The Easter Egg Hunt

By Sis Unsworth

As a young lad he’d known really hard times,

his family had been very poor.

They could never afford eggs at Easter,

sad memories he intensely bore.

He pictured himself as a young lad,

when poverty didn’t make sense,

How the family next door had an Easter egg hunt,

and he had to peer through the fence.

He heard the excitable laughter each time an egg was found,

At times he would see one retrieved from a tree,

or gingerly picked from the ground.

The hole in the fence showed a new world, a place

Excluding him, from their garden so fine,

Where the sun always seemed to shine,

while his side seemed cloudy and dim.

The scene that he gazed on obsessed him

how he’d wish he could be there, all that fun and the joy

he’d missed as a boy, who ever said life could be fair?

As he grew up, the memory faded,

like storm clouds in far distant sky,

but sometimes in bed, they crept over his head,

as he wiped a tear from his eye.

 

With the sunrise & sunset life changes,

for today he could be at the front.

As now he is married with children,

and planning an Easter egg hunt.

The day he’d devised was a roaring success,

now the children were all fast asleep

It allowed him at last to indulge in the past,

no more did his thoughts make him weep.

For what he had learned from those days long ago,

had stayed with him all his life through.

What we learned in the past may help us at last,

giving leverage to all that we do.

As life with its crossroads began to make sense,

you appreciate fun, on your day in the sun,

If you’ve first had to peer through the fence.

 

Copyright Sis Unsworth

 The Second Time Around

By Janet Baldey

Multi-coloured balloons quivered delicately in the upward draught of warm air as I looked at the trestle table loaded with party food.   In prime position was a large cake iced in blue with the model of a narrowboat placed smack in the middle.  This time, the occasion was in honour of Helen and her husband leaving to cruise the canals all summer.    Last time, the cake had been pink and decorated with the national emblems of New Zealand where Glenys and her partner were headed.  I stifled a yawn, retirement fatigue had set in.   This was the third in as many weeks.  In people of my age, it was a natural trend.  The problem was, many were leaving but few were being recruited. 

Back in the office, my colleague and I contemplated the tsunami of work engulfing our desks.  “The trouble is” she said,  “we married the wrong men.” I nodded.  I knew she was divorced and if I had my way, I’d be a distant speck on the horizon but my late husband had left me with nothing but debts.   

         Once home, after massaging my sore feet and having a glass or two of wine to settle my nerves, I walked to the kitchen and set about yesterday’s dinner dishes.   I was depressed, surely there was more to life than this.  My little grey cells started to churn almost audibly and somewhere down a long, dark, corridor, a tiny flame flickered into life as an option occurred.    I looked at myself in the kitchen window.  The image was reassuring but the glass cast a dim reflection so couldn’t entirely be relied on.   Determined to confront the truth for good or ill, I abandoned the dishmop and went to the bathroom where the light was better.   I peered at myself in the mirror.   Hmm, skin clear, with only a few noticeable wrinkles, hair still thick and subtly coloured to hide any hint of grey; true, my waist had disappeared but my legs were good and I was by no means fat.    All in all, I wasn’t displeased.   Many women of my age, although comfortably married and affluent, looked a lot older.  There and then, I decided to cash in on my assets before it was too late – I was cutting it fine as it was.   Surely, there must be some lonely soul out there looking for a bit of TLC and an attractive companion to go travelling with.   All I had to do was find him.   Easier said than done.  Of course, there was always Match.com and E Harmony, a lot of couples I knew had met with the help of dating sites, but had I left it too late?   Consulting my oracle, AKA my Hewlett Packard, it seemed not.   There were dozens of dating agencies trolling for the desperate, some even catered for folk in their seventies.   I thought about it.   I thought about it for at least ten seconds – I had always been impetuous, which probably explains a lot - then I dived in.

