On a cold December morning in 1971 Jack Rydell, a tall blonde man stood at the corner of Upper Belgrave Road, it was 2.30 am and there was a cold chill on this early morning. Taking out a box of John Players Special from his pocket, then flipping a cigarette from the pack between his lips he then reached for his lighter, once lit he inhaled deeply enjoying the satisfaction it gave him.
Staring over at the window of the big old Victorian house and taking a
puff, he waited for the lights to go on, It felt like he'd been there ages and still there was no sign of life, In actual fact it was nothing for a Private Investigator like himself, to spend weeks watching a house, but it was so cold this night, he could hardly feel his hands and feet. Pulling up the hood on his parka and rubbing his hands together, he watched and waited. A couple of night clubs were just closing. It was kicking out time, he watched as the drunken...wasted revellers made their way along the street. 'Quite a few hangovers tomorrow,' he thought to himself.
Coming back to the reason he was here, he watched as a man and a woman were slowly sauntering along, looking slightly the worse for wear, as they stopped outside the house, the man, in a long leather coat and flared trousers, turned and kissed the woman on the lips very passionately. As they were kissing, a taxi came down the street, it pulled up right outside the house, she kissed him, again staring into his eyes, then pulling her collar up on her suede coat, she turned and walked to the taxi, as she got in, she waved, then the taxi drove off.
The man appeared to be swaying as he walked up the path...stopping
every now and again to find, what Jack presumed to be his keys, but
instead of going to the front door, he walked around the side of the
house, making his way towards the side door. Jack watched as he
entered, leaving the door open, he found this rather strange, but the
man was obviously so drunk he didn't even know what he was doing.
Jack waited for the downstairs light to go on, then crossing the road, to a phone box, on entering...he picked up the phone and dialled a number,
hearing the ringing tone, he waited...a voice on the other end of the phone spoke, “hello!” Jack spoke, “it's done he's home,” there was a pause, then the person on the other end, put down the receiver and so did Jack.
Jack knew his job was done here now, he had nothing else to do but go
home. He walked to the bottom of Upper Belgrave and walked to his car, he had parked in Blessed Street, he opened the door, got in his car and drove away, wondering when he would be paid and what the next day would hold, but most of all he was looking forward to getting some sleep.
To be continued........
Comments
skinner_jennifer | November 22, 2011 - 17:52
Hi all,
I know this is really corny and has been done a
million times before, but I just needed to write.
Jenny.
maisie | November 22, 2011 - 19:17
my dad used to smoke those, i don't think they make them anymore...
and its not becaause he died... poor dad.
nice smooth read, glad to see you still exist.
sue dinum | November 22, 2011 - 19:50
Yes, I'm glad to see you've started writing again as well, jenskins and it doesn't matter what it is as long as you're putting words on paper, the ideas will come as you go along and you'll feel the flow. Writer's blocks are depressing things - my biggest one lasted nearly 25 years, but that's another story. You are writing again and that's the important thing. We all dry up from time to time but the well always fills again sooner or later. Never worry about things being done again and again. There are only five (or is it seven?) stories in the world, it's your own imagination that gives it the unique twist.
I really like what you've written here, and as you know, I'm a sucker for PI stories. I think you're doing really well with this. Try and keep it going, but don't worry if you falter. Just try something completely different like listening to music (Hendrix again), reading, or even writing doggerel - nonsense, and then go back to what you were writing later.
Hope this helps, Jen, love your story - chin up!
sue (Trev)
well-wisher | November 22, 2011 - 22:39
Hi, Jenny. Good first chapter. You've really created an air of mystery. Can't wait to read the next installment.
JoHn -
"Ex amore victoria". ("From love comes victory".)
seashore | November 23, 2011 - 09:11
Great start Jenny (and I really mean that). You set the scene really well - you go girl!
Looking forward to the next chapter.
Coral xx
skinner_jennifer | November 23, 2011 - 09:52
Hi maisie,
thanks for reading the beginning of this story.
Yes I'm still here and hoping that this story
will be okay. It's a subject I've never written
about before, so I wanted to try something
different and it's good to know I have support.
Thankyou again for reading and leaving me a
comment, it's always appreciated.
I don't think they do make those John
Players Special anymore by the way.
Jenny.
skinner_jennifer | November 23, 2011 - 10:00
Hi there sue,
wow! 25 years of not being able to write, is a long
time.
Crime is another world for me, but I do enjoy a
challenge, which is why I decided to write this.
I was very nerves about putting it on, as I wasn't
sure of my facts, but I wanted it to be a bit of
fun coming up to Christmas, a bit like one of those
fun evenings, where you go for a meal and have a
crime scene and have to decide, 'who did it?'
Of course your comment has really helped me a lot,
though I'm still lacking a lot of confidence as far
as this story goes, but we will see.
Thankyou again for your support, which is really
helping me.
jenskins.
skinner_jennifer | November 23, 2011 - 10:06
Hello JoHn,
I'm so glad you could get the air of mystery, it
was what I was aiming for, now I just have to hope
the rest of the story comes together, I can honestly
say I've never been so nerves about putting a story
on, like I have with this one, I just feel out of
my league if you know what I mean.
But I really do appreciate your support and reading
thankyou so much.
Jenny.
skinner_jennifer | November 23, 2011 - 10:10
Hi coral,
it was thanks to you, that I'm writing again and
I'm really grateful to you. I suppose no matter
how the story line goes, at least I'm doing what
I enjoy, that's the main thing.
I hope that you continue to enjoy the story and
the plot.
Thankyou again coral so much.
