The Reluctant Villain

by James Williams

“Sorry love, you will have to find out for yourself, but behave yourselves, you two!” Sally replied and turned away.

  Outside the library Catherine looked at Gerry with a look of expectancy on her face,

  “Well?”

  “Well what? I’ve got no idea what’s she’s on about” Gerry said in a defensive voice.

  Catherine grabbed his arm,

  “Gerry! You and Sally were the talk of the sixth form last New Year’s Eve. She was practically carrying you back to her place”

  He was silent for a few moments as he walked her back to her parents’ house.

  “I’d twisted my ankle; she offered to treat it, that’s all”

  “I bet you enjoyed the treatment!” she said and ran ahead, as Gerry tried to grab her arm. When he caught up with her he said,

  “You’re too young to know about such things”

  She laughed,

  “Too young, Gerry, I will be eighteen next March. We will have to compare notes sometime” and gave him a peck on the cheek.

  He took her hand and said quietly,

  “Perhaps, before you leave for Newmarket anyway”

  They walked the rest of the way in silence, still holding hands.

  He then walked to the apartment he shared with his elderly grandmother. He had lived there since he was ten years old when both his parents were killed in what he was told, had been a motorway pile-up. Now they were the only surviving relatives left from what once was a large family.

  The ground floor, two-bedroom apartment entrance was on the side of the four- storey building and had a small ramp up to the doorway. Gerry unlocked the door and called out as he went inside,

  “Hi Gran, it’s me, sorry I’m late”.

  A stout woman in her mid-seventies came out of the lounge and gave him a warm smile.

  “That’s all right dear, I only put your dinner back in the oven to keep warm about ten minutes ago. Been out with your friends?”

  Gerry took his coat off and hung it on the coat stand in the hallway.

  “Sort of, Mr Evans daughter, Catherine wanted to ask me something and we went to the library for a coffee”

  “Tell me about it after you’ve eaten your dinner, dear. It’s your favourite, cottage pie. Don’t forget to wash your hands first”

  Gerry smiled; her last comment was made every time he came home. The old lady also had a faint smile on her face; she had noticed the thin smear of lipstick on Gerry’s cheek which he now spotted as he washed his hands and hastily cleaned his face.

  He took his dinner out of the oven and sat at the small table in the kitchen. His Gran made a wonderful cottage pie and when he finished he washed the plate and utensils and left them to dry in the rack. He then made them both a cup of tea and took them into the lounge and placed both cups on a coffee table next to where the old lady sat.

  “So, what have you been up to today Gran? Today was card club day wasn’t it?”

  She took a sip of her tea before answering,

  “Yes, but I didn’t go Gerald, I went to see the doctor about this niggle in my side”

  “Is that still bothering you? I thought it had cleared up after the doctor gave you some tablets last week”

  She shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

  “They did for a while but I saw a different doctor today, a locum called Dr Chown. He’s much younger and taller than Dr Bowden, and he is sending me for an X-ray on Friday”

  Gerry looked concerned,

  “You haven’t had a fall have you?”

  “No, not since I slipped on that wet floor last year. Now, that’s enough about me, tell me what you have been up to”

  Gerry knew not to try and push his Gran any further about her ailment, her last comment was her signal to say she wouldn’t talk about herself and there would be no point in further questions. Instead, he told his Gran about Mr Evans decision to sell his business but that his own future seemed to be secure.

  She gave a little smile,

  “I know about Mr Evans dear, the doctor’s receptionist told me the whole story. What that woman doesn’t know about other peoples’ lives just isn’t worth knowing.

  “I don’t want to worry you dear, but that man, Matthews, who is taking over from Mr Evans doesn’t have a very good reputation from what I have heard”

  “What do you mean Gran?”

  “Well, he has a habit of working his staff very hard and is always looking to cut corners and costs. Is your college course going to carry on? I hear Mrs Stockwell is very pleased with the engraving you did on her husband’s lighter. You must keep practising those skills”

  “Mr Evans said he will pay my college tuition fees right up to my final exams. As for Mrs Stockwell she did thank me but she also scared me a little”

  “Scared you? How did she do that Gerald?” she asked, with more than a little concern in her voice.

  Gerry thought for a moment while he chose his words carefully,

  “She thanked me for engraving the lighter and said something about not seeing similar work since she was in Germany. She also gave me a kiss on both cheeks before..”

  The old lady smiled with a twinkle in her eyes,

  “It seems like lots of women are kissing you on the cheek, is there anything I should know Gerald?”

  He looked in confusion at her before remembering the mark on his face earlier,

  “Oh that! It was Catherine who was messing around. Anyway, as I was saying, after Mrs Stockwell thanked me she took hold of both my hands in hers and stared at me as she spoke. Gran, it was almost like she was trying to hypnotise me or read my thoughts, it was quite an unnerving feeling. And her hands felt so hot, I was glad when she let go of them”

  Mrs Reynolds looked down at her own hands for several moments and Gerry thought she was about to cry but she recovered her composure and spoke,

  “Mrs, and to a lesser degree, Mr Stockwell have some unique talents and you would be wise to take heed of what she told you”

  Nothing more was spoken about the subject and half an hour later the old lady made herself a cup of cocoa and retired to her bed.

