‘Got a tag on,’ Alex lied, ‘and no, I’m not raising my trouser leg to show you. I got into a bit of trouble, that’s why the pub is in Maggie’s name not mine.’

‘Fair enough, plenty of my mates wear ankle bracelets,’ Luke laughed. ‘I think that’s a better name for them, don’t you?’

Alex’s business brain started working. ‘Of course you have an alternative option.’

Frowning, Luke shrugged. ‘Go on, I’m listening.’

‘Sell the rest back to the people who own them. Who are they going to tell?’

‘Are you fucking crazy! What am I going to say? Here’s your stuff I nicked while you were trying to kill me?’

‘Let me think about it. Keep some of the seedlings for your gardener and get him to take some cuttings.’ Alex grinned.

‘So, does that mean we’re partners then?’ Luke asked.

Apprehensively, Alex thought about Luke’s words. What harm could it do? Alex reasoned. And there was a lot of money at stake. He needed to think about it. Holding out his hand, he picked up the bag and held his other hand out to Luke. ‘Partners. Let me work something out about those plants. How do I get hold of you?’ Alex was feeling much more relaxed now.

‘You know where to find me Alex.’ Luke shrugged.

‘Indeed I do. I’ll be in touch. I had better get back; they’ll wonder where I am.’

‘Speak soon, I’ve got my reindeers parked at the top of the street with false plates on, so I had better go too. I’m glad we sorted that out.’ Shaking each other’s hands, they walked in opposite directions. Alex had to laugh to himself. Reindeers, indeed. He liked Luke.

Going down into the cellar, Alex stuffed the bag behind some barrels. Standing back, he could see no sign of the bag. That will do for now, he thought to himself and walked back up to the bar with a smile on his face. This was the best Christmas he had ever had!

12 GOLDEN OPPORTUNITIES

Mark’s phone rang during the pub’s New Year’s Eve party. Answering it, his face dropped. ‘Sorry mate, no can do,’ Alex heard him say.

‘What was all that about? Trouble?’ asked Alex.

‘Sort of. Someone has broken down in town and rang for help. I am entitled to a few days off, aren’t I?’

‘Mark, you’re a good mate, but I think you have more than a few days off. Your van has been stuck in your drive for weeks. When was the last time you actually went on the road and fixed a car?’

‘Fuck, I could have charged double, too,’ Mark laughed and took another gulp of his drink. Spying him closely, Alex could feel an idea forming in his brain. It was worth a chance.

‘I could do it. I haven’t had a drink tonight. If it’s double money, you could give me half. I know a bit about cars; what did they say was wrong with it?’

‘Nah Alex, they want a professional. Proper mechanic like me. They said it wouldn’t start. Totally dead apparently.’

‘Well, if they want a proper mechanic, why are they calling you?’ Making light of it, Alex burst into laughter. ‘Sorry Mark, you walked into that one.’ Seeing the smile appear on Mark’s face meant no offence had been taken. Then Mark’s phone rang again; it was the same person, begging him to go, even offering more money.

‘You sure you’re sober Alex? It’s New Year and the police are about, looking for drunk drivers.’

‘Haven’t had a drop.’

‘If you will go, I’ll give you half. But do a proper job mind,’ Mark warned. Alex couldn’t help laughing, because he knew whatever he did he’d do a better job than Mark. The complaints he had about his work were unbelievable. Even the reviews he got online were abusive with people wanting their money back.

Once Mark had said he was on his way, he handed Alex the keys to his van. ‘Everything you need is in the back. Any problems, give me a call.’

Going out into the dark, he opened Mark’s van. There he found Mark’s giant waterproof coat including his woolly hat with an LED light on the forehead. The coat was too big and covered him almost to his shins. Pulling up the collar and hood, he started the van and drove off to the address Mark had given him.

A distressed woman and her friend flagged him down once they saw the logo and the orange light flashing on top. The rain was now pouring down on them, so he told the women to get back into the car. Once he’d looked under the bonnet, he saw that it was a straightforward job, but decided to take his time and give the women their money’s worth.

Raking through Mark’s untidy van, he found the jump leads and, in an instant, started the car up. ‘Hope you ladies haven’t been drinking. You can’t drive if you have. I can tow you somewhere if you want?’ he offered.

