tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80032771644858235242024-02-19T16:41:01.895-08:00Short storiesRoger Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07408659363029289322noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8003277164485823524.post-29147246378326346842023-01-17T01:01:00.000-08:002023-01-17T01:01:08.934-08:00Christmas Eve on The Patch<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUrASK6j5mrOuCN2vtpr5EwT0iH4L3ta6-3cTx9qkEkxCJ5gyYwb8Uigk0O_04r3FZANklL99Mj2n-ZpW9ZiY-tEg_OQi2fnX0NkCOF0CwhtWr4ck3tzfINteoNvU98KbkMSQQRMe4UKJ3tQcbMz5RXSgGtQ9MW4foioxkhI47aDohhjZUrBacKedcGg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="940" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUrASK6j5mrOuCN2vtpr5EwT0iH4L3ta6-3cTx9qkEkxCJ5gyYwb8Uigk0O_04r3FZANklL99Mj2n-ZpW9ZiY-tEg_OQi2fnX0NkCOF0CwhtWr4ck3tzfINteoNvU98KbkMSQQRMe4UKJ3tQcbMz5RXSgGtQ9MW4foioxkhI47aDohhjZUrBacKedcGg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">The light was fading fast and,
as if on cue, a few flakes of snow were beginning to fall as the removal lorry
hoved into view at the end of the road.</span> <span style="font-size: large;">James and Emily were glad to see it;
they were sitting in camping chairs in the front room of an unfurnished house while
their two children thundered about above them in the empty house, fighting over
who was going to get which room.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Moving to a new patch was a fact
of life in the army and moving on Christmas Eve had been unavoidable. James, a
Captain in the Royal Engineers, had been overseas on a peace keeping mission
and it would have been unthinkable for Emily and the children to move alone.</span>
Being military and used to frequent changes of accommodation they had pared
their belongings down to the bare essentials and it was not long before the
removal lorry was empty and on its way and the house was full of boxes.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">“Thank God” said Emily “We can
unpack a few items and then relax for the night”. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">James reminded her that they
had, at least, to unpack the artificial Christmas tree and arrange the
children’s presents underneath it, once the children had gone to bed. That
reminded Emily that they also had to unpack their bedding. She could see a
longer and busier evening ahead then she had at first imagined.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">There was a click from the front
door as the letter box opened and then closed.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">“Oh, someone knows we are here”
said James and went to pick up a small envelope that was lying in the hall.
“It’s an invitation” he said, and he put it aside on a shelf in the hall.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">“That’s nice, provided it is not
for tonight” said Emily, laughing.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">They finished unpacking for the
evening and put on the kettle. Before sitting down to her mug of tea, Emily
went into the hall to fetch the invitation and what she saw caused her to stop
in her tracks.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">“It is for tonight!” she cried
and waved the invitation in James’ face as she came back into the kitchen.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">“Can’t be” said James “That’s
why I didn’t bother to read it properly”. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">The invitation read:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;"><i>Colonel
and Mrs Glyn Jones<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;"><i>Request
the presence of:<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;"><i>Captain
and Mrs Gill<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;"><i>Station
Commander’s Residence<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;"><i>Burma
Square<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;"><i>Cocktail
Party<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;"><i>Smart
Casual<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;"><i>7:30pm
for 8pm<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">“What?” James let out a
frustrated expletive.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">“We heard that” two voices said
in unison from upstairs.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">“We’re not going, surely” said
Emily.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">“No choice” said James “Can’t
ignore an invitation like this, especially on a new posting”.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">“But we have only just arrived”
Emily pleaded.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">“Yes, but he probably does not
realise that; the rest of the company arrived last week” retorted James. “What
time is it now?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">It was seven o’clock already.
That gave them 45 mins to prepare as it never paid to arrive too early at these
events. There ensued a frantic search in boxes and suitcases for a suit for
James and a cocktail dress for Emily. They regretted packing their shoes away
so well and not labelling the boxes. James rubbed his chin in frustration and
then realised he had not shaved for two days. Another search ensued.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">All this was accomplished in 30
minutes giving them time to breathe. Only one thing had been overlooked.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">“The kids, what about the kids?”
shouted Emily. They had forgotten about a baby sitter.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">One advantage of being in the
army was that, after a few years, you rarely ended up somewhere where there was
not someone you knew. One frantic phone call later, at considerable expense,
and the teenage daughter of someone they knew from a previous posting was at
the door, boyfriend in tow and a half bottle of vodka protruding from her
handbag. But this was an emergency.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">A quick check on Google maps
showed that Burma Square was only about 100 yards from their front door, it was
a cul-de-sac which was also the end of their road, so they walked along to a
secluded collection of five large, detached houses, all allocated to senior
officers, arranged not in a square but in a semi-circle round a patch of grass with
a large oak tree in the centre. There were large cars parked on the square and
most houses had at least two cars parked in the long drive.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">“When will you be a colonel,
James?” asked Emily.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">“Not soon enough” thought James.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">One house in the middle of the
row was larger than the rest and had a sign at the bottom of the drive
indicating that it was, indeed, the Station Commander’s Residence. The house
was lit up and shafts of light fell on the well groomed lawn at the front from
a pair of large bay windows a set of French windows.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">“Very nice” said James “And we’re
not too early”.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">“The Station Commander clearly
has an eye for quality older cars” he continued “I have never seen one of these
old Mark II Volvos in such good condition and that Triumph 2000 is a beauty”.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">A uniformed non-commissioned
soldier opened the door to them as they arrived, and they were shown into the
large room. About thirty people were gathered, sipping drinks, <span style="color: white;">nibbling <span style="background-color: #990000;"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">canapés</span></i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> and</span></span> <i>hors d’oeuvres</i> being served by
uniformed young ladies. The hum of polite conversation drifted around the room.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">A tall, distinguished man came
over, presumably the host, greeted them and introduced them to his wife and
then started making the rounds of the guests again.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">“Strange” said James “I don’t
recognise anyone here”.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">“Why’s that strange?” asked
Emily “We’ve only just arrived on the patch”.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">“It’s strange because we already
know people on the patch and a few colleagues came with me from our last
posting” answered James, to which Emily just nodded.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">The evening was spent pleasantly
drifting about between the others there, mainly couples,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but a few strange incidents made James and
Emily swap notes on the walk home.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">Emily started “I think the
Colonel must have a sense of humour”.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">“What makes you say that?” asked
James.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">“Well the dress code on the
invitation didn’t mention that the party was retro” she replied “Some of those
dresses were out of the ark. And the men’s suits! Those collars were like
wings”.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">James, who did not have much of
an eye for these things, had not noticed but did comment on the food. “I must
say I was not blown away by the nibbles; I thought cheese and grapes on
cocktail sticks were a thing of the past”.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">“Yes, especially served up stuck
into an orange” said Emily “The kind of thing my parents used to laugh about
from their youth”.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">“I guess it all figures”
concluded James “The cars in the drive and even a batman at the door, thought
that had gone years back. Some poor private must have been convinced to give up
his Christmas Eve.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">“Must’ve got some young female
privates to serve the nibbles and drinks” added Emily.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">“We’ll know next time” said
James “If there is a next time”.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">****<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">They arrived back at their new
house, which was still standing. The baby sitter was paid and staggered off
with her boyfriend. An empty half bottle of vodka was in the kitchen bin. After
checking the kids, James and Emily went to bed, exhausted.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">****<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">It was always polite in military
circles to drop the host of a dinner or cocktail party a note of thanks. James
wrote a note to the Colonel and his wife, thanking them for the invitation,
complimenting the selection of drinks and—with a smile—the food.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">“I’m sure that the kids could go
up the road to deliver this” he suggested to Emily.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">“Sure” she replied “It’s almost
within sight and they don’t have to cross any roads. Provided they go straight
there and straight back and” staring at the kids “don’t fight!”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">The kids were wrapped up in
coats and scarves and pointed in the right direction.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">“Just look for the sign saying
‘Station Commander’s House’, it’s the biggest one in the middle of the row of
houses, and pop this through the letter box”.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">The kids took longer than
expected, which worried Emily a bit,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but
eventually the front door opened, and they came in to the kitchen where James
and Emily were drinking coffee.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">“What’s wrong?” said Emily, she
could sense that something was up, the kids were both looking down at their
feet.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">“Mummy Daddy” the younger of the
kids spluttered “We couldn’t find the house”.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">“Don’t be silly” said Emily,
“It’s just along the road, you couldn’t miss it”. That didn’t help much.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">James asked “Did you see a sign
saying Station Commander’s House?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">“No” said the older one “We
looked and looked, honest”.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">“OK, it’s not urgent; I’ll go up
with it later” said James.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">****<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">In fact, he did not go up to the
house later. Tired out by finishing the unpacking and their late night the
previous evening, the family settled down to watch TV, progressing from a
series of kids’ programmes and films to more adult programmes and films once
the kids had gone to bed before they all had an early night. It had not been
their best Christmas but at least they were all together which was not always
the case.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">****<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">Boxing Day passed and James was
required to call in at the base, a short drive away, and meet some of his new
colleagues. He mentioned the cocktail party to a few of them but all he got was
puzzled looks in return.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">“Of course” he rationalised
“None of them were there”.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">The day was short as most
officers wanted to be back with their families.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">****<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">James pulled up at the new house
and was just about to enter when he glanced along to the end of the road where
he could see the top of the large oak tree in the centre of Burma Square.
