Scrap 29

SCRAP 29
Saturday evening and Frank is getting ready to meet Scotty and the others at the Bay Club as usual. He is just pulling on his suit jacket when he notices car headlight flickering up the track. He is most surprised when the vehicle stops and out climbs Jason.
Frank steps outside and locks the caravan door. ‘What are you doing here?’ he asks. Jason gives him a hurt look. ‘I had to tell Rosa something so I said I was going for a few drinks with some mates.’ Frank was not expecting to see him until two in the morning and does not fancy the idea of trying to sneak him into the members-only club. ‘Tell you what,’ he says, ‘why don’t we take a look at this motor you’ve lined up for me? Maybe have it away if there’s nobody about.’
Jason is happy to go along with this suggestion as he has been keyed up all day at the prospect of a little excitement. He gets into the passenger seat of Frank’s car and they drive off.
‘Did you hear about the boat yard getting turned over?’ asks Jason. ‘There were coppers everywhere and Customs.’ This is news to Frank. ‘Did they find anything?’ he asks. ‘Too early to say but they took loads of stuff away in a van.’ Frank grunts. ‘Wonder what that’s all about? Let me know if you hear any more.’ Jason says of course he will.
The evening is dark and breezy as they head off towards Gillingham. There is very little traffic on the road, which suits Frank just fine. They arrive at the car lot and drive slowly past. ‘That’s the one,’ whispers Jason, excitedly.’ Frank presses his foot slowly on the accelerator and the car glides on up the road. ‘Well, there’s not a soul about,’ says Jason, ‘shall we have it now?’
Frank turns the car around and heads back towards the Island. ‘What colour did I say I wanted?’ he asks. Jason is confused. ‘Zircon blue,’ he says. Frank laughs, ‘Jay, you must be colour blind. That car is green.’
He doesn’t have to look to know that Jason’s face is bright red. He had forgotten that he is colour blind. Now he thinks about it he vaguely remembers some test he had at school but didn’t think anything of it. After all, he could see well enough.
Frank drives back to the caravan, explaining that he can’t take Jason with him. Jason is disappointed but tries not to let it show. As he goes to get into his own car, Frank calls out ‘Sorry Jay but I can’t let you in on this one. I did promise Rosa not to get you into trouble, okay?’
Jason says he understands but he drives away much faster than he should and Frank feels a tinge of regret that he may have lost an admirer. He’s a nice lad but Jason would be more of a hindrance than a help and he can’t afford to take any unnecessary risks.