ACCURSED | Page 9

down as Grey limbered up. Grey remembered that he liked to protect his runners and that he would alter training times to ensure they trained without any other competition– a year ago he would have outgunned them though this was not necessarily true now. He started off around the track at a brisk pace, contemplating how many times hed ran circuits here – it was remarkable all of the runners here hadnt run a groove into the track. He was never quite good enough for the Olympic trials and had to push himself when competing at state level meets to even stay with the pack, victory at even this level an unobtainable dream. Even so, despite the fact an Olympic medal was never a possibility, this calling had been a blessing to him. He took pride in that he was the best in Keokuk at his chosen distance. At a time when he really needed it he became one of the school sporting heroes, for his running primarily and he was also a permanent fixture on the school baseball team. Baseball was his ultimate dream as he had been a devoted fan for as far back as he could remember, yet he wasnt quite good enough to turn professional though still played regularly for an amateur side. He enjoyed the sociable side of baseball, though as he ran laps he remembered how the solitary aspect of running also struck a chord. Here he could be alone with his thoughts theoretically, or at least give the spirits his undivided attention. One came through after four laps, and Grey knew at once this guy would be no problem, his voice calm.

How do, fel la? You’re running laps I hear? Yep. Another eight to go with my coach scrutinising me. The name’s James Grey, amateur medium and very amateur athlete. American as you can probably hear while you sound English, mate. That I am. Or was? I guess I should use the past tense. We’re talking now so don’t. Don’t disregard yourself or think negatively. This is your last stop before Heaven– so many people are dying at once the route gets congested and you need a little help finding your way, that’s all. What’s your name, pal? Peter Summers. I didn’t make it off, Crete, James. That’s the luck of the draw, he said without bitterness.I hope I can be as magnanimous in your shoes. I hope you never have to find out. How old are you? 18, just. Wait for them to call you up. I start serving my country in 12 days time. It’s hard for me to think of any advice to help you because words don’t cut it. You can’t really prepare for it. Get as fit and lean as you can and then just try your best. It does get easier. I don’t know whether being a medium will make it easier or harder for you. I hope easier. How old are you, Peter? 32. It’s better us older blokes snuff it then the young boys like yourself but it doesn’t always work out like that. Survival’s 20 per cent skill, 80 per cent luck. They’re steep odds. Sorry. I’m not trying to dishearten you. You’re not. I’ve been waiting for this too long for anything or anyone to deter me. But I respect what you’re saying – you’re a veteran, you know what you’re talking about. That doesn’t mean I know anymore about it than you – the troops often know the least about what’s going on. If you get stationed in Blighty keep your grubby mitts off the English girls. We all know what you Yanks are like. That’s the risk of leaving your ladies unattended. The odds you were quoting before sum up my luck with the ladies so you don’t have to worry about me on that score. Is there a Mrs Summers? Several. I was married, yes. We have three boys. Dying’s not that hard, James, but leaving your loved ones…he trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.Maybe that’s why it’s better that young men fight, without ties. Do you have any messages that you’d like passed on? Best not. It would only scare them. So how long have you been doing this? Over half my life. I should be better at it, shouldn’t I? You’re doing grand. You handle a voice in your head better than I would. I didn’t originally. You were a kid. You still are now. You were an infant then– how did this happen? Your guess is as good as mine. Now I take it as a blessing. I’ve met thousands of remarkable people who I would never have known otherwise. Thousands? Not hundreds of thousands. More like 4 figures, 3000. This was a lie, the figure