Battles Lost and Won by Beryl Matthews Page B

it was good to know he wouldn’t have to queue every day to see what was going.
    As he approached the group of men waiting to start on the ship as soon as she was docked, one turned round and smiled with pleasure.
    ‘Alf?!’ The man rushed towards him. ‘It’s good to see you. I tried to find you after they patched me up, but it was bloody chaos out there, and I didn’t know your surname.’
    They clasped hands. ‘Pete! I didn’t know if you had survived. It’s wonderful to see you looking so fit.’
    ‘Thanks to you!’ Pete led Alf over to the other men. ‘Hey, meet the man who saved my life in France. I was injured and he came out of the trenches, picked me up and carried me back. Damn bullets whizzing all around us, but he just kept running with me on his shoulders. That was what I would call courage.’
    As the men gathered around, Alf gave an embarrassed smile. ‘More like stupidity.’
    They all laughed, and Alf was immediately accepted as one of the crew. It was a wonderful feeling. These men were hailing him as a hero for saving Pete, but he knew that what his son had done for him was real courage. When the boy had walked away from him, it had given him the jolt he’d needed. But he was still only a kid, and he was desperately sad that his drinking had driven him away from everything and everyone he knew. Some day he hoped to show him that his sacrifice had not been in vain.
    The hard physical labour through the day helped him to control the urge to drink, and he did the work of two men, never stopping. By the end of the day he was so tired that the chances of sleeping that night were good.
    ‘I owe you a drink, Alf,’ Pete said as he came over to him. ‘The Red Lion will be open now.’
    Alf was so tempted to accept, but he knew that if he did he would soon be back to his old ways. He had found out the hard way that he wasn’t the kind of man who could have a couple of drinks and leave it at that. He decided to be honest. ‘Thanks, but I can’t. I’ve been drinking ever since I arrived back, and have only just managed to sober up. If I have only one drink I’ll be back to it again, and I’m not going to put myself through that agony again.’
    ‘That bad, was it?’
    Alf nodded. ‘I started drinking to stop the nightmares even before I got back, but it got out of control. I don’t dare go near a pub again.’
    Pete nodded, understanding. ‘How about us going across the road to the cafe? They serve a hearty pie and mash. The tea’s good and strong as well.’
    ‘Just what I need. I’m starving.’
    After a filling meal, Alf made his way home, crossing the road every time he had to pass a pub. He was scared even to get a smell of beer. As he crossed from one side of the street to the other he couldn’t help a wry smile. He had never realized there were so many pubs in this area. It had felt good sitting in the cafe talking to Pete. They hadn’t mentioned the war, of course, and he’d enjoyed relaxing over a meal.
    ‘Mr Hunter!’ Ruth was running toward him, all smiles. ‘There’s someone waiting in our house to see you. A real toff, he is, but he’s got good news.’
    ‘What’s he want with me?’ he asked, looking down at her animated face.
    ‘You’ll see.’
    The Coopers had put the man in the front room, and the children were entertaining him. As soon as Alf saw his bearing he knew he was an officer. ‘You wanted to see me, sir?’
    ‘I wasn’t sure if I had the right Hunter, but after talking with your friends, it seems that I have found you at last. My name is Russell—’
    ‘Rank, sir?’ Alf asked. He wanted to make sure he addressed this man in the right way.
    ‘Captain.’
    Alf nodded. ‘What can I do for you, Captain Russell?’
    ‘I have news of your son, Robert.’
    ‘Sit down.’ Daisy came into the room and ushered the children out. ‘I’ll make you a pot of tea.’
    When they were settled, the captain began to tell him about his first meeting with Bob,