Margaret was born in the UK and raised in the small village of Ombersley in Worcestershire.

After getting married in 1966 she emigrated to Australia in 1969. After having two children now grown u!" Margaret and her husband now en#oy retirement on the central coast of $%W where she now commits herself to writing.

COLLECTION OF SHORT STORIES

&edication
'o my hubby 'ony( who)s garnished with enduring !atience( he who)s relied u!on for the than*less assigned tas* to my !assion( + do than* you. Also to ,at( my dear friend since childhood( than*s hea!s for everything( !articularly when on that cold wintery day as we sat outside the caf- su!!ing on coffee( you( as always( stood my antics well( when .A' /A%'0( the large brown envelo!e instead of the *ettle( .1+' '12 ,O%'.0

Margaret Lewis

COLLECTION OF SHORT STORIES

3o!yright Margaret /ewis 'he right of Margaret /ewis to be identified as author of this wor* has been asserted by her in accordance with section 44 and 45 of the 3o!yright( &esigns and ,atents Act 1955. All rights reserved. $o !art of this !ublication may be re!roduced( stored in a retrieval system( or transmitted in any form or by any means( electronic( mechanical( !hotoco!ying( recording( or otherwise( without the !rior !ermission of the !ublishers. Any !erson who commits any unauthori6ed act in relation to this !ublication may be liable to criminal !rosecution and civil claims for damages. A 3+, catalogue record for this title is available from the 7ritish /ibrary. +%7$ 945 158969 8:9 : www.austinmacauley.com ;irst ,ublished <=18" Austin Macauley ,ublishers /td. <: 3anada %>uare 3anary Wharf /ondon 218 :/7

,rinted and bound in ?reat 7ritain

Elusive Neighbours
.%trange thing isn)t it( @ac*( we haven)t seen our new neighbours yetA0 $elly)s husband @ac* tuts( then rolls his eyes u!ward( telling his wife to sto! swishing the curtains to get a better loo*. $elly too* no notice( eager to welcome the new !eo!le into their overBsiCties tightB*nit community com!leC. .+)m sure they drive a car( @ac*(0 she said( now standing bac* ho!eful to see what they loo* li*e if and when they do a!!ear( her nec* stretched to its full eCtent( their carB!ort bloc*ing her view. .+)ve seen the car twice( a nice blue one. %u!!ose + could #ust go and *noc* their door welcome them hereA0 @ac* was also *een to meet u! with the man of the house neCt door( but felt their new neighbours needed s!ace. .+t)s hectic at our fair age( $elly(0 he said( .they)ll most !robably need time to settle in( so sto! chin*ing those curtains and drin* your teaD there will be time enough yet getting to *now them. After they)ve settled in we)ll invite them round( how)s thatA0 .Mrs @en*ins who left that unit to live with her daughter gave us a very warm welcome on our very first day when we moved in last year and + would)ve li*ed to have done the same( but they)re never in are theyA0 $elly said( si!!ing on tea after dun*ing her biscuit. .&on)t su!!ose they need new friends( @ac*A0 $elly)s u!set she hasn)t made contact( .Maybe they haven)t moved in !ro!erly yet.0 @ac* tries to convince( then reassures( it had been the same for them( but $elly was having none of it( but the lights are on( and she thought to go round to ma*e herself *nown( realising time was !ressing on( far too late to call on a new neighbour. .+)ll call on them tomorrow.0 $elly said( sure of her movements for the following day.

'wo more days went by and still no sign of the new elusive neighbours in 'all 'imbers la*eside village com!leC( which gave $elly something to natter on about when she and @ac* too* to the road( then a small train #ourney to the 7otanical ?ardens show in their nearBby townshi!. $elly was *een to !urchase many seedlings along the way. %he)d envisaged their small cottage garden in time for s!ring to be that of a s!ectacle( all will gloatD @ac* on the other hand envisaged bac*Bbrea*ing s!ade wor*. 7y the end of much to and fro chatter between the two( they com!romise. +t wasn)t necessaryD they really didn)t have to have such a big dis!lay( neCt year was time enough( settling u!on a decision( there was no need yet to reach for the stars as was $elly)s wont( both would agree they !urchase #ust a few seedling !lants( not having the ca!acity to carry all those $elly would have wanted. .EioletsD every lady + *now(0 $elly said( .li*es a !otted violet !lant on their *itchen windowsill.0 @ac* didn)t *now whether to agree or not. 7ut he did *now one thing( if their new neighbours hadn)t got one( they had now( this !articular one was hand!ic*edD he should *now( his dear wife had s!ent over half an hour choosing it because the ca*e she)d ba*ed es!ecially for them is now stale. 2Ccitement filled the air when @ac* too* many !hotogra!hs to ca!ture the flowering dis!lay beds( $elly( fondly *nown as Fshe who must be obeyed) gesturing him to ta*e more than was necessary( @ac* thought( but he *e!t his dear wife ha!!y and clic*ed away when instructed. 'he vibrant showing was to @ac* far better than lugging !otted !lants around all afternoon( so @ac* ha!!ily clic*ed at every turn. .&on and &otty seem a nice cou!le(0 $elly says to @ac* when they ste! on to the train for their #ourney home. .Wasn)t that a coincidence &otty had also bought a violet !ot to !ut on her sillA Gou didn)t buy that one to !ut on our sill( you bought it as a welcome gift for our new neighbours.0 @ac* said bemused.

