No Going Back

by Mick Moran

  Teresa sat down facing Andy. She was still slightly wary of how he would react towards her. “How is work Andy?” she asked by way of conversation.

 

  To her relief, this time Andy was relaxed with her. “It’s good,” he replied. “We worked all weekend. We were lucky: we got work straight away. Thanks to Brendan,” he added

 

  “Brendan was helpful then?”

 

  “Oh, yes. It was him that got us the jobs. The other night- the night we saw you- when we told him that we were after work, Brendan knew the foreman and got on to him straight away. We started work the next day.”

 

  “That must have been a relief. Being out of work in a strange town wouldn’t have been nice.”

 

  “No, it wouldn’t. We were lucky; we had no time at all out of work.”

 

  Jimmy returned with Teresa’s drink. “I have good news,” said Teresa when Jimmy sat down next to Andy. Then, after glancing over her shoulder, to ensure that she was not overheard, she leaned forward and, in little louder than a whisper, continued. “I was at the hospital today. Martin is conscious now.”

 

  To hear her they both had to lean forward. “That’s great,” said Andy. “Did you talk to him?”

 

  “A little. He was very tired.”

 

  “Did he say what happened?” asked Jimmy.

 

  “No. I don’t think he could remember anything. But, he had only just recovered consciousness.”

 

  “Do you think he will be all right?” asked Andy

 

  “It’s still early days. He’s certainly not out of the woods yet. I didn’t see a doctor but I talked with a nurse. She said his chances have improved.”

 

  “Did he know you?”

 

  “No. But, I never met him before today. Even if I had I don’t think that he would have known me. I tried to tell him who I was but I don’t think he understood.”

 

  “One thing,” Teresa continued, again glancing over her shoulder, I talked with my brother Joe after I saw Martin. He warned me not to tell anyone about Martin recovering. He said there are men out to get Martin. I told him that I must tell Brendan because I had promised to keep him informed.” He said O K but I must impress on Brendan that no one else be told. However as you’re friends of Marin’s I think you have right to know. But, please keep it to yourselves.”

 

 

  Brendan entered the room. “Teresa,” he asked. “Have you got news for me?”

 

  “Brendan, I haven’t disturbed you I hope?”

 

  “No. I wasn’t disturbed. It’s just now, after I came down, Kate told me that you wanted to see me.”

 

  “Yes.” Teresa hesitated until Brendan sat next to her.

 

  “Would you like to go somewhere else?” he asked, thinking that what she had to say was just for his ears,

 

  “No,” she replied, glancing over shoulder. “These boys already know what I have to tell you. But, for now, I don’t want anyone else to hear it.” Keeping her voice down, she repeated what she told the boys about Martin and also what her brother had told her about keeping his recovery, if that was what it was, quite.

 

  “O K,” Brendan said. Don’t worry I’ll keep it to myself. But, I can’t believe that Martin would have enemies of any kind, let alone ones that would hurt him that badly. Sure wasn’t he the quietest man in Birmingham.”

 

  “He is now, but maybe he wasn’t always that quiet.”

 

  “Well, I’ve known him for over twenty years and I never heard of him falling out with anyone. I know that in his youth, back in Ireland during the troubles he was involved. But, surely that’s all forgotten now.”

 

  “I don’t know. Some people have long memories.”

 

  “He was a brave man during the troubles,” said Andy. “I heard that he once stood up to the Black-and-Tans on his own.”

 

  “Wow!” Teresa turned to Andy. “Tell us about that Andy.”

 

  “It was when he was just a kid, thirteen or fourteen maybe. He was in the ball alley with a few other boys, when the Black-and-Tans came along in their wagon. They stopped their wagon and ordered the boys to lie down pointing their guns at them. It’s said that they all did except Martin. Martin refused to lie down, telling the Black-and Tans that they were too cowardly to shoot him. It’s said that they just got in their wagon and drove off.”

 

  “He was a hero,” said Teresa. He must have been famous around there Andy.”

 

  “No. That’s the strange thing. It was only after I came over here that I heard that story. I never heard it mentioned over there. It was my landlady that told me and she came from a place a good many miles away from us.”

 

  “Do you know anything else about his activities in that time?”

 

  “No. I don’t. I know that he left when he was very young. It was said that there was an argument about who got the land. But, I don’t know. Maybe there was another reason.”

 

  “I think I’ll go to see him tomorrow,” said Brendan. “It might be good for him to see someone he knows.”

 

  “Yes.” Teresa nodded. “I’m sure it will be.”

 

  “I ought to go too,” said Andy “Sure he has no relatives in this country. His brother in Ireland will want to know how he is. He’ll be relying on information coming from me. But, the way work is, I don’t think I can manage it; not before weekend anyway.”

 

  “Well, if you give me a ring tomorrow evening, like you did the other evening,” said Brendan. “I’ll be able to tell you how he is”

 

  “Thank you.”

