CHAPTER - 12

12 

 

 

My doctor’s surgery was around the back in the annex of one of those old huge Edwardian mansions. Big windows, tall ceilings and freezing in the winter. The place about a twenty minute walk from Marge’s if a fast pace was maintained. It was ten-forty something when I strolled into the waiting room. Morning surgery had nearly finished so it was nowhere near full. Just a couple of kids with their mother. Dressed like twins but one was taller and obviously older. Anyway, they were on their way out and grizzled their way through the door. Near the front an older guy coughed as he sat with his elbows on his knees and the look of a heavy smoker. I’d seen him there several times before. 

The reception desk was empty so I sat close to it opposite the old guy. Kept glancing at the door to the consulting room. Absentmindedly picked up a mag. A woman’s one. Then I noticed a copy of Melody Maker. A few weeks old but what the hell, it was better than staring at the wall or the old fella who kept looking over his eyebrows at me. I wondered why his eyes held a look of amusement. I glanced at the door. Flicked through the pages, not really concentrating, then slung the MM back onto the table and started to tap my foot. Heard a dull thump and looked at the door again. The handle rattled. Then pulled down but pinged back up with another thump. This time on the door. Was that a muffled curse? Then the handle moved and the door started to open. The back of a blonde with a big cardboard box cradled in her arms. Her backside pushed the door open 

I leapt up, pulled the door, wedged it with my foot and took hold of the box. The blonde turned and smiled, “Hi, Rich,” she said. 

“Hey, Alice,” I replied, then stalled to a dead halt. 

“I didn’t see you in the appointment book.” 

“No I…” I stumbled over a few more words but they came out as a jumble.  

“He’s come to see you, darling,” wheezed the old fella looking up with a broad grin. “He’s been sat opposite me for what seems like an age waiting for you to appear and making a right old fuss of it.” 

That was the last thing I needed. I could feel myself colouring up so I turned away and put the box on the chair nearest the door. When I turned back there was Alice, a laughing smile on her face, hair hanging slightly over her right cheek, looking at me with her blue eyes full of mischief. A look that reminded me of sun and seagulls and crashing waves and the reason why I was there. I glanced at the old man and smiled a smile of thanks. The fella knew what he had done - broken a sudden frozen moment. 

“Hi, Alice,” I repeated, regaining just a small slice of composure. Brushed my hair like I was trying to smarten up. Took a deep breath and forced myself to blurt out, “I’ve come to ask if you want to come to a party with me on Saturday. It’s in The Old Farmhouse. Do you know the one? Out towards the racetrack. It should be good.” 

Alice had her hand on her hip and a sudden stern look that I hoped was fake, “Do you know, Aubrey Richards, ever since I first saw you at school I’ve been waiting. And then all the trips in here with your sore this and aching that. How long has it been…” 

“Oh, I’d say four months.” 

“I can tell you exactly…” 

“So can I,” huffed the old man. 

Alice snatched a look at him then continued. “Four months and nine days and all you’ve asked is how I am. So, now after all the asking you’ve decided that, actually, I don’t have any ailments, you've suddenly finally found your voice.” 

“Yes, I know, it’s just that…” 

“Get on with it,” piped up the old guy, “I can’t stand the tension. All you’ve got to say is, please will you come out with me. That’ll do it, won’t it Alice?” and he sighed long and frustratingly. 

Alice just smiled but I saw it in her eyes. So I glanced at the old guy then back at Alice and said, “Alice, please will you come out with me?” 

“Yes, I’d love to,” Alice replied, then burst out laughing. Then she saw the look on my face and put her hand up to her mouth as she said, “Sorry, but…” She stepped close and kissed my cheek, “I’m not making fun of you. It’s just all so… all so… very nice and it makes me laugh and happy. Very happy in fact. The party sounds like a great idea.” 

Now I was really grinning, “I’ll pick you up at your house at seven,” I said. 

