A Cockney's Journey (5 page)

    “Cheers,” I muttered, running past her.
Must get myself a watch one day.
I opened Rose’s gate and stood on the pathway, catching my breath. I was just about to ring the doorbell when the front door slowly creaked open.
    “Morning, Eddie, oversleep, did we?” Rose asked, with a twinkle in her eye.
    “Yeah, sort of,” I replied.
    “Come in. I’ve just made a fresh pot.”
    We sat in the living room, sipping tea. She handed me a plate full of biscuits. “Take a couple,” she insisted.
    I gently picked up three chocolate biscuits, gulping them down.
    “Hungry, are you?” she said, putting the plate on the table in front of me. “Help yourself, Eddie.”
    I ate another couple of biscuits. The side of my face was still hurting; it was an effort chewing on the biscuits and it was obvious to Rose that I was in some discomfort.
    “You OK, Eddie?”
    “Yeah, just a bit sore.” I didn’t elaborate further.
    She looked at me, slightly concerned. I got up and walked into the garden, dismissing her concern. I stood on the patio staring down the garden. I noticed this figure bending down by the shed.
She’s got someone else.
I was only half an hour late. I turned round and mentioned the fact to Rose. She went as white as a sheet.
    “You can see him?” she gasped. “My God, Eddie, who are you?”
    “What do you mean, who am I? And yes, I can see him. I’m not blind,” I snapped, indicating to the guy near the shed.
    “Come inside, Eddie, and sit down,” she insisted.
    I walked into the house, glancing round the garden. Whoever he was had gone; vanished into thin air.
    “Where has he gone, Rose?” I asked, feeling quite unnerved by his sudden disappearance. I sat down on the sofa looking at Rose for an explanation.
    Now the conversation that followed should have been pretty heavy for a fourteen year old, but not this teenager.
    “Do you believe in ghosts?” Rose asked.
    “Not in ghosts actually, more like spirits or souls of the departed.” I replied.
    My answer shocked her; I could see that in her eyes.
They never lie, the eyes.
    “Good grief!” she gasped. “Where did you learn that?”
    “My experiences and my nan,” I said, looking her in the eyes.
    “Do you know what a medium is?” she asked.
    “Not really,” I replied, shrugging my shoulders. “I’ve heard the word mentioned, but I don’t know what it means.”
    “Someone who can communicate with the dead,” she said. “Getting in touch with the other side.”
    Rose had my complete and utter attention.
    “Are you interested in spiritualism?” she asked, looking straight into my eyes, a twinkle still in her own.
    “Yeah, I suppose so. Why do you ask?” I was trying not to give away my fascination with the subject of the afterlife.
    “Because I am a medium. What you saw in the garden was a spirit of someone who died in this house years ago. He’s been visiting me on a regular basis and you are the only other one who has seen him. You must be susceptible to the spirit world, Eddie. Come over here and sit down.”
    She gestured to the small green table in the corner of the room. I duly obliged; how fascinating this all was. I plonked myself down on one of the small chairs, full of anticipation.
    “Don’t be frightened,” she said comfortingly. “There’s nothing to fear from the other side,”
    She sat there with her hands cupped around the crystal ball in some sort of trance. While I was interested in the subject matter, crystal balls were a bit alien to me. This is gonna be a right laugh, I thought, struggling to keep a straight face.
    “I call upon my spirit guardian, Red Cloud,” she commanded, staring into the crystal ball. The room was engulfed in eerie silence. Suddenly, she confirmed quietly and calmly, “I can feel him in the room.”
    
This is better than digging the garden.
My eyes were scanning the room, looking for something. What, I didn’t know.
    “Give me a sign, Red Cloud,” she ordered. The eerie silence was broken by the sound of Rose’s clock chiming twelve times.
No way was it midday.
    “He’s here,” she insisted , “I can feel his presence.”
    I started to feel cold; the hairs on my arms stood up to attention and my flesh was covered in goose pimples. I instantly knew that something was in the room with us. The candles on the mantelpiece started flickering wildly, but I couldn’t feel a draught anywhere. The feeling I had then was one I had encountered many, many times before.
    “I’ve got a message for you, Eddie,” Rose said quietly. “He says don’t worry. You’ll be all right. Be positive and brave and everything will come to you in time. No matter where you are, he’ll be there to guide you till it’s your time.”
    “Who?” I asked, puzzled.
    The words from her lips were an immense shock.
