Red-Haired Rookie

Varoom! The roar of engines echo through the dark, cold streets of Bedfordshire. Headlights shore through the once quiet back streets: two cars were racing down the car-filled roads. 

Both of them were hot hatches. Brand new and fresh of the production line. One was a XR2 Fiesta and the other was a MKI Astra GTE. The Astra was leading with the Fiesta right on its tail. Driving the Astra was a man who was no stranger to speed. One of the best street racers in Bedfordshire, possibly one of the best in the whole of the UK. His name? Roy Robinson. 

Roy was in his early 40s but still had a will to race. Ever since he first got his license, he had been using his knowledge of the roads of Bedfordshire to outsmart cops and find shortcuts. It was the final leg of the race and typically, Roy was constantly defending his position from the roaring Fiesta on his tail. 

Both cars were racing at speeds up to 110 mph. Soon the cars approached a roundabout still at high speed. With the reflexes of a tiger, Roy powerslided around the roundabout with the Fiesta following suite. 

There was no stopping now. The finish line was just two miles away and things were going well until disaster! 

WHOO WHOO WHOO! 

Blue lights flashed along the road and buildings. A siren blared. Roy looked behind him. A rover SD1 police car was chasing them. As the melody of the Rover V8 drew closer and closer, Roy took matters into his own hands. 

The 1.8 litre four cylinder engine powered the car further ahead. His teeth are gritting. His foot welded to the floor. He then reached a speed of over 130 mph. Ahead of him was a junction. The light was turning amber. Without thinking twice he kept his foot to the floor and flew through the junction. The xr2 fiesta followed the astra through the junction just as the light turned red. 

As the Rover SD1 entered the junction it got sideswiped by an oncoming MK1 Ford Escort. CRASH! The Rover spun round and hit a lamp post. SMASH! 

The Fiesta driver must have been distracted by the accident behind him. As his car had slowed down a bit, Roy saw his chance. The finish line was in sight! He flew past the finish line at a speed of 135 mph! The Fiesta coming in second. In triumph Roy pulled off a handbrake turn and parked his Astra on the kerb. The Fiesta pulled up alongside him and the crowd swarmed the Astra like a bunch of angry bees. 

Except instead they were beyond excited to see the winner of the street race. “ Well done mate.” the Fiesta driver said. “ You ran a brilliant race. I guess that's why they call you Roy The Destroyer “ he said. 

Being a good sport, Roy was gracious in victory. “ Thanks chap. “ replied Roy. “ You weren't too bad either. It was all down to luck. “

“ HEY ROY! “ Called out one of the spectators. “ Whatever happened to your Ford Capri? “ 

“ Ah well…” Roy began. “ I had to sell the old thing to make way for the Astra. I do have a kid now you know. “ 

“ Hmm…shame…" the Fiesta driver replied. “ Can't be mad though. She's a blessing isn't she? ” he said. Roy smiled. “ Yeah. she is. Little Ruby always brightens my day. “ he replied.  “ Not so little anymore though ... .She's 10 this year. ” he added. 

“ Well we better head back to our homes then. " the Fiesta driver exclaimed. “ It's getting late and if I know that policeman, he’ll probably call for backup! Let's get out of here. I'm going to toss my number plates in the local river. You probably should too. “ 

With that the crowd all left for home and the Fiesta driver drove off into the night. After taking in everything from the race, Roy headed for home. At around midnight he arrived home. He parked the Astra in the garage and switched off the engine. He unscrewed the number plates and hid them in a cabinet. 

Feeling tired, he exited the garage and headed for bed. Just then the lights turned on…there standing in front of him was his wife Sylvia…Roy had a bit of explaining to do…

End of Chapter 1