Buckward (it’s a thing)
The lovely @catalynmj1015 posted a photo-set the other day, which I will re-blog after this (as I have no idea how to do a link and am far to old and bone idle to learn). I responded to it and the marvellous M responded to my responding. I think they have documented the relationship so well, that I have nothing to add. But have great pleasure in sharing with permission.
SUBMISSION FOLLOWS:
Yes to the Fred and Tom friendship! The female friendships in CtM are awesome but this male friendship is priceless too! Like how on earth did this young, handsome reverend and this past-middle-aged, plump, Cockney-style handyman become friends? But the result of this unlikely duo is comedic yet touching, because despite their apparent differences they were both down-to-earth, soft-hearted men at core. From the hilarious dance tutorial to the random musings about second chances; from the hard work together in South Africa to the stag night gamble… I felt that as much as Phyllis is like a mother to Barbara Fred is like a father to Tom. When Tom came back from the hospital nearly collapsing from the shock and grief, Fred was the first one to hold him among the Nonnatans. And when Tom leaned into Fred in tears like a child, and Fred holding and shaving him gently… I lost it completely T.T In Fred’s words, ‘grafters don’t waste time in pleasantries.’
I will miss this friendship too because we don’t realize how precious they are, until we watch, say, the current world news.
