B.A.S.E. Camp by Rob Childs Read Free Book Online

noise.
    â€˜Sorry, Mum,’ he said automatically. ‘Do you want any more strawbs?’
    Eddie was leading his parents from the running track when his father halted by the pool. ‘Been for a swim yet, son?’ he asked.
    Eddie pulled a face, recalling his humiliation by Blackbeard. ‘Just once, Dad,’ he replied, moving him on quickly. ‘Water’s too cold.’
    Eddie soon joined Tom in the queue for strawberries and cream. ‘Wonder why Blackbeard told everyone about the A.C.E. place?’ he said, referring to the speech of welcome, when the head coach announced that some boys might be invited to be coached at an advanced training centre. ‘Thought it was supposed to be a big secret.’
    Tom burped again. ‘Not any more,’ he grinned. ‘Not since us lot stumbled on it. Probably worried we might go and spill the beans.’
    â€˜Huh! Bet all the kids strutting their stuff on the track later will be from there,’ Eddie muttered. ‘And I hope YT’s among them.’
    â€˜Why?’
    â€˜Oh, nothing,’ he said with a shrug. ‘Just like to see him in action again, that’s all.’
    â€˜Hello, Davy!’
    Gramps whirled round. Nobody had called him by that name for years.
    â€˜It
is
Davy, isn’t it? Must be.’

    Gramps stared at the old man with long, white hair. He had joined the Davies family on a grassy bank overlooking the running track, where sprint races were in progress. It was only the Welsh accent that gave away his identity.
    â€˜Taffy?’
    â€˜The one and only,’ he replied, and then chuckled. ‘Well, maybe that’s not quite true no more.’
    Gramps failed to appreciate the significance of the remark, and reached out to shake the offeredhand. ‘Never thought that one day they’d be building statues of rogues like you,’ he said, grinning at his old school mate.
    â€˜Oh, you’ve seen that thing, have you? Mind you, I had to pay somebody a small fortune to do it, didn’t I?’
    â€˜And pay them to keep quiet about the tunnel underneath, no doubt.’
    â€˜Young Gareth’s shown you that as well, has he?’ Taffy replied, slipping the boy a wink. ‘Thought he might.’
    â€˜You got any grandkids, Taffy?’ Gramps asked him.
    â€˜No, but there
is
someone who takes after me in a way,’ Taffy said and then grinned. ‘Chip off the old block, you might say, Davy. See if you can spot him in this next race.’
    Gareth knew what
that
must mean. When the bang of a gun signalled the start of the 800-metre event, he went to stand next to Adam and they were not surprised to see who burst into an early lead.
    â€˜YT’s settin’ a real hot pace,’ said Adam. ‘Even Jacko can’t keep up with him.’
    â€˜Perhaps he’s gone off too fast,’ Gareth suggested.
    â€˜Nah, reckon he knows what he’s doin’. None of ’em will catch him now.’
    Gramps was not even aware of the other boys in the race. His mind had lurched back half a century and he could clearly see another young lad, in white, baggy shorts and vest, with the same upright running action.
    Taffy Jones was more interested in watching Gramps’ reaction. ‘Remember when my hair was jet black like that, Davy?’ he said.
    Gramps nodded, not looking away from the track. ‘Aye, and I remember how you ran, too. It’s uncanny. Almost identical style.’
    â€˜It
is
identical,’ Taffy confirmed. ‘Coached him myself.’
    Young Taffy ran past them to complete the first lap, well in the lead. Then suddenly he found another runner hard on his heels.
    â€˜Wonder Boy!’ gasped Adam. ‘Has he gone mad?’
    Eddie had been unable to resist the temptation to dash onto the track and chase after the leader, intent on revenge. Taken by surprise, Young Taffy slowed to glance back and check out his unexpected challenger. It