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

you say?” he said, with the cigar now skilfully shoved to the side of his mouth.

His slightly greying hair gave him the Jonah Jameson look. I now half expected him to scream at me to get a picture of Spiderman. I could certainly do with the support of a Marvel character at the moment – that would sort out a certain Mr Colney.

“Yes, Charles. And to show my appreciation, let say I take that Hunter off your hands for eight-hundred … cash. That’s two-hundred over the asking price.”

Charles leant back and fished about in his suit pockets. Catching a box of matches, he plucked them out, shook them and then lit one. He puffed heavily at the stub of his cigar, at the same time alternating his glances from the lit match and my face. I guessed he was weighing up his options.

I knew Charles was money motivated and the offer of an extra two-hundred quid I hoped would be enough for no more questions and for him to create a suitable back story for the Cortina. Satisfied the cigar end was burning after a few puffs and blowing on the lit end, he looked back at me through the blue-haze that now engulfed the Portakabin.

“Eight-hundred. And you say cash?”

“Yes, Charles. I can bring cash next weekend. In the meantime, any questions about the Cortina, you say it was a cash deal and off the books. Do we have a deal?”

Charles eased himself off the desk and stood. I followed suit.

“Deal, Jason.”

We shook hands after I’d left him fifty-quid as a deposit. I didn’t hang around as I was keen to get out of there in case Paul turned up. Unfortunately, my desire for a classic sports car had left me in a position that, once again, my motor stood out like a sore thumb.

Pulling out onto the main road, I headed up to see Don and to check on Martin. However, I would knock this time, as I was sure he and Nursey Nicole would be enjoying their Saturday morning. If they were playing doctors and nurses, adult style, I didn’t want to see them in action.

I waited for the lights to change after getting caught at the red traffic lights a hundred yards from Coreys Mill Motors. As I glanced in the rear-view mirror, I spotted a white Ford Capri with a coat hanger aerial swing into the car sales lot.

38

Spit The Dog

Thankfully the rest of the day was uneventful. Martin and I had a long chat about our situation, his mother and Paul Colney. By the time I arrived at his house, Nicole had gone. I found him lying on the sofa in the lounge laughing at Tiswas.

Both of us were too young to remember the show the first time around; in fact, Martin wasn’t even born. The slapstick comedy wasn’t my thing. Even though it was aimed at children, I wouldn’t have enjoyed it even if I was the right age to see it when first released. Judging by Martin’s reactions, as we sat and chatted, he would have, as he continually laughed at the clown-like antics. I’ll admit I did enjoy watching Bob Carolgees and Spit the Dog, and both of us couldn’t stop laughing as the dog spat at all the show’s guests. It was good to laugh at something after the tough week we’d had.

Martin’s face appeared better than I expected, although his right eye was severely swollen. He said his nose hurt like hell and, between that and the attentions of Nicole, he’d achieved very little sleep.

I decided I’d been way too tough on him. Let’s face it, time travelling back forty years and knowing you’re never going back is tough to take. I was conscious all I’d done for two weeks was berate him daily. He was still a loose cannon, but I needed to cut him some slack.

Don and I discussed the events at Coreys Mill Motors, and both felt it had gone as well as could be expected. After seeing that white Capri on Friday and today, we knew it was a stroke of luck I’d just missed Paul earlier that morning. Don pushed me regarding the need to have a conversation with Jenny about Jess and, as always, both George and Don were right. Their wise counsel was invaluable, and I promised Don that I would come clean with Jenny over the weekend. “It's for the best, son”, he’d said as I left to go home.

Passing Coreys Mill Motors on the way home, I was relieved to see it still standing. As no police cars were in attendance, I hoped the last couple of hours had been uneventful. It appeared that Paul Colney had left without killing anyone and hopefully not managed to extract any information about me, although I was aware this wouldn’t be the end of the matter. Oh no, he would continue to pursue the owner of that Cortina, but maybe today had bought me some time.

Don was right; well, of course he was. Jenny was disappointed that I’d not told her about Jess earlier, but she was supportive and understood my desire to help Jess. However, it did add further complication to an already difficult situation. I guess the conversation was more straightforward than Don suggested it might be, as he thought Jess was my daughter. But of course, Jenny knew differently as Jess was the daughter of other Jason.

Jenny thought once we’d moved past the Paul Colney issue – easily said, I reminded her – and perhaps when Martin had started to settle, he could find his own place, and we could slot Jess into the house next to Don. A perfect solution for the next ten years – until Patrick was released – then there might need to be a rethink.

The news events were very repetitive, with nothing reported that stood out as an event that I could remember and then predict what would happen from there. Although Jenny