.+ *now that( silly(0 said $elly( leaving @ac* to roll his eyes( $elly has the last word. /ate afternoon de!arting the train station to !ic* u! their car( @ac* too* in a >uic* breath then began to !anic. .$elly(0 he said now concerned( .+ don)t su!!ose you)ve got the camera in your bag have you( loveA0 $elly was >uite worried of the outcome( and couldn)t believe itD she most certainly hadn)t received any such thing( although( when they sat to have a late lunch with &on and &otty( @ac* may have sli!!ed it in there. %he searched without success( having only found the !hone number their lunch com!anions had given them( !romising to get in touch with each other later that wee*. Other than that( after chec*ing her bag( they had lost all of their day tri! mementoes. 'ravelling home they were sad at the loss. @ac* wasn)t about to say anything to his dear wife( she would only worry. Kee!ing his concerns to himself( @ac* *e!t his emotions intact and a *een eye on the flashing headlights behind. 1e was certain they were being followed and he couldn)t thin* why. 'hey di!( they flash( and with the weather closing in( and dar*ness following u!( @ac* would not sto!. After !ulling into their village com!leC driveway( relief on his mind( they are at least safe and well. @ac* couldn)t believe it either that the flashing lights had followed them in. $ot yet !anic*ed( @ac* felt safe in the *nowledge he could sort this out once and for all( turning to the left then the right( the flashing headlights still shone in the rear vision mirror so @ac* immediately sto!!ed the car ordering $elly to Fsit tight). On the !retence he had some business to deal with( @ac* then >uietly clic*ed his driver)s door shut. $ot on your life @ac*( $elly is u! his rear always ready to bac* her husband u!. .+ *now you)ve been hiding something all the way home. + haven)t been married all our fifty years and not *nown when you are worried. We)re going to see this through together li*e we always have. /eave it to me(0 she said( .+)ll give them what for.0 @ac* rolled his eyes. .1ere we go( what nowA0

'he street lights were dim when both men ste!!ed from their vehicles( #ust li*e in the movies. @ac* was ready to face his !redator. +n his younger days he)d go toe to toe( but with his gammy leg( he)d firstly try to com!romise. +f only $elly could leave it to him( *een to hunt him down. 'he other driver wal*ed toward @ac* heavyBfootedD whoever it was( he)d made u! his mind he was not going to bac* off. .+ believe this camera belongs to you( @ac*(0 &on said( all smiles. .Gou left it behind after we had lunch together.0 $elly shrie*s with delight when &otty a!!ears through the dimmed light( both ladies still holding onto their violet !otted !lants( and learns they are the elusive neighbours. 3oincidence is not so rare when both new friends ha!!ily swo! their hand!ic*ed violet !lants.

Behind The Lines

1ow come my womanly intuitions are those feelings of dreadA My mother also has them too and she li*e me is having them right now. .'hey)ve been in that front room for over an hour(0 + said( nerve ends twitching while Mom fiddles with the ready madeB u! tray before !assing it over to me to be ta*en in to the Fboys) as she li*ed to call them. .Annie( don)t forget yourself. Knoc* on the door first love.0 she said. When +)m halfway u! the narrow hallway all ready to barge in( .'he sub#ect matter may be men)s business0 Mom utters( subdued( *nowing full well +)d ho!ed to catch a word or two so + can then !ut two and two together. $o chance( when all + got to hear was( .Well Hoss my boy( you should do what you thin* best and leave the rest to fate.0 What the devil does that meanA 'hen + heard( .And do start calling me Ken lad( it sounds better than Mr Miller or sirD Eic*y my wife would also after all this time a!!reciate first name basis.0 My father is nonBcommittal as + enter the small room with the tray full of food( a !ot of tea and a small dish of fresh clean water( some titbits for $i!!y Hoss)s dog( lying at his master)s feet( freshly trained u! for his duties in army life. + felt a rush of a!!rehension as + turned to leave( ir*edD no words had been s!o*en between the two men while in my !resence. + need not have been so hesitant after Hoss)s shameless win* followed by a smile of than*s from my &ad( not toFhis little girl) anymore( but to a woman who)s suddenly grownBu! all too soon( + detect from his >uite demureA +f it hadn)t have been for AleC( my big bear of a brother Fbegging)( + say( Finsistence) + must go as his !artner to the %ergeants) 7all( + wouldn)t have met Hoss( who( +)d thought( was rather forward when he)d soon made himself *nown when

