***Chapter 8***

***Follyfoot Farm 1930s***

Sometimes we slot so well into a new chapter in our lives that when we look back on our earlier self it's almost as if we're viewing somebody else. Jimmy Turner, after years as a miner, in the Great Depression suddenly found himself unemployed. A true countryman to whom fresh air was fine wine, he had never enjoyed being denied it but the wages and camaraderie were good and he had a young family to support; when the pit closures meant men took what little work was available when and where they could, he detested the noisy, soul-less confines of mills and factories even more. Now and again someone might remember "Little Cowboy Jimmy" and ask his help with some horse-related job, but cars were becoming a more common method of transport and tractors were being used more on farms and the requests for help dwindled. Follyfoot was a welcome turning point in his career and Jimmy took to his new role as head groom as though he'd been there forever.

His fears that the stable hand, young as he was, might have been banking on promotion and resent the newcomer proved unfounded. A few weeks short of his fifteenth birthday, Davey was a slow-witted, good-natured, gangly lad, his large hands always knocking things over and his large feet always tripping themselves up. He thought of his job as nothing more than a means to put money in his pocket and he neither liked nor disliked the only two horses kept at Follyfoot Farm, being far more interested in the local lasses than work. In turn, Beauty and Magic neither liked nor disliked the simple but affable stable hand who brought them food and water and generally tended their needs and it amused Jimmy greatly that these proud, magnificent creatures seemed to regard Davey in much the same kindly, but distant manner that Arthur and Prudence Maddocks regarded all their employees.

The Maddocks were not harsh employers despite their snobbishness and complete inability to truly understand what it was like to be poor (well, why ever don't you buy some new ones, you silly little girl? Prudence had snapped when, on the coldest winter day Yorkshire had known for a decade, she found one of the kitchen maids sobbing over having lost her winter gloves, completely ignoring the fact she was the sole breadwinner in a family of five - though she did later present her with an old pair of her own, albeit thin, pretty, fancy gloves, suitable only for wearing to grand balls and expensive theatres. Seeing her benefactor's proud face however, even Sarah didn't have the heart to tell her, if she ever dared, that they would provide little warmth).

The staff often laughed till they cried at how Prudence and Arthur were so out of touch with the "real world". Oh, but nor would they ever hear a word said against them by "outsiders"! They were well aware that they were treated extremely well and at Follyfoot there was a strong community spirit and a fierce loyalty. If Jimmy hadn't been happily married with two small children who adored him, he might well never have returned to Loppington each evening and, even if it meant sleeping in the stables, would have lived in like some of the House staff did. He loved his job and never had he felt more at one with nature than when he exercised Beauty or Magic, for an affinity with animals especially horses had always been in his soul.

And then came, just as they will when we least expect them, a twist of fate.

There being only two horses to care for and both he and Davey to care for them, Jimmy was sometimes tasked with other jobs around the Farm. Eddie Prendergast, the Maddocks' regular driver, had been with the family a great many years but he had lately begun to suffer from rheumatism and on cold days the Maddocks gave him instead light duties around the manor house. It was on one such cloudless but wind-chilled late autumn day when Jimmy was busy sweeping leaves from the drive that Arthur Maddocks came flying down the steps, carrying a leather briefcase and pulling on his overcoat.

"Turner! Jimmy, hurry, man, drive me to the Town Hall at once!"

Jimmy started. "But I don't drive, sir!"

"What? Not ever?"

Jimmy glanced at the gleaming vehicle, sparks of sunlight glinting off its polished bodywork. He had, unbeknown to the Maddocks, taken Charlie, as it was affectionately known, for a few turns around the Farm. Eddie, who was a good mate of his, had encouraged him to "have a go" and Jimmy turned out to be a natural driver. But it was without the Maddocks' knowledge and he was reluctant to "land Eddie in it". He chose his words carefully.

"Well, I did take a friend's car out for a spin once or twice, sir, but not on the open road. I'm really sorry, Mr Maddocks. Perhaps I could telephone a cab for you?"

"Devil take it!" Arthur checked the time on his gold fob watch. "I can't possibly wait for a cab. I'll drive myself."

Without further ado, he climbed into the car, revved up the engine, Charlie screeched forward a few feet, shuddered…

…And stalled.

Arthur cursed, pulled the clutch again, Charlie screeched again, fired up some stones as if meaning business, moved a few more feet, shuddered once more…

…And stalled.

At the third or fourth attempt, with Charlie's ear-splitting protests reaching a crescendo before the inevitable stall, an anxious Jimmy tore after man and beast.

"Mr Maddocks, sir, perhaps I could try drivng you?"

"Splendid!"

Shaken, Arthur tried to regain his usual composure although his heart thudded against his chest. He had never tried driving before but had assumed from watching Eddie that it was a simple task and, even though there was talk in Parliament of introducing a compulsory driving test, he had done nothing more than sign the proposed legislation, believing the carelessness of pedestrians contributed heavily towards the rising number of accidents on the roads. Thank Heaven for Jimmy Turner! The man exuded calm and common sense. There and then he decided Jimmy would always stand in when Prendergast was unavailable, with a pay increment to reflect his extra duties.

Not without some qualms, Jimmy carefully steered Charlie steadily towards the gates. But despite his doubts, he enjoyed being behind the wheel; the exhilarating freedom and cold breeze blowing on his face and playfully riffling his hair (for the roof cover was open) was not unlike riding Magic or Beauty.

A very surprised Davey put down a bucket, sloshing water over his feet in the process, to give him the thumbs-up as he drove past and Jimmy grinned back.

He'd never been happier than he was at Follyfoot, as he'd told Elsie Crane, the cook, only yesterday.

And call me fanciful if you will, but I can't help wondering if on occasion some malevolent Puck really does sit on rooftops and listen down chimneys, seeking to destroy all that we have…