#car services bromley

[doubledeeauto]

Double Dee Autos: Your Neighbourhood Car Haven in Bromley

Welcome to Double Dee Autos, your go-to car garage in Bromley! Our skilled team of mechanics is here to ensure your vehicle runs smoothly. From routine maintenance to specialised repairs, we've got it covered. Experience hassle-free service and transparent communication every time you visit. Drive confidently, knowing Double Dee Autos is your trusted partner for reliable car care in Bromley.

[atlaundercoachwork]

Dependable Car Body Repairs at A.T. Launder Coachworks, Bromley

Rely on A.T. Launder Coachworks for dependable car body Shop in Bromley. Our experienced team provides prompt and cost-effective solutions, addressing a spectrum of issues with precision. With a commitment to detail and client satisfaction, we stand as your dependable choice for superior car body care.

[bromleygarage]

Welcome to Bromley Vehicle Test Centre – your local, completely independent and family-run garage and MOT station in Bromley. With more than four decades of history, today we cover all that you need for your vehicle care – from MOTs to diagnostics and repair services. As a father, daughter and nephew team, we wholeheartedly believe in stellar customer service and values of integrity, transparency and honesty.

[littlemuoi]

My 30 years protecting the Queen: dry humour, heartfelt gifts and travelling the world by Hugo Daniel (September 17th 2022)

Taking in the beauty of a misty Scottish moor amid the bustle of a Balmoral grouse shoot, the royal protection officer Dick Griffin turned to check on his charge, the Queen, only to get the shock of his life.

It was September 1995 and, at first glance, the then 69-year-old monarch had disappeared. As he searched anxiously through the thick fog, he finally caught sight of her — lying flat on the ground, a dead grouse beside her.

“Because it was so foggy we couldn’t see [that the grouse had] hit her in the chest,” Griffin said. “You can imagine the velocity of something like that falling down to the ground — it just flattened her completely. So I had to get her up and discreetly brush all the feathers and plumes away from her. She was shaken up and badly bruised.”

The equerry who had shot the bird was understandably embarrassed. “But then [they] saw the funny side of it, because the Queen saw the funny side of it. She said, ‘What an odd thing to happen’.”

Griffin, 71, shared his memories of more than 30 years as a protection officer for the royal family over a cup of coffee in a Pret a Manger near Buckingham Palace. His son, Gareth, 42, is a uniformed firearms officer and was on duty at the palace when the Queen’s coffin arrived there on Tuesday evening.

Since her death, a news clip from the Platinum Jubilee has re-emerged in which Griffin revealed how, during a walk on the Balmoral estate, the Queen posed for a photo with two American tourists who did not recognise her.

He said he was glad the story had been a “comfort” to people, with many reposting it and calling it their “favourite Queen story”. He described her as a “remarkable, caring, wonderful person”.

Griffin, who had been due to have lunch with the Queen next month, will attend the smaller, more personal committal service at Windsor Castle’s St George’s Chapel tomorrow after the funeral at Westminster Abbey. He says all seven police officers who worked for the monarch have been invited.

Griffin now gives talks about his career to raise money for the Kent, Surrey and Sussex air ambulance.

His three decades with the royals began in 1982 as part of a team that reorganised palace security after Michael Fagan broke into the Queen’s bedroom. After that, he was assigned to act as Prince Edward’s protection officer at Cambridge University from 1983 to 1986. He worked on assignment for Prince Philip for 13 years until 1999 and then for the Queen until he retired in 2013.

He travelled with the Queen and Prince Philip to 161 countries. “Often you were in the car with them, just chatting away. She would ask about my family and all my marathon running. Once I went to South Africa to do the Comrades marathon, which is 55 miles, and you had a chip on your shoe so people could follow you at home. She got one of her footmen in front of a computer for ten hours to follow me, to see how I was getting on. The footman wasn’t too impressed.”

When Griffin’s running club in Bromley, southeast London, held a party to celebrate his 100th marathon, the Queen marked the occasion with a letter, showing her wry sense of humour. In it, she jokes: “We are delighted that your employers allow you sufficient time to train for, and take part in, such events.”

At his first meeting with the Queen and Prince Philip in 1983 at Windsor Castle, a week before he went to Cambridge with Edward, the couple were keen to learn about the background of the man who would be guarding their youngest child.

“We were sitting on lovely chairs and the staff were giving us coffee and the Queen said to me, ‘Can you tell Philip and me what you used to do before you came to royalty protection?’