my brother in his full regimental regalia enters the grand hall where ceremonial greetings are formally mar*ed( where military salutes to their su!eriors are ac*nowledged. + was >uite ta*en abac* to see AleC my brother motion his salute before + was formally introduced to Hoss and his lovely !artner 3lare( + not *nowing formal whereBforBall( and Hoss + learn to be an officer. + still didn)t really *now yet how + was su!!osed to react( .Act normal0 AleC had said in our taCi ride over. And this being my first time to such an aus!icious event( although nervous + thin* + did o.*. and !assed muster I until + s!ilt my drin* down the front of my lovely dress I + was crushed to say the least and felt stu!id after all the hooBha( that needless fuss once +)d *nown where we were heading. My dear brother had given me only four days in which to ma*e this creation. +t being one of my best so far in evening wear( + was almost tem!ted to ma*e it an offBtheBshoulder number( however( u!on reflection saw fit to tone it down and let the accessories do the tal*ing( leaving my blue ABline evening dress very !lain right u! to the nec*( although figureB hugging. + very nearly changed my mind in wearing it at all( when this( +)d thought( called for more conservative clothing. 7ut it was far too late by then( the ?rand 7all was only a day away so + wore the dress with much tre!idation. + li*ed Hoss straight away so when + saw the lovely girl 3lare hoo*ed on his arm( + *new then + didn)t stand a chance. %he !resented li*e a !rincess in her offBtheBshoulder white flowing gown( in fact( + felt li*e a real washBout com!ared to those ladies whose latest fashions were those of electrifying elegance( although my brother did reassure + loo*ed the !art on our taCi ride home( he who)d soon disa!!eared for half the night leaving me li*e a s!are !late at a wedding tal*ing Fsho!) with Hoss( which was something + *new little about. Only chitB chat when AleC was home on leave seemed enough( even then( after a cou!le of days tal*ing army manoeuvres li*e brother and sister do( we)d go our se!arate ways( he off nightBclubbing catching u! with his mates( +( having so many !ro#ects to *ee! me busy( life in the fast lane #ust !assed me by( which suited(

me being the younger of the two( and who some)ve called a stayBatBhome body. .Where)s your sense of s!irit %isA0 he)d say. .Gou really should get out more often. Gou)ll never find a beau stuc* at home doing whatever it is you)re doing that ta*es u! so much of your s!are time.0 .&on)t be so rude big brother(0 +)d say( .who)s on the loo*out for a suitor anywayA0 +)d come bac* !retty shar!ish. Mostly + refrain from trying to eC!lain( +)m >uite ha!!y doing my own thing( anyway( he wouldn)t have been interested( girlie stuff and all that. 1ow +)d ho!ed once my eCams were finali6ed + was destined to become a fully >ualified dress designer. 1eading toward u!Bmar*et !roduction( Mom said( !roud( des!ite the fact that my dogged tenacity did at times give my !oor Mom some heady #itters. And my dear brother being this allBout goBgetter as well( + hold my tongue and smile sweetly. With Hoss having to go on a crash course with $i!!y his dog( and wouldn)t be bac* for another five wee*s( and AleC their son out on eCercise manoeuvres( while Annie their daughter had left for the big smo*e to gain more eC!erience in her venture to become a good dress designer( it had been left u! to Eic*y and Ken to ma*e full arrangements Fof their choosing) for the u! and coming engagement !arty between Annie and Hoss. 1aving been members for many years( and *nowing they were guaranteed eCcellent service( all invited guests were to gather at the shi!sBafloat sailing club in siC wee*s) time. +t was all very eCciting( Ken thought( a!!ro!riate the colour scheme of the tables and chairs could tailor that of desert sandy shades( a s!lash of earthy orange flowers maybe( he)d suggested to his wife Eic*y( *een to ma*e sure it was in *ee!ing to Hoss)s army fatigue outfit. Eic*y had however #ust screwed u! her nose at the very idea( which Ken failed to notice. Eic*y)s thoughts were( they)re not very feminine( so she chose not to ma*e commentD this was so unli*e Ken who)s

