Disclaimer: own nothing / claim nothing / profit nothing All errors are mine; no Beta
Spoilers: As always potentially any episode
Warning: Character death (Not Foyle or Sam). My apologies to his creator and the actors who portrayed him; no offense or disrespect ever intended.
Chapter 1
Foyle had secured a room, unpacked and been downstairs by noon for a bite to eat. Finding he had little appetite, he opted for a small plain cake and a spot of tea. On returning to his room, he sat down to the desk and drew some of the hotel stationary in front of him.
My Dearest Sam,
You have, for many years, been a very important person in my life.
I had thought, at one time, I should explain that more fully to you. That time was in the moments following the announcement of the War's end; however, before I could find the words, Andrew was there and the two of you were off. With the passage of time it seemed to have simply become a moment missed.
You never knew; but, I did consider inviting you to America with me. Couldn't justify it, much as I may have wanted to.
Seems so many things were happening all at once; including, most importantly, your meeting Adam. Ultimately, I thought it for the best, the two of you being the same age and having a similar outlook for your respective futures.
When we said our goodbye, before I left for America, you were so excited about having children, and I thought I had made the right decision; leaving things as they were. Thought occurred in passing, as I boarded the ship, I wasn't at all sure I would want to go through child rearing again; a challenge better off left to the young. That thought helped to convince me I had made the right decision.
Then when I returned, saw you not looking happy or well; I knew there was definitely something amiss with you and began to think I had made the wrong decision, after all. Leaving things as they were appeared to have been a mistake.
Things went along, as you well know, and I began to feel we would do best continuing to work together and remain friends.
However, when time came you had this beautiful baby; I was and am honored to be her godfather. We weren't working together anymore but I was content to have a continued role in your life. Being included as some part of your growing family was enough.
I knew there were strains for you and Adam, but I thought, you'd work through them, as people do. But then, they weren't worked out, were they? I didn't know what had happened; wasn't my business. But, I knew you were hurting; that was quite obvious to me and I didn't like it one bit. Quite honestly, my business or not, I couldn't not get involved.
I went to see Adam, you know. Most likely you didn't know until now. Actually, I went twice. First time, I talked myself out of sticking my nose in your business and left before he was available to see me. Next time, I had to see him. You had been in such a state when we had met for tea earlier that day. I knew you weren't telling me everything, although I was fairly certain you had tried. There are somethings that can, at times, be too difficult to put voice to and I understood that. But, I didn't understand why you were in the state you were in and why things between you and Adam never seemed to get any better.
He didn't immediately kick me out of his office, but he did make it very clear that he wished to have nothing more to do with me. Told me my being your daughter's godfather and naming her after me were your ideas; he had had no say in the matter. He went on to explain, that it seem to him I was 'always around' and had 'insinuated myself' into your lives more than he felt was appropriate. This was followed by some very unkind things about you and a specific comment regarding Christina that implied my interactions with you, while working here in London, were far beyond a professional relationship.
I had had enough and attempted to set him straight. For all the good that did. I told him I understood he had great pressures related to his job and other responsibilities but that did not give him the right to take it out you or Christina; especially with such ridiculous and demeaning insinuations against a devoted wife and innocent daughter. I then said that as for myself, I could further understand his feelings that I made myself too available and I would endeavor to minimize my presence in his life. At which point he was quick to inform me it was not only his life in which I was too prominent but his wife and his daughter's lives as well.
So, though I am now very sorry to have done so, I purposely put some distance between you and me; both physically and emotionally these past few months. Went back to Hastings; didn't call on you when visiting London, nor did I ever attempt to phone you and I did my best to keep any correspondence on my part to a minimum. That however, did not seem to make a bit of difference as Adam phoned me last week demanding to know why I had continued to contact you. I regret to say, I did not do well holding my temper when I reminded him I had said I would 'minimize my contact with you', not eliminate it. Which I now fear, may have caused you additional problems in your marriage. For that, if it is true, I am very sorry. I never want to see you hurt and am most especially aggrieved to ever be the cause.
I will be London for the remainder of the week and would very much like to see you. - If you will.
As ever, Christopher
Foyle folded the letter and tucked it into a matching hotel envelope. He took care to completely seal the envelope and then simply addressed the missive 'Sam'. With a call to a trusted friend he secured the letter's covert and direct delivery to Sam within the hour.