Land of Hope and Glory by Geoffrey Wilson Read Free Book Online

knights were the only ones in Europe to expel the Mohammedans. You overthrew them, just as we did in India. We’re alike, you see, the Rajthanans and the English. And both strong with sattva.’
    Jhala shifted on his cushion-seat. There was a scraping sound nearby as one of the gardeners pushed a wheelbarrow along a gravel path.
    ‘Where are you posted now?’ Jack asked.
    ‘Here, in Poole. You know the barracks?’
    ‘Yes.’ Jack had seen the sprawling military compound from the road many times. It lay a few miles to the north-east of the city. But of course he’d never actually visited it, having left the army so long ago.
    ‘Been there for about a year now,’ Jhala said. ‘You should come by sometime. You’d be most welcome.’
    ‘Thank you, sir. Can I ask something?’
    ‘Of course.’
    ‘How did you know I was here? I mean, working at this place?’
    ‘It was just a stroke of luck. You remember you saw Sergeant Kershaw a few months ago?’
    ‘Yes.’ He remembered now. He’d bumped into David Kershaw, one of his old colleagues from the regiment, in Poole during the winter. They hadn’t spoken much – Jack had been in a rush to complete an errand for Shri Goyanor. He hadn’t even realised at the time that Kershaw and the regiment were now based in Poole.
    ‘Well, Kershaw happened to mention it to me,’ Jhala said. ‘He told me you were working as a guard around here, so I looked you up in the register.’
    All guards were required to register with the local sheriffs, who kept a logbook containing the names and addresses of everyone working in security in the area.
    Jhala coughed a few times and Jack wondered whether he was suffering from the fever at the moment. Finally, Jhala cleared his throat and looked around at the gardens. ‘It’s very pleasant here.’
    ‘Yes,’ Jack replied.
    ‘You like it, then?’
    ‘Shri Goyanor’s been good to me.’
    ‘Of course. I’m sure he has. But still, you must miss the old days sometimes.’
    ‘Sometimes.’
    ‘Ever think about coming back?’
    ‘No. I mean, I made my decision. I think it was for the best.’
    Jhala looked up at the roof of the gazebo, as if there would be some sort of inspiration up there. ‘Never did quite understand why you left, Jack. If you’d stayed on you’d be ten years off getting your pension now.’
    It was true. If he’d stayed on he would be closer to receiving the all-important, much-admired army pension, a smallholding where a man could live out the rest of his days in peace, if not actual luxury. It was what all soldiers dreamt about, after they’d served for a few years.
    ‘You’re right, sir, but I had that accident.’
    ‘The injury wasn’t bad. The doctor said you could stay on.’
    ‘Yes, sir. But . . . things changed.’
    Jack’s fingers tensed around the corner of the cushion beneath him. The accident had been the result of karma and he’d vowed not to go back to the army after what he’d done. But he’d never spoken to anyone about this, apart from Katelin.
    ‘Well, I suppose we all have to make our choices in life,’ Jhala said. ‘But what would you say if I told you I could arrange for you to get your pension after all? Immediately.’
    Jack’s heart quickened. Could it be possible? ‘Sir, I would be most grateful.’
    ‘Have to say, you’ve earned it. You were one of the best. I’ve got a lot to thank you for. All those times tracking the Slavs in the mountains. Never would have done it without you.’
    ‘Thank you, sir.’
    ‘There is a catch, though. We need you to do something for us. A small mission.’
    Jack paused. ‘I don’t want to cause offence, but I can’t join up again. Those days are over for me.’
    ‘You won’t need to join up. We just need your tracking skills.’
    ‘I’ve heard all about your talent,’ said Sengar, who had been quietly observing the discussion so far. ‘I’m most anxious to see you at work.’
    By ‘talent’ Jack assumed Sengar meant his