Come Back To Us - 33. Chapter 33

The following day, there was a ceremony that was held in Ibsley RAF Station during which the three Spitfires that were now Danish were presented to the small crowd of Danish men who had made this dream possible.

He still didn’t know what he was doing there with them and Jørgen…That was definitely not his place, even though he was as Danish as they were…

“My dear comrades, we are honoured to introduce to you for the very first time the three Spitfires that are now ours. They will come into operation soon enough so we can show we haven’t put so much will and effort into this project for nothing. Now, I shall reveal to you the names of the pilots who will have the honor to be the first new to try them out. First will be Pilot Officer Erik Pedersen. The second will be Pilot Officer Jørgen Billings, and finally, the third one was supposed to be Lieutenant General Kristian Østergaard. But as he will not be back until he has finished the mission he was assigned to, we have chosen an English pilot to test one of them on this special day: Pilot Officer Edgar Huntington.”

A small smile found its way on Karl’s lips at the mention of his name. He was glad Edgar was the one who would fly it, even if he wasn’t Danish. It was better than if it had been any English officer.

“So Pilot Officer Erik Pedersen will be flying the Skagen Ind AKA BL924/AZ-G. Pilot Officer Jørgen Billings will be flying the Niels Ebbesen AKA BL855/AZ-U, and Pilot Officer Edgar Huntington will be flying the Valdemar Atterdag AKA BL831/AZ-K. But before that, I’d like to say a few words about our people’s commitment so that all of us that are exiled can find our way back home…..”
Karl wasn’t listening to his little speech any more. Everything became a blur. He couldn’t help thinking about Kristian. He had left only a few days earlier. But he had no idea when he was supposed to come back exactly… He didn’t want to worry about him. But the fear of never seeing him again was seizing his stomach with a terrible, uncontrollable ache.

He came to realise he cared for him as if he had known him for a long time. Almost like a father. Although he could never love and respect anyone as much as he did with his father. The bond they had been creating was strong, not as strong as what he felt towards George, but at least as valuable.

He hadn’t even wanted to tell him what kind of mission it really was… Why should he be so mysterious?

Could it be something beyond dangerous? Something that could get him into trouble if he knew about it? He thought about it more deeply….

Something that would upset him….

His jaw clenched mechanically as he wished that sudden thought could leave his mind in a hurry.

It couldn’t be about bombarding Denmark…..?

The deadline he had been dreading so much. It couldn’t really be that, right…?

It became hard to breathe all of a sudden. He looked down, hoping no one would notice. They were probably too caught by the man’s words and too swollen with pride to pay any attention to him anyway.

He had to stop thinking about that if he didn’t want to do something he might have regretted later on.

He started as he could feel a firm hand on his shoulder. He glanced up on his right to see Jørgen giving him a concerned look.

“Are you alright?”

He calmed down a bit as he gave a light squeeze on it, but he must have been looking distraught.

“Yeah. I guess I’m worrying for no reason. I just can’t help it. But no big deal. I’ll be alright.”

He had to keep that to himself. He didn’t want to ruin the ceremony on such a special and meaningful day.

The way Jørgen was staring so intently at him meant he had just guessed the truth, even if only partially.

“I know he means a lot to you. I saw how close you two have become throughout the months. But indeed you shouldn’t be worrying so much. The Lieutenant General is an awesome pilot. He will be alright. I’m sure he’ll come back soon.”

That generous smile made him want to believe him, but a part of him would never stop being skeptical and imagining the worst. He could never be at peace as long as it lived within him.

“Yeah. You’re definitely right. As the war drags on, I tend to worry more than I should. Thanks.”

He didn’t count anymore all the times he had thanked him for being there for him.

He tried to be convincing but it wasn’t easy. Jørgen’s smile didn’t fade. Maybe he just chose to believe him, knowing he could never do something effective to make that part of him disappear.

People couldn’t make miracles, as pure as their hearts were.

He felt another light squeeze on his shoulder. He breathed slowly in and out and he felt better soon enough.

The speech was finally over after a few more moments, and soon enough Erik, Jørgen and Edgar were getting ready to get on their respective planes.

Karl approached Jørgen’s after a few minutes of standing still.

“Don’t be too amazed at what you’re going to see,” he winked, his tone playful as he was getting aboard of it.

Karl smirked.

“I’ll be like a stone. Still and emotionless.”

Jørgen’s own smirk only widened at that.

