An Extract From The Book: Jimmy Spence 8th Of June 1974 By Kelvin Rush.
Book Details
On the way home Carol told Brian the full story, with Jimmy occasionally adding his bits. After dropping Mrs Cartwright off, Brian pulled up outside The Blue Whale chippy. Jimmy was surprised, as they usually only had fish and chips on a weekend. ‘How come we’ve stopped here dad? We never have fish and chips during the week.’ Brian looked in the rear-view mirror at Jimmy who was sat on the back seat, holding the ice pack on his forehead. His little face was still hot and flushed and his eyes looked really sore from all the crying. Brian felt desperately sorry for him, and would have done anything to ease his pain. He thought fish and chips might help. ‘A mate at work told me that fish and chips always taste better during the week Jimmy. I thought I’d put it to the test. So how do ya fancy fish and chips with mushy peas?’ Brian felt a surge of euphoria, as he saw the sheer delight on Jimmy’s face. ‘Yeah…..! that would be great dad! with scraps and a bottle of orangeade, if that’s ok.’
‘No worries son you can have whatever you like. What do you fancy Carol?’
‘I’ll have the same please love, minus the scraps and orangeade, and get our Mel the same as Jimmy. You know they argue, if one gets something without the other.’ Jimmy’s delight soon turned to anger. ‘I don’t see why she should get the same as me! She’s not been knocked out unconscious like I have!’ Here we go again thought Carol. ‘Ok Jimmy that’s enough of that,’ she said. ‘What is it with you two anyway? I thought twins were supposed to support each other, not be fighting all the time.’
Fifteen minutes later, they were all sat around the kitchen table, tucking into fish and chips, scraps, mushy peas, (all soaked in salt and vinegar), white bread and butter, a pot of tea, and orangeade. As usual it wasn’t long before the twins were at it again.
‘He’s got more scraps than me,’ said Mel.
‘No I haven’t stupid, how can you count scraps?’
‘You don’t need to count them Dummy, you can see your pile is bigger than mine.’
‘That’s because you’ve already eaten half of yours stupid.’
‘No I haven’t Dummy!’
‘Yes you have Stupid! and stop calling me Dummy!’
‘Then stop calling me Stupid! Dummy!’
Jimmy then lost his temper and kicked Mel underneath the table, right on the shin bone. Considering he still had his football boots on, it was quite a nasty thing to do. Mel cried out in pain. ‘He’s just kicked me mum! Right on the shin bone!’ She then walloped Jimmy on his elbow with her fork, sending his funny bone into overdrive. It sent Jimmy reeling on his chair, and squealing like a cat that had just been run over by a truck. ‘Right! That’s enough!’ shouted Carol. ‘We can’t even have a quiet tea without you two spoiling it! Jimmy! Get upstairs to your bedroom!’ Jimmy was absolutely furious. ‘But I’ve not even finished mi tea yet mum!’ he blasted, while desperately rubbing his elbow that had gone all numb. Carol was in no mood for any backchat. ‘Take it with you Jimmy! Go on! Go to your bedroom!’
Jimmy reluctantly got to his feet and picked up his plate of half-eaten fish and chips, with mushy peas and scraps. He could see Mel smirking, which made him even more angry. As he walked passed, he sneakily caught the back of her head with the edge of his plate. It was an instant success, as Mel once again screamed out in pain.
‘Ahhhhh…..!! He’s just hit me with his plate mum!!’ she squealed loudly, as she picked up the battered haddock from her plate and slung it at great pace in Jimmy’s direction. It was a perfect execution. It seemed to travel in slow motion, before landing bulls-eye, right smack on Jimmy’s red, sore lump. Jimmy yelped out in extreme pain before dramatically collapsing to the floor, like a Fred Dibnah chimney. He dropped his plate, scattering his tea all over the lino. Brian burst out laughing, shortly followed by Carol, then Mel. The kitchen was in uproar. ‘Bloody hell!’ screamed Carol. ‘Our Jimmy’s been well and truly battered!’
Even Jimmy, who was rolling around on the floor like a rattlesnake on speed, covered in battered fish and mushy peas, couldn’t stop himself from laughing hysterically. ‘I’ll have a right haddock in the morning,’ he said. ‘I’ll have to take another paracetamol.’
Eventually everyone calmed down, and Jimmy was allowed to go back to the table and finish his tea, (after he’d scraped it off the lino and cleaned it up a bit). Later that night in bed, he realised just what an eventful day it had been. As he dropped off to sleep, Julie Richardson was firmly engraved on his mind.
An Extract From The Book: Jimmy Spence 8th Of June 1974 By Kelvin Rush.
Book Details
BUY NOW
UK: Amazon.co.uk
USA: Amazon.com