The crowd at Alfie McDuff’s uttered a unanimous “Hear, hear!” Then they continued on the more upbeat tone, especially after Hatch ordered a round for the bar and told the bartender to put it on Frank Masland’s tab.
While the locals crowded around the bar to get their drinks, Phil turned away and stared unseeing at the exposed brick wall. I know I’ve had too much to drink, Phil thought. Only a few days ago, I was in North Africa, helping to plan the invasion of Sicily, where more of my friends will die. Now, I’m home and these folks have no idea what’s happening out there. I feel so angry. I can’t let them see what I’m feeling. I’ll take up the torch all right. I’ll take it and shove it down the throat of every f*****g Jap soldier I can find.
Reenergized by the free round, the patrons be
