Free Lewi's Legacy by Graham Adams

around the table after a good belt busting meal and Bill tapped his glass with his spoon.
    ‘Louis, a certain person in this room, who shall not be named, has told me that you might make a good car salesman, and I ought to offer you a job with me. What do you think Louis my boy?’
    ‘Sir, nothing would make me happier than to work for you.’ Looking at Susan who was beaming all over her face, he said, ‘When can I start?’ Susan walked him to the gate holding hands. He looked into her big brown eyes.
    ‘It was you who persuaded your dad to agree, thanks Susan.’ For the first time he pulled her to him and gave her a real hug, and of course she hugged him back.
    He threw himself totally into his new job. His first task was to learn everything about all of the models of car that they sold. Bill told him that he wouldn’t be able to sell a car until he could to answer every question that a potential customer might ask. He also said that at every spare moment Louis would be asked questions, both by himself and the workshop foreman. Considering Louis’s educational results, he didn’t expect to have him in the showroom selling for long.
    He hadn’t realised, however that the boy had become obsessed by cars and in only a matter of four weeks that Louis could answer any technical question on the whole range. Soon he was standing by his boss watching and listening to every tiny comment or statement that Bill gently put across to a visitor showing interest. He noticed that things were not going too well, and it seemed the inquirer was losing interest with Bill’s banter. In the corner of Louis’s eye he noticed a young couple enter the showroom, at once they were opening the car doors and sitting in the drivers seat. Louis kept a sharp eye on the couple as they got closer to Bill and the inquiring customer. He guessed they would have to wait until Bill was free.
    ‘Right Louis, this is your chance, don’t rush it, and let the customer lead, right?’ Bill whispered.
    With more luck than judgement, the couple had been in before, so the questions were more direct, and he was able to guide them to a particular model that could suit their needs. Of course he expected them to want to wait for Bill to close the deal, and not a ‘wet behind the ears’ teenager, but no, they sat in the front seats firing questions at him and smiling at his prompt answers.
    As expected, Bill’s customer did not buy, just took a brochure and went on his way. He looked around the showroom looking for Louis and his customers, but he couldn’t see them at first. Then he looked at the far corner to his office where Louis was sitting at his desk with the couple opposite. He walked in quickly and expected to take over from him, but instead of butting in he stepped back and waited.
    ‘And you’re happy with the price then? How do you want to pay for it?’ They handed him their cheque shook his hand and he organised delivery the following week. As they stood up and shook his hand, he turned and looked at Bill.
    ‘Ah Bill, this is Mr. and Mrs. Smith they have just purchased the purple Morris Minor, delivery next Tuesday.’ Bill shook their hands and they walked out of the office. ‘Well, Bill, how did I do?’
    ‘Firstly I’m not Bill to you, I’m Mr Gilbert. Secondly I think you did bloody well my boy, bloody well!’ He put his arm around the young man. ‘Who would have believed it?’ They both laughed heartily.
    At dinner that evening, whilst Annie and Susan were in the kitchen preparing to serve, Louis broached the subject of his father asking him to go to France with him, as he was going to look for his wife’s family. He told Bill that he had already said no to his father. Susan overheard the conversation and rushed into the dining room.
    ‘Where will you stay, Louis? Dad, can he stay with us? Please!’ She pleaded. Her mother quietly stood behind Susan and nodded her approval to her father.
    ‘Well I don’t know Susan. It’s a