“I do? And what kind of look is that?”
“You know. Smart. Intelligent. Confident. You always came across as being capable at school, independent, didn’t need to be a part of a group to get noticed. I’m sure I’m not the only person who saw that in you.”
When Adrian peered around, he saw Lenny now looking out the window, but in the reflection could see him smiling to himself. Had Adrian’s comments amused him?
“What did I say?” he asked.
“No, it’s nothing. Except I was anything but capable or independent back then. Lonely, maybe.”
Adrian had no answer for Lenny’s comment. He had always been a little in awe of young Lenny Day. To hear he had been lonely made Adrian feel sad, because had he known, he would have tried harder to connect with him.
Up ahead he spotted the familiar distinctive sign for Turnbull Motor Services, Ted’s garage.
“Here we are. Let me come in with you. I know Ted well and can explain what the problem is.”
Adrian pulled up on the forecourt, where a line of five cars had for sale stickers on them. Parking up, he jumped out of the truck as Lenny followed suit. A small glass office with a front door sat beside the double-fronted bays of the garage, almost every inch of each pane covered with adverts for different motor companies, components or brands of motor oil. In one of the bays, two young lads in navy-blue overalls leant over the bonnet of an old silver Mercedes which had definitely seen better days. Outside the second bay, one lad smoked a cigarette beneath a canopy.
“Hey, Pete,” called Adrian, as Lenny stepped up and matched his stride, and they marched towards the office. He knew the lad well, often met him and Ted having a pint together in the Lion. “Is he around?”
“In the office.” Pete nodded to the office door. “Doing sod all, as usual.”
In his trademark orange overalls, Ted sat behind a cluttered desk in the small toasty-warm office and waiting area, running through invoices. After a bit of small talk, Ted acknowledging Lenny’s father and his car, having provided an MOT each year, Adrian quickly cut to the chase. Ted listened intently until Adrian had finished.
“Ah, well, you caught us at a right good time.” Ted’s Norwich accent bordered on caricature. “Not exactly rushed off our feet right now, as you can see from those lazy bastards as are standing around out there. I’ll get Pete to drive down after lunch, tow her back here. We’ll do a service, too, if you want? If there’s nothing too serious.”
“No rush,” said Lenny. “I’m only going to sell the thing, anyway.”
“Are you now? And how much you asking?”
“To be honest, I’m not really sure.”
Adrian knew Ted well enough to see the opportunity to make a fast buck, so he took the opportunity to intervene.
“Vauxhall Astra five-door Elite. Petrol, not diesel. One point six, probably low mileage, and in pretty good nick. As far as I could tell, the only things needing attention are the battery and the alternator. With a good service and a clean-up you could get well over three grand retail. Lenny will let you have her for two. Bargain.”
Adrian was only vaguely aware of Lenny staring at him, because his full attention focused on Ted’s unsmiling face and blank stare. Eventually Ted tilted his head back and laughed at the ceiling.
“You robbing bastard, Lamperton. Okay, let me look her over and if what you say is true, you’ve got yourself a deal. I’ve actually got a customer who wants a petrol Astra. Not interested in any of those diesel beauties on my forecourt.”
After Lenny had handed over the car keys and shaken hands with Ted, they went back to Adrian’s truck.
“So, Mr Day. Where to now?”
When he turned around, Lenny was staring at him and smiling.
“I can’t believe you just did that.”
“What?”
“I’d have been happy with a couple of hundred quid, just to get the bloody thing from cluttering up the kerb.”
“And you call yourself a successful businessman? Shame on you.”
This time Lenny roared with laughter and Adrian joined him, chuckling too.
“Don’t suppose you fancy a pint and a spot of lunch at the Red Lion?” asked Lenny, surprising Adrian. “My treat not only for helping me out of a tight spot today, but also for getting my mother such a good bargain on the car.”
Adrian smiled, but then turned to Lenny.