 

  “What time do you finish in the evening, Andy,” asked Teresa.

 

  “It was nearly eight o clock when we got back to the digs last Friday. But it might not be that late every night.”

 

  “That would be too late. Visiting finishes at eight.”

 

  “There was a lot of concreting to finish that day,” said Jimmy. “I don’t think it will be that late very often and if it’s raining it’s likely that we’ll finish a lot earlier.”

 

  “If you finish early one day,” said Teresa, “give me a ring.” Teresa produced a notebook in which she wrote her phone number. She tore out the leaf and handed it to Andy. “I’ll come and pick you up in the car and take you to the hospital.”

 

  “Thank you,” said Andy. “That’s very good of you. It’s a lot of trouble for you though.”

 

  “Not at all. My husband Tom uses the car to get to work. But, he’s rarely later than five o clock getting home and I’m usually home by four.”

 

  “That’s sorted then,” said Brendan. “But, in the meantime, just ring me tomorrow evening.” Then, turning to Teresa, “I think it’s your brother that’s just come in the other side.” Nothing happened in his pub without Brendan knowing.

 

  “Which one?” she asked

 

  “The young one. I don’t know his name.”

 

  “Joe. He probably wants me.”

 

  Joe appeared at the door, beckoning to Teresa to come to him.

 

  “Excuse me,” she said, standing up. “I’d better see what he wants.”

 

  Holding th
e door open Joe ushered Teresa outside. “I’ve just been to your house,” he told her. “Tom said you might be here.”

 

  “Yes. Like I told you, I promised to keep Brendan informed about Martin.”

 

  “You convinced him, I hope, that he mustn’t tell anyone else.”

 

  “Yes. Don’t worry. But, I don’t understand the need for secrecy. What are you not telling me?”

 

  “That’s your car over there, isn’t it?” Joe was looking at Teresa’s car, which was parked across the road.

 

  “Yes,” she replied. Then reading his mind, “let’s sit in it. It’s still warm.”

 

  “You’ve told no one else?” Joe sounded worried, when they were both sat in the car.

 

  “Just a couple of others, but don’t worry, it won’t go any further.”

 

  “Who?” demanded Joe angrily?

 

  “Just those two boys that I was sat with.”

 

  “Jesus!” exclaimed Joe. “Why didn’t you just announce it to all in the pub.”

 

  “Joe, please, calm down. Those two boys are friends of Martin. I felt that they had a right to know about him. But. I’ve made it clear to them that they mustn’t tell anyone else. I sure that they won’t.”

 

  “Teresa, I don’t think you’re aware of the danger that you could be putting yourself in here.”

 

  “I wont if you wont tell me. What is it that you know that is so dangerous?”

 

  Joe hesitated. Some of what he knew couldn’t be revealed. Yet, Teresa had to be made aware of how dangerous the situation was.

  “Look,” he said. “Martin was assaulted. The man, or men, that assaulted him meant to kill him. Of that, I have no doubts.”

 

  “But why?”

 

  “Martin knew stuff. If it was told to the police it would put some men away for a long time.”

 

  “Joe, how do you know all this? I’m worried about who you’re associating with.”

 

  “Don’t worry. I don’t associate with those men any more. But I know enough about them to know how dangerous they are.”

 

  “And you know that it was them that assaulted Martin?”

 

  “Yes. I do.”

 

  “Why don’t you go to the police?”

 

  “I have no proof.”

 

  “And Martin has?”

 

  “Yes. I believe he has.”

 

  “Why don’t you tell the police about your suspicions?”

 

  “That wouldn’t be wise.”

 

  “Teresa didn’t pursue that line any further. “I don’t understand,” she said. “Martin lived more than a hundred miles away. Why was he a threat to someone down here? Or was he followed down here?”

 

  “It’s complicated.” Joe hesitated, not sure how to proceed. “A man by the name of Michael O’Malley was assaulted in Broadfield. You know about….” Joe stopped mid sentence. Something across the road had got his attention.

 

  Teresa followed his gaze. A young man was entering The Antelope.

  “Do you know him?” she asked.

 

  “Yes. I used to work with him.”

 

  “So? What’s the big deal?”

 

  “He’s up to something: going in there.”

 

  “It’s a public house.”

 

  “Not one that he’d normally go in. He’s been send, to get information, Probably about Martin. I hope no one talks.” Joe went quiet. He was thinking.

 

  Then he suddenly turned to Teresa. “Or better still.” He was excited.

  “I’ve got an idea. You’ve got to know Brendan quite well recently?”

 

  Teresa shrugged.

 

  “He’ll do this for you.” Said Joe

 

  “Do what? What do you want?” Teresa was apprehensive.

 

  “Tommy Parsons,” said Joe, “that’s just entered the pub. We need to feed him some false information about Martin.”

 

  “I don’t like the sound of this.”

 

  “Just listen to what I have to say.”

