No Going Back

by Mick Moran

  “Well don’t be. There’s no need.”

 

  “O K. You’re a big boy now. Just tell me though, were you ever involved with a racial group: the white something or other?”

 

  Joe hesitated. He considered denying it. Then thought it better not to lie to her. In any case, Paddy may have told her. “Yes,” he admitted. “Very briefly, but I’ve had nothing to do with them for over a year.”

 

  “Good. I’m glad to hear it.” Teresa seemed pleased. “From your experience then,” she went on. “If Martin upset them, do you think they would go to such lengths to punish him?”

 

  Yes. I know they would, though Joe. However, shaking his head, he replied, “No, we just handed out leaflets. But, as I said, it’s over a year since I was with them.”

 

  “And the young man with the Birmingham accent; you’ve no idea who he was?”

 

  “How could I?” You don’t think it was me? You do. Don’t you? That’s why you’re here.”

 

  “Don’t panic. I’m not accusing you. Better me asking these questions than the police.”

 

  “The police!”

 

  “Yes.” They may wish to speak to you. As I told you, I talked with the priest in Broadfield yesterday. Well, a couple of hours ago we talked again on the phone. He told me he had been to the police and told them about Martin’s suspicions.”

 

  “Did he actually say my name?”

 

  “The young Casey lad was, I think, how Martin put it to him. I told him yesterday that I wasn’t happy about him reporting that. But, he didn’t feel he could hold anything back.”

 

  “That’s all I need in my first week self-employed: being questioned by the police when I’m trying to create a good impression.”

 

  “It might not come to that. I’m just preparing you in case it does. But don’t worry about it. It will be a while before they get to you. I think finding Martin will be priority for the police down here.”

 

  “You’ve no idea where he is?”

 

  “No. He seems to have vanished after he left our parents house that Friday evening. I fear something happened to him then. Brendan said he promised to return to 'The Antelope' but he failed to do so. He didn’t go back to the room he’d booked either. The puzzle is where did he go? It was still quite early; not much after nine o’clock, I’m told. He liked a drink. “The Antelope” at that time on a Friday would be crowded, maybe too crowded for Martin. Brendan said that he normally came in earlier when it was quieter. Maybe he went to quieter pub.”

 

  She’s getting too close for comfort, thought Joe. He wished she’d lay off then. If she went round the pubs asking questions she had no idea how dangerous it would be.

  “You should leave it to the police now,” he advised wishfully.

 

  “You know how slow they can be. In the meantime I can’t give up on finding Martin, and can’t you see how intriguing it’s become?”

 

  Joe shrugged, trying not to show his unease. “What are you going to do,” he asked.

 

  “I’ve got a few irons in the fire. Father Downey in Broadfield, a nice man, promised to let me know if Martin turns up there. Brendan will tell me if he hears anything. Also, I plan to visit a few other pubs that Martin may have called in that Friday night.”

 

  “On your own!”

 

  “If need be. But I might manage to twist Tom’s arm and get him to accompany me one evening.”

 

  “Make sure you do. Some of the pubs round there are rough. Asking questions in them could be putting you in real danger.”

 

  “Don’t worry. I’m a big girl now.” Teresa stood up. “I’d better get going. You’re not on the phone here, are you?” Teresa looked around for a telephone.

 

  “No. But I will be very soon. I’m just waiting for it to be installed.”

 

  “Good. Let me know your number as soon as it is.”

  ***

 

 

 

  “You were very good,” commented Joe. “I didn’t hear a sound.”

 

  Alan stretched himself. “I’m stiff and my legs are aching, with being stood in the same position. I didn’t dare move.”

 

  “How much did you hear?”

 

  “All of it. I couldn’t help it.”

 

  “And, what do you think?” Joe studied Alan, who was pacing the small kitchen area of the room.

 

  “Well, now I know for sure.” Alan shook his head. “ We got the wrong man, and he’s dead.”

 

  Joe feared the knowledge would diminish, or even destroy, Alan’s resolve to leave the flat next day.

  “Not you,” he said, trying to be reassuring. “You didn’t kill him.”

 

  “I might as well have.”

 

  “Don’t talk like that. It’s Dave and Tommy that are the guilty ones. You were just an innocent onlooker in both cases.”

 

  “I doubt a court would see it like that.”

 

  “I don’t see why not. It’s the truth.” Joe sounded more positive than he felt. “A good lawyer would convince a court of your innocence.”

 

  “Maybe.” Alan was not convinced. “I keep thinking of that man we carried on to the road. He was still alive and I didn’t know it.”

 

  “You weren’t to know. Dave bullied you. Anyway, we don’t know for sure that he wasn’t dead. That little piece in the paper might not have been about him.”

 

  “I wonder why there was no follow up.”

 

  “Yes. That’s strange. If there was, we could hardly have missed it. We both checked the paper every evening.”

 

  Chapter 12. Moving on.