         To say, I was flooded with replies would be an exaggeration but a few did trickle in.  My standards weren’t high, I wasn’t searching for love – I had given up on that a long time ago - but even so I wanted to look at my companion without wincing.   I was about to give up when I opened the last message.   My spirits rose.   This was more like it.   The photo staring back at me showed a man with a roguish grin, teeth so white and even they could have been false, ‘come hither’ eyes and a full head of springy blond hair.    Its owner claimed to be financially secure, with own house and car, retired and ready to explore pastures new.   Again, I barely hesitated before I hit the reply button.   I, too, was a home owner (I didn’t mention my crippling mortgage) partially retired and looking for someone to go travelling with.

         I’m not entirely stupid, so the first time we met I opted for a pub meal in the next town so as to avoid being seen by anyone I knew.  Especially if I had cause to abandon my meal and run if I suspected I was dating a wanna-be Ted Bundy   On the evening in question, I got there first and sat toying with my drink feeling as if everybody was looking at me.   When he eventually arrived, I was a little disappointed.  He looked a lot older than his photo.   His blond hair was thin and looked straw-like (I suspected bleach) and his face had more lines than Euston.   Nevertheless, his roguish grin hadn’t changed so I hedged my bets.

         As it happened, we got on famously.   Leslie was charming and funny so that, despite my reservations, I found myself becoming increasingly smitten.   We had arranged beforehand that the meal was to be the ‘Dutch’ variety so I was somewhat taken aback when he opted for the soup and nothing else.   “Bit of a  gyppy tummy,” he explained, patting his middle section.   However, during the meal I did notice the way he looked at my steak and when I offered him a chip, he accepted with alacrity.   “I can feel my appetite returning,” he said helping himself to another.   Of course, I refused to let him contribute a penny to the meal, after all he’d eaten barely anything.

         “The next time, everything will be different,” he vowed.  “We’ll have a slap-up dinner at ‘The Grove’ at my expense.  After all, I ate most of yours this evening.  And, don’t worry, I’ll pay for your taxi home.”  I was touched, he seemed a really nice guy.

         As it turned out, the evening was all that he’d promised.  The food was superb, the surroundings luxurious and the wine flowed freely.     It was when the waiter arrived with the bill that things started to go wrong.   Leslie stared at the slip of paper for a long time, a distracted look on his face, then he frowned and started slapping his pockets. one after another.   “Oh my Lord.”  I heard him mutter.

         “Is anything wrong?”

         He looked at me, his face as mournful as a spaniel’s refused a walk.   “Stupidly, I seem to have mislaid my wallet.  I think I must have left it at home.”  He looked so disconsolate, my heart melted.

         “Don’t worry, I’ll get it.”  I said, refusing to think of my next month’s credit card bill.   His relief was visible.   “We’ll have dinner at my place, next time,” he said. 

         A few days later, my heart ‘a flutter,’ I hurried outside as soon as I heard the sound of his horn.  I stopped dead.  During our previous conversations, he’d mentioned he owned Jag.   “Top of the range” he’d said airily.   But, this car was no Jaguar.   This was an elderly, rusting Mondeo, and when I got near, the door swung open with a grating squeal.   

         “Sorry about the car,” he said, obviously seeing the look on my face.  “Some fool ran into the Jag.  Had to use the run-about.”

         Things looked up when we reached his house.   I stared, impressed.   A split-level bungalow it sprawled like a lazy cat.   Inside, my feet sank into emerald carpeting, shaded lamps shed a comforting glow over leather furniture and the windows were covered with velvet drapes echoing the decor.   It was sumptuous, if a trifle green.

         “Take a seat”, he said “I’ll get you some wine and start on supper.”

         When he’d gone I wandered about the room.  There was wall to wall book shelving on two sides.  I fished out my specs and peered at the titles.  They were all travel books and my heart lifted.  Paul Theroux, Bill Bryson, Jonathan Raban and more.  Food forgotten, I eyed then hungrily.  I had just made my choice and was reaching for it, when I heard slam of the front door.  Seconds later, the door to the living room swung open.   Surprised, I turned around as a stranger entered.   Head down, he didn’t immediately see me but when he did, he stopped dead and stared.

         “Who are you?” He said.

