His new family at Spitfire’s Rise all knew where he was. But they knew not to disturb him. Just like Lorraine, who had sealed herself in the clinic again, Ewan had found his own space and planned to keep it all morning. He sat on the concrete floor alone, with McCormick’s envelope in his hand.

For the eleventh or twelfth time, Ewan read the stone tablet in front of him, and remembered a personal detail about each of the chiselled names.

*

UNDERDOGS MEMORIAL WALL

In loving memory of those who fought and
gave their lives in the Great British Rebellion.
Sarah Best
Callum Turner
Joe Horn
Elaine Dean
Arian Shirazi
Teymour Shirazi
Rosanne Tate
Miles Ashford
Chloe Newham
Tim Carson
Roy Wolff
Mike Ambrose
Beth Foster
David Riley
Val Riley
Sally Sharpe
Svetlana Karpov
Ben Christie
Rachael Watts
Daniel Amopoulos
Charlie Coleman
Raj Singh
Joseph McCormick

*

Twenty-three dead in the space of a year. It seemed almost bloodless compared to the wars of old. But of an army that had numbered thirty-three including Shannon, only ten remained. The smallest army in world history.

But they had won the night. That particular night, at least. Against odds which should have been insurmountable, they had earned the right to stay in the war. Perhaps in a month or so they would feel proud, but that morning Spitfire’s Rise had transformed into a dull, sad building without atmosphere or character. The loss seemed bigger than one man.

Kate and Thomas had seized the farm for themselves, to share long hugs and wallow in understandable misery. Even with Ewan and Alex’s support, Kate still blamed herself for McCormick’s death. Unfairly of course, but logic and facts didn’t matter in the face of guilt and heavy anxiety. Ewan now understood why McCormick had been so opposed to Kate being the one who pressed the button: it was a heavy burden for an anxiety sufferer to bear, and she would bear it for a long time.

Alex had felt awful too, but his worries were different. Something about another gap in his memory, when he had apparently proved to Lorraine and Shannon that Spitfire’s Rise was safe. He had no recollection of the conversation, and the women were reluctant to give him any details. It was driving him crazy.

Ewan decided the hours had dragged for long enough. It was time to open the envelope and read McCormick’s letter. He had pushed the idea to the back of his mind for as long as he could, occupying his time by reading the names on the Memorial Wall again and again. The letter would be the last communication Ewan and McCormick would ever have, and the thought of their relationship ending terrified him. As long as he refused to open the envelope, there would always be something new from his mentor to look forward to.