Deadly Diversions: Book One

By Ronald Bullock

Jenny Sylvester and her eldest daughter Christine are watching TV, her youngest daughter Jackie is in bed. Outside the house and all across England is the worst weather in years. Her husband Mack is a night driver for English-Scottish Transport, he is at that moment in his thirty two ton articulated truck heading north up the M6 motorway for Glasgow, Scotland. Jenny cannot help but worry for his safety driving in the terrible weather blanketing England and Scotland.

Just after ten thirty that evening the doorbell rings, fearfully she answers the door, upon opening it she sees standing there in the pouring rain a work colleague of her husband Mack. Asking him in, she finds out from him that Mack her husband is in serious trouble. The events that follow that evening bring horror that changes the lives of Jenny and her two daughters Christine and Jackie forever as the horror unfolds.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Jan 26, 2017
• ISBN: 9781524677190

Ronald Bullock

When working as heavy goods driver class 1 in 1972, Ronald Bullock began writing the first book of his series, Deadly Diversions. But having little spare time to write, it was 1999 before it was published. The publisher turned out to be a vanity publisher. The same thing happened again when the book was published in New York in 2009. He cancelled the contract in 2013. Finally, Ronald self-published with PageTurner Press and Media and has also had his second and third books in the series published in 2020. Ronald has just completed book 4 in the series Deadly Diversions. All of the books are fast moving, action thrillers.

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© 2017 Ronald Bullock. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 01/26/2017

ISBN: 978-1-5246-7720-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5246-7719-0 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

About the Author

To my partner Winifred Price

For her love and support

During the making and

Creation of this book

All my love and thanks

Ron

Chapter 1

One night in the mid 70’s at a house in Aldridge, West Midlands, England a woman looking out of the kitchen window into the darkness, the woman Jenny Sylvester stood at the sink, that feeling was in her mind again, Mack her husband was in trouble. She glanced at the kitchen clock, it was 9.55pm.

Mack was a Heavy Goods driver for English – Scottish Transport, on night trunk to and from Scotland to Aldridge in the West Midlands; Mack would be well down the A74 heading away from Glasgow towards the M6 South on the return run to the Aldridge depot.

Why was this feeling hanging on in her mind, that Mack was in trouble

Her daughter Christine came into the kitchen, she could see that Jenny was worried about something, Mom? What’s the matter, you are missing your program you know, what’s the matter Mom?

Jenny turned to her daughter; her face had a troubled expression as she spoke to Christine I’m worried about your Dad, he’s on his way down from the depot in Scotland and I’ve got that feeling again, you know, when your Dad is in trouble I seem to lock onto his thoughts, like the last time when he was in that pileup on the M6, remember Chris?.

If you are that worried Mom, phone Mr Trevelon at Aldridge, he’ll be able to tell you if anything is wrong or not.

Jenny nodded, Yes, you’re right Chris I’ll do that. She made her way into the hall and rang the depot, it was the night watchman who answered, and Jenny asked him if Mr Trevelon was still there, but Trevelon had already left, about an hour ago.

The night watchman asked if there was a problem

No Jack, not really it’s just that I’ve got a feeling that Mack is in trouble on his way back from Scotland, have you heard anything from any of the trunk?

He told her that he had heard nothing; if he did he would let her know. Jenny thanked him and rang off.

Meanwhile Mack together with three other rigs of English-Scottish were travelling together southwards on the 74 and were nearing the mountains just a few miles down the road. Traffic was light and upon checking his mirrors he could see no vehicle lights in the distance behind him, just the way he liked it, but by the time he reached the mountains at Shap summit on the M6 traffic would be more grouped closely. He checked his instruments all seemed ok, oil and air pressures too were normal, the weather was good at the moment and his headlights lit up the road ahead clearly.

A sudden burst of static on the CB set startled him; it was Paul, the lead driver asking if everything was ok, Mack answered, telling him all was fine, he tuned the radio onto the station for local traffic news. The weather report indicated the there would be rolling fog drifting across the motorway near Shap. He clicked the on button on the mike of the CB and told Paul that rolling fog would be ahead of them in the mountains.

Paul answered him, Thanks Mack, we’d better be on our toes then, OUT!

Soon the four rigs were coming onto the area on the M6 where fog was expected, a common occurrence in the mountains, then the mist started to close in, Mack happened to glance at the instrument panel, the air pressure gauges were quivering Now what’s up? Mack thought to himself, touching the brakes, then letting his foot off, he watched the gauges to see if they built up air again, quivering the gauges returned to full pressure as normal.

