“I’m leaving!” I shouted. Slamming the door behind me, I left poor George with his mouth gaping in disbelief.

Due to the turmoil’s of life, writer’s block had set in half way through my novel three months before, and George, well, I didn’t know what I felt about George anymore……..

Boarding the coach just half hour later, I let out a sigh of relief, so loud that many passengers stopped to see who the disgruntled person was. Sitting down in my designated seat, I felt pleased to be beside the window. Freedom shone through that window and I needed freedom, along with some inspiration.

So, there I was, on my way to Devon. Armed with my laptop, I was looking forward to four days of uninterrupted writing to clear my head, and to have a think about what to do regarding my marriage. ‘Perhaps I should have told him where I was going’ I thought. ‘I’ll give him a call later on to let me know’.

How wonderful. No shopping, no washing up, no answering the door to sales people and best of all, I wouldn’t be kept awake with Georges snoring!

A lady sat down beside me.

“I’m Maureen” she said, offering me her hand to shake, and that is when things started to change. It was clear that Maureen liked to chat.

“And I said to him, why did you get normal eggs, why didn’t you get free range eggs – you know we always eat free range eggs?………” she ranted and continued to tell me in detail, the good and bad habits of her husband.

Maureen would not stop talking and I felt tired. Thanks to George’s vocal array of snores, I’d had another interrupted sleep the night before!

That reminded me – I had my earplugs in my handbag.

‘No,’ I told myself ‘that would be too rude – I might hurt her feelings – just persevere’

After a couple of hours, the coach came to a blunt stop and the driver’s voice bellowed from the speakers above “Ok everybody, we are having a stop here – half hour only, toilets to the back of the café. Please be back at the coach sharp, or you might be sleeping in the Motel for the night – ha ha ha”

“Very funny I’m sure” I mumbled under my breath.

I told Maureen I had some calls to make.

Fresh air hit me as I stepped out of the coach, and I felt the calm washing over me. A whole half hour away from the fastest and most monotonous talker I have ever heard. Still, it was better than sitting on my own for the seven hour journey in some ways and Maureen was friendly at least, albeit a little over the top.

Half hour went really quickly and we were promptly on our way again – Maureen in full charge of the conversation.

Then she told me of their recent party to celebrate her Fathers 85th birthday. I said that my Father was also 85.

“We celebrate every year” she said very seriously “he nearly died in the war – someone pulled him out of a trench. He had a bullet wound in his left side. It could’ve hit his heart. I wouldn’t have been born if he hadn’t been saved, so we really appreciate his life. You cannot take life for granted”. She looked a little sad and stopped talking.

After a short silence, what she had said sunk in.

“Do you know who saved his life?” I asked.

“No. Not in person anyway. He tried to find out more details but it was a difficult time and he gave up after a couple of years. His name was John and he came from Norfolk – that’s all we know. I guess he might be dead now”

“It’s possible he isn’t dead.” I said slowly. “My Father told me of a time when he pulled someone out of a trench. Badly injured, he was, and my Father hoped that he was ok. What if that was the same person? My Father’s name is John and he comes from Norwich!” I felt rather excited as I saw Maureen’s eyes gloss over.

“Arghhhh!” The next thing I knew, the coach was screeching and started to tip. I was screaming and then dark. We had crashed and I had blacked out.

I don’t remember much from then until a few days later when I woke in a Sussex Hospital. George was there when I roused – he was sitting beside me, holding my hand, as he had done every day since the accident. When I first saw him, I realised everything in a second – I love him. I love him so much. He was smiling at me and had filled the room with flowers. It smelt so beautiful.

“I know you don’t like the smell of Hospitals, so I didn’t want you complaining when you woke up” he said, warmly.

I had been in a very serious accident, and was lucky to be alive. As he looked at me adoringly, I knew in a flash that I couldn’t wait to get home with him, and his snoring would be heaven to the ears.

Then I thought of Maureen and the other passengers.

“How are they all?” I asked.

