Lost Soul - The Ox - 4. Part 4 - The Final Part.

Marty and the Corporal stayed to give Ox support in this difficult time. Between them, they had a degree of success. Marty was instrumental in keeping Ox sober and away from the bottle. The Corporal kept on top of the mundane daily tasks, as he wasn’t used to Ox’s likes and ways he made some mistakes. It wasn’t as disastrous as it could have been. It caused Ox to take charge and start doing things for himself. Life was as near normal as possible for Ox, given the circumstances.

A week after Marty’s intervention, the Captain returned to visit. It wasn’t unexpected. He had made it clear that he would return to check on Ox, who he now regarded as his patient. He also brought news that following the army autopsy and investigation. There had also been an inquest. The findings were that Andy’s death had been an accident. Witnesses had confirmed that Andy swerved to miss a fox in the road and that action with the sun in his eyes caused him to veer off the road at speed after losing control, resulting in the fatal accident. A broken neck was listed among Andy’s injuries and attributed to his death, which was almost certainly instantaneous.

While Ox tried to take comfort in the fact Andy probably didn’t suffer. Marty was relieved that no traces of drugs were in his system. Marty knew that if Andy’s drug use came out, it could destroy his devastated friend. Despite the investigation findings, Ox still had niggling doubts that Andy may have taken his own life. He had trouble dealing with those doubts and hid them from those around him.

Andy had no known relatives and, in a will, instructed that Ox, be treated as his next of kin and father. This caused Ox to become emotional, which did not go unnoticed. With Ox’s permission, the army arranged the funeral at the local church and cemetery, where Andy would have a guard of honour.

Andy’s CO spoke of a young man who served with loyalty. Although he hadn’t seen any active service, his role had been one that collated some of the highest levels of intelligence and was only known to a select few. Ox spoke of a man who made him proud and brought him joy and of the growing relationship that gave him the honour and opportunity to be a father figure. Martin spoke of the trustworthy, loyal friend and amused everyone with anecdotes of their ‘tamer’ antics. All the men spoke of how Andy will be missed leaving a gap in their lives.

As was his right due to rank Ox wore his dress uniform adorned with a black armband, holding the rank of Captain Marty was also dress uniform also adorned with a black armband. Although it was a small affair, Sergeant Andrew Lucy was buried with honour.

In the following days, Ox received Andy’s personal possessions from Barracks. A few weeks later, he received a cheque in the post for £15,351.25. It was a payment of life insurance taken out by Andy. It was followed days later by a further insurance payment from the army. That was the final straw for Ox and the start of a downward spiral.

Marty, who had returned home weeks before, continued to visit Ox, and the visits were returned. The Corporal returned to the barracks days after the funeral leaving Ox alone. Unable to settle and feeling constricted by the attention, he needed to be left alone to deal with matters on his own terms. Ox made his decisions and put his plan into action.

Slowly personal possessions were disposed of except for items that Ox valued. Ox sold the cars, Andy’s motorbike had been crushed due to the damage following the accident, and he put the house on the market, complete with all furnishings. Packing what few personal possessions he had left, he set off leaving, instructions with his solicitor that all money received on the sale of the house, be placed into a designated bank account.

Intending to travel the world for the next year or two, he set off, cutting himself off from those he knew.

******

Eighteen months later, Ox returned to England, landing at Manchester Airport. His clothes and baggage were shabby, he had little money in his pocket, and his current account was down to his last few hundred pounds. Feeling sorry for himself, Ox had been drunk for most of his travels and was barely sober. Getting in a cab, he asked to be taken to a cheap hotel. He didn’t care which one. It needed to be cheap, as that was all he could afford.

After paying the driver and retrieving his bags, he looked at the run-down building. Previously it had been a fine establishment, but those days were long gone. He checked in and was taken to a room as shabby as his clothes and bags. Taking the bottle he purchased on the plane from his duty-free bag, he fell onto the bed, took a swig and fell asleep.

It wasn’t long before he realised his money wouldn’t last. Ox never considered contacting his old friend Marty or getting his life back on track. He only thought about choosing between the hotel and drinking scotch. The scotch won. Checking out of the hotel, he was reduced to sleeping on park benches and in doorways.

If he had checked his bank accounts properly, he would have realised he had a large and growing balance in one of those accounts. His army pension was paid into this ‘lost’ account when coupled with the insurance pay-outs he had received and the proceeds from the house, it amounted to a tidy sum. Drunkenly unaware of his wealth, he started his life on the streets.

When Ox discovered a relatively quiet and secluded spot under the arches near Piccadilly train station, he made it his home. Using the skills developed in the army, he hid his possessions and escaped from prying eyes.

Ox’s money ran out about the same time he was admitted to the hospital. He was malnourished and jaundiced. Spending time in the hospital was not high on his list of things to do, but weak from too much drinking and not enough eating Ox didn’t have the strength to argue. To make matters worse, the ward sister was like a dragon and barked orders like a sergeant major.

As soon as he could, he discharged himself and returned to his life on the streets. The ‘sergeant major’ of a ward sister had convinced him to attend AA meetings which he kept up and became sober, referring to himself as a recovering alcoholic. Due to his stubbornness and embarrassment, he maintained his ‘street’ lifestyle and never considered contacting his old friends.

It wasn’t long before he heard of something everyone called The Boot. It was a man trying to help homeless people by feeding them from the boot of his car. It was welcome and helpful as he had no money to buy anything. Ox didn’t like to beg, and he wouldn’t, but this was different. There was no begging, it was an unconditional gift, and he couldn’t afford to be too proud.

After only a few visits, he saw how rowdy it could get and tried to steer clear of those responsible, but one night he couldn’t stand it anymore. That night he saw a man called Bill push a young woman over. She was obviously homeless and in need of food. Ox lost it and spoke up. No, he shouted and prepared to use his military training in her defence if needed. He may not be as fit as he was, but Ox felt he could still look after himself if, he needed to. Ox didn’t need to. His manner and stance made everyone stop and listen. When he and the woman he had ‘rescued’ were given food, they left together and spoke. In conversation he accidentally let it slip that he was ex-military and an officer. From then on, he became known as The Major.

Ox never spoke much to anyone except the woman he had helped. He knew her as Beccy. They developed a friendship of sorts and was flattered when she said he reminded her of her deceased father. The compliment was accepted, and that is how their friendship continued. One day Ox, was approached by a rough and ready-looking man who wanted to speak with him about his relationship with Beccy.

Ox, The Major, was immediately on his guard. He was surprised and amused when this man called him sir and asked his permission to date Beccy. Hiding his amusement, he remained serious. The man, whose name is Jim, was told that he had permission, but only if Beccy agreed. He was also told that if he hurt Beccy, he would be hurt physically in return. They parted with a handshake, and The Major held respect for Jim.

The Major kept a watchful eye on Beccy and a few others, who he felt needed support. A few months later, The Boot had ‘transformed’ into a night shelter. Many of the homeless people in the area, including The Major, made regular use of the facilities there and were thankful for their existence.

On a cold October night, The Major’s life was disrupted, by two injured young men who stumbled on his ‘home’. Instead of being disgruntled, he took a liking to them and tried to help and protect them, but within a couple of days, he knew he needed to ask for help for them. There was only one person he felt he could trust enough to ask. On the streets, The Major felt needed. His life had purpose again.