PEGGY DUFFIELD
(struggling a bit as she pushes the wheelchair)
I don't know how long I can wheel you around, Jimmy. You’re heavier than you used to be.
JIMMY DUFFIELD
(chuckling softly)
Ah, blame the biscuits, Peg. You never could say no when I asked for an extra one.
PEGGY DUFFIELD
(smiling)
Well, I’m paying for it now, aren’t I? Still, you keep me strong.
JIMMY DUFFIELD
Speaking of keeping strong… where did your Sam ever get to? Haven’t seen her in a while.
PEGGY DUFFIELD
Sam? Oh, she’s up in Scarborough with Carl. They've been married for over 20 years now, can you believe it?
JIMMY DUFFIELD
Scarborough, eh? Always had a liking for the sea, that one. I remember our first married Christmas in ‘71. Sammy got that doll, remember? She used to snuggle it every night.
PEGGY DUFFIELD
(nodding with a fond smile)
I do. She wouldn't let it out of her sight for months. And Grant and Phil, always so full of beans, got those toy cars they wouldn't stop racing around the house.
BENJAMIN HAYES
Alright, you golden oldies—don’t make this hard.
PEGGY DUFFIELD
(shocked, looking around)
What? What do you want?
EMILY HAYES
Your bags, wallets, whatever you got. Hand them over, and no one gets hurt.
JIMMY DUFFIELD
(gripping the armrest of his wheelchair tightly)
Now hang on, we don’t have much, lad. What are you doing?
BENJAMIN HAYES
(agitated, stepping closer)
I said, hand it over, or you’ll regret it.
Jimmy, frail but proud, looks Benjamin dead in the eye, while Peggy, shaking, starts to fumble with her bag. Emily snatches Peggy's handbag roughly, causing her to stumble backwards.
PEGGY DUFFIELD
Please… don’t hurt him. Just take it and go.
Benjamin pockets Jimmy’s wallet and smirks. Just as they’re about to make their escape, a loud voice cuts through the street.
GUS GARFIELD
(yelling from across the street)
Oi! What the fuck do you think you're doing?
A tall, broad man with long, unruly black hair comes striding across the street—GUS GARFIELD, new neighbour, and a former comrade of Jeff Matthews. His presence is imposing, his walk deliberate. He has the look of a man who’s seen too much and isn’t afraid to see more. He heads straight for Benjamin and Emily, fury in his eyes.
BENJAMIN HAYES
(pulling Emily back, surprised)
Who the hell are you?
GUS GARFIELD
Who am I? I’m the bloke who’s gonna break your face if you don’t hand that back. Now.
EMILY HAYES
(nervously looking at Benjamin)
Ben, we gotta go. He looks serious.
BENJAMIN HAYES
(stepping back but trying to maintain composure)
Look, mate, we don’t want trouble.
GUS GARFIELD
(sarcastic)
Oh, but you’re already in trouble. See, you messed with the wrong old folks.
Gus lunges forward, snatching Peggy's bag out of Emily’s hand with ease. His other hand grabs Benjamin by the collar, dragging him close.
GUS GARFIELD
Now, I suggest you hand over the rest before I get really angry, and i subject you to the worst death imaginable.
Benjamin hesitates but reluctantly drops Jimmy's wallet. Gus releases him with a shove, causing Benjamin to stagger back.
PEGGY DUFFIELD
(relieved)
Thank you… Thank you so much.
JIMMY DUFFIELD
(nodding in gratitude)
You’ve done us a great service, son. Mighty brave of you.
But just as Gus is about to speak, Benjamin and Emily make a sudden dash, catching him off guard. They sprint down the street, disappearing around a corner before Gus can react.
GUS GARFIELD
(yelling after them, frustrated)
Cowards! You better not show your faces around here again!
He sighs heavily, running a hand through his messy black hair. His hot-headed nature flares for a moment, but he quickly calms himself. Turning back to the Duffields, he hands Jimmy his wallet and Peggy her bag.
GUS GARFIELD
Sorry I couldn’t keep ‘em for long. Should’ve knocked ‘em out when I had the chance.
PEGGY DUFFIELD
No, no, you did more than enough. We don’t know what we would’ve done without you.
JIMMY DUFFIELD
What’s your name, son?
GUS GARFIELD
Gus. Gus Garfield. I'm just moving in up the street with my wife Charity.
PEGGY DUFFIELD
You’re a godsend, Gus. Thank you.
GUS GARFIELD
(gruff but with a hint of warmth)
Don’t mention it. Just keep an eye out next time. This neighbourhood’s not as quiet as it used to be from what i understand.
As Gus walks away, the Duffields watch him go, still shaken but relieved. Peggy grips Jimmy’s hand tightly, her knuckles white from the ordeal, but she forces a smile.
PEGGY DUFFIELD
Well, at least we know we’ve got someone looking out for us.
JIMMY DUFFIELD
(smirking)
Aye, he’s a bit rough around the edges, but he’s our kind of rough.
YOU ARE READING
Masefield Avenue: Episode 21,513
General FictionIt's 10th January 2019 As Krista warms to the community after her return thanks to Oliver and Caleb, Jeffrey seeks help from his friends but will the method of a pub brawl give way to a cunning plan by a long-time resident
