In The Beginning

Albert Moxey

By Kevin McCormick

The sound of the telephone ringing in the hall disturbed the sleep of the young man who was slumped in an armchair after a long day at work. While not fully waking up, he heard it answered, a muffled voice before, “Albert, it’s Billy,” called a female voice. His eyes opened and he stretched, almost sliding off the edge of the chair. “Albert!” she called again before opening the door. Looking in and seeing him coming to the end of his stretching routine she said, “Billy’s on the phone.” Without any acknowledgement or thanks he strode past her and picked up the receiver, “Hiya Billy.”

“Moxey, are you playing tonight?”

“Course. Is it still at eight?”

“Yeah,” replied Billy, “And don’t forget, it’s your turn to buy the chalk.” Moxey was shaking his head, annoyed at the parsimonious nature of the landlord of the Crown pub. They were sitting top of the darts first division table after consecutive promotions. Thursday’s were now good money earners for the pub due to the crowds flocking to watch their local hero’s continue their impressive run. And Jack, the landlord, insisted they buy their own chalk for the scoreboard. “Bloody tight arse get! Already got some, pinched it from the store cupboard at the school.”

“Did you get anything else?” asked Billy.

“No, there was nothing else in there except a blackboard compass and some milk vouchers from the seventies. I think it’s previous owner was Old Mother Hubbard.”

 Billy laughed, “I’ll see you later then. Tara Moxey.”

“Hey, before you go, how long have you known about mum and.  .  .” Before he could finish Billy cut him off, “Look, I’ll see you later, ok,” abruptly hanging up. Moxey returned the beeping receiver to the cradle and turned to see his mum stood in the hallway having listened to the conversation. “You’ll get sacked you will, nicking things from the school.” Still ignoring her, he brushed past her, heading for the kitchen to make himself a cup of tea. He filled the kettle, placed it on the cooker, turned a knob to begin the flow of gas and lit it with a match. As he stared at the flame his mum said, “I know why you’re upset Albert but you’ll just have to get used to it. Do you want some tea? I’ll go down the chippy.”

Looking up from the flame he uttered, “Upset! You’ve got no idea. How long has it been going on?” Moxey knew his mum saw other men. He didn’t blame her after his dad leaving. He’d even met some of them, even liked one who he thought he’d get on with but it didn’t last as he’d also taken a liking to his sister. As soon as she confessed to mum his shenanigans, he was out.

 

Her latest though had been a secret which she had kept surprisingly under wraps. He knew there was someone; coming and going at odd hours, the smell of cologne, Glenfiddich instead of Bells in the cupboard. Then yesterday dinner time, he’d decided to go home for his darts and get in some practice after work for Thursday’s big game. He was part of a council team renovating the local High School around the corner and when he opened the door he was greeted with what sounded like one of Cinderella’s sisters attempting to squeeze her oversize hoof into a glass slipper. Seeing her entwined half nude on the sofa with Jack was too much. Time and motion stopped as they all assessed the awkward moment. Moxey broke the spell by doing an about turn and leaving without any word from his mum or Jack. On the street he looked left and right. Returning to work crossed his mind for a split second but instead he headed for the Crown. His first intention was to get drunk, then tell Beverly, Jack’s wife, what was going on. As he entered Billy was at his usual place at the bar. Seeing the dark countenance on Moxey’s face made him aware that he knew what all the Crown regulars knew, except of course for Beverly. He intercepted him and directed him to a table. “Sit there and don’t move,” he instructed.

He returned with two pints and whisky chasers. Moxey downed the whisky, put the glass on the table and asked, “How long has it been going on?”

“I’ve meant to tell you so many times.  .  .” Moxey butted in, “I hate that bastard. Always have. Why didn’t you tell me? Why.  .  .” Moxey had a thousand questions racing through his head but still didn’t know what to say. “Look, Moxey, calm down. You know what happened the last time you got wound up like this. Twelve months at Walton.”

Moxey looked around the pub. “How long do you think it would take to burn this place down Billy?” Billy had a worried look in his eye, “You’re not serious are you?” Moxey laughed, “Look at the state of the place. A fire would improve things. Plus he’d like that, a nice insurance pay out. No Billy, the place is safe.” He picked up his pint and sipped it. “Remember them jobs in Germany you were talking about. Are they still going?” Billy shrugged his shoulders, “I think so, you still keen then?”

“I need to get away for a while. Away from home. Away from Liverpool. Find out when we can start.” Billy shook his head, “I’m not going Mox, it was the bevvy talking the other night.” He shrugged his shoulders, “I couldn’t leave Liverpool. Besides, I’d miss going watching the Reds every weekend.”

“C’mon Billy, we’ll have a laugh.” Billy continued to shake his head, “Sorry, just don’t fancy it.”

“Looks like I’m on my own then,” said Moxey. Billy looked Moxey in the eye. The determination he saw told him his mind was made up and no amount of persuasion could prevent him. “Well if you are serious Mox then good luck eh.” Billy extended his hand which Moxey took and shook, “Cheer’s mate.”