         My heart lurched.  He was drop-dead gorgeous.  Deeply tanned, with piercing blue eyes, he reminded me of a young David Attenborough.  

         Collecting myself, I had just opened my mouth to explain when Leslie came bounding out of the kitchen.  He was very pink, it must have been very hot and steamy in there.

         “This is Patsy,” he said.   “She’s come to supper.”  

         “I see. Leslie, a word please.” The stranger turned and left the room.

         Taken aback by his curt manner, I watched as Leslie followed.  Just before he went, Leslie turned and mouthed at me.  “My brother.”  His lips said.

          I was beginning to get a bad feeling about this.  Brother or not, it just wasn’t done to burst into someone else’s home and take over, unless……   As I’ve said before, I’m no dummy and at last the penny dropped.  This probably wasn’t Leslie’s house at all.

         Unable to contain myself, I tiptoed over the door and listened.  I couldn’t hear much, just the low rumble of voices but two phrases rang loud and clear…..”did you go to that interview?" and “what about Angela?”

         I stepped back quickly as Leslie re-entered.

         “Sorry about this, but something’s come up at the factory and I have to sort it out.”   The factory!  He’d told me he’d retired.

         When we walked outside, I noticed there was a sleek Jaguar parked next to Leslie’s old banger.   “Aren’t we going to take your Jag?”  I said sweetly.   Leslie didn’t answer.

         The silence in the car was deafening as we drove to the nearest town.    Just as we entered, I noticed a middle-aged woman with a spray of dyed red hair, standing at the side of the road.   The car slowed imperceptibly and I saw the surprised look on the woman’s face as her eyes tracked our progress as we accelerated away.

         “Was that Angela?”  I said.   

         With a squeal of brakes, the car skidded to a halt.

         “Get out.”

         I stared at him.  His profile reminded me of Mount Rushmore and suddenly, I was furiously angry. “What do you mean ‘get out?’  How am I going to get home?  This is a Sunday.  There are no buses on a Sunday.”

         “Out”, he snarled.  I turned and looked around.   The red-haired woman was running towards us and I deliberately waited until she reached the car.

         “Good luck love.” I said.  “You’ll need it.”

         I watched as the car sped off.   I could see the woman’s mouth moving rapidly and smiled to myself, hoping she was giving him hell.    Mind you, I had no illusions.   He would talk himself out of it.   That sort always do.

         Once back home, I counted the cost of my experiment.    Two expensive meals and the price of a taxi, plus the new dresses I had bought to impress.   I had learned a hard lesson, one which I wasn’t going to repeat in a hurry.  Then, I thought of the brother.  How gorgeous was he!  I wondered if he was unattached.   I turned to my PC and plugged it in.  Perhaps I would be luckier the second time around.  

 

Copyright Janet Baldey

 A DYING

By Rosemary Clarke

You feel like your soul's been dragged through the mire
You've no strength left you've lost that fire.

All you can think of is who has just died
From all the world's energy, you have to hide.

You've never felt so much alone
You're far from all and far from home

You shut down in a little cage

when friends want you to 'take the stage'.

They want to know just how you feel

when you just don't... it is unreal.

It's like you have nobody now,

when through the chores, you daily plow.

Will this be over, will it stop

 or will you work until you drop?

Time eases it, that I do know,

 and gradually you'll start to show

a kind of peace, you'll have the pain

 but it won't be so bad again. 

Your memories of them lift you so,

and help the many days blow

through until the time that you recall,

 you'll smile, and be glad of it all

you'll smile and look down at the ground,

 the place where their feet trod around.

The memories bring peace and then,

 they'll be right with you there again.

Copyright Rosemary Clarke

 

LOOKING DOWN

Lynne Dellow

        Hello.  I have a story to tell so, if you're sitting comfortably, I’ll begin.

Bill, an elderly man, is sitting in his old armchair, smoking his pipe and gazing into a blazing log fire. It’s the anniversary of his late wife Mary's birthday and memories come flooding back of their long and happy marriage. He retired they moved to North Wales, where they’d spent many happy holidays, and bought an old stone cottage which they renovated.

