Stellium Bonus Chapter - Dutybound

“As the tide turned, the North Korean army delivered blow after heavy blow, forcing the South Korean and American forces back to the port of Busan. Last month British and United Nations forces joined in a counter assault, however the situation remains dire. New recruits are being sent to the front lines daily.”

Sitting listening to the radio broadcast, Roger began to wonder about his future. A lot of his friends had already signed up to complete their National Service. He knew that due to the law surrounding conscription, if the Queen called on her subjects to act, then he must answer her. The decision might become completely out of his hands, and he would be forcibly enlisted anyway. It was only a few years ago that Britain had gone through a war and yet another had taken its place almost right away.

The thoughts slipped from his mind as he remembered he was supposed to be somewhere already. Grabbing his wallet, he pulled his braces up over a clean white shirt and darted out of his bedroom door, kissing his mother on the cheek as he went. Roger raced into the town high street little more than a quarter of a mile away. Running past an army recruitment stall taking up half the square with various squad members, he headed straight for the local ice cream parlour, which had a family bakers on one side and a butchers on the other.

Outside, a beautiful young lady with black hair and a flowing summer dress was checking her slimline watch, looking annoyed at it. When she set eyes on the wiry youth with dark brown hair and serious features charging towards her, she still appeared agitated, throwing her arms down and trying her best not to yell at him. Roger came to a sudden halt in front of her, panting deeply.

“What time do you call this? Don’t you know it’s rude to keep a girl waiting?”

“Hey, you’re lucky I agreed to a date with you at all. It was your friend Kathy who set this up in the first place.”

“Well, if that’s the way you’re going to act, I’ll just go home then,” she huffed, turning to head off. The man grabbed her hand to stop her.

“Now hang on, I didn’t say you had to go.” He somehow managed to make himself look more serious than before. She huffed again and turned to go inside this time.

“You’re buying,” she said without turning to look back at Roger.

“I thought that was the idea of a date,” he mumbled under his breath, wondering if this girl would be worth his time or if she’d continue to be a problem.

As he crossed the threshold, he saw other teenagers around his age enjoying milkshakes and ice creams alike. The sunny weather made it the perfect day for something cool. It looked like there was still only the same old man covering the counter. With an ancient face and Van Dyke style beard, he wondered why Mr Jefferson had never hired any extra help for the shop, no matter how busy it got. His date, Emily, sat down at the counter on a swivel stool, tucking her legs up. Roger joined her with little enthusiasm.

“So, what do you wanna get?” Emily put her finger on her chin, scanning all the chalk boards that had swirly writing and drawings of desserts on them in different colours.

“What’s a Strawberry Sizzlepop?” she asked the proprietor.

“That, young lady, is a delectable concoction of my very own. Tangy strawberry ice cream and sauce with a kick that will knock your socks off. I don’t believe I’ve seen you in here before with Roger. First date?”

“Yes,” said Roger, slightly annoyed at Mr Jefferson butting in.

“Hopefully the first of many,” he replied cheerfully, barely paying any attention to Roger’s obvious irritation.

“I’ll have that, please,” said Emily, slightly embarrassed at Mr Jefferson’s comment.

“Just a scoop of vanilla for me, please.”

“Coming right up.” Emily looked at Roger.

“That’s not very adventurous of you,” she chided.

“It’s what I always have,” he shrugged.

“Tell me about yourself, Roger.” It was clear she was trying to change the subject.

“Not much to tell. I left school a few years ago when I was fourteen and I’ve been working in the greengrocer’s part time ever since to help support my mother.”

“Is your dad not around?”

“He never came back from France.”

Emily looked sad suddenly. “I’m so sorry,” she said.

“It’s all right, I know I’m not the only one.” He fidgeted awkwardly on the subject. “What’s your story?”

As they were chatting, Mr Jefferson handed them their ice creams, Emily’s came in a large sundae glass.

“Oh, goodness, that’s far too much for one person.”

“How much are you charging for that, Mr Jefferson?” Roger looked aghast. The shop owner held up his hand.

“For a young couple on their first date, it’s my treat.”

“That’s swell, thank you, Mr,” said Emily. She eagerly took a quick bite and instantly got brain freeze. Roger licked at his cone of vanilla ice cream as he watched her with a bit more intrigue now that they’d started to relax around each other more. “Ouch, I hope that’s not the kick you were talking about.”