The four rigs were making good time and as they neared Shap summit although the mist was closing in visibility was still good, once over the Summit the rigs began coasting down the other side.

Mack was becoming concerned at the air pressure gauges fluctuating and quivering too much for comfort, he tried the brakes again, and he said out loud Jesus, why don’t they react, he jabbed the brake pedal again, still the brakes were slow in re-acting, then he felt the brakes come on and the huge rig started to slow, the gauges were now behaving normally and Mack began to relax again.

Phew, thank Christ for that he was having the feeling that something was about to happen, and he didn’t like the way the gauges were quivering now and then every few minutes. the mist and fog began to swirl in patches across the motorway, and now they were over the summit the rigs began to gather speed, twice Mack found himself gaining on the rig in front, the brakes seemed slow to re-act, he checked the gauges as he touched the brakes, still he was gaining on the rig in front. He glanced at the air pressure gauges again, JESUS! They were all low.

Looking up from the instrument panel, and at the road ahead, through the mist, he could see the red glare of the rear lights on the rig in front. And he was gaining even though he was braking! He hit the brakes again Jesus no effect! And those pressures were low! He was almost against the rear of the rig in front now! Only one thing for it he swung out into the centre lane. His air horns blaring out into the night as he overtook John McKinnon’s rig, Mack snatched up the CB mike and yelled into the mike that his brakes had failed and as Mack hurtled by, John snatched up his CB mike calling to Paul urgently and to pull into the middle lane to act as a buffer to try and stop Mack’s rig before speed built up too quickly for Mack to be stopped.

Sweat poured down Mack’s face as he watched Paul swing out into the centre lane of the motorway, he snatched up his mike Sylvester to Paul, Accelerate quick, I’m closing too fast! a twin plume of smoke billowed from Paul’s exhausts as he put the power on.

The gap between the two rigs steadied, as Paul gained speed, then! He was gaining again Over his CB he called out speed up Paul I’m closing again!

But it was too late with a loud crash Mack’s rig hit the rear of Paul’s trailer, who, feeling the impact braked, concentrating on keeping his rig in a straight line, the added weight now making his brakes start to over-heat.

Mack too, was working hard at the wheel, both rigs weaving about as the two rigs travelled locked together.

Back at Mack’s home in Aldridge, Jenny had sat down with her eldest daughter Christine watching telly, they had been watching for about twenty minutes when Jenny gave out a loud cry, she shot to her feet, a horrified look on her face scaring Christine

She said to her fearfully Mom, you’re really frightening me you know, what’s the matter?

Jenny rushed into the hall and picked up the phone, when she got through to the depot, the night watchman answered, again she asked him if anything had been heard from the down trunk, but nothing had been heard and the watchman asked what was troubling her.

Sheepishly she told him of her feelings and thoughts about Mack; he told her that he would try to get in touch with the trunk at the next stop, which they should be making about now, on the services. Then if there was anything to tell he would let her know

Jenny thanked him and rang off. She told Christine what the watchman had said.

As they watched telly Christine kept glancing at her mother, Christine could see that Jenny was not really into the programme, she knew that her mothers thoughts were with her dad up in the mountains, and she knew Jenny would not rest tonight not till Mack was home safely

Up in the mountains on the M6 the two rigs swayed about alarmingly as both drivers fought the battle to bring their rigs safely to rest on the hard shoulder, it was nearly three quarters of a mile before the two rigs smoke pouring from their brakes came to a shuddering halt on the hard shoulder.

The other two drivers following breathed a sigh of relief at seeing the rigs in front come to a halt safely, they pulled in behind the two rigs, and the four drivers got down from the cabs and checked with each other to see if all were okay.

Mack explained what had happened as the others lit up a cigarette to calm their nerves, they were a little shook up by what had happened and leaned against Mack’s rig as they chatted. After they had finished their cigarettes the four of them began checking the brake system on Mack’s rig, Mack got into his cab and started the engine, watching the air pressures build up he saw that everything was working normally. The four of them just could not understand it, but John thought it could be load sensing valve trouble, they checked the air lines underneath but there were no leaks.

Again Mack checked his brakes dabbing his foot on the pedal and then waiting to see if the gauges built up as normal and they did just as though there was nothing wrong at all.