Although situated in a remote spot, it was only several miles from a tiny village, which consisted of a General Store/cum Post Office, a few cottages and a very old Pub.  Bill joined the Chess Club, which took place once a week in the snug and had made friends with Ian the Vet, the landlord and a few locals.

He then began to think of Chris, their only son. Although a loving child, he’d got involved with a violent crowd at Senior School and his personality completely changed. They’d tried so hard to help, but eventually Chris ended up in prison and wouldn't allow them to visit. Then they moved to Wales Mary sent their new address to the Prison Governor and both were overcome when they received birthday and Christmas cards.

Tears came into Bill's eyes when he thought of his dear wife's passing and of seeing Chris standing at the back of the tiny Chapel, accompanied by a Police Officer. Chris shook as he embraced his dad and kept apologising for all the pain his actions had caused. He then added that at last he'd come to his senses.

"Dad I've been on a chef’s course and when I’m released they’re gonna try and find me a job and I promise I won’t let you down again.”

He gave Bill another hug and the Police Officer, who also looked upset, told Chris it was time to go. As they left, Bill waved until they were out of sight then, looking upwards, said a prayer of thanks to Mary.

    Chapter 2

Bill sat up with a jolt. Knowing a mist would soon be forming, he decided it was time to take his afternoon walk. He wrapped up warm, striding along the deserted lane. After a mile or so it began to get misty, so he thought it was time to return home.      As he was about to turn, something caught his eye.

Near a ditch, he noticed a bundle of old black rags.

"What lowlife's left their dirty old rubbish" he muttered, so decided to take a closer look. As he poked the rags with his stick, he saw something move. Thinking it could be a rat, he carefully lifted the top layer and, to his surprise, found a very frightened border collie staring back at him. Its body shook and its eyes had a look of terror.  Bill then noticed two rows of long misshapen teats and knew why she^’d been dumped. He gently lifted her, wrapping his overcoat around her, not knowing, or even caring, if she would nip him, then whispered

^“There, there, my lovely, you’re quite safe now.

No one's ever going to hurt you again."

All the way back to the cottage he spoke softly and, on entering, found an old duvet and he laid her on it, near the fire.  Bill warmed her some milk but seeing she was too weak to lap, put some on his fingers and watched her try to lick.

He thought for a few minutes then rang Ian who promised to come over straight away. He arrived about ten minutes later and, after checking her over angrily said

"Bastards: You know she’s off a Puppy Farm, after they breed from those poor bitches for a few years they’re dumped. That’s what I’d do to them.  Leave them somewhere to rot, with no food or clothes.”

 

Bill had never seen Ian so wound up but totally with all his comments.

Ian then said

"Healthwise she's not too bad. Just needs a feed, lots of love and tomorrow a good bath. If you like I can take her back with me, but she^’ll have to stay in one of my large housing until she recovers, then I’ll try and rehome her soon, but that won’t be easy as she must be at least five or maybe even six.”

Bill quickly interrupted

   “No need, No: She's been through so much already. She’s going to spend the rest of her days with me. I’d be grateful though Ian if you could get me some dog food and any medication she may need. Also please send me your bill.”

Ian chuckled

 “I knew you'd keep her, fee is zero. Just pay for any medication, dog food, etc.”

After they'd had a cup of tea, Bill thanked Ian for coming out on such an awful night and his friend left, promising to send a nurse over the following day to bath her and supply any medication needed.

Later that evening Bill warmed some milk and added some minced chicken and was pleased when she managed to eat and keep it digested. He then made up the fire, put on some music, threw a wrap around himself and settled in his old armchair. It was to be a long night.

Next morning the nurse arrived and, after checking her over, washed her down, asking Bill what he was going to call her. He thought for a moment then said

   “l think the name Misty suits her, when I think of how I found her.”

The nurse smiled

 “Well, she certainly loves you. She hasn't stopped following you around with her eyes all the time I’ve been here.”

