I had an email a couple of days ago. It looks like we have finally settled the boundary dispute at the bottom of the garden.
In my final email, which was sent the day before, I had apologised for being terse but explained that I was working on the basis of “least said, soonest mended”. The neighbour didn’t work on that basis and I received a long email detailing,amongst other things, my failings as a human being, the fact that “everybody” is on their side and the fact that now it is all over they will be able to sleep at night knowing they have done the right thing (the implication being that I haven’t).
It’s very tempting to write back, set out the legal case, defend my character and point out the reason it ended as it did. In the end. it isn’t worth the effort. So, I’m going to resist the temptation. It is done and I would like to leave it that way.
Much as I would like it, I don’t need the last word. And, annoying as it is, I will let them walk away with victory in the war of words.
This also, frustratingly, stops me indulging my passion for sarcasm and deprives me of a great deal of material for detailing my life of tedium. However, there is a virtue in knowing when to stop.
And, at this point, I will stop.
The header picture, depicting Number Two Son after a hard day leading with his face. It represents the thought “bloody but unbowed“.
Yes, I’m a weak and feeble man, and that is my veiled reply to the traductions of my character.