Time for a Cuppa!

The Magazine

For all the Family

My first visit to Blackpool

Mike Coatesworth

Continued from: (My first visit to a hotel in Blackpool)

As we were approaching the local café, we were aware of how the wind had suddenly picked up and the once hot sunny day was now fast becoming overcast and cloudy, which we hoped would be nothing more than a minor shower. After having tea and scones with plenty of butter and smothered in jam, we set off outside heading towards the South Pier and hopefully some more tranquil type of amusement, we'd had enough excitement for one day. Finally we arrived at the bottom of the slope that was to lead us up to the South Pier, after managing successfully to run the gauntlet of traffic that had increased to such an extent even the able bodied people were having problems crossing the road.

The wind was now picking up speed to such intensity. The once tranquil blue green water of the ocean that had lapped gently against the golden sands of the mile long beach, allowing youngsters and adults alike to paddle and frolic as the surf glided smoothly over their feet causing them to giggle and scream in delight as the cold water sent goose-bumps up their legs, had turned into a murky grey white foamed torrent of waves. We reached the top of the slope, with the wind howling around our half frozen bodies, the heavens above opened up to cascade the water of the once nimbus clouds down onto our unprotected bodies. Holding tightly onto each other, we hurried for cover as the now almost gale force wind threatened more than once to blow us over the edge of the pier down to the rapacious underfed waves that crashed hard against the supports that held this impressive construction together. With the wind and breakers working simultaneously, the Pier creaked and groaned under the onslaught, the stall holders quickly closed down their thriving businesses, seeking shelter in the now over crowded amusement arcade.

We made it to the doors, Lesley was holding on tightly to my chair which I had on full power ready to do battle with the forces of nature that had dared to attack and spoil our hard earned holiday. As the wind blew and the enraged waves that had been cheated of its prey, bombarded the sea walls threatening to tear it down brick by brick, I turned my chair to face this cowardly aggression that carried more power than any other force know to human life. Raising my hands in protest against this assault. 'Be gone!' I screamed above the wailing storm that threatened to catapult me against the waves that were reaching out with its long grey fingers over the Pier to clutch at my now sodden torso. 'You're not welcome here!' The deluge of water that splashed down on my body, tried as it might to pick me up and carry me away. But I was secure in my chair, strapped in tightly with a seat belt so strong it would have taken more than the forces of nature to snatch my almost half broken body. I was not scared of this element of natural power. 'Be gone I tell you!' I shouted once again at the top of my voice, a shout so loud it could be heard at the other end of this resplendent planet of ours. 'Your spoiling my holiday!'

It was as if the gale that threatened me with impending disaster, had finally heeded me! One moment the waves were crashing down on my already rain soaked hide, the wind was howling around my ears taking such a hold that I thought for a moment they were going to be ripped from head to be fed to the avarice looking waters that surrounded this once sun drenched paradise. The next moment there was a lull, all was silent save for a solitary seagull that took advantage to race back to its nest and ensure the safety of its young. For a second I was taken aback, it had worked!

The gale subsided to a strong breeze, the waves no longer reached over the Pier to clutch at my almost naked body where the clothes had been pounded with the elements of such voracity. A smile appeared upon my unkempt features that had braved the might of the universe and won. The throng of people that now gathered around, gave rapturous applause to the person that had dared to fight a force more powerful than they had ever known. Undoing my safety belt and turning to stare at these smiling admirers. Taking a hold of me they lifted my body, something that the natural elements had failed to do and carried me around the pier in salutation for the deed I had just achieved amongst cheers and laughter by the ever increasing crowd.

It rained hard and the winds blew and the sea once again crashed against the concrete walls in the days that followed, but not once did it ever rain when I had to endure my gruelling trek to the bathroom. It was as if it respected my courage in the battle we'd had previously.

Being Monday, I was being taken by Lesley to the Post Office to pick up my disability pension. It was only a few minutes from where I was staying and we took advantage of the lull from the wind and rain that had been raging for almost two hours.

Donning our wet-proof clothing, we ventured out, noticing the sun was trying hard to escape the clutches of the dark clouds looming ominously above. Shortly, we were inside the Post Office to find it filled to the brim with other pensioners, all taking advantage in the break of the awesome weather that we'd been having. After waiting for almost fifteen minutes to get served, I managed to obtain my cash. Going to a private booth, I was able to secure my money and put away my allowance book. Looking over my shoulder and observing my daughter at the sweet counter, I decided to give her a treat. She had behaved herself lately and not given any family members anymore cause for concern with her dare devil exploits. Going up to her, I let her choose what she wanted. Looking out of the door and noticing that the weather was appearing to be clearing up a little. 'Would you like to visit the factory and see how the sticks of sweet rock are made?' I asked with a twinkle in my eye as I knew she had been pleading for us to take her. 'We could buy some freshly made from the shop there!'