“It was probably a question I’d prefer they’d not asked, because my job for the past six years had been [at Scotland Yard’s obscene publications branch policing] prostitution, the brothels, the sex shops and pornographic cinemas.

“The Queen said, ‘Good gracious, Mr Griffin. What on earth does Edward need a police officer with your qualifications for?’ and, before I could answer, Prince Philip said, ‘I don’t know. But they can have some wonderful parties at Cambridge.’

“That was my first experience of Prince Philip and his one-liners.”

The next time Griffin met the Queen, he remembers her sitting on the floor of the Waterloo Chamber at Windsor Castle to watch a private performance of a play that Edward and friends had originally performed at Cambridge, in which Griffin had a cameo role.

The roof was leaking. “Water was landing on top of the Queen’s head. She was all dressed up, having just come from dinner. Several members of the household offered her a seat, but she said ‘that’s not necessary’ and sat on the floor in the aisle and put a programme over her head to keep dry.

“That was one of my first impressions of the Queen, and I just thought, ‘What an amazing lady.’”

Griffin’s three-decade career as protection officer spanned security threats ranging from the IRA to Isis.

“Of course with Islamic terrorism and suicide bombers, we had to really ramp things up,” he said. “But nothing fazed the Queen and Prince Philip. We’d try to encourage them sometimes not to be so open on walkabouts, but nothing would change her.”

He was in the car with the Queen on the day two months after 9/11 when an American Airlines flight crashed in Queens, New York. It would turn out to be an accident, but there were fears at first that it was terrorism-related.

“I was bringing the Queen back from Windsor Castle and my mobile phone rang and it was my son. I spoke to Gareth and he said there might be another terrorist attack.

“I told the Queen, and then, five minutes later, Tony Blair rings up to brief the Queen, and I always remember her saying, ‘Yes, prime minister, I know. My policeman’s son has just phoned to tell me.’”

In 2005 Griffin’s first grandchild, Joshua, was born and the Queen insisted on meeting him.

“She said to me in the car one day, ‘For the last nine months, all you’ve talked about is how excited you are about being a grandfather, and now your grandson has been born, you haven’t even bothered to introduce me.’ So I had to arrange a date and time so the Queen could have a cuddle. She was thrilled.”

He saw her love for her own grandchildren, too. For Christmas in 2010, Griffin and the other protection officers decided to give the Queen a wind-up clockwork duck that played music and laid an egg every 30 seconds, something they had found at a flea market on a recent state visit to the United Arab Emirates.

“My wife wrapped it up all beautifully with ribbons and gave it to the equerry to present it to the Queen on Christmas Day. We got this beautiful letter from the Queen saying how much she enjoyed it and Edward’s son, James, had so much fun playing with it.”

In the letter, the Queen wrote: “To the PPOs, many thanks for the unusual Christmas present from you all. It certainly livened things up and little James’s face was a picture when the duck laid her eggs! Thanks for making us laugh.”

When Griffin retired, in 2013, the Queen gave him the best gift of all. She had paid for him to have a retirement party in the state department at the palace, with 200 guests, and at eight o’clock she joined the party, with Prince Philip and the Earl of Wessex.

“That was the biggest present she could give me,” he said.

[modernism-in-metroland]

Stewart and Ardern Limited car showroom and service station, Bromley Road, Catford

1935

Stuart Cameron Kirby

Image from RIBApix

Modernism in Metroland

[thepotentialof2007]

Iota Magazine: Mis Arnott, your association with motor racing is unique. This season Arnott cars have raced frequently, and your activities have extended beyond manufacture to servicing and to team management. Did you intend to go into production when you built your first 500, or was that just an expression of your inherent interest in racing? Daphne Arnott: George Thornton and I made the prototype for fun. One day at Brands Hatch Bob Brown of Bromley saw the car and fell in love with it. He drove the car to win its first race, and then, encouraged by his enthusiasm we decided to manufacture some more. Bob Brown has been our main supporter through many trials, for which we are very grateful. Iota: We referred to your inherent interest in motor racing. Did your early association with racing through your father's activities first arouse your enthusiasm? Arnott: Yes. I come from a long line of engineers dating back to my great grandfather, who was Captain and Secretary of the Bath Road Club. He was also in control of Werner Motor Cycles, who were the originators of the vertical twin. My father is designer of the Arnott supercharger and markets them through his company, Carburettors, Ltd. Iota: But when did you become interested enough in racing to want to take some active part in it? Arnott: In my early days at Brooklands and then as a spectator at Brands Hatch during 1951, when two makes of cars predominated, and it seemed to me there was room for another. Iota: Did you do all the design work on the Arnott yourself? Arnott: No. It was the combined effort of George Thornton and myself. Iota: What have you learned from this season's racing? Arnott: Enough to write a book, but primarily to stick to one's own decisions and not be sidetracked by well-meaning helpers.