  Gerry sat alone for some time thinking about what his Gran had said and recalled some of Mrs, Stockwell’s words

  ‘don’t let others distract you from your chosen path’

  He couldn’t think of anything that would persuade him to give up his engraving work so what did she know about his future.

  After mulling things over and over in his mind for a further twenty minutes he also went to his bed.

  The two women in his dreams were not of the elderly ladies but of Catherine and Sally. Both were trying to pull him in a different direction.

  4

  Percival Matthews walked into the hardware store as if he already owned the premises, picking up items, having a cursory look at prices and then discarding them, not always in their proper position.

  Gerry, not having ever met this person who had just entered the shop, watched his actions and asked politely,

  “Can I help you sir?”

  Matthews looked at the young man with disdain written all over his face,

  “Just tell the manager I’m here, he’s expecting me!”

  Unruffled Gerry kept his cool although this man’s manner didn’t go down too well with him, He was about to ask his name but David Evans came through from his office at the rear of the shop.

  “Thank you Gerald, I will take over now, Good morning Mr Matthews, I wasn’t expecting you for another half an hour”

  Matthews ignored the last remark and deliberately made a point of looking around the shop.

  “Not very busy today are you, I’ve been standing outside for the past twenty minutes and only seen one person come in”

  “It’s probably due to the Thursday morning market, it’s usually quieter for a couple of hours, I’m sure things will pick up later. Come on through to the office and I’ll make you a drink. Coffee?”

  Looking at Gerry he said,

>   “The boy can make the drinks. I will have tea. Not weak, milk and two sugars!”

  Evans turned to face Gerry, gave a quick wink and led Matthews into his office. Waiting until the office door was closed Gerry was about to make an obscene gesture in that direction but he heard the shop door open. Turning around he faced a male customer with a very youthful face that he hadn’t previously seen in the area.

  “Can I help?” Gerry asked the stranger.

  “You sell lighter fluid in this place mate?” was the reply in a distinctive Northern accent.

  “Gerry went behind the counter and produced three items,

  “These are the three we stock, any particular brand?”

  “The cheapest one will do, I’ve been trying to get hold of some all bloody morning. You’ve got some nice stuff in here, must be a bit pricey”

  Gerry took no notice of the last comment, told him the price of the lighter fluid, took a five pound note from the man and went to the other counter to get change from the till. His back was not turned for more than a second. He suddenly became aware that the man had moved quickly and silently towards one of the other displays and was about to put something into his pocket.

  “Those cufflinks cost upwards of £50 if you’re interested in buying them!” he said in a loud voice and moved forward towards the door to cut off the stranger’s escape route.

  Realising he had been spotted Mark gave a half laugh and put the item back in its place. He took his change from Gerry and left the shop.

  Gerry watched the man disappear and suddenly remembered he hadn’t made Matthews his tea and the same for His boss who had a drink at this time of morning. Luckily the kettle had not long boiled and he took the drinks in, after first knocking on the office door, waiting for the summons to enter.

  Matthews gave Gerry another of his disdainful looks,

  “Took your time didn’t you” and turning to the shop owner, “is he always this slow. When I give my staff an instruction I expect immediate response”

  Before his boss could defend him Gerry spoke,

  “A customer arrived just after you came in here and Mr Evans has trained me to attend to them as a priority”, he turned and closed the door as he left the office. Evans only just managed to restrain himself from smiling at his assistant’s remark.

  “Gerry is a very efficient lad, and handles all the engraving work and key cutting duties as well as his normal tasks”

  Matthews didn’t take kindly to being spoken to in that manner by staff members and made a mental note of Gerry’s attitude. He simply commented,

  “I don’t know if there will be much hand engraving work being done when I take over it’s mostly done by staff in my other shops. I’m looking for staff who can service computers and the like”

  “I didn’t realise you were intending to change the stock portfolio to such an extent. What plans do you have for my current stock, if you don’t mind me asking “Evans asked, thinking of how long it had taken him to build up his business to the high prominence it now held in the area.

  Matthews sensed the feeling of disappointment in the owner’s voice and he decided to push the knife in deeper.

  “If you agree to my improved terms we have discussed, I’ll take over straight after the Christmas break and hold a closing down sale. What I can’t dispose of in the following month I’ll get rid of in my bric-a-brac shop”

  David Evans suddenly had grave doubts about the wisdom of selling his business to this man. However, having rejected two other offers he knew he had to go through with the sale to Matthews. There was only one concern left to resolve,

  “What about young Gerry, he’s a good sales person as well as carrying out the tasks I mentioned just now. He lives with his grandmother and his wages and her pension are the only income they have coming in. He also has another two years left to go on his college course before he takes his exam which I have paid on his behalf. Incidentally Mr Matthews, Gerry will be learning to use a computer as well as engraving work but he wants to maintain his manual skills as well. His course also includes training to be a locksmith”

  Matthews’ mind was ticking over at a fast pace but he gave nothing away in his next question.

