The Shadow of War by Jack Murray (latest ebook reader txt) 📗

and good-natured banter. Now there was silencesave for the distant orders from the parade ground. A few initial feints fromboth men were easily dismissed and then finally they came together. An initialattempt to throw Danny was narrowly beaten off and they stepped back again.

O’Dowd, after fourdemonstrations already, was beginning to pant. He knew Danny was stronger. Henow realised Danny also had technique. Sweat rolled down his face and, for thefirst time in front of a recruit, he felt fear. He dismissed this quickly. He’dseen too much in his life and he’d dealt with bigger problems than Danny Shaw.

O’Dowd’s small eyes narrowed,and Danny braced himself for the next attack. Seconds later it was all over. O’Dowd lay onthe ground. He bounced up immediately and attacked Danny again, almost catchinghim unawares. For another minute the two men were locked in battle and then,once again, the sergeant was lying on his back. Budd applauded the two men asO’Dowd rose to his feet.

‘Who showed you how to dothat?’ asked Budd.

‘My dad,’ replied Danny,mopping his brow. He was sweating profusely. To be fair to O’Dowd, he’d givenhim quite a fight. A few years younger or a few pounds heavier and it mighthave been Danny on the ground.

Budd nodded and asked Danny, ‘Hewas in the other lot?’

‘Yes, sir.’

Turning to Tom Shaw, Buddasked, ‘Are you equally proficient?’

‘Yes, sir,’ replied Tom.

Budd nodded and looked atO’Dowd. He pointed to the Shaw brothers and said, ‘Sergeant, split the men intotwo groups. Detail these two men to take over the unarmed close combattraining.’

‘Yes, sir,’ barked O’Dowd. OnceBudd had left the men, he glared at Danny and said, ‘I’ll get you back for this,Shaw.’

Danny returned his gaze.Another few weeks and they’d be gone. There was no point in starting anythingnow. Instead he merely nodded, then turned away to organise his group of men.

 4

Caterham Army Barracks, Surrey:February 1941

It was a light punch on thearm. Danny was awake in an instant and bolted upright. Carruthers was by hisbed. Danny looked at him in confusion because it was still night outside. WhenDanny’s eyes found their focus, he saw it was after two in the morning.

‘What do you want?’ whisperedDanny.

‘You’re friend and Harn.They’ve just sneaked out of the barracks,’ whispered Carruthers, ‘I thinkthey’re deserting.’

This was alarming. Danny rosefrom his bed and went to the window. It was dark outside, but the moon wasquite bright. Initially, they could see nothing, then Carruthers pointed to ahut around forty yards away. It was just about possible to make out Bob andHarn.

‘Christ almighty,’ said Danny,‘Come on.’

They picked up their boots andran to the door. Slipping into their boots quickly, they ran over to where thetwo men were hiding. Both were waiting for the guard at the gate to be changed.This usually took place at two.

He and Carruthers arrived atthe doorway where the two men lay hidden in the shadows.

‘What the hell do you thinkyou’re doing?’

‘Mind your own business, Shaw,’snarled Harn. Bob said nothing; he looked mortified.

‘You’re going home, aren’tyou?’ said Carruthers.

‘What if we are, Danny? Weshouldn’t be here,’ responded Bob.

‘Nor should I,’ pointed out Carruthers,‘I have a wife, a family and a good job.’

‘Come with us,’ sneered Harn.

Carruthers almost recoiledphysically at the thought. Then he said, ‘I’m here now. I’ll make the best ofit.’

‘Get away will you,’ said Bobsharply. He was becoming increasingly uncomfortable by the second.

‘We’re only trying to help,’ saidCarruthers trying to reason with them.

‘Leave us alone,’ said Harn,pushing Carrutherssharply on the shoulder.

This angered Danny and grabbedHarn by his lapels, ‘Enough of that. He’s trying to make you see reason. Noneof us want to be in the army.’

‘You volunteered,’ said Bob,sulkily, like a child trying to excuse bad behaviour.

‘It doesn’t mean I want to behere. There’s a job to be done. If I could go home tomorrow, I would. C’mon,this is madness. Come back to the barracks and we’ll say nothing about this toanyone.’

It was clear that Bob was nowtorn. His distressed face tore at Danny.

‘What’s wrong, Bob?’

Tears were streaming down Bob’sface, ‘It’s Beth. She’s pregnant. I don’t want my child to be an orphan.’

Danny grabbed both of Bob’sarms. His heart felt like it would explode. How would he have reacted insimilar circumstances? Duty demanded he stay and fight, but Danny recognised ahigher duty to the country. This was a fight for survival. The last two years had brought a human costto the country. A black cloud of death hung in the air. No one was immune fromits effects. No one was excused from sacrificing their time or, indeed, theirlife for the cause of survival. But Danny was not there to police his friend. Hereleased Bob’s arms.

‘It’s up to you, Bob. They’llcome after you. They’ll put you in prison. Is that any better for Beth and thechild?’

‘Leave him alone, Shaw. He’s abig boy. He can do what he wants.’

Danny realised the opposite wastrue, but he had no time or desire to reason with Harn. He looked at Bob andshrugged.

‘Fine, Bob, you decide.’ Heturned to Carruthers and said, ‘Let’s go back. It’s their look out.’

Carruthers was troubled bythis, but Danny gave a curt nod. If they stayed any longer, they would getcaught and O’Dowd would certainly not believe their story. The two men turnedand walked back to the barracks. A few second later they heard the sound ofsteps behind them. It was Bob.

‘Bloody hell,’ was all Bobcould say.

Danny glanced back at Harn. Hewas already darting towards another hut, nearer the entrance.

‘Damn fool,’ said Dannyfollowing Bob and Carruthers back into the building.

-

This left the group with aproblem. Harn’s departure was unlikely to succeed. He would almost certainly becaught. It was a question of how long. In Danny’s view, this affected them all.Carruthers was thinking along similar lines.

‘If they catch him, he’ll saywe knew all about it. This makes us complicit.’

‘I know,’ replied Danny grimly.However, the thought of going to either O’Dowd or the captain appalled him.Finally, he said, ‘Bob, you get to bed. Whatever happens, deny everything. I’llgo to Budd and tell him about Harn.’

‘I’ll come with you,’ said Carruthers.Seeing Danny was about to object, he put his hand