Iota: Why did you choose torsion bar suspension for the Arnott 500? Arnott: For Formula III cars I believe it is the suspension of the future. Iota: We hear you are going to use Albion gearboxes in the 1953 cars. Why is this? Arnott: Because the Albion has proved to be the most reliable in every way and it has the best selection of ration to offer. In our prototype car the Albion completed 2,000 hard racing miles without trouble. Iota: What other new features are to be incorporated in next season's car? Arnott: Recent trials have proved to us that the design we have settled on is fast, devoid of roll and virtually unspinnable. There will only be minor modifications - including considerably lighter road wheels. Iota: Do you make these wheels yourself? Arnott: Yes. We machine the entire wheel at our Edgware works and the weight of our newest front wheel is only 10 lb., including hub and races. Iota: In view of your father's long experience, have you any special carburation modifications in view? Arnott: Next season we shall be using a special Arnott carburretor, but I cannot give you any details of that just yet. Iota: What are your views on swing-axle rear suspension? Arnott: Although I think the swing axle system has much to recommend it - it is light and simple - I believe that durability is the important factor in the long run. The main criticism I have against swing axles is the extreme stresses thrown on the driving shafts which tend to fracture at the hub ends. I base my opinion on this season's record, when wheels have been lost on swing-axle cars on numerous occasions, luckily with no fatality to drivers, but there have been very awkward moments for spectators and for other competitors. Iota: Did you find that the long-chassis car was superior to the short-chassis prototype? Arnott: It all depends on the driver's preference. The short chassis prototype does not drift. The longer chassis does. Iota: How many cars have you produced? Arnott: Six cars last season. Our intended production rate was hampered by various modifications incorporated during the year - inevitable with a new design. Iota: What are your future production plans? Arnott: During this winter we intend to build twenty new cars for delivery early in February. Iota: Have you done any competition driving? Arnott: No. To date I have had little time for competition driving. Iota: Do you intend to drive an Arnott in competition? Arnott: Yes but I am one of the few females who agree with men about "Women drivers." A great deal of unwarranted publicity surrounds a woman racing driver, and whether or not she can drive seems unimportant. When I feel I am competent enough to enter a race I will, but I shall be heavily disguised as a man. Iota: Are you running a "works" team next year? Arnott: Yes, but we have not decided how it will be done. Iota: Do you intend to continue indefinitely with a "works" team or will you confine your racing to one "works" entry when your cars have stronger numerical representation? Arnott: We have never run a "works" team, I should like to make that clear. One of the cars in the team has always belonged to me and I will continue to race one car next year. If a team proves to be a commercial proposition for all participants, then I shall certainly continue with it. Iota: It is apparent from your answers that you are a business woman, an engineer and a 500 c.c. motor racing enthusiast. You combine these activities very successfully, but do you find it an advantage or otherwise in being a woman in such [a] competitive sphere? Arnott: It took some time to convince people that a woman could take motor racing seriously.

[x]

Arnott’s 1955 Le Mans’ entry [x]

Other cars built by Arnott in its seven years as a constructor included a supercharged Austin A30-powered sportscar, a streamliner for record-breaking attempts, and a GT car, although a variety of other cars were also made.                                                          While Arnott did not blow away the field in races, they did manage to break nine International Class I records at Montlhery in October 1953. John Brise, father of Formula 1 driver Tony Brise, piloted the 500cc streamliner – based on the standard 500cc chassis but with beautifully sculpted bodywork – to a fastest lap of 122mph, and set new records for 50km, 50 miles, 100km, 100 miles, 200km, 200 miles, 500km, 1 hour, and 3 hours. In 1955, Daphne Arnott took an eight-person team to the ill-fated 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race. Their 1,100cc Coventry-Climax powered car suffered an accident in practice, and so the team did not start the race. Only two of the eight drivers had completed any running at the time of the accident, and Arnott was not one of them.

Arnott was more slightly successful at the 1957 Le Mans event, when the team ran a Cooper-Climax powered version of their GT car – the team did not finish the race, thanks to a dropped valve, but they were able to start it. It would be Arnott’s last attempt at the legendary endurance event, and the failure led to the end of the marque.

