They took their dead home and held a memorial service at Haven. Colonel Maidstone and officers from Banbury attended, along with Sandy Cameron and his Scots, and the Major. The butcher’s bill had been heavy: Dee, the young Asian girl; Nina, a victim who had become a warrior; and Kev, her protector and surrogate guardian to young James.
Yank had come through it all with barely a scratch and Jenny, still in a black eye patch, had her arm in a sling and would walk with a limp for some time. James was unscathed although Gwen would carry a permanent scar on her neck, not that either of them cared. Kat had survived, although her wounds would take a long time to mend. Pete was on crutches; the nurse at the Pussy Shack had saved his leg and his life, and the schoolgirl had propped him up and changed magazines while he continued to fight from the brothel. The Honourable Judith Finlay was in hospital but would recover and Prince Harry sported a bandage around his forehead but was otherwise unharmed.
Adams the batman, who had ultimately fought with distinction, was also in hospital and would mend. He had applied to return to the Catering Corps, a request to which Colonel Maidstone had happily agreed.
The Reverend Nick held a moving service and, as they lay their comrades to rest alongside the previous fallen, Sandra said softly, ‘We did it again. But how?’
Reaper said, ‘Maybe we had God on our side. And God can be a right bitch when She gets angry.’