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- 11/11/2019
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Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you.
Lost Soul - The Ox - 2. Part 2
That box of tissues may be needed when reading this chapter.
Be aware that this chapter does include content of a death, if this may affect you please read with caution.
As the Corporal excused himself to go to the gents to freshen up Ox took out his handkerchief to dry his eyes.
When the Corporal returned, Ox asked, “Are you okay son, or do you need a little more time before we set off?”
“I’m alright Ox. Honestly, I’m fine. I needed to get that off my chest, and I feel better for saying it.” The Corporal tried to smile. “And if you really mean what you said, please call me Andy. My friends do and, if I’m to call you Ox, it would be fair.”
“Very well. Andy, it is. Now, let’s get the bill paid. Then we can be on our way.” Using his walking stick for balance, Ox stood. Then followed by Andy made his way to the bar to pay the landlord.
As they approached the bar, the landlord noticed them and standing to attention, he saluted them, and both men returned the gesture. “Major I recognised you and the insignia on both yours and The Corporal’s uniforms when you came in. Please allow me to introduce myself. I am Captain Martin Griffiths, formerly of the SAS. My men and I served alongside you in Iraq until I was invalided out last year, thanks to the information you and your unit supplied, and by working together, we saved many lives.”
It was then that Ox noticed the prosthetic hand. When he looked closer at the scared face of the landlord, his face lit up with recognition. “Marty, please forgive me. I didn’t recognise you. That is unforgivable of me.” Ox took the man’s hand and shook it vigorously.
“There is nothing to forgive Ox. Sometimes I don’t recognise myself when I look in the mirror. I trust that you both enjoyed your meal?” Marty was grinning from ear to what remained of his right ear.
“Yes, thank you, we did. The homemade Rag Pudding was delicious. I’m guessing that your wife cooked it? I know it couldn’t be you. If I remember right, you used to burn water.” Ox was enjoying having a friendly dig and grinning.
“Actually, it was my son who cooked and served your meal, and yes, you remember my culinary skills well. I couldn’t even brew a decent mug of tea.” Marty enjoyed the banter and invited them to stay a while longer.
As time was getting on, and Andy needed to return to the barracks, they had to refuse but promised to return in the near future.
“Now, Marty, how much is the bill we need to settle up.” Ox was reaching for his wallet.
“Don’t you dare! You’re my guests. I do not take payments from my guests.” Marty glared but was still smiling. Ox placed a ten-pound note in the charity box on the counter and returned the smile. “Now, do the right thing and look after this young man. Do for him the same as you did for the boys in your unit.” Giving his attention to Andy, Marty said, “I knew Bunny. He was a good man. He told me a lot about you and how much he loved you. I’m very pleased to have met you and want you to know that you are also welcome here and always will be. I have to admit though that a certain young man, namely Martin my son, has developed a bit of a crush on you, but please don’t let that put you off. Now I want you to do me a favour, please, look after
Ox. I know he will look after you.”
The look on Andy’s face was a mixture of shock and embarrassment. “Thank you, Marty. I’d be happy to come back, although I’m not sure if I could be anything more than a friend to Martin. I’m just not ready for more than that at the moment.” Marty nodded in understanding. “And I promise I’ll look after Ox even though we only met today, I already feel as though I know him, and Bunny told me lot’s about him in his letters. I won’t let you down.”
After saying their farewells, Ox and Andy resumed the journey to Ox’s home.
To Ox, it was nothing special, just ordinary. It was where he grew up. He inherited it when his parents passed away. Andy thought it was beautiful and idyllic, a three-bedroomed slate-roofed cottage set in the countryside just outside Buxton in The Peak District, Derbyshire. Its garden was the typical country garden with an abundance of wild country flowers and roses with a perfect lawn and a small vegetable patch at the rear. In front, it was much the same, minus the vegetable patch. A two-car garage stood to the side. It looked like it had once been a smaller cottage.
Over the next couple of years, a close friendship developed between Ox and Andy. It became one that was more like that of father and son. Neither of them had any family to speak of. It was a relationship that suited them both and had its natural ups and downs. Ox had never married. The only ‘family’ he had known was the Army. His men were his ‘substitute sons’.
Ox stood like a proud father the day that Andy was presented with his sergeant’s stripes. It would prove to be one of his better memories. It seemed natural that the cottage became Andy’s home. He had his own room. His car or motorbike would be found in the garage at any time.
They returned to Marty’s pub many times, enjoying good company and good food. Andy did have a brief relationship with Martin, Marty’s son, but it fizzled out after a few months. They fit together better as friends, and they became best friends. But Ox and Andy were hiding something from each other. They were both having problems dealing with their demons, and those demons slowly consumed them.
Ox was trying to drown his demons with copious amounts of single malt. Andy was trying to chase his demons away with what became an even worse demon, cocaine. Neither knew about the other, as they had perfected the art of hiding it from those around them. Each thought the other was living a normal life.
The last time they saw each other, was a sunny Sunday afternoon in July. Andy was due back at the barracks before being deployed. His new post would be as part of Ox’s old unit on their final tour of duty in Iraq. They had enjoyed a typical English Sunday lunch, a roast beef dinner followed by apple pie and custard with Marty and Martin at the Grenadiers Arms. As usual, Martin was the chef.
There had been a lot of good natured banter between the men and plenty of laughter, the only alcohol consumed was one bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon between all four, as two would be driving that afternoon. Just after five o’clock that afternoon, Andy, dressed in his leathers, put on his helmet and mounted his motorbike, a powerful Norton Commando, and after saying his goodbyes rode off in the direction of his barracks. With an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach, Ox watched as ‘his boy’ rode off. Each hug that Andy had given his ‘father’ and his friends before he left seemed to last a bit longer than usual. It did not go unnoticed by Marty.
Marty had tried to insist that Ox stay the night in the room he had used many times before, but Ox being typical of any man given the nickname ‘The Ox’, was stubborn and shortly after drove home. He had an uneasy sleep that night. Drinking nearly half a bottle of Glenfiddich hadn’t helped.
It was after ten the following morning when the phone rang. Ox was on his fourth cup of coffee, trying to gain some semblance of being fully awake. The call was from his former CO. He was calling as Andy had listed Ox as his next of kin, and the news wasn’t good. Cheshire Police had informed them that Andy was involved in a fatal crash. His bike had left the road at speed. Andy’s mangled body had been recovered from a small copse. The Army immediately took charge of the body and was leading the investigation.
Ox took the news hard and hit the bottle. Over the next few days, he couldn’t distinguish between night and day. He didn’t eat. He just drank.
If you are having problems with your own demons please seek help from a professional, seeking that help is not a sign of any weakness it is the first sign of strength and really does help.
Thank you to those who are still reading and a special thank you to those who have left positive reactions and comments, all of your comments are read and valued if you haven't commented yet why not join those that have and please leave your feedback.
This has been written without the aid of a beta reader or editor as that is how I have chosen to do this so any errors are all mine, if you spot any let me know and I'll try to correct them as soon as I can.
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Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you.
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