Eileen was grateful for Harry’s arm to support her. Once reassured, Harry scrutinised the area and smiled,
“Well I’m pleased to see that the inlet here is protected from all the bigger waves. And even better there’s no sign of any minefields. I think this is the place Eileen.”
“Well it’s certainly remote and nothing can be seen from the road. Are you happy with it?”
“Absolutely, this is it, excellent. The dunes by the cottages were probably wind blown sand from the beaches either side. This is certainly isolated and well hidden.”
They walked around to each tip of the rocky outcrops on the sides of the small bay. To the north in the far distance was Glenbarr and to the south a sandy beach. Straight across but unseen that day was the coast of Ireland about twelve miles away. They sat for a while, protected from the wind by the rocks, and looked out to sea.
“It’s hard to imagine there’s a war raging whilst we’re sitting here, it’s so peaceful?”
“It’s all madness Eileen, complete madness.”
Harry put his arm around her and they lay back and listened to the waves and the lonely haunting calls of distant seabirds.
Later they walked slowly back to the car hand in hand.
Harry carefully marked the location on the maps before setting off for the return journey to Inveraray and their refuge at the George. As they approached the town Harry became anxious on seeing so many military vehicles and service personnel around.
“Let’s hope we’re not stopped Harry.”
“I can’t recall seeing any service people in town yesterday, and there were none at the pub last night. We’ll just keep driving slowly and see what happens.”
At a crossroad they were waved down by two Army guards and signalled to wait whilst a convoy of Military Police vehicles passed by.
“Jesus Eileen, they’re M.P.s, they could all be from the barracks at Chichester.”
“Your regiment?”
“The Royal Sussex yes.”
Harry began to sweat, firstly under his arms then around his collar.
“Pray for them not to ask for our papers Eileen.”
The final vehicle in the convoy cleared the crossroads. At that moment the nearest Guard pivoted towards them and peered through the windscreen. Suddenly Eileen opened her door and stepped out.
“I know you’ve got your job to do but I desperately need the lavvy.”
She searched into her handbag and produced her identity card that she waved in front of them.
“Will this do you, come on its urgent please!”
She smiled at both Guards,
“The toilets are over there I can see it!”
She pointed across the road to the square beyond.
“Please?”
The two young guards waved her through and she ran into the square towards the public toilet. Harry raised his upturned hands and shrugged his shoulders smiling at the guards. He too was then allowed to follow Eileen through.
Soon they were safely back in the bar of the hotel eager to down a few stiff drinks. The Landlady was serving.
“Have you had a good day?”
Eileen responded first,
“Yes really good, such beautiful scenery and the weather was kind to us as well.”
“Unfortunately we have to leave tomorrow, but with all these service people around the town I guess you’ll be busy anyway?” Harry said.
“I’ll make up your bill later; I’ve assumed you’ll be in for dinner this evening?”
“Yes, about eight if that’s OK.” Harry said, still keen to find out about the service personnel.
“Tell me, what are the Army doing here?”
The Landlady finished preparing the drinks,
“Here you go, and I’ll put this on your bill. Now, yes the military, it’s some training unit I think. They come and go in waves. There’s a small permanent contingent in the town but others join them from time to time.”
She turned and called towards an inner passageway,
“Robert?” The barman came into view,
“Ah, there you are, I keep forgetting, what’s the role of the Army in town?”
A muffled response was heard. The landlady turned back towards Harry,
“That’s it, the ‘combined operations training centre’ apparently. Everyone knows they’re here, except I keep forgetting their purpose. Must be my age!”
After dinner they returned to the bar expecting to meet up with Crispin but when the barman appeared he had some rather unexpected news of their new friend,
“I’m afraid he’s sprained his ankle today. Apparently he slipped over when trying to teach a class of ten years olds the correct way to perform a sword dance.”
“Enough said, I think, we’ll retain that memory of him for some time to come.”
Harry ordered more drinks and took them back to the settle where Eileen was waiting.
“You were a star earlier.” He said.
She smiled, “The thing is I really did want to use the toilet.”
“Well your desperate need certainly eased the moment; I really didn’t want to test my new identity card on the Military police!”
They both sipped their drinks.
“Eileen, can I ask you something?”
“Sure, go ahead.”
“How did you get involved with this gang, I understand your earlier friendship with Dermot, but for a girl to become part of such a group is a bit unusual?”
“Well yes, I suppose it is a bit different. You’ve got to understand that I had been struggling just to make ends meet for some time. Then I was introduced to these men and everything appeared to be more glamorous, more exciting. I was shown into a world that to me only existed in American films. I knew that as long as I kept my mouth shut I would be accepted and invited to all their parties and dinners. It was exciting and also somehow dangerous. It was appealing, fascinating and life for me became more secure. They were protecting me, and that made me feel much more wanted. Just think of it, a group of men that actually cared for me. That was important. Dermot of course introduced me to Steve, Andrew and Tommy at the Royal Stuart and because Tommy and Steve were both in the Police then, I trusted them. Everything they said and did I thought was above board. I suppose I was a bit naive at first but when they left the Force I then became more aware of their activities. Their ‘shadow projects’ they called them. It was exhilarating and really good fun to be in their company. I’ve not been directly active until now; you know this trip with you. So this is a first.”