Jenny. xx
oldpesky | November 23, 2011 - 12:02
Welcome back to the world of stories, Jennifer. Your chair by the fire has been kept in good condition awaiting your return. I'm liking the start you've made here. Setting the scene, introducing the main chatacter and not giving too much away, leaving us wanting more. I'm no expert but I believe it's that desire to find out what happens next that keeps readers turning pages. Best of luck with this.
seashore | November 23, 2011 - 12:27
You're welcome Jenny! So glad you posted this (with exactly the right attitude too) and I will look forward to reading the next instalment. Make it soon! Coral xx
skinner_jennifer | November 23, 2011 - 13:20
Hi there oldpesky,
you always manage to cheer me up so much and I'm
so pleased that you'll be reading this 'who done it.'
My stomaches doing cartwheels with nerves, but I'm
quite excited as to where this story will take me.
Thanks so much for your support and for reading.
Jenny.
skinner_jennifer | November 23, 2011 - 13:21
Thanks again coral, hope it's not too soon, I've
just put the second instalment on.
Jenny.xx
bill of the beach | November 23, 2011 - 14:05
A good read, and I would want to turn the page.
Bill
skinner_jennifer | November 23, 2011 - 15:29
Well bill of the beach,
thankyou so much for your kind support, I'm pleased
you wanted to turn the page, just hope I can live
up to expectation.
Thankyou also for reading and letting me know.
Jenny.
hudsonmoon | November 23, 2011 - 16:21
Love the title, Jenny. I look forward to the next chapter. Nice pacing and atmosphere.
Rich
skinner_jennifer | November 23, 2011 - 18:02
Thankyou so much Rich for reading and letting me
know your thoughts, though I'm still very nerves
about this story, being so far from what I normally
write. But you and so many others have given me a
boost and for that I thankyou again.
Jenny.
Highhat | November 24, 2011 - 13:45
Ah dear Jenn- something completely different from you. Well done. I am sure it isn't easy- something I wouldn't dare to embark upon.
But you really set the scene here with a lot of suspense hanging in the air so I am looking forward and must catch up with the next installments..
Good on you- yes a wonderful flow. I am sure I won't be disappointed, knowing your laborious style- here you got all the details spot on. I take my hat off to you.
;)Pia
skinner_jennifer | November 24, 2011 - 13:58
Dear Pia,
knowing that you're there, reading this story is
so helpful. I have never been so scared of writing
something, but I suppose that's because I don't
really know that much about crime, never even really
watched it on television.
I don't even get that much help off the internet,
seeing as it's based in 1971, but will stick with
it for now, see how it goes.
I'm really glad that you saw the suspense and
enjoyed and thankyou so much for letting me know.
Jenny.
Silver Spun Sand | November 29, 2011 - 11:22
Hi there, Jenny. I've only just now discovered these wonderful chapters of your new venture. This is the only one I've read, so far, so have some catching up to do.
Can't wait though. You have created a sinister atmosphere to this opening one, leaving the reader hungry to know more. The sign of a good piece of writing;-) And as to being nervous, I know exactly how you feel, but sometimes that can help us rise to the occasion, which is what you have done here. I would be hopeless, trying to write something like this, and like Pia, I really admire your courage.
Tina;-)
skinner_jennifer | November 29, 2011 - 11:50
Hi Tina,
please don't worry about being late, there is so
much to read on ABC Tales, that it can become
impossible to keep up with everything, it's nice
that we can take our time, because our work is here
to stay.
It's great that you are enjoying my story and I
thankyou for your thoughts. I'm glad you can
understand the nerves and your right, I think it
can help us rise to the occasion. I'm certainly
learning a lot as I go along.
Anyway thankyou for reading and taking the time out
to leave a comment.
Jenny.
shep5377 | December 2, 2011 - 16:33
Hi Jenny,
I've been reading through some of your poetry which I enjoyed, but I don't know much about poetry so didn't feel I could comment.
Glad I found this though, very enjoyable, and I agree with Tina, nice and sinister beginning!
Alex
skinner_jennifer | December 2, 2011 - 18:53
Hi shep,
thankyou so much for reading and leaving me a
comment, I hope the rest of the story lives up
to expectation.
Jenny.
Juniperus | December 5, 2011 - 19:07
Hi there Jenny,
Firstly thanks for reading my first Windfall chapter - much appreciated:) I am fairly new to ABC and I have a lot of reading to do so thought I'd pop in and visit your story;)Its very readable and does what I think is most important in any beginning - it makes you want to read more. So I will read the next chapter on my next visit:)
My father was a classical RADA trained actor and I once asked him if he ever felt nervous when walking on stage. His reply was that if the day ever came when he didn't feel nervous he would give up acting - he believed that it was that feeling of nervousness that made him strive to improve at every performance. Complacency leads to being mediocre which you are not;)
skinner_jennifer | December 5, 2011 - 20:01
Hi Juniperus,
firstly can I thankyou for reading the start of this
story. I was very interested to hear about your
father, he sounds like a very interesting man. I
myself used to be into amature dramatics during the
70s and completely know what he means, I think nerves
gets the adrenaline going.
I was very grateful for your comment and I do
appreciate you letting me know.
Jenny.
slirpie125 | January 4, 2012 - 00:02
This wasn't corny AT ALL! It was a great read, I'm going on to the next few parts. Can't wait to see what happens next!!!
Savannah
skinner_jennifer | January 7, 2012 - 15:38
And a Happy New Year to you Savannah, thankyou so
much for reading this story, I hope it lives up to
expectation, your thoughts are more than appreciated.
Jenny.