was odd a Northerner had a London accent, she didn’t say. I’d considered running the area’s proposed developments by her and flourishing with Knuttyhill but decided not to play silly buggers. If I could get four to five days’ avoidance of news reports, I’d not have to learn the cashier’s name, age, home-life aspirations. I knew any details would lodge forever tormenting.
My old man was weather-tanned from being on the roof with the pigeons, he’d also lost his hair. As I sat in my new room the horrible realisation hit that I was now his spittin’ image. The old adage – ‘study your enemy well lest it’s him you become’. Too late! Come full bloody circle to be him. If I’d known that in Battersea, I’d have gone off the roof too.
Walking towards Ladbroke Grove, my skin was settling into its colour and the Bruce Springsteen song ‘Till The Light Of Day’ was in my head.
I smiled as the words bounced on my soul but I’d learnt it’s possible to survive within the darkness. If I could just step a little further… Yeah, time to rock ’n’ roll.
From the repo business, I’d learnt where to get a car, to get it fast, cheap, and semi-legal. I headed for Ladbroke Grove. An Asian guy was running the yard, he’d some mileage himself and not due to age. The marks on his face were the remnants of an acid attack, one eye was closed. I tried not to stare, looked at the lot’s drawing point – a white Bronco. He said, ‘For the rapid mover.’
‘Didn’t move very rapid for O.J.’
‘Ah see, since then … is very popular.’
I moved to an Aston Martin, liked its condition but he wouldn’t budge from a ridiculous sum. Sure, I could afford it but I couldn’t afford the attention. Instead, did a reasonable deal for a battered Mini and drove outa there. Even in that, it felt good to be mobile, almost in control.
Parked in Holland Square and went to a phone, took a while but eventually got Doc’s priest. He said, ‘Who is this?’
Jeez, I liked the note of petulance, how busy was the fuck. I said, ‘This is Cooper.’
Silence … then, ‘Where are you Mr Cooper?’
‘Cornwall.’
‘Well laddie, I suggest you hotfoot it to the nearest police station and give yourself up.’
‘Did I ask for your advice Padre … how is Doc?’
‘He’s recovering – if such a thing is possible after such treachery. Thank God you’re not an Irishman.’
‘It’s not how it seems. Tell Doc I’d never do that.’
‘Really Mr Cooper, do you think I’m an eejit. I’m afraid Doc has had to give you up.’
‘What!’
‘He owes you nothing – I strongly advised him to do so.’
‘Tell me Padre, do you still want the money …’
‘The money …’
‘Half a million quid, yer own little lottery win.’
‘Em …’
‘How would this be Padre – seeing as Doc is singing … why don’t you try whistlin’. Yeah, fuckin’ whistle real hard.’
Banged the phone down hoping I deafened him.
There’s an Italian restaurant beside Holland Park famous for its pizza. I ordered a double cappuccino, no chocolate spread, I hate that. A woman was seated at the next table in full verbal to a young girl, ‘It’s true, the pill for men, can you imagine. As if there’s a woman on the face of this earth who’d trust a man to take the responsibility. Oh yes dear, I’m on the pill, cross my heart, honest.’
I tuned her out. With her mouth, they’d need a pill that included deafness.
The phone had brought me way down. What did I expect. Doc was only doing to me what he believed I’d done to him. He was the only friend I ever had. If a friend could truly be the ideal, someone who believed in you despite the evidence of, jeez
because
of it. Holy Moley, wouldn’t that be good. Dream on sucker.
I could take a stab at such nobility. Yeah, get the shrine built to Laura, pay the school fees for the daughter, make sure Doc had cash for his old age.
The cappuccino came, chocolate on top and I muttered
My old man was weather-tanned from being on the roof with the pigeons, he’d also lost his hair. As I sat in my new room the horrible realisation hit that I was now his spittin’ image. The old adage – ‘study your enemy well lest it’s him you become’. Too late! Come full bloody circle to be him. If I’d known that in Battersea, I’d have gone off the roof too.
Walking towards Ladbroke Grove, my skin was settling into its colour and the Bruce Springsteen song ‘Till The Light Of Day’ was in my head.
I smiled as the words bounced on my soul but I’d learnt it’s possible to survive within the darkness. If I could just step a little further… Yeah, time to rock ’n’ roll.
From the repo business, I’d learnt where to get a car, to get it fast, cheap, and semi-legal. I headed for Ladbroke Grove. An Asian guy was running the yard, he’d some mileage himself and not due to age. The marks on his face were the remnants of an acid attack, one eye was closed. I tried not to stare, looked at the lot’s drawing point – a white Bronco. He said, ‘For the rapid mover.’
‘Didn’t move very rapid for O.J.’
‘Ah see, since then … is very popular.’
I moved to an Aston Martin, liked its condition but he wouldn’t budge from a ridiculous sum. Sure, I could afford it but I couldn’t afford the attention. Instead, did a reasonable deal for a battered Mini and drove outa there. Even in that, it felt good to be mobile, almost in control.
Parked in Holland Square and went to a phone, took a while but eventually got Doc’s priest. He said, ‘Who is this?’
Jeez, I liked the note of petulance, how busy was the fuck. I said, ‘This is Cooper.’
Silence … then, ‘Where are you Mr Cooper?’
‘Cornwall.’
‘Well laddie, I suggest you hotfoot it to the nearest police station and give yourself up.’
‘Did I ask for your advice Padre … how is Doc?’
‘He’s recovering – if such a thing is possible after such treachery. Thank God you’re not an Irishman.’
‘It’s not how it seems. Tell Doc I’d never do that.’
‘Really Mr Cooper, do you think I’m an eejit. I’m afraid Doc has had to give you up.’
‘What!’
‘He owes you nothing – I strongly advised him to do so.’
‘Tell me Padre, do you still want the money …’
‘The money …’
‘Half a million quid, yer own little lottery win.’
‘Em …’
‘How would this be Padre – seeing as Doc is singing … why don’t you try whistlin’. Yeah, fuckin’ whistle real hard.’
Banged the phone down hoping I deafened him.
There’s an Italian restaurant beside Holland Park famous for its pizza. I ordered a double cappuccino, no chocolate spread, I hate that. A woman was seated at the next table in full verbal to a young girl, ‘It’s true, the pill for men, can you imagine. As if there’s a woman on the face of this earth who’d trust a man to take the responsibility. Oh yes dear, I’m on the pill, cross my heart, honest.’
I tuned her out. With her mouth, they’d need a pill that included deafness.
The phone had brought me way down. What did I expect. Doc was only doing to me what he believed I’d done to him. He was the only friend I ever had. If a friend could truly be the ideal, someone who believed in you despite the evidence of, jeez
because
of it. Holy Moley, wouldn’t that be good. Dream on sucker.
I could take a stab at such nobility. Yeah, get the shrine built to Laura, pay the school fees for the daughter, make sure Doc had cash for his old age.
The cappuccino came, chocolate on top and I muttered
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