And so a new companion entered Bill^’s life. Each day she became stronger and followed him everywhere, even to the bathroom. They went to Chess nights together, where they all made a big fuss of her. On other evenings they sat and lay by the fire, Bill smoking his pipe and playing classical music. He would tell her of his love for Mary and Chris and when he looked sad Misty would gently give him a lick.

 

Chapter 3

One afternoon, as they were sitting by the fire, Bill noticed Misty's ears shoot up. Then she barked and ran to the kitchen door. Imagine Bill s surprise when, looking through the window, he saw Chris with a lady standing alongside.      He told Misty who they were and invited them in.  After several hugs, he made them some coffee and Chris then introduced Jenny, his fiancé. Misty realised everything was okay and let them stroke her.  Bill insisted they stay for lunch, during which Chris explained why they were in Wales. Ted, the Police Officer, had a brother called Dave who owned a restaurant in Balla, a Market Town about ten miles away. After Mary’s funeral, they'd paid him a visit. Ted was full of praise for Chris and wondered if, when he was released from prison, his brother could take him on temporarily to give him some experience and a reference, Dave informed then that his chef was retiring in a couple of years time, so they'd give him a try. Then he did come out Chris started working for Dave and both he and his chef were so impressed he was offered a permanent job. That was a few months ago and the only reason he hadn^’t visited his dad was that he wanted to make sure of everything first.  He’d also met Jenny and they were looking for somewhere to live, close enough to be able to see his dad.

Bill wiped the tears from his eyes and hugged his son again. He insisted they stay with him until they found somewhere although, he added, if they could put up with ^‘one Man and his Dog^’ he’d love them to live permanently with him. That was about three years ago. Chris and Jenny got married and

bought a cottage in the village.

As at the beginning of this story, Bill is sitting by the fire, this time though with his faithful companion. He looks up at Mary's picture and thinks life would be perfect if she was here.

“Now you may wonder how I know so much about Bill. Well my name’s Mary, need I say more?”                                        

The End

Copyright Lynne Dellow

Copper in the wind

 171. Copper in the wind      

By Robert Kingston

I see him in his new form now

More spirited than before

Moving in the wind

Gliding and jumping

To heights not previously seen before.

 

His splendid shimmering coat

Beamed copper to the stars

Eyes cold black, glinting white

Where white would reflect

When startled in the beam of a headlight.

 

I am with heavy heart

As I take him lifeless in my arms

He really should be part of nature

Not lying in the road a casualty of

Someone’s careless harm.

 

Some would see him as vermin

Others a killer in the night

Not me, I see him as the once wily image

Sent by God to serve a purpose

In his magical kingdom

A creature of delight.

 

© Robert Kingston   15.4.15

 

RUNESTONES 5/4

RUNESTONES 5/4

by Richard Banks    

         “Henderson,” I gasp, “what are you doing here?”

         “Hiding,” he says, “hasn’t Jones told you, I’m a wanted man?”

         “No.”

         “Well, I am and so are you and Jones; at least you will be when the both of you fail to report back to Parry. That’s tomorrow morning, I believe. You’re fortunate that the only closed-circuit camera in the village is outside the bank. Had you been pictured doing anything of concern to your fellow watchers you’ll now be on your way to a detention centre. Just as well you have switched sides. Not that you meant to of course, but nevertheless that’s the way it is. So, Sir, I suppose you will be wanting to know about the side you’re on. Well, I have good news, you’re with the good guys, we’re going to save the world! Now, what else do you need to know? Has Jones told you about the invasion fleet overhead?”

         “Only that lights have been seen over the west coast of America.”        

