I never asked Godfrey what he thought, of his name given to our little luggage shop. He missed the ranch, as we all did, he missed Clementine and their years in Peru, he enjoyed helping out with the dusting and the baking for me, and he roamed the city the last years, seeking out random stories and poetry.
Came the day, Garnet and I had to go out, as rarely happened, together at the same time. Twas neither crisis or emergency, rather than close up, we left the shop in the willing hands of Godfrey.
Before we left him, with a chunk knocked from the wall, laughter and a muffled swear, before we had to go, we shifted my precious turquoise chair down the stairs , for him to sit comfy in the shop below.
It was very exciting, he could spend the day writing, after hanging his “No Pasaran Beets” sign on the front door.(I had hidden it from him just the day before). Soon there came in a customer, pernickity customer, one Mrs Mavis Lariat, Chihuahua in her arms..it sniffed with disdain our dead plant with one leaf, he snarled when Godfrey drew near, with three nasty teeth. “I am off on a cruise he heard Mavis declare, settling her dog on my turquoise chair, what suitcase would you chose?
He said hello, I am Godfrey the chap on the sign. I will not speak of beets, but will talk of anything else, anytime.
“This plaid suitcase here, is steeped in feminine charm” Even filled with your smalls, you could carry it under one arm. It has wheels that roll, stout handles to lift it aloft. If shipwrecked or stranded will make a fine pillow, the plaid is so soft. It comes in green and red, or Harvest Gold and light puce, I will include twelve sea-sick bags, and a five year guarantee that no screws will rust or come loose, under general, fun travel of course, fording flooded paddocks and grimy bus station, hitchhiking abuse .
Wisdom has taught me, quoth Godfrey, “The nasty things I may face, are less worry some with what little I need to get by, freedom and a sturdy suitcase”.
Mavis Lariat, pernickity customer was quite unprepared for Godfrey..with a holiday ribbon for his tie, a bow, his long auburn hair done up this day in a Chignon, beaming in the new rubber boots he had on. I do not know all that he told her, only that Godfrey sold her the gold and puce suitcase.
How I wish he was with us still for the postcards we get, as she roams the world, Mavis “The Bold” Lariat. She wrote, to Godfrey, My family believes me mad, feels I ought to be afraid.. But oh the places my suitcase takes me !! and the wonderful friends I have made.
Oh my dusty little shop, shop with customers rare, another chunk gouged out of the wall, another muffled swear. Dragged we three laughing back up the stairs, my turquoise chair at end of day. But I left his sign, “No Pasaran Beets”, to stay in the window of Godfrey’s Luggage, little shop on the corner of Douglas and Bay.
The Collected Wisdom OF Godfrey 
Delightfully surprised to discover that Mavis took Godfrey’s advice and travelled in ways marvelous! And sweet that she kept in touch with him. Godfrey touches the heart of all who know him!
How wonderful to know persnickity Mavis traveled the world with her plaid suitcase, staying in hostels, enjoying young people…and most importantly, not afraid. The picture of Godfrey with his hair tied up and his new rubber boots is charming.
Good morning Mercy- Yes years of living from a suitcase taught Godfrey to be a tidy chap, clothes and grooming were purely of practical value. I met a hitchhiking Granny once, having the time of her life, who gave me a piece of river jade, whole other story, thank you.