July 2010 – Repatriation

Tom found himself back on the tri-star. But he was on the other side of the aircraft this time. He hadn’t lasted a full tour. But he could honestly say he wasn’t going to miss anything at all about Afghanistan. The plane jumped a little as it was hit by some gentle turbulence. Tom winced as a shard of pain shot through his leg. He’d be very glad to get back to the UK and get his wound looked at properly. The field hospital at Camp Bastion had got him over the worst, but he was sure his recovery would be greatly assisted by a comfy bed in England.

A pang of guilt washed over him. What was he doing thinking about recovery? Gazing further down the cabin of the plane, two humps broke the even lines of the floor. Straps fastened tightly across the flag draped coffins. Stevie’s body was lying behind Biscuit’s. His had been the screams in the gully. Dead by the time the chopper arrived. There would be no recovery for either of them.