The Strangers On The Trains ( Part 15)

As much as James liked, and, secretly admired Fat Tony, sitting opposite him during lunch filled him with dread. His table manners, or lack of them, were well known in certain circles.

The big man ordered calves liver in a thick red wine gravy with mashed potatoes and seasonal veg. James Conroy had the fish and chips. They’d already had two pints before ordering the meal, well Tony had, James hardly touched the second pint. He was beginning to feel slightly drunk. His heart sunk when Tony called the waiter over and asked for a bottle of red to go with lunch.

“Nice place James, bit posh, been here before?”

“Only a couple of times. It gets busy when the racing is on in Newbury. The racecourse is only one stop on the local train from here, so people tend to stay here at The Bear because it’s a bit quieter than the hotels in Newbury. I like it. It’s got a lot of history.”

Tony had a mouthful of liver, mashed potato and gravy.

“Good grub.”

Some of the contents sprayed out and hit James in the face.

“Careful Tony!”

“Sorry mate. That red’s nearly all gone. Best order another.”

They finished the meal and made their way back to the bar. It was now on to the large gin and tonics.

James was feeling decidedly pissed yet had drunk only a fraction of what Fat Tony had. He sipped at his gin and tonic and felt as though he could fall asleep at any moment.

“Come on James, don’t be a lightweight. The day is still young. I’m sure there’s still a lot you can tell me about our Mister Solomon.”

James smiled and was slightly in awe of the big man. He looked as sober as a judge, yet must have had at least three bottles of wine, two pints of beer and was now half way through a large gin and tonic.

“Okay, where to start. He reputedly had seven hundred wives and around 300 concubines or lovers, mistresses whatever you want to call them. He was also rumoured to have had an affair with the Queen of Sheba and that she bore him a son. In the kabbalah faith it is said that he could fly through the air on his throne accompanied by an eagle and transport himself up to the gates of heaven and speak with the fallen angels. He would use his magic ring to compel them to tell him every mystery that he wanted to know. This is where it is said he got his great wisdom from.”

Now Tony was impressed.

“Bloody hell. Seven hundred wives and three hundred lovers. He must have had quite an appetite, the old boy.”

They both laughed, touched glasses and made a toast to him.

Tony went back to the bar and ordered two more drinks. He looked around the bar. Not very busy, but then it was a Wednesday afternoon. There was a middle aged couple sitting in the corner. Obviously having an affair. He was about forty five she was a couple of years younger, they were smiling at each other and holding hands. Yep that definitely wasn’t his wife. Behind them was a foreign looking man, sitting on his own. Dark hair, short beard, possibly Asian. He was wearing an old fashioned Donkey jacket that were popular with workmen in the sixties and seventies, he could remember his Uncle Tom wearing one years ago. The stranger looked over and gave Tony a stare. Tony smiled, the stranger didn’t smile back. It was then that he realised he’d seen him before. On the train coming up from Paddington. Yes. Definitely him. He’d got on the train just a few minutes after he had and sat a few seats in front. He had an earring. Only one. Co-incidence? He wasn’t sure.

Then things started to fall into place. Like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle suddenly coming together. He took the drinks back to James and set them down on the table.

“Won’t be a moment James. Need to take a piss.”

He walked into the gents. Found a cubicle and sat down. Took his mobile from his pocket and called Emily. She answered after one ring.

“About bloody time. You’ve been there for hours, found out anything yet or have you been in the pub all day?”

“Bit of both actually, but I’ve found out a lot about the old SOS. I’ve got it all on tape. I’ll bring it along tomorrow.”

“So why you calling me then?”

“Remember when I went up to Cheltenham to find out about old Eddie Hargreaves?”

“Yes.”

“I told you about the man on the train. Foreign looking guy, with a beard and an earring. I told you he put a small box into his coat pocket.”

“Yes.”

“Would that coat have been a donkey jacket?”

There was a silence for a few seconds then Emily spoke quietly, almost a whisper.”

“Yes.”

“And was this certain foreign looking gentlemen featured in some of the other crashes? Is that the link?”

“You said you didn’t want to know. Said you didn’t want to get involved. Why the change of heart.”

“Because he was on the train with me from Paddington to Hungerford and he’s now sitting in the pub watching me drink my bloody gin and tonic!”

“Bloody hell Tony, what you going to do?”

“Well I aint coming back by train, that’s for sure. I’ll stay the night here and get James to give me a lift back in the morning. How about I bring him to our normal pub at midday. You two can talk and he’ll tell you everything he knows about SOS.”

“Okay. But Tony. Be careful.”

She genuinely meant that. He could tell in her voice.

“See you tomorrow.”

He left the gents and walked back to the table where James was now fast asleep. He looked over to the corner of the bar. The foreign man was still there.  Tony went to the bar. Pretended to look at his phone, but very slowly and carefully took two picture of the stranger. He went back and woke up James.

“Come on mate time to get you home. And guess what, it’s your lucky day. I’m staying the night!”

James was too tired and too drunk to care either way.