As they were discussing the possibilities of what to do a motorway patrol drew up behind them, two officers got out and walked along the hard shoulder to the group and asked them what was wrong.

Mack explained to them what had happened, but also told them the brakes were now working normally. But the officers were not too keen to let Mack carry on, but John told them that he would travel in front just in case the brakes failed again; reluctantly they agreed but said they would follow for a few miles to make sure that nothing was wrong. Little damage had been done to either of the rigs, so off they went, the four rigs keeping their speed down to a moderate fifty miles an hour.

Meanwhile back at Mack’s house, Jenny turned to her daughter, smiling she told her that she thought that her father was ok now, she felt that whatever it was that had upset her had now either resolved itself or it had finished altogether.

Christine smiled at Jenny, There you are Mum, all that worry for nothing, right I’m off to bed, I want to be ready for school early tomorrow instead of the last minute rush I usually have in a morning she kissed Jenny on the cheek, and left Jenny to watch the film.

Up on the motorway as the four rigs continued south Mack was nervously watching the air pressure gauges, but all the way down to Charnock Richards services the gauges only quivered twice, but it was enough to send a shiver up his spine and beads of perspiration began to appear on his forehead from the concentration. He breathed a sigh of relief as the four rigs swung off the motorway onto the services truck park.

The four made their way to the restaurant, and other drivers who had passed them as they stood on the hard shoulder asked them what had happened.

As they sat at the table during their meal the topic was the malfunctioning brakes, and Paul Shearer suggested that load-sensing valves might be the culprits and that they had been troublesome on his rig before. He added the only cure was a new set of valves but that was only a temporary cure because new ones were prone to trouble as minute particles of dirt getting into the valves after a short time in operation causing them to jam now and then.

That statement by Paul did nothing to make Mack feel any easier, and he was only too keen to get rolling for home and get any possible trouble over and done with.

As the four got onto the motorway Mack checking his mirrors saw a motorway patrol tuck in behind the last of the four rigs, he thought to himself, Your not half as worried as I am, I’m driving the bleeding thing, roll on Aldridge depot, it’ll be nice to see Jenny and the kids again he chuckled to himself thinking that it was only forty eight hours or so since he last saw them, but he still missed them so.

The rest of the journey was uneventful and as the four rigs pulled off the motorway onto the A5 at Gaily they pulled into the lay bye for a final check before going through Brownhills through to Aldridge. After a cursory check the four carried onto the depot in Aldridge where Mack reported the trouble to the office. The events of the next few hours were to become firmly embedded in his mind even though he would not know about them till days later.

After Mack had clocked off and left the depot, a train of events were set in motion that would put not only his life on the line but that of his wife Jenny and other staff at the firm of English-Scottish, and the lives off many others in the North of England

To the staff at the depot, even the trouble with Mack’s rig had not interfered with the start of a normal day in the life of staff at English-Scottish it was now eight o-clock in the morning, Mack and the other night trunk drivers would be in their beds, in the depot maintenance staff were arriving dashing to clock on at the last minute. Work was underway to segregate the different materials and loads off the trunk and onto the day shunters; trailers with full or half loads were being taken over by the day drivers. Refuelling and oiling was completed and the rigs with full or half loads were on their way out of the depot.

Jacko with his usual series of bawling and shouting managed to get the last five truckers out of the gate by 9.15am, minutes before Depot Manager John Trevelon arrived at his office. Finished with the trunk Jacko told the yard lads to go for their tea break, then he headed for the office where Jane the secretary, had his tea made, he sat discussing the events of the night and what had happened so far with the day shunter with John Trevelon. Discussing loads and pickup points and what vehicles to send where during the day, Trevelon brought up the subject of what happened with Mack Sylvester’s rig. What’s the problem with 454? The driver put in a report of brake trouble near Shap on the M6, he had to use the rear of one of the other rigs to stop himself, not much damage done though.

Jacko told him, Well I’ve had the mechanics look at his rig; Geoff Davis had a look at it before it went out, and he said it was a defective load-sensing valve. We hadn’t got one in stock so I asked the shunter to manage with it this morning he’s only gone down the road to Worcester, should be back by dinner then it’ll be fixed ready for tonight’s trunk.

Trevelon wasn’t too happy, Wasn’t there another tractor unit available for the shunter to take, where brake trouble is concerned I’d rather play safe than be sorry.

