Watchit Too!

By Percy W. Chattey

It has always fascinated me when two people see each other for the first time they immediately know they are going to be close friends. And yet, it also works
the other way, when two strangers can take an immediate dislike to one another and be instant enemies. How this chemistry in all of us comes about I do not know.
However, what happens when a new relationship conflicts with the old? What happens when a bad attitude turns to irrational behaviour?
This is a story about such events: the beauty of a loving but illicit relationship; the hate generated by jealousy and the flippant viewpoint of an escapee. All these perceptions come together to make a stunning and thrilling story.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Percy W. Chattey
• Release date: Dec 6, 2016
• ISBN: 9780995489097

Percy W. Chattey

I was born in the East End of London in 1935 when there was some sanity in the world. On retirement in 2000 my wife and I moved to Spain where we live in the Costa Blanca inland in the mountains. We have two daughters both of whom live in England and we have numerous grand children and great grand children.My first novel was published in 1983 and I started writing again in 2012. Since then I have written eight full length novels four of which have won the Pinnacle Awards in America. I am currently writing another novel which will form a trilogy of the Cormack family the original of which won Best Historical novel.

Book preview

Chapter One

It was a bumpy ride across the Irish Sea as the small plane was tossed around in the start of what was developing into a violent storm. Burt was concerned for he needed to find somewhere to put the aircraft on the ground. Normally he would have flown on to Cork where he was known and there would not be any awkward questions. However as the weather worsened and visibility was dropping he realised he would just about make it to Wexford on the east coast of the country. He checked the chart strapped to his leg looking for a suitable place to land.

Charlie was feeling ill as the small plane was tossed around by the inclement weather. He looked at the pilot I hope you know what you are doing - from my point of view this does not seem a good idea.

Burt took little notice shrugging his shoulders he told him to shut up as he needed to concentrate as he knew if they lost any more light it was going to get very dangerous, he needed to see the coast line and also be able to see somewhere to put the little aircraft safely on the ground.

The wind had increased in density the propeller suddenly started to labour under the pressure, the little plane slid to one side before levelling out. In front of them a heavy cloud was forming and swirling around, the sky darkening.

Charlie was holding the hand grips firmly as he was struggling to keep upright in his seat. He looked at Burt handling the plane to his right raising his voice above the noise he said Burt I don’t know a lot about flying but even I can recognise a dial that says ‘altimeter’ – do you know it is going down. Shouldn’t it be doing the opposite?

Stop worrying Charlie I have enough problems on my hands but just to reassure you we need to get below that cloud. He pointed to the vast grey mass. If we don’t and go into it we will not be able to see where we are. So I am hoping to be able to get under it.

Charlie looked at him with wide eyes Supposing we can’t get under it – then what?

We get life jackets on and set the SOS signal to broadcast. You’ll only get wet. Now stop worrying and let me concentrate.

The small plane was shuddering with the battering it was receiving as they slowly sank, the little meter on the dashboard was unwinding as they lost height.

It was getting darker in the cockpit as they struggled forward, Charlie became aware of what his colleague anticipated as they entered the dark world and he very quickly realised what real fear meant. He could see nothing beyond the windscreen the propeller was in a shroud twirling the mist around like candy floss. He watched as the altimeter was still sinking and to his mind it did not have much further to go. Burt twiddled with a switch and a little red light appeared. Charlie’s voice sounded nervous when he asked what that meant. It will stop the engine from icing up. Was the cryptic reply."

There was an inaudible sigh of relief from Burt for as quick as it had enveloped them the cloud was above them and they were skimming over the top of the sea – a rough sea with high waves with white frothy tops breaking up and blowing in the wind.

The ride became less violent, they both looked at each other and grinned, Burt said We are not out of trouble as yet but it is a start.

Charlie did not respond he was happy enough to be able to see where they were going, although he would be happier if they were not so close to the waves. Burt spoke again We are not going to be able to make it to Cork – we have used too much fuel in those high winds.

Burt’s passenger looked at him. Taking a deep breath he was speculating when they would see land so he could get out of this wild machine which was being tossed around akin to a fishing float in wild water. Although the air was clearer visibility was still poor and became worse as it started to rain. Charlie felt ill watching the waves skimming below him just a few feet away with the occasional spray spreading across the windscreen.

