Coincidence. Right Place Wrong Time by Terry Aspinall

  Chapter 15

  The 'Lodge'.

  Great Finborough.

  9:00 am. Saturday 20th June 2015.

  Dave was left wondering about the situation he found himself, that of being involved in two completely different unconnected murders. Try as he might he could not come up with a reason or a connection. Apart from the fact that they both happened while he was working for Mr Jones.

  However, one had taken place while he was taking time out with a girlfriend. While the other was on a special assignment for Mr Jones. Maybe that was the connection, or maybe it was a coincidence.

  Maybe it was just a case of being in the right place at the wrong time. Once again maybe his luck had run out on him.

  The subject left him bewildered for several weeks. At the extreme, maybe somebody was making sure that he was returned to prison. Only this time as a double murderer, then the authorities might be able to throw the book at him, and the key away for good.

  Although on second thoughts maybe he was being targeted, maybe he was being followed for some other unknown reason. He even had the thought that maybe he was being set up as a murderer, if so whatever was coming next. It left him realising that he should try and keep an eye on his back, just in case a third coincidence might pop up its ugly head and strike again.

  Dave found himself with a little time on his hands and so retreated to the 'Lodge' for what the Royal Navy called a 'Make and Mend' period. Having been issued during training with a small linen pouch containing needles and cotton thread to repair their clothing and uniforms. However, many usually referred it as feet up time, so you could do just that and take it easy.

  During the evening, he walked down to the pub for a drink. Being mid-week it was quiet, with only a hand full of locals standing at the bar. Therefore, all were involved in what little conversation was taking place, cracking jokes and laughing. In fact, it turned out to be a I can beat that joke competition night.

  When suddenly somebody tapped Dave on the shoulder. He turned around to find himself looking at a lady of about his own age standing on her own. He must have looked a little bewildered in not knowing who she was.

  “You don't know who I am do you.” She asked.

  “No, I'm afraid you have the better of me.” Followed by

  “Should I.”

  “Well you have kissed me in the past.' She informed him.

  “That narrows it down to a few hundred.” He fired back.

  “You, really don't know do you.” She teased him.

  “How about a re-run.” He asked.

  She leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek, at this point some of his earlier girlfriend’s names were racing through his mind, in the hope that he could come up with who she was.

  Eventually both said,

  “Lorraine.” At the very same time.

  'Wow'. He could not believe that it was his school day’s girlfriend, and had not seen her since they left school way back in 1995. He immediately gave her another kiss, only this one it lasted a little longer. It was followed by loud cheers from the drinkers standing around the bar.

  After buying her a drink they went and sat by the window, where it was a little quieter, leaving the drinkers cracking their jokes by the bar.

  They were soon into telling each other what they had been up too since leaving school. Although Dave neglected to mention MI5, concentrating on his Private Investigation business, as all in the area was aware of.

  The one thing they had in common was that they were both single. Furthermore, neither of them had settled down with a regular partner.

  They spent so much time talking that both never noticed their glasses were standing empty on the table, until one of Dave's friends brought them a fresh one over to their table.

  Without realising it, the night had rushed by, and the landlord was shouting,

  “Time gentlemen please.” Wanting to close for the evening.

  They were so engrossed in talking to each other that they continued outside, for some time. Eventually Lorraine called it a night telling Dave that she had to go. Although not before she gave him a couple more kisses and asking if they could meet up again, and very soon. It took Dave a split second to answer,

  “Yes, the sooner the better.”

  That was the first time in his life Dave had ever been asked out on a date. He had grown up into a world where the guy did the asking, as well as the paying for the first evening out together. Which left him wondering if she was going to pay.