The long walk to Civvy street!

Derrick pushed open the door to the stores at the edge of the parade ground and walked to the counter and said,

“Shop, chop, chop got a lot of beer to drink on Civvy street, come on Alfie!”

Staff Sergeant Briggs rested his muscled forearms on the worn wooden counter and looked at all the metal drawers marked with the goods inside. ‘Bolts for Service issue rifles’ next ‘Size 10 Jungle boots’ was next to “Leather belts”  David Briggs could smell the Army smell of, leather, canvas, oil, grease, heavy metal polish. Then,

“Look at you, you did it you ole seven times son of a gun! 25 years soldering! And not dead! I for one am going to miss you scarying the shit out of new recruits you bastard!”

Alfie laughed and slapped the counter then said,

“Ok Staff Sergeant you know the drill off with the uniform behind that screen and I give you an ill fitting cheap suit and some cheap jeans etc then you go to get your de-mob papers”

David leaned forward and spoke in hushed tones,

“Alfie we go back further than we care to remember let me keep the uniform no one will know ok? The guys said you do that sometimes”

Alfie drew in a deep breath and said,

“Everyone asks and I say the same thing David, we are pals but this is my duty to recover your uniform and give you some crappy Civvy street clothes. I have to sign to the effect I taken your uniform. Imagine if your drunk one day in that uniform or your house is burgled and a terrorist gets it? He could salute and walk into this place and blow it up! Sorry Sergeant no can do”

David’s head dropped and he walked towards the screen in the corner of the stores. He removed his camouflaged tunic then his combat trousers and his beloved shiny boots. Lastly David took off his Red-Beret. Sgt Briggs folded the uniform perfectly every crease was in line every button gleaming with pride.

David walked over to the counter in his socks and under wear and placed the uniform on the counter. Alfie the stores manager passed over a brown paper wrapped parcel with a de-mob suit inside. Not one word was exchanged. The clothes fitted ok but they felt light and soft and very blue! Sgt Briggs walked back to the counter and said,