INTERLUDE THREE

Letter from Private Thomas Atkins

to Flora Mullins

19th March 1917

My Dearest Flora,

We’ve found the tank. The good news is that it’s in one piece. I’m sure Lieutenant Everson will be pleased about that. The bad news is that the crew seem to have gone native and, as Porgy said, if you’ve seen the natives, that’s not a good thing!

On the positive side, we’ve had our first proper food after a couple of days existing on emergency iron rations.

I know I didn’t want Nellie Abbott to accompany us, but she really is a good sort. She’s kept up with the marching and hasn’t complained once, even when Gutsy got his feet out for a foot inspection. Talk about plates of meat! If those are a sample of his wares, I’ll not be shopping at his shop when I get back. She packed out a haversack and webbing full of first aid stuff. I’ve no idea where she managed to get it all from, but I’d say Mercy has a rival in the scrounging stakes.

I think you’d like her, Flora. She has a good heart and a strong spirit.

I’m scared, though. For days now, the perfume on your last letter has been fading. I dread the day I can no longer smell it, for on that day you will have drifted just a little bit further from me and Lord knows you’re far enough away already.

Tomorrow it seems we’re going hunting, but given the size of some of the game here, I’m never sure that’s too wise.

I hope you are well. I think of you and our baby often. Will it be a boy or a girl, do you think?

Ever yours,

Thomas