A Che ning Ad nture
VE
In Devon: Teignmouth and Shaldon
VE
Epilogue:
The twins were aware that Andrew had family involved in the hotel and brewery business; but that didn’t explain what had just happened to them. What they didn’t know is what Great Uncle John did before joining the trade. Not just an ordinary army officer, John was also in the SAS. In fact, as a decorated commander within it, John was responsible for the SAS selection process used to this very day. It seems he had been the one behind the clues and tasks the twins had encountered.
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"So what does the message mean?" asked James looking at the code words the twins had discovered and then scrawled on the back of the bookmark...
'The man must first be a child 2 shine.'
"Ahh - well, you see there are many qualities that a child has which are so valuable. Sometimes adults forget that. Picasso said that it took him four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child. Growth in the brain is the fastest and most adaptable when young. Jesus said people need to become like little children if they want to enter the kingdom. Following your progress, I could see you 2 definitely shine! " explained John.
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Sarah tapped the word 'man' with her finger.
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"Ahh - don't worry about that lassie; it's just shorthand for 'people'. Did you know Stella Rimington was head of MI5; Anne Keast-Butler is head of GCHQ right now; and Blaise Metreweli has just been appointed as 'C', the chief of MI6! That's just a few examples of high-profile people in the protection of our country. Back in WW2 people like Lettice Curtis and Pauline Gower were amazing pilots from around here, who had to fly all sorts of planes from one place to another around the country. They had a fraction of the training of the male fighter pilots and had to jump from one sort of plane to another just like that.
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Others were amazing code-breakers, secret map-makers and illustrators like Christian Lamb and Stella Rutter, who saved countless lives. Hazel Hill was still a school girl when she helped her father with the mathematics to prove that the Spitfire needed 8 machine guns to be able to defeat the Luftwaffe. Who knows what would have happened if they hadn't convinced the airforce to change from their original design of 4? No one can stop you if you put your mind to it lassie!"
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Woody continued, “courage, navigation, research, knowledge, understanding culture, handling equipment, logic, physical fitness, code-breaking, teamwork, perseverance, searching for truth, grit, faith… all of these and more are essential parts of the cultural capital needed for success. Jock knew that; and you two have it in spades!
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Look - relax in our best room at the Ness Hotel tonight. Enjoy the view. And tomorrow, after a hearty breakfast; we’ve got a proposition about your future.”​​
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Sarah and James retired to their rooms overlooking the harbour, happy to have found Andrew and safety at last; but exhausted all the same. Sleep came quickly.
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But it didn't last!
The twins were woken by a light shining from the lighthouse directly into their rooms. Strangely, it wasn't the regular, periodic sweep of light. This was different. What was going on? The children stared out towards the harbour and the source of the disturbance. Could it be a message?
​​Thank you...
for being part of Chevening's Adventurers.
It's been great to have you along! Like the last Chevening 75 Adventure, which was written during lockdown; this one has also been written in uncertain times. With conflict in the world in places such as the Middle East and Ukraine, as well as climate issues and financial uncertainty; things can be unsettling. Especially with shifting leadership and relationships between countries. However, on VE80 Day we have had the opportunity to think again about what is important and how we treat each other, as well as the world that we share. Perhaps it's a time to look back at our compass and check our heading? Can we tread lightly and love one another? Here is our chance for change. Being the 80th anniversary, this may be the last opportunity to talk to those who were involved in a World War, in person. I was very moved listening to one lady veteran at the celebrations who wanted to stress every few minutes how we should remember to never let anything like World War happen again. Peace be with you.
​​ Sarah, James and Andrew are expected to return with a new adventure. Have you decoded the lighthouse message to find out where they go next? Send an email if you have.