Instead of going towards the new house he decided to walk up to the square to
see what, if any, problem the kids may have had finding the Station Commander’s
House.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">What he saw as he approached the
cul-de-sac astonished him. The end of the road was closed by a barrier beyond
which stood the five houses which formed Burma Square. The problem was, they
were all abandoned and crumbling. Nobody had lived there for decades.<o:p></o:p></p>Roger Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07408659363029289322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8003277164485823524.post-31067717326603053852021-12-27T02:56:00.000-08:002021-12-27T02:56:52.679-08:00The man on the mountain<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWrg99yv9JI-53azm7fMngFCtq3HDAh0fqS3q-e9Ma7j8tWmMMei2fIsIBI4g4DZo_e_5HjWIbFWY6w8CGrwPPBskV-q7aSRlyWGOtgWQEdYl_nyb1p363PpyY8X-SyCwdKzBUsBfqroQu/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1944" data-original-width="2592" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWrg99yv9JI-53azm7fMngFCtq3HDAh0fqS3q-e9Ma7j8tWmMMei2fIsIBI4g4DZo_e_5HjWIbFWY6w8CGrwPPBskV-q7aSRlyWGOtgWQEdYl_nyb1p363PpyY8X-SyCwdKzBUsBfqroQu/" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">“PLEASE take him out for a while, he is driving me round the bend.”</span><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It
was Christmas Eve, and my wife was busy in the kitchen preparing for a large
influx of family. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I was supposed to be keeping the children occupied. This mainly
involved suggesting that they may want to play in their rooms while I watched
television. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">But our oldest son—although not very old—was a non-conformist and
he would not stop pestering my wife for food and information about what was
under the Christmas tree.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“OK,
lad, I am going to take you up the mountain. Want to come?!”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Our
son was always keen on physical exercise; he echoed my “up the mountain” with
pleasure and his coat and scarf were on before I had left my seat.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The
‘mountain’ was, in fact, not a mountain. It was Arthur’s Seat and our house in
the university halls of residence where we lived was in its shadow. Arthur’s
seat is the edge of a massive volcano that erupted, where Edinburgh is now located,
in the Carboniferous era. It is about 800 feet high and has several approaches.
The view in one direction from the top across Edinburgh to Blackford
Hill—another aspect of the rim of the volcano nearly three miles away—is
excellent. In the other direction the Firth of Forth opens out into the North
Sea.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Both
suitably wrapped up we decided to take the path nearest the back gate of the
halls up to the top. The path is narrow and in places the sides are steep. But
our son, as ever, was fearless and ran on ahead of me. The day was dull and
overcast and the nearer we got to the top the colder it became. A single low shaft
of sunlight was dancing over the Firth of Forth but otherwise, night was
beginning to fall.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“We
had better just go to the top and come straight down” I said. It would not be
easy to negotiate the path in the dark.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The
rocky summit was in sight, but the path at this point disappears from view for the
final hundred yards to the top. Out of the gloom and old man appeared coming
down the path. He had clearly either been ahead of us but unseen or, as I
thought more likely, had probably taken the path from the other side of
Arthur’s Seat and was making his was down our side. Wearing a black duffel coat
and a black woollen hat it was apparent that he had fairly unkempt white hair
protruding from under the hat and also a white beard, similarly in need of a
trim.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Hello”
he bellowed, “Lovely evening. I was just taking a look at the city. Lovely
view.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I
said that was just taking our son out for a while to give his mother some peace
while she prepared for Christmas. He smiled at our son.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Well,
Happy Christmas” he bellowed again and carried on down the path.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The
opportunity was too good to miss, and I told my son that we had just seen Santa
Claus and that he must have been having a look to see how he would deliver his
presents that night.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Really!”
