William had been running around most of whitby. He had spent all morning dropping off paperwork to the men who would be sailing with him to the East Coast Colonys in Africa. 

His uniform was pristine. Alot of people noted him as he walked the streets of the crags and even a couple gave insults as they served with a rival regiment but soon he would be out the uniform of the West Yorkshires and back with the Middlesex Volunteers. Back in hodden grey. He walked the streets before coming to the house he knew was that of John Blacks Parents. He walked up to the front door and knocked. The door was shortly answered

William Spoke "Good Afternoon. My name is Captain William St Claire. Officer commanding the Whitby Company attached to the West Yorkshire Regiment. Is Company Sargeant Major Black home?"

Lottie and the kids were still out and Bill was making the best of a free afternoon by snoring in a chair. He snorted when there was a knock, looked around, and got up with a yawn.

The light seemed rather too bright when he opened the door and looked at the stranger sleepily. But the name woke him up.

"John's out on a few errands, sir, but I expect 'im 'ome any minute. Would you like to come in and wait? Oh, Bill Blacke, by the way, John's father. I owe ye one for lookin' out for me lad."

William smiled "there's no need for me to intrude. I simply mean to drop off some documents for him. And pleasure to male your aquantiance. There's no need to thank me. John is a fine soldier. He is highly regarded in his own regiment and quite frankly. It would be a waste of his talent to send him off to jail for something that is merely an admin error. 3 times mentioned in dispatches and the military cross. The last he recieved for recovering 5 lads wounded on his patrol by an ambush. He is exactly the man I want beside me in this up coming expedition"

Bill glowed with pride at the captain mentioning his son's heroic accomplishments, but the last sentence provoked a frown. This heroic young man was someone the captain wanted beside him on this expedition. What did that say about the sort of placement it was. "Aye, 'e's turned out a fine lad, our John 'as. And I'm glad ye managed to keep 'im out of jail. But what of this expedition? Is it very dangerous?" he asked with some anxiety in his voice.

William looked at bill "not too dangerous. Is merely a garrison duty with a small detachment. A temporary captain in charge and a small detachment of troops. John will help me run the company due to him being no longer being classed as frontline fit. There's nothing to worry about with him being over there." He looked at bill once more "he hasn't told you about the 3 times he's been mentioned in dispatches has he? How he earned them?"

Bill visibly relaxed when he was assured the expedition was not too dangerous. "Good," he breathed. "No, 'e's told me he's been mentioned, but not why. Are ye sure ye won't come in?" He stepped out of the way and gestured in. If they were going to keep talking they might as well sit down. Bill did plenty of standing during work hours. This was his day off.

William thought for a moment "sure why not. I have the articles relating to johns mentioned in dispatches and his military cross. Perhaps I can fill you in with the details"

Now that the invitation was accepted, Bill remembered that he didn't actually know how to host gentlemen. The reverend had visited them once or twice, when Bill and Lottie could no longer find a polite excuse to wiggle out of it, but Lottie would always take care of such things and Bill paid no attention.

The kitchen wouldn't do for a captain. Bill at least had the good sense to show him into the front room, modest as it was. "I would like that," Bill said. "Can I offer you something to drink? Tea? Got some beer." Was that appropriate?

William nodded "what ever is easiest for yourself I don't mind what comes." William sat down in the chair

Bill nodded. Guy didn't seem to picky. He disappeared into the kitchen and then returned with two opened bottles of cheap beer and two glasses for pretending he had manners. He put them down on the table and sat down. "So what does it say about 'im?"