’m not much good with women; I don’t have
the gift of the gab like some of you buggers.’
Bob laughed and punched Jack on the shoulder. ‘You’ve
got to be kidding; you’re the best looking bloke here.
She wanted to meet you the first time she saw you. She
told my Emily that you were very handsome.’
‘When did she see me?— I haven’t been any where.’
‘Yes you have,’ Bob replied, trying to be mysterious and
grinning like a Cheshire cat.
Jack thought for a while, taking another drink from his
beer. ‘Ok, I haven’t a clue. Where did she see me?’
‘Buckingham Palace,’ Bob replied.
‘What? How could she do that?’
‘Well, when we were on guard duty at the Palace last
week, Emily came to see me and brought her along. They
both watched through the Palace gates.’
‘I remember two women standing at the gates— one was
waving, that’s how I noticed,’ Jack mused. ‘I was
worried you were going to wave back at her,’ he added
teasingly.
Bob responded heatedly. ‘I wouldn’t do that.’ Jack
laughed and Bob knew he had been caught out.‘ You
bugger,’ he said with a grin.
‘What’s her name and what’s she like?’
‘Well, she’s pretty, as I said, dark hair, rather shy,
and she comes from a good family. Not like some of the
girls we’ve met,’ Bob added with a smirk, taking a
drink.
‘Hey Jack, how’s those beers going?’ a voice called from
the table. ‘A man would die of thirst round here.’
‘Hang on, won’t be long,’ Jack called back. ‘What’s her
name?’ he asked Bob, showing interest.
‘Elizabeth,’ Bob replied. ‘Elizabeth Withers; she lives
with her parents in Poplar.’
Jack picked up four tankards. ‘You carry the rest, I’ll
think about it.’ He walked to the table of
Coldstreamers.
Bob knew it was useless to argue with Jack; he would
make up his own mind in his own good time. ‘That’s the
trouble with these quiet types, they’re always so bloody
stubborn,’ Bob mumbled as he walked to the table to join
the others.
Jack cogitated during what should have been a relaxed
and pleasant meeting. He was concerned that if the
relationship developed into something serious and he
went overseas it would not be good for either of them.
He had known of a number of women left on their own who
had eventually gone with other men in desperation, for
affection whilst their husbands or boyfriends were
overseas. The only way to avoid the risk of that
happening would be to leave the Coldstream Guards to
avoid going overseas, and that he could never do. The
years with the Guards had been very satisfying,
challenging and, in spite of the discipline, enjoyable
and safe, and he liked being with his fellow Guardsmen
and sharing a drink. They were a close-knit group that
was almost like a big family of brothers.
‘My life was and always will be with the Guards and I
don’t need a woman in my life to complicate it. Still,
man cannot live by bread alone,’ he thought. ‘I can’t
live like a monk; a bloke’s got to have some fun, and it
wouldn’t hurt just to go along for a drink. That’s
pretty harmless.’
After two days of procrastination Jack approached Bob in
the barracks.
‘Ok, I’ll go along, but if anything serious comes of
this I’ll beat you to death with your own rifle.’
‘Great, I’ll let Emily know,’ Bob enthused. ‘Anyway, if
you keep your old fella in your pants you can’t get into
trouble.’
‘Mmm, that won’t be easy, but I suppose I’ll just have
to try my best,’ Jack replied with a grin. ‘I suppose
you’re keeping yours in your pants with Emily.’
Bob turned and winked. ‘Aahh, but that’s a different
story.’
‘One of these days you’re gonna get caught,’ Jack said
shaking his head.
Emily and Elizabeth were reluctant visitors to hotels,
knowing that a number of them were frequented by women
of loose morals, as they tactfully described them. But
there were few places where respectable ladies could
meet gentlemen, and Bob had assured Emily that the Red
Lion was a respectable pub.
They were pleasantly surprised with the Red Lion and its
decor of polished beams and large black iron fittings.
The seats were of padded brown leather polished to a
dull gloss from use. The floor was coloured stone
leading to a huge brick fireplace with a white marble
top. A large log fire was burning, warming the whole
room. The polished timber bar was located in the centre,
with signs, ornaments and memorabilia hanging from the
shelves and bottles adorning the top. The area was
large, and people sat around in alcoves designed to give
the patrons some privacy.
Emily and Elizabeth sat in the ladies’ lounge, beginning
to relax in their pleasant surroundings. They found no
sign of rowdy customers or loose women. The landlord
would not allow such people on the premises, chasing
them away if they appeared, believing they attracted
riff raff to the detriment of his clientele. He was
proud of the fact that the Coldstreamers and Irish
Guards called his pub their own, and did everything
possible to ensure they were content with their
surroundings.
‘I don’t know if I can do this,’ Elizabeth murmured to
Emily. ‘I’m not used to meeting men.’
