Shaggy Taranto Story
Taranto Night long ago (L-o-O), Commander (Air) is on his feet after Dinner. Hushed audience....
"I well remember that night, the most stressful of my life so far. I was the youngest Sub-Lieutenant on the Squadron, I was "breaking my duck". I'd been thoroughly briefed, knew what I had to do in an hour or two. but would I be capable of doing what was expected of me ? Who knows, in that first test, how he will behave when "the chips are down". How would I feel if I failed ? It didn't bear thinking about. I paced nervously up and down. A quick gin in the Wardroom ? - strictly forbidden.
At last it was time - the 'op' was on.... I "screwed my courage to the sticking point", squared my shoulders......"
(not a glass clinked on the Mess tables, not a chair moved......)
.......and went in to my new bride in that little Devon hotel on the first night of our honeymoon !"
Danny42C.
(Am sure Union Jack has heard that dozens of times, but it was a new one on me. D).