Scrap 22

SCRAP 22
Bill’s Land Rover pulls up at the end of Frank’s lane. He steps out from the shadows and climbs into the passenger seat, rubbing his hands for warmth. ‘Chilly out tonight,’ he says.
They drive off towards the main road. ‘Christ!’ Frank is not often lost for words but on this occasion he doesn’t know what to say.
‘No Frank, not Christ,’ says the driver, ‘it’s me: Rosa.’ Frank shifts uncomfortably in his seat. Jason has told at least one person about his intended adventure; how many others has he told?
‘Two things,’ Rosa continues. ‘One: you don’t shit on your own doorstep. Two: you do not take advantage of my little brother.’
Frank tries to regain his composure. ‘I wouldn’t put him at any risk,’ he says, hoping to sound sincere. ‘I only wanted him to drive me over there.’
‘And provide the transport,’ Rosa reminds him. ‘And bring a can of petrol in case you run out on the way back. And help you hide the van in your lock-up and drive you back home.’
It does sound like quite a lot when you think about it, but Frank knows the routine, which he has been carrying out for a year or more with help from the likes of Scotty. ‘Jason wants a bit of excitement in his life,’ he begins. ‘His nose is well and truly out of joint since your cousin arrived on the scene. He’s missing your dad too.’
Rosa speeds along the Sheppey Way at full throttle, taking out her anger on the drive. ‘It’s none of your business,’ she seethes.
‘So why have you turned up in Jay’s place then?’
‘He made an agreement with you which I have decided to honour on his behalf. You can pay me instead but let that be an end to it. Do you agree?’ Frank says he understands perfectly and is grateful for her help. ‘You’ve got so many scams going on, you’re going to come a cropper one of these days,’ says Rosa, more softly. ‘Why do you always have to be up to something?’
Frank considers the question for a moment. ‘I suppose I just get bored,’ is the only explanation he can give. ‘I like a challenge.’
They drive on in silence for several minutes, then Rosa slows the Land Rover and leans forward to look at a road sign. She smiles, shakes her head and speeds up again. ‘That always tickles me,’ she says. ‘Ham, Sandwich. It’s my favourite road sign. Better that Pratts Bottom, Idley and Ridley.’
Frank turns to look down the road. ‘Never noticed it before,’ he laughs, ‘I’ll look out for it in future.’
They arrive at the car lot and Rosa turns the Land Rover round, stopping just short of the forecourt. Frank gets out and pushes the door shut using the handle so as to make no noise. He is surprisingly quiet for such a hefty man. In a few seconds he is in the driver’s seat of the minivan and off up the road with Rosa following. He remembers to look for the Ham Sandwich sign and grins.
He drives just far enough along the farm track so they will not be seen from the road or the house and they turn off their lights and engines. The dogs don’t usually make a noise when Frank is about, even at this late hour. They are used to his nocturnal habits and he is the one who brings the food.
They push the van along the track and inside the barn, cover it with a tarpaulin and padlock the doors shut. Nobody has stirred in the house and they walk carefully back to the Land Rover. Rosa has found the outing quite thrilling but she won’t let on.
Frank takes £50 from his wallet and passes it over to her. Rosa pockets the cash. It has been an interesting way to earn £50 and she wouldn’t mind doing it again if the occasion arose. ‘Let me know when you need to do another one,’ she grins, as she stops at the end of Frank’s lane to let him out. ‘I was hoping you’d say that,’ he smiles, and blows a kiss as she drives off.
He has to be in Dover for 5am to pick up 400 crates of oranges at the docks. He returns to the caravan, changes into his dirty overalls and gets into his car. He has a lot to think about.