Black Country Boys

By G. S. Dover

Danny Steel is a family man. He has a beautiful wife, six wonderful children, and a happy home in Devon. But reaching this ideal hasn't been easy and Danny isn't proud of the things he had to do in order to achieve his ambitions.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Maple Publishers
• Release date: Jun 20, 2022
• ISBN: 9781915492067

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Black Country Boys

Author: G. S. Dover

Copyright © G. S. Dover (2022)

The right of G. S. Dover to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with section 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

First Published in 2022

ISBN 978-1-915492-07-4 (Paperback)

978-1-915492-06-7 (E-Book)

Book cover design and Book layout by:

Maple Publishers

www.maplepublishers.com

Published by:

Maple Publishers

1 Brunel Way,

Slough,

SL1 1FQ, UK

www.maplepublishers.com

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or translated by any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the author.

The book is a work of fiction. Unless otherwise indicated, all the names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual people living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental, and the Publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

CONTENTS

Torbay. Devon. Summer. 2011. 5

Homeward Bound. 15

Watling Street, Brownhills, Staffordshire. 1957. 23

Shelfield, Secondary Modern. September 1957. 35

The Irish overspill. September 1959. 66

The Summer of 1960. 76

Spring 1961. 94

Christmas 1961. 102

Easter 1962. 109

All change. 114

April. 1963. 127

L plates off for good. 134

Summer. 1965. 139

New Year 1966. 150

August Bank Holiday 1966. 163

Gang War. 175

Toms Trist. 191

Trouble nearer to home. 198

Revenge. 206

Christmas 1966. 210

Winter. 1967. 218

The Black Cock Inn. Walsall Wood. 227

One week to go. 230

One week later. 238

At last, the cash. 243

The Funeral. Shelfield Catholic Church.

September 2010. 245

Home sweet home. 256

Whittington Barracks, Lichfield, Staffordshire. 262

Costa Del Sol. 269

Chapter 1

Torbay. Devon. Summer. 2011.

The sun resembling a red fireball had just begun its final descent over the western horizon, but the air was still warm on this early September evening as Danny Steel took a deep breath of the sea air before looking out across Torbay towards the little fishing town of Brixham which sat on the southwestern edge of the bay, taking in the wonderful view of the coast all the way across to where the evening mist was just beginning to hide Elberry Cove from sight.

Danny had loved this view from the very first day that he had seen it almost forty years before. As he sat enjoying the last of the day’s sunshine his mind was full of thoughts of things that had happened in his life. One thought constantly kept coming back, it was from over 20 years before when their eldest, Lee, had come back from his first tour in Northern Ireland.

Lee had joined the British Army 2 years before, together with his childhood friend, Walter Wyatt, but just 2 days before they had completed their first tour, a sniper’s bullet from an Armalite rifle on a back street in Derry ended his friend’s life. Lee was broken, hate for the I.R.A. seemed to take over his whole life. Once he was home on leave, Danny had taken his son to one side and after hours of talking, had finally made him realise what he had signed up for by taking the Queen’s shilling. Since that day all those years before when Lee had made the Army his whole life, serving in some of the worst places on God’s earth, before rising to be a Colour Sargeant. As Danny’s mind now came back to the present day he shook his head, turned his thoughts to where he would be going in the days ahead.

He turned then glancing up towards his house where its staccato white walls were tinged with a touch of crimson as it caught the last of the day’s sunshine. He saw two of his grandchildren were on the patio, their excited voices told him they were playing with ‘Sadie’ his old Staffordshire bull terrier. Danny smiled knowing full well that soon she would tire of their playing and come seeking refuge with him.

