He let him cry out his pain and had to blink back his own tears as he held the boy and waited for the storm to pass. War and death caused so much anguish, affecting everyone, regardless of their age, touching their lives and colouring their futures. There were so many questions he wanted to ask the boy, for he hungered for every small detail of the lives that were being lived without him – but despite the yearning, he held his tongue. Such questions might give him away.

He sighed deeply. The past was another country, and he was as guilty as Danny in wishing the clock could be turned back. They were learning harsh lessons today, but he had a feeling that this chance to talk and to explore their darkest thoughts would sustain them both for what lay ahead.

He closed his eyes and rested his chin on Danny’s head. He knew where his own future lay, but Danny had his whole life in front of him. It was vital the boy was made to understand that nothing could be achieved by constantly looking back.

The boy eventually stopped sobbing and he gave him a hanky to blow his nose. Once he was calm again, he looked deep into his eyes. ‘I know it’s hard to accept that he’s gone, Danny, but people like your dad and John Blake died fighting for your freedom to live your life the very best way you can.’

He took the boy’s hand and maintained his steady gaze. ‘They died for your right to grow up in a world free of war. They died so you could live. And that is a precious gift you must never turn your back on. The past is gone, Danny. The future is yours, and your mother’s, and it’s time to accept that.’

He smiled and softly nudged his fist against Danny’s small chin. ‘Make your father proud, Danny, and fulfil his dreams for you by growing up into the strong, brave man that he hoped you’d be.’

Danny was silent as he digested this. Then he nodded and sniffed back the last of the tears. ‘I never thought about it that way before,’ he said finally. ‘Do you think Dad is watching us from up there?’

John looked out from the cave and up to the sky, where the clouds were still threatening rain. ‘The Aborigines have a belief that the souls of the dead are taken up into the heavens on a special boat and once they’ve sailed across the Milky Way they are turned into stars. And those stars are our guardians, watching over us and waiting until it is our turn to join them.’