Page 48 of Boomerville at Ballymegille

The Babes trooped up the steps and spread themselves out, packing hand luggage into overhead storage racks, all in agreement that they were travelling in style.

Melissa let Willie help her too.

‘Now, miss, you make yourself comfortable, here, behind me, where you’ll have a good view.’ Willie produced a travelling rug and tucked it over Melissa’s knee. ‘The little dog will be cosy on the seat next to you.’ Willie placed Teddy on another rug and strapped him in beside Melissa.

Bill stood on the drive and stared at the transport. Surely they weren’t going to make a journey of nearly five hundred miles, not including the sea crossing, in this run down old heap?

‘A fine sight,’ Alf said to Bill. ‘She’s a T499 with thirty-three seats, built in 1938.’

‘She’s a death trap.’

‘Ran a route through East London, via Aldgate and the city.’

‘Became an ambulance during the war.’ Willie joined them. He took a cloth from his pocket and gently rubbed the paintwork. ‘She worked through the Blitz recovering casualties.’

‘Dear God,’ Bill said. ‘I hope there’s no casualties today.’

‘Nah, Bessie is as sound as they come.’ Willie caressed a silver bumper. ‘She ran her final days as a passenger carrier in Staines, before I got my hands on her.’

‘What year was that?’ Bill asked.

‘1956.’

Bill closed his eyes and calculated that even if Willie was a lad when he purchased the coach, their driver for the day was an old man, well in his eighties.

‘All aboard Bessie the bus,’ Alf called out. He hopped onto the running board then spread himself out on the opposite seat to Melissa, with Bunty and Ness alongside.

As Willie packed their cases into a side compartment, Bill cautiously stepped up. Looking around, he noted that the only spare seats were at the back of the bus and he’d have to run the gauntlet past the Babes to get on and off. Reluctantly, he moved away from Melissa and made his way down the aisle.

Suddenly, a car appeared at the front of the hotel. It skidded to a halt then reversed into a parking space. The driver leapt out.

‘Thought I’d missed you!’ Harry shouted as he raced around to the trunk and grabbed his bag. ‘Didn’t fancy the drive all on my own.’ He wore an old cable knit sweater, jeans and a battered Barbour jacket and carried a checked scarf. ‘Have you got room for a little one?’ he asked as he took Willie’s hand and shook it.

‘Aye, hop aboard,’ Wille said and grabbed Harry’s bag. ‘Hattie said you might be able to make it.’

‘Just a moment!’

Heads turned to see Biddu’s taxi, hurtling through the gates. Biddu braked heavily and leapt out. He opened a rear door and retrieved a large hamper. ‘We don’t want anyone feeling hungry on the journey,’ Biddu said. ‘Hattie told me to make sure you have plenty of grub.’ He handed the hamper to Willie, who stored it alongside the cases in the side of the bus, then slammed the cover shut.

‘Driver!’ Lucinda made a late entrance from the doorway of the hotel. She held a cigarette holder in one hand and an umbrella and carrier bag in the other. A heavy carpet bag hung from her bony shoulders. Blowing smoke rings into the air, she stepped in front of the coach and tapped the bonnet with her umbrella.

Willie, fearful of damage to his paintwork, wobbled towards her and grabbed the offending object. ‘I’ll pack that,’ he said, ‘you climb aboard.’

Lucinda flicked her cigarette out on the drive and eased herself onto the coach. Her carrier bag clinked as she weaved down the aisle and found a place on a seat behind the Babes. Dressed in a thick velvet coat, which she removed and rolled, Lucinda placed the pillow against the window and lay her head on the soft fabric. Closing her eyes, she began to snore.

‘Three sheets to the wind already,’ Harry said. ‘We’re in for a rocky ride when she wakes up.’

‘Wagons roll,’ Willie called out as he slid into the driver’s seat and started the engine.

‘Chocks away!’ the Babes sang out.

Alf reached for a map book. ‘Let’s hit the highway,’ he said.

‘Oh, how exciting.’ Melissa cuddled up next to Teddy.

Bill was on the back seat and as Willie careered out of the gates and onto the busy road, he was thrown from one side of the coach to the other. ‘Bloody hell!’ he exclaimed and grappled about for a safety belt. As he fastened it, a voice whispered in his ear.

You’re a stupid fool, thinking you can make friends with the likes of these people!Andyou’ll be a sick as a dog crossing the water and wish you’d gone home!

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