Free Captain Mack by James Roy Page A

the funny side. “Oh, come on, mate, lighten up.”
    â€œYou don’t understand,” Danny said.
    â€œAll right then,” Caleb said, “I’ll be serious, and I’ll try to understand. In fact, I’ve decided I want to come with you to meet Captain Mack.”
    â€œI don’t think so.”
    â€œWhy not? I want to see what’s so bad about this new place he’s in.”
    The two boys stood at the doorway of Redgrange.
    â€œNow I want you to behave,” Danny ordered. “Promise?”
    â€œSure,” Caleb replied. “What do you think I am?”
    â€œNever mind that. Just be good, OK? No making fun.”
    â€œCross my heart.”
    They found Captain Mack in the TV room. There were six other elderly people in the room, and with the exception of Captain Mack and a small thinhaired woman hunched over and singing softly to herself in the corner, everyone was asleep. There was a strange smell in the air, a little like disinfectant but not quite the same. A game show was blaring on the TV, and Captain Mack was staring blankly at it.
    â€œAre you watching that?” Danny asked him, giving a self-conscious salute.
    â€œAh, Snell, what news of Tierney?” Captain Mack asked, trying to sit up straight.
    Danny could sense Caleb’s amusement without even looking at him.
    â€œI believe he’s still well,” he answered, before changing the subject quickly. “Sir, this is my friend, Private Ross. I’ve brought him along to meet you.”
    â€œThrough enemy lines?” Captain Mack asked, eyeing Caleb. “My word, whatever for?”
    Danny expected a casual or even careless answer from his friend. Instead Caleb stood straight and saluted. “I’m here to help with the escape, sir,” he said, not too loudly.
    Captain Mack reached out and patted Caleb’s hand. “Excellent answer, lad.”
    â€œSo what made you change your mind?” Danny asked as they reached the station.
    Caleb played with his ear and thought. “Because I don’t think you can pull it off on your own,” he said at last, smiling.
    â€œI know I can, but I’m still not sure if I should do it at all.”
    â€œOf course you should!” Caleb said. “It’ll be great fun.”
    â€œI’m not talking about how much fun it’ll be.”
    â€œWell, if you’re worried about getting into trouble, then relax. We’re too young. We just have to say that we didn’t realise we were doing the wrong thing.” He slapped the back of his hand lightly. “That’s all we’ll get.”
    â€œYeah, but what if we are doing the wrong thing?” Danny said. “What if —”
    â€œHuh?” said Caleb.
    Danny just shook his head.
    It was Saturday. Dad was going shopping, dropping Danny at Redgrange on the way.
    â€œJust out the front is fine,” Danny said as they arrived, but Dad ignored him and drove into the visitors’ car park instead.
    â€œWhat are you doing?” Danny asked.
    Dad parked the car and turned off the engine. “Come on, let’s go. I want to meet your friend.”
    â€œIt’s fine, Dad. I’ll be all right.”
    â€œI know you’ll be all right. I just want to meet him. Is that OK with you?”
    â€œI guess …”
    Captain Mack was sitting in a chair beside his bed, gazing at the brick wall and bars, listening to the buzzing ceiling grate.
    â€œGood morning, sir,” Danny said. Because Dad was there he didn’t salute, hoping that Captain Mack wouldn’t notice.
    â€œMorning, Snell. Who’s this?” Captain Mack asked, slowly checking Dad out from head to toe.
    â€œThis is my dad, David Snell.”
    â€œPleased to meet you, sir,” Dad said, holding out his hand.
    Captain Mack shook it cautiously. “Another Snell, eh? I see, lad,” he said to Danny. “Very good. Is this part of the