Homeward Bound

As the plane gained height I looked out of the window. We were crossing the coast and the Irish sea looked invitingly blue below us. I was going home on leave. I had mixed feelings.

I was leaving behind the sometimes irksome routine of guards, patrols and training. I was free from living behind a wire fence. I was free from feeling uncomfortable whenever I went out socially. I wouldn't have to "book out" at the guard room every time I wanted to go shopping. If I came in late I didn't risk going to jail for a month.

What did I have to look forward to?

I'd get to spend time with my parents. I'd have fantastic meals cooked for me every day. I could stay in bed, in a room by myself, until I wanted to to get up. No one would shout at me for two weeks. There was also even less chance that someone would try to blow me up, shoot me or otherwise deprive me of life.

But I was leaving my mates. Sure I'd get to go to the pub and maybe catch up with people I'd been at high school with. They'd ask me about what I was doing. They'd not understand anything I'd told them. We'd talk about nothing and I'd get to go home bored.

I left with mixed feelings.