Pausing for a moment, Jacko then said that as soon as the shunter came back in he would get Geoff straight onto it.

Trevelon grunted a reply Jacko didn’t understand and then left the office, having finished his tea Jacko too left a couple of minutes later.

As he made his way towards the workshops an uneasy feeling was forming in his mind, nearing the workshops he could hear young Johnny Rawlins belting out one of his favourite songs above the hammering as a dent was being knocked out of a mudguard.

As Jacko entered the workshop the singing stopped Johnny could see that Jacko was worried about something on his mind. What’s up Jacko you look worried?

Jacko looked at him, and then he said quietly I just hope I haven’t dropped a bleeding clanger with 454, it’s got load-sensing valve trouble causing a drop in pressure on all tanks. Mack Sylvester had to use the rear of Paul Shearer’s rig to pull up in the mountains last night.

Johnny thought for a moment, Don’t worry Jacko, I’ll only be a few minutes more and I’ll get straight onto it.

Jacko stared at Johnny, The thing is I’ve sent it to Worcester with twenty tonnes of steel sheet on it.

Johnny looked at him in surprise, You’ve done what? his voice sounding concerned, looking at Jacko with a look of shock on his face, Christ’s sake Jacko do you know the bloody risk you’re taking with that rig in that dodgy condition, not too mention the risk to the driver and other road users. Those valves are a bloody menace, either they force the brakes on or they release them when the air pressures go down. The manufacturers are working flat out to try and redesign the damned things.

Upon hearing his words Jacko was realising just what he had done, and a worrying feeling was beginning to form in his mind, he didn’t like Thursday’s and this one he liked even less.

At 10.20am, the phone rang in the transport office, Trevelon’s secretary Jane answered it English-Scottish Limited

A sombre voice came on the line, Worcester police here, Sergeant Squire’s speaking.

As she listened, her face took on an expression of shock, after a few minutes, she wrote down an address and answered with Yes, yes I understand Sergeant; I’ll get the wrecker crew on their way immediately, thank you Sergeant. She slammed the receiver down, picked up the paper with the address on it and dashed out of the office and headed for the workshops, in search of Jacko and Trevelon as fast as her legs could carry her, as she neared the workshops she was gasping for breath.

Jacko came out of the door to the workshops just as she reached for the handle he could see she was worried he waited as Jane fought to get her breath back so could speak, Take it easy Jane, then after a minute or two he said, Right Jane what’s up?

She took another deep breath then she told him. its 454. it’s gone off the road near Worcester, Worcester police phoned and gave me the location address, here it is.

She handed the paper to him just as Johnny Rawlins joined them and asked what was up, after Jacko had explained he called to Geoff, just inside the bay I’ll get the wrecker Geoff you get your toolbox okay? After getting the toolbox put into the wrecker and fuelled up, the two mechanics leapt aboard the wrecker and trundled out of the gate on their way to Worcester.

Trevelon was back in his office now and Jacko could see Jane on her way back there, he decided he had better go and face Trevelon right away and get it over with, as he reached the office door he could hear John Trevelon’s voice rising in anger, Right Jane get Jacko in here as soon as you can!

He tapped on the office door, Trevelon’s voice boomed out COME IN. As he entered Trevelon and Jane stood staring at him, he wished the ground would open up and swallow him; he was in for it he could see that by the expression on Trevelon’s face. Jane made a hasty exit as John Trevelon exploded in fury, What the bloody hell were you thinking of sending a fully loaded rig out in that bloody condition, do you realise the position you have put this company in? Jacko opened his mouth to speak, but Trevelon carried on, Not to mention the danger you put that driver in, and members of the general public.

Jacko waited, slowly Trevelon calmed down, finally he said to Jacko, It’s a damned good job that shunter Tony was driving, he managed to run the rig into bushes to stop it, I thought you had more bloody sense than that Jacko, what made you send it down to Worcester like that in that condition? You’ve laid us open to charges of negligence and endangering public safety, the traffic commissioners will be onto us because of this, once they are in it takes a hell of a lot of time to get rid of them. Go and tell Steve in the workshops that his brother is okay just a bump on his forehead that’s all and don’t ever let the company and me down again. Remember this may take some time to blow over once Scotland gets wind of it so you’re not out of the woods yet.

