NO ORDINARY ROOM (31 page)

‘Trust them! Why wouldn’t I trust them?’ Kevin asked, surprised by his son’s comment.

‘No reason, but it is a bit weird Uncle Stanley coming back like he did.’  Jamie replied trying to get himself out of trouble, because he was thinking that Soupinpota was behind Uncle Stanley’s reappearance.

* * *

The two old friends were looking weary when they back into the house.  They had only paused briefly to drink Debbie’s regular supply of tea. 

‘I think we’re in luck,’ Uncle Stanley had whispered as he passed Jamie in the kitchen. ‘Give us ten minutes and come up to the computer room.’

‘He’s lovely, Kevin’ Debbie said when Uncle Stanley had left the kitchen, ‘They  both are and  real gentlemen, not like some I could mention, but your dad was a bit like Uncle Stanley, I mean, well mannered?’  

    Kevin laughed, remembering his dad. ‘Not exactly, but he always respected women.  Never said a rude word in their presence and pity anyone that did when he was around.’

‘Dad, are you like Granddad Tranter?’ Jamie asked.

‘Of course he is,’ Debbie answered and looked towards the ceiling.

‘I suppose I am, son.  Mind you he did support the other lot at football, just like our Steven.’

Jamie told his dad that he was going up to check and see how Uncle Stanley was getting on and he was to receive good news when he entered the room and saw a smiling Uncle Stanley who told him that he should be able to use the Cyber Service later.

‘Ace, Unc,’ Jamie said and then corrected himself, ‘I mean fantastic, Uncle Stanley.’

A puzzled Uncle Stanley smiled and Cyril explained that ‘ace’ meant that Jamie was trying to say that he was pleased and it was his way of saying, thank you.’

‘You owe your thanks to Mr Judd as well.’

Jamie willingly offered his thanks to Mr Judd who he regarded as a real genius, who was a zillion times cleverer than even Bill Gates.  Well, maybe a bit cleverer.  

Jamie asked Uncle Stanley if his computer was as good as new.

‘Not exactly, Jamie.  The computer will not perform on-line as well as before.  I’m going to tell your dad that I would like to return tomorrow evening and we might be able to prepare the way to put an end to what has been happening to you.  I can’t tell you anymore just now.’ 

Before he left, Uncle Stanley explained that Kevin had destroyed a vital part of the communications link when he attacked the roots of the creeper.  Uncle Stanley had only smiled when Jamie had asked how Uncle Stanley had known about the damage.  

* * *

Uncle Stanley returned as planned just after the family had finished their dinner and he eased Kevin’s curiosity when he explained to him why he had ‘died’.  Uncle Stanley explained that he was involved in a secret project which had placed him in danger of being abducted by a foreign intelligence service.  It had been decided that it would be best if his ‘death’ was faked.  He was given a false identity and set up in a safe house, but the authorities knew that they had to be thorough and make his death look real. 

‘It must have been weird, knowing that you were supposed to be dead.’

‘It was at first and I had to be careful when I visited Steaderton or came near here in case your neighbours saw me.  I wouldn’t have wanted to frighten the people next door for instance.’

‘So, why did you come back?’ Kevin asked.

‘I have reason to believe that some agents of a foreign power might try and steal the computer that I left to Jamie.’

‘What you mean that old junk? It very nearly ended up being crushed at the dump.’

‘That old junk is rather special and I built it myself, Kevin, but I gather that unlike Jamie you are not very well up on technical matters.’

‘Sorry, Uncle Stanley I didn’t mean to be insulting, but it is rather old and you are right about me and techie stuff.  I haven’t got a clue.’

‘No offence taken, Kevin and even those who have knowledge of such things wouldn’t fully understand my machine.  I came back to help restore it, but I have discussed with Jamie that it would be best if Mr Judd took the computer away soon.’   

When Kevin asked him if the family was in any kind of danger his Uncle paused before replying. ‘No, but as a precaution it might be a good idea if you take the children to school tomorrow.  I would like to return early tomorrow morning before the children leave for school and do some more work on the computer that needs to be done before Cyril takes it away.’