“Well you’ve done nothing wrong by coming away with me for a few days. You haven’t broken the law or anything.”
“It’s just the knowledge I have about what’s going on I suppose?”
“Well again, if anything goes wrong on the day you won’t be involved at all. As you said just enjoy our company.”
“I do, I do.”
She smiled and looked into Harry’s eyes. He leaned across and kissed her. Harry then became more serious,
“Tell me something, I’ve noticed a lot of tension between Steve and Andrew. Also between Steve and Darlath, what’s all that about?”
Eileen nodded in agreement,
“Steve can be a right sod at times, he thinks he’s top of the pile, a sort of joint boss with Dermot. The real problem is that he knows he’s socially inferior to Darlath and Andrew. They are the ones who have been well educated; they have all the social graces. They can think on their feet and respond to any situation that develops in a calm and thoughtful way. Steve on the other hand, I’m saying this in confidence Harry, is a typical ‘plod.’ He managed to get through the ranks of the Police just by turning up everyday and doing a job. But he lacks all of the social niceties and professionalism.”
“He’s just a thug then?”
“Exactly, brute force and anger. He’s only able to weigh up the consequences of his actions afterwards.”
“I had that feeling myself, I must admit.”
“The other problem is Andrew’s lifestyle of course. Dermot doesn’t ever make comments because he’s the son of his former loyal partner. He just accepts him so long as he keeps to himself and doesn’t introduce any of his ‘friends’ to the gang.”
“What about Tommy in all this?”
“He’s OK about it; he never talks on the subject so it’s not an issue with him. It’s just Steve who goads Andrew and delights in embarrassing him when he can.”
Harry finished his drink,
“One more before bed?”
“Yes please.”
Just at that moment they both heard a commotion from the corridor. The bar door burst open to allow a very old wheelchair to enter pushed by two spotty youths.
“Push my chariot nearer the bar please.”
Crispin had arrived waving gently to the patrons,
“Good evening one and all. My neighbour found this cart in his garage and so here am I once again providing revenue to this establishment. Landlord my usual!”
The barman prepared a drink,
“The first ones on the house Crispin, medicinal purposes.”
Crispin took the glass,
“Cheers to everyone, such joy to be in your company. Good Health.”
He drank the whole glass then addressed the two boys,
“Now remember, be here at ten sharp to push me back to my abode. Then and only then will I pay you. Now be off before a Constable appears and arrests you for being in this bar under age.”
Harry and Eileen walked to the bar and stood alongside Crispin, “We didn’t expect to see you this evening, what happened?”
“My dear boy and Eileen so good to see you again. In my life I don’t have to seek trouble it always finds me. Alas, I was teaching the complicated rhythmical progression of a sword dance to the only obsequious group of children in the land and tragedy enveloped my being as the very equipment in use became my obstacle and consequently my downfall.”
“You tripped?”
“Such bitter words Eileen, I did so.”
“Let me get you a drink Crispin, we were just about to buy one?”
“Such kindness.”
Harry and Eileen stayed chatting with Crispin until the two youths reappeared to take him home.
“Ah my escorts have arrived. Stay there fellows, wait by the portal and I shall finish my beverage with haste. The boys stood either side of the bar door and waited.
“You love all of these kids really don’t you?” Harry asked.
“I adore them all. The future is with them. Despite my oft proclaimed misgivings about them I am rather envious of their lot. Their generation and those that follow must widen their horizons, such tremendous opportunities await them. No more shall they simply follow their parents working in a factory or down a mine, they should be able to achieve whatever they desire. I try and instil this in them. Now I must leave.”
Crispin turned to his audience in the room,
“Farewell, adieu dear friends.”
With that Crispin began the slow process of moving from the bar stool to his wheelchair. Once settled he waved goodbye before turning his attention to his ‘drivers’,
“Remember you two, I am more alive than a sack of tubers and need careful manoeuvring. You should perform as in a dressage event, anticipate my commands and desist from shaking me up!”
The barman opened the door for Crispin,
“We’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Indeed you may.” Were his final words and he was gone.
“What a character.” Eileen said.
The barman stopped collecting glasses and stood next to them, “We’ve known him for only a couple of years, he really cheers the place up doesn’t he?”
“He’s a bit like a court jester.” Harry said.
