Marching to Another Tune

The story is set in Wavertree, a relatively poor area in Liverpool. Steve Chalmers, the Scottish hero, is a broken man. Injured in Iraq, he is invalided out of the Marines and thinks life holds no further prospects for him. His elderly mother with whom he lives finds it difficult to cope. A chance confrontation with gang leader Tommy results in the establishment of an unlikely friendship which will change both their lives. In spite of a serious leg injury, Steve retains his self defense skills. As he teaches Tommy the main elements of self defense, his own confidence begins to return. He insists that the training must run in tandem with some input into the community. When the other gang members are brought into the scheme, the Squaddies are formed with the aim of converting delinquent and problem youngsters into useful citizens. A charity is formed with help from sponsors and the City Council and Steve interacts with various members of the trustees. Recruitment to the club has its ups and downs, but Steve insists in disciplined behavior. A clash with a local gang lets some members of the Squaddies to put their training to good use. The marine's confidence is boosted when he is fitted with special shoes and trainers to compensate for the shortening of his injured leg. He is then able to expand the activities of the club members. Two romances evolve. A fairly hectic friendship between Tommy and Francis leaves the girl pregnant, although she doesn't tell him. There is a more gentle and protracted relationship between the hero and Jamaican Rosy O'Brien, mother of mixed race twin girls and their older brother Jaz, Tommy's best friend. Steve had proved to be a role model and the two boys enlisted in the Rifles Regiment based in Edinburgh. This strains the relationship between Frances and Tommy which is finally resolved when the girl goes to see her lover in hospital. Tommy had been deployed in Afghanistan and had been seriously injured in a suicide bomb attack which killed Jaz. Tommy is flown back to the UK for treatment and his leg is amputated. The boy, like Steve initially, feels that his life has collapsed. This is only resolved by the visit from Frances and Steve. The marine was first introduced to Rosy by Jaz and the woman helped to decorate the club premises, the Squad Pod. The slow progress of the romance culminates when Rosy is confronted at knifepoint by her husband who had deserted her ten years previously. Steve intervenes using his self defence skills. Divorce proceedings are instigated. When Jaz is killed Steve is Rosy's main support and becomes her lover. His mother, initially disturbed that Rosy is black, is won over and becomes a surrogate auntie to the twins. The divorce comes through and Rosy finally has her freedom to marry Steve. The story blends the problems faced by injured and ex-soldiers and out-of-work or dysfunctional youngsters. It shows how it is possible for them to develop a sense of purpose and regain their place in the community.