he shouted. “Wow, wait till I tell Mum.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">We
walked on for a few steps to where the path disappeared before the summit. This
was the last point from which the path was visible all the way to the road. We
both turned round, expecting to see the old man making his way down.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">But
he was gone.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">-oOo-</span></p>Roger Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07408659363029289322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8003277164485823524.post-84310934250625429552018-11-09T02:07:00.000-08:002018-11-14T08:45:59.802-08:00Bosphorus belle<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAi1789CdLfxDrEjq8MuyA-JhE5IHe1HVvWtrG8m2Tt98ou1GA216pDdvbwj4-g_yXdcu_OHY93et1NvPPXAUqExdqb51dXWLnb5n6issngJ-Uwh5dj1EDb3Oh6vHasR1eDc3A0qOxsxuJ/s1600/2016_Siyah_Sa%25C3%25A7lar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAi1789CdLfxDrEjq8MuyA-JhE5IHe1HVvWtrG8m2Tt98ou1GA216pDdvbwj4-g_yXdcu_OHY93et1NvPPXAUqExdqb51dXWLnb5n6issngJ-Uwh5dj1EDb3Oh6vHasR1eDc3A0qOxsxuJ/s200/2016_Siyah_Sa%25C3%25A7lar.jpg" width="144" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The bridges of the Bosphorus hung above us in the dark and the boat slowed down then halted.</span> <span style="font-size: large;">The rise and fall of the swell became nauseating as the boat bobbed at the mercy of the wakes of passing boats and we waited.</span><br /><br />This was a hired excursion boat from Istanbul and we were out partying to celebrate the end of a conference. I had little time to have a drink or to speak to anyone. But several conversations ended by asking if I had met Esmanur and when I said ‘no’ I was told ‘don’t worry, she’ll be here soon’. I could not fathom what they meant, who she was or why it mattered. But now we had stopped.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /> A launch approached us in the dark, mainly visible by its fluorescent wake. The music continued, but everyone fell silent and watched the approaching vessel. ‘Here she is’ I heard. I guessed that this must be Esmanur.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /> Soon the launch was at our side where a ladder extended to the sea. Looking over the side with the others I could see a figure in a gown taking hold of the rungs, her feet being guided to the steps by a boatman, and then climbing to the deck. The boat disappeared in the darkness and a tall, slim woman of extraordinary beauty stepped on board. Clearly Turkish, she had the unique combination of a sallow European complexion, dark eyes, the aquiline nose of her Arabic ancestors and large dark, shining, eyes. Her head was framed by a mane of luxuriant black hair.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /> Everyone wanted to speak to her, brush cheeks in the customary manner and to invite her to sit with them. She declined, ignored and whispered to a young lady close to her. The lady pointed to me and Esmanur looked over. I was clearly being summoned; I obeyed and went to greet to her. Immediately the crowd parted and some people sitting nearby stood up and ushered us to their vacated table. We sat down.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /> ‘Hello’ I said, ‘that was quite an entrance - were you late?’ She completely ignored my question and asked how I liked Istanbul. ‘Fine’ I said, ‘first time here’.<br /> ‘I have lived here all my life’ she replied, ‘what is it you do?’<br /> I handed her my business card and she studied it intensely. ‘You could be helpful to me’ she said, and I agreed that I would be delighted, despite having no idea what she would want of me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /> Looking at her closely I could see that, despite the extreme confidence, the expensive attire and the noticeable entrance, she was quite young. Only early twenties, I reckoned. ‘Are you part of the group that is here’ I asked, sweeping a finger round the others on the boat. ‘Yes’ she replied, ‘but not for long’. She had recently worked with them and had the experience she wanted. But now she was ready to move on. Our conversation faltered thereafter as a stream of people came up to greet her, and from their expressions, I gathered they hoped she would stay with them. I made to leave several times – mainly to find a drink – but each time I moved she reached over and tugged my sleeve, indicating that I should sit down and stay with her. ‘You are our guest, you should not have to fetch your own drinks.’ To whoever she was talking at the time, she whispered, glanced at me and within a few minutes I had a cold beer in my hand.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /> The night progressed, and I remained at her table, largely ignored but not allowed to leave. Bored, I tried to strike up a conversation with others around us but each time I was summoned back to speak to her. For a few minutes she would show an intense interest in what I was saying, then resume conversation with someone else in the queue of people who were vying for her attention. <br /><br />Fervent Turkish dancing had been underway since the start of the evening. At first a few women, then the men they persuaded to join them. The music got louder and the pressure on those seated to join became intense. Several times I was grabbed by the arms by a few women. But a glance from Esmanur, and they let me sit down again. I was grateful but remained unengaged in the conversation at the table. The only relief from the boredom was the occasional beer brought to me at Esmanur’s command. <br /><br />I wanted to study her intensely, to see what hold she had over those around her. But my attempts to stare were noticed, if not be her, by one of those deep in conversation with her and I felt embarrassed. She was always animated, her hands waving and pointing. People were summoned to join her for a time, then they left – but always with a nod of assent from Esmanur. It seemed that no one could simply stand up and leave of their own volition; I certainly knew that; and felt trapped. <br /><br />I was surveying the Martyr’s Bridge, beautifully light up, and wondering when we would turn and head back into Istanbul when I glanced over to look at Esmanur. She was gone and all the faces at the table were looking over my shoulder. Esmanur was dancing, taking in the last few orgasmic rounds of the dancing which was clearly coming to an end. The women were dancing trance-like, hands raised, and eyes shut with Esmanur dancing in the middle of them. Her hands were raised, breasts bobbing in time to the music and shards of hair plastered to her perspiring forehead. She stared at me intensely. Never taking her eyes off me, she made it clear that this performance was for me. I smiled, but she just kept staring and I was mesmerised. <br /><br />She returned to the table and, separating me from the person to whom I was talking, sat next to me. Very close. I could feel the heat from her body, a sweet smell of perfume wafted from her and she leaned over, her hair touching my face and said: ‘I hope you enjoyed that’. Then she turned to continue conversations with the others at the table and I was ignored again. <br /><br />I assumed that the point of my proximity to her would become apparent. But it never did. Another hour passed and at last, the boat bobbed back into the harbour in the shadow of Istanbul station and the party atmosphere on the boat subsided. The music stopped and the shutters on the bar clattered down as the boat glided to a halt at the jetty, the reversed propellers stirring up that unique faecal smell of Istanbul harbour. <br /><br />The guests began to leave but, clearly, people wanted to make sure Esmanur disembarked safely so everyone offered her to go before them. She declined a few offers and then eventually stood to leave. I planned a few words of farewell and the hope I could be of help. Without looking at me she began to walk to the gangway. Before she reached it, she dug into her handbag for something and tossed it on the last table. She never looked back…and I never saw her again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /> I waited for a few minutes until I saw some familiar faces from the conference and stood up to leave the boat with them. As I stepped on the gangway, the last thing I saw was my business card on the table.</span></div>
Roger Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07408659363029289322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8003277164485823524.post-28119879459954431002018-03-01T07:41:00.003-08:002018-11-09T02:02:48.747-08:00Stabbing pain<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">‘Beautiful’ he thought, and he watched the slim, dark haired girl - undoubtedly Spanish - walking towards the platforms of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">RENFE</i> High Speed Trains. They were both travelling from Barcelona Sants. He was going to Pamplona. He wondered where she was going as he followed her to the platform escalators.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He was too late taking his gaze off her. As she passed the barriers at the checking desk where the uniformed staff scanned your ticket, she turned to join the queue which was facing him. She saw him and indicated clearly that she had by fixing his gaze for a few seconds. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">‘Oops’ he thought ‘need to be more careful’; he dropped his </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">eyes to the floor and took his place in the queue...right behind her. By a </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">series of ‘beeps’ the queue moved forward as tickets were checked and </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">passengers made their way to the platforms. His was platform 3 and he was not </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">sure whether to be pleased that she was heading that way too. He felt a bit </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">embarrassed and, by this time, was wondering if she thought he was following </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">her. He decided to stop and fumble with his bags, looking disinterested as she </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">stepped on to the first of the long escalators to the platform many metres </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">below. Once she was out of sight and several people had followed her he made </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">his way to the escalator and descended. About half way down he looked ahead to </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">see her step off the escalator. Instead of moving on to the next escalator she stepped </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">sideways and turned to watch him approaching her. He wanted to walk back up the </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">escalator, he felt uncomfortable. Much to his relief, with only a few feet of </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">escalator to travel, she turned and walked to the second one. He did not step </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">on himself. Instead, he watched over the side until she had reached the end and </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">stepped off. Again, she did not move, she looked up and caught his gaze before </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">moving down the platform and out of sight.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Disconcerted and feeling stupid for staring at her in the first place he reached the platform and asked the uniformed lady were the ‘Preferente’ seats were; she told him that they were at the other end of the platform. His heart sank as that was the direction the girl had walked in. He decided to wait until the train arrived and people had started boarding before moving along to his carriage. That way he was unlikely to encounter her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The beautiful high speed train glided in to the station and he made his way along the platform slowly against the tide of alighting passengers. With no sign of her he reached his carriage at the rear of the train, found his seat and sat down. She was nowhere to be seen and he sighed heavily, with relief. The train began to move, silently, from the station. He was looking out of the window as the train entered the long tunnel away from Barcelona Sants. The automatic sliding carriage door swished open. It was her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She put her wheeled case in the luggage rack, checked her ticket, scanned the seat numbers and took her seat on the opposite side of the corridor. She was facing him and could see him clearly; as he could see her. He glanced at her a few times in quick succession, but she was not looking at him, she was flicking through messages on her mobile phone. She swiped left in large gestures as she deleted messages, occasionally stopping to read one in detail.<br /><br />
