Ok, half an hour?
Fine.
When she arrived at the bar, Will was already seated at a table outside and waved her over.
As soon as she sat down, Grace could tell that something was wrong. For once, Will looked tired. He was unshaven, there were dark circles under his eyes beneath the tan, and when he spoke, she could smell alcohol on his breath. He’d definitely started without her. And a little while ago. The guy was admittedly on holiday and allowed some downtime, but the familiar smirk was missing completely. DJing and cat adoption would have to wait.
‘Beer?’
‘Yes, please, Mythos.’
Will raised his hand at the barman.
‘Two more please, Theo.’
There was only one other couple sitting outside, but Will looked around as if he was scanning the place for potential enemies. They sat in silence for the first few mouthfuls of beer, until Grace could bear it no longer. He was the one who’d invited her here for a drink, not the other way round.
‘Is everything all right?’
Will turned his face to hers, and Grace put her bottle back down on the table with a bang when she saw the look in his eyes. She knew that look only too well. It was the pain of loss. His eyes were the colour of conkers just after their green spiky shells had been broken open. They were usually as shiny too, but tonight they were dull.
‘What’s happened?’
Will took another sip of beer before speaking.
‘I’ve just heard that a good friend of mine has died.’
There was no satisfaction for Grace in being proved right this time.
‘That’s awful. I’m so sorry.’
Grace stopped herself asking any more questions. Will was the sort of man who would only speak when he was ready. There was no point pushing him. She concentrated on downing her beer instead.
‘We served together. Afghanistan, Iraq, Northern Ireland.’
Grace nodded.
‘It was years ago, but you never forget. Those men are family.’
It was what they were always promoting in the recruitment ads for the services, the idea that if you joined up, you’d be part of a new family, but up to now Grace hadn’t known whether it was true. She didn’t know anyone who was or had been in the army, navy or air force. And if she was being honest, she wouldn’t have been too keen on either of her daughters ending up with someone in the services either. Not that she could explain why, exactly; it just sounded like a tough life all round, both for those posted abroad and possibly having to fight and for those left at home.
Will lifted his hand at the barman.
‘Two more beers over here, please, Theo.’
Will was certainly going for it. He needed to talk, that much was clear, and for some reason she had been picked as the one to listen.
‘His name is… was Barney. Just a couple of years younger than me.’
Will’s hand tightened on the beer bottle.
‘Such a bloody waste.’
Grace leant over and stroked his other hand.
Will looked up in surprise. It was almost as if he’d forgotten she was there. Grace took her opportunity.
‘Shall we order some food? I’m hungry.’
