"He passed," Val replied as he started to cook the eggs. "A few years back, actually. Lung cancer. He owned one of the coal mines, before Thatcher closed them. He used to go down every day while they were open. He liked being accessible to the people who worked for him. ...A good man, though it did him no favours long term."

Looking over his shoulder, he smiled at Jag. "He fought in the war as well, can't imagine that did him much good either. Though I don't believe he regretted either for even a moment."