To Ride the Wind Read Free Page B

operation.
    ‘Mr Duffy,’ Patrick said as his company commanders rose from around the earthen model that had been constructed to scale to display what was known of the enemy’s fortifications. ‘A word with you before you rejoin your lads.’
    Sean Duffy, a young good-looking man in his late twenties, paused. He had been a solicitor in Sydney before being commissioned into the Australian Imperial Forces and was also a distant relative of Patrick. He had first served as a platoon commander at Gallipoli before taking over the dead company commander’s position as acting OC. Patrick was supposed to replace him with a major from reinforcements but had been deliberately remiss in doing so. After Gallipoli the former solicitor had been decorated for bravery with a Military Cross and the men followed him for his competent leadership. He had been outstanding in his role as acting company commander, although he wore the rank of a lowly lieutenant.
    ‘Sir,’ he acknowledged with just the slightest frown.
    Patrick looked him up and down with an expression of annoyance. ‘I see that you have reported to my O group not properly dressed,’ he said sternly, forcing himself to suppress a smile.
    ‘Sir?’ Sean replied, puzzled by the remonstration.
    ‘You are not wearing the rank that has been gazetted and which was received in orders at my headquarters yesterday.’
    Confused, Sean stared as Patrick reached into his trouser pocket to produce two star-like pips. ‘Congratulations, Captain Duffy.’
    Sean accepted the pips that would now make three on each of his epaulets but glanced up at Patrick with concern. ‘These do not mean that I lose my company?’ he asked.
    ‘No, Captain Duffy,’ Patrick replied. ‘You remain to lead your men until those up top decide to send a replacement company commander.’
    The position was normally held with the rank of major and Sean was still one rank below. Patrick not only respected his subordinate but was also very fond of him. A couple of years earlier Sean had acted in his legal capacity to assist Patrick’s estranged daughter, Fenella, in matters concerning the murder of a well-known Australian actor. Patrick also suspected that Sean had fallen in love with his daughter but the two men had never spoken directly of his feelings. Now a bond had been forged between the two men separated by age and rank but united by a common blood in the rugged hills and ravines of the Gallipoli peninsula.
    Patrick’s beloved daughter was now making a name for herself as an actress in the American film industry. He had two other children – sons, but so very unalike. His youngest son, Alexander, was a major posted to a training battalion in Australia, while his eldest son, George, remained a civilian managing the vast financial empire of the Macintosh family of which Patrick was the head, despite retaining his family birth name. ‘I am also sending one of the reinforcements from Brigade to your company HQ,’ he added. ‘His name is Jack Kelly and he is a South Australian who, I believe, had a colourful life in and around Papua and German New Guinea before he enlisted. Corporal Kelly is fluent in German, as it appears his mother was one of those many Germans we have at home. He has not seen any action yet, but his record is very good and I am sure he will prove useful if we take any prisoners.’
    Sean would have liked to ask his commander his opinions on the forthcoming battle but refrained from doing so as he knew it would be inappropriate. ‘Sir, thank you for the promotion,’ he said instead. ‘I have a feeling that you had something to do with it.’
    ‘Not at all,’ Patrick lied with a smile. ‘You well and truly earned it but it will not get you out of further officer training at Staff College in Blighty. But that won’t be until we finish our job in the stunt tomorrow. Now, go and join your company, Captain Duffy, and good luck.’
    ‘Thank you, boss,’ Sean replied, saluting his CO