“Exactly.” The barman sat down on a stool,
“There was an incident about a year ago when our local postman came in and told Crispin that a car had just run over one of his cats. Crispin rushed out and confirmed that the animal was his and carefully wrapped it in newspaper to carry it home. On arrival he announced to his wife that he had tragic news regarding Banquo their cat. ‘A motor car had run over him.’ Apparently his wife said nothing but just glanced across to the sideboard and gently smiled. Banquo was fast asleep on the top purring contentedly. Crispin had scraped up a stray cat and taken it home!”
“What a lovely man.” Eileen said whilst finishing her drink.
The next day Harry and Eileen left the town to return to Glasgow unhindered by any further military interventions. As they neared home Eileen suggested that Harry stay the night with her again.
“And I thought you’d never ask!”
Chapter 11
At about the same time as the couple were driving back to Glasgow Steve and Tommy were holding a meeting with Dermot in the Garage offices.
“Our two lovebirds should be back later so we need to firm up Darlath’s end of the business.” Steve said, adding,
“Is he coming over to see us or is he in town now perhaps?”
Steve watched Dermot to gauge his reaction. Tommy of course knew nothing about Steve’s earlier sighting of Darlath leaving Andrew’s flat.
“No, he’s due over in about three days, I’ll try and contact him tomorrow night once we know what Harry has found for us. Then we can arrange to meet up to plan the delivery.”
Steve felt that Dermot was telling the truth as he knew it, after all he knew nothing about the relationship between his cherished son and Andrew.
Dermot continued,
“However, we can sort out transport arrangements now. Do you have any suitable lorries available?”
Tommy replied,
“There’s a ‘Scammell Rigid Six’ that we’ve been renovating, it’ll be the right size.”
“It has plain painted sides, no advertising so it’ll do for us.” Said Steve.
Dermot continued,
“We need to decide who’s attending this delivery. Firstly, rule me out, I’m too old and not feeling as I should, you know waterworks problems. If it’s a night job then I wouldn’t recommend that you take Michael, but you could always go back to his cottage to unload and store there.”
Steve responded, “We’ll need four of us so that’s Tommy, me, Harry and Andrew, I suppose?”
Tommy joined in,
“Me and Steve can take turns to drive the Scammell and Harry and Andrew can help out with loading and keeping watch on the beach. We’ll provide a separate car for them to travel in.”
“Dermot, what about young Darlath, who’s he gonna be with that night?”
The question from Steve to Dermot was dripping with malice as he intended.
Before Dermot could respond Tommy intervened,
“He’ll be on the boat of course, he’s organising the Irish end, without him this project wouldn’t be happening!”
Dermot twisted uneasily in his chair, he was in pain again. He made attempts to counter Steve’s abrasiveness but the effort was too great to be effective.
“As Tommy said, he’ll be on the boat I guess, without his… help…”
Tommy interrupted him,
“Dermot you can’t go on like this you need to see a Doctor. Let me make an appointment and I’ll drive you there, we could go tomorrow?”
“I’ll be alright…let’s sort this job out first. We’ll meet up tomorrow evening…and see what Harry has to report.”
He took a deep breath before continuing,
“Tommy, you arrange that and let me know a time. But now if you don’t mind please drive me back to my hotel.”
&nbs
p; Tommy helped Dermot to the car.
Steve said nothing, he was quietly content being aware that ‘precious’ Darlath and Andrew were more than just business partners. He smiled to himself sure in the knowledge that he alone held this secret.
Chapter 12
Harry drove the Standard back to the garage early the next morning. He negotiated the narrow archway and left the vehicle in the compound. As he approached the office with the keys he heard Steve arguing with someone.
“These invoices should have been prepared and posted two days ago, you’re bloody useless!”
Vera’s timid voice then tried to respond,
“Mr Beecham I couldn’t get them ready I needed the works sheet from the Foreman to sort out the costs, but he’s gone off sick…”
“That’s no bloody excuse; you could have seen the others in the workshop.”
Now, almost sobbing Vera attempted to get her point across,
“I’ve been really busy anyway and Tommy, I mean Mr Bunn, said that he would get the figures.”
“Don’t give me that. You should use your own initiative to get things done. Fucking waste of time employing people like you!” With that Vera rushed out of the office straight into Harry’s arms.
“Hey! Vera.”
“Sorry, I’m sorry.”
“Here, take this.”
Harry gave Vera the white handkerchief from his breast pocket and she rushed off down the corridor.
Harry entered the office. Steve’s face was florid with rage. He was agitated and hunting for breath.
“You’re just a sadistic bully aren’t you? Does it really give you any satisfaction shouting at a child?”
“Just keep out of it, I run this business!”
“What, by fear?”
“It’s nothing to do with you.”
“Listen, I could hear her trying to explain but you just ignored her.”
By now Steve had regained some of his composure.
“As I said it’s none of your bloody business.”
At this moment Vera came back into the office picked up her coat from the chair and ran out from the building still sobbing.
“Vera!” Steve shouted,
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