Coming Home

Despite the grim forebodings of having a cockpit full of oily smoke, holes in his beloved Spitfires wings and no discernible means of bailing out Capt. Carter Cameron was surprising stoic as he glided from the sky to his immanent death. He spoke into his radio set to hear any voice that would talk to him in his final minutes alive in the sky as the English Channel slowly came up to meet him in his final journey towards heaven.

“Rabbit 1 to base....Rabbit 1 to base is there any one there?”

“Go ahead Rabbit 1” came back a gentle female voice.

“Hello Base who am I speaking to?”

“Corporal Bonnie Parker sir what is your ETA back to base?”

“I’m sorry but I won’t be coming back to base....my bird is very damaged and this is it I fear for me” said Carter smiling to himself that he finally was speaking to some one as the water grew closer with each breath.

“Don’t say that Rabbit 1 you will be fine...are you able to ditch?”

“Afraid not Bonnie, I’m done for but I am so glad I’m speaking to you...so thank you for that”

“What is your current position Rabbit 1?” enquired Corporal Bonnie Parker trying to help ease the tension she immediately felt knowing she was speaking to someone who most likely would not survive.

“I'm leaving the French countryside and I’m now over the channel...but that really isn’t important right now Bonnie”

“Yes it is ...don’t give up Rabbit 1 you are nearly home”

“Bonnie you sound lovely...are you otherwise spoken for or married”

“No...I’m not seeing any one or married” came Bonnies reply is a quieter voice than she first used.

“In the highly unlikely event that I do survive would it be possible to take you out for a drink and some dinner?” said Carter trying to read his altimeter and work out how long he had in his head to stay in the air.

“Yes sir I’d like that but you will survive Rabbit 1 so don’t think the worst just yet” said Bonnie stuttering her reply back to him.

“Bonnie...I can tell you are a nice lady and it is a great comfort to speak to you right now” said Carter trying again to unlock the canopy of his beloved Spitfire to no avail.

“Thank you Rabbit 1, could I ask your name please?”

“Yes you can...it is Captain Carter Cameron”

The Spitfire groaned and wobbled its way down to the cold icy water to the English Channel and the couple continued talking as you would if you were sitting opposite each other at an expensive restaurant.

“You sound like some one I could get to like Carter” said Bonnie

“That’s lovely Bonnie....are you beautiful?” said Carter shuffling about in his cramped cockpit bracing himself for the impending impact against the water.

“Not bad I guess...from what I have been told”

“It's a shame that we cant meet Bonnie...but I am glad I spent my final moments with you”

“Isn’t there anything I can do, I could report where you are and have the ambulances there for you....”

“No it’s all over for me Bonnie...I just wish we didn’t have to have this war and we listened to the voice of wisdom instead the ratbags in power manipulating us into this mess we find ourselves in right now”

“Carter...” said Bonnie, her voice shaking with emotion.

“I hope that I haven’t spoilt your night Bonnie...when I get given my new wings I will come to see you...I have to go now...thank you Bonnie...much love” said Carter turning off his radio set and looking at the water that was to be his final resting place.

“Carter...Rabbit 1.....CARTER... ARE YOU THERE?????” implored Bonnie holding her radio receiver with tears slowly forming in her eyes.

Her radio went silent.

Bonnie started to weep the saddest tears she had ever felt for the brave airman that she was talking to....