Chapter 5 A Midnight Snack for Two.

Fred sighed deeply as he took his seat in the coach car. It just wasn't right to be leaving his new bride alone at the train station on their wedding day. But, he realized as he glanced around, if looks are telling, then most of these lads feel the same way.

And, Fred knew, it would be worse for Margot. Here she was, a newly married lady and instead of having a few days alone with her new husband, right now she was walking back to her tiny two room bedsitter flat, in the attic, on Florence Street. And to add fuel to the fire, tomorrow she would be going right back to her job at the dress maker factory turned uniform factory on nearby Crocus street.

Just then Fred noticed a squirming feeling around his mid-section that reminded him of another more urgent situation. How was he going to take care of Mayhem? He was scheduled to fly out on a mission with his company tomorrow. He was certain his Seargent Major would not allow the cat to stay in the barracks alone. This cat was his link to home and Margot. He had promised to care for the cat just as he would care for his wife, and he was not going to let someone put Mayhem outside to fend for himself. Fred knew he'd have to think of something, and fast.

Mayhem on the other hand was not thinking about anything like this. He was thinking while it was nice and comfy inside the jacket and it smelled a lot like his brother, right now he was hungry. Where was momma and why wasn't she bringing him a tasty mousey morsel? So he did what most babies do, he started to call for her, first quietly and then after a few minutes, a little more vigorously.

Fred had to do something now. Not knowing what else to do, he did what he'd watched his father do when his grandchildren needed consolation. He stood up, rubbed his mid-section gently to get Mayhem's attention, then began strolling slowly up and down the train car, humming deep in his throat as he went along. Now of course Mayhem did not understand this strange, almost but not quite, purring sound, but..it was comforting, so he snuggled down once again to sleep, just as Fred finished humming the final chorus of "By the Light of the Silvery Moon". Which was a good thing, because the only other song that Fred could hum was "God Save the King", and while patriotic, it was probably not the right tune for this particular audience.

About 45 minutes later, the train pulled into the station in Exeter where Fred's company was stationed. RAF and RCAF personnel gathered their belongings and made their way off the platform to the front of the staton where they stood around in the darkness smoking and waiting for the transports to come and pick them up

Once again Mayhem started moving around inside Fred's jacket. It was becoming clear to Fred that Mayhem would not be willing to stay concealed much longer. Hey George, he called out to one of his bunkmates, its a warm evening and there's been no air raid warnings tonight. Please tell the Seargent Major that I decided to stretch my legs. I'm going to walk to the barracks. Fred lifted his rucksack to his shoulder and started walking towards the airbase.

Mayhem was moving around frantically inside his jacket by now and Fred knew he had to find a safe place to let him out. Here you go buddy, he whispered when he came to a bare spot on the road. He popped open his jacket and Mayhem rocketed out. He had business that MUST be attended to. Whoa Mayhem, don't go too far away, cautioned Fred. There's all kinds of creatures out here who might like a tasty little midnight kitten snack. Mayhem really didn't care at this point, he was just so happy to be out in the night air. He relieved himself, covered up his tracks carefully, just like he was taught to do, then looked around eagerly. He could hear Fred rooting around in his rucksack. Mayhem was curious about the whistling sound Fred was making but he had other things to do right then. His tiny nose was twitching and his ears were shifting, listening to the new and exciting sounds. Suddenly the fur on his neck raised slightly. His instincts were telling him to crouch down and creep quietly under a bush, and to stay very very still...so he did and out of the corner of his eye, he saw it - a mouse, just the right size for a young tomcat's first kill. He pounced, the mouse jumped, Mayhem righted himself, crouched, pounced again and next thing he knew he had a mouse clamped firmly in his jaws. Wasting no time, Mayhem shook the mouse violently twice and snapped its neck. Dinner was served. He was a fine hunter. Proudly he carried the mouse out onto the street where Fred could see him. What on earth is that? Why you clever little tomcat, laughed Fred. I guess you won't need a bite of my ham sandwich after all. Fred finished the sandwich quickly and reached for the jar of milk that Margot had packed for them to share. Here you go Mayhem, have some milk to to wash down your mouse meal chuckled Fred. Mayhem eyed the jar lid offered, then sidled closer and cautiously lapped it up with his tongue. After drinking his fill, Mayhem settled down close beside Fred and proceeded to wash his face and whiskers untile he was as clean as a whistle.

You're quite a self sufficient little character aren't you? Barely more than a baby, and already you can feed and clean yourself. Maybe you'll teach me me a thing or two about that. But now, Mayhem my little friend, we have to walk along, there's still 2 kilometers to go before we get to the airbase. Would you like to ride in my jacket again? Fred opened his jacket and tucked Mayhem safely inside where he immediately began a deep rumbling purr. Smiling to himself, Fred started humming "By the light of the Silvery Moon" one more time. Mayhem felt himself drifting off to sleep. Hmm, he wondered, why do cats think all humans are dangerous?