41. The Disappointment 1
Her mind went to the bus and the comments from her colleagues (The newspaper publication is not necessary because the evidence of divorce is here. Can't you see that after the divorce, Mr. Williams collected all his vehicles from her and she had to join the bus?)
(But Mr. Williams is dead.)
(We are saying the same thing. His absence is the cause of her joining the bus.)
“So, they thought that Tim was responsible for the cars?”
“That's weird. He doesn't even own a garden cart and can't even drive a car,” she concluded.
Not long after, she drifted off.
In The Morning
“I will be on my way. Have a wonderful day, Mom and Dad,” she said after their breakfast.
“Okay, dear. Kindly run along,” her mother said.
“Have a great day too,” her father added and she left.
She got to the estate gate and met the other staff members waiting for the bus and she greeted them cheerfully.
“Good morning everyone.”
“Good morning, Laura,” they responded and continued waiting.
Part of the thing that made her head swell up was her apartment. It was meant for Captains and other top military officers but her job secured it for her. Although her cars were withdrawn from her, her apartment was still a concern for them.
Soon, the bus driver stopped and everyone filed in. She tried to do the same thing but they shouted at her.
“Don't disorganize the arrangements, Laura. Wait for the second trip,” her colleagues advised her.
She ignored them and got on the bus. Sat on a chair and asked, “Why can't I get on the bus? Why must I wait for the next trip when I am here already?”
“You did not join the first bus on Monday.”
“So what if I didn't? Is there a law that says that I must stick to the bus?”
At that point, the other colleagues had occupied the seats, and one person was displaced.
“Get up from my seat,” the displaced colleague insisted.
“And if I don't, what will you do?”
“Fasten your seatbelts,” the driver announced and interrupted the bickering.
The displaced colleague had to get off the bus.
“Wench,” she cursed.
“Sucks for you,” she jeered and the driver moved.
Her colleagues eyed her but could not for fear of causing chaos on the bus.
The Auxiliary Armory PLC
George was not as tough as Tim in military affairs but he would soon be. He got to work earlier than usual just because of those in the guardroom and stopped at the gate.
“Good morning, General,” Cpl. Barton saluted when he saw him.
George returned the salute and inquired, “What about the Lance Corporals in the guardroom?”
“They are there, General.”
“Good. Release them and let them know their offenses. They should take orders from only you and their superiors and not a Secretary.”
“I got you, General.”
“That is good,” he said and watched him as he walked away.
Meanwhile, he joined Capt. Bruce in the car park and monitored the activities of the drivers. Nevertheless, he inspected the cars for sale and wished that they would be sold off that day, and more buses acquired.
“I'm off to my office, Capt. Bruce,” he informed him, and moved.
“I got it, Sgt. Young. Thank you for stopping by.”
“Don't mention.”
He got to his office and was surprised that for the first time, the secretary was right.
“Good morning, Sgt. Young,” she greeted respectfully.
“Good morning, Miss Dickson,” he responded.
Meanwhile, that had been the only thing they said to each other since the previous day.
“Good morning, Boss,” Gilbert, who was sitting on the couch, greeted when he had the opportunity to.
George smiled and responded, “Good morning, Gilbert. How was your night?”
“My night was good, Boss. And yours?”
Now, he had opened the door and Gilbert picked up his cleaning tools and followed him.
“My night was good,” he answered.
“Be fast about this. The General Manager will be here soon,” he requested.
“I got it, Boss,” he responded and began his work while George monitored the activities on the premises. He smiled cynically when he saw the Lance Corporals walking sluggishly out of the guardroom.
“Fools. Next time remind me of who should see a doctor or not,” he murmured.
All the same, he dialed the General Manager's number on the intercom and waited for it to ring. Surprisingly, the door opened and he walked in.
“Good morning, Capt. Bolton,” he saluted and the General Manager returned the salute, “Good morning, Sgt. Young.”
“I just dialed your office number,” George explained.
“I see. I remembered that we did not conclude on refurbishing the President's office yesterday.”
“Good morning, Capt. Bolton,” the janitor greeted. He responded with a broad smile.
“You're right. That is why I called you,” George said, and ushered him to the cleaned part of the office.
They took their seats and he asked, “Can I contact the previous supplier or a new one?”
“If the previous supplier is our registered contractor. Why not?”
“I'm through, Boss,” Gilbert stated and George instructed him, “It's okay. Don't be far away from me. I may need you at any moment.”
“I got it, Boss,” he said and walked away and they continued with their meeting. At last, the General Manager contacted the contractor and he sent his catalog. Instantly, they chose suitable ones and ordered them.
On the other hand, Laura could not wait until 8 AM before she could contact the school. She waited patiently and as soon as it was time, she dialed the number that she got from Tim's bag.
At The Canterbury Defense Academy
The Commandant was relieved after his trip to the headquarters the previous day and concluded that human beings are difficult to understand.
“Can Ben harm me?” He asked himself for the umpteenth time while trying to settle down in his office.
Nevertheless, Gerald's and Samuel's Housemaster had been careful with them since they returned. He visited that morning to update him on their health status before the day became busy.
“Good morning, Commandant,” he saluted and the Commandant responded accordingly.
“Sit down,” he offered him afterward.
“Thank you, Commandant,” he responded, sat down, and stated his mission.
After listening carefully to him, he stated, “That is good to hear. Like I said yesterday, …"
He stopped when Sgt. Dotson's phone rang and waited for him to answer the caller. He showed worry when he saw the unfamiliar caller.
“Excuse me, Boss.”
The Commandant nodded his head in approval and he received the call.
“Hello. Good morning. This is the Canterbury Defense Academy. How may I help you?”
“Hello. Good morning. I am Miss Laura Dickson.”
“I'm pleased to hear from you, Miss Dickson.”
“Thank you. I wish to speak with my brothers.”
“Your brothers? What are their names, please?”
“Gerald and Samuel Dickson.”
“Gerald and Samuel Dickson?” He asked and piqued the curiosity of the Commandant.
Uncertain about the right answer to give, he simply dismissed her, “You called the wrong number, Miss Dickson.”
He cut the call immediately and faced the Commandant.
“What does she want?”
“She said that she is a sister to the students and wished to speak with them.”
“Have you spoken with her before?”
“Not at all. Apart from their aid, I have not spoken with any other member of their family.”