- Kate Walker [x]

[m25chauffeur1]

Unlocking the Convenience of Car Hire in Beeston and Biggin Hill

Everyone has that one unforgettable journey, whether it was a missed train that led to an unexpected adventure or a road trip that went exactly to plan because the right car was at hand. For many, the journey matters as much as the destination. This is particularly true in regions like Beeston and Biggin Hill, where car hire Beeston and car hire Biggin Hill services are transforming how locals and tourists experience travel.

The Rise of Car Hire in Beeston

In Beeston, located in the bustling borough of Broxtowe, Nottinghamshire, transportation can often be a challenge, especially for visitors unfamiliar with the local bus routes and schedules. Here, car hire Beeston offers a solution that’s not just about mobility but also about convenience and efficiency. Whether it’s a day trip to nearby attractions or a business appointment, having a car at one's disposal means being able to adhere to one's schedule without the dependency on public transport timelines.

The Strategic Advantage of Car Hire Services in Beeston

What makes car hire Beeston especially appealing is the ease with which one can explore the wider Nottingham area. For residents and tourists alike, hiring a car means the freedom to plan day trips to the Peak District, Sherwood Forest, or even a simple drive to Nottingham city center, with its myriad shopping and dining options. The service caters to all, from families needing spacious SUVs to business travelers requiring sleek, executive models.

Navigating Biggin Hill with Ease

Moving southeast towards the London Borough of Bromley, car hire Biggin Hill introduces a similar convenience but in a distinctly different setting. Known primarily for the Biggin Hill Airport, the area serves as a crucial hub for both international visitors and local aviation enthusiasts. The availability of car hire Biggin Hill means that accessing the airport and surrounding areas is hassle-free, thereby eliminating the need for costly taxi fares or navigating public transport with luggage.

The Benefits of Car Hire Services in Biggin Hill

For car hire Biggin Hill, the benefits extend beyond simple airport transfers. The service enables visitors to explore local attractions such as the Chartwell House, the family home of Winston Churchill, and other scenic spots in the Kent countryside. The freedom to schedule trips at one's leisure and the ability to explore off-the-beaten-path locations are what make car hire an excellent choice for travelers seeking an immersive experience.

Choosing the Right Car Hire Service

While there are numerous options available for car hire in both Beeston and Biggin Hill, choosing the right service is crucial. It’s about more than just the range of vehicles; it’s also about reliability, customer service, and pricing. A reputable car hire service not only provides a selection of well-maintained and insured vehicles but also ensures transparency in terms of cost and hire terms, which significantly enhances the overall customer experience.

Conclusion

Car Hiring Beeston and Car Hire Biggin Hill offer complete solutions for business, leisure, and every day travel. These services offer convenience and the opportunity to explore at one's leisure, ensuring each journey goes as planned. Luxury, comfort, and great customer service make m25chauffeur.com a top choice for reliable and flexible vehicle hire services, making your journeys stress-free.

[bromleyvehicletestcentre]

Interim Service Vs. Full Service: What’s The Difference?

As a responsible car owner, you understand the importance of regular maintenance to keep your vehicle running smoothly and safely on the UK’s roads. However, choosing between interim service and full service can be confusing.

Don’t worry. Today, with this guide, we will demystify these essential car care routines to help you make the best decision for your vehicle. Bromley Vehicle Test Centre is best for MOTs and car servicing in Bromley. Call us on 020 8460 6666 or email us at adrian@bvtc.co.uk, and we will respond as soon as possible.

[leatherrepairs]

Restore the beauty of your furniture with our professional on-site furniture repair service. Our skilled technicians will come to your location and provide high-quality repairs to bring new life to your beloved pieces. Say goodbye to the hassle of transporting your furniture and trust our experts to deliver exceptional results. Contact us today to schedule your on-site repair service.

[geeksleather]

Leather Repairs Little Bromley - mobile leather repairs experts

No one knows leather sofa repairs better than the team at Leather Repairs Little Bromley. We offer mobile leather repairs for sofas of all ages, shapes and sizes, right in your home or office. Whether you need minor marks removed or major repairs carried out, our experts are at your service. Book your mobile leather repairs now and show your sofa the love it deserves.

