August 1918Harry returned from hospital to a different war, one much more to his liking, although it still felt strange to be out in the open, in the daylight. Strange and terrifying, but better than shivering in a trench. The platoon started forward in formation, the sun hot on their backs, their gear heavier with each step. It was hard to see through the haze of early morning fog. The hill was shrouded in a murderous dust and machine-gun fire was thick about them, a solid wall of venomous noise. It was like running through a burning hive, swarming bullets intent on keeping them out. Harry stumbled more than once in the long grass, but kept pressing forward. He was keeping Alex in sight, just about. When they came to the first uncut wire, he dropped down beside him.
‘What now?’
‘Keep th
