Page 39 of The Side Road
Tash turned the picture over. Elsie Buchanan, 1972, was scrawled in blue pen on the back. ‘Cool.’ Tash picked up another photo. ‘And this, this is also Nan when she was young?’
‘Oh yes, you look like her.’ Leo held the photo next to Tash’s face. ‘I can see the resemblance. Oliver, have you seen this?’
Oliver smiled. ‘Leo, would you like a cup of tea?’
‘No, thank you. I’d like to have a look at this bike of yours and I have an hour before the fun police come to get me.’
Late afternoon, the sun was sinking as Oliver opened the garage tilt door. Leo stepped forward, dipping his head from side to side, as he studied the machine. Judging by the emotional look on his face, Oliver figured the older man had remembered something significant. He might even have had a few regrets. After taking a deep breath, Leo brushed something from the corner of his eye. Then he threw his headback and laughed. Sensory overload. The bike had him by the heartstrings.
‘Why’s the Black Shadow so special?’ Tash asked.
‘Let me answer that,’ Leo said. ‘First, it’s beautiful to look at – like a piece of art on two wheels. A machine sculpture, if you will. When an old bike like this gets a second chance at life, it’s a wonderful thing. Restored, these bikes get better with age, and you can’t say that about people.’ He walked around the bike. ‘It’s a ‘C’ series. Entirely handmade – every part of the machine is black. Engine, gearbox, frame, handlebars, tank – black, black, black. Look at that speedometer. It’s a Smith’s. And the curved knob on the dipstick. Beautiful.’ He turned to Tash. ‘Darling, if you can’t pick up on this little beauty, there’s something wrong with you. Have you tried to start it?
‘The motor’s seized,’ Oliver said.
‘What the hell are you going to do with it then?’
‘We’re going to rebuild it and sell it,’ Tash said.
Leo let out a whistle. ‘That’s a big investment. These pre-Hinkley British bikes are expensive. You’ll have to get the parts from the UK. Order quality because the cheapest is usually the most expensive in the long run. How long do you think it will take?’
‘About six months,’ Oliver said. ‘Do you know who it belongs to?’
‘I do.’ Leo grinned. ‘I asked around. Apparently, it belonged to your pop. Rumour is he loved this bike more than he loved your Nan.’
‘Wouldn’t be hard,’ Oliver mumbled.
‘He shipped it over from the UK on a cargo freighter. Took it apart in 1985. When he put it back together, it wouldn’t start. He thought Elsie hid some of the pieces. I’ll give you a thousand dollars for it.’
‘It’s not for sale,’ Tash said. ‘After we fix it up and sell it, we’ll be rich.’
‘From what I hear, you need the cash. You’re going to need a good mechanic. Know of anyone?’
Tash pointed at her father.
‘I said good.’
Tash giggled.
Oliver heard the rumbling engine of the BMW turn onto the street. His heart stirred.
Leo glanced at his watch. ‘She’s early.’
A few minutes later, Snood came bounding into the backyard. Tash ran over to the dog and wrapped her arms around him. Snood was sporting a new navy and white bandana.
Mia wasn’t far behind. Wearing jeans and a country-style checked shirt with her hair out, she looked younger.
‘Oliver, can you take a look at the BMW?’ Leo asked. ‘It’s still playing up and Mia’s had terrible experiences with mechanics in the past, haven’t you?’
Mia nodded. ‘I know nothing about cars or bikes except they need petrol and get you from A to B.’
‘These days, some of them don’t even need petrol.’ Oliver held out his hand. ‘If you give me the keys, I’ll bring it around.’
Mia dropped the keys into his hand.
On the footpath, Oliver straddled the bike and started the engine. He rode it up to the garage and dismounted.
Conveniently, Leo asked Tash if she needed help with the old photos and Tash was keen to show him her collection. Together they climbed the back steps and headed inside the house.
