The Hill by Ray Rigby Read Free Book Online

didn’t flog tyres to the enemy or sell dirty postcards on the streets of Cairo, mister,” he said.
    “No,” said Wilson. “I’ve got your crimes listed here.” He smacked McGrath’s crimesheet with his knuckles. “You got boozed up and tried to obstruct the police.”
    “I didna like the way the Redcaps were handling a young fella, so I did some thumping myself.” That night’s work still rankled. It all started in the Mogador Cabaret. A clip joint, a stone’s throw from Cairo station and a right old dump it was too, thought McGrath. This belly dancer was trying to send the boys mad by shaking everything she’d got in the middle of the dance floor, when some fella threw an empty beer tin at her and soon enough the air was full of beer tins and then the fight started.
    Now, I wasn’t looking for a punch-up, McGrath justified himself. Didn’t I get behind the bar and help myself to a few drams and let the lunatics get on with it? Then the Redcaps raided the joint so I got smartly outside, and it was outside I saw three Redcaps trying to persuade a wee fella to get into the patrol waggon, and the laddie was yelling his innocence and I know a fella-Scot when I see one. Those bloody Redcaps didn’t have to deal with him as harshly as that. Persuading a fella is one thing, but trying to break his legs with a cane because he wouldn’t let them heave him into the back of a patrol waggon is another thing altogether, and when I protested all I got for my pains was a punch in the mush. So into action I went and did three of the bloody Redcaps with my head in double quick time before the rest of them were on me. Aye. If that’s not wrongful arrest then what the hell is? And this old daftie thinks I have to be boozed up before I can go into action, does he?
    “Boozed up,” said Wilson. “Next time you want to stand up for the rights of man, try it sober.”
    “I don’t need a drink to get me in the mood for a punch-up,” said McGrath quietly.
    The R.S.M. smiled. “Your kind always need a drink, McGrath. I’ve a dozen inside here like you, with their noses punched flat and their brains scrambled and they all came in thinking they were going to run this place. I’ve just doubled a couple of them out.”
    McGrath switched on a smile but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Aye, you may be right, sir. I’ll no argue with you and blot me copy book. It’s me intention to soldier on, do me time and get out of here.”
    “See you do,” said Wilson and moved on and faced Stevens. You poor little bastard, he thought, looking at the drooping miserable youth. You’re out of place here. “Went absent, Stevens?”
    “Yes, sir,” whispered Stevens.
    “Didn’t fancy the sound of gunfire?”
    “Sir — I ... ” Stevens’s lips trembled.
    “Speak up, lad.”
    “It wasn’t that, sir — I ... ”
    “Tried to stow away on a boat in Suez. Why?”
    “Trying to get home, sir. You see ... ”
    “Wasn’t very smart, Stevens, was you? The clever way is to get to the airport. Show a Yank twenty quid and he’d fly you to Hong Kong if you wanted it.”
    “Sir. It was home, sir, I wanted.”
    Wilson glanced at the letters in his hand. “Missing your wife, Stevens?”
    Stevens’s eyes filled with tears. “Yes — yes, sir.”
    “Lad,” said Wilson. “If every man who wanted a cuddle and a bit of loving kindness took off for England, we wouldn’t have any bloody army left over here, would we?”
    “No ... no, sir,” muttered Stevens.
    “You’re out of place here, Stevens. Obey orders and get out soon as you can.”
    Stevens felt grateful to Wilson. “Thank you, sir. I will, sir. I promise.”
    “All right.” Wilson was suddenly irritated by Stevens. He’s too bloody wet, he thought. What’s this pink and white kid doing in the bloody army? Gawd, he can’t even take a sun tan. Milky and pink, he ought to be in the bloody girl guides. “Get yourself straightened out, lad,” he said. “You’re in uniform so