Kevin was thinking that Uncle Stanley had suggested tomorrow’s arrangements so that Jamie wouldn’t see the old computer being taken away.  Kevin invited Uncle Stanley to stay with them for the night, insisting that he slept in Jamie’s bed while Jamie kipped down on a camp bed in the computer room.  Uncle Stanley was reluctant at first, but Kevin finally persuaded him, explaining that it would be an opportunity for him to tell them about his early life in Liverpool and some old family stories, especially those involving Kevin’s dad.

By the time the children retired to bed the family had listened to lots of stories about Granddad Tranter and Jamie had been amused by some that had also involved his dad when he was too young to remember them.  Jamie had been fascinated about Uncle Stanley’s early life and to learn that he had taught himself about electronics.  He was a modest man who had attained a senior grade in the Ministry of Defence communications division.   

The family had no way of knowing that Uncle Stanley was about to face a very restless and sad night.  He had learned that this would probably be the last time there would be such a family gathering because he had been told that Devilmortex would strike again tomorrow.

CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

There was a bit of teasing when the family sat down for breakfast about the prospect of Jamie’s first day back of school since Rufus rescued him from being choked by a creeper plant in the back garden.  Kevin had arranged to go into work late so he could carry out Uncle Stanley’s suggestion of taking the children to school.  The family said their goodbyes to Uncle Stanley and when Jamie shook hands with him he said, ‘Thanks for everything, Uncle Stanley; perhaps I’ll see you later.’

Uncle Stanley was obviously very fond of Jamie and Debbie had bit her bottom lip when she had seen the old man’s watery eyes when Jamie turned away, but Uncle Stanley called him back and asked Kevin if he could show Jamie something upstairs.

‘Sure, no problem, Uncle Stanley, we are a bit early seeing as how we’re driving in.’

Jamie followed Uncle Stanley upstairs and when he returned just a few minutes later he told his dad that Uncle Stanley had put aside some tools for him to keep and given him a computer book which was brill.  Kevin marshalled the family to their car ready to make the short trip to the schools.

When they made the first stop, Leanne hugged her mum and dad and pulled tongues at Jamie who was still inside the car.  They waited until a sulky Leanne had walked through the school gate after her mum had made her say a proper goodbye to Jamie and then Kevin headed for Jamie’s school which was a short distance away.

Jamie had been adamant that he didn’t want to be delivered to the school entrance, but agreed that they could drop him off about fifteen yards from the gate on the other side of the road.  Kevin was about to drive off when his mobile phone rang and he took the call from Pat Rosser telling him about a forthcoming show that he wanted him to attend.

Debbie had watched Jamie trudge away with the heavy backpack slung over his shoulder and she said a silent, ‘Good boy’ when she saw Jamie check for traffic as he stopped at the zebra crossing.  The crossing was normally manned by a lollipop lady, but she was absent today. Although Jamie was a teenager, Debbie still worried about him, especially at this time of morning when some drivers were in a rush because they were late for work.

 Jamie was about to step off the crossing when Debbie and Kevin saw the approaching car hit him, sending his body into the air before it fell onto the car bonnet and then dropped to the ground and was pushed along until the car stopped some yards away from the crossing, There was a delay, caused by disbelief and shock before Debbie and Kevin started screaming.  Kevin was the first to react and dashed across the road, ignoring the danger to himself, oblivious to the traffic around him and the noise from the blasts on the car horns.  Kevin was soon hearing the shouts and screams from some of those who were close to the accident. 

           Kevin wasn’t the first to arrive at the tragic scene and the man who had stooped down near the front of the car looked up at Kevin and shook his head.

Kevin’s agonised cry of, ‘No, No,’ nearly caused Debbie to stumble, but she stayed on her feet and reached the car to hear the lady driver screaming hysterically in between cries of, ‘I didn’t see him, I didn’t see him.’  

Kevin moved quickly to stop Debbie from seeing the trapped body.

‘Is he your father?’ asked the passer-by who had been first on the scene.

Kevin had tears in his eyes when he replied, ‘No, he’s my Uncle.’

Debbie became hysterical when she caught a glimpse of the highly polished brogues that Uncle Stanley wore and pummelled Kevin as he dragged her away.

‘What’s happening to us Kevin, what’s happening to us? Where’s Jamie? ’ Debbie shrieked as she continued to pummel Kevin’s chest with her clenched fists.

‘I don’t know, Debs, but he must have just gone out of sight.’

