Scrap 73

SCRAP 73
The second week has progressed through the inevitable programme of Knobbly Knees, Bathing Belles, Glamorous Grannies and the rest of the competitions which take place every week on an endless loop. By Thursday Frank and Scotty are looking forward to getting back home.
The boys are out on their bikes, enjoying the freedom of the camp, the girls are sunbathing by the Olympic size open air pool, Mavis and Dawn are shopping in town again and the men are at their usual spot outside the Pig and Whistle, where Frank is outlining details of his next scam.
‘Dawn will go mad if she finds out’, says Scotty. ‘She won’t find out,’ Frank assures him; ‘by the time I’ve finished nobody will recognise them. We can just say we got a cheap job lot. Anyway, think of the looks on their faces.’ His pal has to agree that the plan has some merit. They decide to meet after dinner when everyone else is at the talent show. ‘Why wouldn’t you take part?’ asks Scotty. ‘Pete Parker was most put out when you said no.’
Frank doesn’t see why he has to explain himself but perhaps this once it will be worthwhile. ‘I like to play piano and I like to sing,’ he begins, ‘but I don’t like being told when and where. When you start playing to order people want to own you, trap you, make money out of you. If an audience is paying to see you they expect a performance and what if you don’t feel like it? What if you make a muck-up, if you’re having an off day? It ceases to be an enjoyable hobby and becomes a dread. I don’t like being trapped; you of all people should understand that I like to be my own man.’
Scotty apologises for assuming that Frank would want to show off his talents; he has never considered the man would feel this way. He won’t be asking him again but it seems a great pity. He wishes he could sing and play the piano but can do neither. He can, however, get another round of drinks in.
The Pig and Whistle patio overlooks the pool and is a favourite spot for men to sit and dream whilst they drink their beer and eat their crisps, admiring the scene. Children are playing in the fountain, skinny teenage boys are showing off doing underwater handstands or diving from the high board and girls are lazing around pretending to read, pretending to ignore the attentions of roving eyes whilst dreaming of being rescued from the depths by one of the muscled lifeguards who parade the pool’s edge or sit on scaffold enjoying the sunshine and the view.
Heather and Janet stroll over for a chat, placing their towels on chairs before sitting down. ‘Would you like a drink?’ Asks Scotty. ‘Yes please,’ they both reply, ‘it’s so hot today. Are we getting a tan, do you think?’ Scotty lies that they are even though it is obvious they are just getting red, their fair skin protesting against the sun’s rays. He gives them some money and they go inside for their drinks, returning with an assortment of crisps and sweets, ice-lollies for each of them and two pence in change. Scotty frowns but it’s a cheeky frown; he can never be cross with his girls.
‘Are you going to be in the talent show tonight Uncle Frank?’ asks Heather. Frank says he thinks someone else should have a chance so no, he will not. ‘Oh, that’s a shame; we were looking forward to that. I don’t think we’ll bother going now.’ Janet says she definitely won’t be going if all they have to offer is the same old rubbish like they had last week, but Frank will not be shamed into changing his mind: he has other plans for tonight.
Mavis and Dawn return in time for lunch and comment on the state of the girls. ‘You’re going to suffer for that later on,’ warns Mavis, ‘You should cover up with your fair complexions, like we do.’
The girls ignore their Nan’s advice, as they always do, and change the subject. ‘Did you buy anything nice in town?’ Asks Heather, (meaning ‘did you buy anything for me?) The women list their many purchases and Scotty mentally tots up how much they have spent. ‘How are we going to get all this stuff in the car?’ He asks. The women have not considered the problem and look at each other a little guiltily. Frank says ‘me and Scotty can take a load back in my car tonight if you like, then it will be easier tomorrow’ Scotty says that’s a great idea and the women reluctantly agree, aware that there is something else going on here but unable to put a finger on it.
The pals meet in Frank’s chalet after dinner when the campers are getting ready for their evening entertainments. They spend a long time tinkering about, getting cases packed with as much as they can and giggling like a pair of schoolboys as they drag the bags to the car. The springs go down somewhat as the last of the luggage is packed in the boot and the men drive off, heading for home via Frank’s lock-up.