Danny’s Story – Chapter 1 – a work in progress

I have finally started to write this novel. It has been kicking around in my head for a number of years.

There was a house I lived in from 1972 – 1975 in Green Lanes, Manor House in London. It was full of characters. I knew there was a novel in it. I just did not know how to organise it or tell it.

I read John Steinbeck’s Tortilla Flat and it fitted into place. I knew how to tell it.

I fictionalised the people and events and created something. Any resemblance to real people is coincidental. This is a work of fiction. This is a tale from the sixties.

I’d be very interested in any views about the writing, style or theme.

Does it grab you? Do you want to read more?

Chapter 1 – How Danny Champion stumbled upon the House

Life was not going well for Danny Champion. You could say he was having a bad day. The final bust-up with Cheryl had left him bruised and deflated. He had lost his job, his dreams, hopes and even the will to live, and had neither ideas, plans or even a hint of where to go tonight. He had been sucked into a void. His life had blown up in his face and he no longer cared. He sat in the café nursing a mug of tea, with a hold-all sitting at his feet containing all the possessions he could carry – mainly changes of clothes, a clutch of essential albums and a sleeping bag. Everything else was at Cheryl’s. In his heart was an emptiness that was darker than the vacuum of space. He did not even know why he was here. He felt like an ephemeral ghost. He was no longer real.

Danny swirled the tea around in his mug and idly watched the creamy brown liquid as it formed its whirlpool, and the bubbles whirled round the sides, caught and skidded off the porcelain. His mind was utterly vacant.

He’d been here hours. He knew he would have to move soon, get up from this table, leave the warmth and go out into the elements, but had nowhere to go. He was putting it off. He let his mind contemplate the options and morbidly observed that mind at work as if from afar. All the limpid grey matter could manage was a series of temporary floors or couches. None of them were at all appealing; none filled him with the slightest enthusiasm. But then going back to beg Cheryl for another chance was simply not an option. That was over. That was the one thing he was sure of. He’d sleep rough rather than do that. The only thing worse than going back to Cheryl’s was going home to his parents’ house. That was a nightmare not worth even considering. He could not stomach the prospect of all that gloating, wheedling and nagging. He’d rather face life on the streets. As far as his parents were concerned he was throwing his life away. He’d wasted his opportunities, gone off the rails and was paying the price. He’d rather die than prove them right.

‘Are you alright Danny?’ Suzie asked with an uncertain smile. She slid into the seat opposite him. ‘You’re looking glum.’

Danny looked up at her dolefully. Suzie was petite, very slim, fair-haired and attractive and had always had the hots for Danny. Her mini-skirt always showed off her perfect legs and her blouse was open sufficiently to tantalise. Her hair was close cropped which suited her impish features and snub nose. She was immaculate in every way. It was a shame that she did not appeal to him. Danny thought she was too much of the little office girl. Everything about her was too trim, prim and proper. Not a hair out of place. Definitely not Danny’s type. They belonged to different worlds. But, none-the-less, they were friends.

‘That’s because I’m feeling glum,’ Danny replied morosely.

Over the next two hours, and two cups of tea plus a full-blown English breakfast, courtesy of Suzie, the whole story came out.

Danny was destitute, without a home, no relationship and no future. The more it poured out of Danny the gloomier he became. There was no way forward.

The more gloomy Danny became the more bubbly Suzie grew. By the time he had finished his tale of woe she was so effervescent that she could hardly contain herself. She had the answer to his problem. That put her in the driving seat.

‘You’re in luck, Danny,’ she exclaimed. ‘Charlotte and I have had enough of London. We’re moving out. I was just coming along to pack my last things up and settle up with the landlord. Just thought I’d pop in the café for a quick bite to eat first.’

Danny stared at her uncomprehendingly.

‘You can have our place,’ Suzie said cheerfully with a big grin and a shrug of the shoulders. ‘It’s perfect.’

‘But I’m on the dole,’ Danny pointed out. ‘I don’t have the money for a deposit or rent.’

‘It’s only a little two room bedsit,’ Suzie said with a chuckle. ‘Only six pounds a week and ten bob for the electricity meter.’

Danny stared blankly at her. That was cheap by any standards. He could afford that. And the electricity?

‘The meter’s broken,’ Suzie chuckled. ‘Mr Rose is a sweet old thing. Rather than spend out on replacing the meter he charges ten bob. You can have the fire on all day. It’s a godsend.’ She grinned at him. ‘See Danny,’ she added gleefully, ‘you can afford that, even if you are on the dole.’

‘What about the deposit?’

‘It’s only four weeks rent in advance,’ Suzie explained,’ and you can owe us that. Charlotte won’t mind. Her daddy’s paying for it anyway. He’s glad to have her home. He won’t even miss the money. See! It’s perfect! You can move in today. Right now. It could not be better.’

Danny was bemused. It sounded too good to be true. Manna did not really drop from heaven, or at least not in Danny’s world.

‘You might have to play it a bit wisely,’ Suzie said cautiously, an element of doubt creeping in to her voice. Danny’s ears pricked up. There was always a catch. ‘Mr Rose is a stickler for rules,’ she explained, eyeing Danny’s long waist-length hair. ‘He’s really nice but a bit old-fashioned and set in his ways.’

Danny’s heart, which had begun to expand with hope, began to shrink in his chest. What was offered was now being taken back. That was the way of the world.

‘He won’t have any pets, babies or,’ and Suzie paused here and looked pained, ‘hippies.’

That was it then. While Danny did not consider himself a hippie, as such, there was no doubt that to the untutored eye his waist length hair, patched, flared jeans and colourful tunic might superficially suggest otherwise. Danny had no doubt that Mr Rose would see him as a hippie and that was that. He was used to it.

‘So we’ll have to get in through the backdoor.’

Danny frowned. Did Suzy have a scheme?

‘You move in,’ Suzie suggested, beaming at him. ‘I’ll tell him you’re a friend who’s visiting for a week or two. You go and pay the rent and get to know him. He’s a real sweetie. Then, when he’s got to know you, you change the tenancy over.’

Suzie could see that Danny was looking dubious.

‘It’s alright,’ she chuckled, ‘he’s a lovely old thing but he’s got a terrible memory. When he’s got used to you – just point out that he’s still got the book in our names and get him to change it over. If you play it right and choose your moment he’ll think he just forgot to change the name.’

Danny did not look convinced.

‘Don’t worry,’ Suzie chuckled, and a reassuring pat on Danny’s hand ‘It’ll be fine.’

By the time they were through in the café it was a done deal. Danny had a place to stay. At least temporarily; until Mr Rose threw him out. But at least tonight was sorted.