seemingly ta*en over !roceedings. 'ime enough yet to start tal*ing colours. .Who was that #ust then on the !honeA0 Eic*y as*ed Ken who)d suddenly gone into one of his daydream modes( which of late had been often. 2ver since that heart to heart with Hoss he)s been a little standBoffish( and those two men have all but clammedBu!. .+s there anything wrong( Ken( +)m su!!osed to *now aboutA0 Eic*y as*s again then adds( .it)s not our Annie is itA0 1e)s now seemingly ta*en to be unconcerned. %o cautious in fact( this came as a warning. Woman)s intuition ste!s in when Eic*y demands( .Ken( love( we must tal* about that !hone call you)ve #ust received( was it HossA 7ecause +)ve noted something)s afoot. +s it im!ortant to me or to our daughter( because if it is you must tell me( Ken. +s it no concern of mine( or are we to share whatever it is that is troubling youA0 .&oes our Annie *now about thisA0 .$ot yet love(0 Ken tries to reassure .all will go well on the day.0 .We)ll have to let all the guests *now about these rearrangements( Ken( it)s only two wee*s away until the !arty.0 Eic*y had then ta*en to wringing her hands( worry she didn)t need at this late stage( besides their daughter Annie)s future to thin* about. .What shall we do KenA0 Eic*y as*s( aw*ward( ho!eful Ken can come u! with the right answer to deal with this untimely and unfortunate situation they)ve found themselves in. .We won)t change a thing( love.0 Ken restores confidence to his worried wife who)s ta*en to wi!ing away tearBdro!s( unbe*nown to Ken( who)s #ust as unha!!y. .Eic*y love(0 Ken said when she)d #ust arrived home after her arduous sho!!ing tri!( .+)ve #ust had a word with Hoss about function ideas and he)s left instructions not to change a thing( and we)re not to tell anyone about this( !articularly the guests. All must go ahead as !lanned. 7y all accounts he and our Annie have s!o*en about it in great detail and are ha!!y the way things stand. 'old you love( all would come out in the wash( so there you are( we carry on regardless and leave the rest to fate.0

.1o( + see( so you)ve got all this business under control between the two of you then. + see(0 Eic*y said miffed( her inB !ut wasn)t neededA 7ut on reflection( she was also !leased Ken wasn)t ta*ing these latest setbac*s too badly considering the other o!tions that were not within the s!ecified timetable. Eic*y can say now she)s very !roud of their daughter)s father( who has ta*en this whole affair in his stride. +t is !erceivable this could #ust as well have turned out to be a com!lete shambles( than*s to Ken)s foresight it is fate. .Ken love( your sister has #ust this minute rung( she)s sorry she can)t ma*e it to the venue. %omething)s come u!.0 Ken was aghast when he swiftly !ic*ed u! the !hone to ring bac* 2va( his only living relative. Eic*y stood aside after she)d heard Ken was very insistent .2va must come0( although he couldn)t tell her why. .Ma*e other arrangements0 he)d said shar!ly. Eic*y had thought he)d made it !lain enough by their animated confrontations still ta*ing !lace between the two siblings. %o instead of re!eated instalments after re!lacing the receiver Ken #ust casually carried on dealing with last finishing touches still at hand( leaving things unsaid( which bothered Eic*y. 'han* heavens our Annie will be bac* tomorrow( Eic*y then thought( because this whole affair is getting out of hand. .+)ve got some great ideas for my dress while +)ve been away on that course our Mom(0 Annie said eCcitably( still busying herself sewing last minute detailing onto her selfB made garment two days later( while her mother chose the local ladies) outfitters for the !arty attire( it having a s!lash of autumn flavours to match the ambiance of the room( the chosen colour scheme not the blues she)d envisaged( being that they)re !artying at a venue by the water( in *ee!ing she)d thought( Fblue waters) sailing club and all that. Anyway her daughter had a!!roved of her choice and that)s all that mattered. %o Eic*y left it at that by hel!ing Annie out fetching and carrying where she could. 'he shi!sBafloat sailing club most certainly lived u! to its outstanding brilliance when guests arrived. Most were ta*en