Jane came in with a tray with tea and biscuits on it, Trevelon told him to have a cuppa and a biscuit then go and tell Steve that his brother is ok"

Knowing that he was in Trevelon’s bad books he hastily drank his tea and made a hasty exit heading for the workshops, reaching the workshops; Jacko found Steve and gave him the news.

Steve’s face lit up as Jacko told him about his brother, Thank God for that, you know that really put the wind up me, whatever you do Jacko don’t ever send a rig out in that condition again and with that problem, or else we shall be going to somebody’s funeral.

On his way back to the office Jacko was thinking that he hoped everything else would go all right for the rest of the day. He was angry with himself for being so stupid for letting that situation develop; it could have ended up more serious than what had happened today, he saw Trevelon in the office as he entered.

Don’t worry Jacko, it could have been a damn sight worse, I was really surprised at you though letting that rig out in that condition, what made you do it Jacko? Trevelon asked as he entered the office.

Looking a little uncomfortable Jacko could not give him an answer directly, just as he was about to say something the phone rang, he picked up the receiver, it was Sid Yates the shunter loading in Birmingham with the new York box van, the forklift driver loading the van had tipped a pallet upside down damaging the floor and damaging an airline due to the floor having a large dent bashed into it as the pallet tipped over, pushing the floor of the van against the airline, no leaks but it would rub against the airline until it fractured.

Trevelon told Sid to bring it back to the yard when loaded and then the floor could be repaired.

Jacko said to Trevelon, What else can bleedin well happen and why is it always on a Thursday for Christ sake!

Trevelon too wondered why things went wrong on a Thursday. "Perhaps Jacko its because people everywhere are getting that bit tired now its nearing the end of the week, anyway make sure that York is unloaded as soon as it gets here and that damaged floor is repaired, I’ll put a note in with the load documents asking Scotland depot to repair the floor properly before sending it back down here again.

Just after 3.00pm the big Scammel trundled into the yard from Worcester with 454 on tow behind it, nothing much seemed bent or broken, the damage seemed confined to a broken headlamp lens and a bent bumper. Geoff jumped down from the Scammel as soon as it stopped outside the workshops followed by Tony Chiltern.

Tony’s head was bandaged but otherwise he seemed ok, Trevelon, Jacko and the workshop staff gathered round Tony as he told them what had happened. As he neared Worcester, a car had pulled out in front of him, he hit the brakes but to no effect and he had to ditch the rig in some deep bushes at the side of the road to avoid hitting the car, the load was well strapped and roped and did not move on the trailer despite being ditched in the thick bushes. Tony was told by Trevelon to have an early night and Jacko was told to get 454 uncoupled, steamed off and into the workshops as quickly as possible.

Third one back through the gates was Sid Yates with the damaged box van it had to be partly unloaded and quickly repaired in time for the night trunk, two hours passed by and it was getting dark by now and all the trunk was ready lined up and ready for the nights journey up to Scotland again, except that is for 454, a new valve had been collected from the agents only to find that when they come to fit it the mechanics realised they had the wrong load sensing valve, it was for an older model.

Trevelon was none too pleased at the news they had the wrong valve, he told the mechanics to use 454 to pull the box van out of the workshops, get the van reloaded and put it into the line-up of the night trunk. With the old valve back in place so they could use it to take out the box van 454 was coupled to the van and then drove out to the trunk line-up, back in ready to uncouple from the box.

A note was to be put under the wiper blades telling Mack Sylvester to drop the van and couple it to 279. Bill Suthern drove 454 out to the line-up and dropped the legs on the trailer and uncoupled the air and electrical lines as he did so most of the people had gone home. So apart from himself there was only the night watchman who had just come on duty

Johnny Rawlins and three other yard staff, they were kicking up a noise yelling to Bill to come on, they and Bill had a darts match to play down at the pub. They made so much commotion that he promised he would wash up immediately and dash home, have his tea and see them in the pub about eight. He made his way to the washroom, and minutes later he had clocked off and was on his way out of the depot in his car, looking forward to the darts match at the pub, the lads at the depot seemed a friendly lot even though he had only been there a week, As he made his way through the evening traffic Bill had a bit of a nagging feeling in his mind that there was something he had forgotten to do before he left.

Still, he shrugged his shoulders thinking that it couldn’t be that important or else he would have remembered, but little did he know that those thoughts were going to haunt him in the coming days like nothing had ever done so before, well he wouldn’t know that yet.

