Albert No, Sarge.

Sergeant Fine She needs debriefing at HQ. You take her.

Albert Sarge?

Sergeant Fine You and Private Taylor. I’ll fall the men in.

Albert Are you sending me back because I thought the dead horse moved?

Sergeant Fine No, I’m ordering you to escort the young français fille who might have intelligence because you’re the best man for the job.

Albert Yes, Sarge.

Sergeant Fine Right, we go on after the gun, you go back. Deliver her safely, Corporal.

Exit all except Albert, David, Emilie.

Albert Right, then. Let’s go …

Dead Nicholls appears to Albert.

Hang on. This horse moved again … She’s breathing.

David What you doing?

Albert Eh, lady. You’re a lady, aren’t you? … This poor horse is not bon. Can you get up? … No? Tres pas bon, eh lady? … Distract the français fille, will you?

David Distract her?

Albert Don’t let her see this.

He has his bayonet resting on Coco, ready to push in.

David You mental?

Albert Can’t leave her like this. Stop the girl watching me.

David Eh, girl, français. Que’lle nom?

Albert Will you get her away from me?!

David How can I without manhandling her? She’s scared enough as it is.

Albert (to Emilie) Stop looking – stop watching me! This isn’t your horse! Your horse is lost!

Emilie curls up.

There you go. Bon. I’ll pray for you. Free now.

(To dead Nicholls.) I hope he died with you. Did he die with you? I effing hope so. Sir.

He drops the picture of Joey at dead Nicholls’ feet.

David Albert?

Albert (to David) Are you all right? Are you all right?

David Eh?

Albert leads Emilie off.

Albert Come on. Deliver her, get after Jerry.

David retrieves the picture of Joey.

David Don’t you bloody well crack up on me now.

Song: ‘Snowfalls’ (p. 95).

An incoming German gas shell lands with a plop. David reacts first. He has his gas mask on and he urges Emilie away.

David Go! Allez! Allez!

Exit Emilie.

David sees Albert hasn’t reacted.

Albert! Gas! … Narracott! Narracott! Gas! Gas mask on!

This penetrates. Albert dumbly reaches for his mask. David drags Albert off.

TWENTY-SIX

Behind new German lines. 9 November 1918.

The gun team is halted.

German soldiers, including Rudi (a sergeant), steal a moment’s rest.

Friedrich (to the horses) Take the chance to play, boys. Play while the sun shines.

Rudi Sie sprechen Englisch? [You speak English?]

Karl Ist das Geschirr fertig? [That harness fixed?]

Friedrich Fast. [Almost.]

Karl Beeilen Sie sich. [Get on with it.]

Rudi Das sind gute pferde. Viel zu gut un dieses ding hier zu ziehen. [They’re fine horses. Too fine to be pulling that thing.]

Friedrich Die kriegen das hin. Gerade so. [They just about manage. Just.]

Rudi Does he speak English?

Friedrich … No.

Karl Was redet ihr beiden? [What are you two saying?]

Rudi (to Karl) We were talking about how to win the war. Entschuldigung. Wir reden davon wie man den Krieg gewinnt. (To Friedrich.) We are retreating, aren’t we?