The Cruel Sea Page #6

I told her to have

a hotpot ready for us.

- Bob...

- Mm-hm?

- I've got something to say.

- What's that?

Well... No beating about the bush.

You see, she and I...

Well, that is...

I'm thinking of getting fixed up

after the war.

With Glad? That's fine, J im!

The best thing that could happen

for her, and for you, too!

You've asked her, eh?

Well, sort of.

We have an understanding, like.

- There's only one thing.

- What?

She's worried about you. She's been

housek eeping for a long time.

Oh, forget it! I might get

married myself one of these days!

Now, you go ahead, Jim.

Just name the day,

and I'll dance at your wedding!

What's it lik e, sir?

Not too good. It looks as if they've

been raided several times.

- Number One...

- Sir?

They'll be a lot of applications

for special leave.

Cancel ordinary leave

and give it to ratings

with homes or relatives ashore.

Aye-aye, sir.

Any news, Bob?

No. I tried to phone the pub.

The line's out of order.

I'm going ashore to see.

- I'd lik e to come with you.

- Yes, Jim. Of course. Come along.

Look out, lads! The Navy's here!

Just in time for a cup of tea!

Always glad to see the Navy!

Name of Tallow.

29, Dock Road. What happened?

Mr Tallow, yes.

That was your house, wasn't it?

A direct hit. I'm very sorry.

Very sorry, indeed.

I reported it

to the Town Hall, of course.

Tallow.

Yes, here we are.

There was only one casualty.

Mrs Bell.

Didn't they notify you?

We've been at sea.

Was she dead?

Yes, I'm afraid so.

If there's any help we can give...

- When was the funeral?

- Two days ago.

There was 21 altogether.

All from Dock Road.

It was a bad night, you see.

The mayor and cooperation attended.

Everything was properly done.

She can't have known anything,

Mr Tallow.

It was all over in a second.

She can't have suffered at all.

No. I see that.

It's a sort of... comfort.

Yes. Thank you.

I'll come back in a day or two.

Well, that's that.

- Got everything?

- Think so.

I can't pretend I've made a good job

of it as you would've done.

Nonsense, darling! That's a fallacy.

Men can pack just as well as women,

if you're anything to go by.

Mm, lovely!

There's no one can mix a Martini

like you do!

- Let me shak e you another.

- Not for me. I'm late already.

What are you going to do

till it's time for your train?

Oh, get something to eat,

I suppose.

Try that place in Clarges Street.

They're open on Sundays.

Can't you put this chap off? If you

told him it was my last evening...

Darling, you know I would if I could,

but this is business.

He's a top producer, and considering

me for a part in his new show.

Well, couldn't he consider you

over lunch on a weekday?

Oh, John, really. Must you try to spoil

the end of your leave for me?

- Sorry, darling...

- I'm going to be terribly late.

- I'll phone for a taxi.

- There's a hire car waiting for me.

Goodbye, darling.

- Bye, darling.

- Have a nice trip.

Heavens, I look a sight!

Let me know

when you're on leave again.

- Yes, I...

- Bye, darling!

I will.

'Elaine. Haven't you got

rid of that clot of a husband yet?

'We're all waiting

to go off to dinner.

'Hello? Hello, Elaine?

'I say, turn that damn thing off!

I can't hear a word!

'Oh, that's better. Hello? Hello! '

You know, I'm the man

who always thought that in war

it was better to be on your own

than have nothing to lose.

You still do think it a bit,

don't you?

A bit.

Next time I'm back,

let's get away into the country.

Forget about the war.

- Darling, I have some bad news.

- What?

I'm being moved away.

- Where to?

- I don't know.

It may be quite a time

before we can see each other again.

Yes.

- Can't be helped.

- No.

In fact, I suppose

it's just as well, really.

What do you mean?

I would have ended up

by asking you to marry me,

or something foolish lik e that.

What's so foolish about marriage?

It's a mistak e to start thinking

about permanent things in wartime.

I don't know.

Do you think so?

Yes. Yes, I do.

It's time I was in.

Hands to station for leaving harbour!

Special sea-duty men close up!

How are we doing, Number One?

About 15 miles astern

of the convoy, sir.

Oh. Well, I'd lik e to catch up

before midnight if we can.

- So keep her cracking on.

- Aye-aye, sir.

We always seem to be getting

these diversion jobs nowadays.

- Sort of compliment, I suppose.

- Pretty cold one. Cold night, too.

Cocoa's just coming up, sir.

- Yeoman!

- Sir!

Call Viperous on RT. Plain language.

Say, "Torpedoed

15 miles astern of you."

Clear away boats and rafts!

But wait for the word!

'Help! Somebody help me! '

It's no good! The RT's smashed, sir!

She's going down!

- Engine room?

- Sir?

Leave it and come up!

Up you go, lads! We're finished here!

- Is he going down?

- Not with me on board. Jump to it.

My life belt! I left my life belt!

Heave, heave, heave!

It's no good, sir!

She's fast! It's the list!

The raft, then. Clear out the rafts!

Come on!

Who's that?

Wainwright, sir.

I'm ditching the primers.

Oh, yes, of course.

Don't want to tak e this lot

down with us all alive.

- Ditch the confidential books?

- Yes, throw them over!

- Coxswain!

- Sir!

Pipe "abandon ship"!

Aye-aye, sir! Abandon ship!

Abandon ship!

- It's the skipper!

- What's the chances, sir?

Abandon ship!

Time to go, lads.

Good luck to you all.

I'm off!

Come on! J ump!

Come on! This way!

Raft here! Come on!

Come on, mate! This way!

Go on! J ump!

The rafts! The rafts!

Make for the rafts, boys!

She's going!

Oh, God! Don't let me go!

Let me get hold!

Let me get hold!

I haven't got a life belt!

You ought to have your life belt.

Don't you know your standing orders?

Here!

Bloody coxswain!

Can't he ever give us a break?

Coxswain! Coxswain!

It's all right, sir!

I'll mak e for the other raft!

"Our Father, which art

in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

"Thy kingdom come,

"thy will be done on earth

as it is in heaven.

"Give us this day our daily bread.

"Forgive us our trespasses,

"as we forgive them

that trespass against us."

Sir.

Signal from convoy PK20.

One of the escorts has been sunk

in her diversion position,

15 miles astern of the convoy.

- What ship?

- Compass Rose.

Pity. She was a good one.

- Have they any chance?

- If they can stay alive.

Viperous won't leave the convoy

to look for them before daylight.

Do you know somebody in her?

Yes.

Yes, I do.

Oh. Bad luck.

Yes?

'Bob! How long have you got?

Have you had your tea? '

'With Glad?

That's fine, J im!

'J ust name the day,

and I'll dance at your wedding! '

'Hello, Elaine, darling.

'Haven't you got rid

of that clot of a husband yet?

'We're all waiting to go out... '

Shortie, what's the matter with you?

Shortie!

Oh, stop it, will you?

Can't you see he's finished?

I've just been talking to him.

- That was an hour ago.

- Wilson's dead, sir.

- Sure?

- Yes, sir. Stone-cold.

Put him over, then.

- Who's going up next?

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