COLONEL NOAH

Colonel Frazer-Lambert's eyes opened at precisely six thirty. He lay quietly for a moment allowing the morning to filter into his consciousness. He swung his legs over the edge of the bed easing his muscles tentatively, hoping that no sudden twinge of pain would give the day a bad start. Good! Everything seemed to be working smoothly. He walked to the window and opening the larger casement began his morning exercises. The window overlooked the back garden which was quite extensive. It had been dug over and fertilized and was ready for the vegetables which the Colonel had carefully nurtured in his greenhouse. This bright shining morning seemed an ideal day to start.

Beyond the garden were Farmer Denver's pasture and a small copse of trees. The Colonel felt fortunate that he had a house at the end of the cul-de-sac; it looked as though he was in the middle of the country and he fervently hoped that no-one would ever build there.

He brought his mind back from this useless piece of contemplation and leaning on the windowsill began to plan his garden.

Sprouts, leeks, cauliflower and cabbage were his first priority.

His mind became still, there was something wrong, he had felt this same nebulous unease the day before and simply could not pin down its source. Something, some small gesture or spoken word had upset the placid tenure of his days and left him with a vague sense of uncertainty.

He wished his dear Elspeth were still alive. She always listened to his outspoken ponderings and quietly asked questions until any muddled thoughts became clearer in his mind. But at the moment there was nothing to grasp only a faint prickling feeling at the back of his neck very similar to the one he used to get on forays, when situated abroad. Perhaps it would come to him if he left it alone for a while. He would be behind schedule if he persisted in asking unanswerable questions. He moved towards the bathroom to begin his morning ablutions.

Mrs Edna Blount, his excellent house-keeper-cum-friend, always made sure there was an abundant store of breakfast foods. She had been their daily woman long before Elspeth's last illness and, as she put it, would rather cut off her right hand than desert the dear Colonel in his hour of need. My tower of strength the Colonel called her and, in truth this is how she seemed.

Edna's family often thought that they were second in her affections but she knew where her strength was needed most. Men, bless them, were so helpless left on their own, especially those who had been cosseted by batmen and loving wives. The house always gleamed and Edna felt as much at home here as she did in her own over-crowded family house on the other side of town. It was so peaceful.

The Colonel heard her key in the back door.

"Morning Mrs B.," he called "The inner man has been satisfied."

Edna smiled, knowing that she would find his breakfast pots neatly stacked on the draining board. She also knew what his next words would be. He popped his head around the kitchen door.

"Just off to take Jasper for the Daily Echo, have to see what state the world is in today. Come boy!"

Jasper the tubby black spaniel was waiting for the morning call and trotted into the hall obediently. He watched his master put on his coat and cap before they set off on their morning excursion. Every other house in the cul-de-sac had the paper delivered but the Colonel enjoyed the walk and Jasper was able to acquaint himself with all the delightful familiar or alien scents of his territory.

They stepped out together, Jasper making the occasional foray to sniff and explore. The newsagent was almost a mile towards the centre of the market town just a brisk fifteen minutes in the bright early Spring sunshine. The little shop set on a corner, was empty of customers as usual at this time. The school children had not yet come in to spend their pocket money on crisps and sweets. The Colonel smiled at Mrs. Woodford behind the counter.

"Morning Mrs. Woodford, Dailey Echo please."

"Morning Colonel, beautiful day. Hope it continues for a while.

"Time for planting, Mrs. Woodford, my days of leisure are numbered."

Mrs. Woodford liked the Colonel, he was such a fine figure of a man, British to the core. He made one think of the National Anthem and Land of Hope and Glory. She put the money in the till and said,

"Our Larry has been thinking he might join the army when he leaves school in the Summer. Always one for the outdoors. Started the Cubs at seven and now he's a Venture Scout."

"Fine life, Mrs. Woodford. Makes the boys into men gives them confidence and independence. Will teach him a trade too. Send him around to see me if you like, I could give him a few pointers."

"That's kind of you Colonel, I'll tell him."

"Come boy," he commanded and Jasper dragged his nose away from a very interesting mousy smell in the corner of the shop. He knew the tone of his master's voice and this one had to be obeyed.

