Boy Soldier by Andy McNab Read Free Book Online Page B

man was surprised he didn't show it. He looked at Danny and nodded, as if seeing the similarities between grandson and grandfather. Then he shook hands, almost crushing Danny's fingers in his giant fist, and invited him to join the group at the table. When they pulled up their chairs Kev simply said to the others, 'This is Danny.' Nothing more.
    Since then they'd been talking quietly, sitting slightly apart from the rest. But the conversation wasn't getting very far. Danny leaned in closer to Big Kev. 'Do you know where my granddad is?'
    The answer came immediately. 'Haven't a clue.'
    'But you were his friend.'
    'Best mates. That photo you've got was taken before we even made it into the Regiment. We went all the way together, joined up at the same time and then—'
    Whatever Kev was about to say went unspoken as he stood up, almost spilling his beer in the process. As Danny looked on, bewildered, the other veterans stood up too. Then he saw why.
    'No need to stand, chaps. Not any more.'
    Kev was almost standing to attention. 'Old habits, sir.'
    'Sir' was tall, grey-haired and distinguished-looking, and he had such a presence that, without knowing why, Danny found himself standing as well.
    'Just wanted to let you chaps know that my wife and I are leaving now – long drive back.'
    'Good of you both to come, sir,' said Kev.
    'Not at all, least we could do.' He noticed Danny. 'Hello, who's this? A new recruit?'
    'Friend of a friend, sir,' answered Kev before Danny could speak.
    Sir smiled at Danny. 'Don't let this lot of reprobates lead you astray. Goodbye to you all then.'
    The veterans chorused their 'Bye, sir's and retook their seats.
    Big Kev finished his pint and Danny took a swig of his Coke. 'Who was that?'
    'Old CO. Colonel. A good bloke.'
    Danny couldn't stop himself from replying, 'Like my granddad?'
    Kev didn't answer. He was a man of few words, and most of those he seemed to want to keep to himself. But everyone else had plenty to say. The room was getting noisier by the minute; the old and bold were enjoying sharing stories and memories of their glory days.
    Danny almost had to shout. 'I know what he did. In Colombia.'
    'Do you?' said Kev, so softly that Danny struggled to hear. 'Well, maybe you do and maybe you don't.'
    Kev was giving nothing away and Danny's temper was building. 'Look, I've got to find him.'
    One of the men on the far side of the table heard Danny. 'Find who? Who's he on about, Kev?'
    The noise in the bar was so loud now that Danny did have to shout. 'My granddad.'
    An outburst of raucous laughter from the group at the next table gave the veteran no chance of hearing. He shouted back, 'Who?'
    What happened next was one of those freak moments: it probably wouldn't have happened again if it had been rehearsed a hundred times. But just as Danny cupped his hands to his mouth and shouted there was a total drop in the level of chatter and laughter.
    The two words boomed out: 'Fergus Watts!'
    A great swathe of the room went completely silent and all eyes turned towards Danny. He turned to Kev. 'What? What did I do?'
    The answer was softly spoken. 'Not a very popular name in the Regiment these days, son.'
    Gradually the conversation and laughter resumed but two tables away one man kept his eyes firmly fixed on Danny. 'Fergus Watts,' he whispered. 'Now there's a name I haven't heard in a long time.'
    Maybe it was the intensity of his stare that made Danny turn and look, maybe it was just chance. Whatever the reason, their eyes met. The staring man gave Danny an exaggerated smile, raised his glass and silently mouthed, 'Cheers.'
    It was unsettling, spooky, and Danny looked away as Big Kev stood up and called over to one of his friends, 'I need a gypsy's. Get a round in, will you, Tone, and one for the lad?' He glanced at Danny. 'Unless it's time for you to go?'
    Danny wasn't going to be pushed out. 'I'm not in any rush.'
    Kev shrugged and moved off and Tone collected the glasses and headed for the