19 - Chicken and Bacon Pie and a Deep River
19 – Chicken and Bacon Pie and a Deep River
Dodgy was his name. To his
Mum he was Jim. Jim Bevans but his mates called him Dodgy. In his early
twenties. He was a sort of villain. A robber, small time, opportunist and he
was Dodgy. Not because he was a person to stay clear of. A person who was a
liability. Was someone who dealt in stolen goods, “dodgy goods”. Although he
did. He was Dodgy because of his amazing ability to always manage to dodge any
sort of tricky situation. At school dodge the retribution. On Indian nights out
dodge the next day trauma. Dodge the queues wherever they were. But most
importantly dodge the law when they were trying to pin some slight or not so
slight misdemeanour upon him. Which was essential due to the haphazard and
unplanned way he led his life.
Just after they opened he had
gone into a small post office and local store to buy a pie for breakfast. He
fancied chicken and bacon. Nine o’clock. He was quite a way from his home town.
On a journey. Seeing what might turn up and driving his old Bantam Sprinter
125cc pile of underpowered junk. As the lady opened the door he walked in. Went
to the post office section pulled the door behind her but it failed to lock. On
the counter were piled notes of all denominations and quite a stack. Dodgy
pushed open the door and surprised the woman who thought she was locked in. She
had a bunch of notes in her hand.
“I’ll be happy to look after
all that for you.” She pulled the hand full of notes behind her back the
unspoken denial obvious.
“I would prefer you just gave
them to me.”“There’s a lot here. The week’s money. I can’t let you have it.”
“Don’t be silly. Give it to me and save all the trouble. Before anyone comes in. I’ll take it anyway and you might get hurt.”That changed her mind. She did not know that Dodgy would not hurt her. If she had put up proper resistance he would have just left. Certainly would not harm such a nice old lady. But she piled up the money and he put it in the blue canvas bag waiting for that purpose.
“Thank you. Can I have a chicken and bacon pie please?” He took one, out of the warmer, and paid for it. With his own money of course.
The Bantam poured smoke as he
zoomed away. Zooming as much as his Bantam would allow that is. He drove to the
next town and stopped in front of the motor bike shop. Outside amongst the
stock was a Norton Commando and knew he had enough cash in the bag. So he
swapped. They took his Bantam mostly for nothing and he drove away with an
expectant appreciation of power.
The Post Office lady of
course called the police who arrived promptly due to the nature of the crime. She
explained what happened and how it happened. How much was taken. Gave a good
description. The long hair. The leather jacket. Even the pie which he had paid
for. How he was so polite. Had seen Dodgy drive away taking note of the bike’s
registration. The direction he drove off. They followed and saw the Bantam on
the bike shop forecourt. The bike shop owner gave them the name on the sales
and both registration documents. John Smith. And an equally fictitious address.
They were then on the trail of the Norton Commando and wasted no time passing
the bike’s details to patrol cars.
A short while after Dodgy
left the bike shop he stopped in a layby to eat the pie. There was a slim, attractive
young girl with long blond hair sitting on a post crying. Dodgy went over to
her.
“What’s up beautiful? Are you
ok?”“No. Have had a row and just got dumped here.”
“Where are you going? Trying to get to?”
“Nowhere. Anywhere I don’t care. Just anywhere will do.”
“I’m heading south down the dual carriageway going to give my bike a real good run out. See what flat out is like. Want to come?”
“What’s your name?”
“Jim my name is Jim. Jim Bevans.”
“Sure I’ll come with you. Sounds like fun. I’m Sue. Sue Wilson. Got anything to eat I missed breakfast. Was out all night and have had nothing much since lunch yesterday.”
“I did have a pie but have just eaten it. Café down the road. I’ll buy you breakfast.”
Proper transport café full of
lorry drivers, builders and sales reps. She has a full English with two slices
and tea. He just has coffee and a doughnut. Hot with jam in the middle. The
sugar on the outside making his teeth hurt. They chat and get on. There is some
real chemistry. Sparks flying. They leave and head off for the dual carriageway
south.
She has not ridden pillion
before and as they accelerate she is terrified. Holds him very tightly. Makes
him feel protective keeping her safe. A feeling he really likes. They continue
to weave through the traffic maintaining a constant high speed. Pass a parked
police car that immediately fires up and starts to pursue with siren and
flashing lights. Recognised the Norton. Is communicating with others. Dodgy
gives it the maximum, that extra bit all the reserve and has no trouble keeping
ahead. They are entering a built up area. A small town. There will be others
soon. Following. Chasing finally catching.
He slows, makes a sudden turn
left down an adjoining road. The police car misses the turning but spots him.
He is off not so fast but enough to add distance. Takes a right. Then a left.
Ending up on the promenade. Down to the end. The area is deserted. He stops on
the river bank. Where it joins the sea. There is a steep drop into deep water.
Sue gets off. He takes off his jacket and secures it under the seat. Then he
pushes the Norton off the edge seeing it disappear beneath the surface. Gone.
“What’s going on?”
“I will explain but now we have to go. Quickly.”
They walk down the promenade
and take the first road right that leads away at right angles. Slowly walking
he puts his arm around her and tells her the whole story. They reach the end of
the road and a police car with lights flashing passes. Two lovers snuggled up
and gently strolling are not what they are looking for.“I will explain but now we have to go. Quickly.”
“What do you want to do now? Where do you want to go?”
“Home. Can you take me home please?”
“Sure. I really like you, you know. Want to see you some more.”
“I really like you too despite everything you have told me.”
“Is this where you live?”
“Yes. With my Gran. I’ve
lived with my Gran since my parents were killed in a car crash. She’s so nice
and I have been so wrong. She works so hard to support me. I stayed out all
night without telling her. First time. Got back at eight and we had such a row.
She was so worried. Beside herself. But I stormed out anyway got back in his
car. So wrong. I was so very wrong. Hope she’s alright.
They go in and her Gran is
there and looks up. Comes straight over and gives Sue the biggest tearful hug.“I’ve been very worried so concerned. I was very pre-occupied I left the door to the post office unlocked and was robbed.”
“I’m sorry Gran. Was wrong. Will never do anything like this again. This is Jim. Jim Bevans. He’s sorry too. I really like him. He says he will change and get a job. I do hope you can forgive him.”
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