They flew on in silence both with their own thoughts of how the flight would end. The cloud started to lift and Burt was able to lift the machine a little higher in the air. They both felt an instant relief. Shortly after Burt murmured There are some small fishing vessels over to our left, which means very shortly we should see the coast.

Charlie smiled, all of a sudden his mood changed to one of release even more so now the buffeting had eased Do you know where we are Burt?

With all that wind I think we are way off course, also we are getting short of fuel so we had better put this thing down on the ground as soon as possible.

Dark brown rugged cliffs came into view through the mist, there was no panic and the pilot put more power on the engine and they sailed over the top of them into brilliant sunshine. It was then the engine spluttered. Charlie’s face went ashen as he looked at his colleague who was flicking a switch, he looked back at his friend saying Not a problem I have gone on to reserve not enough for where we want to go but ample to get us on the ground.

A short distance in-land they saw a group of buildings surrounded by fields, in which one of them was an ancient tractor closely followed by a plough. The lone figure driving the machine looked up as the small private plane flying very low circling him. The pilot appeared to be pointing, he waved back to him before realising he was asking to land in the adjoining field.

After a few days staying at the small homestead where they were treated royally and with fresh fuel in the tanks, they were off to Cork, where Burt knew of a group who would look after his passenger and arrange for his disappearance into Spain.

Spain in the late nineteen fifties was the complete opposite to England and Charlie found it difficult when he first arrived in a small village in the country. To him it was like being transported back to medieval times. Ramshackle houses with roads that were little more than cart tracks. To the centre a tall red brick built church looking totally out of place in this shabby and badly maintained neighbourhood.

He tried to settle down and in some ways he achieved it although the only work he could find was helping out in the fields and occasionally, being mechanically minded, repairing some of the ancient machinery.

The language barrier was a stumbling block in making friends because of the simple task of trying to formulate a sentence so that he could be understood. However he was determined to master it and after many months and hours of practice he started to understand people and return a passable conversation in the local dialect. In spite of this and the new found freedom of being able to make himself to be understood it was the beginning of his troubles.

Charlie was always one for the girls and he could see no wrong in flirting as he had always done since a lad. However that was in England. The religious way of life in his new country was very different and it was not accepted for a man to talk to a woman, especially a young one without the correct procedure and the agreement of the parents.

Our new man in Spain found out the hard way, he had got very friendly with a girl who worked in her father’s general store. Thinking he had made arrangements to see her he had the feeling he would be able to settle down, in what he thought was a nice friendly community. On the appointed hour he was astounded to be met by her father, who he had seen often and thought of him as a person with a very pleasant personality. However this changed when he was met with him pointing a shot gun and treating him as if he was dirt. A few hours later after a visit by the local Priest and on the clergyman’s advice he left town and headed for Malaga in southern Spain, where he was told life would be more to his likening.

On a hill surrounded by high white rendered block walls topped with red bricks, was a solitary single storey sprawling white villa. Its southerly facing windows looked out across a paved terrace, with a pool to its centre, beyond which could be seen the tops of gently swaying palm trees and further afield was the sparkling blue of the Mediterranean Sea.

Earlier that day, Charlie had gone into the local town to visit the busy Post Office in its yellow livery, where on a regular basis he received communications from his solicitor Pat. Today had been a little bit more special as besides the documents explaining the latest information from his various businesses, there was the snippet of news of a wedding. Sitting in the sun wishing there was someone else to help in toasting the couple, he lifted the wine goblet filled with the local white wine, and silently toasted the pair.

A thousand miles away, Inspector Taylor of the Metropolitan Police was getting his best suit out of the wardrobe. Despite the fact that he had not been invited, it was too good an opportunity to miss to see what local villains would be attending the ceremony at the church – who knows he may get lucky and Fitzpatrick himself may turn up. Arriving at the church he sat down quietly at the back where he could see who was attending.

It could not have been a better day for a wedding; the long white shining limousine slid to a stop outside the small church, where a sizeable crowd had gathered. Acting as bridesmaids were Jackie and two of her friends from the Blue Lagoon a night club she was in the habit of visiting. They were waiting in long identical yellow dresses with bows at the waist and matching coloured shoes peeping out from the hem. Pat dressed in her finery, although there to help, was feeling very sad. Deep down she was still very much in love with the man who was to marry another on that day.