  “I’ve seen a girl working here on my previous visits, having a pretty thing like her around sometimes brings in the customers”

  Evans stared back at Matthews for several seconds before speaking quite deliberately,

  “That girl is my daughter and she is leaving to take up a temporary job in Newmarket before going to Cambridge University, so you will have to find another ‘pretty thing’ to attract your kind of customer”

  Matthews suddenly realised he could put the purchase of the shop in jeopardy if he pushed Evans any further. But he wasn’t the type of person to apologise,

  “Hmm, so that means you’re only leaving me with one member of your staff, can I rely on that boy not to swindle me? I’ve taken over too many shops were the previous boss has left me with staff who have tried to, let’s say, help themselves”

  Evans held up his hand and spoke again in a voice that was fast running out of patience,

  “I think what is more to the point Mr Matthews, is Gerald going to have a future in your business or are you going to find a way of pushing him out once you’ve established yourself here?”

  Again, Matthews avoided giving a straight answer,

  “If you say he’s reliable and willing to learn new methods and style of working I’ll give him a chance to prove himself. But I don’t have much use for a hand engraver; one of my sons does that”

  Evans smiled,

  “But to what standard I wonder. Gerald completed a task last week that had a customer comparing it to work her father, a man with nearly thirty years’ experience, used to carry out. That is why I am paying for Gerald to continue his studies in the technical college who also find his work exemplary and to the highest possible standard”

  “Do you pay him when he attends college?”

  “Why, yes of course! I wish I could pay him a higher wage but instead, I’ve paid for his course and exam fees”

  Matthews didn’t reply but made a mental note to either cancel Gerry’s course or pay him less than this mug was doing. Instead he said,

  “Well, if you accept my new terms namely, I take over straight after Christmas when you hand over the keys, I don’t think there is anything further to discuss”

  David Evans thought for a moment and then asked,

  “You mentioned little or no engraving, what about the key cutting business. We do find that quite lucrative at times, especially when Gerry goes to their premises to solve such problems”

  “Matthews shook his head,

  “No chance, I’ve got a more modern machine at one of my other shops. I’ll get rid of yours for scrap if it’s still here when I take over”

  Nodding his head Evans rose to his feet and offered his hand to Matthews.

  “I think that concludes our meeting Mr Matthews, I will amend and draw up the paperwork and have it sent to your solicitors by the beginning of next week”

  The other man gave a limp shake of the hand and turned to leave, he walked through the shop, totally ignoring Gerry as if he didn’t exist.

  Evans walked up to Gerry and putting a hand on one of his assistant’s shoulders he said,

  “I’m afraid you might have an uncomfortable time with Mr Matthews if you don’t keep your head down and work very hard”

  “What about my engraving and key cutting jobs Mr Evans, that covers more than 50% of the work I do here”

  The shopkeeper looked forlornly around his pride and joy he had built up over the past35 years, not sure how to share his concerns with the lad. But he had always been honest so he faced him and spoke softly,

  “Mr Matthews believes his son is capable of taking on those duties, despite what I explained to him about your skills. I also get the feeling that he is not in favour of you completing your college course but I could
be wrong on that score”

  Gerry stood speechless for several seconds, then he blurted out,

  “What does he expect me to do then Mr Evans? Just serve customers and sweep the floor or serve him tea?” You know how much I enjoy the engraving work and helping people who have locked themselves out of their homes or shops, I’d go crazy doing nothing but serving all day long!”

  Evans indicated for them both to go into his office, leaving the door open to listen out for customers. He told Gerry to sit down while he made them both a cup of tea, allowing the youngster time to try and gather his thoughts. When he returned with the drinks he was relieved to see Gerry had regained his composure.

  Facing his assistant across the office desk he started to speak,

  “First Gerry, I must apologise to you, the sale of my business has not turned out in the manner I had hoped for, Mr Matthews laid out his plans this morning and frankly, it depresses me to think about what he intends to do”

  Gerry looked blankly back at his boss who held up one hand for silence,

  “Let me finish first Gerry then you can ask as many questions as you like”

  He then proceeded to explain what Matthews’ plans were for the business and he felt it only fair to give details of what would be expected of his assistant. Gerry listened intently and did not speak for a couple of minutes, trying to digest the news, finally he said,

  “If it’s as you think Mr Evans I can kiss the engraving goodbye and the college course. I know a bit about computers and similar gadgets but I wouldn’t say I was a fountain of knowledge concerning their repairs. Would he send me on a course to gain that knowledge instead or have you paid the course fees for nothing”

  It was Evans turn to sit in silence for a time before responding,

  “I will be perfectly honest with you Gerry, I believe it’s his intention to bring in his own staff to do most of the work and push you to one side. Then he will try to find grounds on which to dismiss you. But on no account must you just walk out and leave, you wouldn’t get any benefit money if you did that.

  “I have a plan in mind to help you but I must speak to my solicitor to check my facts first. However, do not worry about the rent of the flat you and your grandmother live in, if you do have the misfortune to lose your job I will waive the rent payments until you find other employment. I would prefer it if you told no-one about this conversation until I have checked with the solicitor and am clear on what I can do to help you”