Trevelon was at home and just having tea and watching the weather forecast for Northern England and Scotland he did not like what was showing, black ice topped with freezing rain was forecast for the Carlisle area of the M6 North, he rang the weather bureau at Carlisle and asked about road conditions in that area. He was told that for the last forty to forty five miles of the M6 and the first twenty miles of the A74 northwards conditions were pretty bad, heavy fog in places and getting thicker and denser with every minute that passed by. This giving way to heavy rain, as it hit the road surfaces, covering the surfaces with a layer of thick black ice, that drivers didn’t usually see but only realised they were on it when the steering suddenly went as light as a feather or if they were lucky saw the gleam of the ice in their headlights and could slow down some before they were on the ice. He phoned the depot and told the night watchman to warn the trunk about the conditions around Carlisle and also tell them to be bloody careful out there.

As he replaced the receiver he said to his wife Carol, It’s on nights like this that I would not like a trunker’s job for all the money in the world. People think that a night trunk driver’s job is a cushy one but with the weather as bad as it is tonight up in the mountains near Shap Summit, it’ll be rough on those drivers, I just hope they are sensible that’s all. She smiled at him, You’re like a broody old hen watching over her chicks, you’ve said a few times that you wouldn’t mind betting that you have some of the best drivers in the world working for you, they’re sensible and surely they won’t take chances with the weather up there near Carlisle as bad as it is, so sit down put you’re feet up and watch the telly after you’ve had your tea, and that’s getting cold so sit down, stop worrying they’ll be all right, you’ll see.

Maybe Carol is right? he thought, even so a nagging doubt was beginning to form in his mind, he was wishing this night had gone and tomorrow was here and everyone was all right

Back at Mack’s house, Mack had just kissed Jenny and the girl’s goodbye, and then he set off for the depot. Jenny, an attractive woman in her early thirties watched as Mack went the length of the street and turned left out of her sight before she turned and went inside locking the door behind her. And she too had seen the weather forecast on TV and having been married to her trucker husband Mack for all of fourteen years she recognised that old feeling every time she kissed Mack goodbye, a feeling of fear and concern for her man, wondering if she would ever see him alive ever again. Blast this feeling! she said out loud.

Her 13 year old daughter Christine said, Don’t worry Mum, Dad always gets there and back again safe and sound you’ll see, there’s a good programme on TV so lets sit down and relax eh Mom? Christine had seen the worry her mother went through when reports of bad weather on her father’s route to and from Scotland appeared on TV or radio and she had also heard her asking Mack to come off trunk many times, but he loved the job.

On the journey to the depot Mack had to leave his car at Steve Chilterns house so that he could check the brakes on his car the next day and he was to take Steve’s car instead. When he got there Steve’s wife gave him the keys to Steve’s car, Mack thanked her, got Steve’s car out, put his own in and continued on to the depot, when he pulled into the depot yard he could see the rest of the trunk had gone, only 454 stood in the trunk line up. He noticed the landing gear down on the trailer and the air and electrical lines not coupled up. Idle sods he grunted as he walked to the night watchman’s hut to clock on.

After clocking on the watchman called to him, Gaffer rang to say weather’s bad up at Carlisle, near Shap, fog in places giving way to black ice and heavy rain freezing as it hits the tarmac, he said to watch your step and take no chances.

Mack thanked him and walked over to 454 and put his bag and briefcase in the cab, and then he coupled up, checked fuel, oil and water levels, started the engine, watched the pressure gauges to see that they built up pressure normally, everything seemed ok.

He gave a blast on the air horns and moved forward to the watchman’s office Got all your gear Mack the watchman called to him.

Mack put his head out of the driver’s window, Yeah I’ve got everything, book us out at 2015 will you?

The watchman reached for the duty book as Mack pulled away and slowly drove out of the gate. On his way from Aldridge heading through Brown hills towards the A5 and up to Gaily and the M6 the weather was deteriorating, the rain bouncing hard off the windscreen not knowing that there was one thing missing when he climbed into the cab of 454, one thing that could have prevented him heading into disaster the one thing Bill Suthern had forgot to do was to put the note on the windscreen telling him to take 279.

Chapter 2

At about eight thirty Steve Chiltern walked into the bar of the Falcon pub about a mile away from the depot, ordered a drink and looked round the room to see who was in, he saw some of the lads from the depot playing darts with some fellas he didn’t know.

