They pulled up outside the club, there were numerous cars already parked, he noted the several personalised number plates and two in particular were very familiar being in the same road as where they lived. Anne noticed it to, pointed, but then didn’t speak.
“I won’t be long,” he said as he left the car and within moments arrived in the room containing the enquiry desk.
The room was divided into two parts by a bookshelf down the centre.
Having entered, he looked up saw a notice, which said group enquiries this was on the left of the book display; there was another on the right announcing enquiries. Not knowing which way to go he sauntered forward.
The lady on the desk was speaking on the telephone, saw him arrive so put up a hand holding a pen in a “please wait, I won’t be long, stance”.
He looked at her, a lady in her late forties, possibly early fifties, long nose, with reading glasses on the end, typical he thought, bullshit only moments away. She was sporting a name badge Primrose Pym, “yes” he thought “she was definitely going to be a Primrose Pym”, once he heard those familiar words in the conversation she was having, “I say, rather ooff, quite, quite”. He was not to be disappointed.
Having replaced the telephone on its handset she hesitated, looked at him, adjusted her spectacles then said, “I say do you wish to speak with me?"
“Ah yes” he said and was about to step further forward and utter another word when her hand went up once again to stop him advancing.
She then smiled and said, “The queuing is done the other side you have to join the queue, and you must take your turn”.
He hesitated then leaned forward looking to the left then at her and said “But there is no one here, just you and I, there is no queue”.
“Never the less you must go that side if you wish to speak with me”.
He looked and repeated, “But there is no one here”
“Other side” she repeated.
He turned went back to the door, around the corner and walked along the row of books and stopped.
When he arrived Miss Pym, he guessed she was a Miss not only from her attitude but she was wearing no rings, which did not surprise him now.
He stepped forward and spoke “I have called to enquire about becoming a member”
“A member” she said looking him up and down, repeating “a member”. “You can’t walk in here and become a member; heavens forbid this is not some municipal golf club, good gracious no"
“How do I join then?” he asked.
“Sponsors man, sponsors, one has to have sponsors two at the very least”.
“Oh thank you,” he said, realising his golfing dreams were going in the same direction as his hopes of growing begonias.
When all hopes of having a local round of golf were fading, by almighty providence a voice sounded.
“Hello Jack”
He turned it was none other than his old colleague Christian Woodcock.
“Hello Christian whatever are you doing in this neck of the woods?”
Christian spoke again but did not answer his question; he turned to the man with him and said
“May I introduce you to Miles Ridwell, Chief Constable of the Cheshire Constabulary, this Miles is no less a man than Jack Richards, the best detective NSY ever had.”
“Please to meet you Miles”, replied Jack
“Likewise” said Miles”.
“Well now Jack we can catch up later. Are you a member here?"
“He was making an enquiry” interrupted Primrose, “I was telling him he requires sponsors and there is a waiting list even then”.
“Ah well now Jack that won’t be a problem you can count on me and you will give support won’t you Miles”, he said patting Miles on the back.
“Yes, Yes, of course,” said Miles, giving Jack the impression he wasn’t so sure
“What are you doing in this neck of the woods then Jack”? Asked Christian.
“I have just retired, it was the wife’s idea she wanted to be near her sister, a recent widow she lives not far away, and you Christian what is your excuse for leaving the great metropolis”.
“I retired as Chief of Thames Valley and was made up to HMI; this is my area so it was convenient to move up here. Well old chap I must get on we are booked in, I will contact you about the membership”.
With that he and Miles were gone, leaving Jack to bid Miss Pym a very good day, he hesitated then asked
“Excuse me, a question?”
“Yes?” she exclaimed
“Have you ever worked for the local council?” He enquired.
“Why yes” she replied, “Why do you ask?” She replied.
“I could tell by the efficient manner you have”
“Thank you” she replied
“Do you know the most dreaded words in the English language?” He asked.
“What may they be?” Was her next reply
“I work for the council and I am here to help you, when you hear those words you know you are in trouble”.
She looked aggressive but made no reply
He smiled and on leaving, parted a final shot, “The rule of going that side of the book stand when there is no one else here, typical council bullshit”, he said, took off his hat bowed and left.
When he had, gone Miss Pym looked him up and down and mumbled to herself “What a rude and coarse man, expecting to join.”
“Here and now like some municipal club”.
“I don’t see him getting in; I will check him out anyway, what was the name on his blazer?”
“Farnham” and she made a note of it.
He arrived in the car, a Skoda.
Anne had noticed several members arriving and on seeing the car took a closer look at the make badge, then smiled shook their heads as they spoke with each other as they left their BMW cars.
One car was a white Rolls no less, and better it was the one he had seen some time ago only then it had been covered in manure gifted by a rare breed of farmer who could lip read, this caused him to giggle to himself.
The happy couple drove away into the sunshine his belief was that he would never see the first green of that club.
At Chester police station things were getting hectic, information had been received that there was to be a large demonstration in the city centre against cuts to the NHS.
“Ling” said Striker “I don’t want you meandering around the centre on your own with this demo coming off”.
“We will have enough to do without having to keep an eye on you, if you have some paper work to do keep on with that otherwise take out the probationer and have a walk down by the river side”.
“There is some sort of boat trial going on; a police presence there wouldn’t go a miss.
“Very well Sergeant” she replied
“Oh” he called as he left the parade room for his office, “get the pot on, the usual good brew and take the Chief Super one up, he’s just arrived in a bloody foul mood I don’t know why”.
“Yes Sergeant, very well” she said.
She knew she was not doing very well and ought to put Striker in his place, but with the same attitude from the Chief Super, it seemed likely it would make things worse.
Worse was what she thought when she arrived in the kitchen and whilst pondering on the situation another insult was added to injury when Ethel the counter clerk arrived
“I say don’t forget me when you make the brews. What a blessing it is for you to arrive, to make the tea and do odd jobs”.
“Thank you” replied Doris
She had been startled and spilled some hot water; she was obliged to remove her tunic to dry off the wet area with a kitchen cloth.