Out of the rear of the car Christine in a long shimmering white dress, was helped down from the vehicle by Ian’s old flame. Her father, dressed in a grey suit with a matching top hat bent over as he alighted from the vehicle. His daughter linked her arm into his, and they stood beside the car posing for the photographer who took a series of pictures. After he had finished, with her arm still linked to a very proud parent’s arm, they made their way to the doors of the church with people wishing her ’good luck’ and ‘best wishes.’

Most of the pews were full with friends and relations, all getting to their feet as the music from the organ started to play ‘Here comes the bride.’ Christine was slowly walking up the aisle towards the altar and was smiling at her friends and she also noticed a lot of familiar faces from the Bank, where she had spent many happy years. Standing in front of the vicar, Ian Calne turned to see his lady walking towards him in the centre aisle, her face covered in a white veil.

After the ceremony, prayers and singing had been concluded, the couple, to the sound of piped music from the organ disappeared into the vestry for the formal part of the marriage. After which they appeared holding each other’s hands, and came back out to the front of the church to further cheers, whistles and the photo shoot.

Pat walked away and went to her car. Ian saw her and wondered why. ‘Was she upset?’ She came back a few moments later with a large bouquet of flowers, which she presented to the couple. Christine said "Thank you, they are lovely."

The flash of the photographer’s camera momentarily lit the scene.

Pat shook her head They are not from me. Pointing to the small envelope attached to them.

Taking out the card the Bride read, ‘It was a close call with the oil tanker but now everything is perfect.’ It was in a type of code referring to something which had happened a few years previously, so that Ian would recognise where the flowers had come from. He grinned when he saw the message.

Christine looked at her new husband What does it mean?

Knowing the local police had attended just in case their escaped prisoner would arrive at the church; he leant over and whispered in her ear They are from Charlie. A smile spread across Christine’s face and she murmured Of course.

Chapter Two

To Ian Robert Calne, married life had come as a shock after years of living on his own he found the experience reassuring – and yet an organized entanglement. However he adored his wife and they settled into a loving relationship. Christine continued to work with him and was delighted with her new way of life revelling in the respect she received from the staff at the car showroom.

Ian had made an agreement with his old friend Charlie to run his businesses with a view to buying them when he was convicted of smuggling watches into the country and was jailed for fifteen years. Charlie as a result of a road accident while travelling in a prison van had managed to escape and was now in hiding out of the country.

The pair had a comfortable life style and after the fifth year when their second child was born, they now had a boy, Toby and a rascal of a girl called Daisy. Ian had started to get restless, he was bored with the same routine and selling motor cars had lost its excitement. He felt he was in a rut and needed a new challenge; he was also tired of living above an empty showroom and felt with their comfortable way of living they should find something more suitable. Especially even more so with a growing family who would shortly need a garden to play in. One bright day in the middle of the week he looked at his lovely wife and asked her if she would like a house. He could see the look on her face that the answer was yes.

Ian and Christine finally settled on a detached house in Loughton with a large garden - a lot further from their business than they had wanted, nevertheless it was newly built and it was exactly what they required. With great anticipation, and after a lot of hard work packing up their belongings, six weeks later they moved in with their two children who were running around in excitement. Daisy laughing and giggling was leading her older brother exploring what was to become their home.

The daily commute was something totally different to what they had been used to. Ian hated the time wasted at both ends of the day going to and fro. Although in some ways he found it relaxing as while travelling he could sort situations out and solve problems just by mulling them over in his mind. One of which was the problem of the empty showroom he owned and now the flat above was vacant as a result of them moving out into their new home.

For some time he had been reading about a new cab service in London called minicabs. The story was making headlines in all the news media especially as the London Taxi firms were making noises concerning safety and the lack of training for the drivers. None of which concerned Ian, however he could see an advantage for him, because as he saw it he could make use of the empty showroom he owned and form his own minicab company.

He got the new company East Cars up and running very quickly and was pleased with the response he received from the local community. Very quickly the business flourished and more and more cars were required to cover the calls. The vacant showroom became the control centre adding to his business empire.

Ian wrapped himself into the new interest ensuring everything was legal and organised also undertaking some of the driving himself, this way he would know what problems there were – if any first hand. On the other hand he was fastidious ensuring the vehicles were clean and above all road worthy and fully covered insurance wise.