Life, he had no doubt, been good to him. He had been married to his wife Irina for forty years, and between them they had brought six children into the world, two girls and four boys and now had ten grandchildren. Lee, the eldest, who had just finished serving a tour in Afghanistan having been a regular soldier since he was sixteen years old; the next eldest was Kenny who together with the youngest Steve ran a Night club and restaurant business. This left one son Mark who oversaw the car sales outlet and transport operation. From his own successful first venture in car sales, this had enabled Danny to fund each of the kids’ ideas, the success of these though were entirely down to their own hard work. He had just been able to give them a helping hand. Mark was the only son who had chosen to follow his father into the car sales and haulage business, which Danny himself had started. The two girls, who although they were twins, were like chalk and cheese - one was tall and dark, this being Louise, while Jayne was short and fair. Louise had three children, was on her third marriage and liked to party, though she still found the time to run a busy hair dressing salon. Jayne had one child, one husband and was through her own hard work now a successful local lawyer.

Danny was deep in thought as the sound of a powerful car engine caused him to look up then smile, knowing full well that this was Louise, as sure enough a few minutes later a silver B.M.W. X5 4x4 came roaring up the drive. On reaching the parking bay the sound of its triple air horns announced that she had indeed arrived.

After slowly making his way back up towards the house Danny now stopped before looking once more across the bay. He shivered, then felt a sudden sadness at the thought of leaving this place that had become his haven. Even though he knew that he would only be gone for a few days he hated leaving Torbay as, somehow, he felt safe here with his family around him.

Taking out his asthma pump, he took two quick shots before entering the house.

In the kitchen the smell of garlic filled the air as Irina was fussing over the stove.

Looking up, on seeing him enter the kitchen she came across to kiss him before asking, Have you used your asthma pump?

Danny frowned. Yes, yes I have.

A look of concern now crossed her face. Then why are you breathing so heavy?

Louise looking towards her father now came to his rescue. He is just excited at seeing you, Mum, bending over that stove in your tight skirt.

Irina tried in vain to avoid smiling. My God, girl, it is a long time since you father got excited at the sight of me bending over.

Danny now laughed at the easy banter that took place between mother and daughter, these two were so close they were more like sisters. He now suddenly found he had a glass of red wine in his hand thanks to Louise, who was by now more than halfway down her own glass.

She placed her arm around him before kissing his cheek, announcing, It’s a good job you have me to defend you Pops, Mum is a bully.

Lenny, one of the twins, now stood next to Danny watching this scene with interest before asking, Is Nanna a bully, Grampy?

But before he could answer his grandson, Irina, who was now placing the dishes on the table turned to her grandson, Do you think I am a bully, young man?

Lenny looking towards his Nanna answered, No Nanna, I think Aunty Louise was joking.

Grinning, he turned and ran out on to the patio once more.

Turning to face her dad, Louise now asked, ‘What time does Uncle Tom’s flight get in?’

Danny looked at his watch. About now I think. Mark has gone to pick him up.

Louise’s face looked puzzled as she paused from drinking her wine to ask, Who is this guy whose funeral you are going to? I have never met him, have I?

Danny drank the remainder of his wine, then after staring into his empty glass for a moment, he answered her, No, you haven’t, he was a friend to both Uncle Tom and me, a long time ago. We, that is the four of us, swore we would when the time came, attend each other’s funerals. So, Sean being the first one of us to die, that’s what we are going to do.

Louise still looked puzzled. So, who is the other guy then, if you and Uncle Tom make two?

Danny hesitated for just a moment before answering, Mazza, well that is his nick name, his real name is Ray Mazzon, he is older than Tom and I but he used to kind of look out for us.

He then hesitated once more before Irina answered for him, Your Mum did not like you mixing with him though, did she? I remember her telling me once that she was worried you would end up in prison. If that is, you did not stop hanging around with him and his crew.

Danny blushed at the mention of his Mum. He had always felt somehow that he had let her down. She was such a good Mum and sometimes his ducking and diving had led to her disagreeing with him. My Mum was not keen on him that is true. But he was not as bad as some people made him out to be. And Tom and I owe him a lot. But let us change the subject, shall we? I feel depressed enough about going to a funeral as it is.

Louise’s mobile now rang, after which her face lit up. This was a sign that it could only be Max. After talking on the phone for a moment she announced, Right, I am off. Max has just informed me that he is taking me somewhere special tonight.

