Bomber

The Education Officer looked at Sweet with interest. It was quite amazing that these boys – in spite of their rank badges and medals – were only a year or two older than his sixth form back in Harwich. Younger in a way, for the war had prevented their minds expanding in the normal manner. They thought of nothing but the technical skills of their job. Most of them failed to realize how narrow and uncommercial those skills were. After the war the poor devils would suffer when they started looking for a job, just as he had, as a young infantry officer, after the previous war. A brilliant first year at Oxford with its crowning achievement a commission in a yeomanry regiment. My God, what a fool!

It goes without saying we are all proud of the sacrifices you have made, Captain, and the decoration you won, but when there are so many men after so few jobs, it would be irresponsible and unfair to our shareholders to take anyone without experience or even a degree.

He had gone out and joined the Peace Pledge Union. ‘I remember war, and I will never support or sanction another.’ And yet here he was supporting another, with these curious young men. How different they were from the chaps he soldiered with in 1914. Half these kids hadn’t even got their matriculation exam. He was amazed at the superficial nature of their conversation: flying, booze-ups and bints. Even their cynicism was ingenuous. He said, ‘I’d be glad to help if I can.’

‘It’s not really for me,’ said Sweet. ‘It’s for my cousin. He’s a pretty clever chap. No degree, but he could get one at any time, just like that.’ Sweet clicked his fingers. ‘He was asking me a few questions the other day. He thinks my advice is worth taking. Can’t think why.’ Sweet laughed. ‘He’s in the Army, he stands a good chance of a job on staff. They are putting together the real brains now to start planning the invasion.’

‘Really,’ said the Education Officer.

‘Yes. This chap will be a brigadier in no time at all. Anyway this fellow …’

‘Your cousin.’

‘What?’ said Sweet. ‘Oh yes, my cousin. He’s got German and French pretty well buttoned up and he’s thinking of having a crack at the old Russian or the old Jap. What do you think would be best? Perhaps Mandarin? I mean, you can’t tell the way it might go. What would you have advised the chap to study?’