Edmund felt a hand touch his wrist. He glanced down at William. ‘Did you bring my helmet?’ his older brother asked. Edmund laughed and shook his head. William smiled, too. ‘You always forget things.’
But I won’t forget this day, Edmund knew. Not ever. He and the other bearers placed William’s stretcher down carefully on the ground, while they waited for the ambulances to begin loading. Edmund sat by his brother. His whole body ached; for the first time in hours, he realised how exhausted he was.
‘I’ll write to Ma,’ he told William. ‘She’ll be so relieved. Jessie, too.’
‘Thanks,’ William murmured. He paused. ‘And could you tell Vi—’
He fell silent. After a second, Edmund glanced at him. He stared. It was hard to tell under the dried mud and blood that still covered most of his face, but
