The Trip

THE TRIP

By

PETER D. BULL

COPYRIGHT

Copyright © 2018 PETER D. BULL

Category: Crime and Adventure

eBook ISBN: 978-0-244-67694-0

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be produced, or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher.

DISCLAIMER

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, corporations, institutions, organisations, events, or locales in this novel  are either  the product of the author’s imagination or, if real used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons (living or dead) are entirely coincidental.

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to Keith, a friend of more than twenty years.

A wind of change has blown over you, leaving a more rounded and less excitable lunatic.

Stay cool!

THE TRIP

CHAPTER ONE

As an ex service man, and being almost six feet three in height, Lofty was still a man not to be taken lightly if backed into a corner or provoked. He still had a touch of the sixties hippy way about him, and he still possessed a sense of mischief, and at times, irreverence towards authority.

His loyalty to his true friends was, if not legendary, well known. There were not too many men of his kind left. The captain sensible brigade had taken over the world now, and he wanted no part of that boring normality.

There aren’t too many of us left. He would say to his friends. You could fit us all into a phone box.

Lofty, Rob, Nick and Simon decided that they were going to visit somewhere very different to the type of holiday destination that most people would choose to visit. The four Londoners had agreed that they all wanted a change.

The final destination was going to be kept a secret. Lofty had booked and paid for the flights weeks earlier, and he had given his friends a list of things that they would require on the trip.

They met at the local pub a month before flying.

I don’t see any swimming trunks or sun lotion on the list. What little gem have you chosen for us? Simon asked.

Lofty laughed at the inference that the destination was likely to be inhospitable.

You all told me you wanted something different didn’t you? We’re not going to Butlins I’ll tell you that much. Lofty said with a grin.

Well that goes without saying. Rob said as he looked at the two others that were still in the dark.

Come on Lofty you’ve got to tell us SOMETHING about the place. Nick said. "We need to prepare ourselves.

I’m telling you nothing. Lofty said. That was our agreement.

Well, will we like it? Nick asked hopefully.

Well the Eskimos like it. Lofty said with a loud laugh.

The three friends looked at each other and shook their heads collectively.

He’s a fucking wanker ain’t he? Rob said, shaking his head.

You all agreed to the rules. Lofty said with another wide grin.

You may as well drop it co’s I’m telling you nothing. He added. That’s what we agreed.

Over the next couple of weeks, the three of them tried in vain to get some more info out of Lofty, but he was having none of it. He was sticking to their original plan to keep it a secret until the day.

....................................................................................

Nick was the only one of them that still worked. He was a pilot. He had benefitted from a first class education, and was almost thirty years younger than his three friends.

Rob and Simon had been in business over the years, and had been retired for the past decade or so.

Lofty just did his own thing, with fingers in many pies at once. He scraped a decent living out of ducking and diving. He was still more or less a non conformist in many ways.

It was a source of great humour to Lofty, that the others suspected the worse. He was sure that they were bracing themselves for somewhere like the Amazon jungle, or somewhere equally as inhospitable. They were surprised when they arrived at Gatwick to get on a plane for Spain.

Spain? Rob said with a grin that displayed his relief. Why the fuck didn’t you tell us? Why are we going to need all that camping crap in Spain?

Lofty laughed. Well, there’s Spain, and there’s Spain. He said. You’ll see soon enough.

Simon, Nick and Rob all looked at each other.

Rob shrugged his shoulders.

Don’t fucking humour him. He said. He’s like a fucking big kid. He added with a small degree of annoyance.

That comment, along with many others that had been directed towards him in recent weeks, was like water off a duck’s back to Lofty. He was used to being considered to be a maverick.

The mood softened whilst at the airport. They’d all had a good drink and were becoming a bit loud.

Several people looked at them with a degree of distain at the bad language that slipped out unintentionally at times. No harm had been intended though. They were just used to talking man talk and had momentarily forgotten that they were in a public place.

The flight was delayed by two hours. They still didn’t know which airport they were heading for. They’d assumed it would be Malaga. They continued drinking heavily. Lofty was constantly looking at the board for their flight to come up. He was deliberately staying as sober as he could.

