Travellin' Soldier

Chapter 1

I tied on my apron and starting clearing dirty tables and serving people. Another day at work you know? I had only just moved to the lovely countryside of Britain a few months ago but I was lucky enough to find employment. Others were moving too. The city folk had realised the danger of spending life in the city during the Second Great War.

“Marissa, can you work at the counter for a bit?” the cook asked. “Brendan’s on break.” I grabbed my last tray of dishes, brought them to the sink and headed for the counter. Most people sat at the tables outside. No one came to the counter until later on in the night. Seeing no one was coming anytime soon, I pulled out my book. I had only just gotten my books out of my luggage a few days ago and due to work, I hadn’t been able to lay a finger on it. It had stayed in my apron pocket. I was thankful to finally pull it out and bring the pages close to my face. Only a few minutes later, after just reaching the second chapter a man sat down at the bar. He was wearing a khaki outfit. He was war bound but appeared younger than 18, the oldest you could be to be able to sign up to be a soldier. I placed a finger in-between the book where I was reading and headed over with a smile on my face. Even though he was looking down, I greeted him.

“Aren’t you a bit young to be a part of the army?” I asked. He looked up at me and returned my smile. He was rather handsome, with thick, dark, brown hair, green eyes and the slightest line of stubble showing through his otherwise shaven face.

“Aren’t you too young to be a barmaid?” He asked back.

“I’m 16! If that’s not old enough, I don’t know what is!” I responded with a playful tone. This man was probably catching a bus to his death soon. There was no harm wanting to make him smile, even if only for a little bit.

“I’m 18 actually. It was my birthday a few days ago.” He reached into his backpack and withdrew a card. “My sis made this for me. She’s only 6. I don’t think she understands what’s going on…”

“Well, it was very sweet of her to give you something. Back in a second.” I quickly headed to the cook.

“What we got this time?” He asked.

“Soldier. Just heading to training I think…It was his birthday a few days ago so I though…” The cook cut me off.

“Say no more. Offer him a free meal. It’s the least we can do for a man risking his life to protect our nation.” I thanked the cook and headed back to the soldier, handing him a menu.

“Here, take your pick. Anything you want on the house.” The man looked up, startled by the generosity.

“No, I can’t. Food is scarce out here in the country. I couldn’t possibly. ”

“Think nothing of it.” I beamed. He lowered his face again. “You’re a very brave man heading to the war. Leaving his family behind. You deserve it.” He raised his head again and continued to look at the menu.

“So, what’s your name?” I asked.

“Jeremy.” He replied quickly. Maybe I wasn’t the only person today who had asked him this. Someone heading to war was bound to be given a lot of sympathy. “And yours? ”