“Not quite - have another bite, Miss, and maybe not so fast.”

Emily did as she was instructed by Mr Jefferson and tried to savour the taste as she took another spoonful. It was like the confectioner had captured the freshest strawberries to use in the sauce. Her mouth started to crackle throughout, like she had just eaten the static on televisions. She had to wait a moment for the effect to wear off.

“That’s amazing, how do you make it do that?”

Mr Jefferson touched a finger to his nose and tapped it secretively. “Magic, my dear.” He turned away from them with a smile and went to serve another customer at the other end of the counter.

“So, you were going to tell me more about yourself?” Roger continued. Emily considered the question as she ate another scoop, having to take a moment for the numbness in her mouth from the fizzy effect to wear off.

“Not so different to yourself, left school two years ago and got a job as a typist for a local firm. I like to collect animal figurines when I save up enough spare money. I love dancing and going to the picture house, Hitchcock is one of my favourites.”

“You into scary stuff?”

“Exciting mostly, life already feels so dreary sometimes. I want to have adventures of my own - but maybe not pursued by crazed people.”

“What about someone who was crazy about you?” Roger was wearing an easy smile.

“I suppose I could get into that.” She ate her ice cream with a slight smirk while looking at Roger, thinking he was a lot more handsome when he smiled.

Across the counter Mr Jefferson was keeping an ear open to their conversation whilst serving his other patrons. After Roger and Emily continued to chat for a while, and their ice creams were long gone, their conversation turned to the future.

“I’ll probably end up signing on soon. The war is just going to continue to escalate, and I need to do my part to help those people.”

“Why though? It’s not like before where it was on our shores.”

“Their homeland is at risk. All those nights we had to spend cowering under the table or in the air raid shelters. That’s happening to them right now, and we’ve seen just how easily it spreads across the world.” Emily had to admire his resolution.

Mr Jefferson became more alert as he heard Roger’s intentions. With the boy’s father gone, he was keen to keep the family line that he was sworn to protect going. With Roger having been born before World War Two Mr Jefferson’s protection had begun to shift towards him, allowing his father to pursue his want of fighting for his country. It appeared Roger shared the same sentiments. As Roger was an only child and had no offspring of his own, however, Mr Jefferson knew he would have to stop this course of action at any cost. Roger might be needed for a much larger war one day.

“Despite looking so sour, anyone hearing that would think you were quite gallant,” said Emily, grinning widely at him. “It’s quite admirable.”

“Guess you don’t know me well enough yet.”

“I’d like to. This was nice. How about you take me out again sometime?”

“That’d be swell.” Roger felt his insides bobbing about trying to control his emotions.

“Great.” She wrote her number down on a napkin. “Don’t wait too long.”

Emily handed the napkin to him and headed off, giving Roger a little wave goodbye on her way out. Roger gave her a moment to get on her way, so she didn’t think he was a creep if he ended up catching up with her. He paid Mr Jefferson, who looked at him thoughtfully.

“You should know, there are things worth more in this world than what you intend to pursue, young man.” Roger looked at Mr Jefferson with a hint of disgust, which surprised him, as he had been coming her since he was a kid. Something about what the old man had said flared him up in a nasty way.

“Were you listening to our conversation?”

“I just couldn’t help but overhear.” Mr Jefferson began to realise he’d said something wrong. “I mean, she’s a nice-looking girl.”

“That’s enough, I’m leaving.”

Roger stormed out of the ice cream shop, thrusting his hands into his pockets, and stomped through the town centre. He headed back towards the square with the sun gleaming overhead and began to stare at the people canvassing at the army recruitment stand he’d passed earlier. Breathing deeply with annoyance, he was seriously considering his options. One of them saw him idling and pounced on Roger. He was mid-thirties, clean shaven with polished buttons and shoes completing his tan uniform.

“Afternoon, young man. Are you looking to sign up to the British Army?” Roger was hesitant, already wanting to back away from the situation.

“I’m not sure. I’ve been thinking about it but…”

“Say no more, future cadet, the Army has everything you need in life - friends, a career, travel, and a whole lot more. Let’s get you signed up over here.” The man grabbed Roger by the elbow and directed him over to the stand, shoving a sign-up sheet under his nose with vigour. It didn’t seem likely he would take no for an answer.