Playing were Johnny Rawlins, Bill Suthern, and Geoff Davies, also a couple of the yard lads, and lads probably from another pub so he guessed the match was about to start.

As he joined them Geoff asked, Bit late aren’t you?

Steve replied, Yeah, I had to pick up some bits for Mack Sylvester’s car I’ve got to do the brakes on his car for him ready for when he gets back from Scotland tomorrow. another fifteen minutes and the match against another pub was finished so Steve joined the depot lads for a game.

About twenty minutes later Jacko the Yard Foreman from the depot walked in with his wife June and being as there were so many playing it was decided to play a knockout, and split into three teams.

They had been playing just a few minutes and the conversation got onto the days events at the depot, Johnny Rawlins said to Geoff That was a near miss we had today with 454 today better make sure that doesn’t happen again in a hurry.

Geoff replied saying Well I’ve ordered the right valve this time, those bloody parts people are always dropping clangers, and you’ve got to watch’em you know. Still we’ve got 454 in the workshops ready for finishing it in the morning then it’ll be ready for Mack Sylvester to go back up to Scotland with next trip.

Jacko’s wife June butted in with, Did I hear you right Geoff, are you saying that 454 has still got the dodgy valve on it, I mean are you saying that Mack Sylvester’s tractor unit has not had a new valve fitted? As she said those words her voice took on a sound of alarm. Geoff looked at her, surprised at her question and at the worry in her voice, thinking What business is it of hers anyway? He answered, Yes June we’re going to finish it tomorrow, why are you so concerned June?

Sensing that Geoff was feeling that June was poking her nose in where it wasn’t wanted Jacko butted in, What do you want to know that for Love, you look as if something’s up?

June looked decidedly uneasy, and looking around the group she said, Well I think that you won’t like what I’ve got to say love.

By now all the group from the depot were hanging on her every word, Jacko becoming increasingly alarmed took June by her arm and said loudly and sharply, Now June if there’s something you think we should know then don’t mess about any longer, because right now you are scaring the hell out of me, so come on love out with it.

June, her face taking on a pale pallor, quietly replied. Well love, when I was on my way to pick you up from your mothers to bring you here, I saw Mack Sylvester going up the High Street in Brownhills, heading for the A5 to the M6. I know it was Mack Sylvester driving because I flashed my headlights at him and waved as we passed each other by and I also glanced at the number plate…

Before she could finish Jacko stood in front of her and slowly put his hands on her shoulders and stared hard into her face, his face an ashen grey and white ash colour, the group stared at her in shocked silence as they sensed what Jacko was going to ask her next. All the regulars sensed the tension in the group too, and now there was no conversation only the sound of Jacko’s voice as he asked June the question all in the group were dreading. Now love think before you answer me, ok?

June nodded meekly, her face now had taken on a look of horror at what she was about to say, quietly she replied, It was definitely 454 that Mack Sylvester was driving and he was really putting the power on up the High Street, he was really pushing it! Her voice had a tremble in it as she spoke, her bottom lip was quivering as if she was about to break into tears, her eyes were beginning to glisten with tears as well.

Nobody is going to blame you if have made a mistake love…

Before Jacko could say another word June, her voice raising into a crescendo almost yelled at him Do you think I would say anything like what I have just said if I was not certain of the facts, do you Alan?

He looked at her, his face a deathly white, as were all the others in the group. June slapped her hands onto his chest, at the same time almost yelling It was 454 Mack was driving and you’ve got to stop him before its too late! Tears were now running down her face as she stopped yelling at him.

The room fell into a deathly silence for a moment or two, the group and all the regulars staring in disbelief at what June had just said.

Jacko, eyes burning into June’s eyes said quietly, Now love you know the consequences of what you have just said, are you completely and utterly sure Mack was in 454?

June her face full of fury that in front of all from the depot and the regulars and the landlord somehow he still didn’t seem to believe her

She wrenched her hands away from him and shouting at him replied, Of course I know the bloody consequences Alan, I’m right I am absolutely bloody right. It was Mack and he was driving 454 and he was going like a bat out of hell up the bleedin high street, through Brownhills. For Christ sake, do something we’ve got to get onto the police before he gets anywhere near Carlisle the weather up there is atrocious, black ice. Heavy rain, freezing as it hits the road, there have already been accidents up there and the motorway has been closed just near Carlisle, it was on the radio just after I had seen Mack. Now for Gods sake do something Alan before he gets killed or seriously injured!

