The letter un-nerved Slugger far more than he ever thought possible. One the one hand he felt an incredible sense of loyalty to the Colonel and Dora; he knew in his heart that his entire life, the comfortable surroundings and pay packets were entirely due to them, but, at the same time he also felt that he should answer Steve’s letter. At least let the boy know that whatever had happened between him and Dora, hadn’t affected the relationship that he had with Steve when he was part of Follyfoot.
The early sun shone through the farmhouse kitchen window, lighting up Slugger’s washing up as he stood over the sink. ’It’s now or never’ he finally thought as he put down the plate he was cleaning, and slipped off his bright yellow rubber gloves. With a heavy heart he knocked on the Colonel’s office door and entered, staring quietly at the Colonel as he attended to his pile of paperwork. “Hello Slugger, little early with the elevenses aren’t we?” Slugger let out a sigh, then told the Colonel that this was a personal matter, a matter that was troubling him greatly.
At the Colonel’s invitation, Slugger sat down in the chair on the opposite side of the Colonel’s desk. It was the padded chair reserved for the Colonel’s visitors; mostly those who had come to complain about Follyfoot’s habit of getting involved in other people’s horsey business. While the chair was more than comfortable, Slugger felt ill at ease. He reached into his pocket, pulled out the crumpled letter and offered it to the Colonel. “It’s about this letter that came for me the other day…..” Slugger’s voice trailed away as the Colonel took the letter and started to read. Half way through he relit his pipe, took a deep draw, then returned his attention to the letter. “Well” he started “It’s good to hear that the boy’s managed to find work.” As he read the final part his cheeks glowed slightly red as he grew embarrassed at Steve’s words about him.
“The thing is” started Slugger “ I didn’t know whether to show you or not… After all, Steve’s gone now and if you’d found out about this, I didn’t want you to think I was being disloyal”. The Colonel took another long draw on his pipe “Slugger there are few things in life a man can rely on, apart from himself. But I do know that in my life, you are one of those few things. I could never, and would never, doubt your loyalty and friendship for an instant.” Slugger relaxed visibly. “Besides” the Colonel carried on “ I don’t have the right to tell you who you should, or should not have as friends.”
“The thing is Colonel, I know that Dora and Steve didn’t part on what we could call good terms did they? And, given her current behaviour I don’t want her to find out about this… That’s why I’ve come to you for advice, so to speak..” The Colonel shifted slightly in his chair, and to Slugger he seemed to age ten years in an instant. “To be absolutely honest with you Slugger, I think you’ve done the right thing in showing me this, and you’re absolutely correct about keeping it from Dora.” The Colonel paused for a second and looked toward the ceiling, as if searching for some kind of inspiration. Then carefully, as if choosing each word for it’s clarity, he started again. “You know that I gave Dora absolute control over the running of Follyfoot, Oh, I’d interfere and call the vet if, for example, she was out, but basically she has responsibility for all this… “ He motioned with his arm toward the window through which could be seen some of the farm’s buildings and pastures. “I also gave her control over who works with the horses, and whether they should be hired or fired. But deep down I know that she made a big mistake in asking Steve to leave Follyfoot, and, had I not made that promise to her, I would have over-ruled that decision”
The Colonel tapped the bowl of his pipe on the glass ashtray that adorned his desk, knocking out the content of ash and half burnt tobacco. Then refilled the bowl with a fresh charge and relit it. During the silence Slugger made no attempt to speak, he knew deep down that the Colonel had much more to say. This pause wasn’t simply for some dramatic effect. Once the pipe was fully alight the Colonel continued. “Steve was ten times the horseman than Stryker will ever be, he had that indefinable feel for them, he knew instinctively how they were feeling… But, he made Dora feel stifled, threatened if you like… It wasn’t Steve she was afraid of, it was his knowledge and ultimately the fact that she knew deep down that he was usually right, especially when it came to the number of horses that we can properly care for. ” Slugger shifted slightly in his seat, he had never heard the Colonel speak so candidly about Dora, or any other of his relatives, and to a degree the honesty made him slightly uncomfortable.
“Now we have a situation where Dora is very unwell. Slugger, you may have noticed that the Doctor’s car has been here more than a few times lately.” Slugger nodded in response. “Well, the first few times he came at my insistence, but she refused to see him. Then when she finally gave way and allowed him to examine her it was bad news. The thing is Sluggs, the problem isn’t in her body, it’s in her head. He told me that, although it was way out of his experience, he believes she is suffering from a nervous breakdown.” Slugger took a short breath of surprise. “Yes,” said the Colonel, “I was a little surprised too, especially when the Doctor said that all she talks about is cutting down the old trees, and the Queen being in Australia when she went to see her… Anyway, he has recommended that she see’s a psychiatrist at the General Hospital in York, he even said that it might do her good to get away from here for a while and stay in some sort of residential unit where she can be cared for properly.” At that point, Slugger was aware that the only sound he could hear was the rather loud ticking of the clock in the corner of the study.
“So you see Slugger you were absolutely right in keeping that letter from Dora, from the point of view of her health it was the right and proper thing to do.” Slugger was stunned, all he’d wanted was a little advice from the Colonel, instead he was burdened with yet more worries, but he knew that given all the Colonel had one for him, allowing this burden to be shared was the least he could do. “Colonel, what about her parents, I mean…”He struggled for the words. “It’s alright Slugger, I’ve already written to my brother, and as soon as he can he’s going to arrange some leave and fly home. Mind you, in her current state I really don’t think that’s going to do the girl any good at all. Now, about this letter. It’s my belief Slugger, that you should write to Steve, and as far as possible keep in touch with him, so please don’t feel you’re going behind my back. There’s plenty of stationery and stamps in my desk draw, so just take what you need when you need it… I think the very least we can do for the boy is spare a little time and a few sheets of paper. Don’t you?”