“But after tomorrow night though. We’ll need you for the match.”

 

Moxey finished his tea, showered, then made his way to the Crown. During the short walk he managed to turn his thoughts away from his mothers domestic affairs to his impending stint in Germany. He wondered where he’d end up, Hamburg? Berlin? Cologne? It didn’t matter, he would find out from Billy. His thought’s continued, what was the German beer like? Would there be any other Brits there? He eventually arrived at the door of the Crown bar. After a moments hesitation he entered. Already, a healthy crowd was in the pub. Billy called from over by the dartboard when he saw Moxey enter. Moxey waved, which was returned by Billy and the other members of the team. He bought himself a pint, noted the absence of Jack, and joined his team for practice. He took his darts pouch from his back pocket and while fitting the flights said, “I wonder where he is.” Billy’s eye’s rolled upwards, “Forget about him Mox, he’s around somewhere. Just concentrate on this game. If we win this we’ll go four points clear at the top. If they win, they’ll go top.” One of Moxey’s other team mates asked, “You ok Mox?” Billy gave him a small, almost imperceptible, wave and mouthed the words “leave it”.

Practice continued until the team from the Hare and Hounds arrived which was when Jack made his appearance. After handshakes and pleasantries had been swapped, Jack pulled his team to one side. “Right fellas, we have to win this one. I’ve had a little side bet with their landlord and let’s just say there’s twenty each if you win.” They all smiled except for Moxey, who wasn’t interested in any of Jack’s wagers. Jack continued his team talk, but Moxey was off in his own little world. As well as increased takings on darts night, he’d also made a fair killing in winnings. All of this on the back of their hard work and dedication as a team. No wonder he could smile, making money all round as well as bonking his mum! And what had he done for the team? Nothing. Wouldn’t even buy them a new dartboard. Tight get! Jack clapping him on the back brought him back from his personal reverie. “C’mon Moxey, wake up. There’s work to be done.”

It all started badly with the Hare and Hounds winning the first two rounds. The smile on Jack’s face hadn’t slipped off but ran off and the little hair on his pate was ruffled and stood erect. Everything was back on an even keel though when the Crown won the next two legs. Relief for Jack, the smile back in place and his little amount of hair covering as much skin as possible.

Moxey was up last for the decider. He was caught up in two minds. Half of him wanted to lose, to see the look of utter consternation on Jacks face. To watch him hand over a large sum of money to the opposition landlord. To spoil his evening. And maybe to cap it all off, to tell Beverly the story of his affair. However, the team was also willing him on. Their belief in him, the great comeback they had performed, were still performing, meant more to Moxey so with the team in mind, Moxey threw the darts of his life and gave the Crown the match 3-2.

Jubilation ensued, much beer was drunk and congratulations passed around. Billy shook Moxey’s hand, “Great darts mate, but for a moment I thought you might throw the game.”

“I thought about it too but I couldn’t leave on a low note. Listen, did you see your mate about that work?”

“Yeah, it’s in Dusseldorf. You know where it is?”

“No, but I’ll find it. I’m gonna leave on Sunday arvo.”

“Well Mox we’ll miss you. C’mon, let’s get pissed.”

“Ok but first let’s get our money from Jack.”

Billy and Moxey approached Jack and after he’d congratulated them again Moxey reminded him of the payment. “Oh, er, yeah, erm, well he’s not paid me yet so when he does I’ll give it to you. I’ll see him next week.”

Moxey said, “I’m going away this weekend so you can give me mine now.”

“Sorry Moxey, I don’t have it yet. I’ll give it you when you get back.”

“It’s twenty quid. I know you can afford that.”

“But Moxey, you don’t undrstand.  .  .” Jack didn’t get to finish.

“Maybe I’ll let Beverly know about you and mum. See what she says about that.” If Moxey was expecting to startle him then he was wrong. “Good idea. I’ll let you break it to her. It will save me the job.”

“You know what I’m going to do Jack. Set fire to your bed with you in it.”

“You’d better check to see if your mum’s in there too.” Before Moxey could land his swinging right, Billy grabbed him and forced him as far away from Jack as possible. “Not smart Moxey.”

“You know he won’t pay us don’t ya.”

“So what, we’re on free drinks tonight. I’ll drink more than twenty quid.”

“It just pisses me off that.  .  .” Billy interrupted, “Moxey, he’s always like this, making promises he doesn’t keep. He’s always been as tight as a rusty bolt. He’s screwing your mum that’s what all this is about.” Out in the open as abruptly as that, took Moxey aback and after a moment’s contemplation began to laugh. The laugh was hard and infectious with Billy joining in. Other’s in the vicinity also joined in, laughing without motive, laughing because it felt right to do so just then. The release of pent-up tension was a relief for Moxey and it was on Saturday he was able to say goodbye to his friends, mum and even Jack after farewell drinks in the pub. He slipped away unnoticed with a bulging coat, to pack his modest suitcase with his modest belongings. The dartboard he stole from the pub would be some compensation for debts unpaid and may come in useful in Germany to while away the nights

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