Easterleigh Hall at War by Margaret Graham

the Milky Way.
    Auberon replied, ‘I truly hope that you were both able to say what needed to be said, and that you know that you are cared for very deeply, as I believe you are, from Veronica’s letters on the subject.’ Jack started to interrupt. Auberon continued, ‘No, Jack, let me say this and I am not under their orders to do so, but we’re going into action so I feel I must. You should know what I already know, that Grace Manton loves you and love is precious. Hold it close to you. It’s all that matters in the long run, d’you hear? Who knows, perhaps something will happen to work things out without pain to others. It’s such a strange bloody world, at the moment.’
    Auberon paused. ‘Do you think that love finds a way?’ His tone was urgent, and he was grinding his cigarette beneath his foot as though it was a Hun. ‘Oh, forget my ramblings, and now I’ve embarrassed myself enough, and you too, so I’m off to catch up on orders, and you should get along to the men. They need you. Talk them through all that matters again, including the knuckledusters that I’m sure they carry with them. Make sure they carry wire-cutters and knives, too.’
    Jack watched his captain slip and slide through the mud towards Colonel Townsend’s tent. He grinned. Each day Roger had been beavering to keep those boots gleaming, and himself as far as possible from the drills. Lucky bugger, and no worm deserved it less. His own cigarette was smoked to the utter stub and he flicked it through the air in a way that he wouldn’t be able to in a few days’ time. He watched Auberon salute the guard at the colonel’s tent, lift the tent flap and enter, and was filled with a welling of peace. ‘D’you understand, Timmie?’ He looked once more at the Milky Way, nodded and made his way to the tents that housed the Lea End mob. Only one pint, eh? Captain the Hon. Auberon Brampton should know better where that lot were concerned.
    The next morning, 8th March, they fell in and marched to the train. It was raining. Of course it was, Auberon grunted to himself. The Lea End lot were quiet. They travelled in cattle cars all morning and then it was to be Shanks’ pony. The horses were unloaded, skittering down the ramp, and the officers mounted. He headed for the front of the C Company column on a horse that Richard had arranged to be delivered from England. It wasn’t Prancer, but it would do. He slowed as he came upon young Lieutenant Barry marching at the head of Jack’s section. He kept pace as he introduced Jack to Lieutenant Barry, who had arrived late yesterday evening. He looked like a boy. He was.
    Jack and Auberon locked eyes. ‘Lieutenant Barry will be accompanying you, Sergeant Forbes. He’s fresh from Britain by way of Officer Cadet Training at one of our major public schools and then the usual route. I know you’ll keep an eye on him.’ Jack nodded. Auberon shook his head slightly. They understood one another perfectly. Another chick to try and keep from harm until he’d learned the way of the world.
    Auberon told Lieutenant Barry, ‘If you listen to Sergeant Forbes you’ve a chance of reaching the age of twenty, d’you hear me?’
    â€˜Sir,’ shouted Lieutenant Barry, snapping to attention. The section stumbled to a halt behind him. Jack and Auberon sighed together. ‘Save your energy, sir,’ Jack murmured. The boy looked confused.
    All morning they marched, then an order was passed down the line and Jack told the men to fall out at the side of the road. They flung themselves on to piles of stones, logs, whatever they could find to keep their arses out of the mud. They ate their rations. The Lea End mob were rallying after their hangovers, because of course the one pint had become many. They moved on again and this time their grumbles reached Lieutenant Barry, who half turned. ‘We should stop