Charles had been wondering about Elvins lack of digits since they first met, but felt too embarrassed to ask. Now Elvin had offered to disclose the fact, he wanted to know and nodded. Elvin held up his pincers and said. I lost these many years ago when I was a stoker in the Royal Navy. They selected me for the Portsmouth *Field gun crew and I spent the next few years shore-based at H.M.S. Nelson in Portsmouth, training for the royal tournament at Earls court. During one training session, while running with a 12-pound gun, the wheels slipped as we tried to lift it over the wall. I made a grave error of judgement and ignored the warnings from me training and grabbed the wheel to stop it slipping. He held up his hands. I trapped me bloody ands underneath and it cut me fingers clean off. Elvin sighed and looked sullen. That was the end of me service career.
He then chuckled and continued, Never mind, it worked out for the best. Pensioned out at thirty-five, I came to Grimsby to look for work on trawlers and met me missus, Anna, and we had three great kids. When they laid me off from the trawlers in the '80s, I built a workshop on a large piece of land at the back of our ouse, which I kitted out with tools and machinery. I started making medical prosfetics, starting with me own little falsies. Then I made prosfetics for the surgical department at the general 'ospital. I turned me little 'obby into a lucrative business. He smiled. The money I saved plus me pensions will last me out.
The four chatted, drank, and apart from Charles, who knew his eardrums would be tortured again, felt excited about the next day.
Charles felt comfortable around these three miscreants and by 10:00 pm, the four old-timers, merrily spannered, staggered back to Fossdyke.
Charles, feeling unsteady, flopped into his armchair. He felt the room spinning so closed his eyes and told Mary about his day, before dozing into a blissful slumber.
-Track Three-
After breakfast, the four hung-over old men went to the recreation room.
Steve, Wayne, Elvin, and Charles sat around the piano while several other residents milled around, knowing they were safe for now as their nemeses were talking and had no instruments.
Wayne opened his briefcase, took out pages of handwritten music, and handed them to Charles, who smiled and looked through the pages. He read the music to one song, which he played, while the others listened.
Steve and Elvin looked impressed, as did Charles as he played the melancholy ballad Wayne had entitled, Vulnerable. Charles finished playing, and they looked at Wayne.
That sounded good mate, said Steve, and looking at the sheet music, asked, Are there any vocals?
Sure, said Wayne, and handed him a separate sheet of paper with lyrics scribbled on it.
Play it again Nobby, said Steve, looking at the words.
Charles played the song again and when Steve picked up the tune, he sang.
Halfway through Charles stopped playing, much to the relief of Elvin and Wayne. Steve was out of key, sung in the wrong tempo, and his gruff voice made the ballad sound like grating sandpaper.
Sorry lads, said Steve, its too slow for me, but I can think of a guitar riff which would go great with this song.
What about the vocals? asked Elvin. I cant sing well and Wayne can hardly hear, so we can't do them.
How about you, Nobby? Steve asked.
Charles told them about his vocal chord problem, so didnt have the voice for classical music or opera. But Ill try, he said and put the sheet with lyrics next to the music on the rack of his piano. He then played and sang Vulnerable.
Charles finished to a stunned silence. The three looked at him, agog.
That sounded different, said Steve.
You sound great Nobby! Elvin exclaimed, You may not have the voice for opera, but it was perfect for this ballad. Yer gravelly tenor twang made you sound a cross between Andrea Bocelli and Joe Cocker.
Outstanding buddy, said Wayne.
Right, lets get our stuff and see what we can do, said Steve, smirking at the other residents, who made a hasty retreat as Wayne, Elvin, and Steve went to get their instruments.
They set up next to Charles, plugged in their instruments, and went to stand around the piano.
Play that song again Nobby, said Steve.
Charles played and sang Vulnerable again.
Once theyd finished, Charles and Wayne discussed how to incorporate electric guitar, double bass and a drumbeat, and Charles jotted down chords and the beat.
They spent the day rehearsing, adjusting, and tweaking the song and carried on after supper, well into the evening.
Steve, Elvin, and Wayne felt a renewed vigour for music thanks to Charles, who tutored and directed them. Vulnerable took shape over the next few days as the four came together.
Charles and Wayne incorporated all their instruments and melodies that Elvin, Steve, and Wayne sang in the song, and by the end of the fourth day, they performed a decent rendition of Vulnerable.
That sounded fantastic lads, said Steve as they finished playing.
I agree, you have all done excellent, said Charles and continued, It is a lovely song, well done Wayne.
Wayne smiled.
Shall we go to the boozer and celebrate? Its only 8 o'clock, said Elvin smiling.
Great idea Chippers, said Steve.
I agree, said Wayne, great idea buddy.
Ill get my hat, said Charles.
Elvin, Steve, and Wayne packed away their instruments and Charles went to fetch his light summer trilby from his room, before heading to the Pavilion.
Dressed in short sleeve shirts and slacks, the four sat on their regular bench outside and chatted.
I fink we have a band, Elvin announced and chuckled.
We have, said Charles. So what are we going to call ourselves?
They pondered for a moment and Steve announced, The Four Old Fogeys from Cleethorpes, he laughed. The Fossdyke Old Fogeys.
Thats a bit of a mouthful, said Elvin.
They laughed and Charles suggested, We are ancient old fossils, so how about, The Fossdyke Fossils?
Considering Charles's suggestion, Elvin said, or just, the Fossils?
They thought about the name.
Although with the The added, it sounded like a throwback to the 60s, said Charles, so suggested. Fossils?
Steve grinned and said, I like it.
The three nodded their agreement and Steve raised his glass. To Fossils, he announced.
The four chinked glasses and repeated aloud.