Strange Tales

Strange Tales by anton Valdemart

The Disappointment

“I tell you they’re monsters ... real horrors,” said Joe, lifting his tankard for another swig of the local brew. Jack looked in disbelief at the others in the tavern and shook his head: “That’s a fine way to talk about our mates. We’ve known them for years. “Take my word for it - a crowd can turn into a mob at the drop of a hat,” replied Joe. The two friends were well known in the village for their roguish reputations. If you wanted a pheasant or a salmon, they could provide them, no questions asked. Both sat in silence for a while. “One minute they’re as nice as pie, the next ... well I’ve said it.”

“I still think you’re wrong,” said his companion. “Take old Sammy Wells,” Jack added nodding at a fat man in the corner. “I saw him the other day offering to help at the big house. “Helped to clear out the stables when old Joss put his back out. Wanted nothing in return.”

Joe chuckled: “Only because he was hoping for a fine turkey at Christmas for his pains. They all have their motives.” Joe warmed to his subject. “If it suits them, folk will turn nasty mark my words. Anyone in here would show their true colours if it came to the crunch.”

“Not us, of course,” said Jack. “You said it,” came the reply, with more than a hint of irony. Joe took another sip of beer then looked out through the window. “See the stocks over there? Even if the parson was sat in them, people would pelt him with rotten fruit ... or worse. I rest my case.” It was a fine summer’s night a few days later. The pair had an order for a couple of rabbits and a pheasant so poaching was the name of the game. They scanned the wood to see if no one was about. “Careful as you go - there are man-traps hereabouts,” said Jack. They broke off a couple of small branches then trod carefully through the undergrowth, prodding the ground in front of them.

Joe used a catapult to bring down a pheasant and they set traps to catch the rabbits. Then they were surprised by two burly gamekeepers who bundled them off to the village lockup. The following morning, they were taken bleary-eyed to the manor court where the squire’s steward sentenced them to six hours in the stocks.

Joe was full of foreboding. “There’ll be a mob from the Rose and Crown waiting for us - we’ll be lucky to escape

alive,” he muttered, grim-faced. Jack said nothing. They were soon in the stocks, sitting uncomfortably on the wooden plank. They sat and sat and sat. Some passers-by stopped and stared before going on their way. “I’ll have a salmon next time you’re by the river,” said one, chuckling. Jack smiled but not Joe.

What a disappointment: no one threw anything at them.

read my next Strange Tale in the Link: Speaking Volumes.

LIVERPOOL’S BIGGEST AND BEST COMMUNITY MAGAZINES

Do you want to get your business into the heart of the community?

Our B5 glossy magazines are hand-delivered into thousands of homes in L25, L18, L15, L16, L17, L19 & L12 PLUS pick-up points in supermarkets, businesses & more. Let us help you grow your business today.

Issue 154 - Feb-Mar 2021 Your No.1 Local Community Magazine & Business Directory free copy L25 L16 L15 We also offer a leafl et delivery design & print service with our magazines. We can deliver your leafl ets / fl yers along with The LINK through the letterboxes of homes in South Liverpool and West Derby & Croxteth Park. Call for details.

www.gadlegal.co.uk @GAD_ Legal Gregory Abrams Davidson Solicitors is a trading name of National Law Partners Limited authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority www.sra.org.uk and registered in England and Wales under Company number 08312439.For a practical, sympathetic approach, contact Ian Sturgess on 0151 305 4266 or email isturgess@gadlegal.co.uk You’ll want us on your side Wills, Probate & Power of Attorney Did you know we also offer web design & hosting, brochure design and logo design. Call for details.

Are you a local business? We are too, so we understand that budgets can be tight, and you need to get a decent return from your advertising spend. We’ll never try to sell more than you need and absolutely no hard sell. We are here to help you. Like the sound of it? Give us a call now and we can help you. CALL MOIRA NOW 07930 654264