Over The Top: The Con

"Well I was coming to that" said Dad, "I think Spike ought to spend a day
or two at Agatha's place. It's overgrown with weeds and long grass. He'd
have plenty of work to keep him busy, and she'd teach him a thing or two"

"But he'd rip her off!"

"No he wouldn't" said Dad, "She's too smart for that. Look, I'll give her
a ring and see how she feels about it"

"But Dad!"

He ignored me. He was already flicking through the phone book. Once he got
an idea in his head he was unstoppable.

The phone rang for ages, then Miss Huddy answered it.

I listened while Dad explained who he was and why he'd rung. Miss Huddy
asked a lot of questions. Yes, said Dad, he did remember her from school
days, yes he was still keen on cricket, yes he still loved fish and chips.
Then it was his turn. Did she need a gardener? No, he wasn't looking for
work himself. No he was too busy to call round at the moment.

Then he explained about Spike. He tried to be fair, but it didn't sound
good. Would she like to have Spike do some work for her? Yes, she would.
Did she understand what he was like. Yes, she did. Dad hung up and lay
back in the couch.

"This'll be good" he said.

It wasn't till about a week later that I understood what he meant.

"Hey Spike" I was by the secretary's office. I'd been loitering here for a
while, waiting for Spike to come by, so I could show him something on the
notice board.

"Yeah what?"

"Look at this."

Spike read out the small square of paper, which was held to the board by a
drawing pin.

"Gardening help wanted. Contact Miss A. Huddy, 773 Springs Hill Estate,
Phone 443 57664."

"Sounds like a good job" I said.

"Not for me" said Spike, "I'm not interested in work like that."

"Don't you know her?" I said, trying to look surprised.