‘We can’t do anything about it. I’m tired, Bill – sorry, I’m off to sleep now.’ Luke pulled his covers up around his face and thought about the camp he had so wanted to attend. There he would have mixed and made friends with other cadets from around the country, and they would all have the same patriotic feelings that he had. Then his thoughts wandered to home and his mother and father, and the stony silence there had been on his last weekend visit. He hoped things had improved, but now his sister had written to him telling him of her escapades, the fool. Between school and home, there wasn’t much to like, but the cadets made him feel special, especially now that he had reached a first-class honour. The military was the life for him and he’d give it all that he’d got.

‘Now then, men, I’m afraid I have some bad news for you. As you know, we were due to go to camp next week, but in view of the outbreak of German measles, I’m afraid it has had to be cancelled.’ The Commanding Officer stood in front of the cadets, after putting them through their paces on the square outside the historic school rooms. ‘Now I know that you were particularly looking forward to this event, so for those of you who are well enough, I suggest that we have a few days up at Attermire Scar on the practice ranges. The miniature range under the cloisters has poor light, though it serves some purpose, but I propose that we march through Settle and then camp out on the fellside in readiness for using the ranges.’ The CO watched and listened as a mumble of discontent ran through the cadets on parade. ‘There’s always next year, and as you know we will be going to Hagley Park in Staffordshire, so set your sights on that event in late June.’

‘I bloody well knew it.’ Luke walked back into the school with Bill next to him.

‘Well, at least we get a few days off at camp on the side of Attermire, that’s better than nothing. I wasn’t looking forward to more than a week in this weather anyway, it’s gone so cold of late.’ Bill patted his mate on the back.

‘You’ll never make a soldier, you are too soft,’ said Luke.

‘I don’t intend to. Politics is more my thing. I’ll make the bullets that you will fire on my behalf – that way it’s a lot safer. Isn’t that what all politicians do?’ Bill laughed.

‘Too bloody right; it’s them lot that cause half the wars in the first place, but you won’t catch them on the battlefield.’ Luke sat down at his desk and grinned at his mate.