‘But how could he?’ Debbie screamed. ‘We were both watching him and how did Uncle Stanley get here?’

Kevin could offer no explanation and shrugged his shoulders. ‘We need to wait for the police and then we’ll go find him in the school.  Don’t worry he’ll be sat at his desk by the time we get there.’

No sooner had Kevin mentioned the police when a passing patrol car pulled up and the young officer began asking questions.  Kevin explained that the dead man was his Uncle, but he didn’t know why he was there, unless he had wanted to see Jamie who was at the school.  When Kevin explained that they needed to find their son, the policeman took some details off Kevin and told him that he would call at their house later for a statement.

Debbie was in some sort of trance as Kevin led her towards the school gate and then headed straight for the headmaster’s office.

Mrs Farr the headmaster’s secretary could see that they were upset even before Kevin told her that Jamie’s Great Uncle had died in a road accident outside the school.  Kevin explained that Jamie was very close to his Uncle and so they wanted break the news to him and then take him home.

‘I’m so sorry about the accident, but I’m sure there won’t be a problem in taking Jamie home.  The headmaster is preparing for a meeting, but I’ll just tell him you are here.’ 

Mr Tatum, the headmaster came out of the office and expressed his sympathy and told them that Jamie would soon join them and he should only return to school when he was ready.

The headmaster excused himself and left a relieved Debbie and Kevin to wait for Jamie.  Debbie’s eyes were fixed on the office door and she stood up when it opened, ready to give Jamie the biggest hug of his young life, but sat down when the very tall boy came in.

The head boy, Gordon Myers, approached Mrs Farr’s desk and delivered his message. ‘Mr Franks asked me to tell you that Jamie has not attended class today and none of the children in his class have seen him either.’  

‘Thank you, Gordon,’ replied Mrs Farr and left her desk to comfort Debbie who had let out an anguished cry.

    An uncomfortable looking Gordon left the office while Kevin and Mrs Farr were trying to calm Debbie down.

‘I think we should go home, Debs and then we’ll call the police.’

Debbie didn’t reply as Kevin eased her out of the chair and thanked Mrs Farr who was looking distressed herself and sorry for the couple she had become quite fond of.

Their walk back to the car was slow and Debbie was in a state of shock as Kevin helped her into her seat.  He drove slower than usual as he headed towards home, struggling to keep his concentration as the image of Jamie being struck by the car on the zebra crossing kept coming back.

Debbie had spent most of drive home sobbing, but when they arrived at their house she seemed sad, but calm and she’d stopped crying.

Kevin followed Debbie into the hall after he had held the door open for her and then called out for Jamie to come down.

‘I’m coming,’ Jamie shouted.  His voice was sad and flat as he prepared to make his way downstairs while Kevin hurried down to join Debbie.

Jamie was almost knocked off his feet as his parents hugged him.  He’d never been kissed on the cheek by his dad, nor had he seen him cry before.

When the hugging stopped, Debbie held him at arm’s length and saw Jamie’s reddened eyes. ‘You already know that Uncle Stanley is dead, don’t you?’

‘Yes, Mum, a policeman told me.  He said he would be back later to speak to dad.’

Jamie had already known about the sad news shortly before the policeman called when he had received a surprise voice contact from Koolebron who told him that Devilmortex had been destroyed, but so had Soupinpota in the final confrontation.  Koolebron explained that he had discovered that Devilmortex intended to kill Uncle Stanley and Jamie and that they had managed to put a temporary ring of protection around their house.  Uncle Stanley had been aware of this and that is why he had told Jamie to remain in the computer room.  Jamie had been puzzled when Uncle Stanley had told him that he would explain to his dad why he wanted Jamie to stay behind and then ask for a lift into town.  Jamie had been saddened when Koolebron told him that Uncle Stanley had realised that leaving the computer to Jamie had put the family in danger. He had been prepared to sacrifice his own life to protect them from further harm and at the same time help bring about the destruction of Devilmortex.

Kevin and Debbie would never forget seeing Uncle Stanley knocked down and killed on the school crossing and puzzled why he had asked to be dropped off at the school.  Thanks to Koolebron, Kevin and Debbie had no memory of seeing Jamie struck by the car on the crossing and Leanne’s last memory of Uncle Stanley was when she had waved good bye to him when he was sat in the back of the car when she was dropped off outside her school gate.