“Do you know where I live?” 

“Of course he does,” said the old guy. “He's been coming in here as long as I have. I expect he knows everything he needs to know so he doesn’t muck this up more than he already has.” 

I smiled at Alice then turned to leave. As I walked past the old fella I lightly slapped his back, “Take care,” I said, then pulled the door.  

As I left I heard Alice say, “You can go through now, Jack and thanks.” And there was just the sound of a slight giggle. 

I kind of skipped around the side of the house. Stopped and leant against the wall for a moment staring at the sky and let out just about the longest pent up sigh you’ll ever hear. There was the sound of feet and one of my mum’s neighbours appeared. 

“Are you all right, Aubrey?” she asked. “Going in or coming out?” 

“Out, Mavis, and all’s okay thank you. In fact everything’s very much okay.” 

Mavis gave me a long stare and said, “That’s good… I expect you’ve been to see Alice.” Then, after a quick sly glance, she was off leaving me thinking how she knew. In fact how many people might know. 

But no time to ponder. Through the gate to the street, I walked up the pavement to the corner and waited the few minutes it took for Monkie to arrive. 

 

“This is a welcome change,” I said as the old Consul Mk 1 convertible swung in from the main road and stopped right in front of me. The top was down. “Draughty motor,” I suggested. 

“Very,” replied Monkie, “There’s not much of the hood left. The arms come up okay and there are a few scrapes but…” 

“I know. I get the message. Draughty and damp. Have you checked the forecast?” 

“Nope, we trust to luck. It’s more exciting that way, don’t you think. Anyway, there’s an umbrella in the boot and, if needed, that’s your contribution to the drive.” 

“What, trying to stop it going inside out as you belt down the road.” 

“Shouldn’t be too hard. This crate has a misfire that affects one cylinder so it struggles to get up to speed.” 

“That’s good but I’m still thinking a Mary Poppins look in a clapped out crate is not so great for the street cred.” 

“On the contrary, it’s my opinion it will look rather cool.” 

“It’ll certainly turn heads… I suppose this is one of your dad’s?” 

“Came in this morning from the Vicar. He’s retiring. He bought it new.” 

“Obviously a man of stout faith.” I said, casting my eye over the dilapidation in front of me.  

“Hop in,” said Monkie and I tried the door. “It’s stuck,” he grinned, “You’ll have to climb over. 

“Nice, compliments the roof… Shall we go?” 

“Certainly, but you need to point me in the right direction.” 

“You are already… go down to the end and turn right. We’re heading for Guildford then towards Horsham. Tell me when you need juice.” 

As we spluttered down the road Monkie glanced at the petrol gauge, “Now would be good. I think the Vicar’s faith must have extended to the petrol tank.” 

“Okay, pull into the next petrol station and I’ll fill it up.” I replied. 

Monkie looked a touch whimsical as he said, “Won’t that break the old heart a bit.” 

I shrugged, “Not really, I look on it as essential to maintaining a healthy economy.” 

“Pay back more like,” he laughed. “Anyway, how was the blonde?”  

“Very pretty… actually, Alice is really nice. You’ll meet her Saturday if you’re coming to the party, “  

“The one at The Old Farm house,” replied Monkie. 

“Yeah… you up for it?” 

“Sure… A Mark and Katty event?” 

“Yeah, those two are very clever. They have a good thing going and their cleaning business is thriving.” 

“I didn’t know about a cleaning business. I just thought they were party arrangers.” 

“Why do you think they arrange parties?” 

“I don’t know but tell me later. At the moment I want to hear about Take Six? He’s way more important.” Just then Monkie saw a garage ahead, "Hang on, this place will do,” he said and pulled in.  

As I climbed out I said, “Won’t a serious blow with a heavy hammer fix the door?” 

Monkie shrugged, “Tried it and no. It needs to go on the ramp and the chassis welded. I think it’s sunk a bit in the middle.” 

