That night, Chris and James shared a room. As James undressed, Chris looked away trying not to look at him so she focused On a drawing. Just to make more thing Arkward, James started to speak while putting on pajama Pants "Chris, tell me about yourself"
Chris kept her eyes on the book she was reading. "Nothing much sir."
James, now with pants on and putting a shirt on "There must be something. Tell me about where you live. Your family, something. and please call me James, not Sir."
"Alright James. Well i live with my parents and brother. we live on a farm... Joey was the only animal we had apart from Harold."
"Harold?"
"The goose. That's all really" Chris said, looking up at James who was now dressed.
"Ah well." James then looked at her "Well arent you going to get dressed." James said, thinking Chris is he and not a she.
"Would you mind turning around? I have a nasty burn that i don't like people to see"
James nodded and turned around while Chris got dressed with a wild blush on her face. "Of course. but What happened?"
"My mam. She was carrying hot water when i told her i was going off to war and she spilled the water on me by accident."
James chuckled while crossing his arms still facing away from her "Women. What are you going to do?" behind his back,Chris made a fist at him but stopped when she was dressed. He turned around and said "well we must go to bed, got to be up early in the morning." Chris nodded and got in her bed. She lay down facing away from him. As the light went out, James looked at Chris. Staring at what he thought was a man, it was clear that he had affection for Chris. James lay down looking up 'Am I Gay?' He thought before falling asleep
The whole regiment is gathered. Everybody is in their ceremonial uniform. It all has the feeling of the Changing of the Guard rather than anything related to a real battle. The day is hot, the plains are quiet and beautiful, the gathering is huge, there is a real sense of pride and anticipation.
Captain Nicholls, resplendent in full uniform rides Joey out over the vast expanse of the plain with Chris behind him. all three James and Joey are dressed up like something from the last century, out of the Boer War, even the Charge of the Light Brigade. James is proud and confident while Chris was a bit nervous. They gather before hundreds of men and horses all lined up to be inspected. Charlie joins them, looking pretty good on Blenheim.
Finally, James and Charlie reach Stewart and Topthorn waiting in position. "Thought you three had bottled out."
"As if." scoffed Charlie.
James looks at his friend tolerantly.
"All right, then, let's see what you two jokers are made of, shall we?" Jamie asked with a smirk.
"This is what quiet confidence looks like." James smirked
"I'll wait for you two at the Duke of York." Countered Charlie.
James and Stewart and Charlie prepare themselves for the charge. Joey and Topthorn size up to one another.
"Over to you, Captain Nicholls."
Topthorn bristles at Joey. Everyone is highly charged. The competition between Stewart and James seems to have been absorbed between the horses. Topthorn and Joey square up for the practice charge like two athletes before a race. "Draw...swords!" James raises his sword. It glints in the summer air. It seems to hang there forever. Every man follows suit. Topthorn and Joey glance at each other, ready to charge. "Give...point!" Every sword is pointed directly ahead at arm's length. "Charge!"
A roar goes up from the men and a deafening pounding of hooves breaks the silence. The huge line of horses start running straight ahead of them. Joey and Topthorn run off at top speed. Dust and earth rise up behind them. Bugles, the deafening thunder of hooves. It is exhilarating. The soldiers shout in glee and excitement. Each man pushes his horse to out-run those around him, James and Stewart seem locked in mortal combat with Chris stuck on the back of the horse. James smiles at Stewart, confidently.
Topthorn starts to pull away, ahead of all the other horses in the line. James pushes Joey on. Topthorn seems too strong, Joey will never catch them. James is determined not to be beaten. "Come on, Joey. I know you've got it. Come on, boy! Come on!" He pushes Joey on. Joey digs in and finds hidden strength and speed. He starts to catch up with Topthorn and draws along side. James and Stewart exchange tense looks. "Come on, boy!"
Stewart is amazed and pushes Topthorn harder. Now both riders are going at their top speed. They are neck and neck - they fight for every inch of advantage, every fibre of their being invested in the race. James pushes Joey on and Joey pulls away. Joey inches forward till he is almost a length ahead of Topthorn. The effort is enormous. James looks back at Stewart, very happy. Stewart's frustration shows. He knows he is beaten.
Then suddenly they race over the line. James spears a ring decorated with a blue ribbon and pulls Joey to a halt. They have crossed the enemy line. James is ecstatic. Topthorn comes to Joey's side. "Whoa. Whoa."
Chris laughs, grinning. "Nice of you to turn up." with Chris saying that, James laughs along with her and Jamie cracks a smile.
The horses are nose to nose, snorting, you could sense the heat, the exertion. Topthorn and Joey are brought together by theeffort. Chris could sense Topthorn's newly minted respect for Joey. And Joey is no soft touch - he slightly holds his head up in victory, letting Topthorn know that he knows he won.
The other horses come charging in. There is a real sense of achievement and congratulation amongst the regiment. "He's got speed...I'll give him that. But has he got stamina?" Jamie asked.
"He has everything." The two men enjoy the moment of rivalry and the exhilaration of it all. The two horses, face to face rub against each other for the first time. A bond has been formed...
Stewart enters. A phonograph plays "Roses of Picardy." The walls are decorated with etchings of famous battles, and a large map of Western Europe that depicts how the English troops are crossing the channel to confront the Germans near Belgium. Chris was sitting in the corner looking out the window then continued is writing a letter - though actually at this moment, he is making a little pencil drawing of Joey to enclose with it."What are you up to?" Jamie asked coming in.
"I'm writing a letter." James answered not looking up.
"With a picture in it?"
"It's to the boy who owned Joey. I want to show him how wonderful he's looking." James answered looking up.
"Before we take him away across the Channel to face a million Germans guns."
"Yes. Before that..."James trailed off.
"4 a.m. start tomorrow - travelling with the Dragoon Guards and the Royals. Transport detachment - they'll need to be at the docks at 5 am. Check all kit. Battle orders: no polishing - buttons, helmet buckles, stirrup irons - let `em all go dull. I want nothing to flash in the sun and give us away." Jamie commanded.
" Of course."
As Stewart leaves, he passes Charlie. He casually acknowledges him."Charlie..."
"Jamie."
"Charlie." Chris and James Greets. Chris now looked up at Charlie who she had made friends likewise with James.
Charlie checks his new cap in the mirror."What do you think of the cap?"He shows the bright red lining to James and then to Chris,"Silk lining. I quite like it."
"I'm not sure it's going to make a lot of difference to the Germans." James said, looking at his friend.
"Oh, I don't know about that. Think about it - you're a Boche, just working out which of three chaps to shoot - and you thought - 'Good Lord - one of them really is wearing a very stylish cap indeed!' You might shoot the other two instead."
Chris smiled and walked to Charlie, taking his hat then putting it on "Or, alternatively, think - 'I fancy that cap' and kill you first of all." Chris smirked when there was a pause and a small chuckle from James.
"Hadn't thought of that." Charlie said, walking out.
Nicholls returns to his sketch so Chris looks at it. "It very good James. your quiet the artist." James looked up at Chris "But may i?" James gave Chris the pencil. "if you give a little more shadow from where the light is shining, it looks a bit more life like" she shaded it in,then gave it back to James.
"That looks brilliant. Thank you Chris"