Specials by Brian Degas

Author:Brian Degas
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780008260606
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2017-09-05T00:00:00+00:00

23

Keeping a low profile in the sitting room, Freddy was half-listening to the conversation with Viv on the telephone while half-listening to the noises of his mother washing up in the kitchen. And while listening to both, his mind somewhere else entirely, he nervously tapped a business card on the telephone table.

‘… That’s right.’ Abruptly the washing-up noises ceased, and he knew what that meant. ‘Look. I can’t say any more …’ He looked anxiously toward the kitchen. ‘I’ll tell you all about it … bye.’

He managed to replace the receiver just as his mother entered the room with a glare, ostensibly to remove some tea things, odds and ends, and the white cloth covering the table.

‘Just checking with one of the lads …’ He stopped tapping the business card and laid it down quietly on the telephone table. ‘… Got to be going, Ma. Busy night tonight …’

Hilda Calder waved away her son’s words. ‘I’ve told you a hundred times, I’m not the slightest bit interested in what you do with your drinking pals down at the police station.’

Though her statement might be true enough, it always pained him to hear. ‘Ma!’

His mother simply shrugged. ‘Anyway. They seem pretty useless friends if they can’t find out who stole your car.’

At this point it was useless for him to stop and argue. ‘I’ve got to go, Ma.’

Freddy gave his mother a peck on the cheek before dashing off. Sensing in some way that even so slight a kiss from him was an unusual act, she frowned, becoming more suspicious than usual.

Parked out front on the street was the wretched replacement for Freddy’s memorably and hauntingly enchanting, but stolen, fancy car. He studied the substitute with open and outright disgust. First looking up and down the street, he was thankful there was no one in the immediate vicinity to watch and stare as he clumsily attempted to squeeze himself into the tiny tin can.

Gathering in the parade room at Division ‘S’ were the Specials, leaving behind their day jobs and getting ready for night duty. Tonight Viv was partnered with John Redwood instead of Freddy, who was nevertheless the subject of their conversation, as Wally Harris leaned over to listen in on the gossip.

‘Any word about Freddy’s car?’ Redwood asked.

‘Didn’t see anything on the six o’clock news.’

Viv turned to her partner, ignoring Wally’s sally. ‘No. And he must be peeved. Especially tonight.’

‘What’s happening tonight?’ Redwood inquired.

‘It’s Freddy’s big night. More than that I’m not at liberty to say,’ Viv concluded with a wink.

‘Taking his Mum to the pictures is he?’

Viv silenced Wally with a nasty look. ‘Put a banana up your exhaust pipe, will you?’ Then she turned to her partner and confided in a quieter voice, though not quite out of Wally’s range. ‘He has a date, her name is Rita. Apart from that, my lips are sealed.’

Big Jess wasn’t dressed in the ideal costume for her profession, although she stood out from the crowd nonetheless, despite any suggestion of modesty.

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