The Colonel stood on the pavement and pondered for a moment. Jasper looked up enquiringly, here was a slight diversion, they usually headed back home at a sharp pace. This sky had brightened to a deep blue and there was definitely a flavour of burgeoning blossoms and feathered activity about the day.

The church at the end of the market square stood silhouetted against the vivid blue and the Colonel was drawn to it. Jasper was nonplussed. Still he didn't mind the extra walk, the graveyard gave out some very interesting over-tonal smells.

The Colonel strode purposefully towards it. He lifted the wooden latch of the side gate, closing it carefully behind him. Following the path round the bell tower and past the small porch he headed towards a stone bench. He lowered himself on to it, sitting with his stick clasped in both hands he gazed at the white marble cross which marked his wife's resting place.

ELSPETH FIONA FRAZER-LAMBERT Beloved wife and then her dates. There was room below the inscription for his own name when the time came. Jasper sat at his feet and leaned slightly against him. As he expected a hand came and caressed his head.

"Good dog, good boy."

After this bit of companionship Jasper felt he had earned a moment's freedom and trotted off thoroughly satisfied with life.

The Colonel was not a man given to much introspection, he was more a man of action. Today seemed different, that tiny cloud at the back of his mind simply would not go away. He must speak to Elspeth about it. He rested his chin on his clasped hands. The white marble cross had a small green caterpillar crawling over its letters.

"There's something worrying me Ellie and I'm damned if I know what it is. The more I think about the more elusive it becomes.

When did it start? Let me see, it started yesterday evening after David 'phoned. No don't start worrying, he's fine, Dorothy's fine and the twins are busy studying hard for their exams. It must be something that he said unconnected with the family. You know he often gives me information about his tours of duty and he's home on leave at the moment. Sailed to the top of the world near the North Pole. Inspection of British property he called it. There are lots of scientist fellows scrambling over the ice and taking measurements and calculations, every country has them. I think that is the connection."

The words were not spoken aloud, but he could see Elspeth quite clearly sitting opposite to him in her chair always with a piece of knitting or sewing in her hands. She would look up encouragingly now and then and murmur little phrases to help him until he had talked himself out.

She knew that he had some slight envy of his son, now captain of his own ship in the Royal Navy. It was the Colonel's own dream come true. Why hadn't he stood out against his own father? The question had been asked many times and the answer was always the same - duty. The Frazer-Lambert men had been Army men for generations no escaping that fact. So he had followed the family tradition, with only minor regrets now and then on seeing gleaming majestic ships in the harbour or hearing a plaintive hooting siren.

All in all it had been a good life, tours of duty in foreign places were wonderful and any hairy moments only reminded him how lucky he was to be alive. Cleaning up after the war had been his most arduous task and then years in Germany, South Africa, Hong Kong and Asia.

Wherever they were stationed Elspeth had taken it all in her stride. Moving house, organising furniture, rearing the children and occasionally supervising servants were made so much easier by her calm steadfast presence. So, even after her death the Colonel couldn't let go. He needed a sounding board.

Their furloughs over the years were spent on or near the water. Holidays on yachts, houseboats and barges. They had cruised round the Greek islands and sailed round the coast of the British Isles and David loved every minute of it. When it was time to choose a career there was never a doubt in his mind. Grandfather had been incensed and ranted about family tradition, but the Colonel sided with his son and neither regretted the decision. It had worked well. David shared his Naval career with his father. Reporting his comings and goings and duties.

So, here he was trying to remember what David said to cause such a disaster in his mind.

Something to do with the garden he felt sure, that seemed ridiculous David wasn't a gardener. Dorothy looked after their patch of square lawn.

"I mentioned my vegetables for the Spring, now what did he say?"

"Make the most of it this year, Dad, we may have an exceptionally wet time of it next year."

"Yes, Ellie, I know it was an ordinary remark, but he'd just come back from a tour of the Arctic. You know, checking on all those scientist chaps, who are checking on water levels. I'll ring him back this evening."

He became aware of Jasper sitting in front of him with his head cocked on one side.

"Come boy, a spot of gardening before lunch should give us an appetite."

He rose and walked purposefully to the church gate. The Reverend Joclyn Longstaff was coming out of the church porch. They stopped simultaneously. Two gentlemen of similar age, one owl blinking and benign behind thick glasses and the other brisk and sharp.

"Morning Colonel."

"Morning Vicar."

