The Truth
AN ENGLISHMAN WHO OWNS a pub in the quickly expanding bar "street" of Soi Bintaban liked Nick and Kev. They enjoyed sharing a beer in Barnyʼs Inn and getting to know Barny well. This likeable bar owner was "married" to a Northern Thai lass with an attractive sister. She was precisely to Nick's liking. Kev doubted Nick was exactly to her liking. Kev hoped the whole thing died before Nick got hurt. The sister, Nong, was very welcoming to everyone she met. But Nick felt he was being singled out for special attention.
Nong worked in Bangkok and only came to Hua Hin to visit her sister. When Nick asked if Kev fancied a trip to see her, Kev agreed. The mention of Bangkok had jarred memories of their first visit together. He thought of the official they met at the Embassy. He planned to tell him what had happened in the jungle and ask for a meeting with someone who could advise him. At least, he felt he should go on record, stating what had happened and their role. In case anything comes from the illegal trip,
'I am happy to go with you on the bus to Bangkok, but you have to do something for me, okay?'
'Sure, anything, but you must promise to help me with Nong in return. I am not that good with girls,' moaned Nick.
'We are going to the Embassy first, and you don't need to say much. Agree with what I say, okay? Then the rest of the trip is yours.'
'Why are we going to the Embassy? We did not exactly leave a great impression last time?'
Before they left Barny's, Kev spotted Roy sitting in the far corner with his arms wrapped around one of the staff. Kev was thinking about whether to say hello. The chance of earning something from Roy was too good to miss.
'Hi Roy, how are you?'
'Kev, just the man, I need to see you.'
Kev immediately thought of Roy marrying this new lady.
'What can I do for you?' Kev didn't want to mention weddings or ladyboys. He would let Roy tell him in his own time.
'I'm buying the Star Bar. The owner decided running a pub was not for him. All his staff walked out on him, including Suzi. So he offered it to me. At a real bargain price as well.'
Kev could imagine what a bargain it would be.
Roy's enthusiasm was contagious. His companion told Kev what she would change to make it the most popular bar in town.
Kev almost ran away. But he couldn't resist the chance to earn some money. It would be easy as he would pass this one straight to Skylab.
Kev spent the rest of the day at the telephone exchange. Their office phone line had not yet been connected. It's not that phones were new to Hua Hin. But the demand was growing quicker than anybody could have predicted. You would have to book your line and wait many months for the connection.
During Kev's call to the Embassy, he described the official they had spoken to. And as luck would have it, they had put him through to his office.
'Yes, I remember you and your big friend. However, it is not me you need. I only deal with mundane requests. The man you need is Mr Black.'
Black's secretary explained her boss was taking a luncheon. Then she asked, 'What does it concern?'
Kev was unsure what to say as he was in a room with four other people talking on private calls. Who knows who was listening, or was he getting spooked? He said he was worried and needed advice. To his surprise, he was booked to meet Mr Black tomorrow at 11 oʼclock prompt.
They needed to catch the first (Blue) bus at 5 a.m. Nick was delighted they were going. He was also surprised that Kev had already purchased the tickets with his own money. However, he was unhappy with the timing - 5 in the morning.
Kev explained that they could get the Embassy business out of the way early. He reiterated that Nick had the rest of the day and night to do what he wanted and where he wanted it.
Before they went to Bangkok, there were a few things to tidy up. Since the fight, Skylab was not her usual self, and Kev needed to get their relationship back on track.
At their office, Kev explained to Dam and Skylab that he needed to go to the Embassy. I want to check about English people wanting to wed a Thai person in Thailand. That would cheer her up. Of course, it was not true, but Dam and Skylab could not hide their sunny smiles. It thrilled Kev that his idea worked. There were no comments about the boys spending a night in the big, fun city.
Skylab pulled Kev to one side.
'I don't like cheating. What you did in the ring was very unsporting. Also, I don't want to see you get hurt. Please do nothing dangerous like that again.'
'I have no plans to put myself in harm's way, don't worry.'
The alarm clock sounded, and the tidy and clean pair went to the bus station as soon as they showered. Nick's new haircut and choice of clothing - shorts and a T-shirt - earned him a few jokey comments from Kev.