“Sure. Imma believe you for this time.”

Without too much waiting, they soon took to the sky.

It was wonderful to watch them fly. They made graceful circles in the blue sky, shining in the blinding sunlight.

Karl wished he could be as skilled as they were. He managed to fly without making his plane crash, so this was already a good thing. He still had to take all his exams yet, but from what Arthur had implied, it should take place soon enough. And this was one more reason to be anxious…

If he couldn’t qualify, what would he do?

All the men clapped and cheered as the three planes landed in perfect synchronization.

Karl could only keep watching still and silent. He knew he didn’t need to clap to show Jørgen that this was the greatest show he had seen in ages anyway.

“Thank you to our three pilots for giving us such a great performance.”

He watched Jørgen approaching him with quick steps. He was almost running. Karl’s smile lightened his thoughtful face.

“So…What do you think of that ceremony?”

Well, if he had to be honest…then…

“It’s…not something I’m used to. But that was alright. Quite fancy and formal but not too boring. You sure know how to keep a farm boy’s attention.”

Of course, Jørgen laughed at that.

“I’ve had a lot of time to study and analyze the specimen.”

Karl made a noise that could have been a giggle but wasn’t actually one. It was feigned indignation.

He had definitely missed his friendship. He didn’t know what he would do if he had to go away again…

“Who chose the names of the planes?

There was a moment of silence as they contemplated each other. Jørgen looked like he had been expecting him to ask that precise question.

“Well, I suggested mine, and it was approved.”

Why wasn’t he surprised at all by the answer he was given?

“Why am I under the strong impression that you didn’t choose it randomly?”

Niels Ebbesen. Of course the name would catch his attention.

“Why would you think such a thing? This has nothing to do with your name, has it?”

“Hardly at all.” A pause. “If you remove the ‘Ebbe’ part, it makes Nielsen. Do you deny knowing a certain Nielsen?”

Jørgen shrugged.

“That’s the first time I’ve ever heard that name.”

He didn’t really know whether he should take it as a sign of him considering him as something more than a friend. But in the end, he just decided to shrug it off. He didn’t think it would be really worth it to linger on the matter. It would only cause trouble. He didn’t want to break their friendship again.

He just smirked instead.

“What?” He defended himself. “You’re drawing sharp and hasty conclusions for a farm boy.”

He shook his head slightly as he made that noise again, his smirk never fading.

The teasing mood soon faded as the silence fell on them like a stone that was waiting on the edge of a cliff.

“It’s too bad you won’t be able to fly one of them.”

Karl couldn’t say he was disappointed. He would be happy just to qualify and fly a plane at all, whatever they would lend him.

“As long as I can fly a plane, it doesn’t matter. And I’m happy because they chose the best pilots they could ever find.”

Of course Jørgen smiled again.

“Flatterer.”

It was Karl’s turn to smile.

But then it all faded once again, and the silence settled back comfortably in its spot.

“I will be going on a mission soon enough with it. And from what I heard, you won’t be a part of it.”

Karl’s heart dropped. This was no more time for teasing.

“What do you mean soon enough?”

He saw how Jørgen glanced away. How he was looking concerned and almost embarrassed.

“Next week. It’s already been planned quite in detail actually. I will be going with Erik and eight other pilots.”

Karl just nodded.

Apparently, that Eric guy was someone he had met while he had been away in another station, the name of which he had already forgotten. He had nothing against him and was certainly not going to be jealous of him, but he wished he could have gone with him just to be sure he would be okay. Waiting without knowing until he came back would be the end of him.

“I know it sucks… I really wished we could have gone on a mission together. Maybe later in the future.”

If you’re not dead before. Or left dying.

“Yeah. Let’s hope so.”

Jørgen sighed after a few seconds of silence.

“I really wished I could have been here with you to support you while taking your exams. The timing’s really not right…”

He guessed he couldn’t ask Arthur to postpone that mission…

“I know you will nail it anyway. You don’t need me to do great.”

Jørgen. The guy that always wanted to see the positive side in everything. He admired him and liked him for that. He reminded him a bit of Mrs. Hopkins in that regard.

Another smile made his frown disappear.

If he believed in him, then he should believe in himself too.

Hello my dear readers!
Sorry I know I'm very late for the update, but my life has been a real mess lately.... So I hope this chapter can make up a bit for it at least
Have a nice day/evening/night and take care