He realised that he was now staring at her and averted his gaze to look out the window at the passing Catalonian landscape and then drifted off to sleep.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After an hour he woke up and it took him a few minutes to recall where he was. He looked around and then saw her again. This time she was staring at him. He dared to hold her gaze for a few seconds and he imagined he saw a smile on her lips. He smiled back and considered going to speak to her, but his courage evaded him, she would probably leave the train before him and he realised – with a mixture of relief and disappointment – he would never see her again. But the few stations on the way passed and she remained on the train with only the final stop to go - Pamplona.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The approach to Pamplona was tedious, with the train stopping several times at deserted stations and then slowly trundling into the town. He waited until she got off the train – <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>pretending to take some time packing his shoulder bag. When she was on the platform, he followed to the single exit door which funnelled the passengers into the small ticket hall and through to the taxi rank. Several hundred people left the train, but most were being collected or just walked off into the town. He turned to the taxi rank, which was devoid of taxis, but not devoid of a single waiting passenger; the girl.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He slowly walked up behind her, hoping a taxi would come to take her before he reached the rank. No taxi came, and he had to take his place behind her. She turned as he approached and he quickly decided to speak, thinking it would be more natural. She was clearly aware of him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">‘No taxis; is it always like this?’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">‘No idea, first time here.’ She smiled but not very warmly.<br /><br />
At least she spoke English.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">‘My first time too; got a conference at the university.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She did not answer...and he was lost for further conversation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A taxi arrived, and he briefly wondered if she would ask him to share, but no. She said something to the driver, got in and was off without even looking at him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Now he was relieved; clearly, she had no interest in him and he had probably not made a very positive impression on her. A second taxi arrived, he said the name of his hotel – Blanca de Navarra – and they drove off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Entering the lobby, he fished out his passport and presented it to the receptionist. He tried some of his elementary Spanish but she replied fluently in English. After a few minutes, a photocopy of his passport having been taken and his credit card swiped he turned to find the lifts. As he located them across the lobby one of the lifts opened and, to his surprise, the woman from the train came out and walked across the lobby in his direction. This time he was not going to miss the opportunity. ‘</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hello - just what are the chances?’.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">‘Very high, I’d say, given how few decent hotels there are here.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She was curt and cold and clearly not impressed with Pamplona, or the hotel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">‘Oh, I don’t know, I saw quite a few on the web but this was near the conference.’ He replied. ‘You’re not going to the conference too, are you?’</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She did not reply.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">‘Well, I wonder if you’d like to have a drink later?’ The</span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">words were out before he had even thought about them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">‘Sure’ she said - to his surprise - ‘I’ll come to your room and pick you up’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">‘My room? I was thinking...OK then’ he was taken aback at </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">her forward suggestion but the offer of coming to his room seemed too good to </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">miss. After all, he thought, who knew what it might lead to.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">‘What time’ he asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">‘When I’m ready’ she replied.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She was not exactly warm or friendly, but she was in charge.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He unpacked, and his mind was on one thing only. The girl and the prospect of her coming to his room. He felt his breathing deepen and his heart rate accelerate. What should he wear, would he have time for a shower, or a drink at the bar? But he realised, in fact, he was stuck. Her vagueness about when she would come and his desire to see what this was leading to had got him trapped in his room – he dare not leave as he as sure she would not come back if she did not find him there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After a few hours –<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>during which he was beginning to wonder if she had been being sarcastic – he heard a knock. He peeked through the security hole, and there she was.<br /><br />
When he opened the door she asked if she could come in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">‘Of course’ he replied, turning and walking into the room ‘come in. I was wondering if you were going to come at all.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She said nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">‘I wondered if you’d seen me at the station in Barcelona and on the train, but I guess you did. I thought maybe we could...’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He turned; she was close behind him. She gazed into his eyes, put an arm round his neck and, with her head to the side, drew him in for a kiss. He willingly cooperated and leant forward, holding her gaze. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He did not see the knife which she thrust into his solar </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">plexus and up into his heart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As he slumped to the floor the last thing he heard was: ‘Oh I saw you.’</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Roger Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07408659363029289322noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8003277164485823524.post-82561039141412577612017-12-09T05:09:00.000-08:002017-12-09T05:17:28.474-08:00The old summerhouse – a Christmas story<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyl5hhPZui1I8-dCE-tDYroaExY0_UD5-YCTk0OLp00QVD7lZ7z1eGcvxA3WjT6oyQrUZJAInmZoJ5FdE6crznCAQjvRd99dsRrNyAGxtTSV73y617s4VsizdeBPU4KTtBmroGLdEQb_HD/s1600/org_OldSummerHouse-afterRenovation-2_73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyl5hhPZui1I8-dCE-tDYroaExY0_UD5-YCTk0OLp00QVD7lZ7z1eGcvxA3WjT6oyQrUZJAInmZoJ5FdE6crznCAQjvRd99dsRrNyAGxtTSV73y617s4VsizdeBPU4KTtBmroGLdEQb_HD/s320/org_OldSummerHouse-afterRenovation-2_73.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Turning the key in the lo<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ck,</span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;">the old man opened the door to
the welcome warmth of the house,</span> and closed the door on a cold Christmas Eve.
He recalled the days when Midnight Mass really took place at midnight. But, to
avoid drunken revellers joining in, for the last few decades it had taken place
early in the evening. He also recalled Midnight Mass with his wife and their
row of children, all glassy-eyed and dozing off, thinking of Santa Claus rather
than the Saviour of the World. Now he was alone, his wife long dead and his
children gone. Christmas Day was almost the only time a few of his children
came to visit with their children, although he had long since stopped preparing
Christmas dinner. He found this a hard time of year. When he was working, it
was the one time he was guaranteed to be at home for any length of time. His
wife had loved Christmas and the effort she put in on Christmas Day was
enormous. He used to help, but he preferred to watch as she enlisted the
children in small tasks such as decorating the cake and putting the final
decorations on the tree. Now the house was empty and, apart from his memories,
all he had to remind him at this time of year were cards sent to ‘Robert and
Davina’ by people who had not bothered to update the lists on their computers
when they printed out their labels. He always sighed at the thought but could
not resist picking these cards off the mantlepiece and looking at them. The
pain of missing her these twenty years was an experience of sadness at the loss
but also gratitude for the pain of still longing to be with her.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He poured himself a glass of whisky and sat by the fireside,
surveying the Christmas cards and recollecting Christmases past. The family had
few traditions but any they had were related to Christmas. One tradition,
developed after the children had mostly left home, was that he and his wife
used to go out to the summerhouse and have a drink when the Christmas
preparations were done. It did not matter how cold or how late, they took their
drinks to the end of the long garden and sat for a while with the light on in
the summerhouse and the doors closed. There was something special about sitting
in the pitch-black garden with the warm glow from the summerhouse lighting up a
small semi-circle of the lawn. Their habit amused the children who arrived late
on Christmas Eve to see the light on at the end of the garden and the kitchen
table laden with food.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Looking at his whisky he realised that he had forgotten to
get a jug of water to dilute it. He went to the kitchen and ran the
cold tap. Looking up at the kitchen window, down the garden into the dark night
he saw something that took his mind off his whisky. The light on the summerhouse
was on. ‘Impossible’ he thought. Since his wife died he had rarely used the
summerhouse and not at all for at least a decade. She had loved the summerhouse
and he had built it for her. Now it reminded him of her and it was too painful.