“I said I’m not sure,” said Roger firmly.

“Nonsense. You’re in your prime and I can tell that you need direction, discipline, and purpose. We’re going to turn your life around. Once you complete your basic training, you could be sent anywhere in the world, seeing things no one else ever will. It’s an amazing experience.” He handed Roger a pen. “What do you say?”

Roger’s hand hovered over the dotted line as his future hung in the balance. He could stay and hope for a future with Emily and take a chance on not being conscripted, or he could follow in his father’s footsteps and fight for the country which had sheltered and raised him his whole life. He bit his lip, suddenly feeling far too young to make such a life changing decision. His pen just grazed the surface of the paper when it was knocked out of his hand. Roger turned and was surprised to see Mr Jefferson at his side.

“What are you doing, grandpa? You’re a little late for the draft, don’t you think?” The recruiter stooped down to pick up the pen.

“This man is currently employed by me full time, so won’t be signing your piece of paper.” The recruiter looked him up and down, recognising his uniform.

“Unfortunately for you, selling ice creams isn’t an essential service during a war effort. As soon as conscription is mandatory, we’ll be taking him all the same.” The recruiter snatched the clipboard back from Roger and leered smugly at Mr Jefferson, moving on to his next prey that was a few feet away.

“What are you doing, trying to interfere in my life?” shouted Roger in the middle of the square for everyone to hear. Mr Jefferson tried to calm him down to prevent a scene.

“I’m trying to protect you from yourself, Roger. You have so much more to offer than dying in a needless war.”

“What would you know about it?” Roger was angry with the man, remembering his father who had never come home.

“I know far more about what lies beyond the political games of whoever sits on the throne of the world. Come and work with me, Roger, and I’ll do my best to keep you from being enlisted. Start a life, have a family.”

“You heard him - you can’t protect me, no one can.” Roger stormed off back home and sulked for the rest of the day during his chores.

The next day he was awoken early to a hammering at the front door - or at least that was what it sounded like in his tired state. Hurrying downstairs for fear of waking his mother so early, he answered it, surprised to see the local baker Todd with a beaming smile. Roger ran his hands through his dark hair, trying not to yawn but to compose himself into something remotely respectable.

“Todd? Do you know what time it is?”

“It’s time to get to work, Roger. You’re hired.”

“What are you blathering on about?”

“Didn’t anyone tell you?”

“Tell me what?” Roger was started to get annoyed now.

“Just go and get some work clothes on and come with me to my shop.”

Roger had no idea what had come across Todd or why he was so happy at this time in a morning. He obligingly got dressed into what he normally wore to his part time job at the greengrocers, something he didn’t mind getting dirty. Todd led him back to his shop in the town centre, a family bakery that had been going since the 1800s. Roger was taken aback when Todd showed him what had made him so ecstatic. He'd forgotten that Todd’s shop sat next to Mr Jefferson’s ice cream store. On the building was a large sign nailed across the door that bore one word – closed.  

“What happened to Mr Jefferson’s store?”

“Old coot finally sold it to me, so I could expand the business next door. I’m planning to open a café so we can attract more customers and make it fancier. He only had one condition to letting me take over his unit.”

“What was that?”

“That I hire you full time and never let you go unemployed. I hope you’re a hard worker. Bill at the greengrocer’s sung your praises for the hard work you normally do. He wasn’t too pleased when he knew I was poaching you, but that’s just business.”

“Why would he do that?”

“Not my problem, I got what I wanted. Welcome to the firm.” Todd clapped Roger on the shoulder and shook his hand. “Let’s get to work.”

Roger didn’t realise at the time that Mr Jefferson had made his decision for him on whether to enlist in the war effort or not. Mr Jefferson knew that being an employed baker would make him exempt from conscription in the National Service, as bakers provided a key service to the country. This sacrifice allowed Roger within five years to become a manager of his own branch of Todd’s bakery business. Five more years passed, and Roger and Emily welcomed their first child, Michael. This was the same year that the National Service conscription ended. Roger felt more secure knowing his own child wouldn’t be subjected to the same decision that had been put before him. The next time Roger saw Mr Jefferson was when his grandson introduced him as his history teacher, many years later.