Ahead of his Time Adrian Cousins (most recommended books TXT) 📖

for me and not Beth. As always in these situations, Beth employed her sharp tongue to rip him apart – similar to a Great White shredding a wayward swimmer. Once the verbal mauling was over, what was left of him shrunk about six inches. He’d met his match, as most men did when confronted with a disgruntled Beth – the flirting instantly stopped. I wondered if Beth would be the same second time around, or would her new life showered with love from Jenny and me soften her edges.

“Yes, Charles, I’d like to buy the car.”

“Good man – you know it makes sense.” A statement that sounded as if delivered by Del Boy. I wondered if I was now the plonker for buying the Hillman Hunter and half expected Charles to rub his hands together and utter ‘Lovely Jubbly’. The last time I was here, the other salesman stated the car had only one lady owner – a statement they probably said about all their motors.

“Come inside, and we can talk business.” Charles held out his arm, inviting me into the Portakabin sales office.

“Take a seat, Mr Apsley.”

“Jason.”

“Good. Can I offer you a cigar?” Charles said, as he opened an ornate wooden box full of large cigars, which sat on his desk amongst paperwork and car brochures.

“No thanks.”

“So the Hillman Hunter,” he said to himself, as he sifted through a pile of buff-coloured files on the steel filing cabinet next to his desk. “As I said, Jason, great car, with all the mod-cons.”

What I knew for certain, he didn’t mean the album by The Jam, as that was released a year from now and was on my list of records to buy as soon as it was. I had a note pad with all the albums I wanted and the year of release – some even had the actual month.

‘All Mod Cons,’ by The Jam was one such record I had all the details of as they were one of my favourite bands. Jenny had reviewed the list but didn’t see any band that interested her. She’d asked when the Bee Gees released a new album, but I had no idea. However, she sounded excited about the film ‘Saturday Night Fever’ and pestered me to remember the year. I’d said it was very soon but couldn’t be totally sure if it was this year or next. I’d also said she would probably really enjoy the film ‘Grease’. When I’d described that it was about two high school kids falling in love in the ’50s, she said it didn’t sound very good and was surprised a storyline like that would be a success. I guess my description was lost in translation.

“Ah, actually before we strike that deal, how did you get on investigating what happened with that Cortina? I must say I forgot all about it. But now you’re back, it’s reminded me. Bloody strange affair that was!”

“Well, yes, Charles, that’s the other reason for coming today.” From where I was sitting, I had a clear view of the sales lot. I scanned the view again, looking to see if Paul Colney had shown up. Charles followed my sightline, presumably wondering what I was looking at as my gaze had been longer than a casual glance.

“Everything alright, Jason?”

“Err … yes, fine. Sorry. Ummm … the Cortina story is a bit complicated. There’s a bloke trying to track me down, as he’s explicitly looking for the previous owner of that Cortina. It’s, as I say, a bit complicated.”

“Oh?”

“Charles, I think this chap will turn up here at some point and ask some questions about who you purchased the Cortina from. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t say.”

A deep frown formed across his face as he puffed on the unsupported cigar in his mouth. He leant forward, removing the cigar. “I would never give out that information. This does sound very strange, though. I do hope you’re not in some kind of trouble as I wouldn’t want to be involved in anything dodgy.”

“No, Charles. It’s just difficult to say. But this chap isn’t the nicest. His name is Paul Colney.”

“Never heard of him,” he replied, as he waved his cigar and reclined back in his chair.

“He has close links to the Gowers. Have you heard of them?”

His complexion instantly changed. I watched as the blood drained out of his face as if a plug had been pulled in his neck, causing the blood to gurgle out somewhere below. I half expected to see seven pints of the red-stuff pool under his chair. Pale and giving the appearance he was about to faint, he gripped the arms on his swivel chair.

“I’m sorry, but I think we’d better end this conversation. Also, I’ve just remembered I’ve already agreed to a sale on that Hunter, so it’s no longer for sale. I’m sorry, Jason, but I think you’d better leave.”

“Look, I am sorry to put you in this situation. But rest assured, this has nothing to do with the Gowers. Paul Colney is just a lowlife who thinks the driver of that Cortina had something to do with an accident involving a member of his family.”

“Mr Apsley, that may well be. But I run a respectable business, and I don’t want anything to do with anyone connected to them. I have my reputation and good name with the authorities to consider.”

“I understand, and I’m so sorry to have put you in this position.”

“So am I!”

“Look, Charles. I’m just a school teacher. I’m not from the underworld, and I have no connection to the authorities. Could you just tell this bloke if he asks that you bought it for cash and not through the books?”

Charles stood and shoved his cigar back in his mouth. Although it had burnt out ages ago, I think it was just a habit to have one on the go. He shimmied around his desk and sat on the edge leaning towards me. “You’re not from the Inland Revenue? You’re a school teacher,