Captain Mack by James Roy Page B

mind.”
    â€œWhether or not he minds isn’t the point.”
    â€œHe makes me do it if I forget, Dad. It makes him feel important or something. I don’t think it is pretend for him.”
    â€œHmm,” Dad said, rubbing his chin. “Well, don’t forget what I said the other night about showing this man the respect he deserves. Remember, even though he’s a little out of touch —”
    â€œI know, Dad.”
    â€œJust keep reminding yourself of it.”
    He went to deliver the razors and hair-gel the following day. Captain Mack wasn’t at his unit, so after searching in the gardens for a while Danny went into the hospital and found Ellie.
    â€œWhat’s up?” she asked, looking slightly flustered.
    â€œI can’t find Captain Mack,” he said.
    â€œOh, I forgot. He’s in here. Come with me.”
    She led him down a short cream-coloured passageway to a small room. “He’s in there,” she said. “Sorry I can’t hang about — I’ve got a million things to do before I go. I’ll meet you in the car-park at the usual time.”
    â€œWhat happened to him?” Danny asked as she began to hurry off.
    â€œHe’ll tell you,” she replied over her shoulder.
    Danny put his head around the doorway. Captain Mack was alone, lying on a trolley in the corner of the pale, shiny room. He had a white bandage on his forehead, with his eyepatch looped over the top.
    â€œWhat happened to you, sir?” Danny asked.
    â€œAh, Snell, get over here. Quick now, lad!” Captain Mack propped himself up on one elbow. “Quick now, I said!”
    Danny reached into his bag for the razors and gel. “I got that stuff you wanted.”
    Captain Mack grabbed Danny’s hands and pushed the toiletries back into the bag. “What are ye doing? Are ye mad?” he hissed.
    â€œIt’s just razors and —”
    â€œI can see what it is, Private, and here’s not the place to give them to me.”
    â€œWhere, then —”
    â€œJust listen. I’ve got a most urgent message I need ye to deliver.”
    â€œSure. What is it?”
    He glanced about before whispering, “They’re being less subtle about it now, Snell.”
    â€œAbout what?”
    Captain Mack pointed at his bandage. “Ye think this was an accident? No, lad, it was nothing of the kind. They made sure it happened, because they know.”
    â€œThey know what, sir?”
    â€œI think they know about Tierney, but I can’t be sure. Oh Lord, what a mess,” he moaned, flopping back onto the bed and putting both hands to his face. “I’ve got to get out of this place, Snell. If they think I can’t work, then that’ll be the end.”
    â€œCan’t work?”
    â€œThere’s still so much to do, lad — don’t ye understand? If they find Tiemey, the game’s up. We’ve got to stay busy so we keep them distracted. But the lads are dropping like flies, and there’s still so far to go! Oh Lord …”
    A nurse came into the room then, saving Danny from having to ask any more questions about Tierney or what kind of work Captain Mack thought he was supposed to be doing. She smiled at Danny as she went over to the trolley. “OK, Mr McAuliffe, the doctor won’t be long coming to stitch up that head of yours, all right? Are you comfy there?” she asked.
    â€œI’m all right, don’t ye worry about me.”
    â€œGreat. We’ll see you soon, then.” She turned to go.
    â€œExcuse me,” Danny asked her, “can you tell me what happened? He won’t say.”
    â€œIt’s just a bit of a gash, that’s all. He tripped on his front step.”
    â€œAye, that’s what they say, lad, but the truth is rather different,” Captain Mack interrupted. “Don’t listen to them, or they’ll poison yer mind. Savages …”
    The nurse