Turning to me, the look in her eyes said it all, she was delighted! Setting off at a leisure pace, we headed down the street with Lesley hanging onto my shoulder, trying hard to contain herself at the prospect of receiving some warm sweet rock, fresh from the factory.

We had been travelling only a few minutes, when Lesley turned to me. 'Daddy I think we're being followed!' She stated looking over her shoulder at a swarthy unshaven unkempt man behind. 'Yes I think he is and he's staring at us!'

Stopping my chair for a moment and glancing around, I noticed man had quickened his steps as if to catch up with us. With my heart racing a little at the possibility of being mugged in broad daylight, I immediately instructed her to follow me and we took the next turning right, hoping that she was mistaken and he would pass by without incident.

Taking a look around again, Lesley noticed that the man had followed us and was quickly bearing down on two defenceless people. Defenceless? I, who had only a few days earlier fought tooth and nail, taking my life in my hands against overwhelming odds, against the very might of nature itself, was not going to let some mugger take my well deserved cash. Stopping my chair and turning to face this 6ft tall burly man who looked as if he was recovering from ten rounds with Mike Tyson and was determined to get his revenge on some poor helpless person no matter who. Squaring myself up, ready for the possibility of a flashing knife, or some other lethal weapon that he may have hidden about his person. I pushed Lesley behind me to ensure her safety, which in the few seconds it took for this giant of a man to loom at me.

Curling my fist into hard granite, I was determined to hit him first. The adrenaline that was running through me, making my heart pound faster than Concorde at mach 3, making my eyes bulge, making my features look so fierce-some that even Frank Bruno would have had second thoughts about tackling me, giving me a headache, allowed me such determination to send this thug to the Starship Enterprise without being beamed up. I was ready for him as he stopped directly in front of me. I wasn't going to wait a moment longer. Bringing my arm back to give him a right jab where it would really make his eyes water.

'Excuse me sir,' said the man calmly staring down at me. 'Don't be alarmed!' He must have noticed my awesome features and realised that he was only six inches away from singing Soprano.

'You dropped your wallet outside the Post Office,' he went on with his arm out stretched in front of me. 'I thought you may be in some distress when you found you lost it.'

His friendly calm soothing voice entered my ears and reached my brain, just before I unleashed the deadly natural weapon attached to the end of my arm. I stared at the wallet in his proffered hand and immediately reached into my pocket! Sure enough my wallet was gone! Comprehension now replaced my anger, shock at hearing the calm collective voice whirling around my natural senses. This man was no mugger! He was only trying to be a helpful and upright citizen to someone who he thought less fortunate than himself!

Taking the wallet from his hand, instinctively opening it and looking inside, my money was still there! I couldn't comprehend what was happening, this poor destitute, scruffy looking person who should by all the laws of nature, have grasped this rare opportunity to take the money and buy himself a decent meal, had refused temptation and decided to return to me my wallet intact! Tears welled up in my only a moment ago angry eyes, tears of relief at not having lost my money, tears at having the thoughts that this unfortunate man still standing in front of me would even contemplate hurting me. Placing my hand over my almost grief stricken features of what might have happened.

'Are you all right sir?' asked the man getting down on his haunches to console me. 'Is everything still there in your wallet?' He placed his rough callused hand on mine. Looking over at Lesley, who was still standing there behind me, where I had propelled her moments earlier with mouth agape at what had just occurred. 'Is he all right?'

Lesley nodded, 'he's just relieved that's all!' she replied running her fingers through my hair. 'We thought you were going to mug us, sorry!'

The man stood up. 'That's all right,' he laughed removing his hand from my arm. 'It happens all the time!'

Hearing the man laugh, I brought my hand down and looked at him, filled with embarrassment and shame at my unkind thoughts. Reaching into my wallet, I was about to take out some money to recompense this person who had been so kind to me.

The man held up his hand in protest. 'If you are about to offer me a reward,' he declared. 'I'll be offended, I choose to live my life the way I want to. He once again placed his hand on my arm. 'Just seeing the look of relief on your face is reward enough.' He gently gave my arm a squeeze. 'God be with you.' With this he carried on with his journey, giving us a cheery wave as we watched him disappear into the distance.

Looking up at Lesley, who was now standing by my side. I took hold of her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. No matter that it had started to rain again and we were getting wet, no matter about the hotel and its faults, no matter that I had a long trek up the road to get to the bathroom, nothing seemed important anymore. 'Just remember love,' I stated to this child who would soon grow into a fine caring woman. 'No matter how bad you feel, there is always someone in the world worse off than you.' With this, I began to enjoy the remainder of the holiday without complaint.

Mike Coatesworth

Note: No part of any material on this and other pages can be reproduced in any way without any of the author's written permission. All rights remain with the author.

My novels can be seen at

http://www.btinternet.com/~mikeco158/onetear1.htm

http://www.btinternet.com/~mikeco158/cuppa1.htm

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