The Development

Dave & Vinny

The Development

Under the setting sun's golden hues, the Longcroft Estate sprawled out, its aging facades revealing the wear and tear of decades. Dave, was no seasoned handyman but adorned in paint-stained overalls, he surveyed the fence his wife had tasked him with painting.

In the heart of the estate Vinny hastened, working his way through the maze of alleyways. He eventually came bustling through Dave's back garden gate and nearly got a paint brush in his face for his troubles.

"Dave, we can't stand idly by while they dismantle our history for fancy bistros and high-rises," Vinny declared, eyes ablaze with conviction'.

Dave sighed and put down the paint brush.

"Vinny, what crusade are you talking about now?"

Vinny took a breath, casting a glance over the mismatched houses and wild gardens. "We've got to show them the soul of this place. Let's start with the old community centre. Turn it into a symbol of our defiance."

"Vinny I still don't have Scooby Doo what you are talking about?"

"The developers on the edge of the estate!"

"Ah, I see."

"Before you know it it’ll be all Costa Coffee's and Wagamama."

"I don't see what we can do about it."

"Then they'll be coming for the pubs next. The Rampant Horse will be turned into a gastro pub."

Dave threw down his paintbrush.

"Not whilst I have a breath in my body pal!"

"That's the spirit Dave. Now I have a plan follow me."

The duo set forth, winding through the estate's labyrinthine streets, their footsteps treading carefully and avoiding the dog shit. They eventually came upon the edge of the major development.

The building site felt like an impending apocalypse, as relentless bulldozers carved through the once pristine landscape, leaving behind dirty scars in the earth. The mechanical beasts, with their monstrous blades and unforgiving roars, resembled harbingers of destruction, tearing through the tranquillity that once defined the estate. Well, I use the term tranquillity with tongue firmly in cheek.

"Didn't there used to be a playing field here Vinny?"

"Yes mate."

"What can we do?"

"I have an idea."

"I don't usually like your ideas Vinny."

"This is a beauty. Come on Dave. We're going to the zoo."

"Good...erm....what?"

At The Zoo

Vinny paid for two tickets.

"This is all very nice Vinny but why are we here?"

"You'll see Dave."

They wended their way through the zoo until they reached the small mammal section.

"Here we are Dave."

Dave looked in the enclosure.

"A Pine Marten?"

"Yes, very cute isn't it. This particular sub-species is endangered."

"Yes it is cute but why are we here Vin?"

"This little critter is native to the UK but he's also protected. That's why they are breeding them in captivity."

"And?"

"And if someone were to find the droppings of such a critter on the building site they'd have to stop construction. Most likely for months whilst they do tests and set up cameras and generally satisfy the baying."

Dave grinned.

"Go on Dave, you're the athletic one. Over the fence you go. I'll be lookout."

Dave's grinned faded and he sighed heavily. There was no point arguing. Vinny handed him a little zip lock bag. Vinny gave him a boost up over the fence and kept a look out.

Rampant Horse

In a cosy corner of their beloved establishment, Dave and Vinny found refuge at their favourite table, bathed in the warm glow of soft overhead lights. Well, I say bathed, more like occasionally illuminated in the flickering glow of the cheapest low wattage bulb Ken could get.

Laughter and conversation wafted through the air, creating a comforting hum of familiarity. Behind the polished bar, Ken, the dour landlord, dispensed sarcastic banter like barkeeps the world over. Today he was reading a newspaper and mentioning interesting titbits to Dave and Vinny.

"Here lads here's an interesting story. Apparently that building site on the edge of the estate has ground to a halt.

"Really?" said Dave.

"Oh?" said Vinny.

"Yeah, they found some dung from a rare Pine Marten on the site so the site insurers called a halt to the job till it can be fully checked out. Weird, because as long as I've lived here we've never had Pine Marten's in the area." Mused Ken.

"Yeah, isn't that weird. Progress will have to wait for another day." said Vinny.

"I'll drink to that." said Dave.

© Darren Sant 2023

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