It was fun going out with Dad because he was so humorous and with so many little events to talk about. He was well known for his deep love of all animals and seemed to have a special healing ability with sick animals. On many occasions vehicles would arrive to bring animals belonging to the rich London folk to Dad for healing. He was not trained in any way but seemed to know what was needed for each animal. On our way home to Merton, Dad decided to make a quick call on a friend. George ran a country pub and I always found interesting people there, so I was pleased when Dad decided to stop for a short while. We were warmly welcomed by George who said he had hoped that Dad would call in because his sister-in-law who was staying there needed to go to a very important meeting that day, but her horse needed clipping and grooming. Dad quickly told him that he hadn’t time to groom the horse as he had to be in London that afternoon and suggested that the farmer would do it for him. Dad was a Lighterman Pilot on the Thames and reminded George that tides wait for no man. However, George wouldn’t accept this and insisted that Dad could do it. So reluctantly Dad went to the stables and when he returned a little later George said, “You surely haven’t had time to groom the horse already?” Dad smiled and his eyes twinkled. He said, “Go and see.” I knew that dad was enjoying the situation and that something was amiss - Dad enjoyed practical jokes and I wondered what he had done this time. When George returned he said, “Well, I wouldn’t have thought it possible to groom the horse in that time. So have a drink - the horse looks fine.” When we arrived home my mother said, “Edmund, what have you done? George telephoned and was very upset - almost speechless - and said something about not being able to take the horse out. What is it all about?” Dad laughed and said, “Well, he insisted that I groom the horse when I clearly said I hadn’t time because I had to work according to the tides. He insisted that I could find the time. So I groomed one side of the horse and by then time ran out, so I stood the horse against the wall where it looked fine!” There was one other incident I remember that also happened in George’s pub. Dad walked in and met his friends, then took out a one pound note which he placed on the counter. With a large smile he said, “There you are George - drinks all round!” The friends gathered round and George looked very uncomfortable. “Come on,” he said to Dad, “What are you up to?” Dad was enjoying this and said, “Nothing at all.” George persisted and eventually Dad said, “Oh, have a look at the Houses of Parliament on the note. I think there might be a window missing!" George held the note to the light and said, “I can’t see it.” So the note was passed around, but nobody could see anything wrong. They all had their drinks, but George kept asking Dad, “What are you up to?” Then when Dad thought the time was right, he admitted there was nothing wrong with the note at all! |
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