THIS IS A TASTER OF MINE AND BECKY JANSKA'S NEW BOOK WAR AND PRIVATE HARRY PLEASE TELL US WHAT YOU THINK THANKYOU!
The day the war begins is uncharacteristically warm and bright, only a few low clouds scudding across the blue Cotswolds sky. Two boys sit at a pub – one, with fair hair and blue eyes, has placed himself on the windowsill while his companion, a brunette with green eyes, sits on the bench beside him.
“It’s a fine day, Harry,” the brunette remarks to the other boy. A dusting of freckles across his cheeks gives him a perpetually friendly appearance, and despite his 18 years he is often mistaken for a much younger age.
“It certainly is, James,” Harry replies, and takes a gulp of his drink. His face still carries some of the softness of childhood, though not enough for him to look younger than he actually is. He sets his empty glass back down re-adjusts his glasses.
“Want another drink?” He eases himself off of the windowsill. “Because I certainly do.” James shakes his head slightly and closes his eyes against the mid-morning sun.
“Not for me thanks.” The church bell tolls 11. Inside, the pub hums with fervent chatter of the situation in Europe, of Germany’s ultimatum.
The radio plays songs to itself in the corner. Harry strolls up to the bar and speaks over the noise as best he can; he’s never really been one to shout.
“I’ll have another cider please Mary.” Mary, a buxom woman in her late thirties smiles warmly as she turns to face him, polishing a glass with well-practiced speed. Within seconds, however, her smile fades. Harry turns in time to see that everybody has fallen silent and is now crowded around the radio desperately as if that will bring the news out faster. And he hears the words that everybody knew were coming: the British Isles have declared war on Germany. There’s an explosion of sounds, panicked voices and cheers.
Harry forgets his drink and finds James as he steps over the threshold. James opens his mouth as if to ask a question but Harry cuts him off. “We’re at war, James.” He can hardly contain himself, the words stumbling over each other in their haste. “We’re at war.”
He sat down and he closest bar stool "Well we all knew this day would come, althought we hoped it wouldn't." said James shifting his weight uncomfortably in his seat. "All that is left to do now is prepare ourselves for the worst."
As they walk home the topic of conversation turns to whether they will sign up to fight.
"So will you be signing up James?" asks Harry
"Yes..I suppose I will be" says James slowing slightly. "What about you?"
"You heard the announcement I'm not of age." Harry sighs "If I could then I most certainly would fight"
"Then just claim to be of age after all you are only 6 months too young" replies James.
"But surely they would do checks, to ensure you are of age?"asks Harry
"I don't know but I'm pretty sure they would take you." says James speeding up a bit "Come with me to the town hall I want to sign up today"
