The 22 CO held out a hand. ‘I can honestly say, John, that it has been an enormous pleasure and a singular privilege to serve with you. You’re always welcome here. Godspeed.’

A slight lump in his throat, and his eyes stinging a little, Carr nodded.

‘Aye,’ was all he could manage.

He strode out of the Commanding Officer’s room into the corridor and towards the exit to the Regimental Headquarters building, where he walked, head down, straight into a tall, slender man in the corridor – a man whose angular appearance belied his considerable tenacity, courage, and intellect.

Major General Guy de Vere, Director Special Forces, who had arrived a few minutes earlier on the helicopter, for a planning meeting with Mark Topham.

‘Christ, John, you nearly took me out,’ said de Vere, when he saw who it was. ‘I understand you’re leaving us?’

‘Yeah, that’s me, boss,’ said Carr, shaking the outstretched hand. ‘I’m out the door. Civvie street.’

‘Mark couldn’t persuade you?’

‘Nah. Sorry.’

De Vere shook his head. ‘Oh, well,’ he said. ‘Amicitiae nostrae memoriam something-sempi-something fore.’

‘I’ll be honest with you, boss,’ said Carr. ‘I havnae a clue what you just said there.’

‘Cicero,’ said de Vere. ‘I hope the memory of our friendship lasts forever.’

‘Jesus,’ said Carr. ‘I’m not dying, you know. I only live down the road.’

Guy de Vere smiled broadly and clapped Carr on the shoulder.

‘Tell you what, John,’ he said, ‘we’ve come a fucking long way since that night in the Clonards, haven’t we?’

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