“There are a few in Hospital. Some with severe injuries, but no fatalities, thank goodness” he soothed. “I spoke to a lady called Maureen. She visited and left you this note. You have a lot to thank her for, as she helped to pull you free from a bar that had fallen on your chest – you couldn’t breathe properly. She was virtually unscathed apart from a few bruises”

“Oh my gosh!” I exclaimed feeling very grateful for being alive myself. I opened the note up …

Hi Jean, I hope that, as you read this, you are not feeling too bad. Your leg will take a while to heal, but the Doctors say you are out of danger now. Once you are feeling better, please call me and I hope we can find out more about your Father and mine…….

“Oh yes, we had been talking about Dad, that’s right” I said out loud. Our conversation came back to me.

“What did you say?” Asked George.

“Well, there’s a story….” I continued to tell George about the possibility that Maureen’s Father may have been rescued by my own Father.

I ended up in bed for three months, until my leg healed, so I had lots of time for writing after all! I also investigated the chance that I knew who my Father had saved in the war and it turned out that it was indeed Maureen’s Father that he had pulled out of the trenches all those years ago – the very same place at the same time.

We arranged for the two of them to meet up, which was a very emotional, yet wonderful reunion for them.

So, my Father had saved her Fathers life in the war and she saved my life in a coach accident – it is so strange how events can turn out.

Needless to say, I appreciate life so much more now. George and I are like delirious newlyweds again, and I have made a new best friend in Maureen. Oh yes, and I got to finish my novel – it’s at the publishers right now

By Sandra M Dean (copyright)

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I had lost touch with my husband. Ever since the car accident, he seemed vague and disinterested. Even the children noticed it, and his usual partaking in family chats and days out had dwindled to nothing. We were all concerned for him. It had been five months, and we wanted our loving Husband and Father back.

I did confide in a couple of his friends, as he spent a lot of time with them at that point, out drinking at the pub or fishing and such like, but Harry said ……

“I haven’t really noticed any difference in George – in fact, I’m the one who is worried, as his snooker has improved no end lately – he keeps beating me! I would say he’s on top form”.

Chris had added “He seems happy enough to me Marie – why, what’s the matter?”

“Oh nothing – it’s probably just me” I said, but I couldn’t work it out.

They were not particularly helpful with advice or wisdom, but I guess it soothed me a little to know that they were not worried about him and, perhaps he was just a little more relaxed in their company for some reason.

I decided to talk to him about it; to find out if I could help in any way. We always talked to each other about anything at all, only this time I had left it, as I had been busy with the children going back to School, planning Christmas surprises and looking after my Mother in Law, with whom he had also lost interest.

I broached the subject a few days later, but he just got angry.

“I’m fine, there’s nothing wrong with me!” he snapped.

Abruptly, he continued to advise me to concentrate on more pressing matters like looking after the children and his Mother. I started to tell him that I was only concerned because I love him, but he flew out the door, slamming it behind him. He said he was going out to meet his friends.. And then he was gone, leaving me to contemplate for a few minutes before the children came home from School. That tactic hadn’t worked. I mean, I wasn’t going to complain about the pressure I was under to look after everyone without his support; I just wanted to see him smile again. ‘I’ll think of something’ I told myself, hopefully.

A few days later, however, I received some great news in the post. Scanning the letter, I picked out the words ‘Congratulations, you have won a meal for two at the Gattopardo Restaurant’. How wonderful, I had won the competition in the local newspaper. This, to me, was a good omen.

When George got home from work he seemed quite jolly for a change, so I told him about my fortune.

“That is great news Marie – see if you can book it up for Friday night”.

I was so excited, I phoned the restaurant immediately and made a reservation. I really was excited.

George really cheered up that week, and when I told him how pleased I was to have ‘my George’ back, he said that he was too, but he still offered no reason for his recent moods.

We both made an effort to dress our best that Friday evening, as the Gattorpardo is a sophisticated place. We had a fabulous meal, accompanied by great conversation; the type we always used to have, and we made love when we got home. It was the first time in at least 5 months. What a wonderful relief to feel ‘normal’ again. George and I have always been close, and I missed his gentle touch and kisses.

The next day was sunny and warm, and George was equally as bright with the children.. I had prepared an extensive breakfast (virtually a banquet actually!) and had woken everyone half hour earlier than usual to their favorite foods.

“Time to get up Chloe, I’ve made eggy bread for you”.

