The Parcel Read online

Chapter 2 – Alexander

  “Good morning Saturday, and what a wonderful, clear, bright, crisp autumn morning it is.” The leaves were falling off the nearly bare trees and the breeze had calmed down to a little trickle.

  In fact both Saturday and Sunday are always wonderful mornings as technically I do not work weekends. I say technically because as a teacher I am not too sure that I ever take a break.

  My name is Alexander Frost, I am forty-four and a modern-day science teacher, or as the students would say ‘The Mad Professor’ or ‘The Mad Scientist’.  I guess I would have to agree as I’m a little absent minded and my dress sense is… let’s just say it’s not typical of someone my age. I think it’s quirky, the students would probably say weird! My greying hair and round, small mole-like glasses I perch on the end of my nose seem to cause some amusement with the students too.

  This Saturday morning I am going to visit the library. Our central library in town will probably be crowded, so I have decided to drive to the next village, around ten miles away. I know they have a small, friendly, bespoke library which opened recently.

  As a teacher I am always looking for new ways to keep the students interested in what I am trying to teach them. I like to catch up with the latest news on Science matters and the library is a perfect place to do this. If I happen to see something I really like and agree with, something useful for the students, I will go and actually buy the publication, it’s like a try before you buy shop to me.

  After my continental breakfast I put the kettle on to boil while I went upstairs to the bathroom, got washed, dressed and back down just as the kettle was going ‘ping’. You know it occurred to me I am a creature of habit, quite predictable actually and at forty-four was that boring?

  I know, I thought, I would be a daredevil and jump out of my comfort zone and order myself a taxi to go to the library, that way I can take in all of the colourful scenery on route.

  I rang the local taxi company. Lo and behold they had one in the area and would be with me in five minutes, which I thought would actually be ten but I was ok with that, after all it was Saturday, no rush.

  “Good morning, sir,” the driver greeted me. “Where are we off to today?” He was an older gentleman, a little older than me I would say, as his silver hair was very thin on top and showed some of his glistening scalp.

  “I am off to the library today, please.”

  “The one in town, sir?”

  “No, I would actually like to go to the new one in Rumblesfield. Do you know it?”

  “Can’t say I do, sir, but I am sure the sat nav will. Handy piece of kit these things, you know.”

  As we moved off, I could sense this was a man who liked to talk and talk. In fact, the rhythm of his voice almost sent me to sleep. I certainly found myself switching off in my head, going into a world of my own as I took in the ambience of the scenery we were now driving through. There was dew still on the grassy fields where no one or thing had yet trespassed, it was too early. The birds were singing merrily whilst flying from branch to branch, amongst the moist leaves. Suddenly I was brought back down to earth with a jolt, the lane had become very narrow and bumpy, civilisation had not reached this part of the countryside yet. The driver wasn’t phased at all.

  “Oh this reminds me when I was in the army driving a tank and…”

  Not much longer now, I thought, would be the next village.

  The taxi driver pulled up right outside the library, oblivious to the double yellow lines, and traffic that was building up behind us, it was a narrow street but I didn’t mind at all as I could pay him quickly then get on my way.

  “Sir, sir!” he shouted. “You forgot your change.”

  I had already jumped the steps leading up to the library, two at a time, and was walking through the door so I didn’t look back. He was very welcome to the money.

  As I walked up to the reception desk, I could smell the scent of the two vases of flowers strategically placed as an inviting aroma to mask the freshness and newness of the furniture. It didn’t quite do it but it was a nice try.

  There was no one on reception at that moment. I looked around and saw a buzzer, so I pressed it.

  A young lady came through the glass doors almost immediately. She had been on her way back when I buzzed, she told me, then after bidding me a good morning, asked, “Have you been here before?”

  “No, this is my first time. I’m not local.”

  “No problem. We get people from all over the county coming here, visiting, shopping. The books can be returned anywhere, you see. You will need to fill out a few forms and register though before I can let you in to use the library. Is that ok?”

  “Of course.”

  It took about ten minutes to fill in the forms and another five for the young lady to produce a card for me. I must say it had been many years since I had had a library card. I felt like one of my students.

  There were six neat and tidy rows of books, which I thought wasn’t many but as I looked down the first aisle, it seemed to go on for about a mile. I had to put my glasses on to see the end of it.

  The aisles were meticulously numbered in order, which you would expect for a new library. I wondered how long it would be before they got muddled up! The young lady must have been reading my mind as she said, “I like to keep them in order and check several times a day. Do you know what you are looking for? Maybe I can help you.”

  “I’m looking for science books or publications.”

  “Fifth aisle, about three quarters of the way down.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You are very welcome. If you need any further assistance please ask.”

  As I walked down the aisle, looking straight ahead, I was anticipating rummaging through the stacks of books, but was very surprised to stumble over something on the ground. “Oh you clumsy man falling over your own feet,” I mumbled. I was surprised to find it wasn’t my feet I had stumbled over.

  Looking down, I saw a parcel wrapped in brown parcel paper. Someone must have misplaced it as it wasn’t addressed to the library.

  I tentatively picked up the parcel, in case it was ticking. I put it to my ear and shook it. I don’t really know why as if it were a bomb that was a pretty silly thing to do, don’t you think?

  It rattled slightly but there was no ticking… phew.

  I picked up the parcel as if it was my own and proceeded to walk out of the library. I suddenly felt bound to post it to its rightful owner.

  The young lady on the desk asked me if everything was ok and on my request, rang me another taxi as for some reason I did not want to spend time looking for the local post office. I would go to my own local post office. In some ways I felt like I was stealing the parcel?

  The taxi pulled up and as I got in I heard, “Hello, sir. Nice to see you so soon!”

  It was the same man. This time though his voice was grating on me. I didn’t want to listen I just wanted to get rid of the parcel. His droning tones did it again; I switched off.  This time I wasn’t concerned about the countryside, I was thinking “Shall I?” or “Shan’t I?” I was curious as to what was in the parcel. I could take it home, open it up and then rewrap it or I could just go to the post office and get rid of it. What if it was something illegal and I opened it, would I be an accessory? Oh the thoughts were running through my head. What had I let myself in for?

  My mind was pickled. I had worked myself into such a state I wanted rid quickly.

  I got my wish. As the taxi came to a halt outside, I paid him and jumped out of the seat and ran into the post office. I ran so fast that I had forgotten something… something quite important?

  The parcel… where was the parcel?

  I ran straight back out to the street but all I saw was the back end of the taxi as it sped onto its next journey… with the parcel. I wondered what would happen to it now.

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