Tales of the river Jordan

Heartbeat - Forever 1968

The grey sky engulfed Aidensfield as PC Crane whizzed around the tight Yorkshire country lanes on his motorbike. With that heavy chill in the air Dan could feel that more snow would be on the way. It had looked atmospheric when the first snowflakes coated Aidensfield with a blanket of snow on Christmas eve.

He had been sitting in the warm snug of the Aidensfield arms looking out of the window as the flurry floated gently in the December sky. Smiling to himself he could still hear Tricia regaled the locals of how poor old Greengrass had got stuck in the chimmney as Father Christmas at the nearby school play.

Aidensfield was such a quiet, comfortable village were admittedly a lot of exciting things did happen for such a small place but and this was the thing, it was a feeling of reassurance. Somehow everything always worked out well in the end and there was no uncertainty. In some respects it was like that lovely mulled wine that warmed the cockles of Dan's heart as he sang Christmas carols when singing with the rest of the village by the village square Christmas tree.

Still that would all change in a few hours as Aidensfield would see in 1970 heralding a new future. Dan was looking forward to it but lovable rogue Claude Greengrass who had made a return visit could barely suppress a chuckle as he finished his pint when telling him.

'I'm not too sure about the future in these parts. This, this place is stuck in a timewarp!'

'Greengrass!' Oscar Blaketon barked with that glare of disapproval that wouldn't have looked out of place on a Judge.

'Sorry Oscar, just, just playing with the lad.'

Nick Rowan who had passed by a couple of years back had warned him that not everything was as it seemed. The words seemed to trouble Dan slightly but after today he would see in the New Year at the Aidensfield arms. What would 1970 bring? Would Leeds United go on to dominate football? Would Harold Wilson gain another term next year or would it be Edward Heath? Then of course there was the Beatles who had released Abbey road in September. Dan loved the album and he hoped there would be more to come from the Liverpudlians.

Sometimes Dan thought back to when he first arrived in Aidensfield. Admittedly it was all a bit of a blur and a bit foggy. One minute he could picture himself looking at a screen and typing away on it. Then there was a small, slim, like toy. A bit like what they had on Star Trek but you could make phone calls, type messages to people, listen to music and even read the news on this device.

Dan smiled as it all so ridiculous that these day dreams seemed so real. Like that time he thought he was on a plane to Barcelona. Suddenly they had got entangled in the fog and didn't seem to be going anywhere. Then landing in a strange field and Dan's mind was gone after that.

When he had arrived in Aidensfield it was dramatic as he raced through the country lanes in his bike startling the sheep. His new sergeant, Miller didn't take to him and thought he was too flash. Nevertheless Dan had gained his trust when he had helped apprehend those bank robbers and gained his trust. True he was a bit of a maverick who took chances but Dan always got the job done.

One thing was certain and that was visiting his Parents. True they always phoned and vice versa but despite arranging trips they never came off. That would be his new year resolution for 1970.

'Oh blast,' Aunt Peggy said to her nephew David. 'Here's the local bobby. Just keep quiet and let me do the talking.'

'Morning Constable.'

Dan smiled as David shuffled nervously. No doubt Aunt Peggy was up to some scam that would inevitably always end badly. Nevertheless she was a alright sort who didn't mean any harm.

'Into the coal business?' Dan said observing the sacks of coal in the back of her lorry.

'Well we...'

'David!' Aunt Peggy screeched. 'Can we deliver you a bag Constable? Much cheaper and better quality I would like to add than old Mr Woods.'

'I'll give it a miss thanks,' Dan said pretending that he had not noticed the grouse that Aunt Peggy had no doubt poached from Lord Ashfordly's estate.

There was another smirk as he watched Aunt Peggy telling off her nephew as he whizzed down to Marshes farm land to question some travellers who had taken root.

After solving and stopping an attempted train robbery Dan made his way to the Aidensfield arms. Poor old Aunt Peggy's latest scam of smokeless coal had ended badly with her choking out the residents and her own house. Everybody enjoyed a little chuckle but it was all forgotten about. Besides 1970 was finally going to arrive.

'Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one! Happy New Year!'