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

was merely being a gentleman. She took his armand they walked along the street, just one couple amongst dozens. All clingingonto to one another like survivors to the wreckage. The blackness of the nightwas familiar to Danny, but Abby still hadn’t become used to the lack of light.She was glad Danny was walking alongside her. From time to time she looked upat him. He was younger than her, but he had the looks and build of a youngDouglas Fairbanks.

Theyarrived at Abby’s flat. It was building that would have been fortunate to havebeen labelled non-descript such was its unsightliness.

‘Niceplace,’ lied Danny with a grin.

 ‘Don’tyou start,’ replied Abby punched him lightly on the arm.

‘Wellthis is it, then, Abby.’ Danny was about to launch into a short speech abouthow he should get back to his hotel. More flannel. He didn’t want the night tobe over, but he also wanted Abby to feel safe. The speech was cut short as Abbykissed him. Abby smiled up at him and took his hand.

‘It’sjust as nice inside.’

 6

Liverpool,England: June 1941

‘So,this is it,’ said Arthur, sitting across from Danny, Bob and Phil Lawrence. Twoweeks had elapsed since their return to London. Now they were all sat in atrain carriage destined for Liverpool. They would take a ship from Liverpool toNorth Africa. Where else? The Germans were besieging Tobruk. The Allies were onthe run. All of the ground won against the Italians was being lost. Yes, it wasNorth Africa. All knew.

Thetrain journey took around five hours. Arthur and Danny played a song pun gameto pass the time.

‘What’sthe song where dogs are shouting at birds?’

‘ANightingale Sang in Berkley Square,’ replied Arthur triumphantly.

‘Swine.’

‘What’sthe song of a naked woman banging on the door of a house?’

‘What?’exclaimed Danny, completely at a loss.’

‘Love Locked Out,’ cackled Arthur. This raised a laugharound the carriage, including from Bob.

The hours passed quickly for Danny and Arthur and even more quickly for Bob. He smiledalong with the jokes and even threw in a few comments himself, but his eyeswere vacant. Danny knew him well enough to know his friend was petrified. Theknuckle-white grip on the seat told its own story.

Everyso often Bob would go for a walk into the corridor. It was all Danny could doto stop himself following his friend. His fear was that Bob would try to jump outfrom the moving train. He knew that to follow him would have been to betrayhim. But was staying in the carriage not a greater betrayal? If somethinghappened, Danny knew his despair would be great, his sin greater still.

Asthey neared Liverpool, Bob rose from his seat and walked into the corridor. Bynow Danny’s level of discomfort was overpowering. He had a sense that somethingwas about to happen. This feeling crept into his mind, invaded his conscienceand overpowered his guilt.

Hehad to check.

Herose abruptly from his seat. All at once Arthur got up too. The two men lookedat one another.

‘Yeahmate, I don’t like this either,’ said Arthur.

Theywalked out into the corridor, past a few soldiers smoking beside the open windowsand through to the next carriage. There was no sign of Bob. The two friendsglanced at one another. Danny pointed in the opposite direction. Arthur noddedand set off looking for Bob. Reaching the end of the next carriage, Dannycrossed over into the second last carriage.

Therewas no sign of Bob.

Onlyone carriage remained and then he would be at the back of the train. Danny walkedrapidly down the corridor, slowed only by soldiers standing by windows smoking.The train began to slow down as it travelled through Liverpool. Danny could seeglimpses of the sea between the buildings. Only a few minutes more and theywould be boarding the ship.

Thelast carriage was less crowded, and Danny made rapid progress. He reached thelast compartment. Bob wasn’t there. Danny cursed and began to retrace hisfootsteps. Perhaps he had just gone to the toilet. He made his way quickly backto where he had separated from Arthur. Arriving at the carriage, he saw Arthurstanding outside their compartment. He caught Arthur’s eyes. It was there.Desolation.

Dannyran forward, ‘What happened?’

Arthurheld Danny back from going ahead.

‘Youcan’t do anything, Danny. The doctor’s there.’

‘Doctor?’said Danny wildly.

Thetrain came to a halt.

‘He’sbeen shot.’

‘Shot?What are you talking about?’

‘Doyou remember Nelson? Young lad from the Midlands. He and Bob always used tohang around one another. They must have had a pact. Nelson shot himself in theleg, but the idiot had it on automatic. It’s a mess. Bob caught it bad.

Therewas no time to explain and further. An officer came along the corridor callingfor the men to disembark. Danny returned to the carriage feeling sick. Hedesperately wanted to see Bob. He grabbed his belongings from the overheadshelf and followed Arthur quickly onto the platform.

Thewhole of the platform was a chaos of green uniforms. Danny turned as he heardthe shouts of officers, all running around like scared jack-rabbits giving orders to soldiers who weren’t listening. Inthe distance, Danny saw two stretchers being loaded onto a waiting ambulance.Danny caught a glimpse of Bob. He was unconscious. He looked around for a wayof getting to the ambulance but his pathway to the vehicle was blocked. Then hefelt a hand on his arm. It was Arthur. Beside him was Phil Lawrence.

‘Leave it, Danny, there’s nothing you can do,’ said Lawrence.Danny resisted for a moment.‘That’s an order, Danny,’ continued Lawrence gently.

Dannyknew his friends were right. His body slumped. Arthur patted his back. Theylooked at one another for a few moments. Then a sergeant came along and startedto organise the soldiers in Danny’s section. A few minutes later, they weremarching from Lime Street station towards the docks. As they neared thewaterfront, they could see the mutilated buildings. The devastation caused bythe heavy bombing over the last few months. Up ahead they saw the troopship. Itwas painted black. Arthur glanced at Danny.

‘Welcometo hell.’

Dannysmiled but his heart wasn’t in it. The image of Bob, on a stretcher, beingloaded like the ambulance, rose before his eyes. He was desperate to know theextent of the injuries. There was no question about what had happened. If herecovered, he would probably be imprisoned. Worse,