Geordie Yes … Pferd?

Manfred Ja.

They concentrate on Joey. Help him. This is a novel sight for their comrades – enemies co-operating. A quiet descends.

Manfred Alles ist still. [Everyone has gone quiet.]

Geordie We must be careful not to start a war, eh?

Manfred Was? [What?]

Geordie Nothing.

Manfred Er hat viel Blut verloren. [He has lost a lot of blood.]

Geordie He needs a veterinarian.

Manfred Was war das? [Say again?]

Geordie A veterinarian, he needs a –

Manfred Ah ja. Veterinär. Ja, die haben wir. [Ah, yes. Vetenirär. Yes, we have them.]

Geordie How do we decide who takes him, then?

Manfred.

Heads or tails?

Manfred Kopf oder Zahl. [Heads or tails.]

Geordie This is heads, this tails.

Manfred Kopf. Zahl. Diese Muenze ist wie das Pferd..ich werfe, du rufst, ja? [The coin is like the horse … I toss, you call, yes?]

Manfred holds the coin aloft and turns a full circle so both sides can see it. There are shouts of encouragement from both sides. Then silence. Manfred flips the coin.

Geordie Kopf!

Manfred shows Geordie the result.

When Geordie leads Joey the cheers explode on the British side.

Manfred Bon chance. Auf Wiedersehen.

Geordie Same to you, man.

When Manfred hands Geordie the reigns, cheers explode on the British side.

Sergeant Thunder Trez beans, Geordie, trez beans!

Joey lets Geordie lead him.

Song: ‘Brisk Young Ploughboy’ (p. 96).

TWENTY-NINE

Behind British lines. 11 November 1918 – Armistice Day.

A chaotic clearing station. Wounded men and horses being attended to.

Enter Albert, blinded, eyes bandaged, being led by David.

Enter Major Callaghan.

Callaghan Gas?

David Yes, Major.

Callaghan (examines Albert) Are you totally blind?

David No, sir. He can see still shapes.

Callaghan It was only tear gas. You’re lucky. You will recover your sight..

David That’s good, Albert.

Callaghan You’ll be all right.

Albert Oh aye! Am I? Am I all right?

Callaghan What do you mean by that reply, Corporal? … Where was your gas mask, Corporal?

David It was damaged, sir.

Callaghan It’s not dangerous, and it’s not a Blighty one. Category two: slight. Wait there for an orderly.

David Albert, snap out of it.

Enter Joey with Sergeant Thunder and Geordie. Cheers from soldiers as they enter.

Sergeant Thunder This, sir, is the no man’s land horse, sir.

Geordie It’s just his leg, as far as we can see.

Martin It needs cleaning out, straight away.

Geordie We sluiced it with water, sir, but we didn’t try anything else.

Martin You did the right thing. Water, please.

Sergeant Thunder Ordinarily we wouldn’t be making such a fuss over an injured horse, Major, but the men have got it into their heads that he’s special.

Martin He looks as if he was a fine animal once.

Geordie We didn’t feed him in case he needs an operation.

Martin An operation? He’ll be lucky.

Medical supplies are brought and employed. Sergeant Thunder crosses to David and Albert.

Sergeant Thunder (to Albert and David) I know you, don’t I?