‘Don’t worry; we’re only having a few drinks. Bob won’t
let anything happen to us, and anyway, Jack’s the quiet
type, or so Bob tells me,’ she smiled.
Elizabeth thought about the time only two weeks ago when
she had first seen Jack. He was on guard at Buckingham
Palace. He stood ramrod straight and unmoving, holding
his rifle at an angle as it rested on the ground. The
bright red uniform, white straps and belting, the dark
blue trousers with the red stripe down the sides, stood
out against the darkness of the guard box. A tall
bearskin rested on his head, held by a gold strap above
his chin. Even from the distance of the courtyard she
could see he was very handsome.
There was a rush of cold air. Elizabeth and Emily looked
up to see two Guardsmen enter.
Bob was in the lead, walking towards them with a smile
on his face. Both were dressed in their smart red
jackets and dark blue trousers, the highly polished
brass buttons standing out against the bright red
jacket. They were wearing flat caps, which they tucked
under their arms. Their uniforms were spotless, with
knife-edge creases in the trousers, and their webbing
belts were a brilliant white.
Elizabeth’s view of Jack was obscured by Bob as they
approached. Then Bob stepped aside to kiss Emily on the
cheek and Elizabeth saw Jack close up for the first
time. He was even more handsome than she had believed,
and what she saw made her heart leap and fizz.
His eyes were a china blue and looked straight at her.
His fair hair was brushed back in traditional Army
style. She saw his nose was slightly flattened. He was
tall, with a lean athletic body emphasised by his
uniform, which was immaculate as expected from the
Guards, and fitted him perfectly.
‘Sorry we’re late,’ Bob apologised. ‘Ladies, this is my
best friend Jack. Jack, this is Emily and Elizabeth.’
Jack took Emily’s proffered hand, shaking it lightly.
‘I’ve heard a lot about you Emily and I can see it is
all true.’
Emily blushed a little ‘I hope they were nice things he
said about me,’ she replied smiling.
‘Very much so; he’s a lucky man.’
Emily winked at Bob. ‘I hope he didn’t tell you too
much,’ She paused, and then gestured to Elizabeth.
‘Jack, this is Elizabeth, she my best friend.’
Jack took her hand. It felt soft and cool, and he was
reluctant to let it go. He was immediately captivated by
her. Her skin was like cream, smooth and unblemished,
and she had a small pert nose and hazel blue eyes. She
was dressed in a white lace blouse with a large flat
collar and long sleeves. Around her neck was a dark blue
band fastened at the front with a white jewel. Her long
black skirt hid her legs from view. But one thing
captured Jack’s eye more than anything else: her
beautiful brunette hair, with shining soft curls swept
up at the back and tied with a white ribbon in a bow.
Memories of Janet, the sweetheart from his youth whom he
had not seen since joining the Guards, came flooding
back. But where Janet was a young girl, here was a fully
mature woman of immense beauty, eyes shining and rose
lips smiling.
He was at a loss for words. All the clever things he had
prepared to say disappeared and he could only mumble,
‘Hello, Elizabeth pleased to meet you.’
‘Nice to meet you, Jack,’ Elizabeth quietly replied,
feeling the strength in his large hands. She blushed as
he looked into her eyes. She felt he could see into her
soul and know what she was thinking. Reluctantly she
withdrew her hand as he sat down, unable to look away
from him.
‘Well, what are we all having to drink?’ asked Bob
cheerily, breaking the spell that seem to hold them.
‘I’ll have the usual pint,’ Jack replied. ‘What would
you like, Elizabeth?’
‘Just lemonade, thank you.’
Jack tried his best not to keep looking at her, but as
soon as he relaxed his guard he found himself staring
again. The conversation was animated, with Bob leading
the way.
After a while and a few beers Jack started to relax and
led the discussion with questions as to where the ladies
grew up and what they did. Elizabeth was eager to hear
about Jack’s history, particularly his involvement with
boxing.
‘But it’s such a brutish sport,’ she said. ‘I mean,
doesn’t it hurt when they hit you?’
Jack looked at Bob with a smile and both started
laughing. ‘I’m sorry,’ Jack replied. ‘Yes, it does hurt
sometimes, but you learn to duck and stay away from
their punches as much as possible.’
‘And if you don’t stay away from their punches, do they
win?’
‘Sometimes, if they hit hard enough; but not always. I
just hit back harder,’ Jack replied with a twinkle.
‘‘Strewth, I’ll say,’ Bob added. ‘Jack’s got one of the
best punches in the British Army. I’ve seen it for
myself— finished one guy with the best left hook you
ever saw!’
‘I was just lucky, it doesn’t always work. Let’s talk
about you, Elizabeth, you’re much more interesting.’
The first meeting with Elizabeth left Jack confused and
distracted. For the first time in his life he was unsure
of his emotions and what he was doing. He spent hours
thinking about her, visualising her in the hotel.