“Marky, rise and shine – bacon sandwiches downstairs”

George enjoyed his scrambled eggs and bacon and we all chatted together. They all left the house, after their feast, content and full, leaving me almost overcome with happiness and new energy.

I decided to use up some of my energy on the house and I was cleaning the oven when the doorbell rang. The man on the doorstep presented George’s coat to me.

“I dropped you off in the taxi last night and you left this in the car. The phone in the pocket has been beeping all morning, so you are probably missing it – sorry I couldn’t drop it off earlier”. He said.

I thanked him, hung Georges coat on the banister, and got back on with the scrubbing.

‘Beep beep’ ‘beep beep’

‘That must be George’s phone’ I thought, finding myself heading for the hall. ‘I had better see if it’s important’ Pulling the phone out from his coat pocket, I saw something that took my breath away momentarily. There were two messages sitting there from ‘Mandy’. I had to look at them. I mean, you would look wouldn’t you?

I wished I hadn’t at first, but then I felt relieved. I read the words ‘I know u want your family and wife back now but I will always love u. I had the time of my life the last few months take care love Mandy xxx’ I then realised the truth. George wasn’t stressed from the horrendous car accident that he had come out of unscathed after all…..

I deleted the text.

When George came in that night, he appeared to be a little nervous. “I lost my coat last night. I tried the restaurant and they don’t have it…….”

“Don’t worry dear, I have it here. The kind taxi driver dropped it off” I soothed.

“Oh, great!” he said, looking uncomfortable.

George took the coat out to the hall and disappeared quickly upstairs with his phone. He came down a few minutes later, smiling. I presented him with his favorite steak and chips and a glass of red wine, and we had another lovely evening – all eating as a family just as it used to be.

Things are good with us all now, and George even decided to take me on a surprise holiday to the Seychelles. A second honeymoon, he called it. What I know will never be shared with him. We are a family again, and that is all that matters.

By Sandra M Dean (copyright 2009/2010)

If you like this story, disliked it, have any suggestions or would like to write a story on the same subject yourself or re-write this one and send it in, please either comment below or send your story to info@notjustanessexgirl.com

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The Best of Friends – 1608 words

“No, I would never move to Italy – We’ve discussed it all before and I just don’t understand why you would want to go for a holiday, let alone live there!” George defiantly protected his little world based around the small town of Newmarket and, as usual, showed no interest in leaving England. He rustled his newspaper and carried on reading.

George’s wife, Jane, gave up at that very point. She had spent two years living in Italy when she was younger, and since the children had grown up and moved out, she had just hoped that George may change his mind – enjoy a second life in Italy, now that he had experienced his first three months of retirement. ‘The children could understand it, so why couldn’t he? ‘Perhaps it’s his age’ she thought.

“Harry and Linda are coming for dinner tomorrow night, so I’m nipping out to get the food” she said to her husband.

“Ok, bye dear” said George, without looking up from his paper.

Jane headed off to Waitrose and spent a whole hour studying the labels, so as to choose only the best ingredients, eventually buying far more than was on her shopping list.

The next day, Jane was in her element; amusing herself in the kitchen and carefully chopping, slicing and marinating the wonderful array of pungent foodstuffs.

“You’re going a bit far with all that aren’t you? It’s just dinner – how much is all this costing?” protested George as he entered the kitchen.

“Don’t worry George, just for once. I want to treat us all” said Jane, shooing George away with her hands.

“Humph” George moaned as he went back to settle with his paper on the sofa. Jane sighed and continued with her gastronomic challenge.

‘Ding Dong!’

“That’s Harry and Linda, George!” Jane shouted, as she wiped her hands quickly on the tea towel and rushed to answer the door.

Excitedly she opened the front door and greeted them. “Hi both, come in, come in”.

After polite kisses and welcomes, Jane headed back to the kitchen and George served up some drinks for their guests. George enjoyed that part of socializing – organizing the drinks – and the general chit chat about the weather, politics and suchlike.

Harry tried to get away to the kitchen, with a half hearted excuse, but Linda beat him to it. She felt immediately uncomfortable with George and Harry both in the same room.

“How are you love? It all smells fabulous out here! What are you cooking?” Linda asked scanning the worktop for clues.

