Larry had been taking care of it for him by turning over the engine everyday. It started first go.
Then Larry arrived to take him to his house. They went inside and Larry made the tea. They watched TV for a while then sleep got the better of Charlie so he said to Larry “ I’m going for an early night”
Larry replied “ Ok mate”.
As Charlie lay on the bed he thought I hope I get that job tomorrow. Tomorrow would be the start of a new life for Charlie and time to leave the past behind and maybe one day Larry would own up to starting the fire that destroyed Charlie’s house.
They had been friends since they were 3 years old. They had grown up living next door to each other.
That was why Charlie had taken the rap for Larry as he thought of him as a brother.
Maybe one-day Charlie’s family would forgive Charlie for not standing up to Larry.
Charlie woke the following morning, it seemed strange to wake up to the birds singing and not to the sound of keys turning in the locks and wardens shouting time to get up. He just lay for a while thinking about the 3 years he had spent in prison. He had made a few friends while he had been in there. He had promised to keep in touch, especially the guy named Mack. Mack had befriended Charlie more or less from the beginning.
Mack had talked to Charlie when he had been feeling down and Charlie had told Mack exactly what had happened and how really Larry was to blame but he hadn’t really meant to burn the house down. They had both been drinking and somehow an argument had started about something stupid. They had gone home and Charlie had gone to bed leaving Larry downstairs. Larry had lit a cigarette and fallen asleep. The cigarette had dropped from his fingers down the side of the settee.
When Larry had woken and gone to make himself a cup of tea the settee had set on fire. It was well ablaze when he had returned to the living room. By the time he had come to his senses the whole room was on fire. Larry managed to wake Charlie and they both got out but by the time the firemen arrived the whole house had set ablaze. They found the cigarette down the side of the settee and the police were convinced it was not an accident and charged Larry with starting the fire. Charlie knew Larry would not be able to cope with life in prison.
Larry was a bit slow to grasp things and sometimes he didn’t realise what he was doing. So Charlie lied and said it was his fault and he was sent down for 4 years but they let him out after 3 for good behaviour. Larry visited as often as he could and promised Charlie he would make it up to him when he got out. After a while Charlie got up, showered had a shave and looked through some of Larry’s clothes until he could afford hiss own. He had lost everything in the fire. He was not looking forward to the interview with Mr Brewer as he had decided to tell him about being in prison.
At 2.00 PM he left the house and got the bus to the restaurant, he wanted to give a good impression and hopefully look keen for the job. Mr Brewer seemed a kindly looking chap. He asked Charlie a few questions then he asked what had he been doing for the last 3 years. Charlie took a deep breath and told Mr Brewer about being in prison he said he thought it would be better to be honest. Mr Brewer sat back in his chair and thought Charlie had an honest face and he had been early for his interview so he must be eager. He looked at Charlie and said “ Because you have been honest with me and you seem keen to work I will give you 1 months trial and then we’ll take it from there.
Charlie smiled and said “ Thank you, you wont regret this and I wont let you down “. They shook hands and Charlie went home feeling better than he had in a long time. Larry was waiting for him and asked how he had got on. He was really pleased Charlie had got the job on a month’s trial. Maybe now they both could start anew and forget the past.