'Haven't you got anything else to wear?'
Kev looked business-like, with long trousers and a pressed shirt.
Hua Hin was silent that early. The fishermen had already left the shores in chase of their catch, and it was still too early for the market traders. So it amazed him that Dam and Skylab were there to see them off and wish the pair good luck. The blown kisses brought a tear to Kevʼs eye. The last thing he wanted was for Nick to notice the moisture surrounding his eyes. He was now feeling a little guilty about his deception. No problem. He now had something else to do at the Embassy: learn about Thai weddings and how to make them legal in the UK.
They had no time to check in at their favourite hostel, the Miami Hotel. So they had to carry their overnight bags with them to the Embassy. They moved through security; it had been tightened since their last visit. The bags were stashed safely for collection on their way out later.
'Look, young lady .....' they could hear raised voices along the corridor.
'Don't you, young lady me. I'm here trying to do my job. I am preparing a story for the British people, a story the educated masses will love. So why can't you give me the information I need?'
'I asked you to close the office door. I don't want the whole of Bangkok to hear what I have to say.'
The door slammed shut.
A tall, graceful girl in her mid-twenties breezed through the outer office. She had a half-hidden smile. Her long, thin legs were clothed in tight-fitting leather, and her skimpy top was even tighter. The blonde knew of her effect on men.
Black moved to his office door, opened it, and signalled his next guests to enter. Then, he hastily tucked a business card into his trouser pocket.
A very sombre Mr Black greeted them, showing them to his office. Coffee was served, and Mr Black started by saying how glad he was to meet them. Was there a trace of sarcasm in his voice? It seemed not, as he asked if they could be his eyes in Hua Hin.
'What exactly does that mean?' asked Nick. Kev kicked his shins under the desk. Then, he took over the conversation.
'We asked to see you about something we experienced and need your advice.' Kev prepared to carry on and report on the whole experience.
'Yes, yes. Kaeng Krachan.'
'But how do you know about that?'
'In the fullness of time, you'll know how and why, but not yet.'
As for Kev and Nick, to say it surprised them would have been what they commonly call an underestimate. What followed shocked them.
'As an Embassy, we know your full names and birth dates. We also know Nicholas, your father, retired early from his building job. Because of a back injury, your mother has worked in a bakery for ten years. You have no criminal record. But you were once arrested and released. You smashed up a customer's garage you had just built, as the owner did not pay you. Both you and the garage owner shook hands, and charges dropped. You, Kevin, were arrested twice at Tottenham Hotspur matches with no charges or other records. Your father is a salesman. Your mother works in a newsagent. Anything else I should know?'
'Yes, I want to get married!'
'Let's keep to the subject, shall we.' Mr Black became even sterner.
He said, 'Kevin, you tell me what happened at Kaeng Krachan, and I mean everything.'
This would be a much longer meeting than the boys had expected. A knock at the door interrupted the retelling of their visit to the jungle.
'Come.' Shouted Black. In stepped a Thai, whose face was familiar.
'Good morning, sir. Lovely day. Good morning to you both. You may remember me from Khun Patcharinʼs establishment. You know her as Ying.'
It turned out that the well-spoken Thai had been getting information about a case he and Black were working on. He was in Hua Hin, meeting the fledgeling business community. He pretended to be a well-connected businessman, someone wishing to invest in the tourism sector. The aim was to find information about a British citizen or a gang selling arms to Burmese insurgents. Jan had proved useless.
This man was called Khun Sombat. He would be their contact, and they were expected to make another visit to the jungle, this time to find out much, much more.
'About my wedding?' asked Kev as they were shown to Mr Black's door.
The secretary had a handful of papers on weddings in The Kingdom, which she gave to Kev. How does she do that? Both men wondered.
They checked into the Miami Hotel. Both deep in thought, Kev on what lay in store for the next trip to the jungle. Nick had more immediate plans. They both thought they needed to talk to their friend at that exact moment. As they rushed out of their rooms, they crashed into each other in the corridor as both spoke simultaneously.
'I need some new trousers,' started Nick.
'I'm scared about meeting those guys again.'