“I’m fine thanks, Linda. I’m creating an Italian feast. I really think it’s time we pulled out that 1988 bottle of Chianti and enjoy ourselves for the here and now – what’s the point in waiting any longer?” enthused Jane. Linda had to agree.

A little later, the dining room was filled with garlic, tomato and rosemary aromas as Jane presented the starter to her husband and their guests – a beautifully decorated Brushetta.

Harry knew the answer already, as he asked Jane “This is Italian Brushetta isn’t it?”

“Yes Harry it is”. Jane was so beside herself as she confirmed Harry’s question as being correct, she could not even eat for a few minutes. Harry beamed from ear to ear. ‘So this is really it….. That was the sign’ he thought happily.

The evening continued with fine food, wine and conversation. Two of them were enjoying themselves, but George and Linda found it difficult to keep the conversation going from their part. Seeing how their respective husband and wife were laughing and enjoying themselves was making both of them feel more and more guilty. With a knowing look and nod, they decided that now was the time; time to end their year long affair with each other.

It was such a shame, as George and Linda only wanted the same out of life as each other – just the simple things, like watching films at home, going for country walks and just being together; cuddling, kissing or holding hands. The day of George and Jane’s daughter’s wedding had been the starting point. What a beautiful, happy and simple day, committing to their vows in the registry office and having the reception in the local hall. Out in the gardens, George and Linda had their first kiss. It had been fuelled by alcohol, but wonderful nonetheless. Life changed from that moment on for all of them.

George had been really unhappy with his wife’s endless desires for money and her longing urge to go back to Italy. She had been a good wife and Mother, but had changed once the kids had moved out.

Linda, on the other hand, had been drowned emotionally by her husband’s reluctance to make love and George had shown her the attention she had needed.

It was wonderful whilst it lasted and they could see a future together, content and relaxed, but the guilt of it all had overcome the desire to be together. The vows they had taken, the family lives they had shared together, the ups and downs, and the children themselves, who, although grown up, would be greatly saddened by it. Their getting together could well ruin their family social lives altogether, not to mention the friendship of their best friends and spouses. They both decided they would make their decision that evening and now they had – their affair was over.

Valentines Day was fast approaching, and Linda decided she was going to surprise her husband with a dinner for two. George had also decided to make a little more effort for a change.

Entering his wife’s workplace for the first time on February 14th, he asked at the reception for directions to her office, flowers and envelope in hand. George had waited the few days, as Valentines seemed the perfect day to make things up and get his relationship with Jane right again. He wanted his marriage back. As he neared her desk, he felt ever so slightly nervous, yet she wasn’t there to greet him when he arrived.

On her desk was a huge bouquet of flowers. George became curious during the wait for his wife’s return, to find out what another man might put in his message to someone. Not thinking that they could be for her, he read the note ‘Darling Jane, I am so pleased that you have made the right decision. I cannot wait for us to leave and move to Italy, I will love you forever Harry xxx’

“What on Earth!” George could not help but shout out.

“What on earth are you doing here George?” Jane said startled, as she appeared seemingly out of nowhere.

Quietly doing some photocopying round the corner, contemplating her exit with Harry, she was shocked to hear George’s voice, let alone the outburst. His facial expression was one she hadn’t seen before – kind of a mix between anger and shock, yet tinged with the possibility he might burst into tears any moment. She then saw the note in his hand. “I um, I was, well, I mean….” She started to say.

“What, Jane, is going on? What is this? What is this Italy stuff….. and with Harry?” demanded George.

The office had become deadly quiet, and Jane realised her boss and colleagues were all listening and George’s voice was increasing in pitch.

“Lets go for a coffee George”. She murmered at him, flicking her head towards the audience. They left straight away.

Meanwhile, in their house a few blocks away, Harry had been struggling to find a way to inform his wife, Linda, that he was leaving….. to be with Jane. It seemed so curt, so final, and he dreaded her reaction. It might have been easier if he disliked Linda, but he didn’t – he loved her really, just more like a friend at that point, rather than a lover. She was out in the kitchen busying herself cooking dinner for Valentines – for him and her – and she was so bright in spirits today, he started to feel a bit queasy with the stress – and guilt. Valentines Day. Perhaps it isn’t the day to do it, but he could not hold it in any longer…..

“Linda, there’s something I need to tell you” he said seriously as he entered the kitchen.

