I first met Arthur at a military fair

He was looking at books

There is no glory in war 

Yet these youngsters flock here 

And buy the detritus of war 

It is only an interest and a way of remembering 

Not in my book Sir

Many of them would run a mile 

If a war started tomorrow 

Then why are you here 

I collect books about my theatre of war 

Where was that 

Italy mostly and finally in France 

Have you found any

Not today

This might sound odd but I think I recognise you

I would not dispute that as I am frequently in town

You are from Caxton Hall

I saw your story in the local newspaper

Best forgotten that Sir

Much Ado About Nothing as the Bard might have said

Then I will not mention it

I thank thee for that

But between you and me I was honoured

Lord Duncan such a kind man

But you saved his life not once but twice

And was wounded in the process

Look between my fingers that is where the bullet made its exit

I was the lucky one as it damaged my hand and little else

I was able to drag Lord Duncan into a ditch

You saved his life

Given

You carried him across an open field within sight of the enemy

He would have been dead in an hour

If a bullet was meant for me then most surely it would of have struck

It was an act of valour

No it was an act of compassion

Any man in my position would have done it

Perhaps

And then you rescued him from a fire

Yes a fire started by carelessness

Our carelessness

I know Duncan well

Really I have never seen you at the hall

That is because I work abroad

Duncan owes his life to you

And he has rewarded me a well

A job for life he also rescued me and my Lucy

I drank heavily afterwards just to forget and forget I did

A man lower than me would be hard to find

And then Lord Duncan found me after a considerable effort I might add

He offered us a new life here at the hall a beautiful lodge in the grounds

I was a gardener before the war and he asked me to if I so chose to be his head gardener

Or if not just live in the lodge and be his friend as he always said that the only reason

That he now enjoyed his life was down to me as he would have died on that foul Italian field

I chose to work as I am not a kept man and I enjoy my profession greatly

I passed the hall earlier and from the road and I must say it looks well

Thank you Sir

Jonathan

Just Jonathan

Will you be visiting

In a couple of days as soon as Mina returns from Whitby

Then I will meet you again Sir

I look forward to it

Till then Sir

Till then Arthur