My grandfather had always said that he would never live in town because the country air was so much better for you. He believed that it cures all ills, bad humors and sickness. Country air, a good single malt and a hot bath and he thought he could have taken on Hitler single handed.
I suppose he must have been right to a degree. SH and I spent the rest of the week together enjoying the country air. We woke early, ate huge breakfasts then loafed until lunchtime when we were treated to another huge lunch. We aimed to combat carb comas by walking off the calories by taking Hatty and Pidge for post lunch walks around the estate. Then afternoon tea complete with scones, cake and three types of sandwiches. Then what? More loafing often. SH complained that he felt like he was being fattened up like the Christmas pig. The day ended with dinner, usually the only time I saw my mother, then SH and I would end up in the family room watching TV and polishing off a bottle of wine.
I caught up with all the characters from my youth: James the estate manager, Bill the gardener, Jim the groundsman, Tom the master of hounds and met a few new ones who had been drafted in to train from the older gentlemen. One day, all this, the house, the land, the dogs, the responsibility, would all be mine so even if I slacked off from it now I tried to keep my oar in when I came back.
I felt better and better each day. Stronger, more courageous and more able to speak to the Captain when I returned to London. SH was going back to London for a gig that Friday and told me in no uncertain terms that he would drive me back to see the Captain then. Whatever our background was the Captain was still a friend of his and he wanted me to face him honestly.
SH couldn't have been a better friend. He left me alone when I needed it and talked me out of my sullens when I started to sulk. He wouldn't let me mope and made sure I had enough exercise (and alcohol) during the day so that I would sleep at night.
We hugged often, always a tactile couple, and would usually fall asleep together. No funny business between us though I suspect this was mostly due to SH not liking to get involved with "complicated" females. I don't know what I would have done if he tried it on but it never came up so we didn't have to deal with it.
Of course, my peace and tranquility was all at an end in an instant when SH and I were walking up the drive towards the house, Pidge and Hatty at our heels, and whose car but the Captains is waiting for me by the house?
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