“Yes dear, but I am busy out here, I…..” She caught a glimpse of his face as she turned to pick up the flour. “What’s wrong Harry; you look very pale?”

“I’ve been having an affair….. with Jane” he stated quietly, then he looked down to the floor.

Linda stood there staring at him, still holding the knife, listening to his stammering voice laying out the full details and explanation of his actions. ‘How could he? What is going on?’ She thought. She was the guilty one, not him. She had chosen to stay with him, and now this. She was stunned.

“I am sorry love, I really am. I think it’s best if I go out for a little while” suggested Harry, not really knowing what to do for the best.

“No!” shouted Linda as she suddenly realised what this meant. What if she could convince George to change his mind back?

“There’s no need to go out, just give me a few minutes, and I will be back” She said, putting the knife down. She grabbed her handbag and keys and rushed out the door, leaving Harry somewhat bemused.

‘Oh my gosh, what have I done?’ he thought.

Jane and George had been in the coffee shop a short while and were having a very intimate conversation. George had come clean about himself and his feelings about Linda. It was all rather surreal, uncovering the truth of the scenarios of the last year. Suddenly, without really knowing why, George burst out laughing and Jane followed suit. They sat there a good ten minutes, unable to speak, as the hysteria took them over and they both realised they all felt the same. It could all work out for the best for everyone and that seemed rather funny at the time.

George’s mobile started ringing. It was Linda. “Erm, hello, what can I do for you?” George was still trying to cover up; it had become a habit to pretend Linda was someone else.

“George, you won’t believe it, Harry and Jane have been having an affair! They want to go off to Italy together! Can you believe it? I, I, I think this could maybe all work out for us…” Linda was talking so fast, George had to interrupt her quickly.

“Yes Linda, I know” he said.

Following a month of deep conversations and soul searching, an Italian feast was on the menu again for the four of them. This time, the celebration was the farewell of Harry and Jane who were moving to Italy and a new life also for George and Linda. The divorces would be settled amicably, so a toast to the two new happy couples was first on the list of events that evening.

“Cheers, to best friends!” they all cheered in unison, as they clinked their four champagne glasses together.

By Sandra M Dean (copyright 2009/2010)

If you like this story, disliked it, have any suggestions or would like to write a story on the same subject yourself or re-write this one and send it in, please either comment below or send your story to info@notjustanessexgirl.com

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The girl next door – 1889 words

“Don’t worry, it’s no trouble at all.” said Mary and she meant it.

Even if Mary had minded babysitting for her neighbor Sam, she would not have known how to say something as her own troubles were nothing in comparison to Sam’s. She could not imagine how awful day to day living was for Sam at that time.

“OK thanks Mary – I’ll see you later then” said a bedraggled Sam. She relied on Mary.

“Yes” Mary called out to her “and good luck!”

Sam’s son, Joseph, liked being looked after by Mary – she always took him out and gave him lots of attention. As Mary watched Sam wandering down the road with her head hung low, before closing her front door, Joseph was studying her face. Looking down at him, she made the suggestion for the day.

“Ok Joseph, what would you like to do today then? How about the park? It’s a nice day for the swings and slides – would you like that?”

Joseph nodded, a big grin forming on his soft, round face. ‘If only Joseph was old enough to talk’ thought Mary – I wish he could tell me how his Mum is with him at home’

“Right, let’s have some lunch and we can head off down to the park and have some fun” she said.

Mary had everything ready for Joseph – food, highchair, pushchair, nappies. She couldn’t believe how she was coping with a little one really, particularly as she had never had children of her own, but she was really enjoying this. It gave her something else to concentrate on rather than the bitterness she had engulfed during the divorce. She hadn’t planned to stop work, but since the final paperwork came and the divorce payout entered her bank account, she decided to help Sam out for a little while, as she didn’t need the extra money now.

Mary pondered over those thoughts, whilst playing choo-choo trains with the spoonfuls of food into Joseph’s mouth. He was such a good boy, and always ate all of his lunch or dinner, or even breakfast, if he happened to stay round the night. Sleepovers were now happening more often than not and he always seemed to be hungry.

“Open the tunnel, the train’s coming!”

