War Torn

Dave had taken Sol a meal and been told that his best corporal had a twisted ankle and had to keep the weight off it for at least a week, maybe two.‘Isn’t there anything you can do?’ he asked the departing medic.The man turned and shrugged. ‘Shoot him?’‘Good idea.’‘Sorry,’ Sol said miserably. ‘I’m really sorry.’‘How the hell did it happen?’ Dave asked. ‘If it had been Finny or anyone else I’d know they were pissing about. But you . . .’‘I was on top. I was firing. Then I shifted my weight around and . . . well I stumbled and the next thing I knew I was falling.’The Fijian was built like a brick shithouse. He’d fallen on Dave during an impromptu football game and Dave still had the bruises.‘Not the lads below playing some stupid fucking trick on you?’Sol shook his head. ‘They wouldn’t do that.’‘Not if you were under fire, I guess. I suppose we’re lucky you didn’t shoot yourself as you fell.’‘Yeah,’ Sol said. ‘I’m trying to tell myself how lucky I am. Heard any news of Steve or Jordan?’‘Jordan’s OK at Selly Oak. All they can say about Steve is that he’s stabilizing. Hasn’t stabilized enough for me to speak to him, though.’Sol sighed. ‘So until my ankle gets better, Finn will be section commander?’‘He’ll have to step up when we’re out on patrol. But I’m pissed off with him.’‘All this stuff about Emily?’‘Yeah. I don’t remember anything about shagging the contractors in the camp orders, do you?’‘It’s just a wind-up. And when you’re out there and you need Finn to be good, he’s always good.’‘Under pressure he’s good. The rest of the time he’s all mouth.’‘You can’t step anyone over him.’‘I know.’‘So it’ll be Finn to command and Jamie as second i/c?’‘Yup.’Sol placed his empty plate on the ground beside him, lay back on his cot and shut his eyes.‘What happened to Angus today? The lads have been ripping into him. Mal’s his best mate, but he’s been tearing Angry apart.’Who needs sergeants, Dave thought, when you had mates to keep you in order? ‘I don’t know what’s going on with that lad,’ he said. ‘I intend to find out now.’