08/01/2025

The Archers

Ben and David accompany Leonard to his old friend Frank’s funeral. As Leonard reminisces, telling them it was Frank who got him into ballooning, Ben declares him a dark horse. Just an old horse, replies Leonard. People see grey hair and don’t look any further.

They learn the funeral is delayed due to the family being held up, and David and Leonard retire to a café to wait. When Ben joins them he has news that the family won’t make it, and rather than reschedule they’d like Leonard to step in. He’s apprehensive. He’s not much good at this sort of thing; what should he say? David and Ben tell him he doesn’t have to do it, but he galvanises and prepares to make some notes.

Later at the funeral Leonard speaks well of his friend, talking about their shared adventures and what he learned on their journey. Frank made Leonard brave, and even encouraged him to court his future wife. Afterwards Leonard reports Frank’s niece Gaynor was thrilled by it all all after Ben had set up a live stream for her family.

Gaynor told Leonard that Frank had lain undiscovered for three weeks after he died. This gives Leonard pause for thought. You lose people as you get older and it’s sometimes hard to keep on, knowing you could be forgotten about. He’s reluctant to elaborate, but later reports he’s spoken to his son Simon, telling him how he’s been feeling – discombobulated, and sometimes lonely. Simon has suggested that Leonard should go and live with him in Singapore. And Leonard thinks he might go.