WEEKLY SOAP
Riverside
CAN we use the back room, Sam?” George asked. “Dave and I need to discuss deli business in private.” “Sure,” Sam said. “The darts team don’t need it until tomorrow. We’ve got our big match against the Red Lion on Monday if you fancy coming to support us.”
“Thanks, Sam,” George said. “I appreciate it.”
George led Dave to a corner of the back room. He waited for Dave to speak first.
“They want protection money, George, for the Old Engine Room.”
“Who, lad? Who’s they?” “The North Ryemouth lads,” Dave said.
He lifted his pint, took a drink then slowly placed his glass down on the table.
“They want a hundred quid a week or they’ll start smashing the place up.”
“Have you told the police?” George asked. Dave shook his head. “They said they know where I live.” He glanced at George. “Where live. They’re not the sort of people I want to get on the wrong side of, George.”
“You can’t give in to their demands,” George said.
Dave shrugged.
we
“What choice do I have?” The two men sat in silence for a few moments.
“These North Ryemouth lads – who’s their ringleader?” George asked.
“Some fella they call Mr Big,” Dave replied, staring into his drink. George laughed. “You’re kidding, right?” “It’s not funny, George,” Dave said. “He’s a nasty piece of work. Strange looking fella, too. He’s got a deep scar under one eye and walks with a limp. They say his injuries came from a turf-war fight with some gangsters in the Eighties.” George listened carefully. “This Mr Big, does he live on the Packstone estate?”
“Yes,” Dave replied, surprised. “How do you know that?”
“Never mind. Just get on your phone and call that lad who was threatening you. Tell him you want to organise a meeting. Tell him that George Dougal wants a word with Mr Big.”
“I’ve only got one pair of hands!” Sam cried, flustered behind the bar in the Ship. “It’s a bank holiday and for the first time in months the pub’s full, and to cap it all there’s the darts match in the back room and it’s my turn to throw.”
“You need help, that’s what you need,” Bob said. Sam rolled his eyes. “Mind you, the darts team’s coming on a treat. We might win this match tonight,” Bob mused. “Jenny’s really knocked us into shape. I think we might be taking on the big one next season.”
“The big one?” Sam gulped. “You mean . . .”
Bob nodded, a smile spreading across his face.
“Yup. Bullseye Bev and her team from the Pig and Whistle. I think we just might be ready for them.”
George stood waiting outside the Old Engine Room.
He watched the black car snake its way along the road, then it pulled in to the car park. The driver turned off the engine.
George was ready. The car door swung open and a pair of feet in shiny black shoes popped out of the door. Then the shoes and the rest of the body they belonged to jumped out of the car and on to the ground.
The car door swung shut. The driver stood just metres from George.
In the cool of the night, the men faced each other. “Mr Big?” George said. The man inched forward and George noticed the limp. As he grew closer, George could see the deep scar under the man’s eye.
“George Dougal?” the man said. “Is that you?”
George extended his hand.
“Eddie Little, as I live and breathe! I haven’t seen you for years!”
Eddie shook George’s hand with both of his own.
“Look, George, I’m sorry about this. I had no idea Dave was connected to you. I’m just looking after my family the way you look after yours.”
“Except I look after my family legally, Eddie,” George said. “And you’ve always been on the wrong side of the law.”
“What can I say?” Eddie shrugged. “I’ve got to make a living. I can’t do much with this stupid leg and the limp, and my eyesight’s not great. Though I’ve got to say, George, if it hadn’t been for you, things might have been a lot worse.”
“It was lucky for you I was in the right place at the right time. It was a nasty accident, though. One of the worst we ever had in the shipyards.”
Eddie nodded.
“I’ll always be grateful to you, George.”
“Mind you, legend has it that your injuries were caused by a gang fight!” George laughed.
“I’ve got an image to maintain.” Eddie smiled. “And that’s a secret you’ve got to keep.”
George looked straight into Eddie’s eyes.
“You’ll get your lads to leave Dave alone,” he growled. “And you’ll stay away from the Old Engine Room and this side of Ryemouth.”
Eddie nodded. “Understood.” George watched as Eddie walked back to his car, then waved as he drove off.
When the car disappeared along the road, he allowed himself a sigh of relief. He couldn’t wait to get home to tell Mary.
More next week.