Play@YSDC

"Thank you!" says Elizabeth, smiling as she takes her glass and raises it. "To friends old and new, and to hopes of a better future." She drinks, looking around with interest.

The whiskey was indeed exquisite, and the excellent flavor reminded Elizabeth of home. The officers' club had a piano, though nobody was playing it at the moment, as well as a dance floor, which was currently empty. An airman sat at the bar, nursing a beer, while two more sat together at a table. There were posters on the walls, some with pictures of aircraft, others with pinups of starlets.

"Jones is a good man," said the bartender. "He was in here earlier, but he's sleeping it off now. He'll be going up again tonight, I'm sure, so he'll need his rest. Too bad about losing your kite, but at least you made it back in one piece, and that's one Jerry bomber that won't be back tonight."

John knocks on the counter for luck.

"And that he may return with a few extra notches on his belt."

He stares from the bartender to the piano and back again with a grin.

"Say, Corporal, I kind of promised this young lady a dance. I'd be mighty obliged if you played us a few tunes."

"Well, I'm not very good at tickling the ivories myself," said the barman, "and I do need to tend bar, but I'm not the only here." He called into the back. "Hey, Charlie! I need you to play some tunes for the captain and his lady!"

A private emerged from the kitchen, tall and wiry, and saluted John. "Some music coming right up," he said, heading for the piano. "We'll start off with the Beer Barrel Polka." He flexed his fingers and began to play.

Elizabeth grins as the music starts, and puts her drink down. "Shall we?" she says, giving her hand to John.

"I'd be honored."

John smiles widely and takes Elizabeth's hand, leading her to the dance floor.

"Ready?"
John leads her in the nice up tempo jig.

"Ready!" she says, and joins in the dance. At the first breather they get she laughs and says "It's such a long time since I've danced a dance like this. Thank you!" She remembers dances like this from her youth, though they were slightly less fashionable then than today. She can just about remember the moves.

John laughs.
"Really, I thought this was pretty modern stuff? Nevertheless, you're still shaking it good, Lizzie!"

He grins as the dance picks up again.

"One would think your dad let you out more, if he lets you take off with any old dashing airman."

Elizabeth smiles. "He trusts you. I trust you. And I wanted to follow up this lead."

John smiles both charmingly and charmed.

"This is not just a lead, Lizzie, the airman she talks about in her diary is my CAG. He outranks me, so if he's not keen on talking, we'll have to wing it. I'll introduce you as someone involved with her murder investigation, but I'm not going to lie outright if he asks for more details."

"What does CAG stand for?" asks Elizabeth, curiously. "And given the circumstances thank you again for letting me tag along. Yes I'm involved in the investigation, but not in any official capacity. So yes, say what you think's best."

Charlie finished the song, and after a pause he began playing "We'll Meet Again."

John smiles as pulls Elizabeth closer and leads her into the slow.

"He's the commander of my air group. And I think your presence might help improve the situation a bit. Well, it certainly improves my situation."

He grins roguishly and spins Elizabeth around and back again.

Elizabeth smiles as they dance, remembering the song from her young days.

John enjoys the dance for a while and as the song winds down he speaks:
"I guess we should see if he's in his office."

"Ok," says Elizabeth, straightening her clothing after the dancing, making sure she is as presentable as possible to see the commander. "You lead the way, and I'll follow!" she says, smiling.

"I noticed.", John grins and thanks Charlie. "You're quite the dancer."

"It's just a few buildings away from this one, it's not far."
He indicates a building just down the street and leads Elizabeth to "Jimmy's" office.

John led Elizabeth to Major Steadman's office. His aide, a young lieutenant, who sat in the outer office told them that the major was available and admitted them. Major Steadman was a handsome man in his thirties with blond hair. His office featured pictures of airplanes and pilots, as well as several model planes, most notably a Spitfire on his desk. "Welcome back, Group Captain Barrow," he said. "I wasn't expecting to see you again so soon. I see you've found a lady friend. Good for you. Won't you introduce us?"

John salutes the Major and smiles warmly.

"Major James Steadman, meet the lovely Elizabeth. Elizabeth, meet Major James Steadman, one of the finest men in charge of our democratic skies. Elizabeth was one of the civilians I was so lucky to land next to last night."

Major Steadman returned the salute. "A pleasure to meet you, Elizabeth," he said. "If you two end up marrying some day, you'll have quite a story to tell your children."