Geoff looked at Bill Suthern and asked, That note Bill how did you fix it to the windscreen, could it have blown off by the wind and rain before Mack got to the depot? he looked at Bill whose face was ashen grey, his eyes staring at Geoff, Geoff studied his face for a moment, then hardly daring to ask he said to Bill, Bill, tell me, please, please, tell me you put that note on the windscreen of Mack’s tractor please tell me June’s made a mistake Bill, don’t stand there like a Pratt! Say something sod you!

Bill, his face by now a deathly white, his lips moving with hardly any sound, had difficulty getting his words out, almost as if he were frightened to speak It.. it were… it were the shouting you see…

Before he could say anything else Geoff had him pinned up against the wall and screaming at him. What bloody shouting…

Bill was really scared now; Jacko grabbed Geoff and yanked him away from Bill.

Bill carried on almost pleading by now, pointing to two of the yard lads It was those two and another yard lad, they were shouting for me to come down here and have a game and a drink. With the noise I must’ve forgot… His face an expression of horror at what he’d done he said Oh, dear God, I forgot to tell the watchman to tell Mack to take 279 instead of 454. Oh, dear God what have I done we’ve got to do something quickly please help me?

Jacko had to step in between Geoff and Bill as Geoff lunged at Bill.

The licensee Danny seeing that a scrap between the two men was imminent rushed from behind the bar and asked Jacko what was going on.

Danny! Said Jacko loudly, We’ve got a serious problem, Mack Sylvester is on his way up north to Scotland with a unit that’s got dodgy brakes and he could lose ’em at anytime and the motorway is closed at Carlisle and traffic is being diverted through the mountains in atrocious weather conditions, can I use your phone Danny?

Danny said Course you can Jacko Follow me.

You lot Jacko said to the group from the depot, Get up to the depot and try and get hold of Trevelon and tell him what’s happened and make your story sound convincing enough and not to mention anything about the note other than it was supposed to be on the windscreen, get it? No mention of the note not being on the screen, now get going while I try and get hold of the motorway police."

The lads and June scurried out of the pub as fast as their legs could carry them, a couple of minutes later their cars were tearing off the car park making other cars on the road swerve to miss them as they shot away up the road to the depot.

As they left Jacko got through to the motorway police and gave them full details of what had happened, then he too rushed out of the pub and then raced off the car park the wheels of his car spinning as they tried to get a grip on the wet road. On the way to the depot, in the leading car, Geoff was thinking of Mack’s wife and girls, What a bleedin day and now this, what would they think and how would they feel if things go disastrously wrong, surely they would be devastated. He hoped against hope that everything would be ok and they would find Mack before any thing serious happened, as he looked through the windscreen at the heavy rain now hitting their car.

Minutes later the little convoy of cars swung into the depot yard horns blaring to alert the watchman who looked out of the window in alarm at the noise but relaxed a bit at seeing the depot lads and June spilling out of the cars as they skidded to a halt outside his office, bits of gravel hitting the office windows as the cars came to a halt.

Shouting to him to open up the transport office the group ran towards the office block, he got the keys and hurried over to the office block asking when he got there and what the hell was going on.

Steve explained to him what had happened as Geoff phoned Trevelon, as he did so the others were busy concocting a story to cover over Bill Suthern’s mistake, certain that Bill would be sacked if Trevelon knew the mistake about the note on the windscreen.

Geoff yelled at them to shut up, as he could not hear with all the noise going on.

Everyone watched Geoff as he told Trevelon what had happened, not daring to mention Bill, and the note. As he finished speaking he held the receiver away from his ear, grimacing as he did so, even then Trevelon’s voice could be heard bellowing down the line, he went on for a couple of minutes then Geoff put down the receiver grimacing as he did so.

Bleedin hell, I’ve never heard so many bleedin swear words in my life; some of em even made me flinch, now then, he’s on his way, not a word about the note just let him think its blown off the windscreen ok now? They were all in agreement with him, Steve asked what was on the trailer but no one was sure, just then the sound of screeching tyres heralded the arrival of Jacko’s car.

They all heard the handbrake go hard on before the vehicle had stopped then Jacko came running into the office, his face was blood red with effort of running and he was gasping for breath. After a few moments he explained that he had got through to the motorway police and gave them all the details and they were now searching with the co-operation of other police forces along