 

  “Have you heard anything else about Alan?” Tommy was trying to sound casual. He hoped the slight quiver in his voice didn’t betray his nervousness as he braced himself for Dave’s response. All week Dave had been in such a foul mood it was almost impossible to talk to him about anything, and Alan, Tommy knew, was a particularly touchy subject.

 

  A few days previously, when Alan was mentioned, Dave flew into a rage, another rage. That week Tommy had witnessed a few, but none so violent as that one. Dave flung the stepladder across the room screaming “I’ll kill him. I’ve had to turn work away because of him. He won’t get away with it. I’ve taught him all he knows about the job and this is how he pays me. Just like Joe Casey. He’s another one. I’ve heard he’s bad-mouthing me now to everyone he meets. He’ll regret that too.”

 

  Tommy came to expect such outbursts. It was almost every time he saw Dave that week, which, thankfully, was not very often. Mostly he was given his work and left to get on with it alone. He thought about Alan a lot. He was concerned for him. He should be warned about Dave. Tommy had tried. He visited Alan’s flat on two occasions, only to get no response to his knock. He’d even asked the neighbours, but no one had seen Alan for days.

 

  Since that fateful Friday night, a week earlier, Tommy had seen nor heard nothing of Alan, except for the odd snipped which Dave had reluctantly given him. But, Tommy suspected that Dave knew more than he told. It was Friday afternoon. They were preparing to finish work. Not wishing to spend the weekend not knowing, Tommy had finally plucked up the courage to ask the question.

 


  To his surprise, however, Dave stopped what he was doing and calmly replied. “No Tommy, I’ve heard nothing. I’m afraid we’ve lost him.” To Tommy’s puzzled look Dave went on to explain. “I don’t think he’ll be working with us any more. And, about what we talked about early in the week, don’t worry about it. He hasn’t gone to the police.” Dave apparently reasoned that Alan must have thought better of it. Otherwise the police would surely have questioned them by then.

 

  “But, you thought he would?”

 

  “I thought it was a possibility; that’s all. It was best to be prepared. Of course, it’s still possible that the police will question you. If that happens just remember what I said. Deny everything. You’re shown in my books as working for me all the time you were away.”

  ***

 

 

 

  It was Sunday evening. “For tomorrow,” said Alan, as if he’d suddenly remembered it, “I could do with getting some overalls and some other things from my flat.”

 

  “O K,” replied Joe, “I’ll run you there.” It was just the opportunity that Joe wanted. He was still not totally convinced that Alan would leave the flat next day, to come and work with him. However, if he got him to go out then, Joe would be more confident that he would do so next morning.

 

  Alan hesitated. It was, apparently, not what he had in mind. Joe held his breath. Then, to his relief, Alan thanked him before apologising. “I’m a nuisance.” He said.

 

  “Never mind that. Get your coat. Let’s go,” urged Joe, not wishing to give Alan any time to change his mind. “The roads should be quiet now. It won’t take long.”

 

  As they rattled along in the van, Alan was a different person. He seemed quiet relaxed. He even chatted about football when Joe brought the subject up. Alan gave his opinion on Aston Villa’s poor position in the league and the team’s chances in the next game. The ride in the van seemed to bring Alan out of himself. Joe was pleasantly surprised, although he couldn’t quiet fathom what it was that brought about the change. Was he just happy to be out of the flat? Or was it the conversation they had prior to leaving? More likely the latter thought Joe.

 

  Alan had expressed concern about not having work documents, (Insurance cards and P45) and there was no way that he could get them from Dave. Joe, however, had reassured him that it would not be a problem.

 

  “That’s the least of your problems,” he said. “Working with me, you won’t need them for a long time, and when you do. There are ways of getting them without going anywhere near Dave.”

 

  “What ways?”

 

  “I don’t know exactly, but I know people who do. Believe me it won’t be a problem.” That seemed to satisfy Alan. He appeared relieved. Maybe, thought Joe, it had been preying on his mind. But, would the good mood last?

 

  The good mood lasted only until the reached the flat. The flat was on the ground floor and parking was right outside.

 

  “Maybe we shouldn’t park so close.” Alan seemed jittery

 

  “Don’t worry. There’s no one about. Come on.” Joe jumped out.

 

  But, Alan didn’t move. Getting annoyed, Joe went round the van and opened the passenger door. What’s the matter Alan?”

 

  “I’ll wait in the van.” He offered Joe the key.

 

  But Joe was having none of it. “Don’t be silly. You know where things are. Look.” Joe had a good look around. “There’s no one about,” he repeated angrily.

 

  Reluctantly Alan got out of the van. “O K,” he said. “Let’s be quick.”

  ***

 

 

 

  At the Bar of The Queen’s Tommy was not enjoying his pint. He had a lot on his mind. Work next day was a daunting prospect. He didn’t know how long he could stick it. Neither did he know how he could leave the job. He needed Alan. But where was Alan?

 

  Tommy looked round. A few people were in the side room but none of his mates were in the pub yet. He was the only one in the bar area except for the landlord who was engrossed in his newspaper. Everything about the place looked dull: the furniture, the decorations, the pictures on the walls and especially the company.

