The Day The Workmen Came Part Two

Frank and Tom sat on deck chairs in the shed.  Drinking lager.  'Lee is a bit of a lad isn't he,'

Frank suggested.

Tom took a sip of Lager, 'Lee's alright.  When he was fifteen he got an apprenticeship in a garage.  He loved it.  On his eighteenth birthday his boss sacked him and started another sixteen year old in his place.  He got a tad bitter about it and hit a troubled patch but he's fine now.  He can do a bit with cars, a bit of taxi driving, lagging, Painting. He'll turn his hand to anything for cash.  When you work for a firm like Morrells you only turn up for your pittance and to get your stamp paid.  Me and Lee make our money doing jobs after work.  We've just finished a kitchen.  It's all cash in hand.  The black economy, that's the place to be.  You should give it a go yourself Frank.'

'Me, what could I do?'

'Well for a start.'  Here Tom was interrupted by the arrival of Lee with the pies.  He flopped down in a deck chair. Frank handed him a beer.

Tom said, 'I'm just telling him Lee, he should do a bit of cash in hand work himself.  For instance if you can work on aircraft design for Trafford design you can surely design a kitchen in a little terraced house.  I will find you work, don't worry about that.  If you offer to design a kitchen and fit it people will go for it like a shot,'

'Do you do the designing yourself at the moment?'

Tom frowned, 'No.'

'We use Terry,' Lee explained.

'I see,' Frank said.  'Have you ever thought of starting your own business?'

Tom shook his head, 'Tried it.  You have to employ lawyers, accountants and god knows what.  Then you can't get paid and go bankrupt.  No the black economy is the way to go with a bit of a job for back up.  We have a strategy don't we Lee.  We work mostly for pensioners, the terraced house

People.  They grew up in a more honest age.  They keep their word, pay up on time.  They are grateful and best of all, they don't trust the immigrants.

Besides, You could,'t run a business with Lee.  When we finish a big job, a loft conversion or something.  Him and Pat head for Sharm-El-Shiekh.  He can be gone for weeks.'

Lee grinned, 'I just love the place.  I even like camels.  Seriously though, Tom's right.  Just mug up on building regulations and you could do drawings for planning permission for Loft extensions, Kitchen extensions, things like that.  We do all that kind of work.'

Tom handed Frank a card, 'That's my phone number.  Any time you fancy giving it a go, give me a buzz.'

'Well it's something to think about,' Frank said guardedly.  He handed round more cans of lager.  Lee said, 'I saw your golf clubs in the kitchen.  Fancy a game sometime.'

'Oh what club are you a member of?'  Frank asked again surprised.

Lee laughed, 'Don't be daft.  What club would have me as a member.  I play pay as you go on the

municipal golf links.'

Frank smiled, what if he did join up with this pair and their free wheeling life style.  A new experience, cash in his pocket.  At that moment Pauline stalked into the shed.  She surveyed them coolly. 

'Pauline!  You are home early.  Have you seen the window?'

'Yes, it looks alright,'  she said stiffly.  What happened to the lawn?  It's covered in white powder.'

'Ah, just slight modifications.'

'I wondered where you were.  The house is empty and all the doors wide open.'

'Opportunist crime Frank.  You should be aware of it,' Lee said, mockingly serious.

Pauline glared disdainfully at Lee, then turned on her heel and left.

Pauline's arrival seemed to break the spell.  The men shook hands then Tom and Lee started getting their gear together.  Frank stayed in the shed lounging in his deck chair, contentedly finishing his can of lager.  As they loaded the van, Tom said, 'Nice chap, Frank.'

'Yeah, I like him.'

'What about his Missus?'

Lee shook his head, 'I hate that embittered type.  More meat on a dirty fork and a backside as flat as a cell door.  I'd go the Audrey route myself.'

Tom laughed.  The van roared into life and they sped out of the drive and away.

His lager finished, Frank ambled back to the house.  As he reached the back door Justine arrived, home from work and they entered the house together.  Pauline was in the hall sorting out the mail.  Frank said, 'We took the opportunity to lag the dormer roof space whilst we had the window out.'

'You could have tidied up the bedroom instead of sitting around drinking,' Pauline responded.  She went on, 'You are too idle to pick up the mail.  Here there's a letter for you.'  Frank opened it.

'What is it Dad?' Justine asked.

Frank read the letter.  He said, 'It's from Trafford Design.  They want me to go in tomorrow morning.  They are offering me a job on a two year contract.'

'Oh Frank,!'  Pauline ran to him and flung her arms around his neck.  Justine stood close, hugging his arm.  Pauline pulled away.  'We must have a bottle of wine to celebrate,' she said but then checked herself.  She new how careful Frank was.  'Or maybe you would rather not drink, keep a clear head for tomorrow?'

'No Frank,' replied, 'get a couple of bottles.'

Pauline looked a bit doubtful but she picked up her car keys and left.

,Frank studied the letter.  It was signed W.M. Dayton. Personnel Department Head.

Frank smiled bleakly.  A mediocre draughtsman, make him head of personnel.  A greasy ladder climber.

'Are you alright Dad?' Justine asked.  'I thought you would be overjoyed.'

'You both took it for granted I would take it.'

'Of course, it's fantastic!'

'It's only a two year contract Jussy.'

'That's all anybody gets.  I'm on a two year contract.  Oh come on Dad, this is great.'  She hugged him and he held her close.  Justine said, 'I'll get some pizzas in the oven ready for when Mum gets back.'  They walked into the kitchen and Frank poured himself a glass of whisky.  'Ooh Dad, Justine was concerned.  'You know what you always say.  Never mix grape and grain.'

Frank grinned, 'I can always take paracetamol Jus.'  He lent back against the work top and sipped his whisky.  Just for a few fleeting moments he had contemplated doing something different, even illegal but he new now that would never happen.  He never would go for a drink with Tom, or do work with them.  He never would go for a game of golf with Lee.  Instead he would return to Trafford Design.  Shake hands with all his fair weather friends.  Their social life would resume again.  The bleak brief greetings he had received on the golf course would be replaced by joyful back slapping re-unions.  Pauline would host dinner parties for them.  But it would not be the same. The totally committed selflessly loyal employee was no more.  He would handle things differently this time and if he ever got a chance to hurt Dayton.....

 Justine busy at the oven said, 'Come on Dad, Lighten up.'  She went on, 'I was dreading today.  I hate having builders around the house.  The dust and their radio's blaring but today has been great.  A bit of a red letter day really.'

Frank smiled,  That's right Jussy.  I've learnt a thing or two today.  Don't be a willing horse, you only only end up getting flogged and don't take life too seriously.  He took a long drink of whisky and said,  I'm just nipping round to Audrey's.  I'm going to lend her a decent pair of secateurs to prune her roses with.

The End