After kissing both her parents, then calling bye to the kids, she was off, her departure accompanied by a further blast of her triple air horns.

A few minutes later another motor pulled up as Tom now arrived with Mark, who as the two of them came into the kitchen, could not resist picking up a leg of his Mum’s Garlic chicken. Then after calling to the twins to get ready, he announced that he could not stop, as after dropping the kids off at home he wanted to make it to the Exeter car auction that night to look at some motors.

The twins came running in followed by Sadie, who looked somewhat dejected at the thought of losing her playmates. After this Mark kissed his Mum, gave Danny a hug before leaving. This meant there were now just the three of them.

As they sat down to eat, Irina commented on how well Tom looked, there was no denying his tan from the Spanish sun, certainly made him look younger than his sixty plus years.

Tom thanked her for the compliment. But said it was mainly due to clean living that made him look this way.

Danny choked at this, but Irina answered with just one word, Bullshit.

After dinner the evening air was still warm, so Irina pushed both men out into the conservatory, where the two cousins enjoyed a couple of bottles of wine while they talked about mainly things from the past, sometimes laughing. This would then be followed by a moment of sadness as they recalled during that time the many schemes that they both had once been involved in and the number of friends who were no longer with them. Between them they now attempted to empty the second bottle of McGuigan’s red wine.

Danny now lightened the mood by asking, How is Marbella then, Tom? You have moved, is that right? So, is this far from your old pad?

Tom seemed to hesitate before finally answering, No, not that far, but it’s great, son. You will have to come out and spend some time with us.

Danny looked up, surprised at the mention of ‘us’, Us? You have not made up with Cloe, have you?

A broad grin crossed Tom’s face. Christ and all his Saints, no, she is still living in ‘Marbella’ near to the kids. They run the apartments together now.

Shrugging his shoulders, he added, The situation suits us both.

Danny, curious as ever, asked, ‘So, who is this us, then?’

Tom grinned. Well, I have kind of moved someone in, to sort of live with me. She is half Spanish the other half being Swedish and well, we get on. You know what I mean.

Knowing his cousin of old, Danny asked a question that he was sure he knew already the answer to. Is she younger than Cloe by any chance?

Tom grinned once more. She is in her late thirties.

Danny raised his eyes, Nice one, our kid, but where do you get the energy from? That is what I would like to know.

Tom, still with a smile on his face, changed the subject. I now have this apartment overlooking the Marina in a little place on the Costa Del Sol called ‘Port a Cabpino’. It is fantastic, great restaurants, small bars, everything a man needs, plus Erica that being the lady’s name.

Tom went on to tell Danny about his new motor launch, then added how they, the company that is, now received over eight thousand Euros a day in high season for his two apartments on the marina at Porto Banus. While the other two back in Marbella made ten thousand Euros per week for him or the company, which consisted of himself his two children together with his ex-wife.

Danny was shocked to hear what money these apartments now earned him, he knew that back in the seventies when Tom had invested heavily on the Costa Del Sol, he had taken a big risk with most of his capital. Also, some of the people he had to deal with were nothing less than gangsters in fancy suits, but now in his mind he estimated that Tom would have recouped this investment a hundred times over. He now jokingly asked, So, our kid, I am okay for a loan then?

Tom smiled that same easy smile that he always had. Danny could see what girls all of Tom’s life had fallen for, as he was still a handsome charming guy. You do not look like you need a loan, do you, son?

Tom’s old habit of calling someone ‘son’ persisted, telling of his Black Country roots.

Danny laughed, No, I was only joking. Like you, I now have let the kids pretty much run things.

Tom, after lighting his third cigarette of the evening, inquired, What about Lee? Is he still in the Army?

For just a moment the smile disappeared, to be replaced by a look of sadness on Danny’s face before he finally answered his cousin, Yes, he was recently offered a commission, but he turned it down, said he wanted to stay with his boys. Since the Infantry regiments have amalgamated, I doubt he can get much higher than colour sergeant so at his age he will have to think of coming out soon, that is, with all these cuts those bastards in Whitehall are making.

