Only half the man he used to be -- but maybe that’s enough The Taliban may have taken both Chris’s legs, but he came back from Afghanistan with his sense of humour and his lust for life firmly intact. The one thing that can shake his confidence is meeting Josh, the one-night stand from before his tour of duty he hasn’t been able to forget. It turns out Josh hasn’t forgotten Chris, either. He spent the time they were apart fearing the worst every time a soldier was reported killed in action -- and wishing Chris would use the number Josh gave him, and call. Josh’s delight on seeing Chris again quickly turns to shock on seeing his injuries. With Chris such a changed man, can they still have a future?

Permanently Legless

Now, usually, I’m pretty guarded. Got a great poker face. But it looks like this time something’s slipped through the mask as he turns away, biting his lip. “Sorry,” he mutters. “I just thought…Sorry. You probably had lots of reasons not to call me.”


What is it about this kid that makes me feel bad for bursting his bubble? “Come on…it’s basic maths, innit? You’re a nine, probably a ten—and even on my best days, I was no more than a five. Make that a two and three-quarters, these days. Literally,” I add, looking down. “Doesn’t add up, does it?” I shrug. “Didn’t expect you’d be too keen on hearing from me once you’d sobered up anyway. Thought you’d have forgotten all about me by now, to tell the truth.”


He stares at me. “You thought I was drunk?”


Great. So now I’m the villain. Next he’ll be asking if I spiked his drinks. “Look, Josh, we’d both had a couple; it was my last night of freedom—you know how it is, right?”


Chapter 4