abac* to see such abundance of soft !etal flowers and flan*ing these were large s!rigs of seasonal foliage which embellished the beautification of the room. Eic*y was elated with the autumn colours too( which met with everyone)s a!!rovalD even the detailed centre !ieces on all tenBseated round table settings were unusual. 1ow did Ken do it( she thought with a sunny smile( sym!athetic to all his hard wor*D he is indeed a comfort to us all if the going gets tough. Eic*y had arrived at the venue with Hoss)s !arents and too* great delight in telling all those who had welcomed them that this main theme was all of Ken)s doing. 1e)ll be most a!!reciative to learn that his organi6ational s*ills have been warmly met. .+ su!!ose he)ll have to coordinate their wedding feast tooA0 2va came bac* terse( lac*ing in good #udgement at such a time( but on reflection after the !assionate !leas via the !hone call( she)s glad now to have made read#ustments( not wanting to be un!o!ular with her brother whom she *new to be a great family man( would)ve been very u!set at her absence( after all it)s his daughter)s !arty and was very s!ecial to himD she)ll hold her tongue on the sub#ect of his !rowess( before letting her brother *now where his talents lay( .es!ecially after his tongue lashing0 .%o where)s my baby brother hidingA0 2va as*s Eic*y( after scanning the room( stretching her nec*( ho!ing to see him before he gets too involved with any more !eo!le. All of a sudden Eic*y and Hoss)s !arents change the sub#ect. ,ointing toward the eCce!tional view through the o!en glass doorway( where 2va ste!s onto the balcony and sees not only yachts and small craft bobbing about u!on the blue stretching waterways( but also a long running !ier where at its very ti! was a structure su!!orting a flowerBclad archway. 2va turned then to s!ea*( but her sisterBinBlaw( with Hoss)s !eo!le had all but vanished. Whilst in full ceremonial dress uniforms and customary formalities com!lete( AleC salutes his su!erior officer Hoss they then ta*e u! their !rocedural !osting.

;rom the shi!sBafloat balcony there were s>ueals of delight when 2va shouted( ./oo* down there everyone( isn)t that a wedding about to startA /oo* down on the !ier. 1ow eCcitingJ0 she cried then said aghast as !eo!le started to gather on the balcony( .'hat)s our Ken(0 she wails eCcitedly #ust when her niece Annie had ta*en her father)s arm( ready to ste! onto the fullBlength freshly rolled out orange car!et where her intended awaits at the far end of the !ier. ;ollowing the bride and Ken are immediate family members( Hoss)s !arents( Eic*y( close behind is the groom)s sister 3lare as bridesmaid understoodBtoBbe. 'he best man AleC)s longBstanding girlfriend( who)d been handed the honorary duty to ta*e the leash of $i!!y the army dog( also loo*ing da!!er in his ceremonial coat( com!lete with a !oc*et !ouch which carries the gold wedding band where the groom *new it to be *e!t safe until the allotted time to be !ut on the wedding finger of his lovely soonBtoBbe wife( who( when he loo*ed bac*( on her way to #oin him( was the most eC>uisite bride he)d ever seen( on the arm of his !roud and hel!ful future fatherBinBlaw. After the a!!lause softened( when than*s from the groom and his best man)s words of than*s ended( the cry of .%!eech( s!eech(0 all in turn gesture to the bride)s father to ta*e u! formalities. Ken tried to reac>uaint himself with the handBwritten fully !re!ared s!eech. Although his heart was heavy he !ut the !a!er bac* into his !oc*et and s!o*e from the heart( because this was to be a ha!!y occasion( not a time to dwell on the uncertainness the future holds. Ken did however( although saddened( ma*e light of his first words he s!o*e at the rece!tion. .'his whole rushed affair is not at all what it seems(0 Ken began .$o( it)s not the shotBgun wedding you all imagined(0 as su!!ressed titters and uneasy shuffling befell the rece!tion hall( .+)m afraid it)s much more than that fol*s.0 'his is when Ken found a frog in his throat and almost let someone else ta*e over his s!eech when the words had stuc*. +t was he whom Hoss had come to for advice some wee*s earlier( so it was u!

