Scrap 57

SCRAP 57
Dawn has been nagging Scotty for weeks to take the family on holiday, something he has managed to avoid for the past five years. This time she is determined to get her own way and has dragged him off to the travel agent to book a fortnight at a holiday camp. She knows he has the money as he has been bragging about the extra cash for special trips to Holland.
‘We want to book two weeks in Bognor,’ announces Dawn to the assistant. Scotty’s eyebrows go up, as does his voice. ‘We are not going to bloody Bognor,’ he insists, ‘I was thinking of Benidorm; somewhere a bit exotic.’ Dawn gives him one of her sourest acid looks. ‘We are going to Bognor; I’m not having any of that foreign muck. Bognor was good enough for my family growing up and it’s good enough for our kids. Anyway my mum won’t go anywhere else.’
Scotty’s face clouds still darker; ‘your mother? She’s not coming with us.’ Dawn ignores his protests and proceeds to help the assistant fill out the application forms. Two weeks all-in accommodation with his mother-in-law in tow. Some holiday this is going to be. It’s bad enough being stuck with Dawn and the kids for a fortnight but her mother as well.
Before he has time to recover, poor Scotty finds himself handing over the full amount in cash. Dawn folds the receipt, carefully placing it in her handbag and they bid good day to the smiling assistant, who has just made several pounds in commission from one booking.
The cool air is welcome, helping Scotty regain his composure as Dawn babbles on about how great it is going to be in the holiday camp in Bognor. He can’t wait.
They almost collide with Fat Frank, who is coming out the chip shop door with his hand holding an open package of food. Scotty grabs a few chips and stuffs them into his mouth. ‘Oi, get your own,’ jokes Frank. ‘Got time for a quick pint?’ asks Scotty. Frank always has time for a cold beer. Scotty gives Dawn a wad of cash for shopping; she takes the hint and gives him a kiss on the cheek before disappearing into Woolworths.
Glad to be rid of her, Scotty helps Frank finish his fish and chips and they head for the Bar Tap where Scotty pours out his tale of woe. ‘Why don’t I come as well?’ suggests Frank. ‘If she wants to spend time with her mother we can nick off and have a bit of a laugh on our own.’ Scotty’s face brightens considerably. ‘What a great idea,’ he says, ‘we’ll have to book it today in case they run out of vacancies. Thanks mate; you’ve cheered me up no end. Fancy another?’
One hour and several pints later the men return to the travel agent, who is happy to arrange for a second all inclusive holiday for Frank. ‘Are you coming back to the house?’ asks Scotty as they leave the shop. Frank decides that he is busy this afternoon so will give it a miss. Also he knows that Dawn will go ballistic when she finds out that Scotty will not be going along as a babysitter so she and her mother can go out every evening. Scotty decides not to tell her just yet.