Summer Shorts

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  Dear Stephen,

  I am sorry you could not make it but perhaps another time soon.

  Well Stephen, I am really at a loss to describe the other day at the tree felling. There was nothing to it really, if you look at it coldly, but there was something definitely strange about the whole operation. For one thing, the turnout by the village was very poor, only a few youngsters gathered to watch. The whole village seemed to be in hiding. I know it sounds stupid but that's the impression I had at the time. It only took about three hours all told to clear poor old Sarah away until only her poor stump remained and even that has been laced with poison I believe. There were five men with a large lorry to do the job and they ' certainly made short work of Sarah. Another thing that struck

  odd as well was that I spoke to the foreman in charge and he reckoned that there had been a mistake because Sarah did not have Dutch Elm disease in his opinion, but orders are orders and the tree had to go. I think that the fellow from the Forestry Commission had been misled by the general appearance of Sarah and had taken it for granted. If you remember Stephen, that tree has never looked right even when we were boys. The village looks strange now without her but I suppose we will soon become accustomed to it. Anyway there was no earthquake or streaks of lightning so I suppose there could have been no truth in the stories we heard all those years ago. Still there were more of us who believed in them than those who cared to admit. Still she has gone and already there is talk of having a cricket pitch laid out, now she is not in the way of the bowler. So Stephen, that seems to be that. Sarah is no longer there to frighten naughty children, a pity I suppose.

  Don't forget to come and see us as soon as you can.

  See you soon,

  John.

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  I really thought that was the end of the matter until a week later I received yet another letter from John and I was shocked at the tone of fear that had crept into what was really only a

  brief note.

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  Dear Stephen,

  I am enclosing some newspaper clippings. Please let me know what you think as I do not want to influence your thinking, but I fear Sarah has not finished with Midas Green even yet. Please let me know what you think as soon as possible.

  John.