April 2030
It hadn’t always been like this. Niall Lambert had once been a promising golfer on the gateway African golf circuit. Once ranked as high as 675th in the world he now felt incredibly frustrated as he surveyed the view from his room in Ebbw Vale.
Having recently moved from his flat on the fourth floor of a high rise block in Swansea, the 54 year old now found himself forced to live on the ground floor of a HMO in the Blaenau Gwent town.
He reflected on his change of circumstances. Leaving his flat was partly due to financial reasons and also because of an unfortunate injury he suffered six months or so ago. He muttered angrily to himself, “Why me? I had it all but the last ten years have been a disaster”
Manoeuvring his motorised wheelchair from his small room and down the hallway to the shared galley kitchen, he awkwardly filled the kettle with just enough water for a mug of hot chocolate. As he waited for the kettle to boil he felt tears spring to his eyes as he remembered better times as a younger man. The exciting feeling as he and his caddie set out to try and conquer the world of golf.
Coincidentally loud music came from the room next door. The classic tune “If I Could Turn Back Time” By Aqua could be heard throughout the building. Bringing back memories of his favourite film Sliding Doors made Niall wonder where it all went wrong. Was there a moment where he chose the wrong path?
As he considered happier times he was aware of noise coming from upstairs. As the kettle finally came to the boil he heard someone careering down the stairs. Bursting into the kitchen came Dayle Preece. Now 58 but still retaining some of his boyish good looks, Dayle looked less than happy. “I fucking hate Aqua”, he bellowed. “Who is playing that nonsense?”
Niall was reluctant to respond. He knew that Dayle’s temper may once again cause problems. “Leave it Dayle”, he replied “I’m sure Grant will turn the music down shortly”
Niall thought back once again to the African golf circuit. With Dayle as his caddie things should have been perfect, but all too often alcohol, drugs, women and Dayle’s temper combined to cause havoc. Niall wondered whether his continued association with Dayle may be the cause of many of his problems.
As Niall reflected once again on the past he was brought back to the present with a bump as Dayle once again shouted in anger, “He’s only gone and started playing Climie Fisher now. That’s it, I’m going to sort this right out”
Dayle stormed out of the kitchen. All Niall could hear was the sound of splintering wood and then screaming. Placing his mug down on the counter he reversed his wheelchair out of the kitchen and into the narrow hallway. In the minute or so that it took him to wheel to the ground floor room where the music originated, he was confronted with a horrific sight.
Lying prone on the floor outside his room was Grant Power. Power was a short man, 5 feet tall or so, but in this moment he looked even shorter as he lay crumpled and motionless. “What have you done Dayle?”, screamed Niall.
Dayle appeared shocked as he turned to face Niall. “I think I’ve killed him. I was provoked, Love Changes Everything is a decent track but coupled with Aqua I think I just cracked. I only hit him eleven times though”
Niall had a decision to make. He looked into Dayle’s eyes and then at Power on the floor. Power too had once been a decent friend who had also fallen on hard times. He couldn’t just leave him there. Or could he? As he considered his options, he saw Power move slightly. “I’m going to call the Police Dayle”, he said with some authority. “I don’t think so”, replied Dayle “You’re coming with me”
Dayle Preece grabbed the handles on the back of Niall’s chair and yanked him back down the hallway. “You’ll break the motor”, screamed Niall. Paying no attention Dayle continued to pull Niall away from the scene of the crime. Outside the address was Dayle’s last remaining asset, his campervan. Now rusting a little on various panels it was the only item salvaged from his marriage. The perfect getaway vehicle now with a wheelchair bound hostage?
In a scene reminiscent of the classic TV show Ironside, Dayle pushed Niall and his chair into the van. Locking Niall in, Dayle rushed back inside the house to pick up a few belongings for Niall and himself. As he came back downstairs he could see Power had started to regain consciousness. Delivering one last kick to Power’s temple he laughed as he left the HMO for the last time.
Jumping deftly into the van considering his age, he started up the engine and headed west. “Where are we going?” , cried Niall. “I’m not sure yet”, replied Dayle “I just need some time to think”
As the campervan reached 50mph on the outskirts of Ebbw Vale, Niall felt helpless. Could he escape from Dayle’s clutches or was he better off going on the run with him? Perhaps the fugitive life would be better than the life he currently lived. Once again he thought to himself, “Where did it all go wrong?”
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