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so close to home, and somehow they had to make that last little bit. One look at their faces was enough to tell him how desperate they were. ‘Perhaps the petrol isn’t getting through. I’ll check that.’
    Fifteen minutes later Will sat back on his heels and shouted, ‘Try it now.’
    The engine coughed and spluttered, but refused to start. ‘Nearly,’ the soldier said. ‘Keep at it, lad.’
    Will was losing heart. This was like nothing he’d ever tackled. ‘It must be the fuel intake,’ he said, hoping it sounded as if he knew what he was doing.
    He lost track of the time as he struggled. If he couldn’t make it work then they would have to take the men offa few at a time and ferry them back to Dover. The poor devils had suffered enough. They couldn’t just leave them here hoping someone else would come along who was able to help.
    ‘Again!’ he called, not holding out much hope.
    After several belching coughs and puffs of black smoke, the engine roared into life. Will was so surprised he could only stare at the engine in disbelief as the men cheered.
    ‘Well done!’
    He was hauled back on deck, slapped on the back, and surrounded by smiling faces. It was nothing short of a miracle that he’d been able to get the engine started again, but he didn’t care how it had happened, he felt so good. He was relishing being in the thick of things.
    ‘You haven’t far to go now and you should be all right.’ He grimaced as he looked at Doug. Both boats were tossing about. ‘All I’ve got to do now is get back to my boat.’
    Doug took a chance and came as close as he could. Will didn’t hesitate – he leapt over and landed on his hands and knees on the deck.
    ‘You take care over there,’ one of the men called out. ‘It’s bloody dangerous.’
    They waved as the tug resumed her journey, then Doug headed towards the French coast once again.
    The situation was as desperate as the last time they’d been here. There were still thousands of men waiting to be picked up, and they immediately began ferrying men over to a navy ship. Suddenly all hell broke loose as planes screamed in, firing on the beaches and boats near the shoreline.
    Will continued pulling men into the boat when he heard Doug gasp and fall backwards. With one mighty heave, Will dragged the man he was holding into the boat, then rushed to Doug’s side. He was clutching his right arm trying to stop blood from flowing.
    ‘Something hit me,’ he gasped.
    ‘I’ll go ashore and see if I can find a medic.’ Will was scrambling to his feet when Doug stopped him.
    ‘They’ve got enough to do, lad. I’ll be all right. Just find something to bind my arm.’
    ‘He’s right.’ One of the soldiers already on board joined them. ‘It’ll be desperate on the beaches after that attack. Let’s try and patch him up ourselves.’
    Grateful for the man’s calm help, Will removed his jacket and shirt, then began tearing the shirt into strips for bandages. It was a nasty wound, but thankfully the bleeding eased once the arm was bound.
    With a grunt of relief, Doug sat up, wiping the sweat from his face. ‘Get ten men on board, Will, and we’ll head back. You’ll have to steer. You all right with that?’
    ‘I can do it.’ Will nodded to the soldier who had helped him. ‘Thanks; you seemed to know what you were doing.’
    ‘I’ve had a deal of practice lately. My name’s Alan, by the way.’
    ‘Let’s get back to Dover as quickly as possible, Alan. Doug needs medical help.’
    They set about pulling men from the water and soon the boat was about full. ‘Room for one more,’ Will said, holding his hand out to an officer.
    ‘I’ve still got men on the beach.’ He lifted one exhaustedman on to the boat, and began wading back to the shore.
    ‘Good luck, Colonel Hammond,’ Alan shouted. ‘See you back in Dover.’
    Will had a lump in his throat, sad to leave so many men behind, and couldn’t help wondering what chance that officer had of