Eventually their flight was displayed, so they had to finish their drinks quickly and make a dash for the gate.

They took their seats and within minutes, even before takeoff, Rob, Simon and Nick were asleep. The drink had taken its toll.

Nothing else was asked once it had become clear that Spain was the destination. So Lofty didn’t say anything about the fact that they were heading for Bilbao, in northern Spain. They were heading for the mountains, and almost two weeks of being self sufficient.

Lofty fell into sleep once in the air, and all four men continued to sleep until the final descent was announced.

Enjoy your stay in Bilbao. The pilot said.

Rob was rubbing his eyes and was stifling a yawn.

Did he say Bilbao? He asked just as he started to yawn properly.

Yeah he did. Nick said. We’ve only been flying for just over an hour and a half.

Rob nudged Simon, who was still drifting in and out of sleep.

Wake up mate, we’re landing soon. He said.

Simon started to yawn. That was quick. He said sleepily. It feels like we’ve only just taken off.

Rob and Nick smiled. Oh! That would be Lofty’s sense of humour. Rob said. That wanker’s gone and brought us to Bilbao, wherever that is.

It’s northern Spain. Nick said. At least we know what the camping gear is for now. When I fly over this area it always staggers me how green it is. It’s all mountains and deep forests as far as the eye can see.

Oh fucking great. Simon said. Wake the bastard up.

Lofty woke up just as the wheels touched the runway.

They all had a half hearted dig at him.

You’ll love it. He said. Stop moaning you’ve not even seen the place yet. For as long as I can remember you’ve all been lying on beaches and burning yourselves to a crisp. This’ll be something different I promise you. He added with a smirk.

What are we actually DOING here? Nick asked.

I’ll tell you when we get our luggage. Lofty said. When it’s all loaded onto the Jeep I’ll tell you where we’re going.

Once again, they looked at each other. Fucking JEEP? Simon asked disbelievingly.

How else are we gonna get up a mountain track? Lofty laughed. Don’t be such pussies. He added.

For three hours, the Jeep travelled at not much more than a slow jogging pace.

The four friends were thrown around in the back like rag dolls.

Where the fuck are you taking us Lofty? Rob asked angrily. This is beyond a fucking joke.

Simon was laughing a nervous laugh at the ridiculousness of the situation. It was now pitch black outside and the terrain was becoming more and more dangerous. The driver didn’t speak a word of English, or at least, he didn’t appear to. He had his destination written down, and he was following a drawn and written map.

Fuck this. Rob said. We could be driving over the side of a fucking mountain here. He can’t see a fucking thing out there any more than we can. If we roll backwards we’re finished.

The driver sensed the atmosphere between the four men.

Diez mas minutos. He said nervously.

What’s he saying? Rob asked nobody in particular.

Fucked if I know. Lofty said.

He poked the driver on the arm. What did you say? He asked in slow, broken up English, as if it would become more easily understood.

The driver guessed at what he’d been asked, and put up his hands with his fingers spread out.

They all cheered aloud and laughed.

Thank fuck for that. Rob said. Ten more minutes of this shit.

Only Lofty knew that there was another mode of transport waiting not too far away.

They pulled into a clearing and there in the headlights were four donkeys with their owners standing next to them.

You’re having a fucking laugh. Rob said angrily. Don’t tell me we’re getting on fucking donkeys at this time of night; it’s fucking pitch black out there.

Lofty turned around to face Rob, and shined his torch up onto his own face.

Whoh! Are you scared of the dark Rob?

Fuck off you nutter. An angry Rob said. We must have been fucking mad to let you arrange this. Two weeks in the fucking woods. We might have known you’d do something like this.

Simon and Nick had already jumped out of the Jeep and were stretching their backs and legs.

The place was as silent as the grave, except for the sound of the wind blowing through the giant fir trees and the odd whinny from the donkeys.

Fucking eerie up her ain’t it? Simon said.

Nobody answered him. There was a feeling of discontentment in the air.

Lofty ignored all of the negative comments. They didn’t bother him at all. Over the years he’d become thick skinned when it came to his mates.

Come on get the stuff off of the Jeep and onto the donkeys. They’ll do it for us. He said as he shone his torch onto the strangers.