Lately he stored things there such as garden tools he rarely used and, in doing
so, he simply opened the door and threw them in. The old cane chairs were still
there and a pile of old books, half-read by his wife, lay on a small table. The
wood on the summerhouse was bleached and bent with the sun and the windows were
opaque with spider webs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">‘Impossible’. This time he said it under his breath. He
looked away and then looked again to ensure that it was not just a reflection.
He turned off the kitchen light to see better and, without doubt, the
summerhouse light was on. The grass around it was illuminated and he could see
the frost was forming on the grass, glistening. He opened the back door and,
breathing in the cold crisp air, he stepped out and walked carefully up the garden,
towards the summerhouse. As he approached he was in no doubt that what he was
seeing was real and moved closer. There was someone sitting there, which made
his heart miss a beat, but he kept moving closer and then slowly opened the
door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She was older than he remembered, with greying hair and her
face more wrinkled. She wore a long white dress that he did not remember, and
which seemed poor protection against the cold. But she looked up and smiled and
he knew it was her. The summerhouse was tidy, and the windows were crystal
clear. One of the books was open on the table. ‘You’ve tidied up’, he said, and
she smiled again. Sitting down on the wicker chair next to her he stared in
disbelief. Tears began to roll down his cheeks and she reached out and took his
hand. He truly believed he had never been happier.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">****<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Next morning the children and grandchildren began arriving,
letting themselves into the house. The first to arrive shouted through the
house to see if he was there but were not surprised to find the house empty. He
always went back to the church for the Christmas morning Mass and then took a
long walk in the local park. He preferred to return to a full house and pretend
to be surprised that anyone had turned up rather than greeting them as they
arrived. The morning went on and the families worked together to get food ready
and prepare for Christmas Dinner. Still their father had not arrived, but they
decided to open the champagne anyway. There was none in the house, but they
knew it would be chilling outside in a box by the kitchen door. His son opened
the door and the box was there. He took out a bottle and, glancing down the
garden before closing the door, he noticed the summerhouse door was open.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">****<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">That was where they found him, his hand outstretched and
sitting motionless but smiling in the wicker chair. The place was dusty and
full of tools and the other chair was piled high with junk. They did not notice
that one of the books on the small table was open.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Roger Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07408659363029289322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8003277164485823524.post-6209534335086260492017-06-11T01:21:00.003-07:002017-06-12T05:33:51.188-07:00Encountered briefly<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8iRNa4Vvd7t3n3djmWKgXUrL648tuxTy6LuAs1UFtuKkQhxAKoYVAOBK3lyv2KocpYmlzLHL-2yBgbjiBW_GoRprxefPhby-zHjdYEqvvFrnq9m7Tn24jNj0P-wOZHz2JF33e8pr4qc0S/s1600/Beautiful-Chinese-Women25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8iRNa4Vvd7t3n3djmWKgXUrL648tuxTy6LuAs1UFtuKkQhxAKoYVAOBK3lyv2KocpYmlzLHL-2yBgbjiBW_GoRprxefPhby-zHjdYEqvvFrnq9m7Tn24jNj0P-wOZHz2JF33e8pr4qc0S/s200/Beautiful-Chinese-Women25.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Stepping<br />off the Heathow Express, he made his way to the concourse and strode to Terminal 3. </span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was June and this was the sixth of his monthly visits that year to Hong Kong to check up on various business interests and ensure that his retirement funding was safe.</span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Terminal 3 was like a second home and he moved towards the front door instinctively and confidently. He did not see her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Past security and through the perfume vending shops and caviar counters, he wound his way through the causal travellers to the Cathay Pacific lounges and waited by the lift. She was some way behind, watching him carefully, deliberately holding back making sure he could not see her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">****<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The boarding call for Cathay Pacific CX250 went out in the airport but she was already at </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">the </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">gate, waiting. Passengers started arriving and she moved to the furthest corner </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">of the area near the gate, watching. The queue of economy passengers was </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">beginning to grow, her queue, but she was in no hurry to join. She watched the </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">corridor leading to the gate and soon spotted what she knew to be the first and </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">business class passengers arriving - suits, smart luggage and attitude. After a </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">few minutes she saw him, striding down to the gate, relaxed - probably quite </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">drunk - and heading to the short queue of priority passengers. The boarding </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">staff were looking intently at computer screens, swiping themselves in and out </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">of the glass door leading to the gangway waiting for the cabin crew to declare </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">the plane ready for boarding. The call came to start boarding and the priority </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">queue began to move. When he had boarded, she moved to the end of the queue of </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">economy passengers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">****<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">At the end of the gangway he showed the smiling Chinese lady his boarding pass, stepped on to the plane and turned left. Settling down, he sipped some champagne, flicked trough the various magazines and checked the selection of films on the TV set. His mind was far from anything that was going on behind him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">****<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">She stepped on to the plane and turned right.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">****<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The twelve-hour flight was punctuated by dinner, drinks and films for both of them. He thumbed through some documents and checked a few details on his laptop. The week ahead was as familiar to him as having breakfast. Always the same. Same hotel, same colleagues to meet, same restaurants and then the inane expats who knew he'd be in town eager to see him for a drink and tell him about how wonderful life was in Hong Kong. Truth is, they were bored stiff. He knew that but he played up to them; they had contacts and contacts were everything in Hong Kong. And then there was her. He always thought about her when he was travelling because he was usually leaving her or returning to her and either way, memories were evoked. Anticipation and reflection are two sides of the same coin and his life was spent flipping that </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">coin. Casually turning the page </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">of the in-flight sales magazine he decided not to buy anything...there was </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">always next time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">****<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">She hardly slept. Between films and trying to read she stared forward at the curtain separating the economy and premium sections of the plane. She knew he </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">was there and had to overcome the temptation to go through and see him. She </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">wasn't ready and she knew he wasn't either. She thought about him and realised </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">this was his life. She too knew about the two sides of the coin, except that </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">she was not flipping it. Instead, she felt flipped. She looked back to what she </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">had left that morning and fretted over the details of locking the house, </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">cancelling the newspapers and packing. She drifted off to sleep, could not be </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">roused for breakfast and only woke when one of the cabin crew asked her to </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">fasten her seat belt for landing. This unnerved her as she wanted to be well </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">prepared for landing. Instead she had a book to pack, shoes to put on and a </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">passport to locate.</span></div>
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</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">****<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">'Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Hong Kong International Airport'.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">****<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The seat belt sign went off and he was up and ready to leave immediately. A few minutes wait and then the smiling Chinese lady bade him good morning and he stepped on to the gangway. He was in the airport in seconds and heading to passport control; today the flight had docked at the 'low' gates so he only had to walk a few hundred yards to the gates where his Hong Kong frequent visitor barcode would let him through in seconds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">****<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">She was panicking, the economy passengers could not leave until the business class passengers were off and the curtain - which had been closed at landing - remained closed. She was not near the front either. Eventually she left the plane and she started running towards passport control. There was no sign of him. The passport queue was growing and she joined it and snaked her way to the booth.<br /><br />
Finally, she was in the baggage hall but he was already through. She had no bags to collect so she ran to the customs gate and though into the main. airport. And then she saw him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">****<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Leaving the customs hall, he scanned the crowd at the barrier and slowed down until he saw her. A well attired and beautiful young Chinese girl ran to the end of the barrier and when he reached her she flung her arms round him and they kissed.<br /><br />
