Here is the Lews
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iihe Hawk wonders how many readers recognise the homely refreshment parlour for weary drivers described below.
"It was after midnight when I drew my lorry on to the parking ground in front of Lew's calf. I switched off the engine and lights, got out of the cab, knew it would be safe without locking it up, (those were the days!) and stretched my limbs and looked up at the sky. It was all starry. The
air had a nice fresh taste to it. I walked round the wagon, testing the ropes on my load, and with that nice weekend feeling you get on a Friday night, I went inside.
"It was nearly empty. I went up to the counter. Ethel, Lew's young wife, was making a fresh pot of tea, and Lew was watching her. I heard him say: 'Make it any stronger an' you'll hatta serve it with knives and forks.'
"I can't stand the sight of weak tea," said Ethel.
"You can get it a good colour without putting all that much in," said Lew.
"It's not colour a man wants," said Ethel, "it's body."
Alas, we must draw a veil over what happens next. This extract is from the opening of Late Night on Watling Street, a short story by the late Bill Naughton, creator of the hit movie Alfie.
According to Robert Wine, press officer at BP, who sent the Hawk a copy of the book, Lew's Calf is based on the old Rendevous Cafe which has since become the BP Truckstop at Crick. Sadly, I suspect few drivers calling at truckstops today would leave their cabs unlocked.