Tex

Richard drives out to a ranch on the outskirts of Wyndmere. He’s here to make Amends with his oldest friend Tex.

As they sit down to speak, Richard is overcome with emotion. Tex is a hugely dignified man. He waits silently for Richard to compose himself. They talk. Well, mainly Richard talks. He circles and dives and circles again. He brings it round. He opens old wounds, and “kicks the crust off old turds to smell them one last time before we bury them”.

The repercussions of some of the harm he has caused in the past, and the loyalty of his friend, are brought home. They made bonds when they were young men which have lasted to this day, but they’ve been seriously stretched by some of Richard’s behaviour over the decades.

When he gets up to leave over two hours later, Richard looks about a stone lighter.

“The last time we spoke as long and as deep as this was fifty one years ago up in the Sand Hills, in a lean-to with a jug of Seagram Seven” says Tex, smiling.