You were just a kid, that's what really shocked him. You hadn't even completed your GCSEs (meaning you're 16).

You were his pen pal of sorts. You'd both been in a program where students were put into contact with soldiers to 'up lift spirits'. Simon had begrudgingly agreed to do it, but he found his kid wasn't that bad.

You were smart and not just your typical teen. In fact, Simon often forgot he wasn't talking to someone with any sort of life experience but just a kid.

Now you finally met face to face. You had a close connection. Like he was your older brother or even father - he was old enough to fit the role. The two of you sat across from each other silently. Everyone else was getting to know their soldiers, but you two were silent; both waiting for the other to pick up conversation.