Everyone Brave is Forgiven

by Chris Cleave

His men headed for the pubs on the back streets behind the station, where the licensing hours had been quietly surrendered. The soldiers would drink ale until dusk and then switch to whisky and fists. They would fight the Navy if available, other regiments if not, and the RAF as a last resort since it was not good form to bother the afflicted.

“This helpful war. It makes us better people and then it tries to kill us.”

We are a nation of glorious cowards, ready to battle any evil but our own.”