The Association, page 17
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
2nd June 2025
Everything had been finalised. Jack, Jennie and I were to be the Association's joint heads.
Conscious of the personal relationship between Jennie and me, Tom felt that a decision process based on the majority view might hold dangers. He expressed this view and we agreed that even though we felt such dangers weren't real, there was room for concern.
So it was accepted that we would each have personal decision making powers within certain areas of the Association's activities, but that major decisions would be made only if all three of us agreed. "There are also dangers with this approach, too," Tom smiled, "not the least that some worthwhile action might be vetoed because of some temporary churlishness. But I've never seen signs of such churlishness in any of you and I believe that you all have the same objectives and views. I'm sure that you'll put the Association's aims above any temporary personal differences that might develop."
Last night we'd all met for a celebration dinner and it struck me that this was the first time we'd all been together socially. Tom made the arrangements and the meal was excellent.
We sipped brandy and Tom sucked on his cigar. "Well," he smiled, "the start of a new era. May I take this opportunity to wish you great success?"
Throughout the meal, Tom had spoken enthusiastically about the Association's future, and I grinned in response to what he said. "I doubt very much that you'll be able to keep away," I suggested, "and I've got no problem with that."
The smile that he'd held all evening fell away to reveal the sadness I'd seen so often since Lucy's death. "No, Ben," he said. "That won't be the case. My work is done." The smile returned and he lifted his glass. "Gentlemen, Jennie, a toast," he said, "the Association."
We raised our own glasses. "The Association," we echoed.
Again, his smile fell away and out of the blue he said, "I hope you don't think too badly of Lucy."
An awkwardness filled the air. We all knew how devoted to her he'd been and it was clear that he took the blame for what she'd done, but the fact of what she'd done remained.
Jennie touched his arm. "Lucy was wrong, Tom," she said, "but I think we all understand that her motives..." her words petered out as she realised they weren't helping him.
Clearly understanding her discomfort, he smiled and took her hand and said, "Thank you, Jennie.”
He seemed to brighten. He glanced at his watch. "It's getting late," he said. "We oldies need our sleep. May I leave you to finish the evening without me?"
He rose to leave and Jennie indicated the gold fluted case that he'd placed on the table earlier. "Your cigars," she said.
He looked at the case then he looked at Jennie. "They're the past," he said. "I'll not need them now. All I'll need is Lu..."
He turned and left.
"Odd," mused Jack.
Jennie seemed concerned. "D'you think he'll be alright?" she asked as she rose from her chair. "Perhaps I should go after him."
I caught her arm. "No, Jennie," I said, "I don't think that's what he'd want."
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
3rd June 2025
This morning we'd made love. It was late, almost twelve. "We ought to be thinking about getting up," Jennie smiled. She took the remote and flicked to a news channel. Tom was the third item.
The newsreader adopted the sombre tone that he'd practised for such occasions. "It has just been announced," he said, "that Lord Thomas Godfrey died suddenly but peacefully in his sleep during the night." He ran through a hastily put together potted biography, concluding with, "Lord Godfrey has been inactive since a cancer scare some years ago and it is understood that he was devastated by the death of his wife, Lady Lucy, last year."
I looked at Jennie. A tear rolled down her cheek. I took her in my arms and pulled her close. "All he ever wanted was to be with Lucy," I said. “I’m sure he’d planned this from the day of her death. He felt his work was now done, so it was time to join her.”
Then I smiled and said, "Inactive since his cancer scare, eh? If only they knew. Well one day they will know…at least about the last twelve months or so!"
THE END
Roger Knowles, The Association
