"Talking. Gossiping. About me. About people. About you. They talk a lot about you. You have quite the reputation amongst the ladies of the pool."What ...as she up to? Where was she going with this? It was like she was playing a game. Maybe she was trying to find some moral high ground to convince herself she was doing the right thing. Giving herself an out. An excuse if things didn't work out. Maybe it was something simple that was making her do this. Like being afraid. Afraid of being hurt."Do I. You're bordering on insubordination."Mark was tired. Not just after forty-eight hours without sleep but after four months of trying to lift the company out of the slough that this man had led it into. He realised reluctantly that unless he was careful he would lose his temper and there would be a public row, which would not do anyone any good."Very well, Sir," he said. He summoned 3 Platoon Commander, Tony Thorpe, on the radio. He showed him on the map what they intended to do and pointed out. . um..."For a long moment neither one of us knew what to say. I couldn't even look at her, I just kind of stared at the wall. "Could you... um... you know..." I waved her off with my free hand."Oh! Sorry, darling, sure. I just wanted to say good night." Mum said."Good night mum." I said a little too quickly.I heard the door close and for a long moment just lay there until I heard her bedroom door close down the hall. "Ohh shit, well that was embarrassing." I said to myself. I rolled over onto. He ignored her. Over the years this boy would grow, becoming more a man in stature and size but maintaining his overwhelming sense of wonder and curiosity. His face would become hard, his eyes cold, and the cruel nature of the world around him would seep into his bones, but still he would remain a curious, milk-skinned figure. His curiosity would attract many followers, and his childlike qualities would make him many friends in the would-be heartless society he existed, for everyone trusted.