to him now to finish the tas* set( which Ken was most !roud to do under the heavyBhearted circumstance he)d found himself in. ;ulfilled( he s!o*e on. .'oday is a ha!!y day and yet if we let it be( a sad one too. 1owever( +)m not about to dwell or s!ea* at length on the latter( #ust to say as you *now our sonBinBlaw Hoss and our son AleC have been away these !ast few wee*s doing eCercises retraining( and are being sent for their second de!loyment neCt wee* behind the lines in AfghanistanD and we all here today as we raise our glasses( wish both boys well( and our esteemed gratitude in doing their duty wherever they)re stationed.0 ;ond words and #oviality linger as loud a!!reciative a!!lause of a!!roval fills the room. $ot yet reBseated after his formal wedding s!eech( Ken gestures with o!en hands to the room for silence. .+ have yet another announcement to ma*e before the merriment starts. As you can see the lovely bridesmaid here is s!orting an engagement ring( our son AleC and 3lare have agreed once he and Hoss are bac* on leave from their tour of duty( this fine cou!le will be wed( so get ready fol*s0 Ken said( selfB indulgently( .+)m well informed + shall be the one called u!on to arrange those !roceedings0 Ken didn)t get to finish off his sentence before the crowd was !assing on buoyant funBloving comments. .$ot only have we gained a sonBinBlaw( we)ll soon have a daughterBinBlaw too( so + !ut it to Hoss and 3lare)s fol*s and my dear wife Eic*y here( !re!are yourselves because we)ll have between us a fine army of little soldiers to contend with soon. 'hat right loveA0 Ken said( followed u! with a chee*y win*. .%teady on there( our &ad0 Annie said. 1er friendly !rotest called for goodBhumoured comments from their rowdy wedding guests. .$o need for that love(0 Ken said when Eic*y had #ust !ulled a cheesy grin at him( who she)d noticed had #ust swallowed the last dregs of the cat)s cream by the loo* of satisfaction u!on his glowing !roud face. As was she when neCt the bride and groom cut their ca*eD afterward the

lingering *iss raised ra!turous a!!lause of a!!roval for the bridal cou!le.

Bonn B Na!e" Bonn B Nature

+t was a lovely day to ta*e lunch in the !ar*. 3athy was *een to ma*e time alone from her busy schedule at the nearby hos!ital where she)d been head of midwifery for over five years. 'oday in !articular was wrenching( having made the decision to move bac* home after learning that her mother was sadly showing signs of early dementia. 1er father said he could co!e( something 3athy very much doubted( and /i6 her sister( five years her #unior( was ha!!ily married with two babies of her own( and wasn)t eC!ected to carry that burden. 3athy *new she would)ve( she however would have none of itD with /i6 living such a long distance away it was too much to as*. A com!romise was settled( leaving /i6 ha!!y with the outcome. %he with her little family would travel down every wee*end( and if she was needed any other time her sister only had to as*. 3athy( #ust aged thirtyBnine( never really saw any !ros!ects of ever getting married( let alone having a child of her own. All ho!es were dashed when her family doctor said( at her age now he very much doubted she could carry full term( and if she didn)t want those sorts of commitment( he didn)t !ush the argumentD married to her #ob he)d said *indly. %he didn)t argue( indeed it was true( 3athy never did see herself as the loving wife and mother until lately. +t seems her body cloc* was tic*ingA And it wasn)t fair either to be having a baby out of wedloc* or for that matter to tie a man down( although there had been ;ran* who)d tried to commit some five years earlier( but declined after learning 3athy had been offered the !romotion as head of midwifery. 3athy *new he wasn)t about then to give her the freedom to follow the career !ath she)d wor*ed so hard to achieveD she)d had no intentions of giving it u!.

3athy had come to her final decisionBma*ing by the last bite of her boiled egg sandwich( followed by a cool bottle of waterD she was now needed at home and could at this stage( she foresaw( see to her mother)s needs and still do !artBtime at her #ob( forgoing the to! #ob and all the res!onsibility that comes with it. Armed with her !lan( she would ste! down as head of the de!artment and go bac* into the ward where she had been ha!!iest as head sister. &iscarding her rubbish into the nearby bin 3athy heard( .A !enny for themA0 %he fro6e on the s!ot( when she heard again( .A !enny for your thoughtsA0 Once focused( 3athy)s first thought was to scurry awayD she wasn)t in the mood or ready to relay all her worries onto some stranger who had also ta*en solace inside the !ar* grounds. 1e couldn)t decide whether to change his career course( numerous res!onsibilities were going to be needed( was he u! to the tas*( he had doubts. .'he name is Mi*e( by the way( don)t su!!ose you want to tal* about itA Maybe we have something in common you and +( sitting alone on a day li*e this with only foolish thoughts to *ee! us com!any.0 At first 3athy didn)t s!ea*D instead she too* in this handsome face before her. 1e( she thought( was about fortyB five( greying tem!les( sideburns to match( >uite distinguished from his a!!earanceD although she)d thought his manner was rather forthright( hers being >uite the o!!osite. .+)m sorry(0 3athy eventually re!lied( somewhat ta*en abac* when he neCt !osed the >uestion( .+ said( a !enny for them.0 Of course( 3athy not *nowing this very fine gent from a bar of soa!( she sat beside him and told of her !lans( and of the sorrow of her dear mother)s unfortunate !light. .$ice to see someone who)s got a mind of their own made u!(0 Mi*e had said once 3athy stood ready to leave. .Gou haven)t as*ed me anything yet(0 Mi*e said( ho!eful 3ath would sit bac* down. .+)m sorry0 she re!lied( .+ really do have to leave( +)m due bac* in the office within fifteen minutes(0 chec*ing her wristwatch twice( res!onsibility her main !riority.

