The Reluctant Villain

by James Williams

  “I don’t know if I should tell Gran about this situation, she’s not been herself lately and I don’t want to worry her unnecessarily”

  “Then don’t say anything until we know more. And I don’t want you thinking all is lost, you are like a second son to me and…”

  A man’s voice from the doorway made both Gerry and Evans look up in startled surprise.

  “A bit old for adopting aren’t you Dad?”

  “Colin! What are you doing here?” the shopkeeper said smiling broadly as he stood up and went and exchanged a hug with the man.

  “I’ve been standing here for the past couple of minutes and didn’t want to interrupt. But it sounds a bit grim, how are you Gerry?”

  Gerry stood up, also smiling, and warmly shook the man by his offered hand.

  “I’m ok; do you want a hot drink or something?” Colin nodded and Gerry checked with his boss for approval, which was given, and was about to leave the two men to talk family business when he notice something about Colin’s appearance,

  “Colin, that’s a different uniform compared to the one you wore the last time I saw you”

  “Doesn’t miss much does he Dad. Yes, I’m now a Petty Officer but you don’t have to call me sir, not just yet anyway”

  Gerry offered his congratulations and left the two men to talk in private.

  “Father and son moved into the office and Colin sat in the chair vacated by Gerry. His father was about to speak but Colin held up a hand,

  “Sorry Dad, I’ll explain why I’m here after you tell me the news about the sale of the business, doesn’t sound too friendly from what I heard just now”

  Evans had almost finished explaining the problems when Gerry knocked on the door and waited for the summons before entering with the drinks. Colin gave a quick signal to his Father to end the conversation on the matter of the sale, saying quietly it could be continued later.

  Gerry was about to leave the room when Colin spoke,

  “Yes, one of the reasons for my flying visit is to take advantage of Gerry’s talents”

  The other occupants of the room looked equally puzzled so he explained, “This might come as a bit of a shock to you Dad, but I’m about to get engaged and I want young Gerry here to do some engraving for me”. Again, both men were stunned into silence before they both offered their congratulations to Colin

  Gerry spoke first,

  “Who’s the lucky or should I say unlucky girl?” and he managed to dodge the half-hearted attempt by Colin to grab him.

  “Watch it sunshine, I can still arrange to have you press ganged. Look, I haven’t got much time right now but I would like you to engrave a jewellery box with this message” and he passed Gerry a piece of folded paper along with a large package.

  Reading the message Gerry laughed,

  “Wow, it must be love! Two interlocking hearts with your initials and a date. If you don’t mind me asking Colin, what do the initials ‘ZP’ stand for?”

  “Zoe Parker. And yes Dad, it is Zoe, your solicitor’s daughter”

  “Well, well what a small world. How soon do you want this done, I will make it a priority task for Gerry if need be” Evans said and gave his son another hug and shook his hand vigorously.

  “Gerry, I know it’s very short notice but I have to be back on board my ship in Avonmouth near Bristol by nine this evening”

  Gerry took another look at the drawing and asked to see the jewellery box. Colin opened the package and passed the contents to Gerry.

  Evans senior and Gerry inspected the box with critical eyes and asked Colin where he purchased the item.

  “I saw it in Hong Kong last year when we were on a tour in the area, I admit it’s not the greatest work of art but it was all I could afford at the time”

  “Mm” was all his father would say before summoning Gerry into a store room at the rear. Colin stayed in the shop in case someone came in to buy something. Moments later the shop door opened and Ernie Newsham walked in. Looking at Colin it took a moment for him to identify the man in uniform,

  “Hello Colin, I didn’t recognise you at first, how are you” and extended his hand in friendship.

  “Hi Mr Newsham, how are tricks with you these days”

  “Doing pretty well as a matter of fact. Is Gerry around by any chance? I need him to cut some keys for me”

  Before Colin could answer the two men reappeared from the back of the shop carrying a similar box to the one shown to them earlier.

  Ernie stepped forward and spoke to Evans,

  “I’m sorry for butting in but could Gerry cut me another set of van keys for the new bloke who is working for me as I want to hang onto the spare set in case he loses them”

  Evans looked at Gerry and gave him a nod of approval so the assistant took the keys and went to his workbench behind the counter. He had finished the task and was paid by Ernie who left the shop without saying a word which drew a quizzical glance from Evans senior but he resumed his conversation with his son.

  Gerry joined Colin and his father just as Evans senior was saying,

  “Colin, you can and will accept this box! Yes, it is probably worth more than the one you bought in Hong Kong but I only want you to have the best. Consider it as an engagement present from your Mother and me”

  Colin shook his head but he knew better than to argue with his Father when he was in this mood. Once again hugs were exchanged between the two.

  “Right Gerry, Colin is going to visit his mother and sister for the next few hours. If you can start on the job in hand as soon as you’ve had your lunch and we’ll see how much progress you make by closing time”

  Gerry nodded and Colin gave him a slap on the shoulder as a sign of appreciation.

