First and Last

A short story which begins with ‘Of course he knew – no man better – that he hadn’t the ghost of a chance, he hadn’t an earthly’, and ends, ‘And Reginald came slowly across the lawn’

Of course he knew – no man better – that he hadn’t a ghost of a chance, he hadn’t an earthly. As always Reginald feared that this was to be another non-starter but, summoning courage, he tiptoed up to the door and listened. All was silent but Reginald knew that the miscreant must be in there. The time had come to attempt the impossible. Turning the key, he opened the door and stepped into the gloom where, slumped in the midst of chaotic squalor, the old fellow lay, out for the count. Knowing he must be coaxed back to life, Reginald dragged him into the open and tried to revive him. Eventually, after frantic attempts and much to his annual springtime amazement, the obstinate wretch, wheezing and spluttering, roared into action. The ancient mower was ready to go. The long grass trembled. And Reginald came slowly across the lawn.