I grabbed the pump handle… “Two star?” I asked. 

“Sure, I think anything stronger and the old girl will faint.”  

I filled up and when we were back on the road I said, “Take Six’s name is Colin Wilson and I’m pretty sure he’s a full on villain. Robbery I’d guess is his game.” 

Monkie frowned, “Do we really want to get mixed up with such a person?” 

So I replied, “What’s the golden rule?” 

Monkie shrugged, “Take your opportunities.” 

“Correct and this is a once in a lifetime occasion.” 

Monkie didn't look too convinced, “I’m not so sure,” he said, “big time villains equal proper jail time and I don’t want to go there.” 

“I agree one hundred percent with that but… there’s a difference with this.” 

“It’ll need to be a big one if you’re going to persuade me.” 

“I think Col is going to rob a jeweller…” 

“That’s it, I’m not going into a jewellery place to be nabbed while we’re waiting for the safe to blow or worse, when we’re swept up off the street.” 

“But that’s the beauty of this…” 

“No way.” 

“Come on, just hear me out.” 

Monkie sighed, “Okay, I’m listening but don’t get your hopes up.” 

“All they want us to do is get a key. That’s it. Nothing else. No breaking into anywhere. No swag bags. No deafening booms. Nothing.” 

“And the key is…” 

“For the alarm.” 

“Fair enough. Where and when and how though? I want to know all the details before I agree to anything.” 

“From a fella’s keyring. Not sure where; details are to be agreed. When is as soon as. The quicker the better…” 

“Get the money when you can. I understand that… The how?” 

“You do the fake crash thing and while the guy is seeing to you I take prints of the key. It’s simple. The risk is so small. If Col and his mate…” 

“He’s got a mate… who’s he?” 

“I don’t know and I told Col I don’t want to know.” 

“That’s sensible… go on.” 

“First they've gotta get caught and I think that is very unlikely given the quality of Take Six. But even if they do there’s no come back to us, is there?” 

Another frown, “Unless they mention our names, of course. Oh, and where you live and probably where I live if they’ve completed all their homework.” 

“Small risk of that,” I replied, “and even if they do, what can be pinned on us? We wouldn’t be there, at the scene of the crime, would we. There’d be no proof we were involved. No one’s seen me with Col and you don’t even have to meet him.” 

“What about the fake accident?” 

“What about it? There’d be no cops involved. We’ll pick a spot and you know how it is. It’s why you get away with it. There’d be few witnesses, no one wants to know, do they and anyway, it would be just two lads on the scam. We could hold our hands up to that. What would we get? A slap on the wrists probably and don’t forget we take that risk all the time. Minor stuff. They’d not be interested.” 

Monkie was quiet. Concentrated driving for quite a time. He flicked on the radio. Nice, The Small Faces. Then he said, “How much do we get?” 

“A grand each.” 

Monkie let out a slow whistle, “That’s a lot for so little work,” he said. 

“They can’t do it without the key and they can’t get the key without us so we hold… the key. Do you like that… we hold the key.” 

“Ha, Ha, very funny. So, minuscule risk and a good pay day…” 

“Assuming they come across and there’s no reason to doubt they won’t. What do they say, honour among thieves. Besides, we’d get half upfront so if it does all go wrong we’re still way up.” 

“Yeah, sure but who believes that honour nonsense?” 

“I do. I think this Colin is genuine. We hit it off real good. There was this kind of subtle similarity. Besides, we’ve nothing to lose. We can scam the jeweller in the normal way, that’ll make it seem all the more like one of our jobs. And if it all works out, a one off bonanza payday… what do you say?” 

“Let’s get all the details before we finally decide but in principle…” 

“You sure. I don’t want to go into this not fully committed.” 

“I’m sure. Like you say it appears to be virtually risk free… Okay, now business is out of the way, tell me about your uncle and aunt so I’m not totally a stranger when I meet them.”