[croydoncar231]

Effortless Travel: Seamless New Addington to Gatwick Airport Transfers

new-addington-gatwick-airport-transfers is a small regional airport located in the town of New Addington, which is situated in the London Borough of Croydon, in South East England. The airport is primarily used for domestic flights, and serves as a gateway to the surrounding areas of Croydon, Bromley and Surrey. The airport has a single terminal building, which is modern and well-equipped with facilities for passengers. It has a range of shops, cafes and restaurants, as well as a business center and meeting rooms for corporate clients. new-addington-gatwick-airport-transfers has a single runway, which is capable of accommodating small to medium-sized aircraft. The runway is well-maintained and meets all safety standards, ensuring a smooth and safe takeoff and landing for all passengers. The airport is easily accessible by road and public transport, with good connections to central London and other major cities in the UK. There are plenty of car parking facilities available for both short and long-term stays, and regular bus and train services operate from nearby stations. Overall, new-addington-gatwick-airport-transfers provides a convenient and hassle-free travel experience for passengers looking to fly to and from the South East of England.

[allseasonsvaleters1]

What is a car service?

All Seasons Valeting Services is a car detailing firm offering provide car detailing, car paint correction and car paint protection services in Surrey Bromley and Croydon as well as other places in London. With years of experience, The staff at All Seasons Valeters Mobile Car Valeting Bromley are friendly, courteous and efficient to get your car gleaming clean and looking. To book an appointment now, call us at the number given 07505 954 436.

We can offer you our services for all makes and models of cars, from the latest models to older vehicles. Our technicians are fully trained to carry out any kind of service on your vehicle whether it be window cleaning or any kind of scratch removal. We also offer a wide range of services such as waxing, sealant application, surface preparation, polish restoration, touch up paintwork and much more!

Our staff are all qualified with many years experience in the industry so we can guarantee that you will receive a first class service every time at an affordable price!

Car detailing and car protection are among the services offered by All Seasons Valeting Services. We offer a wide range of services to help you maintain the appearance of your car.

We can also provide you with a free quote if you want us to detail your vehicle. Our team will come to your home or office and perform the service as per your requirements.

[brn1029]

January 4th

2016 - Robert Stigwood

Australian-born British-resident music entrepreneur, film producer and impresario, Robert Stigwood died aged 81. He was best known for managing Cream and the Bee Gees, theatrical productions like Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar and film productions including the hugely successful Grease and Saturday Night Fever.

2011 - Gerry Rafferty

Scottish singer songwriter Gerry Rafferty died aged 63 after a long illness. Rafferty had been a member of Stealers Wheel, who had the 1973 US No.3 & UK No.8 single 'Stuck In The Middle With You' and had the solo 1978 UK No.3 and US No.2 single 'Baker Street.'

2009 - Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant was voted the Greatest Voice In Rock by listeners of radio station Planet Rock. Plant beat Queen's Freddie Mercury, Free's Paul Rodgers and Deep Purple's Ian Gillan to the top spot in the UK poll.

2001 - Liam Gallagher

Madame Tussaud's waxworks in London revealed that Oasis singer Liam Gallagher had come third in 'The Most Hated Characters' list of exhibits, behind Adolf Hitler and Slobodan Milosevic.

1986 - Phil Lynott

Irish singer, songwriter and bassist Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy died of heart failure and pneumonia after being in a coma for eight days following a drug overdose. With Thin Lizzy he had the 1973 hit 'Whiskey in the Jar', (their version of the traditional Irish song) and hits with ‘The Boys Are Back in Town’, ‘Jailbreak’ and ‘Waiting for an Alibi’. The groups 1978 album 'Live and Dangerous' spent 62 weeks on the UK chart. Lynott fronted several bands as a lead vocalist, including Skid Row alongside Gary Moore. A life-size bronze statue of Phil Lynott was unveiled on Harry Street in Dublin Ireland in 2005.

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1974 - Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen played the first of a three night run at Joes' Place in Cambridge Massachusetts. Supported by Peter Johnson & The Manic Depressives. On the ticket it stated: Because of the energy crisis all our outside lights except for one will be shut off.

1970 - Keith Moon

Chauffeur Neil Boland was accidentally killed when The Who's drummer Keith Moon ran over him in his Bentley. Moon was trying to escape from a Gang of skinheads after a fight broke out at a pub in Hatfield, England. Boland got out to try to protect the car, but left it in gear. He fell under the car and it started moving with Moon at the wheel as he tried to escape the fight. The drummer had never passed his driving test.

1968 - The Rolling Stones

The University of California, Los Angeles announced that students taking music degrees would have to study the music of The Rolling Stones saying they had made such an important contribution to modern music.

ed in your browser.</div></div>

1967 - The Doors

The Doors released their self-titled debut album The Doors. The album features their breakthrough single 'Light My Fire' and the lengthy song 'The End' with its Oedipal spoken word section. The album was recorded at Sunset Sound Studios in Hollywood, California over six days and unique packaging of the album included each band members bio.

