One more Weekend [Leeroy]

[Sgt. John Walters]

July 12th, 1940
Partial Cloud, slightly windy
Liverpool, England

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Clouds were high, flowers were blooming and the soft touch of a cotton shirt began to blossom the country side. Ever green trees and developed tulips curled across the streets of Liverpool. Even with the clouds high, the sun still brought happiness among the people of Liverpool.

The British 7th Armoured Division was stationed in the city of Liverpool, just before they would ship out to Africa. John was part of 3rd platoon, Able Company, First Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps. John was also platoon and company sergeant for Able Company. He was proud, and hoped to influence the men to keep spirits high and fight hard. He is definitely scared to fight in Africa, but he is 20 times more afraid to lose his men, even then, he’s confident that he won’t.

After the final day of training, each member of the 7th Armoured was given a weekend pass before being shipped out to Africa. The troops were ready, but they definitely needed a break before facing yet to come. After dismissing Able Company, John moved over to his quarters. It hadn’t taken long, but already John was anxious to get off base. He was hoping to stay at an Inn for the night, instead of sleeping on base. With the last weekend in England, he just wanted to have a good time before putting his life at risk.

With all his stuff together, John took his combat green bag, threw it over his shoulder and headed out to the gate. It seemed to be flooded with all the troops lining up to show their weekend pass. Everyone just wanted to get out, have fun and make the best of what they had. While there were a lot of soldiers lined up to the gate, it didn’t take long to make a 2 second flash of a small pass. The fellow NCO smiled after seeing John’s pass, speaking to him rather quickly.

”Have a nice weekend Sergeant”.[/i]

Giving a brief salute to the man, John was finally out of the military complex. Hell it took forever, but it was a huge relief to see the town living around it. While taking a minute to think about what to do, John decided to make a stop at the local inn. It was probably the better option than others; John sure as hell didn’t want to sleep back on lines again. A nice relaxing stay at the local inn was definitely the best option at this point.

Upon arriving at the inn, a small group of soldiers were sitting in the lounge room. Small, flower designed couches, buckled with two arm rests fluttered the room. Beside that was a hallway, a stairway which led upwards two levels and finally a welcome desk. John was already relieved to such a relaxing location. None of his men were with him, and already John had seemed to have been comfortable already. Anxious to get settled down, John moved rather quickly to the front desk. On top lay several papers, a pen and a small brass plated bell, held by a wooden handle. No one was behind the desk, but it seemed logic to ring the bell. Without hesitation, John picked up the bell with his left hand and swung it from left to right, the sound of brass on brass quickly rung across the room, alerting those nearby. John then nicely placed the bell down quietly on the desk, placed his bag on the floor and waited for someone to address him at the desk.

[Leeroy Atherton]

Company loyalty. Faithfulness to the establishment. Going out of her way to provide patronage for one inn and one inn only - The Traveller's Place. When she did leave the little town of Burnham-on-Sea, it was never for a long time - maybe a day or so at the most. But no, not today, as a family matter had summoned Leeroy up from the southern English coast. A cousin of hers was getting married, the husband a lovely young farmer by the name of...Kenneth, if she remembered correctly, and Leeroy had been invited a few months earlier. Time had flown by, the invitation forgot, until Monty had casually reminded Leeroy the event was coming up.

She did not like to scramble, but for the past couple of weeks, Leeroy had been flitting around like a bumblebee, struggling to throw together a decent outfit and wedding present amidst wartime rationing. She had gone with a simple, flowing, flowery skirt and a buttoned-up blouse, hopping from train to train in an attempt to get to the wedding on time. However, thanks to sleeping in late, a dog with an appetite for train schedules and a very dreary storm that forced her inside a building, Leeroy was lost. Or rather, that was too strong a word; she was several towns off course, and only had so much money on her to make up for lost time.

Before leaving, Monty had been kind enough to give her a list of inns that friends of his owned around the country. Why she couldn't just catch the nightly trains and sleep on them, she didn't know; Monty should have known better Leeroy could take care of herself. She was the same woman that had survived a serious head injury on top of a concussion, taken down men twice her size, and struck fear into the hearts of Burnham's citizens with a single glare. Something as simple as getting from one part of England to another should not have been so complicated! Furthermore, why didn't she think of bringing along a list of establishments she could use in case of emergency?!

Oh. Company loyalty. Right.

Well, there was no further use in complaining. The little inn in Liverpool would have to do for now. She walked up behind a certain Canadian Sergeant, waiting quietly for him to move so she could be served. A pretty little redhead soon found herself at the desk, giving the Sergeant a freckle-adorned smile and a merry pair of blue eyes.

"How can I help you today, sir?" she asked cordially.