Read Online Thorn In My Side by Sheila Quigley - Free Book Online Page B

won’t be in Durham… Oh,
and the Wear did burst its banks, one night in November 1967. That
was before you were born, though. It’s all on record.'
    'Well, I needed
to know that.' Mike gritted his teeth. Sometimes he felt like
strangling the kid. 'And in case you hadn’t noticed, danger comes
with the flaming job, Smiler, or haven’t you realised yet I’m a
fucking copper? Danger’s the name of the game. It says so on the
contract.'
    Smiler’s lip
twitched, then he said, 'Duh… Of course I know that, but I couldn’t
let you go into this frightening business without knowing the
danger.'
    'Knowing what,
for God’s sake?' Mike demanded, going on without giving Smiler a
chance to answer. 'You see, that’s half the problem, you never seem
to know what, do you? And guess bloody what else, Smiler, there’s
danger everywhere. You’re in danger crossing the bloody roads,
man.'
    Smiler sat back
and frowned. 'You saved my life Mike. In some cultures, that makes
you responsible for it.'
    'Yeah, does it
now?
    Smiler nodded
solemnly.
    'OK, let’s just
make sure you don’t let me down and turn into an axe murderer or
worse, ‘cos I’ll have you.'
    He was rewarded
with a half-smile, before going on, 'And if it’s my life that’s in
danger, kid, how the hell does that involve you and the half-dozen
passengers you carry around in your head?'
    'Cos I’ll be
with you.'
    'No you won’t,
sunshine, trust me. You’re on the next train back to London.'
    Smiler crossed
his arms. 'No way, mate. Too hairy down there now.'
    'What do you
mean?'
    'You should
know, Mike, there’s some new shit just hit the streets.' Smiler
looked at him in earnest, pleased that he had something concrete to
tell him. 'Oh yeah, and it’s coming from the north.'
    This tied in
with what Mike was working on. Frowning, he asked, 'So what do you
know about this new gear?'
    Briefly Smiler
told Mike about his encounter with Snakes and the yellow tablets.
'And that’s all really, I er… I threw it at him and ran like hell.'
Smiler put his head down, ashamed to admit that he’d run.
    'No, no,
Smiler. Trust me, you did the right thing.'
    'No I didn’t. I
should have found out more.'
    'You’re too
vulnerable at the moment, mate, to take risks like that. You really
did do the right thing… I’m proud of you.'
    Smiler lifted
his head, his eyes shining. His words full of awe, he said,
'Honest, you really mean it? You’re proud of me?'
    Nodding, Mike
said, 'I am, kid. It took some guts to walk away.'They both became
quiet as the train pulled into Durham and they were greeted with
the magnificent sight of the castle and the cathedral.
    'Wow,' Smiler
said.
    'Yeah, always
gets me like that. You should see it on a night when it’s lit up,
from here the view is fantastic… I know I’m home when I see
it.'
    Spotting the
trolley attendant making her way up the aisle, Mike asked, 'Want a
fresh can?'
    'Oh, yes
please.' Smiler nodded vigorously.
    'Crisps, choc
bar?'
    He nodded
again.
    A minute later,
fresh can of pop in hand, and after a long thirsty swallow, he
said. 'Did you know that the castle was begun in 1072 as a defence
mound by William the Conqueror? Then various bishops over the years
added to it. The cathedral was begun in 1093, took around forty
years to build, and really was built as a shrine to St Cuthbert.
It’s also the best preserved Norman building, probably in the whole
world.'
    Mike continued
to stare at the castle and cathedral as they pulled away. What
the hell can I say to that?
    Plus Mike
wasn’t always sure if Smiler was spouting the facts to him, or
trying to educate the passengers in his head. It was eerie the way
Smiler spoke when he recounted anything he’d read.
    The kid was
always right, though. Never in his life had he known anybody soak
up facts like Smiler. He’d used reading as a way to escape from the
living hell he’d been born into, spending most of his time, when
not earning on the streets, in the library. He’d devoured