Just The Driver: Part Ten

~ beetleypete

This is the tenth part of a fiction serial, in 847 words. **May contain swearing!**

With any hope of something happening between me and Patsy shattered, and Nicky moving into the dangerous world of dealing blow, I made the decision to keep clear of the whole area for a while. I went back to my normal night shifts, earning regular money without having to look over my shoulder. Christmas was a big earner for cabbies. Double time after midnight on Christmas Eve until midnight on Boxing Day. And with the drink-drive laws being clamped down on, at least in the suburbs, we had more bookings than ever.

Nothing was heard from Nicky, and no messages received in the cab office from the Shaughnessys or their associates. Three-quarters of me was relieved, but the other quarter had the niggling feeling that I was missing the relative danger. Not that I was in any personal danger unless I grassed anyone up, but there was an undeniable cachet about hanging around with blokes that everyone was scared of. And it came with another bonus.

You were untouchable, one of them. Everyone left you alone.

New Year’s Eve came and went, another double time shift. Then as the winter gave way to the spring of 1975, fate drew me back to Bermondsey once again. I picked up a young woman in Greenwich, and she asked me to take her to Abbey Street, near the junction with Tower Bridge Road. I knew it well of course, and after dropping her off outside her flats, I decided to pop in and see Tony, the nominal owner of the pub where Nicky used to play the records.

I say nominal, as his name was above the door. But there was every chance he was fronting for someone with a criminal record, who would not have been able to get an alcohol licence. The pub was called Simon The Tanner, a nod to the leather-manufacturing heritage of the area. And it was literally across the road in Long lane, opposite the Caledonian Market. Despite being almost closing time, I felt sure Tony wouldn’t mind me having one drink. The small bar wasn’t that crowded, but I recognised one man standing at the bar immediately.

If Tony hadn’t spotted me and started to pour me a beer, I would have walked out there and then.

Little Legs was very appropriately named. Barely five-one in shoes, you might be mistaken for assuming he was a very sharp-dressed schoolboy. But only from behind, as when he turned around, you could see he was about forty. His name was Brian, and he liked to be called that. Woe betide anyone who called him Little Legs to his face, unless they were also a much-feared gangster. He was known to always carry a pistol, and would not hesitate to use the butt like a hammer on your face if he thought you were mocking him.

Fortunately for me, he didn’t know my name, and was in loud conversation with another man at the bar who was dressed like a workman. As I made small talk with Tony, I couldn’t help but overhear Brian. “So you reckon Sunday night would be best? You sure the stuff is being delivered Saturday? Don’t fuck me about now. If I turn up with a team on Sunday and that place is empty, it’s you I’ll come looking for. You know the Shaughnessys? I’ll send them after you if you are stitching me up”. The other man was nodding furiously, his face white. “Straight up, Brian, so help me. It will be there on Sunday, and will be shipped out first thing Monday. Sunday night’s your best bet, too busy around here on Saturdays.

Reaching into his inside pocket, Brian produced some cash, folded the notes in half, and gave them to the white-faced man who left the pub immediately. Then he turned to Tony, “Same again, Tone”. Seeing me glance in his direction, he didn’t hesitate. “Who the fuck are you? You been earoling me?” Even though he knew I could not have avoided hearing his conversation, I certainly couldn’t admit to that. Before I could say anything that might get my cheekbones broken, Tony stepped in. “He’s okay, Brian. Paul, he’s a cabbie, been here plenty of times. He’s straight-up”.

Brian gave me a grin that could have curdled milk. “Cabbie, eh? Well it so happens I have need of your services. When I have finished my drink, you can take me to Cleaver Square.” I knew where that was of course, in Kennington, halfway between the Elephant and Castle district, and Camberwell. Brian didn’t live in the area where he liked to work, and where he enjoyed using the pubs. For a few seconds, I contemplated telling him I already had a booking. But I knew better.

On the way, Brian spent the time naming names, and asking me if I knew the people. When he got to the Shaughnessys, I nodded. No point lying. As he paid me the correct fare and walked away, I gave him a parting shot.

“But I’m just the driver”.

29 thoughts on “Just The Driver: Part Ten”

  9. (1) Why is Nicky’s move into the world of dealing blow considered dangerous? I’ve always heard that things go better with Coke!
    (2) Overheard:
    God: “So, did you enjoy New Year’s, Eve?”
    Eve: “No, I did not. First of all, there was no one around to invite to our party. And then, Adam didn’t want the alcohol to go to waste, so he drank it all.”
    God: “I imagine he got pretty drunk.”
    Eve: “Did he ever! What in God’s name was he thinking?”
    (3) Always do what Simon says, or else he’ll tan your hide!
    (4a) If Little Legs is barely five-one in shoes, he’d have to climb up on a table or bar stool in order to hammer a tall guy in the face with the butt of his pistol.
    (4b) Brian’s name doesn’t end in y. That’s going to hurt his legacy.
    (4c) “As I made small talk with Tony, I couldn’t help but overhear Brian.” Considering his size, shouldn’t it be Brian who is making small talk?
    (5) Paul is straight-up. But if he’s not careful, he’ll end up horizontal six feet under.
    (6) It’s good that Paul didn’t order a White Russian. Brian might have curdled the milk.
    (7) Overheard:
    Scipio: “Where’s Hannibal?”
    Roman scout: “On his elephant, halfway to Trebia from yonder castle!”
    Scipio: “Oh, man! This doesn’t look good. Call that cab driver, Paulius, okay? Tell him I want to go to Placentia right away!”

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    1. Some of them did, but the ones mentioned in this story were relatively ‘small fry’. They were only ‘big’, in a very small area of London. The serious gangsters controlled vast areas, north and south of the city, and had their permanent drivers. I mentioned Freddie Foreman, and he had a driver, as would the Richardsons, and the Krays. But the criminals in this story were on the periphery of that scene. They either drove themselves, or used unlicensed cabs. That cut down on costs when they were not ‘earning’. 🙂
      Best wishes, Pete.

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