Which is how Wallis found himself talking, late into the night, to a first-day officer who’d never seen a front line, telling him things he’d never said to anyone, things he’d sworn never to tell anyone. Red wine and a ready smile, he said to himself later. Marvellous what they can do to a man. But he knew his story was worth hearing, and he didn’t mind telling at least one officer the truth. They settled into the estaminet, Bill showing Alex the ropes, Alex paying for the lot.
With the wine in front of him, Wallis made an honest admission. ‘Anzac Cove. Huh. I was never more scared in my life, I can tell you, and I don’t think I was in the worst of it.’ Bill shook his head, looking past the eager young face opposite him. Whatever image presented itself to his inner gaze was evidently somb