.Maybe same !lace( same time here tomorrow thenA0 Mi*e as*s( *een to *now this lady better( *nowing full well his salesmanshi! will suffice( it always wor*s( twin*le of the eye( smiles to match. .+t)s a date then weather !ermitting(0 he said( .%ame !lace same timeA0 .Ges + would li*e that(0 3athy said( absorbed( acce!ting his offer( ambushed by their blending chemistry. Mi*e and 3athy met each other twice inside restaurants after their second meeting in the !ar*. 'o 3athy( she didn)t consider it a date when they did go out( it was a case of they had much in common( the same bac*ground( she li*ed Mi*e very much( thought him a bit of a @ac*BtheBlad in his !ast. 1e too had never made full commitment( his travelling sales #ob always got in the way( but never went so far as to having a girl in every !ort( 3athy learned. 1e somehow wasn)t ready to commit to anyone or anything( forgoing a !ro!er relationshi! in which to settle( other than his #ob which often too* him far from home for wee*s at a time. 3athy fully understood Mi*e)s dilemma( hadn)t she been in the same >uandary( #ob came firstA $ow it)s all too late to settle down( this is why they could s!ea* so freely( and too* the decision not to get too involved( which lasted for months via long distance !hone calls to and froD the odd letter was always welcome( some things they found they could discuss even if it was to have the occasional grumble or two( at least someone was listening without com!aring notes. ;aithfulness wasn)t an issue. 3athy never had time now to ma*e commitments to anyone s!ecial( not even Mi*e although she had thought of him often. 'he occasional escort to a show when he was bac* from business away( obligations to her mother)s welfare and nursing colleagues was duty enough( and while friendshi! seemed enough( this *e!t 3athy goingD life was loo*ing u! although at times lonely. Mi*e and 3athy arrange to meet in the !ar*( same time( same !lace he)d !ro!osed via the flurrying !hone call to the hos!ital ward earlier that morning. .+ have to go away for siC months 3athy(0 Mi*e said uneasily( then read her mindK he was running away from

something( somebodyA .+t)s not what it seems( 3athy love(0 not loo*ing at her now as a friend more as a woman he cannot bear to leave. .+t)s the chance +)ve been wor*ing toward( and if it)s a case of my having to go overseas + must ta*e it nowD after all it is my #ob 3ath(0 Mi*e said( vowing to come bac* when his wor* is done( never to leave again. .Gou don)t have to eC!lain(0 3athy tried to interru!t( but Mi*e was adamant he would as* her to wait. 3onfused( 3athy too* in dee! breaths then felt !ledged to give this man the answer he)d longed to hear. 'o 3athy this sounds binding( was she ready( she could not say. /oyalty to her mother)s welfare and #ob( yesA $ever has it been to a man li*e this before. .3athy(0 Mi*e !leads( .will you wait for meA + do !romise to be faithful(0 he)d said. 3athy heard the words( .7e right here when + return. %iC months that)s all the com!any re>uires + stay in the %tates. 7oston is where +)m going to be based.0 3athy listened with interest( he wasn)t as*ing her to marry him( in fact Mi*e wasn)t !romising anything at all( only a continuing !latonic com!anionshi!( until his *iss got in the way. 'his brush with love( 3athy)s thoughts were of nothing else( she somehow felt different. .All the best ones are already married(0 3athy had told her sister /i6( .+t was only the once( then he was gone( not all are married sis( there is Mi*eA0 3athy)s sister is sur!rised to learn her elder sister was already five months !regnant. 3athy hadn)t told Mi*e of their forthcoming child( she sensed by his corres!ondence he was wavering. Mi*e only addressed issues to his #ob( with which of late( he was seemingly always busyD his latest !hone calls were !eriodic to say the least. 3athy wasn)t concerned if she didn)t receive !hone calls even( it was distant chit chat( and what was the use of it all when Mi*e was thousands of miles awayA .What could he doA0 3athy had hidden from wor* colleagues her !ending baby( others had lightBheartedly made mention with regard to her weight gain( this might be the