‘I wonder how much you eat at home’ Thought Mary ‘Do you get fed properly? I wonder how Mummy is going to be later?’

“Ok, all gone. You are a good boy!” exclaimed Mary as Joseph swallowed his last mouthful. She wrapped Joseph up with a tiny scarf, gloves and coat, slipped on his dinky trainers, and flung on her own coat. Settling him in the pushchair, they headed to the park with Mary pointing out all the things of interest along the way, such as a cat, dog, birds and another toddler as a Mother and Child passed by. Mary wondered if the other woman thought that she was Joseph’s Mother, although, at her age, she could also pass as his grandmother.

A lovely day was spent at the park, and Mary took him back home to prepare him warm milk and some dinner.

“I wonder when Mummy will be back?” she asked Joseph, not expecting an answer. “These hospital trips seem to take longer and longer each time – it must be terrible having to wait all the time”.

Around 7pm Sam turned up on the doorstep, looking worse for wear.

“Are you ok love?” asked Mary, genuinely concerned.

“Yes, I’m alright – is he ready?” Sam seemed in a rush to retrieve Joseph and return home.

“Just a moment, I’ll get his bits together for you. How did it go today?”

“Fine – I am just fine.” Sam certainly didn’t appear to want to speak that evening, and she seemed very agitated about something.

“There you go – all sorted. So, when do you need me to have him next?” Mary asked.

“Tomorrow….. And tomorrow night……. and for a few days, if that’s ok” This was a question but said more like a statement – and a slurred one at that.

“No problem love – bring him whenever you need” Mary noticed Sam’s blood shot eyes.

“I’ve got to stay in the hospital you see – I need to have some more chemo” Sam offered a reason for her request.

“I understand love” Mary gave Sam a warm hug and bid them goodnight planting a big kiss on Joseph’s forehead. Sam’s body was worryingly skinny under her baggy tracksuit.

It was quiet when Joseph left, so Mary filled the void by turning on the TV. She wasn’t watching but thinking – something she did a lot of these days. ‘I don’t want to ask her too much, but I wonder if all these treatments are going to work? She never wants to talk about what the doctor says, and yet she must think of Joseph too….. I will have a chat with her soon…’

The next few days were great with Joseph. The only other worry Mary had was that she was getting so attached to Joseph and used to having him around. What will happen if…… Her thoughts were interrupted by Joseph talking to her.

“Mama” he said, looking at her.

Mary stopped in her tracks and stared at him. She didn’t know whether to be happy or sad.

“Oh Joseph, what was that? You are a clever boy, but I am not your Mama – Mama, uh Mummy will be round to collect you tomorrow darling”. She wondered if she should she tell Sam about him voicing his first word when she sees her? ‘I mean it is his first word but it was ‘Mama’ and aimed at me…’

‘Perhaps not!’ She decided finally.

‘Ding dong’ “That’s Mummy, Joseph – you say Mama to her, remember”. On opening the door, she was greeted by an awful picture. Sam’s eyes look almost lifeless, with black circles underneath them.

“Come in love. Are you ok? You don’t look very well”

“I’m alright” said Sam, rubbing her forehead with the back of her hand.

“But you don…” Mary started, but Sam didn’t let her finish.

“I’m ok, I said. I just want to get home now” Sam snapped her words into the air without looking at Mary.

Grabbing her son’s coat and the baby bag from Mary’s hands, Sam rushed out the door. “Thanks” she shouted “Thanks for everything – see you tomorrow!”

“No problem love – goodnight”

Mary didn’t see her the next day. She went round to visit, but there was no response. ‘Now that is good’, she thought, ‘she must have taken Joseph out, bless him’.

Later that afternoon, she noticed a man banging on the door of Sam’s house, to no avail. Mary recognized him as he had been round Sam’s a few times before.

“Hiya” she called out. “I think she’s out today – not sure where, but can I tell her who called?”

The man acknowledged her and walked across the driveway to her doorstep. “Out you say? Do you know where?” He asked.

“No sorry, but it is good news really as she has been so ill recently”

“Ill? Hah, she’ll be ill soon!” Said the man in disgust as he turned quickly to leave. “Tell her I’ll be back”

Taken aback by this curt comment, Mary said a quick goodbye to the man without asking his name, and went back inside, closing her front door. She stood still and pondered over this strange occurrence. ‘What on earth was that all about? Did he dislike Sam for some reason? Who is he? I will speak to Sam about this, but perhaps it is best to omit the comments that were made since she is so fragile…..’

