by Arnie
Chief made his way over to his bunk and slipped his hand underneath the mattress. With a gentle smile he pulled out the birthday card he'd received the day before from his sister. He hadn't mentioned his birthday to anyone, but the sight of him receiving a card had caused Goniff to start asking questions, although one long, dark look had persuaded the Limey to desist.
He pulled the card out of the envelope and allowed another smile to sweep over his face as he read the message on the front of the card once more. "To my dearest brother...." He was about to open the card when footsteps in the corridor caught his attention. Hastily, he put the envelope and card back under the mattress. He could read it again later.
"Hey, Chiefy, 'ow's it goin' then?" Naturally, Goniff was the first to talk.
"Yeah, you wouldn't like to join us at the table, would ya?"
The hairs on the back of Chief's neck rose. He was right, they were up to something! He glanced over his shoulder and repressed a groan. Each of them was wearing a party hat and a big grin while carrying a gaily wrapped present. A bang at the door forestalled him, and Goniff opened it to let the Warden, pushing a heavily laden trolley, into the room. A few minutes of work and Chief found himself sitting at the table, facing a birthday tea that would do any cook proud.
"Naturally, we have plans for this evening also," Actor told him.
"Yeah," Casino interposed. "We were thinkin' of invitin' the entire village up here for a big party, but we figured you'd sooner go down the Doves where we'd uh...let you beat us at darts."
There was a gleam in Chief's eyes. "Let me?"
Casino shrugged, knowing full well that they'd never beat the man at darts without cheating. "Well, whatever...."
"But first, you gotta open yer presents!" Goniff said with gusto. Obviously, he'd been working up to this one for a while.
"How'd you know?"
"That it's your birthday?" The Warden was straight faced but there was a smile in his eyes. "I read your dossier."
"Well, that and the birthday card you got yesterday. We'd 'a guessed from that anyway." Goniff waved his present at Chief. "I got yer this. Yer gotta wear it tonight, it'll bring yer luck!"
Chief took the brightly wrapped present cautiously. "What is it?" There was suspicion in his tone.
"Yer gotta open it and find out!" Goniff grinned. He knew Chiefy would love it, he just knew.
Casino leaned one elbow on the table and watched the present un-wrapping with interest. He thought Goniff's present was certainly eye-catching although Actor had spent an hour trying to persuade the little thief that it wasn't really Chief's style.
Chief seemed to agree, if the look of shock on his face was anything to go by. He dropped the little box on the table and held the contents in his hand. His jaw dropped with amazement.
"Ain't it loverly?" Goniff asked, pride in his tone. "Winston Churchill wears them all the time, they look real classy they do."
Garrison managed to drag his eyes away from the brightly coloured object that was the subject of so much interest. "More tea, Chief?" he asked, although his voice held a tremor.
"A bow tie? You got me a bow tie?"
"He did. An' you'll be fightin' the dames off when you wear it tonight," Casino smirked.
"Wear it?" Chief looked at Goniff with dismay on his face. "I ain't gonna wear this!"
"But Chiefy, look at it!" Goniff looked at the bow tie himself, admiration written all over his face. It was certainly eye catching, the bright yellow background making a pleasing (or loud) contrast with the large red polka dots.
"I am lookin' at it!"
"Who could help but look at it?" Actor murmured.
Goniff grinned again. "I know I can't do bow ties, but Actor can. 'E's promised to 'elp yer put it on."
Chief's horror grew. Actor was going to help him get dressed? He cast an agonised look at his friends. Surely, they'd help him out here? At the gleam in all their eyes, (except Goniff, his face was covered with innocent pride), he realised not. He was going to have to talk his way of this one himself.
"It's quite simple, Chief, once you've got the hang of it," Actor told him, totally ignoring the horror that was written all over the young man's face. "And once you have, you'll be able to wear that tie more often."
"More often?"
"Maybe you'd like to wear it at our next briefing with Major Richards," Garrison offered. "He likes bow ties himself."
"Yeah." Goniff was filled with enthusiasm. Chief'd look real classy wearing that tie, and it'd all be down to him. Goniff's smile grew. He loved giving good birthday presents.
THE END