1967 - Jimi Hendrix

The Jimi Hendrix Experience played the first of what would be over 240 gigs in this year when they appeared at the Bromel Club, Bromley. (Many of the concerts were two shows per night).

1962 - The Beatles

Liverpool's Mersey Beat published its first popularity poll, with The Beatles coming in first place and Gerry and the Pacemakers voted second.

1954 - Elvis Presley

Four days before his 20th birthday Elvis Presley made his second visit to the Memphis Recording service and cut two songs onto a 10 acetate, 'Casual Love Affair 'and 'I'll Never Stand In Your Way'. Studio boss Sam Phillips asked Presley to leave his phone number.

[coolronyposts]

Are you looking for the best MOT in BromleyCar Servicing in Bromley? Then, must contact On The Road Car Services. Visit: https://goo.gl/maps/Nn87gMwsqDhTchXW7

[crackerjackawrites]

Walking Inferno (2600 Words)

A hired killer is in for a horrific surprise after his most recent hit. (originally written February 2021)

Don Giuliani - or just Don, as he liked to be known by his employees - sat in the large, leather bound chair at his desk. Papers were spread out across the table and a cigar sat in the nearby ashtray, still leaking smoke into the room. It was like a damn hotbox in there, and somebody needed to open a window (it wouldn’t be Don, he had people for that). Opposite Don sat Payton Gonzalez, a broad-chested bull of a man. His brown hair was beginning to recede, but it gave him a wise look, made up for what was going on up there in his head. Nothing, by Don’s estimate.

“So,” said Payton, his voice strong and confident, “What’s the next hit?”

“I’ve got the papers here,” replied Don, and he began to rummage through the papers on his desk. “Somewhere here.”  

Eventually, Don pulled out an envelope from beneath a spread of important documents, “Here,” he muttered, and passed it over to Payton. Payton opened the file, it had a name in large letters at the top of the page,

“You’re kidding,” said Payton, “John Smith?”

“It’s great, huh? Like he’s some sorta fuckin’ character!”

Payton smirked, and carried on reading. Below the name was Mr. Smith’s date of birth, April second, 1968; his place of work, Reeves and Bromley Ltd.; and his address, Rotterdam Apartments, 247th Street, Manhattan. Also in the envelope was a picture of John, he had blonde hair and his chin was dotted with stubble, he had light blue eyes and thick eyebrows above them. The image showed him walking into work wearing a bomber jacket and dark jeans.

Payton dropped the papers onto his lap, “So what’s this guy’s deal?”

“It’s not him we have the problem with, it’s his daughter. She’s suspended her deal with us, so we’re gonna teach her a lesson. Hopefully she learns something here, or we’re gonna have to go after her other papa too.”

“How do you want me to go about it?” asked Payton.

“Car bomb,” said Don, “that should get the message across.”

“Of course, sir.”

Payton stood on the street opposite John’s car, two blocks away from Reeves and Bromley. It was coming up to 6pm, so John would be leaving work any second now and heading for his car. The bomb was planted. All Payton needed was for John to turn the keys and boom, he’d get the paycheck.

John strolled around the corner, he wore the same jacket that he had on in the image from his file. He looked like he was in a rush to get home. Good. John unlocked his car, got into the seat, fiddled with his keys for a second, pushed it into the- Boom! Payton had forgotten how quickly those things go off. People started screaming all around him. Payton joined in the panic, he knew how suspicious it would look if he didn’t. He always wished he could walk away with the swagger of an action hero from the movies, but his job never let him, so he had to make do with shouting and running away. One of the worst compromises in his life, he thought. Either way, this was another successful hit, some extra cash in his pocket.

Don Guiliani’s place looked abandoned, Payton guessed that was on purpose. The dark green paint on the door was peeling, revealing the rusted metal beneath it, and the windows were boarded up with rotting wooden planks. The bricks looked like they hadn’t been washed in years. Payton knocked on the door and the rusting peephole scraped open.

“Passwo-”

“Cinnamon Roll,” said Payton, he was sure Don got a kick out of making him say that every time he came in.

“Alright, man!” moaned the voice from the door, “Why’re you in such a fuckin’ rush?.”

The door opened, and Payton walked through, shoving the doorman with his shoulder. The building looked just as run down on the inside as it did the outside, Don really needed a designer. Payton made his way through the corridor, straight towards Don’s office. He knocked, 1-2-3, pause, 1-2, the second code that Don had given him, after “cinnamon roll”.