They walked out into the main hall, he with his arm round her, talking animatedly, and then they stopped. He pulled her towards him, cradled her head in his left hand and pushed her hair back out of her face and kissed her affectionately on the forehead and then on the lips.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">'Hello darling' the familiar voice at his shoulder said. He let go of the girl and looked round.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">'Who </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">is she?' said the girl. He did not answer.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">'I'm his wife' the woman replied for him. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">'You're </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">always telling me I should come with you on your business trips' she said to </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">him 'so I thought I'd come and surprise you. Looks like I did.'</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The story continued…but the marriage did not.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">-o0o-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Roger Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07408659363029289322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8003277164485823524.post-81311737269944205212017-04-17T09:15:00.002-07:002021-12-27T02:07:13.913-08:00The thirty-second<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-IvxbochvsHBnWrEGpsWv_Okc4hfzzKXapzlfJa4VTbt5IDSLzftuofcdi1xQTB_ozgjr-C78XiG3dTAcCyoCaOV5_BCXwjpOym_jjCorfRGPULyWOjVZHUoMyIWiRxVwLry4StLEQ8o/s1600/Counterfeit+Watch+Store.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-IvxbochvsHBnWrEGpsWv_Okc4hfzzKXapzlfJa4VTbt5IDSLzftuofcdi1xQTB_ozgjr-C78XiG3dTAcCyoCaOV5_BCXwjpOym_jjCorfRGPULyWOjVZHUoMyIWiRxVwLry4StLEQ8o/s320/Counterfeit+Watch+Store.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: x-large;">JET lag was setting in but he had been told not to give in to it.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He turned left
out of the Holiday Inn on to Nathan Road and walked towards the harbour. </span><o:p style="font-size: 12pt;"></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">His
wife was up in the room, snoring, unconscious.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">In
less than a minute the sweat was trickling down into the small of his back. It
was his first time in Hong Kong. His eyes felt like there were grains of sand
in them. Boarding the BA flight at Heathrow had seemed like the start an
adventure; now he was already dreading the flight home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">The
pavements were thronged and the massive TV billboards at the end of Peking Road
were flashing bright light and booming out adverts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">'Hello'..'hello
sir'...'you from England?'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">He
turned towards the person greeting him. A small Indian man was smiling at him
and offering him a card.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">'Copy
watch? Copy Handbag for your wife?'.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">'Tell
you what, I've just arrived, I'm very jet-lagged and tired and my wife is
sleeping. I'll just take a card if that's OK and I'll come and see you
tomorrow'. He took the card and walked on unsure if he meant what he said or
not – jet lag was leading to confusion and he just needed some space.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">'Very
good price sir, very cheap.' 'Copy Rolex.' <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">'Are
you still here?' I thought I said I'd see you tomorrow. I have your card so I
can easily find you.' He held up the card to look at it and it was snatched
back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">'I
can show you. Now. Copy watch sir.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">'OK
- show me one. But I'm not buying tonight.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">He
expected that the man would roll up a sleeve or produce one from a pocket.
Instead the man raised his hand up and waved. Two more Indian men appeared and
the man was off, waving his card and calling 'Copy watch' at the next western
passer-by.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">'So,
you want copy watch, sir?' One of the Indian men said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">'Er,
no!' I just asked to see one but I'm OK now, I'll just go back to my hotel,' He
could see the entrance to the Holiday Inn from where they were standing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">'Come
with us, we show you copy watch sir'.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">'But
I don't...' he had no choice, with one of the Indian men at either side of him
he was too tired to resist being led off the main drag, into an alley and up a flight
of steps. The metal door at the top yielded to the two sharp taps from the man
in front and he was led into a small stuffy room filled with other Indian men
and a few local Chinese. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">The
door closed behind him and he knew now there would be no escape without a
purchase.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">'What
do you want sir?'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">'Well,
nothing really. I just asked to look at a copy Rolex. I don't know if I want to
buy.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">'We
give you very good price.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">'I'm
not promising to buy, I have no money with me'.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">'You
can use credit card sir'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">'I
don't have that either...'. but he petered out realising that the bulge in his
breast pocket was obviously a wallet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">'No
way! I'm not handing over my credit card.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">'No
need to sir, we take you down to ATM to get cash. One at corner of street.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">'Fuck
this' he thought 'why did I get in this mess?'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">'So,
here is copy Rolex, very good.' and he was shown a watch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">He
had no idea what a Rolex looked like but this looked like a nice watch with a
crown logo on the dial and a small magnifier over the date. The seller turned
over the watch to show the exhibition back. Glass showing the mechanism – the
sure sign of a fake. But they knew he had no idea what he was doing and he was
quite impressed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">'OK,
how much?'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">'Twelve
thousand Hong Kong'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">'Fucking
what?'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">'Is
cheap, sir.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">'It's
not far off a thousand pounds, bloody hell.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">'It's
cheap. Rolex costs many thousands.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">'This
one costs many thousands. Bloody hell, I had no intention of spending that much
on anything.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">It
was like they were just ignoring him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">‘I’m
going now?' he tried to be assertive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">They
really were ignoring him, just carrying on sorting out watches and texting on
their phones.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">'Can
I at least sit down?' The heat and humidity were really crushing him and he
felt nauseous. He looked round the room. No free seats and nobody was offering
him one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">'Twelve
thousand Hong Kong, you have cash?'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">'No,
I don't.' At least that offered him a way out of the room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">'OK,
come with us.' and he followed two men down the steps, with one behind him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">He
considered making a run at the foot of the stairs but the two men in front
stood very close to him and the one behind stayed within a step away. In any
case, his legs felt like jelly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">There
was nobody at the HSBC ATM and he meekly inserted his card and entered his PIN.
He was pushed aside and the rest was done by one of the men who took out twelve
thousand Hong Kong dollars, put it in his pocket and handed over the watch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">He
was standing alone within a second.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">‘At
least they’re honest.’ he thought, ironically, as he retrieved his card from
the ATM.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Dejected
but glad to be free he returned to the hotel and got into bed with his wife.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Next
morning, he was awake before her, thinking about the previous night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">She
rustled slightly as she woke and asked him the time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">'Eight
thirty.' he glanced at his new watch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">'And
what's the date? I've lost track already.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">He
glanced at his watch again, 'It's the thirty-second of July'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">'Bastards.'
he thought, and flung the watch across the room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">-o0o-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Roger Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07408659363029289322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8003277164485823524.post-60538622989651680842016-12-18T08:31:00.008-08:002017-12-09T05:07:51.624-08:00Old lace<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv5-Xb9b7cH-FDBodtU_YLg8LN_g-rg_WfUWhX50DfoF5ThwOEMi-IbQnMQQPmiWtwzj93klhaxdCRpiANjvZ1TwWE72gEHX4t5GCHS_0NJkEYAnqlA_3fg9HjSpDDr0bsOKxeFAcvbJrp/s1600/advent-calendar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv5-Xb9b7cH-FDBodtU_YLg8LN_g-rg_WfUWhX50DfoF5ThwOEMi-IbQnMQQPmiWtwzj93klhaxdCRpiANjvZ1TwWE72gEHX4t5GCHS_0NJkEYAnqlA_3fg9HjSpDDr0bsOKxeFAcvbJrp/s200/advent-calendar.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The house was dark and
quiet. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was Christmas Eve and
the rest of the houses on the street were lit up and noisy. </span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">This one was dark
and quiet but the owners were at home, he knew they were. He pressed the bell
and knocked loudly and confidently on the door. Silence.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He tried again with the
same result. Then he took a key from his pocket and let himself in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">'Hello. Anyone at home?'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Silence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">'It's me, I've arrived.
