John snorted when she mentioned Joe "can't be my little brother surely ma! It was always me that brought trouble to this house" he said with a mischievous laugh. He wasn't lying part of the reason he went to the army was because he kept getting into trouble "im sure everyone of those grey hairs on your head was cause by me!"

He sat back in the chair "shot twice. Once in the arm and once in the leg, 2 of the lads who I was with were killed outright but they were brought home to their parents. We made sure of that" he thought for a moment "yeah they put me up in front of the board for promotion but there was no slots to fill" he continued "I was given the option stay in India as a corporal or transfer but the rebels took care of the choice for me"

He raised an eyebrow at the mention of Ruth "whats my little sister done?........ if someone has hurt her...." he was concerned. Both Ruth and Kate always wrote to him but they never mentioned any kind of trouble. Perhaps that was because if they mentioned it John would try and convince them otherwise