Banyin

By Charles O'Brien

Larry Banyin had a good life running a small but thriving photography business in Glasgow. He was happily married to Celia who worked for a solicitors in the town centre and everything was great. Then one incident shattered his whole world and he lost everything, wife, business, all gone because of one person. Years later an opportunity for revenge came along. Should he take or just leave things as they are?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Oct 14, 2016
• ISBN: 9781326817602

Book preview

Banyin

BANYIN

A Glasgow tale

Charlie O’Brien

Banyin by Charlie O’Brien

@ Copyright 2016 Charlie O’Brien

All rights reserved

No part of this book may be reproduced in any written, electronic, recording or photocopying without written permission of the publisher or author. The exception would be in the case of brief quotations embodied in the critical articles or reviews and pages where permission is specifically granted by the publisher or author.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the authors imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Contents

BANYIN

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty One

BANYIN

Chapter One

I decided to take a day off, wander around town, see some of the sights that we take for granted in the place where we live. Glasgow has so many places of interest that before I knew it the morning had gone. The weather was so lovely I thought I would stop off at one of these cafés that have sprung up around the city. You know the type, with tables outside on the pavement. I ordered a snack and coffee and had a look at my morning paper, glancing around at everyone going about their business.

I happened to look across the road where there was a similar cafe and I saw a face that sent a chill through me. A guy called Johnny Shaw was sitting at one the tables opposite me; he was deep in conversation with a big well built lad, sporting a full beard. Didn’t look the type to pick a fight with. Anyway, it wasn’t, him that was making me stare, it was the man sitting across the table from him. Let me explain what happened.

About 12 years ago I had a small but thriving photography business in Glasgow. My wife Celia worked in a solicitor’s across town. We had a two bedroom terraced house in Govan near to my premises and we were saving towards a bungalow with a decent sized garden. I had customised the shop I owned to suit my needs .the front had a reception and studio for family portraits, etc. and the back for all the technical stuff. Everything was going to plan. Most of the street had been knocked down for redevelopment and of the six shops left only two were occupied, mine and George Cane who had the one next door.

Shaw Enterprises who were the contractors for the new project had given us a good offer of compensation involving cash plus new premises at reduced rates on the other side of town. George, who was near retirement any way, told me that he had decided to take their offer. I on the other hand was nowhere near retirement and had no intention of giving up my shop and moving across town to accommodate Johnny Shaw’s business. Celia said I should take the offer and get settled in the new place before we went on holiday. We were going up north to a spot of touring in the highlands. Celia did not know the history Johnny and I had and I had no intention of telling her, but I’ll let you know so that you will be able to see why I have been so stubborn.

Johnny Shaw was at school with me. This was the guy that could do no wrong. Even back in our school days Johnny was six foot tall, blond hair, blue eyes and the best athlete in the district. He also had brains and usually came out top in most subjects. The girls swooned over him and the lads idolised him. One day Johnny asked if I would come over to the gym at lunchtime to give him a hand with some equipment that we were lending to another school, so after a quick bite to eat I went round to the gym. There was a van parked outside and Johnny was already inside getting things ready. Just in time, Larry, he said, If you could start carting the stuff out to the van and shove it in the back it will give me time to assemble the rest. The driver said he would be back after his lunch so if we get a move on we can have everything loaded when he comes back.

It took about half an hour to get it all in and by that time it was time to get back to class. Next morning I was summoned to the headmaster’s office and accused of stealing equipment from the gym. I explained what had occurred and Johnny was called to give his account. He denied being in the gym and brought a few people in to verify his story. Apparently I had been seen loading the stuff into a van which left shortly afterwards. No one had thought to get the registration of the vehicle as it all looked perfectly innocent. I was asked which school was being loaned the equipment but of course I hadn’t thought to ask.

After a lengthy inquiry it was decided that I was indeed the guilty party and, just before our final exams I was expelled from the school. No criminal charges were brought against me to safeguard the good name of the school. So that was that. No college or university for me. And now he was back causing me trouble again. So now you know. However, the day before our holidays I told my wife that I would accept his offer but I would wait until we came back before I told him.

Next day I was busy tidying a few loose ends before I stopped. Jake Blake came in with a delivery of material I had been waiting for. I signed for the stuff and made us both a coffee. After Jake left I closed up