  “Thanks Gerry, I’ll catch you later”

  Once Colin had left them alone Evans asked Gerry if Ernie had made any comment,

  “Only that he had to get back to the Centre as he was expecting an urgent delivery. Why, is something wrong?”

  “No, don’t worry he just seemed very anxious not to get into conversation with Colin. I wonder why”

  Ernie had very good reason not to hang around talking to anyone because he had to return the van keys to their rightful owner. The driver of the van was sat on a wall next to his vehicle. He was a thick set man with a drinker’s paunch, when he saw Ernie approaching him he stood up and commented,

  “Took your bloody time didn’t you, if he finds out I’m dead!”

  “Stop moaning, I’m back now. Here’s your keys back and the fifty quid I promised. Remember; give me a ring when it’s ready”

  Harry nodded and climbed into his van without another word.

  5

  Returning from lunch Gerry briefly called on his grandmother to tell her he might be late coming home because of the extra work.

  By the time Colin arrived back at the shop three quarters of the engraving had been completed but the more delicate work would take almost as long to complete.

  Colin looked carefully over Gerry’s shoulder to observe progress, stood back, and said to his Father,

  “God, this lad has got some talent!”

  His Father nodded in agreement and asked,

  “Everything ok at home? I’m sure they had a bit of a shock when you made your announcement”

  “Yes, they were pleased as punch but I got the usual sarcastic remarks from Catherine. Dad, I think you need to have a talk with her about Cambridge; she seems to have lost her initial enthusiasm about Going. Mum didn’t hear us speaking so I’m not sure if she knows anything”

  Evans senior shook his head in frustration,

  “I have to admit whenever the subject has arisen she has quickly tried to talk about something else and I’ve been meaning to press her but I’ll try and find time tonight”

  “Fine, but go easy on her Dad, she’s torn between staying schtum and disappointing you and Mum”

  His Father sighed, Catherine always confided in her big brother first,r />
  “Don’t worry, I will, while you are here with Gerry I want to call on Albert Parker with these papers to sign, talk to him on another business matter, and of course, discuss the wedding plans?”

  “There’s no rush on that last part, when you leave I’ll lock up”

  The shop owner gathered some papers together and left the premises after which, Colin locked the door and turned the lights off in the main shop area. He sat down on an office chair watching Gerry continue with his task. After nearly ten minutes he put down his tools and announced,

  “I’ll have to leave it for about fifteen minutes for the metal to settle down. Any chance of a coffee Colin?”

  Colin went and made them both a hot drink and after sitting in silence for a couple of minutes he spoke,

  “Gerry, I hope you don’t mind me asking, do you make it a habit of cutting vehicle keys?”

  The lad looked back at him for several seconds before answering,

  “I’ve only done it once before for Mr Newsham after your dad said it was ok. Why?”

  “That kind of work is normally confined to vehicle main agents or dealers. Both of you could get into trouble if the word spread. Ernie Newsham would know that, being an ex-copper. Yes, those dealers charge about ten times what you do, but I believe it’s against the law.

  “Tell me straight if I’m sticking my nose in, but I wouldn’t carry on that practice when Matthews takes over, I’ve heard things in the past that make him a dodgy character to deal with. He’s got no qualms about dropping others in the brown stuff to save his own skin”

  “Thanks, I’ll bear your comments in mind and crack on with the engraving and should finish in about an hour. You don’t have to stay here if you’ve got better things to do, nobody is likely to bother me”

  Colin thought for a moment and stood up,

  “Well I was thinking…”

  Before he could finish speaking a loud banging came from the shop doorway. He moved forward quickly, he was two paces from the door when a strident voice called out,

  “Open up Evans, I know you’re in there, I can see your light. We’ve got things to sort out” and the banging on the door began again.

  Colin turned towards Gerry and asked quietly,

  “Do you recognise that character?”

  Gerry put down his tools and nodded,

  “It’s Graham Bishop, one of the local petty criminals who keeps making threats against your Dad”

  The sailor’s eyes lit up,

  “Oh, does he now! Well Mr Bishop you’re in for a rather nasty shock, nobody threatens a member of my family and gets away with it”

  He reached the door and had it unlocked and open in seconds.

  Bishop started to speak,

  “About bloody time…” and stopped when he saw that he was confronted by a younger man in uniform, of equal height to himself but broader and looking more formidable than the elderly shopkeeper he was expecting to confront.

  “Isn’t life full of nasty surprises Mr Bishop!” and the startled man was grabbed by one shoulder and dragged into the shop and the door pushed closed behind him.

  Colin wasted no time in further pleasantries,

  “So, you’re the gutter rat who has been threatening my Father, fancy your chances against me do you, big boy?” I’ve bounced much larger scum across the ship’s gymnasium and not raised a single bead of sweat in the process”

  To emphasise his last remark the sailor transferred his grip to the front of Bishop’s coat and raised him so that the villain had to stand on tip toe in order to continue breathing. After a few seconds Colin allowed the man to stand normally on his feet. “Bishop started to blurt out,

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about mate, there must be some mistake I..”

  Without turning Colin called out,

  “Gerry, are you sure?”