“Come in, boy,” called Don from within the room, Payton opened the door, “How did it go?”

“Fine,” said Payton, “You got the cash?”

“Of course,” Don reached down below his desk and pulled out a briefcase, he clicked open the locks to reveal wads of notes laying within, “There we are. Exactly what I promised it’d be.” Don locked the briefcase again.

“Thanks,” grunted Payton, and he grabbed the case. He got up, walked straight out the building, and continued all the way to his apartment. He’d count it up when he got back.

That night, Payton dreamed. He dreamed of fire, of his skin boiling until it melted from his bones. Molten metal piercing his charred flesh, burning his insides. He screamed until his throat either dried up or turned to ash, he couldn’t tell which came first. He dreamed of a man, a man who hated him. He cried for revenge. He cried to take Payton’s life.

Payton shot up from his bed. It was dark out still. He never had nightmares. Who was that figure? The devil? Payton wasn’t a particularly religious man. Was it John? Payton had never had that type of reaction after a hit before, so he doubted it. John wasn’t special in any way. Not to Payton at least. He checked the time on his phone: five forty-three. He had to get up at seven, no point in trying to sleep again now.

A few hours later, Payton stood at the entrance of Solar Mechanics, his other place of work. Much like Don’s, Solar was a pretty run-down building with tattered brick work and creaky garage doors, this one at least looked lived in from the outside, though. This definitely wasn’t the first time Payton had gone to work the day after a hit, but something felt off today. It was probably the dream. Payton tentatively stepped through the garage door, keeping his guard up more than usual. Payton locked eyes with his manager, George, from his small office space across the service area. George got up and waved at Payton.

“Hey, Payton!” he called from across the room, “I need you for something, asap.” He said asap like a word, not an acronym.

“Yes?” snapped Payton.

“Woah there, tiger.” He chuckled, “I just need you to do a service drive with one of the beasts over here.” George walked over to what he called “the beasts”, the section on the service floor reserved for the most powerful cars in stock. Payton followed.

“A Bugatti?”

“A damn powerful one too,” George chuckled again, “released this year.”

“Damn.” Payton muttered.

“Uh-huh.”

“And you just want me to take it out?”

“Yep. I’ll get you the key now. I only need you out there for like 30 minutes. No biggy.”

“Yessir.”

George returned with the key and bowled it to Payton. Who snatched it out of the air with ease. Payton stuck the key into the ignition and turned, causing the engine to ignite with power.

“Oh, baby!” called Payton over the light, satisfying rumble of the engine, “It's hot!”

“Enjoy!” said George, smirking. He slapped the back of the car like it was a racehorse and Payton drove out of the front of the garage smoothly. Payton drove aimlessly for a while, but came to his consciousness when he realised where he’d driven.

The sign of Reeves and Bromley Ltd. loomed over him and, for a while, Payton just stared up at it in awe. Shit, why did he come back? He didn’t mean to. Was it fate? Payton slowly drove away from the sign and around the corner, the same corner where the bomb had been planted. It was like he was on autopilot. Payton drove up the street, straining against all his willpower not to look at the space where the car had sat. But he gave in. There was still a large, black scorch mark on the road. The body of the car had been towed away but still little pieces of metal lay across the road like soldiers in a war they’d already lost. Payton could hear a crackling, like fire. He whipped his head around… But saw nothing. He turned back, to face an inferno across the street. The spiral of fire lashed out in all directions, it roared at Payton. People started screaming all around him, running from the flame. But Payton was frozen in fear. He squinted into the fire. It looked like there was someone in there. There was someone in there! A dark humanoid figure stood, wreathed in the blaze. It began to walk toward Payton.

“Shit, shit, shit!” he cried, scrambling at the door handle. He finally grasped hold of it and yanked, nearly pulling it clean off. He pushed open the door and practically fell out the door, only to find himself face to face with the raging blaze. The figure inside lifted their finger and pointed at Payton. It spoke with a strained voice,

“You…”

Payton started to back away, “Who- Who are you?”

“You… know... me.” And Payton did. He didn’t know how, but he now recognised the figure as John Smith. John’s corpse continued, “Why… did… you… kill me?”

“It was what I was told to do!” Payton panted, “If you wanna take it up with anyone, make it Don - Don Giuliani. Please!”

The fire surrounding John weakened, and he stepped forward, revealing his charred flesh and ashen bones. His voice became less strained, it still had a low growl to it “Does that justify it for you? That someone else asked you to kill me?”

