“At which point I started to lose interest in following this line of inquiry, make out? But Mick’s moved off up the street, he’s a safe distance away, and he shouts ‘Well, ye are a bloody bitch!’ And you can guess how it went after that.”
Noddy had heard the story before, from another of the lads involved, and, by all accounts, it had not gone well. The Horny Dragon being, of course, the hangout of the kick-boxing champions from the training gym across the road. These boys had started flying through the air, chopping and dropkicking anything that moved. Dirk had been alright. He could handle himself. Years of running his own club had made sure of that. But the rest of them had come away with some interesting cuts and bruises to show to their friends.
All except Mick, who had missed the whole thing. He was already walking away, laughing at the anarchy he had unleashed in the street.
Dirk sighed. “I love the dude, make out? But he isn’t the same after that stretch he did inside. I could see it straight away. In his eyes. He’s harder. Colder. It’s like some part of him didn’t come back.”
“Do you think he’s going to come back now?”
Dirk straightened his shoulders and fixed his interrogator with a hairy eyeball. “Christ, behave yourself. Of course he’s coming back. What kind of question is that? What would we do without his obstinate Irish arse?”
Noddy looked above Dirk’s head at the space that had been cleared on the wall. Valhalla’s normal décor was an assortment of old record covers and medieval weaponry. But here and there was a set of colours, nailed to the concrete. Jackets, denim or leather, some with sleeves, some without. The equivalent of wearing your heart on your sleeve. Or at least on your back, in the form of patches and badges. Nailed to the wall of the owners’ favourite club after death, they became a humble tribute to the fallen heroes who lived on, at least in spirit.
Dirk had cleared a space directly above the bar shortly after the accident. Between an AC/DC cover and a Motorhead double album. No-one had said a word.
Nobody spoke now, either.
Until. “Janine. Set up another round and take these ugly bastards’ money.”
The blonde moved back towards them. “Yes, sir. Immediately, sir.”
Dirk’s eyebrow raised. “Noddy, your wench is disrespecting me again.”
“Me, sir?” Janine’s eyelashes fluttered. “No, sir. Wouldn’t dream of it, sir.” She winked at Noddy as she pulled on the draught tap and filled his mug.
Dirk topped up his own drink. “Anyway,” he grumbled, “they’re bringing Mick out of the coma tomorrow. Then we’ll see if he’s suffered any brain damage.”
“How will they be able to tell?” someone asked from the audience.
Dirk’s evil eye stopped the laughter almost as soon as it started.
“Still can’t believe the guy in the car didn’t even stop.”
Dirk acknowledged this comment with a nod. “Bloody cage drivers. But don’t worry. I got the license number. We know who did it. And Mick will want his pound of flesh.”
To keep people entertained while we all struggle to find our feet in a world suddenly flipped upside down – I’m still releasing Dancing in Valhalla in weekly installments.
Read them each week on FaceBook or WordPress. Receive notifications via Twitter, Tumblr, GoodReads, or Amazon.
No charge. No obligation. Read for free. Share with your friends.
Cheers.
Full published version includes 13 twisted tales of music, magick, mayhem & murder.
Some torn from headlines in sunny South Africa where, for many, these are part of everyday life.
Shop for shrunken heads in a village that time forgot.
Witness an ancient ritual passed down from the Aztecs through Jack the Ripper to modern-day London.
Savour the sweet taste of revenge in a French restaurant.
And sit in on the Grim Reaper’s disciplinary hearing.
Relax and enjoy an assortment of characters nearly as twisted as the endings of these 13 tales of psychological suspense.
Physical paperback copies are available from BookDealers of Rivonia – 40 Wessel Road, Rivonia, Sandton.
And from Snow Lion in 7th Street, Melville.
Also available in Melville – Shorty’s Poems are now in Book Circle Capital, in 27 Boxes. Pop in and take a look at the selection of books available from this local store.
Finally, the Smashwords July Summer/Winter sale starts 1 July. All my books (and Shorty’s) are heavily discounted, some of them even free. Along with thousands of others. Go stock up for Xmas.
Cheers.
