John shook his head "no little one i don't mean alcohol. Truth be told I cant stomach the taste of it. They had some really cheap god awful stuff in India that was called Arack. It was like drinking strained paraffin. It was horrible stuff" he looked in at her in the corner of his eye. "I haven't touched alcohol for about two years now. I just want something cold. Come on we will stop for a drink and maybe a spot of food before heading home"

Truthfully. Their father William didnt know he was home. Most of his siblings didn't know he was home. William hadn't been told where he was heading until he got to the boat. He actually thought he was heading to Ireland. Back to where the regiment had been stationed before it shipped to England then India. Deep down he was torn. Part of him wanted to stay at home in England but part of him was worried how his father would react and then he'd wish he was back in India or someplace else with the regiment.

They closed in a local pub. "Shall we stop here and get ourselves a drink before heading home?"