Angel on my Shoulder

by Carl Leckey

  One of the fitters has taken Hazel to the ferry. Harry has gone along to see her off.”

  The letter appears to be from an official German department by the look of the heading and stamps. But it is written entirely in German. I hand it back to Billy. “What has this got to do with me? I can’t understand a bloody word.” “Sorry Scouse I will explain. Harry had it translated by one of his contacts. It’s about that truck Oscar took with him. By the way I am sorry to hear he is dead. Harry told me all about it. For a Boche he was a good man.”

  That’s Billy all over, although he accepted Oscar he still had this inborn suspicion about Germans. The fact he called Oscar a good man is progress. He continues the death of poor Oscar dismissed.

  “The truck” When I look vague he repeats.

  “Oscar’s truck Scouse, come on wake up lad? It’s being held at a German border post. If we pay a fee we can reclaim it.

  The vehicle is still registered with OSCADA, that’s why they contacted the company.” “Ah! I don’t know Bill? By the time we lose the services of a driver for about a week plus the expense of petrol. We don’t even know what state the truck is in? It might not be worth the effort and expense?” He answers eagerly. “This is why I brought the letter Scouse.

  I need another truck if I go and fetch it can we have it to expand our bit of the operation? Go on Scouse say yes. Harry says it’s up to you. We really need it. I bet you have written it off anyway?”

  I laugh at his enthusiasm. “Bill! I must admit I haven’t given it a thought. We have already ordered ten new Renault trucks. There could be a few surplus ones you can have from here shortly.

  You can have Oscars truck with pleasure, but I can’t afford to let any of the lads go with you to fetch it. That little excursion could take a week at least?” He assures me excitedly. “Don’t you worry about that? I will take care of everything Scouse? I’ll have to go now. I have got an urgent load on the truck for the docks. Then I have to pick up my new trailer from the depot and have the hitch fitted. That’s the reason I came early, we have been on the road since early morning. The kid is already in the fitters shop up to his eyes in it when I left him. Then I have a return load that will be nearly double with the trailer. You won’t see much of me this weekend my old mate, got to go.” “Hang on Bill you can’t get directly to Germany you will have to pass through Belgium Luxemburg or Switzerland where is the truck anyway?” Bill informs me “It’s on the Luxemburg, German border. Don’t worry. I have a British passport I can go anywhere. My mate knows his way around we won’t get lost and we might drum up some business on the trip.

  See you Scouse and thanks for the truck Louise will appreciate it. Good luck at the meeting Saturday. Harry tells me you have big plans.

  Can’t wait to hear what they are. If I don’t see her before you do me a favour Scouse? Will you tell Louise the news and I hope to see her before I leave for Germany?” The speed things are moving astounds me. I try to delay him to no avail as he heads for his truck I call. “Hey wait a minute Bill, make sure you get a letter of authority from Harry you know how official the Germans are? By the way who is going with you to pick up the truck?” He replies. “Father Peter of course, he is my new driver. Oh yes. I nearly forgot, he has sent a letter to you. I have left it at the depot with Harry.” I inquire, “I’m just on my way to the meeting Bill. Is it urgent do you know?” Depends on how you look at it. I’ve got my copy, there is one for Paul and Harry as well.

  He is making arrangements to marry us all in about two months time, right here in Le Havre. It will be a bit like an army parade when we all attend the service dressed up like May horses. Ha, ha. Catch you next week or maybe the one after.” Bloody hell! I wonder what’s going on at the village. Father Peter is now a truck driver? Has he lost his position as the village priest? Wait until I tell Denise.

  If Bill is right about the contents of the letters then the wedding arrangements fit in nicely with my plans.

  It looks as if that’s all I will be seeing of my old mate this weekend. We haven’t even time for our usual get together at the café. I must say I feel really proud of Billy just the same. I wonder how Oscar made it through Luxemburg without his passport. Well if it all goes as I plan at the meeting, all these problems will not be mine for a while. I finally decided what I want to do now. I have been pondering my circumstances in the early hours until I made the firm decision. I recalled one of Toot’s favourite expressions which helped me make my mind up. When you have finished cogitating, start delegating. This is exactly what I am going to do. I am virtually handing over the OSCADA company lock stock and barrel, to my good loyal and very capable mates to manage it on my behalf. I am from now on concentrating on my family. Priority number one is should Denise wish to remain to oversee the rebuilding of the house on the lake? I shall return to England on my own and resolve the situation with my Mother. Denise closes the house door asking as she climbs into the car. “I heard an engine noise. Who was that then?” Seconds later we are on our way to the meeting via the depot to collect my Rolls, then on to the meeting to re-arrange my life.

  On the whole the war and the aftermath have been kind to me totally changing my life. Although I remain a sceptic I believe I do have a guardian Angel guiding and looking after me, blessing me with good fortune and a happy fulfilling life.

  The End

  All rights reserved

  Copyright © Carl Leckey, 2011

  Carl Leckey is hereby identified as author of this work in accordance with Section 77 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988

  The book cover picture is copyright to Carl Leckey

  ISBN : 978-1-78148-014-4 in epub format

  This book is published by

  Grosvenor House Publishing Ltd

  28-30 High Street, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 3HY.

  www.grosvenorhousepublishing.co.uk

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