‘No, we haven’t. We’ve been to see a musical at the theatre and it’s quicker to take the car at New Year. I need a large drink when I get home though. This has been a nightmare.’

‘You need to join a rescue scheme and not hope for the best.’ Taking his advice on board, the women opened their purses and between them found three hundred pounds in cash.

So, Mark was all cash in hand then, he thought to himself. ‘Thanks ladies. Now, go on home and have that drink. If you need us again, you know the number.’ Alex grinned and after waiting until they drove off safely, drove home himself. This could be his get-out-of-jail-free card, he thought to himself. He was a mobile mechanic, and he could go anywhere. He could even pop to Luke’s, if and when he needed to… Now that was a good idea.

Once home, he looked to see if the police surveillance car was around. They drove past a lot and sometimes sat out there for hours on end watching him. He was their precious cargo for now. In time, he knew they would drop him like a hot potato, but for now, he felt like a goldfish.

Once out of the van, he walked straight into the pub. Still wearing Mark’s coat and hat, he handed Mark the money.

‘Was it okay? Could you fix it?’

‘Yeah, just battery trouble like you said. You really know your stuff Mark.’ Alex knew to appeal to Mark’s ego and flattering him was the only way to get the little bit of freedom he had enjoyed.

Grinning from ear to ear, Mark pulled him aside, counted out the money and gave Alex his half. ‘Give me the coat Alex, you’re dripping all over the carpet. I’ll put it back in the van.’

‘Oh, sorry Mark, I wasn’t thinking. I should have done that.’ Alex watched as Mark left the pub and put his coat back in his van. It was perfect. If the police were looking, it would be Mark they saw putting his clothing in the car, not Alex. The perfect alibi, Alex mused to himself. All he needed was for Mark to take the bait and come up with a great idea. Although even he had to admit, it would take a little nudging, because he wasn’t the brightest lightbulb in the box.

Furnishing Mark with another drink, he grinned. ‘I enjoyed that, Mark. It got me out from under the women’s feet. I get bored in here sometimes. It’s been a while since I was under a car bonnet. It took me back to the good old days.’ Alex had now dropped the bait, and was waiting for a drunken Mark to snap it up.

‘Good old days? When was that then? You don’t speak a lot about your life before here.’

‘Oh, didn’t I tell you my dad was a mechanic? I used to help him out a lot. Cars are my first love; pubs are Maggie’s, and she doesn’t really need me here.’ Alex saw Mark spying him closely between gulps. He could see Mark’s brain drunkenly forming an idea that would suit them both.

‘How come you’re not working love? I thought all agencies wanted extra staff at this time of year.’ Barrow undid his tie, casting it aside. It had been a hell of a day at the prison. It always was this time of year. The inmates tried making the best of Christmas, but it hit home more than usual just how much they missed their families.

‘No, nothing for tonight. I had my fingers crossed that pub I worked at on Christmas Day might need someone.’

‘Yes, I remember you saying. Maybe you didn’t make a good impression,’ he joked while kicking his shoes off.

‘Well, I liked the landlady, she was nice, but her foreign husband Mr Silva didn’t take too kindly to me.’

Although tired, the name struck a chord in his brain. He had heard that name before. ‘Foreign husband? From where?’ he asked, trying not to cause suspicion.

‘Well, I thought he was Spanish, and I asked him, but he ignored me. A bit shirty if you ask me, too big for his boots in my opinion. How he got a nice caring wife like that is beyond me.’

‘The same could be said about you Julia. Unusual name though, Silva…’ Walking into the bathroom to have a shower, he pondered on what she had said, and knew it was of some importance.

In bed later that night, Barrow suddenly remembered where he had heard the name before. Paul Pereira had said it many times. This was apparently the man who had put him behind bars. The very man Pereira was trying to find. Barrow felt as though he couldn’t breathe. He had found the very man that Paul was prepared to pay millions in bounty for. This was his lottery ticket out of work. No more walking landings and sorting arguments between inmates. The money he could get for this information was unbelievable. There was a bounty on this Silva bloke’s head, and he would claim it. Paul would be more than grateful and eager to pay, and more than that he would be forever in debt to him for saving his neck. Mentally, he was already spending the money and picturing himself on some yacht in the middle of the Mediterranean with some young woman.