Anyone at home?'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The house was cold inside
and no lights were on downstairs. But there was a dim glow from the upstairs
landing, and some quiet voices. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Cautiously, he went up
the stairs to the source of the light and the voices. Entering a room at the
back of the house, he saw the old man on the bed with the bedside light on. The
voices came from the radio by the bed. The man was not breathing. Dead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Checking the other rooms
upstairs he found the old woman on the bathroom floor. Dead. A younger man was
in the front bedroom, also dead. Going downstairs he entered the kitchen and
the young woman was sitting at the kitchen table, slumped forward. Dead.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">****</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">'Hello, police and
ambulance please.' He replaced the receiver and sat down in the living room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Against a backdrop of
blue flashing lights and an increasing number of people arriving at the house,
he tried to explain to the detective who was interviewing him what he had found.
The police officers who initially arrived with the ambulance had long since
departed to be replaced by a forensics team and two detectives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">DCI Barnes had checked
the positions of the bodies and given permission for them to be removed to the
morgue. Four deaths in different rooms changed the house from the location of
some tragic accident to a potential crime scene. But there was no obvious sign
of trauma on the bodies, no blood anywhere and no signs of a struggle. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The house was tidy and
there were signs of preparation for Christmas. There were four Advent calendars
in the kitchen, the type that irritated DCI Barnes as they had nothing to do
with Christmas. Instead they offered a chocolate each day: teddy bears and
bunnies, nothing to do with Christmas. 'How stupid' he thought.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Neighbours were being
interviewed and now he turned to the young man who had dialled 999 in the first
place. They were in the living room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">'I'm sure you told the
uniformed officers and my assistant everything, and I'll be checking their
notes, but please tell me again.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">'I don't know what else
to say' said the young man. 'I arrived for Christmas, let myself in and found
them all dead.' <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">'What's your link with
the family and why were you here?'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">'I'm a friend. I knew the
younger couple, the son and daughter-in-law of the older couple. I was at
school with him and they invited me here for Christmas.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">'Why?'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">'I'm on my own and they
had been out of the country for a few years and we planned to get together. I
know – knew – the parents well too.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">'You had a key.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">'Yes, I've had it for
years. I was asked to keep it in case I had to look after the house while the
old couple were away.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">'And did you? Did you
have to look after the house?'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">'No. In any case, I live
over 100 miles away and don't come here a lot.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">'Well, you can't stay here. But I don't want you to leave town either.
We may need to interview you again, we may need fingerprints.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">'Of course. I've already
booked a B&B.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">'OK. Let my assistant
have the details of how to contact you. Do you have a mobile?'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">'No, left it at home. I
wanted a break from texts and emails over Christmas.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">'OK. We'll be in contact.
You're free to go.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">But as the young man was
leaving, DCI Barnes said 'And we'll need the key that you have. This is a potential
crime scene so it will have to be treated as such.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">'Of course' replied the
young man. 'Oh, just one thing, I left my bag in the kitchen. The key’s in it.'
He returned to the living room and handed the key over, shook hands with DCI
Barnes, and left the house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">DCI Barnes called his
assistant back into the living room; he was clearly enjoying speaking to the
young female from forensics.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">'For God sake
concentrate. Let's take one final look at all of the rooms.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">'But forensics, Sir...'
DCI Barnes cut him short 'Forensics what? They look for small things and miss
the big ones. Let's take one last look, together.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">They started upstairs and
visually swept each room. Given the nature of the deaths, they were not sure
what to look for, but DCI Barnes knew how important it was to have a clear
visual image of the scene before returning to the CID offices to consider the
evidence and read the forensics and post-mortem reports.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">They finished in the
kitchen. While they were leaving, DCI Barnes stopped and turned. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">'Anything wrong, Sir?'
asked his assistant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">'Yes, something's
different in here' said DCI Barnes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">'Of course, Sir, there
was a body at the table when we arrived.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">‘Very funny’ replied DCI
Barnes ‘That wasn’t what I meant’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">****<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The post-mortem report
stated: ‘poisoning by arsenic’. The forensics team had nothing to report and
the neighbours on either side of the house could only recall the family being
unwell just before Christmas. Headaches and diarrhoea a few days before
Christmas Eve. They said they were probably going to 'lie low' for a few days
and have a quiet Christmas. The neighbours did not recall if they had heard the
family mention expecting a visitor for Christmas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">'How do you get arsenic
poisoning?' DCI Barnes was speaking to the police pathologist on the phone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">'Seems you get it by
ingestion – eating or drinking it – probably over a few days.' DCI Barnes was
explaining the outcome of his telephone conversation to his assistant. The
headaches and shits they reported add up. Also, they reported them over a few
days. They died on Christmas Eve and since they died in different rooms or were
too confused to think – another sign of arsenic poisoning – nobody raised the
alarm.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">'Suicide?' suggested the
assistant, with a sarcastic tone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">'Don't try to be funny.
But it had gone through my mind' said DCI Barnes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">'Did one of them kill the
others?'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">'Unlikely, the cause of
death was identical and the dose of arsenic was much the same in each of them.
Someone wanting to kill the others would want to make sure they were dead
first. We can't rule it out, but it's just very unlikely.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">'How'd you get them all
to take the arsenic?' asked the assistant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">'If we knew that, we'd
have the killer. Assuming there is one' DCI Barnes replied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">'It's a bloody mystery
then, Sir.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">DCI Barnes stared hard at
his assistant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">‘What, Sir?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">'It's not a fucking mystery
any more. I've got it.' DCI Barnes picked up his car keys and started running
and his assistant ran after him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">'Get uniformed over to
the B&B, I'd like him there at the house' shouted DCI Barnes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">oooo<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">In a blaze of blue lights
and a cacophony of sirens, DCI Barnes and his team arrived at the house. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">'He's not at the B&B,
Sir' reported DCI Barnes' assistant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">‘Of course he’s not –
and, conveniently, no mobile phone either. I’ll bet his address is false – did
anyone check that out? I’ll bet not.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">They entered the house
and went to the kitchen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">'Perfect' said DCI Barnes
'Bloody perfect.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">'What is, Sir?'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">'How do you think a group
of people were all poisoned over a few days? Nobody suspected anything, they
thought they had a Christmas 'bug' and didn't seek any help. Why? And not done
by anyone in the house. How? Clever.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">'You've lost me, Sir. Do
you think the visitor did it? How?'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">'Think will you? What's
missing from the kitchen? What did he remove? More to the point, why did we let
him come in here?'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">'He did, didn't he? But
he did it so quickly that we couldn’t stop him. Didn't seem like there was a
problem.' The assistant looked puzzled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">DCI Barnes exploded: 'The
Advent calendars, they're what's missing. He came back in here and removed
them.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">'OK, so they're missing'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">'Yes, missing. That's how
you get people to take small doses of poison over a few days, send them stupid Advent
calendars. The chocolates must have been laced with arsenic.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">'Don't worry, Sir, we'll
get him.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">'No we won't.' Said DCI
Barnes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">-oOo-</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Roger Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07408659363029289322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8003277164485823524.post-32855725779333203212016-12-08T04:45:00.007-08:002018-12-09T05:45:42.532-08:00A Christmas party<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsN0z56LC0bFdpnvEwjbnHtiwCK3mj6v5OXV2DDIodVvrnRYLNyF-1dPB-miUGH3vV5zE_zwt8b74SPeNGun8ASCR5RGAXFbGTj7r8Bu7NlnYvJeWDQSx6l4NXmSYYSzcIvsXxxebhK1Fe/s1600/cocaine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsN0z56LC0bFdpnvEwjbnHtiwCK3mj6v5OXV2DDIodVvrnRYLNyF-1dPB-miUGH3vV5zE_zwt8b74SPeNGun8ASCR5RGAXFbGTj7r8Bu7NlnYvJeWDQSx6l4NXmSYYSzcIvsXxxebhK1Fe/s200/cocaine.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 200%;">‘…s</span><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">urgeon’</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 200%;">The word penetrated the
loud chatter, reached her ear and the ‘cocktail party effect’ kicked in. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">‘Yes, I work locally.