“No,” Payton nearly tripped on a pothole, “Of course n-”

John erupted into flames and screamed, “Then why did you do it?” John began to extinguish again, “What did I even do?” John was now practically just a black skeleton, some small embers flickered beneath his remaining flesh.

“It wasn’t you,” muttered Payton, “It was your daughter.” Payton suddenly realised that the two of them were standing in the middle of an empty street, everyone else fled when John had appeared.

“Laura?” the small embers across John’s body started to multiply, “She was in the mafia?”

“Until recently,” Payton was starting to calm down now, the site of a burning corpse standing before him almost felt normal, “She stopped her deals, Don wanted to get back at her.”

John’s blaze roared up again. Payton could feel the heat, even from this distance, “So you killed me?”

“Like I said,” this scene felt entirely natural to Payton now, “it wasn’t my choice-”

“Every time you kill someone it’s a choice, and I know this wasn’t your first time.”

“Please, you should take this out on Don. I’ve got a kid at home! You know what that’s like.”

John tutted, Payton wasn’t sure how, “I know that’s a lie, Payton. I was in your apartment last night. I saw you... alone.”

“Shit,” Payton muttered. Before he could say anything else, John started walking towards him. All the familiarity Payton had felt was melting away, and he stared directly at the molten cadaver of the man he had murdered the evening before. Nearly all his flesh had melted away now, small scraps of skin were still smouldering on his skull and his tendons were beginning to break under the heat; leaving him to stagger forward with an uncanny speed.

Payton backed up into an alley, he was too far in when he realised the mistake. The two tall buildings on either side cast dark shadows into the alley, the shadows only broken by the roaring fires that were spilling out of John and towards Payton. He was trapped. Unless? Payton spun around to face the wall at the end of the alley, it looked just about climbable. He took a step back, hearing the crackling flames behind him, and ran at the wall. He leaped and caught the top of the bricks with his fingertips.

His muscles straining, Payton slowly pulled himself up the wall. But then, a searing pain caught his left thigh. Payton turned, and found John’s arms clasped onto his leg, the torrid heat was branding his thigh. John yanked Payton down with ease and threw him into the row of trash cans that lined the alley. John scrambled to his feet. As he was getting up, Payton noticed his left pant leg had a large hole burned into it where John had grabbed him. The burn went all the way through to his flesh, where it was bright red and scabbing.

“Don’t worry,” said John, his voice becoming more strained and alien as the fire surrounding him grew, “I’ll find Don after we’re done here. At least you’ll have the pleasure of knowing you weren’t the only one to die.”

Payton backed up against one of the walls, “Please! John, please. You don’t have to do this.”

“Oh but I do. If I kill you then I’ll be free of this life. Free of this torture!”

John took a step closer to Payton. Payton took a step back. John took a step closer to Payton, but Payton was up against the wall now. John took another step and Payton could feel the heat singeing the hairs on his arms. John moved his arm back and thrust it into Payton’s chest. Payton looked down, John had burnt a clean hole straight where his heart was. John yanked his arm back out and Payton sputtered, boiling blood pouring out of his mouth. Payton looked up, his vision blurred, and could just make out John holding his heart in one hand. John slowly tightened his grip around the heart until it popped, spraying blood over Payton’s face. Payton’s vision slowly dimmed, with John’s chuckle the only thing left to keep him company.

Don Giuliani sat in the large, leather-bound chair at his desk. He had finally decided to sort out the clusters of papers that had lay strewn across it every day for too long to remember. He was finding all the old hit profiles that had been given back to him from the agents, he really should’ve shredded those as he got them. It was lucky that he hadn’t been caught. A cop could easily bust down the door and execute him on the spot with all this evidence. He was putting the final file into the bag when he heard a shout from the hallway.

“Holy shit! He’s burnin’ the fuckin’ door down!” It was Oz, the doorman.

“What?” called Don, storming into the hallway. He looked at the large, metal door and, sure enough, the rusted steel was melting right before his eyes. “Holy shit.”

Oz shoved past him, his face a portrait of terror. Don looked back at the door, something was stopping his instinct to flee. The door began to glow orange with heat, then yellow, then white. Something punched through the door, sending globs of molten metal over the floor, it looked like a black, skeletal hand. A leg kicked a hole through the door afterwards. Then an entire charcoal skeleton stepped through, it was wreathed in flames. It looked straight at Don.

“Hello, Don.”

“J-John?”