Framlinghamian 2022 - Flipbook - Page 295
SOF | OBITUARIES
momentum..., slowing and slowing still
Michael could be a little like Eeyore.
further before finally spluttering to a
Always expecting the worst – hence
stand-still, right at the very summit. We
the ever-present umbrella (even in
had finally, run out of petrol! In a moment
bright sunshine!). Indeed, even when
of panic, Anglo-Saxon expletives followed
planning his own funeral, for which he
from the Cookie Monster’s lips, with the
prescribed almost every detail, amidst
rest of us in absolute hysterics.
all the positivity and appreciation, he
couldn’t stop himself from exploring the
What happened next seemed almost
possibility that the entire event might
miraculous... as we effortlessly,
degenerate into a complete and utter
freewheeled down the other side of the
disaster: ‘the clergy will probably muck it
hill, as if floating on a cloud; the Wolseley
up... and Hutchings will piss about on the
steadily gathering pace, before drifting
organ... probably to the tune of ‘Shine
into the most splendidly situated petrol
Jesus Shine’... and Robbo’s eulogy will be
station you have ever seen in your life!
anything but ‘brief’...‘Not many jokes!’
Never in doubt! Michael filled-up the old
jalopy and returned us safely to College
almost as if nothing had happened. One
strongly suspects that with equal serenity,
the Wolseley will have already ghosted
through the Pearly Gates (No brakes
required...Just as well!), Michael doffing
his cap to Saint Peter, before parking
up and nonchalantly taking his seat at a
conveniently located piano next to his
dear father, ‘Tigger’ Cooke (‘every one
Michael Cooke in the role of ‘saw doctor’, with
Daisy Cooper M.P., in the 1990s.
called him Tigger, even the Bishop!’),
another fine musician and classicist, who
had also been a schoolmaster before
Having said that, Michael could always
joining the clergy... a glass of something
be relied upon to make the best of
suitably unpretentious on the side...
things, even in the most challenging of
adorned by a band of beautiful angels
circumstances. He was always ‘ill’, if you
and some of his favourite luminaries
asked him how he was, but he hardly
(Professor Sir Geoffrey Elton included,
ever missed a day of school in the thirty
of course)... just in time for a little duet,
odd years we worked together. He was
perhaps? ‘Eeyore and Tigger too’, in
always there... immaculately turned out...
perfect harmony – ‘et Eeyore est Tigger’.
clean shaven, white shirt, same green tie
Now there’s an enduring image... made
(donated by a swooning gaggle of student
all the sweeter by the fact that Tigger
acolytes way back when, no doubt!),
Cooke (‘round and bouncy’) actually
same chalk-marked gown for formal
taught Christopher Robin Milne! And
occasions. Cookie made himself available
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