The Farmer

The Farmer

This was it. The change he had been waiting for. Never again he thought. Ill never waste another second of my life. Excitement had been building since Ralph had walked out of his office earlier that day, knowing he would never return. That was 7 hours ago. The time was now 9.30pm and the rain was coming down hard. The sound beating like a drum off his car windscreen. But not even the weather could dampen his mood. Turning up the radio in his car, Dont stop me now, by Queen. “Oh what a tune!” he shouted, as if to share the news with someone else. But, it was just Ralph and his little yellow 2012 Renault Clio, treading carefully through the dark Shropshire countryside. Not a building, lamppost or another person in sight. Just what he had wanted.

30 minutes more of GOLD FM and its wonder year’s tracks had played before Ralphs headlights lit up a sign that filled him utter joy and excitement. REDWOOD FARM, NEXT LEFT. 100 yards later, he turned into a lane enclosed in an old brick wall that ran for around half a mile. He could see in the distance 2 vague lights. “Surely that’s it “ he muttered. And right he was. As he approached he came across a huge steel gate and stopped. He quickly grabbed his phone and rang Mr Walsopp. “ Hello there”, came the voice, before Ralph could say a word. “ I take it you have made it to the front gate?”. The deep voice with a broad accented tone, gave the impression of a pretty sizeable man, not what Ralph had imagined at all. “Yes Mr Walsopp, im here, just as we had arranged”, said Ralph, trying to sound just as impressionable as Mr Walsopp had on the phone. “ Alright, give me a minute lad”, before the phone call ended.

Out of the dark came a huge towering figure, carrying an old oil lamp and covered with a long black raincoat that went from head to toe. Topped off with an old fishing cap. A little intimidating Ralph thought. After opening the gate, the shadowy figure then pointed for Ralph to drive through and turn left. Ralph rolled his window down, fearing he would fail to hear some directions, “Just park her over there”, Said Mr Walsopp. Ralph parked up and jumped out of the car to greet his new employer. Forgetting the rain had been pelting down for the last few hours, he almost lost his shoe with his first step. Sludge! Into the muddy ground. Keen not to embarrass himself with this mishap, he awkwardly pulled his left leg out of the muck and proceeded to shake Mr Walsopp’s hand. Mr Walsopp of course noticed this, shook Ralph’s hand and said “ No need to worry about impressing me lad, it’ll be Wellie boots from morning to night round here. Those expensive shoes are no good round these parts”. Ralph immediately liked Mr Walsopp after that remark. “ I’ve a pair of Wellies in my car boot. I came prepared” A wry smile appeared on Mr Walsopp’s face. “Alright lets get you settled.

 “Have you eaten?” Asked Mr Walsopp,

 “Yes” Replied Ralph, “ I stopped off on the way”. 

“ Good. Mrs Walsopp aint feeling to grand this evening. Shes a little under the weather, tucked up in bed. She sends her regards”

“Oh not to worry, im sure I can meet her in the morning” Replied Ralph.

“Follow me and I’ll show you your accommodation” They walked to the left side of a pretty large farm house, that looked as old the hills that Ralph had admired on the drive up. Old grey bricks lay on top of one another, only broken by moss that had gathered between the cracks in the house. Moo’s echoed around the area, sounds of Cows that seemed only yards away, but couldn’t been seen in the dark of night.  As they both approached the rear of the house, a dormant field lay there. And just beyond that, a silhouette of an old bricked bungalow, surrounded by three foot high wooden fence, which swayed in the wind. It looked very liveable. And as they got to the front door, Ralph was pleasantly surprised. Ralph half imagined himself sleeping with the animals in the barn. Not much conversation happened between the two men during the short walk. It was hard to speak in the bad weather. However, Mr Walsopp opened the door of the Bungalow, flicked on a light and bid Ralph a goodnight. He apologised for the bad weather and hospitality, but promisied a hearty breakfast in the morning. “ Make yourself at home. Ill not wake you too early in the morning, since you had a long journey this evening, So ill see you at 6am” Ralph laughed, not really sure if that was a joke or not, and he supposed a 6am was a late start for a farm. “ Goodnight” Shouted Mr Walsopp, “See you in the morning” Was Ralph’s reply.

As the door closed, Ralph looked around and thought, Wow, this is exactly what I need. It was a small living room with a worn and tattered sofa, covered with a large red blanket. A small table sat in the corner with with an old lamp upon it. An open fireplace, grabbed Ralphs attention that had burning embers slightly glowing. How nice Ralph thought. He pictured Mr Walsopp (probably Mrs Walsopp) Lighting the fire a few hours before, just for Ralph, knowing he would need some warmth at this very moment. He gave the coal a rake with the large steel poker sitting beside the fire place, stirring up the ashes and feeling the warm glow on his face. Although he was exhausted, he had a quick glance around the rooms. A small kitchen with just enough room for a two-seater table, with a little wash room just off to the side. Just opposite the bedroom was a shower and toilet room which looked very well kept considering the age of the place. After unpacking what very little he had brought with him, he settled in front of the fire still brightly glowing. Feeling content and relaxed, knowing he had left his troubles behind, Ralph fell into a deep sleep, dreaming of exciting times ahead.

BOOM BOOM BOOM! 3 loud thuds at the door woke Ralph alarmingly, not realising his surroundings, a sudden panic kicked in. That old feeling deep inside his stomach. A few seconds passed before Mr Walsopp came stomping through the door. “ I hope your decent lad? Haha”. Ralph looked up and for the first time he see Mr Walsopp in the glowing sunlight. A tall stocky man with shoulders as wide as a double decker bus. Sideburns like a badger’s tail, rose coloured chunky cheeks with little hair on his head and a corker of a nose that dominated his facial features. Quite an impressionable man indeed. “There ya are lad. That’ll keep you going for a few hours”. He handed Ralph a plate with 8 huge sausages and 3 slices of bread. “Mrs Walsopp’s finest sausages. You would pay a pretty penny for a big plate of those in the city I would imagine? Ha”. Said Mr Walsopp. “ They only pay us shillings. Ratbag supermarkets” He mumbled. “ Thank you Mr Walsopp, what a great way to start the day. They look beautiful” Said Ralph. “Call me Fred. Anyone who calls me Mr Walsopp is usually after me wallet”. “ The English summer eh! Four seasons in a day. Beautiful morning out there. The Cows couldn’t get out to the grass quick enough an hour ago. That cold rain really makes the grass that little extra tasty for them. Not silly animals are Cows” Said Mr Walsopp. Ralph, nodding his head in agreement, wolfed down his breakfast, keen to start his new job as Mr Walsopp’s farm hand.