Hey guys,
You might remember a post from a while back about an attempt to write a novel, an idea that I’ve had for nearly eight years. (If you missed it and want to read the prologue, just click here.) Well, I’ve still been working on it, albiet extremely slowly! The first fifteen thousand words are done, but I’ve only scratched the surface! This piece is the first chapter, an introduction to our two unlikely heroes, Arthur and Darwin.
As always, any thoughts or feedback is always appreciated, I hope you enjoy.
Cheers,
Jevan Thompson
“I’m telling you Darwin, she’ll make it! This beauty’s still got some life left in her.” Arthur said fondly, patting the dashboard, as if his touch alone was enough to keep the old car going.
They were about six hundred and fifty miles into their mammoth journey from the south of England to the north of Scotland and although the engine had grumbled and choked the entire way, they were nearly there. The faded paint on the side of the vehicle still read their company’s logo, ‘Finer Things’ albeit very faintly indeed. Arthur laid his hand flat on the dashboard gently and turned over to face Darwin.
“Come on mate, do you really have to smoke in the car? We only stopped about an hour ago!” He said, rolling his eyes dramatically. Darwin either had not heard his friends comment about his cigarette, or he simply didn’t care. His eyes remained focused on the winding country road ahead, one arm on the wheel and his other resting comfortably on the car door.
Darwin took a long deep drag of the cigarette, and blew the smoke out of the window, but the fickle scottish wind had other plans, immediately snatching up the smoke and blowing it back in, making Arthur twist his face up in disgust.
“I tried with that one Arty, I really did. It seems like even nature itself wants you to start my friend.” Darwin said, making his eyes go wide in a mock display of evil intentions.
“Yeah must be, but even so, I find myself compelled to ignore it and carry on breathing that horrible, clean air you hate so much.” Arthur said with a smile.
Darwin ran a hand across his bald head and gave a reluctant chuckle, flicking his cigarette out of the window carelessly. Arthur immediately noticed, but before he could open his mouth, Darwin raised his hands up in apology.
“Shit, sorry, sorry-”
“Oh come on! What did we just talk about at the petrol station?!” Arthur exclaimed.
“Force of habit.”
“Respecting the environment and all that?” Arthur said, shaking his head and slapping the dashboard again, but much more gently.
“Look I’m sorry! It’s only a fag butt, what’s the big deal really-” Darwin started to speak with a harmless shrug, but Arthur turned to him, a truly condesending look in his hazel brown eyes and pointed one of his fingers at him like a knife.
There was silence for a few seconds, then Arthur shook his head again and resumed gazing out of the front window, admiring the views of the countryside in the middle of nowhere. A flash of the setting sun broke through the trees ahead of them and illuminated them both in its radiance, making them both wince and fold their screens down.
Darwin’s beard turned almost another shade of brown in the light, but Arthur’s stubble remained to be just barely there. His glasses turned into a reflective mirror for a second and Darwin winced again, now being blinded from two light sources.
“Bloody hell Arty! Sort your glasses out, they’re like lasers.”
Arthur turned to him. “Only if you sort head out you lighthouse, the French will be trying to dock in a minute.” He said sarcastically, laughing and pointing at Darwin’s bald head as he did so. They both held a smile for a few moments, the mutual insults part of their daily ritual. It had been that way for as long as they could remember.
Arthur adjusted his flat cap, trying to keep the worst of the shifting sun out of his eyeline. Darwin who had no cap to speak of, had to bob and weave like a boxer as he drove around the winding roads, the sunlight hellbent on searing his eyes.
“How long have we got left? Can’t be long now surely.” Darwin asked.
Arthur consulted the road map on his lap, tracing their route with a finger. They had come all the way from the Reading, heading for a manor house in the very top of Scotland, which happened to be in the middle of the Scottish countryside. Nearly a seven hundred mile trip, but they’d stopped at a hotel in Edinburgh to try and break the travelling up. Arthur was thoroughly enjoying his roles as a passenger as he had driven the first five hundred odd miles yesterday.
After a few moments, he nodded his head and winked at Darwin.
“No more than ten minutes, although that depends on if there’s any more sheep that plan on camping out on the road again.”
Darwin nodded. “I hope there’s not too much going on this evening. I’m hoping we get there, shake a few hands, maybe have a little tour, then I can get my head down and worry about the auction tomorrow.”
“I think that’s a smart move.” Arthur said.
Silence settled in, only getting interrupted occasionally by the whispering of tree branches passing them by. Darwin knew Arthur was going to say something. It was a particular kind of sudden, empty silence that always precedes a serious discussion. To Darwin, it was usually his clue to start paying attention.
Just like that, Arthur began to speak, only this time it was much softer.
“I think this is going to be the one Darwin.”
“What makes you say that?” Darwin asked, genuinely interested.
“I’ve just got a feeling. I’m telling you, this is going to be the trip where we finally catch a break.” Arthur said.
“I don’t know Arty…how many trips have we been on in the past?” Darwin said.
“Come on now, this one’s different!” Arthur said, his voice shining with conviction.
“How so?”
Arthur shifted in his seat and pulled a folded square of paper from inside his jacket pocket. “Well, for starters, how many auctions have we been specifically asked to attend? When have we ever had an invitation that we’ve not had to hunt down ourselves?”
Darwin paused for a moment. “Yeah, that’s a fair point-” He began to say, but Arthur cut him off by unfolding the paper and adjusting his glasses pointedly so they rested on the edge of his nose. He then read the invitation word for word.
Dear Arthur Underwood and Richard Darwin of ‘Finer Things’,
As former associates in business, it is my pleasure to both notify and invite you both to the Blackburn Manor grand auction.
“Former associates?” Darwin asked, screwing up his face in confusion. “We’ve sold the guy a set of chairs and a table, I wouldn’t say we’re-”
“Don’t interrupt.” Arthur resumed reading.
This is a closed event to all but our closest traders and friends, we would be honoured if you would attend. There will be a mass sale of almost all assets within Blackburn Manor, including furniture, paintings, tapestries, jewelry and other assorted trinkets that will all be available for bidding. No lot is reserved, no item is restricted.
As Blackburn Manor is located in such a remote, quiet area, we would also like to extend lodgings and dinings to you. Refreshments will also be provided for the weekend event, including a banquet on Sunday, after the last lot has been auctioned.
If you are interested in attending the event, please fill out the attendance slip at the bottom of the invitation and a room and auction seat will be allocated.
Once again, we do hope you’ll consider the offer, I can assure you only a handful of others have been included.
May your future endeavours be profitable.
Yours Sincerely,
Blackburn Trading Limited.
“Blackburn trading limited?” Darwin exclaimed again. “This guy didn’t even write it himself! It was probably some apprentice who’s next job for the day was to refill the kettle! Some associates we are.”
“Well even so, by the sounds of it, it’ll be a very exclusive event. Even if there’s no big items, it’s free food and booze right?!” Arthur said with a sly grin. Darwin laughed.
“I suppose you’re right. Beggars can’t be choosers eh?”
“And we are only a step away from being beggars, so I for one hope there’s so many antiques that we are drowned in a tide of expensive paintings and jewelry.” Arthur said, flashing another wink.
Teller of Some Tales 