Scrap 98

SCRAP 98
Christmas Eve sees a return to something resembling normality. Ken is back in charge of his haulage business, leaving his brother-in-law to his own devices. Frank is back to his old ways, building up a nice little nest-egg for the lean month of January. Scotty is recovering at home, having convinced the police that he can remember nothing of the hijack, and for once Dawn is pleased to welcome Frank into the family home as he is providing all the Christmas fare they would not be able to afford on her husband’s sick pay.
Unfortunately, this also means that DC Staples is back on the car ringing case and closing in for the kill. He has built up a large dossier of related criminal activity and has enough now to charge Frank Ridley, James Stewart and Kenneth William Chapman with theft of motor vehicles, handling stolen goods and other minor offences. He has already paid a visit to Ken but was fended off by Buddy and a hard-luck story. James Stewart is next on his list; he is relishing leaving the juiciest collar until last.
Scotty is enjoying a nice glass of rum, his feet up on the sofa, listening to festive music on the radio and admiring the image on page 3 of the Sun when a shadow crosses the window, followed by the sound of a fist thumping on the front door. Dawn is in the kitchen and almost jumps out of her skin. She yanks the front door open and lets loose a mouthful of curses at the unwelcome caller.
Having, quite unnecessarily, introduced himself, Staples invites himself inside and smirks as he reads out the caution to a crestfallen Scotty. Dawn fetches his coat and sobs as he is escorted to the police car in full view of the family and curtain-twitching neighbours.
Frank has been busy in town buying last-minute gifts for his hosts and their children and arrives at the house laden with parcels, whistling happily and glowing with the warmth of several beverages he has consumed in his progress. Dawn is waiting and pounces before he has chance to put down his purchases. A heavy lump appears to have developed in his stomach and he makes a promise to Dawn before rushing from the house.
Ken is not in a good frame of mind, and has cancelled Christmas. Frank finds him sitting at his kitchen table, a glass of whisky in his hand, staring into space. ‘She’s left me,’ he says, as Frank hoves into view through his alcoholic haze. ‘She took the boy and moved in to the flat above the launderette. She blames me for Kenneth and I blame myself but I can’t bring him back.’ Frank takes the half empty whisky bottle and places it out of reach. ‘This won’t help either,’ he says, putting water into the kettle, ‘I’ll make us a cup of tea.’ Ken makes a scornful noise, ‘yeah,’ he says, ‘that’s the cure for everything: a nice cup of tea.’
The men sit in silence for a few minutes, Frank trying to find a way of broaching the subject of DC Staples and the car ringing. They spend many hours discussing the problem, until, reluctantly; Ken agrees to go along with Frank’s suggestion. ‘You must be mad,’ he tells his driver, ‘but if you are willing to do this and you’re sure you can pull it off, then thank you, and whatever happens I’ll be here for you.’
Frank has no faith that Ken will be of any use to him in the future but with all the pain he is suffering and with Scotty trying to provide for his growing brood he sees his suggestion as the only solution. Once Ken has sobered up enough they take their separate cars and drive to the police station.