'So anyone tell me?' Vie says. 'Why?'
'It's where we used to go,' Vince says. 'Sunday outings. In the old meat van.'
Lenny says, 'I know that, don't I, Big Boy? Think I don't remember? But this aint a Sunday outing.'
I say, 'It's where they went for their honeymoon.'
Lenny says, 'I thought they didn't have no honeymoon. I thought they were saving up for a pram at the time.'
'They had a honeymoon later,' I say. 'After June was born. They thought at least they should have their honeymoon.'
Lenny gives me a glance. 'Must have been some honeymoon.'
'It's true, though,' Vince says. 'Summer of'39.'
'You were there, were you, Big Boy?' Lenny says.
Everyone goes quiet.
'From a meat van to a Merc, eh?' Lenny says. 'Come to think of it, Raysy, you weren't around either.'
Vince is watching us in the driving mirror. You can't see his eyes behind those shades.
I say, 'Amy told me.'
Lenny says, 'Amy told you. She told you why she aint come along an' all?'
Everyone goes quiet.
Vie says, 'Makes no difference, does it? Jack's none the wiser, is he? As a matter of fact, I told her if she wanted to forget the whole thing he'd be none the wiser either. If they scattered the ashes in the cemetery garden, he wouldn't know, would he?'
'And you an undertaker,' Lenny says.
I say, 'She's seeing June. Today's her day for seeing June.'
'That aint the point,' Lenny says. 'If Amy didn't go to see June just for once, June'd be none the wiser either. June aint none the wiser about anything, is she? If Amy weren't up to it, she could have waited till she was ready, it didn't have to be done today.'
Vie says, 'You shouldn't judge.'
Lenny says, 'Ashes is ashes.'
Vie says, 'And best to do things prompt,'
Lenny says, 'And wishes is wishes.'
Vince says, 'How do we know he'd be none the wiser?'
Lenny says, 'Not that I'm saying I'd be such a fool as to make such a wish myself.'
'It wasn't specific,' I say.
Lenny says, 'What weren't specific?'
'What Jack wrote. About his wishes. It never said Amy should do it, just that he wanted it done.'
Lenny says, 'How d'you know that?'
'Amy showed me.'
'Amy showed you? Seems I'm the only one here who aint in the know.' He looks out the window. We're coming up on to Blackheath, past the back end of Greenwich Park. There are daffs out on the verges. 'And Raysy here's a mine of information.'
Vince is looking in the mirror.
Vie is getting all uncomfortable and tut-tutty, like it's time to change the subject He says, 'It's like the horses. Have to prise it out of him these days.'
Vic's holding the box. I don't think he should hold the box all the time.
Lenny says, 'Even then, he gives you duff tips.'
I say, 'Last tip I gave came good.'
Vince is still looking.
Lenny says, 'Well it weren't for any of us.'
Vie says, 'Who, Raysy?' Vic'd make a good referee.
I say, 'Be telling, wouldn't it?'
I look out the window. Blackheath isn't black and it isn't a heath. It's all green grass under blue sky. If it weren't for the roads criss-crossing it, it would make a good gallop. Highwaymen here once- Coaches to Dover. Your money or your life.
Vie says, 'Well it's still a mystery. Why Margate?'
Lenny says, 'I reckon it was a try-on, just to see if we'd do it.'
Vince half turns in his seat. 'So you think he does know? You think he can see us?'
Lenny blinks and pauses a moment. He looks at me, then at Vie as if he needs some of that refereeing.
'Manner of speaking, Vincey, manner of speaking. Course he can't see us. He can't see nothing.'
Vic's hands move a little over the box.
Then Lenny chuckles. 'Mind you, Big Boy, if he can't see us, if he can't see nothing, why d'you go and borrow a Merc?'
Vince looks at the road ahead.
The sun's sparkling on the grass. Jack can't see it.
Vie says, slow and gentle, 'It's the gesture, Vince. It's a fine gesture. It's a beautiful car.'
Vince says, 'It aint a meat van.'