 

  “O K,” she sighed.

  ***

 

 

 

  Tommy Parsons was feeling excited, thrilled even, at how well his mission had gone. His previous trepidation had proved to be totally unfounded. The Antelope, he found, was not at all the hostile place that he’d feared. He’d heard that it a rough pub that only wild Irishmen, all spoiling for a fight, frequented. Anyone that they didn’t know would be picked on.

 

  In fact he was barely noticed and he didn’t even have to ask the difficult question that he was so fearful of asking. It was mission accomplished and with ease. Also, the answer he got was exactly what he believed Dave was wishing for. Making his way to The Queens he was confident that his successful mission would put him in better standing with Dave.

 

 

  In The Queens Dave Campbell and Brian King were sat in the snug. They were the only ones there. “This pub is going to the dogs,” commented Brian, locking round the otherwise empty room. “Nearly nine o cock and still no one in. Mind you it’s not surprising I suppose. It’s not the most inviting of places and that miserable landlord would put anyone off his drink.”

 

  “By the way, how much does he know about your problem, our problem?”

 

  “Nothing, it’s sorted,” replied Dave dismissively.

 

  But Brian was not to be put off. “What do you mean, sorted,” he insisted. “It was here that it all started, wasn’t it?”

 

  “Don’t worry about him. I’ve had words. As far as he’s concerned we were never here that night, me or the boys.”

 

  “And you can trust him?”

 

  “Absolutely. He knows better than to say anything different.”

 

  “So, it’s only the man in the hospital that we need to worry about.”

 

  “That’s right Brian. Tommy should be here anytime with news about him.”

 

  “Let’s hope it’s not good news: for the man I mean.”

 

  “Don’t worry,” replied Brian with a hint of a smile. “Anyway, we’ll soon find out. That’s him at the bar now.”

 

  Tommy ordered a pint at the bar. He got served immediately. The landlord, thought Tommy, was more attentive to his customers than usual. Was it because Dave and Brian were in the pub? Tommy had noticed that they were in. After paying for his drink Tommy joined them in the snug.

 

  “You seem pleased with yourself,” remarked Brian. “Was it a successful journey then.”

 

  “Yes. Of course.” Tommy made no attempt to conceal his delight as he seated himself opposite Dave and Brian.

 

  “You found something out then?”

 

  “Yes. Of course,” repeated Tommy.

 

  “Well?”

 

  “He won’t live long.”

 

  “Shush, keep your voice down,” hissed Dave, also gesturing with his hand.

 

  They both leaned closer to Tommy �
��How did you find out?” asked Brian, “Did you ask the landlord?”

 

  “No. I didn’t need to. A lady standing next to me at the bar asked him. I overheard what he told her.”

 

  “That was convenient.” Brian sounded dubious as Tommy continued.

 

  “The landlord wasn’t there when I first went in. There was just a young girl behind the bar. I ordered a pint and she served me; friendly enough, she was. Then she went talking to a couple of men at the other end of the bar leaving me on my own. After a while the landlord appeared, but I couldn’t talk to him because he kept moving from one side of the bar to the other, checking, I think, on the drinks.”

 

  “I was drinking my pint and leaning on the bar, casual like, waiting my chance to ask the question when this smart looking lady came in and stood next to me. She knew the landlord. She called him by his name: Brendan. He seemed pleased to see her. He came over to her straight away. I thought that was spoiling my chance of getting him on his own. But, then she asked him the very same question that I would have asked him if I got the chance.”

 

  Tommy had a leisurely drink of his pint savouring the fact that he had both Dave and Brian listening to his every word, but stretching Brian’s patience “Go on then,” urged Brian. “What was it?”

 

  Not to be rushed, Tommy carefully put down his glass before continuing. “She asked the very question I would have asked,” he repeated.

 

  “Yes. Yes. You told us that. What was the question?”

 

  Ignoring Brian’s impatience Tommy continued. She asked him if he’d heard anything about Michael O’Malley. I pretended not to be listening: just leaning on the bar and drinking my pint. But I heard every word. Brendan told her that he had bad news. He said that he was at the hospital this afternoon and that Michael O’Malley was worse. He said that he was talking to a doctor and the doctor told him that there was no chance of him coming out of the coma. The doctor told him that he wouldn’t last more than a couple of days at the most.”

 

  “You did a good job Tommy,” said Dave, although Brian seemed less sure. “That’s it then,” stated Dave. “We can forget about that man.”

 

  Brian shook his head. “Don’t be too sure about that,” he said. “Even if this is true, it will still be murder. The Police will be sniffing around.”

 

  “Of course it’s true. Why wouldn’t it be?

 

  “I don’t know. It seemed to go too well in there for Tommy.”

 

  “I was very lucky,” said Tommy

 

  “Maybe. But, like I said, it will still be murder. The police are bound to come sniffing around.”

 

  “They will have nothing to connect us to it,” said Dave.