    “William Charles Bennett,” she said softly, a gleam in her eyes.
    “What?” I gasped.
    “Yes Eddie, He’s your spirit guardian. He’s been watching over you since your childhood and will continue to do so into adulthood.”
    Even though you could have knocked me down with a feather, I think that deep in my heart I knew that anyway.
My relationship with Rose lasted quiet a few years. I used to do odd jobs for her on a regular basis and on many occasions, we just sat and talked. I learned so much from that lady. We lost touch when she moved from London to the South coast due to ill health.

CHAPTER FOUR
    It was around the time of my fifteenth birthday when my friends and I started to hang out at a café in Maxted Road. Inside, there was a jukebox, pinball table and, the major attraction, a football table. It was brilliant! We used to try and meet every night from school but sometimes that was impossible for me. I always seemed to be doing something that would result in my father preventing me from going out. On one occasion, I was walking home from school carrying my school report. Not a good read, I’m afraid.
He’s going to kill me.
I’d never seen so much red ink. How on earth was I going to get out of this one? There was no way he was going to let me out tonight, if ever again. The rain was lashing down and I was getting soaked. There were puddles everywhere. That’s when it came to me. I’ll pretend I fell over and my report got ruined in the wet. I was rushing up to the house when I noticed Auntie Joyce on the other side of the street. She was not a relative of mine; she was Brian’s mum. This was my chance. If ever I deserved an Oscar, this was it. Just as she waved to me from under her brolly, I went flying. I hit the pavement, clutching my school report, which soon disintegrated in the puddles I landed in. However, I over-did the act a little and ended up breaking my wrist and spraining my ankle. Well, it was worth a try. Although I couldn’t play football on or off the table for two months, the report did get totally ruined. You know the saying
what goes around comes around
? Well believe me, it does. Not only did it go around, but it came back around and bit me on the arse!
    It was a bitter cold November night. I left the house to go up to the café to meet my friends. As I turned into Lyndhurst Way and crossed the street, I decided to walk up the side of the local girls’ school. There wasn’t a soul about and I thought that it was a bit strange not to see anyone walking the streets. I neared half way when I had a feeling that there was somebody behind me. Quickly glancing over my shoulder to reassure myself that no one was there, I carried on walking. The feeling wouldn’t go away though, and I felt very uneasy. Turning around and straining my eyes in the dark murky night for the umpteenth time, I caught a glimpse of a figure in a dark hat and long overcoat. He just stood there watching me. Uneasily, I turned and carried on walking towards a telephone box. I decided to stop and turn round again, this time lighting up a fag as I did. The figure was still there, but a hell of a lot closer than before. He just stood there, looking in my direction, his face hidden from view by the darkness and shadow of his hat. It was at this point I lost the plot.
    “Why are you following me?” I shouted at the top of my voice. He just stood there, motionless. I turned and moved quickly up the street, all I could hear were my footsteps and heavy breathing. I stopped dead in my tracks when I heard my name being called.
    “Eddieeeeee.”
    I felt a sudden icy breeze rush through me and a tingle all over my body. The sensation lasted for about sixty seconds. Looking over my shoulder, I realised he’d gone. I tried to convince myself that I’d been hallucinating. Then, approaching the café, I noticed a figure standing by another phone box, looking in the direction of the café. I pushed the door open and, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed that the phone box was empty. He must be waiting for a call, I tried to rationalise. In the late sixties, not everyone had a telephone, so we used to phone friends for a penny and they would ring us back. I entered the café and the usual crowd were inside: Danny, Tony, Brian, Lyn, Karen and Spud Murphy. Spud was the king on the football table and I was the knight. We both had many battles to gain superiority and, if I’m honest, he just about shaded it. And I do mean just!!
    I ordered a coke and a rock cake and sat down with my friends.
    “Ann’s been looking for you, Eddie,” Karen whispered in my ear.
    “Really? What for?” I asked excitedly.
    “She’s having a party Saturday night.”
    “Great!! Am I invited?”
    “Of course you are,” she smiled.
    I’d been trying so hard to date Ann. I knew she liked me, however, I’d got some serious competition from a boy at her school, and I felt I had no chance.
    “Is what’s-his-name going?” I asked.
    “Don’t think so. He’s on holiday with his parents,” Karen said. That’s a touch, I thought.
    “How’s the scoring going, Dan?” I asked, knowing I was behind anyway.
