Loyalty

It's funny what loyalty gets you... for some, respect, others, hate... for me, I've been approached by my old manager to try and tempt me away to work for another company but I'm not interested despite the efforts (which are quite commendable).
I don't see why I should just swap one situation for another and start all over again at the bottom of the ladder and have to prove myself again in a similar but different situation. Several years ago I think I would have been quite excited and lept at the chance but maybe being a little cynical and more worldly I'm less than enthusiastic as I know all he really wants is all my contacts, my relationships and probably most importantly, someone he can rely on to dig him out of a hole (people in the office environment always like to surround themselves with those who they know are useful). This is flattering on the one side but I'm not fussed on taking the leap if it's nothing new.
Funnily enough, it appears that a colleague of mine has ditched the job and left us in the lurch. The chap's been saying how much he wants to be promoted, so another mate at work vouched for him and within two weeks he throws in the towel claiming to be sick and not taking any calls or making any effort other than once to come in. Now we have to wait until the legal aspect of his contract are worked out before he goes (or stays) as we're none the wiser as to his situation as we're left in the dark. We'll have to wait and see what happens next... it's funny how things go in cycles as he clearly got tempted away by the promises my old manager made (as rumour has it). Thing is by telling us what they're trying to do (setting up a competitor business in my area) has let the cat out of the bag and I'm prepared to take them down - after all I'm established and they're still trying to get their foot in the door!
Loyalty... perhaps one day it'll be rewarded?!