 

  It was hardly the most appealing of public houses. Nevertheless, Tommy decided to have another pint. He drained his glass and placed it noisily on the bar to attract the landlord’s attention. With that landlord, who had perfected the art of ignoring customers, however, it was a futile gesture. Tommy picked up the glass and waved it around, but still to no avail. He dropped it on the bar again and walked out. He didn’t want another drink anyway.

 

  Tommy looked at his watch. It was still early: only nine O’clock. Once again he walked to Alan’s flat, feeling it was a waste of time, but he had nothing better to do. He had so much on his mind. He needed to talk to Alan. In fact Alan was the only one that he could talk to about what was uppermost on his mind. Dave had left him in no doubt that the mere mention of it to anyone else would have dire consequences.

 

  Suddenly Tommy’s spirits lifted. Could that be Alan’s flat with the light on? He quickened his pace, his excitement growing. Yes, he thought, when close enough to be certain. It was his lucky night. He’d caught Alan in at last.

  ***

 

 

 

  There was a knock on the door. Both Alan and Joe froze. “Don’t answer it,” whispered Alan

 

  “It’s the light. He knows someone’s in.” But, they remained motionless.

 

  There was another knock: louder “He’s not going away.” Joe moved silently into the small hall. The letterbox rattled. Someone’s trying to look through the letterbox, he thought.

 

  “Alan, are you in.” called a voice through the letterbox.

 

  “It’s Tommy,” whispered Alan. He’d crept up behind Joe.

 

  “Are you on your own?” asked Joe.

 

  “Yes. It’s only me.”

 

  “Joe looked back at Alan who nodded. Joe opened the door, only inches, keeping his shoulder behind it; until he was satisfied that Tommy was alone. He then opened it fully.

 

  “Tommy. Tommy Parsons. How are you?”

 

  “Not too bad. Is Alan in?”

 

  “Come in Tommy,” called Alan.

 

  In the living room Alan played the friendly host. “Take your coat off Tommy and sit down. Tell me how things are at work.”

 

  “Terrible.” Tommy removed his coat and threw it over a chair, on which he sat.

 

  “In what way?”

 

  “Every way.”

 

  “It’s Dave, isn’t it? He’s giving you a rough time?”

 

  “You could say that.”

 

  “What are you going to do?”

 

  “What can I do?” Tommy shook his head.

 

  “You could leave,” suggested Joe.

 

  “He wouldn’t like that.”

 

  “Sod him. You do what’s best for yourself. He’d soon get rid of you if he didn’t have work for you. How many men does he have now?”

 

  “Just two others on another site, but I never see them.”

 

  “So, he leaves you on your own.”


 

  “Since Alan left, yes, except when he’s with me himself, which isn’t very much.”

 

  “Are you on full pay now?”

 

  “No. Not yet. I will be soon, he says. I can’t leave until I get my apprenticeship papers.”

 

  “You should have them now of you’re working on your own, and you should be on full pay. Ask him next time you see him.”

 

  “It’s hard to ask him anything these days, and if he thinks I’m going to leave….”

 

  “Yes. I know. He’s a bastard.” Joe had a think. “It might be better if you don’t mention the papers, he said. “Just say that you should be on full pay, now that you’re working on your own. Then, next time you’re in the office, ask Joan- she’s a nice lady- for your papers. This is where being in a union would be useful. But, that bastard Dave bullied us into not joining, saying it was a waste of time and money.”

 

  “What’s he saying about me leaving?” asked Alan.

 

  “Not nice things, I’m afraid. That’s why I’m here: to warn you. You best keep out of his way. He’s making all sorts of threats. You too.” Tommy turned to Joe.

 

  “Oh! What’s he saying about me?”

 

  “He thinks that you’ve been talking about him. You’ll regret it, he said.”

 

  “Did he now? Well he doesn’t frighten me. What’s he think I said about him anyway?”

 

  “I don’t know. He didn’t say.”

 

  “Who’s he been talking to? I don’t suppose he told you that either.” Tommy shook his head. Joe, however, knew the answer. It had to be Brian king. “Does he say anything about that Friday night.”

 

  Looking dubiously at Alan, Tommy made no reply.

 

  “It’s all right Tommy,” said Alan. “Joe knows all about it.”

 

  “Don’t worry,” added Joe “I’ve not told anyone else.”

 

  Apparently reassured, Tommy answered the question. “No.” he replied. “ It hasn’t been mentioned, except at first when he warned me not to say a word about it to anyone.” Turning towards Alan, Tommy continued, “He was worried that you would report him to the police.”

 

  Joe smiled. “Is he not worried now,” he asked

 

  “No. I don’t think so.”

 

  “Maybe he will be soon. Does he know that the man’s not dead?”

 

  “Not dead!” Tommy looked puzzled.

 

  “Yes. The man he smashed over the head with the starting handle. The man he thought he killed. Well he’s wrong. The man’s in hospital, but he’s still alive.”

 

  “No, No. He doesn’t know that.” Tommy was bewildered. “But how do you know?”