There was no response from Simon, Nick or Rob. The silence said it all.

Lofty thought it was funny that they were all giving him the silent treatment.

Come on cheer up you girlies. He said. We’ll be there in two hours.

That comment stirred them into life again.

Two fucking hours? Are you fucking mental or something? Rob shouted in anger.

Simon shrugged his shoulders as if to say we may as well get on with it.

Nick was dead on his feet. He was not used to physical work and was now really tired.

Let’s just get it over with. He said.

Lofty laughed a raucous laugh out loud.

Come on get the tents out, we’re camping here for tonight. He said. We can set off whenever we like tomorrow, there’s no rush.

Fucking idiot. Rob said loudly.

Lofty ignored the comment as usual.

I’ll get some wood together. These blokes will set the tents up for us. He said. Make yourselves useful, there’s plenty to do.

Simon, you find the kettle and the frying pan. There’s a load of bacon in my bag and some bangers too. He added as he walked into the darkness with his torch shining in front of him.

Ten minutes later Lofty re appeared with as much kindling as he could carry, along with a load of pine cones.

Clear the earth around this area. He said. Damp it down with water from those Billy cans on the Jeep. We don’t want any accidents with fire up here do we?

Within half an hour they had a good fire going. They cooked their meal of bacon and sausages, and had some tea on the go too. The donkey men had made their own little encampment close by. They too spoke no English, so they had preferred to be on their own, eating their own food.

The atmosphere had improved once they’d eaten and had enjoyed a couple of brandies.

So what’s happening tomorrow? Rob asked. Tell us the good news first, cos there’s bound to be fucking bad news too.

There’s no bad news. Lofty said. We’ll make a move when we’re ready to go, the donkeys will take the weighty stuff. We’ll just be walking with them. Then when we get to our cabin, they’ll fuck off and come back when we tell em. Two weeks of living off the land, it’ll be great.

Living off the land? Simon said doubtfully. And we’re living in a cabin?

Yeah! There’s everything up here we’ll need. Lofty said. I’ve arranged everything.

Like what? Rob asked with predictable attitude once again.

There’s a lake nearby, so we can catch our own fish. There’s bound to be trout up here.

And? Rob pressed.

There’s wild Boar, deer and rabbit. Lofty said with a smile.

I don’t fucking BELIEVE you. We’ve got to CATCH our food? Rob almost shouted.

Yeah! Lofty said. I’ve had some tinned stuff dropped off up there just in case, but we’re here to get back to nature, so that can stay in the tins unless we’re starving.

Rob stood and walked away into the darkness.

There’s no need to sulk Rob. You’ll love it up there. Lofty called out.

I’m going for a piss if that’s alright with you. He answered sarcastically.

How are we going to catch fish without rods? Nick asked.

I keep telling you, everything we’ll need is there. Lofty said confidently.

The organising of the getaway had been difficult, but Lofty was pleased with what he’d organised.

What about hunting? What have we got for that? Simon asked.

Lofty started to laugh in anticipation of his response.

Well? How do we hunt these animals? Fucking bows and arrows knowing you. Simon said.

Lofty laughed aloud again.

Fuck me I’m right ain’t I? We’ve got to catch our food with bows and fucking arrows.

Lofty had his face in his hands, and was crying with laughter when Rob got back to the fire.

You’ll never guess what weapons we’ve got to hunt our dinner with. Simon said to Rob.

Knowing him we’ve got clubs and slingshots. Rob said in a derisory tone.

No stupid. Simon said sarcastically.Nothing as basic as that. We’ve got a brand new invention. Well it WAS new when the fucking Romans used em.

Bows and arrows! Rob said scathingly.

You’ve got it in one Rob. Nick said. Bows and arrows.

Out of nothing more than nervousness and disbelief, they all started to laugh.

You’re unbelievable. Simon said to Lofty. You really are something else aren’t you?

Well I’m not surprised at ANYTHING he does. Rob said. I’ve known him longer than you lot have, and there’s nothing I wouldn’t believe where he’s concerned.

Just as he got the last word out of his mouth, Rob slapped the top of his head where he was almost bald.

Fucking mosquito. He