Flight Path by David Hill

Author:David Hill [Hill, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780143770534
Publisher: Penguin Random House New Zealand
Published: 2013-04-08T00:00:00+00:00

Jack wrote to his parents, told them about the weather, the other New Zealanders, the dull meals (even that would probably be crossed out; the enemy couldn’t hear complaints about anything). I wish they were here, he thought. OK, they’re safer back home, now there’s no talk of a Jap invasion. He felt another glow of warmth for his far-off home; shook his head again at himself. That NAAFI girl’s lucky, he decided, having her father here. I wonder if she’ll be back today?

But no NAAFI van appeared. The news at midday talked about fierce fighting inland from French beaches, as German forces tried to stop the Allies from breaking through.

Bluey, Reg and Julian slept. Reg looked strained; his brother was a sailor, fighting in the Pacific, and there’d been no news of him for a couple of months. Paul was with Pete in the hospital, 20 miles away; since it was a head wound, the doctors were taking a thorough look at the tail-gunner.

After he’d finished his letter, Jack wandered outside. Stefan followed him. ‘I walk. You wish to come, Zhack?’

They strolled past the anti-aircraft gun emplacements. Airmen wandered by, some in groups, laughing; others alone.

‘You see the Nazi swine run yesterday?’ Stefan asked. Yes, Jack had seen them run — and he’d seen them fall, under the bombs and bullets. He remembered the dead young enemy pilot.

‘I think of the ones who kill my parents.’ The Polish co-pilot looked out across the countryside. ‘Who took away my sisters. I wonder if I will meet them sometime.’

They walked on. The older airman with glasses, the one who’d talked about there being some decent Germans, passed them and nodded. He seemed tired, too.

‘I am afraid to meet them.’ Jack jerked at his companion’s words. ‘I do not know what I will do to them. I do not wish to behave like such swine.’ Stefan shrugged. ‘And you, my friend. What will you do when we have won the war?’

Jack’s turn to shrug. ‘Keep working with trees, design gardens maybe. I’m not sure.’

‘Ah, in Poland we have such forests. They go for miles and miles. You will come and see after the Huns are beaten. You and the others. We will not forget the New Zealanders who help us.’

Jack didn’t know whether to feel proud or embarrassed. ‘How about you, Stefan? After the war?’

‘I work for my country. We must never be invaded again.’ The dark-haired young man placed a hand on Jack’s shoulder. ‘We win. Soon.’

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