Green Smarties

But now, a few years later, on board HMS SIRIUS I had a rough idea what to expect.

The few of us who had been invited to stay on board for eggs and bacon and a bit of dancing were led down to the Wardroom.

Despite his initial rudeness and abrupt manner, I grew to like Peter during the course of the evening. He was fun and intelligent, and we laughed a lot.

At midnight, those of us who had remained behind made our unsteady way back down the sheer metal ladder at the side of the ship and into the launch. The sea had roughened considerably, and there was a gasp as the boat which had my feet in it, moved away from the ship to which I still clung with my hands. ‘Not a good idea.’ said Peter hauling me in. ‘Could get trapped between ship and boat – then squelch’.

The journalist, who had somehow managed to leave her footprints on the wardroom ceiling during the course of the evening, was dispatched back to her London newspaper somewhat worse for wear and in disgrace.

Four manic days followed while the ship was in the bay, and Peter and I spent most of that time together.

He was due to disembark on the last afternoon before the ship sailed and he had to fly the helicopter to the shore station HMS OSPREY at Portland.

‘I’m starting my new shore posting on the Staff of Flag Officer Sea Training at OSPREY’ he said. ‘We can keep in touch easily – Portland’s only about thirty miles away’.

He suggested I went to the top floor of the hospital and look out to sea at 2.00 p.m. on that final afternoon. ‘Should be able to see me flying past.’ he said.

‘Will you be flying over the hospital?’ I asked.

‘Heavens no.’ he replied ‘We’re not allowed to fly close to hospitals – too dangerous if our engines fail. It’s a court martial offence. You’ll just have to squint out to sea as best you can.’

So at 2.00 p.m. on the appointed day, I made my way up to the Maternity ward which was the highest point I could reach. Poole hospital has commanding views of the sea, but try as I may I could not make out any helicopter in the distance – just a few sea gulls.

Disappointed, I returned to the first floor, when suddenly there was the most terrifying noise from above.

I rushed into the courtyard and looked up. A Westland Wasp was circling low above me – skimming the top of the hospital or so it seemed.  Peter was clearly visible leaning out of the cockpit and waving. I waved back enthusiastically.

And that was the start of a brisk and stormy courtship that ended in marriage some months later.

After all, how could I refuse someone who had risked a court martial on my account?