Tom noticed the change in his cousin at his mentioning Lee. Will he join one of your companies then, or what?

Danny shook his head, I have not got a clue, he would certainly be welcome to, the kids love him and to them he will always just be their big brother, who when they were little sorted out all their problems for them. But all Lee has ever wanted is to be is a soldier. His mum and I have done nothing but worry about him over the years. First it was Northern Ireland then came Bosnia, followed by Iraq and now the biggest shit hole of them all, Afghanistan.

Danny went quiet as his eyes watered.

Tom saw this, so drank up his wine, before commenting, They are and always will be your weakness, those kids, you are just like your old man. I remember the same look on his face when we were kids, even if you only fell off your push bike, he would feel your hurt. Whereas my old man would just have laughed at me, then told me to bugger off. You never knew this, but I was so jealous, Danny, of how good your old man was with you. Do you remember how he would come to play football on the green with us all, even when he had just come home from maybe driving his lorry to Newcastle and back? That is until your Mum shouted at him to come indoors because his dinner was ready. He was as in awe of her as we all were even though she was so small.

Danny nodded his head, his eyes watering even more at the thought of his Mum and Dad, as he stood up before announcing, And now with age I am getting even softer, so shall we hit the sack so that we can make an early start?

Chapter 2

Homeward Bound.

The big cobalt blue Audi A4 S Line pulled effortlessly up towards the summit of ‘Telegraph Hill’ before descending once more, to where in the distance the city of Exeter stretched out before them partly covered in early morning mist. The morning sun that shone in an almost cloudless blue sky was now at their backs as they joined the M5 motorway.

Danny who felt suddenly hungry turned to his cousin, ‘How do you fancy a full English breakfast?’

Tom smiled, Why not, it must be an age since I have had one, but where can we get a decent one on the motorway?

Danny grinned and after a while, indicated to leave the M5 as the sign for ‘Tiverton’ came into view. He followed the old A38 towards Wellington past the disused filling stations that had all gone out of business in the 1970s when the M5 motorway was opened. After another two miles he suddenly pulled up at a transport café where the sign above the door read ‘Morgan’s Café’. As they walked across the lorry park Tom commented, You always were a snob, our kid, choosing this place just goes to prove it.

Danny smiled, They serve the best full English breakfast you can buy in here; you just wait and see.

They walked past a Scania truck with its big diesel engine throbbing as it was about to pull away, the window of which suddenly opened as a heavily tattooed guy shouted, Eh, what are you doing here, Danny boy?

Tom now looked up somewhat apprehensively as a huge guy with his arms covered in tattoos jumped down.

Danny, though, just grinned as the big guy came towards him and suddenly lifted Danny off his feet. Will you put me down, you bloody fool, Soapy, and let me introduce you to my cousin Tom Aston?

After shaking Tom’s hand Soapy turned to Danny and joked, I have had an extra half an hour here, so I shall now be able to put the blame on you, if I am late boarding the ferry, so be sure to tell the Boss, will you?

Danny answered with, Soapy, piss off, Mark may be your Boss, but I still have the last say in what goes on.

After chatting for a few more minutes, after which Soapy once more shook Tom’s hand before climbing back into his cab and driving off, as a farewell salute he blasted on his air horns, all the way out of the lorry park and on down the A38.

Tom commented, I sure am glad that guy was friendly, for one moment there I thought we were back to the old days, where you got some big guy, all riled up then left me to sort him out.

Danny laughed, Was I that bad? Sorry if I was. Soapy has worked for me for over twenty years, he is a bit of a lunatic, but he idolizes Mark. I am sure if Mark told him to jump off a cliff he would.

They now entered the Café, which was at this time in the morning almost empty. It was a typical truckers’ café with various adverts for the motor trade covering the walls. A woman whose hair colour had almost certainly come from a peroxide dye bottle, wearing bright red lipstick looked up from the newspaper that she was reading and called out, Hello Danny, we do not often see you in here these days, how are you?

Danny who had known her for many years replied, "Hello Dora, I am fine,