I remember the day you went to war. The cockerel was crowing all day, setting the hens to fuss. I had to calm them, Mam shaking her head, saying we'll never get them to sit.

I could tell how far down the lane you'd got. I heard you go by Rose's dogs and then the crows lifted up out of Kings Copse and I thought it was you.

One of Rose's dogs got loose last week. I could hear shouting from up the lane and then one of his collies tore into our yard and flew straight into Jenny. She squawked when he hit her. All the cluck and loveliness come out of her at once. He looked at me then, just to check I understood the rules, then he grabbed her up and set off across Pikes Field.

That evening Rose came round with the dog on a short rope and said we should see it killed. He pushed the dog down onto the lane with his boot on its neck and pulled the rope tight until it couldn't breathe. I could hear Rose grunting as he pulled the rope tighter and the dog started whining through his nose and his eyes fairly popping out. When it was done Rose asked if we wanted the dog's body. Mam said, no, thanking you, Mr Rose, but we'd be happy to take one of your chickens to replace the one we lost.

I don't like Rose. I wish he'd taken the King's Shilling instead of you, and then I got to wondering, if you offered the King his shilling back do you think he'd let you come home sooner?

Martin Daws

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