Old Glory

by Christopher Nicole

  ‘Well, glory be,’ Harry said. ‘A real navy, at last.’

  ‘I knew you’d be interested,’ Truxton said. ‘They’ve even named the captains.’

  Harry looked at him.

  ‘Well, John Barry, of course. He’s senior.’

  ‘Of course,’ Harry said. ‘He’s the only one of us originals left.’

  ‘And then there’s Tucker and Talbot, Josh Barney … and Richard Dale. You remember Richard?’

  ‘I sailed with him and fought alongside him. A fine seaman and a brave man. I’m pleased about that. You said there were six.’

  Truxton drew a long breath. ‘Thomas Truxton Esq.’

  ‘You!’ Harry squeezed his hand tightly. ‘My very best congratulations.’

  ‘But there are some great names missing from that list,’ Truxton said.

  ‘Oh, aye. Biddle. Jones. How they’d have loved to see this day.’

  ‘And McGann?’

  Harry smiled. ‘I am seeing it, Tom. I’m the lucky one.’

  ‘You should be taking one of those ships to sea.’

  Harry sighed, and looked up at the sky, and the scudding clouds. ‘I had a long romance with the sea, Tom. And on the whole, it was a good time. Now …’ he patted his leg. ‘Maybe I had to finish sooner than I’d meant to. But if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have this. And the boy. And friends like the Palmers. And Lizzie.’ He squeezed her hand as she poured the whisky, handed them each a glass. ‘Oh, I won’t pretend, when I see you and the others standing out to sea, I’ll not feel a tug at my heart strings, Tom. But I’ll be proud, too, that we all helped to make this day come. And prouder yet, that they’ll be flying the one flag that matters.’ He raised his glass. ‘You’ll join me in a toast, to Old Glory.’