The following morning, the doorbell rang. It was Sam, looking a little better. “Oh, I am so glad you came round – I was getting a bit worried about you yesterday – where did you go?” She gave Sam and Joseph a big hug each.

“Oh sorry about that, I went to my brother’s for the day” Sam stated.

“Great! I didn’t know you had a brother?”

“Yeah well, I don’t see him very much…… I was wondering if you could you look after Joseph overnight?” Asked Sam hurriedly.

“Yes it would be my pleasure. Is everything OK Sam – how is the hospital going?”

“It’s, um, fine thanks, I’ll see you later” Sam didn’t want to talk about it as usual.

Mary’s brain was in overdrive ‘Sam doesn’t seem to want to speak very much these days. She used to come in for tea and a chat. I hope everything’s ok’ she thought and then she remembered the recent encounter on her doorstep.

“Oh by the way, a man came round to your house yesterday. You know him, as he’s been round before; a young man with blonde hair. I told him you were out, and left it at that. I am not sure who he is, but do you want me to say where you are if he comes back?”

“Did he ask any questions?” Sam looked decidedly worried all of a sudden.

“No, he didn’t – he said he would come back and he just walked off.”

“OK, I’ve got to go. Don’t tell him anything Mary, I will sort it out. Goodbye Mary. Bye-bye Joseph, my gorgeous little boy”. Sam tenderly kissed him on the head, taking a little more time than usual, and left.

That was the last Mary ever saw of Sam.

The police knocked on Mary’s door the next morning with terrible news. Sam had died in hospital. The thing was it was shocking for two reasons.

“She has died of a drug overdose; a heroin overdose…….”

As Mary listened to the officer relaying the story, she soon understood that Sam had been a drug addict, not a cancer patient. She had never had cancer.

At first Mary felt shaken and upset, then sadness and nausea followed, but as the officer continued, some of her questions were finally answered.

The police came back the next day to formally interview Mary, followed by the social services and the newspapers, and Mary was overwhelmed as she realized the reality of the whole saga. Sam did not have any siblings. Sam had lied to her; to her face. Mary had been used and deceived again! What a sick thing to do, and poor Joseph tied up in all of this.

She had no time to feel sorry for herself, however, and had to break the news to Joseph. Mary then knew what she must do. Sam had left a letter on her coffee table before she overdosed, requesting Mary to become Joseph’s guardian. She had thought of that at least and that is how the police knew that Joseph was with Mary when they searched her house in the early hours. The strange man with the blonde hair was her dealer and she had owed him such a huge amount of money, she couldn’t cope with her life any longer. This was such a sad situation but Joseph still needed a Mother.

She picked up the phone and dialed the number she had been given for social services. Mary was sure of what she had to say.

“Hello Stacey?” she started “You mentioned that I could apply to adopt Joseph Slater – well, I would like to get the ball rolling.”

By Sandra M Dean (copyright 2009/2010)

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It’s a cat’s life - 1008 words

I can smell it, so I run over ‘Oh Wow, Mummy has made me my favorite meal today!’ I lick my lips as Mummy pets me.

“You are gorgeous” says Mummy “so pretty and cute”

After eating, I have a short nap, a cuddle with Mummy, play with a few toys and explore the house. This is a standard day for me, and I am very content with the ease of it all. Mummy isn’t like me – she looks very different to my first Mummy – the one whom I took milk from in the beginning, as she is a giant in comparison; a gentle giant. She has no fur and stands on only two legs. She lives with an even bigger giant, whose voice booms above hers, and there is a third one who is much smaller than them. The little one likes to play with me, but it can be rough and pull my tail which I don’t like, so I try to run when it comes near me.

“Ok, let’s try you outside today – I think you are old enough now”. Mummy picks me up gently and strokes my head whilst cooing at me. She loves me – she must do. I like Mummy as she feeds me every day and makes me feel very happy. ‘Hey, what is going on here? Where are you taking me?’ I shiver as the cold air hits me. Mummy is taking me to somewhere I have never been before. ‘Oh no, I don’t like this; I want to be back in the warm’. I struggle to get back on the ground and into my known surroundings. Mummy is holding me tight as my claws come out.

