Scrap 25

SCRAP 25
Frank has spent a few hours transferring the identity of the wreck to the stolen minivan. He has fitted a radio which he hopes will tempt Pauline and is now lacing a leather glove to the steering wheel.
Lost in thought, he jumps when Mad Mavis raps on the door and calls out. ‘Hang on,’ he shouts, scrambling from the van and slamming the door shut behind him. He opens the barn door a few inches and peers out. ‘What’s up?’ He’s 3 weeks ahead with the rent so it can’t be that.
‘The meter reader is due any day and I wonder if you have time can you sort it out for me?’ Frank is relieved to hear this. ‘I’ll be over in five minutes,’ he says. ‘Get the kettle on eh?’ Mavis scurries back to the house. Frank gives the van a quick once-over to make sure he has thought of everything then locks up.
The hallway is covered in newspaper which squelches underfoot as Frank makes his way to the kitchen. Mavis has the tea ready on the counter and the cupboard door open to gain access to the gas meter. ‘Would you like a bit of cake with your tea?’ She asks. Frank declines, knowing that hygiene is not her strong point. He takes a dubious squint at the mug before sipping at the pale looking liquid. ‘Right, let’s get that meter sorted,’ he says, picking up the tools she has laid out for him.
Taking great care he loosens the meter, turns it 180 degrees and tightens it up again so that the flow is now going in the other direction. It has been deducting units for the past six weeks. Mavis does like to keep warm. ‘There you are Mavis, we’ll leave it to clock up a few miles before we turn it round again.’ Whilst she is putting the tools away, Frank tips the tea down the plug hole and places the mug on the drainer. ‘Anything else I can do?’ he asks.
The dogs are whining from behind the living room door. ‘Could you take the boys out for a quick run?’ she asks. Frank hates to see the dogs locked up all day so he agrees. They flash past as the door is opened and fly out into the field.
Frank lets them charge about until they are panting from the effort then he rattles some dog food in their metal bowl and they race back indoors. ‘Thanks,’ says Mavis, ‘they take no notice of me.’ Frank is not surprised. ‘Looks like you could do with some more dog food for them. I’ll pick up a bag and bring it tomorrow,’ he says. ‘Thank you Frank, you are a good boy.’
Frank is very glad to get out of the stinking house and back to the fresh air. He climbs into the 4litre R and drives off towards Ken’s house.
Pauline is waiting for him. It seems that her meter reader is due any day as well so Frank sees to it before taking a seat at the kitchen table. Pauline has set a place for him and he happily tucks in to the cooked meal she sets before him. Pauline considers herself to be a sophisticated woman. She has opened a bottle of Chianti which Frank is happy to help her polish off.
‘Is my minivan ready yet?’ she asks, as they finish their meal. ‘When can I see it?’ Frank wipes his plate with a piece of bread and stuffs it into his mouth. He swallows, belches, pats his stomach and sits back in the chair. ‘I can bring it over tomorrow and you can take it for a test drive.’ They arrange for him to be there at lunchtime, which is very convenient for him because he knows that Pauline will have another meal ready for him. She may be a bit dim but she is a great cook.