Ahead of his Time by Adrian Cousins (children's books read aloud .txt) 📕

likeness, as Martin looks like a Colney. Even Don-Hawkeye-Nears spotted it last Monday when we all sat in the kitchen at number eight.”

“Bloody hell lad, we’re back to square one. This is the same situation we had last year with David Colney. This time we don’t know which of the three committed the crime. By the sound of things and what some of the chaps at work say, that whole Colney family are a really rough lot.”

“Yes, they are. Don knows all about them from his time living on the Broxworth. The question is, what can I do about it?”

“Lad, we won't be lucky this time with all three of them having an unfortunate accident.”

“No. Not this time,” I huffed.

“Complicated ain’t it, lad? Presumably, if the one who’s a rapist had an unfortunate accident, Martin wouldn’t be born. I can’t quite work out what that would mean. Would he just disappear in a puff of smoke?”

“It will be the same as my situation when Mum and Dad died.”

“No, lad. You took the place of that other Jason. Martin has just arrived and hasn’t taken anyone’s place, has he? It’s completely different.”

“George! That’s it, he has! Martin said that his father would’ve been his age now. They have the same name, just the other Martin Trevor Bretton lives in America. My guess he miraculously disappeared last Sunday when Martin arrived!”

“Gordon-Bennett! You’re right, lad. What we going to do?”

“Well, as before, we have plenty of time. This grim event is ten years in the future. My immediate concern is what will Martin do at school when he starts his caretaker role on Monday.”

“Lad, you say we have a lot of time, but I don’t think we do.”

“Oh, come on, George. Ten years is a lot, don’t you think? If we can’t sort it out by then we want shooting!”

“No. Whoever raped that poor girl didn’t just do it once, did he? Evil men like that do it many, many times. He could be raping women right now.”

“Oh, Jesus, George, you’re right. If it’s one of the twins, they could be up to it right now. We need DNA evidence that would stop him.”

“What’s DNA?”

“It’s what’s called Genetic Fingerprinting. It’s really complicated, but it’s a science that can identify anyone from the tiniest amount of body fluid or skin. It was probably the primary tool the police had to catch murderers and rapists in my old world.”

“That sounds impressive. But the crime would have to be reported in the first place, and I think you said this Sarah lass didn’t report it.”

“No, because of what happened to her father. As you said, if it’s one of the twins, they could be raping women now. Patrick is up for sentencing on Monday. Depending on how long he gets, that could rule him out as he’ll still be inside in ten years.”

“I don’t think he will be. Even if they throw the book at him, he won’t serve the full sentence and could easily be out in less than ten.”

“Hmmm, no, you’re right. I’m going to have to find a way of working out which one of the three is responsible. Even if I do … what then?”

“No idea, lad. Look, I better get going. Are you still okay to have Stephen tomorrow? Remember, Ivy and I need to visit Eva in Aylesbury?”

“Yes of course, George. He’s no trouble, and it’s great for Christopher to have a playmate around.”

“Must be odd to have your older brother in the house when he’s only five years old,” he chuckled.

“Ha, yes, it is, but at least now I can tell him off when he’s naughty without getting beaten up!”

21

Candid Camera

I zipped up to the Bowthorpe estate to check Martin was okay before returning home. With the cash I’d given him last Thursday, he now had some independence. Based on his previous shopping experience at the local newsagent, I was right to be worried he may have caused all sorts of chaos. I’d given him strict instructions on what he could and couldn’t do. However, I was concerned who he’d interacted with, and if he didn’t sort his head out quickly, I feared he’d cause all sorts of time-travel cock-ups.

I didn’t stop at the house as the Cortina wasn’t on the drive. Heading home, I prayed he was behaving himself, wherever he was. Requiring some cigarettes but more importantly, urgently feeling the need to see what my loose-cannon was up to, I stopped at the Lipton’s Supermarket at the edge of the estate as I’d spotted Martin’s car parked out front.

I grabbed a wire basket and skulked around the aisle ends, peering around to see if I could spot him. I received a couple of odd stares from other customers who thought my behaviour was strange. Fair enough, I thought, it probably was. One lady wearing a pink headscarf, which was pushed up by the curlers entangled in her hair, asked me if I was from the Candid Camera film crew and was something funny going to happen. I think she had her eye on a tall pyramid stack of Carnation Milk tins which she expected at any moment to tumble. Choosing not to answer and leaving her mesmerised by the stack of condensed milk, I discovered Martin up by the small freezer section.

“Martin, you alright?”

Martin swivelled around, holding a small frozen cheese and tomato pizza. “Oh, it’s you. Following me now, are you?”

“Err… no mate. Just nipped in to get some cigarettes and noticed you up the aisle.”

“Oh, right. Long way to come for a packet of fags, but if you say so. Look at this shit.” He waved the unappetising pizza in the air, then flicked it back into the freezer as if throwing a Frisbee. “I asked one of the shop assistants where the fresh pizza counter was, and she didn’t know what I was talking about. I gave up when she didn’t know what oven chips were either!”

I rolled my eyes as