Bill Bowyer
- The Last of the Magic
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Picture - Elephants never forget - by Nigel A JAMES
Picture - Elephants never forget - by Nigel A JAMES
It's the
people one meets that make up our memories of life. And, Bill Bowyer
was the most popular boy in my primary school class. Everyone
liked him. Bill Bower had something unique. And, Bill Bower's
birthday parties were the best of them all.
To begin
with, Bill Bowyer lived in a house that was bigger and better than
anyone else's; and the big red Rolls Royce that was parked in the
drive was something very impressive. We were all very young. But, it
was the swimming pool that was the best. The ultimate symbol of
wealth and success. The Bowyers had money and this showed in Bill
Bowyer's parties. Bill Bowyer's parties were summer time fun. In and
out of the pool, exciting games, brilliant food, and drinks such as
Coke that were normally forbidden. Bill Bowyer's parents, I believed,
were very laid back. Bill Bowyer's parents were fun.
But, looking
back, I have no memory at all of Bill Bower's mother. I can only
remember his father. Mr. Bower, as we all all called him, was a very
nice man. Always happy and always smiling, and always very great fun.
And, once, Bill Bowyer's father even took us for a ride in his car.
His very big and impressive Rolls Royce. I remember squashing into
the back with 5 or 6 other kids whilst 3 or 4 others sat in the
front. The smell of real leather and the purr of the engine are
still with me today. A ride in a Rolls was better than magic.
And, then
came the end of the summer. The last of the magic. The start of our
last year of primary school. In we all trooped. Into the class
room. But, there was one empty desk. Bill Bowyer's. We were not
worried; something had happened; that's all. Our teacher then told
us the news.
I sensed a
touch of sadness in Mr. Ladlowe's voice as he spoke. “Bill
Bowyer's parents have had to leave town. Business has taken them a
long way-a-way. Bill Bowyer is not coming back. He has gone to live
with his aunty in Scotland”. That's all we were told. We were,
of course, very upset. But, not for too long. Children quickly
forget. Bill Bowyer was quickly forgotten.
But, people
never stay completely forgotten. It was 8 or 9 years later. I was
reading the paper when a name caught my eye. Bowyer. I had to read
the article 2 or 3 times. Bill Bowyer's father had just been released
from Reading prison. His crime was embezzlement in a very big
way. Bill Bowyer's father had never been rich.
I never
found Bill Bowyer again. I looked for him. But, to no avail.
But, however crooked Bill's father might have been, Bill,
himself, was, in those days, a really great friend. And, I hope Bill
is still being Bill. But, who knows? Crime can be tempting; but
Reading jail is not a nice place. Be careful, Bill Bowyer. Father
like son!
avail
– use – to no avail = to be of no use.
crooked
– criminal.
embezzlement
– to divert money in a criminal way for one's own use. (normally
white collar crime).
