David Cherry

His dad was a Commercial Traveller Who went to work in a suit and tie Didn’t have that weathered complexion From daily working under open sky. They lived last house in Mill Row The village school not very far. Unlike most of village families They’d both a bathroom and a car. He had an electric train set Which he set up one day Then when I’d properly seen it Very carefully packed it away. He was a Roy Roger’s fanatic We’d play cowboys for fun He had a leather belt an holster Specially made for each six gun. He failed exams for the Grammar So,was sent to Commercial School Where he learned Gregg shorthand Tech Drawing and use of a Slide Rule. The last time I saw him was On one leave from Army life We had a drink in the pub And I met his soon to be wife. Not an easy meeting and I never ever saw him again Though we’d speak on the Phone every now and then. I heard he’d suddenly died While on holiday in Spain They’d had him flown back In the cargo hold of a ‘plane. I hope he died easily when It came to his sad end. I still have fond memories Of my not quite friend I suddenly thought of him today More than ten years being passed. Of that little gang of village kids I think I’m now nearly the last.