“I would appreciate that. Thank you.” Red stared into the cup. “Sorry, Drake, I hate to have to ask. But every door I’ve knocked on has been shut in my face when they see me limping on this blasted foot.” He scowled at the tea, then seemed to realize it would better serve a different purpose and sipped at it. “I’ve half a mind to remake the thing. Would if I could get any parts. If I can eliminate the limp—”

“Well now. That’s something I can probably help you with.” He motioned to the small table between them, which Dot had stocked with what she thought he might need to work, including paper and pens. “Write down anything you might need. And you’re welcome to do the work here, if you’d like. I believe there’s a set of tools.”

His friend’s eyes lit. Then faded, like his smile had. “Thank you. Of course, I can’t impose on your hospitality for the length of time it would require to—”

“Nonsense. I’d be grateful for the company. Much as I love my sister, we do bore each other after a while.” He smiled. “Seriously, Red. You could come by every day, and I’d be nothing but grateful for the change of pace. I don’t do well with convalescence, it seems.”

Red took another sip of his tea. “If you’re certain . . .”

“Very certain. All my other friends are deployed, as you can imagine.” Or facing court-martial. Or gone forever, like Nelson.

Red must have heard the unspoken additions. His nod was the sort of slow that came with the burden of too many brothers lost. “It seems the blokes still in the city aren’t the ones I’d ever run with. Even when I could run.”

Drake nodded and glanced at the clock. The doctor would be coming any minute, and he was likely to scare Red off. “You can certainly run better than I can just now. I say, I don’t suppose you’d feel up to a few errands for me? Just around the corner? If it’s too much, please don’t hesitate to—”

“It would be my pleasure. Walking is no trouble for me at all anymore, I assure you. After six months on this thing, I like to think I’ve mastered it.” He sat up straighter. “Do you have a list?”

“I’ll make one while you finish your tea. My physician will likely stop by while you’re out, but then we can have lunch, if you agree. I do hate eating alone day after day.”

“That would be lovely.”