Lucas North and Adam Carter had joined up together when still at university.  Adam had been keen, proud to be serving his King and Country.  Lucas less so, sensing the weight of his father’s disapproval; his father had already written to him, reminding him ‘those who live by the sword will die by the sword’.  Nevertheless he wrote to his father to let him know his intention.  The reply had said simply ‘what would your poor mother have thought?’  Lucas thought his mother would have supported him whatever his decision had been; she had been the one to encourage him to apply for university when his father had told him such places were not for him.

Lucas had got to know Adam in his first term, and they had been inseparable ever since.  Neither made any mention of the true nature of their relationship, and somehow they survived without anyone knowing.  There had been a few narrow squeaks, but they had never been caught.  And so, when Adam signed up it had seemed inconceivable that Lucas would not do so too.

When the time came for Lt Lucas North to leave for battle he had hoped to find a letter from his father.  He had expected to receive a portion of the scriptures, which would at least give him some small link to his home.  But nothing came and he found it hard to muster the same enthusiasm the rest of his comrades were showing. 

Meanwhile Lt Adam Carter was saying farewell to his mother, a widow.  Inevitably he seemed as embarrassed as some of the others were, standing straight in their military uniforms with their mothers still smoothing down their colours as if they were leaving for boarding school for the first time.

Lucas gave a small smile.  He liked Mrs Carter, who had always made him feel very welcome when Adam had taken him home.  (Lucas had never even mentioned Adam to his own father.) 

She caught sight of him and beckoned him over.  “I brought this parcel for you,” she said.  “Just a few homemade biscuits and some gloves.  I hope they’ll fit.”

Lucas bent down to thank her and she reached up to kiss him on the forehead.  “Take care of yourselves, boys.  And be sure to write.  Both of you!”

***

For over a year they acquired little more than scratches and bruises, and they started to believe they were invincible.  Until the beginning of July 1916 and two days into that month when Lucas heard a loud noise, felt a sudden pain and knew no more until he woke to find an anxious Adam looking down at him.

“It’s okay, old chap,” Adam said.  “You’re going make it.  They’ll be shipping you back to Blighty in a couple of days.”

Lucas struggled to sit up, confused when he was unable to do so.  “Why, what’s happened?” he muttered blearily.

“You’ve lost an arm, dearest friend.”  Adam said no more, and Lucas could see him choking back his tears. 

They looked at each other a little longer, struggling to say with their eyes what they dare not express in words.  Then Adam turned and marched away.

***

Once Lucas was released from hospital he went to stay with Mrs Carter.  A nurse had written to Lucas’ father on his behalf, but he had received no response.  Mrs Carter, meanwhile, had heard about Lucas’ injury in a letter she had received from Adam.  She tracked Lucas down, insisting he come to stay with her.

Lucas managed to obtain a position in one of the government ministries, and travelled in daily from Mrs Carter’s small house. 

One morning he was slowly getting ready for work and idly looking out of his bedroom window at the same time.  He saw a telegram boy making his way down the street, no doubt with the news for one of the now mostly women who lived there, telling them they had lost a husband or son.

The messenger boy reached Mrs Carter’s gate and turned in.  Lucas sank onto his bed, feeling sick.  He heard Mrs Carter’s footsteps as she went to answer the door.  He heard the door shut again and her footsteps as she walked into the front room.  And then he heard “No, oh no, oh no.”  Lucas remained where he was, unable to move.

Deeply regret to inform you Lt Adam Carter was killed on …