Pied Off - Pt1

George Thompson removed the tray of buns from the oven. The smell that wafted behind the steam that rose from them was intoxicating. You cannot beat the smell of quality bread fresh from the oven, he thought. 

Looking round the small bakery he was pleased with his days work. All of the cakes, pastries and breads from yesterday had sold out and he had the majority of tomorrow’s stock either chilling or ready for the nightshift lad to bake off later on. He turned as the back door opened and the delivery driver came in smiling.

‘Owt left Ray?’

‘All gone boss, managed to flog a few extra bits down at Coopers at dinner time.’

He handed over a money bag and George opened it. Without checking or counting the contents he removed a tenner and gave it back to him.

‘Woah boss, no need to keep giving us extra cash. You already pay us more than you have to.’

George smiled back at him. Since inheriting Ray from the previous owner ten years ago he had never once short-changed him, been late or took the piss in any way.

‘You deserve it mate. Quality work should always be rewarded. Stick it towards your lad’s Uni fees.’

This was a source of pride for Ray, he’d waxed lyrical about his son since George had got to know him soon after buying the bakery. He knew all about how money had been tight in their house before the previous owner had given him a job and encouraged young Michael to do his homework with one of his sons and use his computer. He’d been told many times how after a bullying episode the two lads had ended up firm friends and were often out on the town. Most of all though, he’d heard the joy in Ray’s voice when he talked about how his son had dragged himself from the poverty trap through sheer hard work on the foundations of his parent’s own graft.

‘I will then boss, he’s got a few quid in the tin I haven’t told him about yet – should come in handy when he moves down there.’

Ray went to get his jacket from the little staff room and George thought again how lucky he was to have bought this place for a pittance. The previous owner even allowed him an interest free loan, which he had paid off a few years ago now, because as he said ‘I want to see people like me thrive not fucking banks.’

He heard the bell on the shop door tinkle as he was putting the last tray in the ‘to-do’ rack for later on and smiled to himself at the thought of his wife selling off what was left at a cut-price to finish off the day.

He was interrupted in his thoughts by Penny as she came through and grabbed his arm. She looked worried. Very worried.

‘George,’ she whispered, ‘there’s two men asking for you…they’re very big and very rough looking.’

As he hurried through George felt the long-forgotten sensation of rapid adrenalin rise through his body. Since leaving Byker as a young teenager he‘d had a sheltered and more privileged upbringing but those early days on the estate when he’d ran with Tommy Kinghorn’s gang had left their mark.

He wasn’t a hard man, he could have a fight if necessary, that had been proven in his youth, but it just wasn’t his thing and he knew, from experience with the Kinghorn’s exactly what “rough looking men” entering a seemingly thriving local business was going to entail.

‘Alright lads?’

The men stared at him, unblinking. It lasted for a few seconds and then the smaller of the two, a paltry six foot two, spoke.

‘You the owner?’

‘I am, how can I help you?’

The lump moved his gaze to Penny and looked her up and down before turning back to George.

‘Our employer has noticed that your bakery is doing well so he’s going to offer you a business proposition.’

George gulped, he already knew what kind of proposition this was going to be and he just hoped he could afford it. The lump smiled, he’d done this before and knew there’d be no problems with this one.

‘He has generously decided to offer you a number of alternatives.’

‘Which are?’

‘He will buy 50% of your business and become part owner or you can pay him a small weekly commission for his security consultancy services.’

‘How much of a commission?’

‘Five hundred pounds.’

George was outraged. Five hundred quid was too much, it would probably put him out of business within two months.

‘I can’t afford that; we very rarely make that much in profit every week.’

‘It’s non-negotiable. If you can’t manage it then you should consider the other option and sell him half of your business.’

George felt sick. He’d built this place up over the years, working day and night with Penny to grow the reputation, and with it, the sales. Now this wannabe gangster felt entitled to just take it from him.

‘How much would he pay?’

The lump looked back at his sidekick and they both smiled. He then turned back to George and put his hand in his pocket, rustling around for a second he brought it back up with a shiny gold pound coin in his palm.

‘I think you’ll find it’s a very generous offer,’ he smirked.

George felt the rage and adrenalin sweep through him. Who did these fuckers think they were.

‘You cheeky bastards. Tell your boss to fuck off. He doesn’t know who he’s dealing with, I used to run with Tommy Kinghorn and you’ll all regret this.’

The two steroid freaks burst out laughing and then, in one movement, the one who’d been doing the talking reached across the counter and dragged George over, slamming him against the wall and holding him off his feet.

‘No-one tells Mr McBride to fuck off. Now don’t be a silly boy, we both know young Tommy’s not around anymore and his dad doesn’t fucking know you.’

He then lowered George to just on his tiptoes before putting his face right into him.

‘Now don’t be a silly boy. You can still make a living and you’ve got a lot to lose by playing the hero.’

He moved his head and motioned to the weeping Penny.

‘It’s not just yourself you’re putting in harm’s way is it?’

George looked at Penny and she looked broken. This wasn’t her world, it was barely his if truth be told, and he couldn’t see her in danger. He was about to tell them he’d think about which option to take to buy some time when there was a noise at the door to the bakery.

‘Everything okay Mr Thompson? I’ve rang the law.’

The thug dropped George and turned to Ray at the door behind the counter.

‘Who the fuck are you then?’

‘Fuck all to do with you big lad but leave Mr T alone ‘cos I can hear the sirens from here.’

The heavies made to leave but turned back to George on the floor.

‘Make your mind up, we’ll be in touch soon.’

As they left George jumped up to comfort Penny and looked at Ray.

‘I can’t fight them. I’ll have to let them in one way or the other.’

‘That’ll just be the start boss, it’ll end with you out of the door. You know that don’t you?’

George breathed deeply and nodded.

‘I know mate but I can’t see any way out.’

There was a steely look on Ray’s face and he just nodded back.

‘I can.’

© Andy Rivers 2023