Love my job.’</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">She disengaged from the
hungry gaze and the increasingly salacious conversation of the man who was
speaking to her and tossed a glance in the direction of the voice she was
actually listening to. She was not disappointed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">A young, bronzed and
handsome man was entertaining a group of women who clearly knew him well.
Locals, maybe, or patients, she thought. Perhaps he was a plastic surgeon;
eminently possible judging from the mounds of well-chiselled flesh on display.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">She decided…she was
moving in. She was stunningly attractive herself – and knew it – and just loved
the idea of being with a rich, professional man with all the material benefits and
the status that could bring. There was nothing she liked better than being one
up on her friends who seemed to make do with the least accomplished and least
solvent men they could find. She’d been with a few, but she knew she was just
passing through, ready for something and someone better. She deserved it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Her courage deserted her
for a moment as she proceeded to ignore the man in front of her. But she knew
what to do. She made an excuse and asked directions to the bathroom. There she
locked the door and took a small hand mirror out of her bag. With no more than
a cursory glance at the back of her hair and her makeup she placed the mirror
flat on the toilet seat, emptied a small amount of white powder on to the
mirror and parted it into two lines with her credit card. Rolling up a new
plastic five-pound note – perfect for the job – she knelt down and inhaled the
powder deeply into each nostril and waited for the effect.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">She was taking no chances
tonight. Her weekend coke habit had got her through some sordid sexual
encounters. How much better would tonight be if she was up and ready with the
courage afforded by the narcotic and its particularly aphrodisiac effect?
Tonight, she was not interested in being coaxed, cajoled and played with. She
was out to impress and, assuming he did, this man was going to get what he
wanted, and quickly. There would be plenty of time for foreplay in the future.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">She cleaned up and
returned to the party. The guests were momentarily distracted by some very loud arrivers, her target was abandoned for a few seconds and she moved
over beside him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">‘Hi, I’m Meg, nice to
meet you.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">‘And I’m Greg, nice, er,
very nice to meet you.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">‘I’m not local.’ she said
‘I’ve just arrived here and moved into a flat across thei road. It seems
everyone gets invited.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">‘Yes.’ he replied ‘I’ve
been coming for a few years, but I don’t live all that close. I know a lot of people
here – especially the women – due to the work I do.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">‘I know what you do’ she
responded and it’s one of the reasons I came over. I’m shameless really, but I
tend to like people for what they do and it helps if they’re good-looking.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Greg had now lost
interest in the heaving bosoms and frequent, inappropriate, fondling by the
other women around him. He focused solely on Meg and he could see she was
interested in him. He had come expecting the usual platitudes and attention
seeking behaviour of the women at the party. He was not sure how their husbands
tolerated it but he didn’t mind – usually. Now he just ignored them, moved
closer to Meg and said:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">‘I can’t hear a thing in
here, let’s move to the kitchen where we can talk.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">‘Job done’ thought Meg.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">There were a few people
in the kitchen; people who did not fit in with the party next door. The obvious
intimacy and the unconscious signals indicating the newly arrived couple wanted
privacy soon drove these uncomfortable individuals back to the party.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">‘That didn’t take long’
he said, and Meg just smiled, moved closer and started to kiss him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">‘That didn’t take long
either’, he gasped as Meg unashamedly continued. Greg’s ego was flattered. He
was unaware this was a drug-fuelled infatuation with what he was rather than
who he was. But he could see how it was going to end and he was not going to
put anything in the way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">‘We need to get out of
here’ he told her and he was already phoning a cab, struggling to speak to the
person on the phone while Meg tried to invade his mouth and ears with her mouth
and tongue. ‘OK, that’s fixed, let’s get outside.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">It was cold and, as she
had only crossed the road to the party, she had no coat. He had a jacket so she
slipped her hands under to keep herself warm. The taxi took a while to arrive
and they stood in a slightly embarrassed silence. The effects of the coke were
wearing off but her breasts were still tingling and she was content to know
that they were together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">‘Where are we going?’ She
had not considered this in the rush to leave the party. ‘My place. It’s not too
far’ replied Greg. This pleased her. She would see where he lived and see what
other joys awaited her if things worked out. You could tell a lot from a
person’s home, especially a man’s house. Was there a wife? Were there children?
Was he single and ready to form a relationship? She was besotted with the image
of this man she hardly knew; the effect of the coke had not entirely worn off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Once in the taxi she
yielded to his advances; his hand was inside her blouse and under her bra. His
hands were rougher than she imagined but this only accentuated the feeling of
pleasure that was engulfing her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The taxi driver was
grateful for a generous Christmas tip. The truth was they could not wait for
the change. They ran into the house and the sex was over in minutes. He had
never experienced anything quite like it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The next morning he woke to
see Meg looking at him and smiling. ‘Thanks, I had a wonderful evening’ she
said. He just smiled back and said ‘coffee?’ But Meg offered to make it saying
that she’d find everything. He should just stay in bed and she’d be back soon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Meg wanted an excuse to
see the house. Last night they had not turned on the lights before going
upstairs to bed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">She was clear that there
was not another woman here. The house was quite small but this was a good neighbourhood
and why did he need a large house when he was alone? She looked for evidence of
other interests and hobbies but, apart from a few books, CDs and a widescreen
television, she did not learn much more about Greg. Still, he was single and
she was convinced he was successful. The fact that he looked good was a bonus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">She returned with the
coffee and, feigning coyness, asked if they’d see each other again. ‘Of course’
said Greg, ‘I think you’re fantastic.’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">‘So, can I give you a
lift home?’ he asked. ‘It’s cold and you have no jacket and it’s too far to
walk.’ She agreed, and they planned to meet again that evening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">‘It’s only a two-seater’
he said. In her head she hissed ‘YES!’ as she realised what one of his
interests might be – fast cars. This was getting better as she imagined being dropped
off at her flat. Ferrari? Porsche? Audi? she wondered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">‘It’s in the garage, I’ll
take it round to the front of the house and meet you there.’ He left by the
back door; she pulled the front door closed behind her. When she heard an
engine revving at the rear of the house she strained to see if she could guess
what was coming.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The white diesel engine
transit van with ‘Greg the Tree Surgeon’ in lurid green letters drew up beside
her, Greg reached over, opened the passenger door and shouted ‘hop in love.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You can listen to this as a <a href="https://rwatson1955.podbean.com/e/a-christmas-party/">podcast</a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">-o0o-</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Roger Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07408659363029289322noreply@blogger.com0