‘You’re very quiet, Jack,’ Bob said when they were
drinking at the Red Lion.
‘Sorry,’ Jack replied. ‘But I think you could have done
me in.’
‘How’s that?’
‘I might have to hit you with that rifle, you bugger.’
Bob looked bemused. ‘Oh— you mean Elizabeth! You’re not
smitten by her, are you?’ He grinned, knowing that Jack
was totally enamoured by her. ‘What are you going to do
now?’
‘I don’t know,’ Jack murmured. ‘But I know I can’t wait
to see her again.’
‘What’s this I hear— you’re in love, Jack?’ George
queried.
Jack gave him a pale grin. ‘It looks like it. I thought
Bob would be the one, not me.’
‘Well you never know, me and Emily are getting along
like a house on fire,’ Bob said taking a drink. ‘What to
do now, that’s the question. We’ll see them again
tomorrow night.’
‘If I was you, and I’m not,’ George suggested, ‘I’d just
play it by ear, don’t rush things or get any fancy
ideas.’
‘Sounds like good advice to me,’ Jim agreed.
Jack nodded in agreement and thought, ‘Tomorrow night,
that’s a hundred years away. It’ll be a long wait.’
The time went quicker than Jack expected. The next day
was taken up with target shooting and route marching,
and before he realised it he was showering and dressing
and Bob was waiting for him to finish.
‘Thought we might do something a bit different tonight,’
Bob suggested. ‘A walk along the river and a nice meal
somewhere. How’s that with you, Jack?’
‘Sounds grand,’ Jack replied. ‘But not too much walking,
I’ve had enough for one day.’
‘Agreed. A short walk, a nice meal and a cold beer with
a good woman, what could be better?’ Bob grinned,
putting on his flat cap and walking out the barracks
door.
Jack walked along the river bank alongside Elizabeth.
Bob and Emily were on her other side, holding hands and
stopping every now and then to hug each other.
Jack was careful to do the correct thing, not wanting to
appear to be forward lest he upset Elizabeth.
As they walked down the concrete steps Elizabeth
faltered. Jack put his hand out to steady her and she
accepted it gratefully, and made no effort to release it
at the bottom of the stairs; so they walked along
holding hands. Her hand seemed so small and smooth in
his calloused one and it took Jack all his self-control
not to pull her to him.
Bob and Emily edged a few yards in front as they walked
under one of the bridges where it was darker. Jack
stopped, and turning to Elizabeth he took her free hand
in his and gently pulled her towards him. She came
readily, looking unflinchingly at him. He pulled her
closer. He could feel her breath on his face as he
looked at her, their eyes locked together. He leaned
down a little and kissed her gently on the lips. When
she offered no resistance he kissed her passionately,
and she rose up to meet him, wrapping her arms around
his neck.
They were oblivious to the rest of the world, caught up
in their own emotions. Her lips were so soft and smooth,
her moist lips sliding and turning on his. Their tongues
met, the tips just touching each other softly. Elizabeth
was shaking in his arms and he could feel his erection
increasing. He tried to move away a little so she would
not know, but she pressed harder against him. She gave a
short gasp and he realised she had felt his excitement.
But instead of moving away her fingers curled up on the
back of his neck and she pressed against him more
firmly. Jack was taken aback but soon recovered, sliding
his hand slowly down her back, gently caressing it with
both hands.
‘I do hope we’re not interrupting anything,’ a voice
penetrated their passion. They stopped and looked at Bob
and Emily smiling at them.
‘You really are getting along nicely, aren’t you?’ Emily
giggled.
Jack looked at Elizabeth. She blushed fiercely, and
brought her hands to her cheeks.
‘Sorry, it’s my fault,’ Jack replied. ‘She’s too
beautiful to resist. I’m sorry Elizabeth, I didn’t mean
to take advantage of you.’
‘Oh no, please don’t apologise, it’s the nicest time
I’ve had in a long time,’ she replied, taking Jack’s
hand again.
‘Well thankfully we’re nearly at the pub, so do you two
think you could behave till then?’ Bob teased.
Elizabeth giggled and squeezed Jack’s hand. ‘We’ll try.’
Looking at Jack she said, ‘But I can’t promise.’
The meal and rest of the evening was a haze of emotions.
Both were reluctant to part, and they separated with a
promise to meet in three days’ time, the earliest Jack
and Bob could get leave.
Their relationship continued to blossom and both
realised that no matter what happened in the future,
they wanted to be together.
Elizabeth felt comfortable with Jack, safe and
protected when he was with her. They talked to each
other about their experiences, their interests, their
secret fears and their passions.
Her greatest fear was of being alone and unwanted. When
the feeling overwhelmed her it curdled inside her like
some solid thing, and she wanted to hide away from
everyone. The fear left a feeling of panic and a need to
escape from the people around her. But it was now buried
deeply in her mind, and she had never felt happier or
more secure.
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