    “Spud’s six points clear at the moment, but you’ve got three games in hand, Eddie, and you got to play him twice this week,” he grinned.
    I got up and walked towards the window, peering out into darkness.
    “Who you looking for?” Karen asked.
    
He was gone.
    “Oh, no one,” I muttered, shrugging my shoulders. “Six points, eh, Dan?” I grinned.
    “Yeah, that’s right, Ed,” Spud confirmed, confidence high after just beating Brian to go eight points clear. We’d been playing this league since the football season started and there was a long way to go yet. I was lying in second spot and had been there since the beginning. There are fourteen of us and we all chose our own teams, so West Ham were top and QPR were second. That, unfortunately, was the end result; such is life!
    After a couple hours of chatting and playing the jukebox, we called it a day and said our goodbyes. Turning into Lyndhurst Way, I was singing a record in my head that I had heard about ten times in the café, ‘My Sweet Lord’ by George Harrison. Halfway down Lyndhurst Way, I heard rapidly approaching footsteps behind me.
    “Eddie, wait up!” I stopped and turned round.
    “Hi, Al. haven’t seen you in ages, mate.”
    “Had a few probs to sort,” he said with a wink. “Know what I mean, Ed?”
    “Yeah, I suppose so.”
    Al was my cousin and about seven years older than me. He was also the local villain. I didn’t know it at the time, but my association with him over the next few years was going to land me in some serious trouble with the police, not to mention a spell in prison, although that path had yet to be taken.
    “Where you going?” he asked me.
    “Home,” I said, nervously.
    “OK, I’ll catch up with ya later, Ed.”
    He and a couple of other guys jumped over the girls’ school gate and vanished. I got home, went straight up to my bedroom and slid into bed with my clothes on, trying to keep warm. I lay in bed, thinking of Ann. I couldn’t wait until Saturday, even though deep in my heart I knew I never had a snowball’s chance in hell with her. Closing my eyes, I drifted off into my deep dark world…
    I was running flat out; I couldn’t run fast enough. I sped through the streets, zigzagging in and out of the houses. My heart was pounding and my lungs were ready to burst. I screamed for help but there was no one, nothing except darkness. He was gaining on me effortlessly; the sweat was rolling down my face, and my breathing was erratic. I approached a garden fence. I needed to stop and get my breath, but the fear kept me going. I was trembling as I climbed over the garden fence and ran up to the house. I noticed the lights were on and I shouted out for help but no one heard. I banged on the windows, screaming in blind panic but not a sound came from within. Then I saw his reflection in the windowpane. He was in the garden coming towards me. I turned and ran to a side gate. I pulled back the bolt and carried on running. I neared the end of the street and noticed an alleyway that ran up the back of all the gardens. I headed in the direction of the alleyway, legging it to the top. Approaching the last house, there was another fence. I jumped, straddling the fence; on the other side was a road. I turned and looked down the alleyway. In the darkness I could see him closing in on me. I was sure he was floating. And then came the hideous laugh. I was petrified. Shaking violently, I slipped and fell to the ground. Jumping up, I ran as fast as my legs could carry me. Glancing over my shoulder, I could practically feel his hot breath on my neck. Oh God, he’s going to get me, I cried. Gotta keep going; he mustn’t get me. I lost all sense of direction. I didn’t know where I was going. I just kept running like a hunted rabbit. My brain was bursting; my eyes were stinging as I tried to wipe the sweat away. I rounded the corner, and to my utmost horror, it was a dead end. I stopped in front of a row of garages; my face pressed up against the cold metal doors. Panting franticly, I tried to get my breath back. My chest was thumping hard and fast and I felt weak and sick. I stood there, fearing the worst, but not a sound came from behind me; just an eerie silence. After a few minutes had lapsed, my breathing and heart rate returned to normal. A sense of triumph came over me. He’s gone, I thought. I’ve outrun him. Turning to face the road, I froze with fear, for there he stood, with no face under his hood, only two glaring eyes peering out from the shadows. I found myself gazing deep into his mesmerising glare. I tried to speak. My throat closed up. I could only stare in horror. I tried to run but I was rooted to the spot. He raised his right arm and with long and pointed fingers his outstretched hand grabbed my throat and squeezed tightly…
    I jerked upright like a puppet being pulled by its strings. It was dark, very dark, and I was shaking and sweating profusely. As my eyes started to get accustomed to the darkness, I could just make out a figure in the corner of my room. I jumped up and switched on the light; flooded in brightness, I could clearly see my wardrobe, positioned in the corner of my room, where it always is.
