Taste of Blood

Chapter Five

Just like Stanley, Jane left the station at five thirty, both having written up their reports.

Jane was surprised to find Eddie at home when she got back, as he usually worked until later in the evening. He was standing in the kitchen and when he heard Jane coming through the front door, he shouted for her to come and see something special. She put her briefcase down on the hall table, hung up her coat and went into the kitchen.

‘Look what I’ve got!’ He gestured to a black, square-shaped contraption with what looked like the handset of a telephone.

‘What is it?’

‘That, my darling one, is a mobile phone.’

Jane looked puzzled. ‘How do you mean?’

‘If you need me when I’m out at work, you can call me and I can answer it. I’ll have it connected in my van, attached to the cigarette lighter.’

‘Where on earth did you get it from?’

‘One of my dad’s clients... he went bankrupt and owed him for a job he’d done... so he gave him this.’

‘Have you checked that it works?’

‘Yeah, the contract had to be changed over to my name. What you do is call the centre — you can’t just call me direct — give them the number and password code and they call me with your message.’

‘So I can’t actually speak to you on it?’

‘Well, no, the receptionist will ask what the message is, and she then puts the call in to me. It means I won’t lose business, and I can also get a message to you if I need to. So if, for example, I am going to be late and there’s no call box or telephone close by, I ring this, and they ring you.’

‘Have you tested it out?’

‘My dad did. Listen, this guy was desperate and the cost of one of these is Christ only knows how much... there are not many of them around.’

Jane picked up the contraption and looked at Eddie.

‘I don’t think it’s exactly all that “mobile”. It’s quite heavy. Can you recharge it if you’re not in your van?’

Eddie hesitated, then picked up a leaflet and flicked through the pages.

‘Yep, or you can use batteries I think... do you want to try it out?’

‘From here?’

‘No, I’ll take it into the van, and you call the number and speak to the receptionist.’

‘What do you want me to say?’

‘Anything, like, would I like fish and chips for dinner and to be home by seven.’

Jane sighed, and watched him pick up the so-called mobile, before handing her a small notebook.

‘That’s the code and the number, just gimme a couple of minutes.’

Eddie hurried out. He was like a big kid sometimes, Jane thought with a smile. She went to put the kettle on, wondering if this strange contraption would ever catch on.

After making two mugs of tea, she went into the hall with the notebook. She dialled the long eight-digit number and waited for the connection.

‘Good evening, could I please have your code.’

Jane dictated a message while Eddie sat in the van with the engine ticking over. The mobile phone buzzed loudly and Eddie picked up.

‘Mr Myers, we have a message for you: “Be at home for seven thirty this evening and bring fish and chips.”’

‘Thank you, could you please return a message to the caller: “Jane, I’ll see you at seven thirty with supper.”’

The phone rang from the hall and Jane hesitated before going back to answer it.

‘Hello?’

‘Could you please give your code as we have a message to forward.’

After repeating the code, Jane listened as the telephonist repeated Eddie’s message.

Eddie banged open the front door, beaming. ‘Did you get my message?’

‘Where’s the fish and chips?’

He clapped his hands. ‘See! It’s terrific, isn’t it?’

Jane looked dubious. ‘I suppose so, but you have to make sure that whoever you call has the code or they won’t pass on your message.’

He frowned and went into the kitchen to check through the instruction booklet.

‘I think there’s another code that can do away with that, I’m just learning as I go along.’

‘Did you leave the phone in the van?’

‘Shit, yes! But do you want to try it out again, and leave me another message?’

‘No, thanks. I wouldn’t mind the fish and chips, though, and mushy peas. I’ve put the kettle on. We’re not having our usual Monday dinner with your parents, remember, as it was my first day at work.’

Eddie gave her the thumbs-up and went out, slamming the door behind him. She decided to have a quick shower and get into her pyjamas to have dinner in front of the TV. She was just getting out of the shower when the phone rang. Wrapping a towel around herself, she hurried into the bedroom to pick up the extension. The same telephonist was on the line again with a message and this time the code was not required. The message was from Eddie to say he was just leaving the fish and chip shop.

Jane closed her eyes and sighed, hoping that Eddie would not become obsessed with his new toy. She was already finding it irritating.