Bully Beef.

Steve had a big smile across his face when we noticed each other from opposite ends of the pub. I smiled back and walked over to him. The pub was quite gloomily lit so I didn't see it at first but as I drew closer to him I saw a dark red gash down the middle of his forehead.
I bump into Steve only now and then, he's a mate from the bad old days. Fire and thunder. Bully Beef and carrots. Time dug in togeather. A terrible time.
We heartily shook hands and did the normal " How are you doing you old wanker......" Everything was good at home and at work and blah, blah, blah.
" What the fuck did you do to you're head? It looks like an Angel has taken an axe to it !
" Smart arse. No, I'll tell you what happened....." He put an arm around my shoulder and we both sat down in a quieter spot. "How much do you remember about the Falkands " he asked ?
" Everything like it was yesterday", I said.
" Well that's the funny thing. I can't remember anything but fire and fear. All our faces were the same. The enemy weren't the guys we were shooting at. If they had put you in an Argie uniform I would have shot at you to. No bother. Would you recognize anybody you had shot at? No, of course not. Wait a minute I'll get some drinks in. "
I had an uneasy feeling. Steve has a heart of gold but a reputation. A reputation for fighting. I wasn't scared of him but I knew he attracted trouble so it wasn't wise to be near him for too long. He came back with a couple of bitters and two cold pork pies. The pork pies were disturbing. Before I could say cheers he carried on.
"Do you remember the communications post on the hill we attacked ? Well apparently there was a guy on the other side who was standing next to his brother. He was looking through his binoculars at me as I shot. He noticed his brother fall. He turned to his brother and I shot again. I saw I'd hit him but I knew it wasn't clean. It seems I shot his nose off! Anyway, it turns out that he has been searching for me ever since the war ended , and last week he found me. It was a question of honour. I was standing right here in this pub when he tapped me on the shoulder. He asked if he could talk to me and we went and sat down. He explained the situation and why I had to die. Well, scared that he had a pistol secretly aimed at me, I head butted his nose. It was only reconstructed with titanium! I split my head open and the blood just poured out. Two of my mates who were standing at the bar immidiately jumped on the guy and dragged him outside. Cheers."
" What did they do with him?" I asked as though I a gave shit.
" I didn't ask. But knowing my mates I don't think I'll be seeing him again."
He had a big grin on his face.
I wondered where honour ends? The pork pies were getting to me and I knew I would never come back to The Rose and Crown.