Eighteen months later, Leo arrived at the Classic Cars and Motorcycles workshop riding his motorcycle.
As usual, on the way he had some admiring and envious looks from pedestrians, car drivers and other motorcycle riders. He was secretly happy, just a bit ecstatic, that it hadn’t conked out during any halts in traffic. The dreadful embarrassment of having to roll to the side of the road and kick start the motorcycle in front an amused audience may at last be behind him. The workshop owner, Arthur Smith, didn’t let on that the sight of the classic motorcycle parked at the workshop was good for business.
Leo thought that maybe the previous owner could now look down from heaven at his big black motorcycle with a bit of satisfaction that his last great task in life was finished. Such are the secret thoughts of a motorcycle tragic.
Arthur was already in the tiny office at the workshop. How strange. Usually Arthur only called in on his way to lunch. This could only mean more trouble for Leo. Arthur bounced out while Leo was unlocking the workshop rolling door. "Leo! Great to see you, my son. Hope you are well today, because we have got a particularly important customer coming to see us."
Leo looked at Arthur, "What do you mean coming to see us? You never let me talk to customers. What’s going on?" Amazingly, Arthur looked a bit uneasy. "Well, the truth is, you see, this bloke, he called up and told me he wanted a Mark 2 Jaguar restored to showroom condition, he said it’s in a sad state right now."
Arthur brightened up a lot, " You know what that means! Money in the bank!" The unhappy strained look returned to Arthurs face. “Then he said he wanted to see the workshop and talk to the mechanic."
It was Leo’s turn to be concerned now. Talking to customers always seemed to lead to trouble for Leo. Leo tried be positive, "It’ll be OK, I’ll just let you do the talking, as usual. The old Rover in the workshop is nearly finished, all I have to do is not let on that all the parts I replaced in it are well used and from dubious suppliers." Arthur put on his hurt and disappointed face. "Now Leo, you know times are tough, we have to be very careful when spending money." Leo kept quiet; Arthur’s businesses always seemed be on the edge of collapse while Arthur himself was never short of cash.
As Leo parked the motorcycle in the garage a dark green Range Rover rolled past, a serious looking woman in the front passenger seat stared at Arthur and Leo. The Range Rover stopped two doors away, and the woman in the passenger seat got out and scanned the area. A blue Bentley chauffeured by a tall dark woman rolled up and stopped in front of the workshop. A young, dark haired guy wearing old fashioned spectacles got out of the back seat and walked over. Arthur went into his car dealer mode. "Mister Harry Potter! How do you do! I'm Arthur Smith and this is Leo Blake."
Harry Potter looked at the Bentley driver and nodded once. The Bentley slowly rolled away. Harry turned to Arthur and smiled. "Good morning Mister Smith, pleased to meet you." Arthur nattered away for quite a while. Harry smiled and nodded without looking at Leo once. Leo started edging away into the workshop. Harry interrupted Arthur, "Actually Arthur, I would like to have a private conversation with Leo."
Arthur gasped and looked at Leo. Harry smiled. "Don't worry I will give you the restoration job. It seems that I have a connection with Leo that has nothing to do with motors." Meanwhile Leo noticed another dark coloured Range Rover parked three doors back from the workshop. So, that is two cars loaded with what looked like bodyguards watching Harry, Arthur, and Leo. Leo decided that his default response was required, that is, deny everything and act dumb.
Harry walked over to Leo and smiled. "Leo, let’s go and get a coffee. I have something interesting to tell you."
Leo looked at Arthur who looked worried but nodded to Leo. Harry turned to Arthur. "Don't worry Arthur, I’ll have the Mark 2 delivered here soon."
"Alright Leo?" Leo carefully nodded without saying anything. What was there to say? This was already a strange day.
The almost silent Bentley rolled to a stop at the workshop, Leo didn't see Harry give any hint of summoning the driver. Harry walked to the far side and opened his door. "Get in Leo, we’ve got protector sheets on seats, so don't worry about your greasy overalls." Leo got in.
Harry gave Leo a takeaway cup of coffee. Leo tasted it, it was hot and sweet, just the way he liked it. The customised rear seat console of the Bentley contained a generous supply of coffee and cakes.
Harry smiled at Leo and began to speak. "We’ll just cruise for a while. I am here to invite you to meet the legal representatives of the Pimlico family trust. You don’t know what that is do you?" Leo shook his head. Harry nodded; "I think the saying is that 'You will hear something to your benefit', or something like that. Tell me Leo, what do you know about your father?"
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