Flowers in Winter: Is Blood Really Thicker Than Water? by Mackenzie Ford

Author:Mackenzie Ford [Ford, Mackenzie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FIC 027110
Publisher: BookBaby

17

‘Heavy fighting is reported this morning from the Israeli-Syrian border, where the Israelis are trying to reclaim strategic points seized in a Syrian counter-attack yesterday. Large-scale tank battles occurred throughout yesterday but there are mixed reports. Syria says they destroyed six Israeli tanks, the Israelis say they routed Iraqi forces fighting on Syrian soil. Further south, in the Sinai, Egypt claims to have shot down nine Israeli fighters and destroyed seven tanks. However, a senior officer at Bir Gafgafa, a big Israeli base in Sinai, said Egyptian losses had been “enormous” with “maybe 250” tanks destroyed.’

Nina had the kitchen to herself. She had been out for her regular early morning walk – without excitement, or horses, today – and, as she buttered her toast, she did her best to concentrate on the news and keep her mind off Matt. With him in Israel she had a more direct interest in the war than most. And the early morning newscaster, Natalie Soames, was one of her favourites.

‘And now some news just in. One of the British journalists covering the conflict has been killed in a freak accident. We are going over live now to Tel Aviv, to our correspondent, Murray Fielding. What can you tell us, Murray?’

Nina stopped buttering. Her mouth was dry. This brought the war very close to home.

‘Yes, Natalie; well, as you say, this was a freak accident. The journalist has been named as Toby Gillie of The Sunday World and it seems that he was travelling with two other journalists and a lieutenant from the Israeli army. That’s how it works out here, Natalie, you travel with an army press officer, usually a young lieutenant, and he or she gives you access to areas you would otherwise be denied, but also acts as the censor, reading your copy – and clearing it – before you are allowed to send it out. Anyway, Toby Gillie, Gordon Palmer, from the Times, and Glen McAllister, from the Scotsman, were all travelling together, in a car with the Israeli lieutenant. They were on their way to the Golan Heights and stopped by the side of the road, to take a … to go to the bathroom. But Toby didn’t need to go and so remained where he was, in the car.

‘Then, while the three others were behind the bushes somewhere, a heat-seeking, Syrian-fired missile came overhead, but low, and fixed itself on the engine of the car, which the lieutenant had left running and was still generating heat. The entire car was blown up and Gillie stood no chance. All the others are in shock but safe.

‘The next of kin have been informed, but the episode is a chilling reminder that, in a war, no one and nowhere is safe and accidents are happening all the time. That’s all for now, Natalie. The other journalists have been sent to hospital, to be examined for shock, but we should have more later.’

There was a short pause, then Natalie Soames’s voice could be heard again.

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