Chapter Three

Bob Waters day had been very busy. He had left the Ford Motor Company in Dagenham early that morning, where he worked on the Assembly Line during the night shift. This type of employment was an annoyance to his girlfriend, who frequently whinged about not being able to see him in the evenings. He had explained to her many times that the money was far superior and the additional income, because of the type of work, was helping their savings towards their wedding.

Today had been full of fun and laughter as she had taken time off work to help celebrate his twenty fifth birthday. As he had no wish to lose a night’s pay they had held the party at her mother’s house during the day.

There was just sufficient time to round the day off by going to the local pub, where he was a member of the darts team. It was important to go that evening as there was a crucial contest with another local side, and their games were always incredibly close. Although it had occurred to his fiancée that he had not had a lot of sleep since leaving work that morning she was not duly worried as in a few hours time he was due to leave for his employment.

His team were marginally behind at the final leg. It was down to Bob to throw the final three darts and he needed every one of them to score the maximum. The first two achieved sixty each and not appearing to take aim as was his fashion, the last flight left his fingers to land firmly with the other two in the red sector of the treble twenty, putting his side on this final throw of the game fifteen points in front. He was elated and so were the rest of the team, his girlfriend threw her arms around him, there was also a great deal of merriment from his team mates. Someone put a pint of beer in his hand and he was encouraged to drink it down.

The couple left the public house shortly after leaving the revelry behind. He was strapping on his motorcycle helmet when she said It is getting very late; I’ll get one of the others to take me home. She leant forward as she said it, turning her head so as to miss the visor on his helmet, and kissed him on the lips. Before putting on his gauntlets he looked at his watch and saw that he did not have a lot of time to get to his place of work.

He kick - started the powerful Triumph five hundred twin motorcycle. With a wave of his hand he put it into gear and was off. Not hearing his girlfriend shouting Take care.

Chapter Four

Charlie had had enough of Spain. He was bored and had a dislike for the way the dictator Franco governed the country. This he did through local authorities who were severe in the interpretation of the law - with many informers in the community. In some cases neighbourhoods were still split as a result of the Spanish Civil War of two decades previously.

His way of life was different to what he had experienced before especially the social side as normal friendships between the sexes were not encouraged and even forbidden. He managed to rent a property in a small English community where he was accepted with open arms. The entertainment in the evening was minimal. The group played cards between them, or sat around chatting about old times as nearly all the group were on the run from the English police, he felt comfortable in their company.

In a country dominated by the Catholic Religion he discovered women were second class citizens and totally controlled by their men folk. It was with some surprise when one of his new friends introduced him to the local club. What he expected and what he found were two entirely different things.

It was a long bar nicely decorated with hidden lighting, the drinks were expensive compared with the local bars. However it was a genuine surprise when the scantily dressed young females approached the group. In his mind this was a lot better as memories of the distant past came flooding in. The difference he soon realised when the girls offered sex at a price and he recognized the place was nothing more than a brothel. He relaxed and had fun that evening more than he had had for a long time although still finding it difficult to come to terms with the complexity of the two Spanish ways of life especially the way their women were treated.

He was tired of the country and wanted to return to East London and in this respect frequently thought of Burt with his light aircraft although he knew it did not have the range to reach Spain. There was an alternative and that was by sea and he knew his old friend Burt could arrange it. On the other hand he also knew the risk was high and therefore the cost would also be excessive. However he had money tied up with Ian where he owned a portion of his business. The agreement between them was not due to expire for another few years, but he thought ‘If I make him an offer to buy me out now, he would have the funds to hire his friend Burt to pick him up from this awful country.’

He entered the Telex Office and wrote out a sheet instructing Pat, his friend and long-time solicitor, to approach Ian and finalize on the agreement between them to raise funds for him to be able to return to England. As it turned out the money he raised from the sale of his share in Ian’s business was only enough to get him out of Spain and back to his homeland with very little cash left. Burt had pointed out to him once he was aboard the boat, he would have to drop him off at a small inlet, as the risk of being caught if they landed at a recognised port was too dangerous.

Chapter Five

Holding hands and cuddling into one another, the young couple Mr and Mrs. John Warden, waited in the rain. An umbrella being held above the pair, was doing its best to leave them, as