Yet another nightmare.
I sat huddled on my bed till daylight, too petrified to go back to sleep in case he was waiting, waiting for me again…
    It was a damp and chilly Saturday morning; the sky was full of grey clouds.
Rain later.
Approaching Rose’s house, I noticed the front door was open.
    “Hi Eddie,” a voice spoke softly from behind the rhododendron bushes. “You OK, boy?”
    “Yes thanks, Rose, Do you need a hand?” I asked.
    “No, it’s OK. I’ve just about finished.” Rose stood up and gasped. “Getting a bit long in the tooth for weeding on my knees,” she laughed. “Come on in. I’ll put the kettle on.”
    On entering the house, I noticed Prince curled up asleep on the top tread of the stairs. He lifted his head, gave me a glance and went back to sleep.
    “Sit down.” Rose motioned toward the settee, as she disappeared into the kitchen. I sat there staring out of the French windows into the garden deep in thought.
    I was lying in bed feeling a bit groggy.
    “Sit up, Eddie. You’ve got visitors,” the nurse whispered as she puffed up my pillows. My aunts and uncles came into the ward and started to make a fuss over me. Why are they here? They had never shown any interest in me before and, to be quite honest, I didn’t even know their names. This was extremely bizarre. The only consolation was that they filled up a jug with a lot of half crowns. Blimey, I’m rich. There must be at least seven pounds in the jug. After boring the life out of me they left, waving goodbye.
    “Who were that lot?” the nurse asked.
    “Well, I think they’re my aunts and uncles. I only see them at Christmas and that’s just for half an hour,” I replied with a shrug.
    Having your tonsils out is very profitable, it would seem. I left hospital, arriving home by cab with my mother. Not one of my brothers or sisters was pleased to see me. I was in the front room unpacking my bag when I dropped the jug. Frantically, I gathered all the coins and put them back.
    I was trying to hide my stash when all of a sudden I heard, “What you got there boy?” My heart sank so deep, I felt like crying.
    “My present for being in hospital,” I replied, knowing what was coming next.
    “I’ll take that,” and the jug was wrenched out of my grasp. “You’ll lose it,” he said. “I’ll look after this for you.”
    My brothers and sisters laughed as he left the room with my money. I sat there, depressed and miserable, tears in my eyes. I never did see my seven pounds again. How I hated that man. I wanted to run away and never come back.
    Rose entered the front room carrying a tray.
    “Here we are, Eddie. Nice cup of tea,” she smiled. “You look worried and tired, my boy. What’s wrong, problems at home?”
    “Well err, yes and no. I mean, there’s always problems at home, but that’s not the reason why I’m worried. You see, it’s this bloke who’s been following me and the nightmares.” I sighed.
    “Start at the beginning and tell me everything,” Rose said.
    So I explained about the figure in the dark overcoat and the nightmares. Then I told her how I felt towards my family. “I don’t belong with them. I am completely the opposite to all of them. I don’t like any of them. I feel as if, somewhere, a big mistake has happened and that I was meant to be elsewhere. I just don’t understand this feeling I have deep inside that I’ve made a terrible mistake and I can’t wait to escape.”
    Rose just stared at me with her mouth open, looking shocked. “The last time you were here you had a message from Red Cloud.”
    “Yeah, that’s right. From William Charles Bennett,” I replied.
    “Something else happened that day; something I never told you. In the room was another presence, one that was very angry and full of hatred. He was looking for you. Does the name Terry mean anything to you, Eddie?”
    “No, not at all, In fact, I don’t know anyone with that name.”
    “I got the impression he’s been looking for you for a long time,” Rose said.
    “You’re frightening me, Rose. I don’t understand why someone I don’t know wishes me harm, especially a spirit.”
    “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to scare you, but I must explain what I think is going on, Eddie. I know you’re young, but your soul is not. You have many lives under your belt. You really are an old head on a young body, so to speak. That’s why you’re susceptible to visits from the spirit realm, especially during sleep. Somewhere in a past life you knew this Terry. You might have caused him great harm or prevented him from achieving something. I believe that through you he can manifest himself, hence the figure following you, Eddie. The same applies to your nightmares. He’s waiting for your soul to get lost and enter the wrong plane while it’s astral travelling, which I’m glad to say doesn’t happen that often. And the feeling you have about your family could well be that your soul picked the wrong host by mistake upon his return to the material world.”