  “All true” was all Gerry said. Bishop managed to look at Gerry and for a fleeting moment menace emitted from his gaze, however, Colin didn’t miss the look.

  “The mistake is all yours friend Bishop! But if I hear you’ve threatened any member of my family I will bounce you around this town like those space hoppers we had as kids. And that warning covers my friend Gerry and his family”

  He released his grip on Bishop, spun him round to face the door and gave him a hard shove to his back. As he unlocked the door he spun the man around once more to face him and said, quietly at first,

  “This was your first and final warning. So, GET OUT and STAY away from my Father’s shop”

  And the unfortunate man was propelled through the doorway and landed in a heap outside. He scrambled to his feet and ran off like a scared rabbit.

  Colin locked the door and called to Gerry,

  “I enjoyed that! If he comes near here again or makes any kind of nuisance of himself I want to know”

  Gerry half laughed and returned to his work.

  “I’ll have a word with Dad before I leave to get the full picture but that puts paid to me leaving you here on your own”

  It was another ninety minutes before Gerry was satisfied that his task was completed to his satisfaction and he presented the finished article to Colin.

  Inspecting the box with pure admiration at Gerry’s handiwork he announced,

  “When Zoe sees this, she will want to come and thank you personally and I’m sure you will be on the guest list for the wedding”

  “Glad you like it Colin and congratulations on your engagement”

  They shook hands, Colin offered Gerry a lift home but he refused saying he needed to clean his tools before going home.

  The next morning David Evans told Gerry that the whole family wanted to thank him for completing such a fine piece of work. When she came in later Catherine gave him a kiss on the cheek while nobody was looking.

  Later that morning her father called Gerry into his office. He invited him to sit down.

  “As you know I went to see my solicitor yesterday evening and we discussed the potential problem with Mr Matthews honouring my pledge to you concerning your college course. He came up with the following plan.

  “He’s written a letter for you to give to the college stating that only you or I can cancel the course and if any time remains unused, or exams not taken by you and you alone, upon termination of the course, you and you alone will be entitled to those fees not spent”

  “But why should I terminate the course Mr Evans You know how hard I’ve studied and worked for those qualifications”

  The shopkeeper smiled,

  “Yes, I do know, but this is to safeguard any move Matthews might make to pocket the money himself. I cannot be absolutely certain he would do that, but better to be forearmed to cover that eventuality. And if he does do such a thing and, God forbid, dismisses you, then you will at least have some money to fall back on until you find something different”

  Gerry sighed but otherwise remained silent, looking down at his hands. Evans continued,

  “I’m sorry things have turned out this way but as contracts have been agreed I cannot pull out of the sale. Here is the letter Mr Parker has drawn up for you. Keep it safe, in case, or should I say, until you need it”

  “What if Matthews ignores the letter or just rips it up? What do I do then?”

  Evans couldn’t help but smile,

  “Then you go to see Mr Parker and he will come with you to confront Matthews with another copy of this letter. Matthews will think twice about taking on a solicitor. The man is arrogant but he’s no fool“

  Gerry looked up and took the letter offered to him. Evans had one more thing to tell him.

  “There is one additional measure I have taken but I cannot mention any more for the moment but if I don’t inform you what that measure is, then Mr Parker knows the details”

  “Is that all, Mr Evans? I would like to get back to work so that I can take my mind off Mr Matthews and his plans”

  “There is one other matter Gerry, I will be finishi
ng on Christmas Eve and he takes over after Boxing Day. It seems the lease runs out on one of his other shops on 31 December and he wants to move the stock from that shop to here”

  “But we don’t have the room Mr Evans, you remember we had an extra delivery of Christmas stock on Monday and the storeroom is nearly full”

  “That will be Mr Matthews’ problem to sort out, he has a couple of vans he can use for storage. I’m more concerned about making our customers aware of the change in the type of stock he will be selling. Let’s leave the future to him to worry about, we have the next five weeks to get ourselves through”

  Gerry stood up and went back to his work; he didn’t see the look of concern that took over the features of his boss.

  Word soon spread around the town that David Evans was selling his business and to whom. His regular customers called in to see if there were any bargains to be had and some were rewarded for their support over the many years. Gerry’s skills were also in high demand and he was almost too busy to have time to worry about his own future.

  Catherine worked extra hours but she didn’t mention anything more about university to Gerry until the Saturday before her father was due to hand over the business. Then, on a rare moment of solitude they had together they talked in his work area to the rear of the shop.

  “Gerry, I’ve made up my mind about university, and Colin backed me up in front of Mum and Dad. I’ve decided that I can’t start if I don’t feel I can stick it through to the end. I’m grateful to you for trying to point out the alternatives but I know in my heart that it’s not for me”

  Gerry didn’t reply for several seconds, he had his own problems to sort out but didn’t want to upset his friend,

  “Well, if you’ve made up your mind then go for it 100%. I wish I had something definite to focus on right now”

  She put a hand on his arm,

  “Gerry I’m sorry you’ve been left in such a mess. Dad is racking his brains trying to think up ways of helping you. You don’t feel that he’s leaving you in the lurch, do you?”