John had been home a few hours. His kit had been squared away in his bedroom that he had shared with his brother when he was younger. It felt weird being back in his old room after 5 years away overseas. He had changed into civilian clothes which felt alien to him after spending so much time in uniform.

He has seen his parents but not his siblings yet. He knew that he had to see them when he was home or he wouldn't be forgiven. His mother as a suprise to his little sister had asked him to go get her from school. Kate had always written to him & the two of them were close despite the age difference. He hadn't told anyone this but he kept every single letter, every single photograph and drawing that his family sent him in his footlocker and it has travelled with him all throughout India before being shipped home with him.

He got ready and made his way along with paths to the school which he himself had walked........or played truent more times than he cared to remember. He knew the paths well and noticed how little had changed. Mainly door colours and weeds growing in places along the paths.

He soon found himself standing at the gate of the school leaning against the red kiln dried bricks that were so common in mining areas. He watched all the kids come out and didn't spot his little sister. Towards the end of the crowd he spotted her before calling out. "You better pick up that head of yours and look forward. Stop scuffing your shoes. Ma will draw her hand off your backside if you wreck them!" He said with mischievous smile on his face seeing his baby sister for the first time in 5 years