Snow sat alone in the mostly empty canteen and nursed his coffee. Examined by an army doctor who had diagnosed a concussion and bruised spine, he had been given strong pain killers and told to rest up for a week.After a few hours’ sleep however, Snow had pronounced himself fit for service. He closed his eyes momentarily and when he opened them Fox was sitting opposite.“You OK?”Snow nodded and wished that he hadn’t. “It tickles a bit.”“That’s not what I meant.”“I dunno Paddy.”Fox’s voice became stern as he stared at the young trooper. “They had guns; they both would have used them on you. You’ve been bloodied. It’s Darwinian, better for you to be walking and talking than them.”“You’re right.”“Course I am. Look, if I told you that killing a man doesn’t change you I’d be telling porkies. But that’s what we’re trained for, isn’t it? Saving lives by, if necessary, taking others. You know that. ”“Yes.” It wasn’t a line that the MOD liked to publish, but it was true nonetheless.“Now listen, daft bollocks.
