Waterloo Road Page #4

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No, I suppose not.

Look, you leave him to me.

You've enough on your hands these days.

I'll patch him up in a jiffy.

If there's anything you want to know afterwards,

you come to me.

- Oh, thank you, Doctor.

- You know your way out.

Right you are.

Well, Jim Colter, I gather from your attitude

just now you're playing truant.

- Yes.

- Would you say that was wise?

Hm?

I'd better get you fixed up, I suppose.

(Buzz of conversation)

Come on. Drink up.

- Have another?

- No, thanks.

- I'd better be going.

- Why not grab a bite here?

You're not expected back, are you?

No, but

Now, don't get me wrong.

You stood me up - OK,

and I'm taking it like a lamb,

but you've got to eat sometime and I'm grabbing

a bite here, so why not grab one with me?

- No, Ted, really.

- Why not?

- I don't think I ought.

- I know. You've been warned off me, eh?

So's everyone in skirts within a mile of

the Waterloo Road.

Sure, sure. You know what all the old dames

tell their daughters around here?

Ted Purvis'll get you if you don't watch out.

I'd like half the chance.

You don't think I'll make a pass at you

over George's roast beef and two veg, do you?

Go on. What's the harm in it?

None, I suppose.

That's right.

It would make a change.

Well, then?

All right, then, Ted.

- George?

- Hello.

- Can I have the table in the corner?

- Of course. Anything for an old customer.

Well? What's the matter?

If you ask me, the youngsters are having

the toughest time in this war.

What war? I ain't found it yet.

Females the problem all round.

Blooming crossword puzzle.

That's a great discovery.

La donna mobile.

- What's that?

- Italian.

What does it mean?

What's it mean?

It means that women is... mobile.

Who said that? Mr Bevin?

Give me pigeons every time.

Not so blinking whimsical.

I haven't seen your mother lately.

Or your sister, for that matter.

- How are they?

- Fine.

And the little wife?

Tilly, isn't it?

All right, thanks.

War's an unsettling business.

Especially for the womenfolk.

They've more of the beaver instinct in them

than the men.

Give them a chance and they'll build a home

out of an old plank and a rusty nail.

And a cradle out of an old orange box.

Keep your head still.

Deny it to them, and repressed

and rebellious nature runs amok in a big way.

- Do...

- Yes?

Are you going to take much longer?

No.

Just a patch and it'll be all over.

Not the first time there's been a bust-up

at that Lucky Star place.

I ought to pay a commission

to the fella that runs it.

What's his name? Purvis, isn't it?

- Yep.

- Ever met him?

Not yet. Why?

Just a perfect example of the type

that's determined to have his cake and eat it.

Popular with the local lads.

And lasses.

Why do you keep going on about Ted Purvis?

He's a symptom of a general condition.

Head down, please.

Hope he's still not having his cake and eating it

when the war's over.

- Finished?

- Yes. Your cap'll cover that nicely.

- Do you feel all right?

- Er, yeah. Thanks, doc.

You know, Colter, I sometimes think

the remedy's in your hands.

- What are you driving at?

- The hands of the people that you represent.

You're making the sacrifices,

you fellows in the Services.

You don't want the Ted Purvises of this world

to reap the benefits when it's over.

Or now, for that matter.

I don't know who's going to stop them, if not you.

- Look, doc, do you know about...

- My dear fellow, I was only thinking aloud.

Any fool can punch somebody in the nose.

That doesn't require intelligence.

The point is, does it achieve anything?

Does it do any good?

I think it would do Ted Purvis a lot of good.

- Thanks, doc.

- There'll be no charge.

Feed your pigeons for a couple of months,

one of those sacks would.

- I wish I'd known sooner.

- T'ain't too late.

I've given my word now.

But, Tom, you've had pigeons for years.

Cheers me up to see them flying off

in the morning.

That's right.

It's different now, though.

They'll be a lot better off where they're going.

- I'll give you a hand with them tonight.

- OK.

- So long.

- So long.

Tom?

- Hello, Tom.

- Hello, Jim boy, fancy seeing you.

- Come up on leave for the blitz?

- Only for the day.

Well, well, this is a surprise.

- Have you been home yet?

- Uh-huh.

- Seen your ma?

- Mm. Didn't see Tilly, though.

Looking for her now.

I see. Well, I'll be getting along.

Must get a bit of shut-eye.

I suppose you didn't happen to have

run into her, by any chance.

- Saw her at breakfast as usual.

- Seen her since?

I wasn't noticing, Jim.

Just having my usual pint.

Well, I'll get along.

- You've seen her, haven't you?

- I took French leave. I've got to see her.

Well...

As a matter of fact,

she's in the old Canterbury Arms.

- By herself?

- Listen, son...

That's all I want to know. See you later.

- Ted Purvis in?

- Table in the corner. Lunching with a bit of skirt.

- Ted Purvis here?

- Just this minute left.

- Know where they went?

- I couldn't say.

I've got something for him.

Any idea where he might be at this time?

I don't know, I'm sure.

Unless he's dropping in at Tony's shop.

- Where's that?

- Ladies' hairdressing, off Wellington Street.

Ted often pops in to cart the takings to the bank.

- Morning, Corp.

- Morning.

Oi! Colter!

- Hey, Sherlock.

- Duggan.

How are you, stupid?

What are you gonna have?

You stay there. I want you.

(Gasps and shouting)

- Hiya.

- Goodbye.

- Look out.

- Sorry.

Hell, he's gone.

Good afternoon, young man.

All men of His Majesty's forces welcome.

Hope it pleases the girlfriend. Come again, Jack.

Step inside, sir. Don't be bashful.

Any particular line you fancy? Take your pick.

There's plenty to choose from.

The wife. When I can't sleep

I turn over and look at the pictures.

There's years of tattooing in that, sir.

Calls for a lot of patience. On both sides.

Now, what can I do for you?

As a matter of fact,

I dropped in to have a look around.

We have a nice range to choose from.

Mottoes and emblems of all nations.

Females draped or in a state of nature,

as preferred,

and a selection of the animal kingdom.

Actual or mythical

I used to do a nice fire-breathing dragon.

I had to drop that line owing to the lack of

colouring materials due to the war.

- How's that, eh?

- What?

Oh, take a long time, anything like that?

There's a lot of work in these artistic jobs.

How about something quicker, less showy?

What about a bleeding heart,

transfixed by an arrow?

Looks a treat on the forearm. Pretty effect

of heartbeats when you move the muscle.

Very pretty indeed.

Sit down. Have name of a girlfriend underneath.

- More like it.

- Very popular line, that.

Cheap but tasteful.

Excuse me.

About here is usual.

- This may prick a bit.

- Just a minute.

You ever tattooed yourself?

- No.

- Now's your big chance.

Thought you might like a dance with your tea.

OK? Do you good.

I always seem to be doing

what I never intended, somehow.

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