‘Loxley Park? Our beech tree?’
‘No. Castle View, at the back of Bob’s. Where I left her.’
‘Her?’
‘My bike. She’ll be wondering where I got to.’
After a brief show of exasperation, Kate took me to Castle View. My beautiful mother bike was right where I’d left her. I said goodnight to Kate and wangled a warm hug and a small kiss before she went.
I unhooked my bike and rested a toe on the left pedal, feeling the grip as my sticky sole sank into the pins. I was so sore even my eyebrows hurt. My joints almost seized up as I swung an aching leg over the saddle and climbed aboard. But then I settled and took a deep breath. I was back on my bike and it felt good. Calm and karma came over me. I pushed off and began the cycle home, taking it easy, taking in all the familiar sights. Weighton by night. What a place, what a town. Someone should tell the tourist board.
On the downhill section of Marsh Lane I picked up speed. Just before a row of shops, I switched to the wrong side of the road, flipped onto the walkway and gunned my bike up the disabled ramp outside Greggs. At the end of the ramp, I pumped the Superlight’s front forks with whatever energy I had left. The bike responded as well as I could have dreamed: my Santa Cruz launched into the chilly Weighton air like a sidewinder missile. What can I tell you? Hi Ho Silver.
THE END
Eddie will return soon in “Week in Weighton”.
Acknowledgements
Sincere thanks to Roman (for making me laugh, web admin and laser-like editing), Frank (for making me laugh and editing), Jen (for my fabulous cover and beta reading), Andi (for editing my first draft – the hard yards!), Carle (for making me laugh, encouragement, guidance and trail blazing), Susi (for beta reading and heading up my US Sales Team), Gary & Caroline at Bubblecow (for editing and advice), Genevieve Graham (for editing the paperback version) and Santa Cruz (for making magnificent bikes).
A special mention for my wife, Sue, and my children, Maddison, Warwick, and Evangeline.
And thanks to all the amazing folk at Authonomy who commented on my work – especially those who gave me hard crit (that’s the reason it got better).
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