beginnings of the change of life( not that this tal* bothered her much( it gave way for a bit more time to rethin* her future !lans( without a man. A fatherless child. While Mi*e stood in the shadows transfiCed( he could see his 3athy was very busy giving out orders to the midwifery team. All *new their #obs well( noticeably( their team leader *e!t her ward shi!Bsha!e( his 3athy( he)d noticed too( had gained weight. 1e li*ed it( she sure loo*ed terrific( she must be more content with her new wor* !osting. 1owever( Mi*e did notice that s!ring in her ste! had gone. 1e surmised obligations to wor* and her mother)s illness could be ta*ing its toll. After hearing hectic goingsBon within the ward it was time for him to sli! awayD he will call bac* later after 3athy)s shift. Whoever the eC!ectant father is( he)s a luc*y blighter( Mi*e thought ta*ing in mouthfuls of fresh air from within the confines of the hos!ital grounds. Worried( will she wait another siC monthsA .+)ve sent him away /i6.0 .What do you mean by that eCactlyA0 3athy)s sister tries to refrain from causing u!set between the two( .%o + can ta*e it from that silly remar* Mi*e doesn)t *now about the baby thenA0 3athy could tell her sister was numbed by her words. .+t does ta*e two( 3athy(0 she said( interru!ting her sister)s immature argument. .+t was not F#ust) one night of madness at all( that is silly tal* and you *now it(0 /i6 said( .Gou loved him( 3athy and you)re afraid to commit. Gou do love him( and he loves you. &o something about it( if you don)t( + will.0 1er threat was genuine. 3athy had sat and listened to her sister)s bleating threats( how she was a healthy young woman and how the baby would be #ust fine. .1ardly young0 3athy returns fire( .scans have been *nown to be wrong.0 /i6 saw no reasons at all why both mom and baby wouldn)t be alright( her sister)s not that old( trying to convince her of this was to become an u!hill battle between the two.

.+ am not at all being selfish(0 3athy said indignantly( trying to convince her sister /i6 why she should)ve given Mi*e the o!!ortunity to learn of his baby. .+)m sure he would not shir* his res!onsibilities either(0 /i6 said gruffly. .7ut +)ve already sent him away(0 3athy res!onds( .+ understand this new #ob in $ew Gol* is very im!ortant to him now( not this middleBaged woman who)ll tie him down. Anyway(0 3athy tried to argue( .who *nows he might)ve met someone elseD he)s been very distant.0 .'he trouble with you( my girl(0 /i6 sna!s( .you have ta*en to ma*ing eCcuses( besides delivering too many babies( when all you can remember are the sad and unfortunate cases( and you won)t be one of those. $ow !romise( you will tell Mi*e when he neCt rings. Gou owe him that much.0 .+f you insist(0 3athy concedes( .but + won)t tie him down( he will have to *now the full facts on aged !arenting and its dubious outcomes( and a woman of my age in confinementK things can and do go wrong.0 /i6 couldn)t listen to much more( biting her tongueD a wave of her hand in dismay and she was gone. /i6 sat neCt to her sister holding her hand( followed by stro*es to her forehead. 3athy didn)t have to be told what came neCt( wasn)t she u! until a wee* ago the head sister on this very midwifery ward( and still in charge when told to !ant then bear down with the !ainA ?owns and mas*s all loo* ali*e as Mi*e too* 3athy)s other hand to give it a s>uee6e then a *iss( a *nowing than* you win* to his future sisterBinBlaw before /i6 left them alone to en#oy their moment. 'here were no words to be said. Mi*e)s s!ar*ling eyes #ust then had said it all as he watched his daughter come into the world. 1is and 3athy)s !ride and #oy had #ust been born( when he said( .%he)s bonny by name my love.0 'he new mom nods in a!!roval( and so too their new life( which Mi*e had already !reBarrangedK come neCt wee*end on 3athy)s 8= th birthday( they will be man and wife( accom!anied by their child 7onny(

after ac*nowledgements were received from the hardB wor*ing nursing staff( that their baby is also .!erfectly 7onny by nature0.