“No, no, no, you must start going outside now” she is saying softly. “You are going to be a good kitty and learn to be more independent”. I sink my claws in, and struggle some more.

“Ouch! Ok, ok, let’s try again tomorrow” Mummy takes me back to the warm fire and I stay there the rest of the day relaxing once I am over my trauma. ‘I hope Mummy doesn’t do that again!’

Mummy appears the next day and presents me with my least favourite food. I am not happy but I eat it as I am very hungry anyway. Mummy picks me up and déjà vu, we are back in the cold.

“I’ve got to be cruel to be kind”. Mummy virtually throws me on the floor.

‘Hey, hey, I can’t get back into the warm. What’s that barrier?’ I sit there shaking for a long time crying, and then I hear a rustling just over there. Ears pricked up, I stay still and wait. There it is again. Curiosity gets the better of me and I slowly edge my way over there, keeping my belly near the ground so as not to be seen. ‘Well, this is quite exciting’.

“Meeeeooooowwwww!” A creature, a big version of me; a bit like my first Mummy comes out of nowhere. It looks very unhappy and I feel very scared. It attacks me.

‘Owww! That hurt’

“Meow, meow” I manage a few wimpy noises, and it starts to come for me again.

I don’t like this, I must get away. I run. I run so fast and for so long that, when I stop, I feel weak and a bit sick in my belly.

I recover a little and then start to cry again. ‘Where am I? Where is Mummy? How do I find my home?’

“Meow, Meow” I am frightened and don’t know what to do.

“Look! It’s a kitten! Ahhhhh, isn’t she lovely”.

‘Oh no, it’s a giant, and it’s coming for me’. I run. I am filled with fear. ‘Oh, no, there are a lot of giants now, and so much noise – noise that I’ve never heard before. And what are all those big moving things?’ With all these giants moving at once, there is a maze to dodge, and I quickly get away from them and hide under a big green thing. I want my warm rug and my Mummy. I watch all the giants go by, and all those moving things that the giants seem to get in and out of. They make a lot of noise and move very fast when they get going; I decide not to go near any of them. ‘So what now? What am I to do? What is that?’ On the ground is a moving thing. It is much smaller than me, and I am not scared of it. I touch it with my paw. It stops, and sort of curls up. I touch it again and it rolls along, then stops again. I wait. It opens up and starts moving again – until I prod it. This scenario goes on and on, and I like it as I feel happier again now. Then I feel something touching me softly.

‘What is this? What is this stuff landing on me? Hey, it is making me wet and cold! I don’t like this at all’. I move, but it still drops on me. I move again, and again, but I cannot seem to get away from it. ‘I want my home!’

The giants are now holding big round things and everyone is getting wet.

“Katy, Katy! puss puss!” I stop still. That sounds like my Mummy.

I cry out.

“Katy, Katy, is that you there?” she says.

I cry again, as loud as I can. ‘Where is she?’

“There you are!” She trills. I am suddenly hauled up in the air, and in my Mummy’s arms. She is stroking me and seems very happy.

“Ah, you are all wet through. I was so worried about you – what on earth have you been doing hey? Let’s get you home”

Puuuurrrr! I get back to the warm place I know, and I am happy again too. I roll on my back while Mummy tickles my belly and I just only hope she doesn’t send me out there again!

By Sandra M Dean (copyright 2009/2010)

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Riding the waves (148 words) –

I was riding the surf that day, when I found out.  Perched skilfully on my board, I had just caught a wave and was flying through the air atop the sea and froth.  It was exhilarating, and the adrenalin rush was really helping me to cheer up; just what I had needed. 

A whole month with a miserable, distant husband was wearing me down.  I didn’t know why he was like that, as we had been so close the last nine years we had been together – maybe it was a mid-life crisis or the death of his mother two months before.

As the wave dispersed and dropped me down into the water, I just happened to glance onto the beach.  There was my husband…… with a woman.  They were kissing passionately.

I am now happier and I ride the waves over a hundred miles away from my ex-husband.

By Sandra M Dean (copyright 2009)

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