The vicar was always amiable. He enjoyed a chat with the Colonel, who was a stalwart regular sidesman.

"Beautiful day - God's in his Heaven. What's on the itinerary for today?"

"Spot of gardening this morning, sprouts, leeks and cabbage all ready for planting out."

"Ah, yes, you did well at the show last year. Was it two firsts for your vegetables?"

"Two firsts, a second for my runner beans and special prize for largest marrow."

"Lets hope you have even more success this season. One or two new-comers to the neighbourhood may give you a bit of competition."

"Have you seen the long range weather forecast Vicar? They usually start dangling bits of seaweed in front of us in the Spring."

"I believe we are set fair for the next few days. I hope we're in for another glorious Summer. My old bones like the warmth."

"No sign of a deluge or flood then."

The Vicar gave a chortling happy laugh.

"Funny you should mention floods, your reading this Sunday is from Genesis - the story of Noah. I was going to toddle along to your house this afternoon and put the relevant chapter and verse through the door, as usual. I know you like to peruse the particular passage before you read."

"Like to be accurate with the pronunciation, Vicar. Some of the names in the Old Testament can be a difficult mouthful. Noah, good, always enjoy that story, fine fellow. Knew his mind. Didn't let anyone deter him from his purpose."

"God's purpose, I think Colonel," said the Vicar mildly.

The Reverend Longstaff handed him a slip of paper on which he read, Reading for next Sunday - Genesis Chapter 6 verses 12 - 21.

They said their mutual goodbyes.

The Colonel enjoyed reading in church. His voice, loud and eloquent, the words rolled forth majestically piercing every dim corner. The congregation didn't see him practicing. He usually did so in his pyjamas on a Saturday night, holding the bible in one hand and proclaiming the mighty works of the Lord out loud in front of Elspeth's cheval mirror in the bedroom.

The Colonel's house was in the centre of the half circle which formed the end of the cul-de-sac in Barmton Close. All the houses were built to the same design with a small porch on the front and an attached garage and bay windows top and bottom. For the most part they were well kept and the Colonel made mental notes of their security. He was leader of the Neighbourhood Watch and also liked to think he was leader of their small community.

His immediate neighbours to the right were the Miss Teesdales. Very respectable members of the Close, the elder Miss Teesdale being headmistress of the local High School. The Colonel's mind slipped over the young Miss Teesdale as he was wont to do when any unwanted details presented themselves.

The house on the left was a small family, the Sharps. They were a very busy couple in the nearby town. Nicholas Sharp managed a Superstore while his wife Laura had her own fashionable boutique. Their teenage son attended the local High School. The Colonel thought he needed taking in hand.

He walked down the garden path at the side of his garage and surveyed his garden. Jasper whisked away down the far end to make sure no-one had invaded his territory.

Mrs Blount tapped on the kitchen window and the Colonel went in for his morning coffee.

The day was filled with activity. The Colonel busy planting and Jasper trotting up and down to repel borders making the occasional dash at a cheeky persistent starling who was after worms.

By 4.30. the Colonel's bones were beginning to protest so he tidied up, took of his Wellingtons and went into the house.

Mrs Blount had left a casserole in the oven and some jacket potatoes ready to put in, as she new he liked his evening meal about six. A leisurely meal in front of the television watching the B.B.C. news.

It was a solitary existence, but he was quite used to it and his various committees and church work gave him all the company he needed.

His daughter Valerie lived in Scotland with her farmer husband, three children, four dogs, several cats and her horses. They kept in touch at festive times of the year and the Colonel took a short annual holiday with them. His relationship with David was a different matter. They had the sea in common.

Sitting comfortably with his evening meal waiting for the news to begin his thoughts turned back to David. He would phone after the News. The persistent idea that he had missed something in the previous evenings conversation simply would not go away.

"David?"

"Hello, Dad, this is a surprise you don't usually phone twice a week. Anything wrong?"

"You can tell me. Did I miss something last night? It's been niggling at me all day. You know that sixth sense of mine."

"You're right, Dad, I must have said too much. Not a subject that we can discuss on the phone. I'll come up this weekend and give you as much information as I can without blowing the Official Secrets Act."

The Colonel knew he had to be content with this for the present. Suddenly the world seemed a less well-ordered place. He got up with a frown and took his dirty dishes into the kitchen.