         “More than just lights. In the last few days alien craft have taken up positions over Washington, New York, Moscow and Beijing. Another eight are expected to overfly other major cities in the next few days. They’re testing us, making targets of themselves. Show us what you’ve got they are saying and so far we haven’t laid a glove on them. Oh yes, it’s been tried, aircraft and rockets. Last night the Americans tried to nuke the one over Washington. Imagine that, a nuclear explosion over a city of 5.4 million people. It failed like everything else has failed. Nothing gets within half a mile of the Runes before they make it disappear from the sky. For that, we can only thank them, but when they land, as they intend to, every man jack of us will be in the front line, the biggest turkey shoot in history. If they need slaves some of us will survive, if not, the human race will come to an end. So, what do our present lords and masters intend to do, the many Governments of this world? In truth, there are only two that matter and for once they are reading from the same script. The Chinese and Americans will fight to the last man, and when the contest is all but lost they will devastate the planet with every bomb still left. If they can’t have the world no one else will. They argue that in this lies the ultimate deterrent; why should the Runes invade when they will be denied everything they have come for.”

         “And what does our Government say?”

         “Whatever the Americans want it to. With the CIA sitting-in on every Cabinet meeting, it’s only the yes men who remain. But there are those outside Government who are not yes men, who know what’s happening, who think it possible to negotiate a settlement. We are many and soon our negotiators will be meeting with theirs.”

         “And what makes you think they will listen to you?”

         “Have faith, with words come salvation. Repeat after me, we are going to save the world. Until then you and Jones will need to go into hiding, me too, this place is no longer safe.”

         He makes a call on a mobile phone and without naming himself or anyone else requests a taxi to Worthing. Thirty minutes later it arrives except that it’s a builder’s van. We clamber into the back and sit down on a bench that’s bolted to the floor. There’s no windows, we’re in almost total darkness and, once the van picks up speed we’re hanging on to anything that will keep us upright. Worthing is only a short drive away but after thirty minutes we’re still going. At last, the van stops on what sounds like a shingle drive, the doors open and the driver ushers us up the steps of a large, porticoed building that’s probably someone’s stately home. A woman meets us in the hall. “Everything is ready,” she tells Henderson. “Will you be staying the night?” Henderson replies that we will, and she instructs a younger woman to prepare three rooms. “They are,” she says, “close to the fire escape should we have uninvited visitors.” She smiles at the irony of a joke that is not quite a joke and suggests we take tea in the Marble Room. Henderson asks if Frobisher is here and on being told that he is goes in search of him.

         He returns half an hour later in high spirits. If anyone is enjoying the prospect of an alien invasion it appears to be him. “It’s on,” he says, “we’re meeting them on the Downs tomorrow evening at twenty-three hundred hours. Jackson’s already here, General Marsh arrives this evening and the Assistant Commissioner tomorrow morning. It’s all systems go. So, gentlemen, do you want to be eyewitnesses to history being made, have a story to dine out on for the rest of your lives. Of course, you do. We need observers, the more the better. It will be your privilege to be there among the watchers. Front row seats!” He laughs, and I wonder if he has lost all reason. 

(to be continued)

Copyright Richard Banks     

 Saving Life At Sea 

Jane Scoggins

I am cold, tired, and terrified. My brain refuses to function. Salt tears mix with the briny water that splashes up against my face when the turning tide pulls and pushes the water underneath me.  I drift further out to sea with my arms around a half-inflated lilo. How did this happen to me?  I was lying on a lilo in the shallows, soaking up the sun and maneuvering myself around swimmers by paddling with my hands, and then what?  What with the sun, and quite a few celebratory cocktails for Susie's birthday, I must have nodded off.  When I came too I could not see the coastline and I didn’t know whether I was north, south, east, or west of the shore.  That was a long time ago.  I am completely disorientated and shivering uncontrollably, I tipped off the lilo when I woke and could not get back on.  I have a terrible headache and losing the will to keep trying to kick my legs. I am beginning to think nothing matters anymore.  I would be happy to just sink down down down to the bottom of the sea and become a mermaid.

I can hear a faint noise coming from far off.  Maybe it is the sound of mermaids singing, ready to welcome me to their beautiful world deep below. The sun has gone down and patches of mist are swirling around me.  I can feel the tide pulling and pushing as it changes direction.  I am helpless against its cold iron strength.  I am ready to let go of the lilo now.

The mermaids have come for me.  I am glad.  I sink below the swirling waters to meet them.  I can feel the strong arms of the mermen around.  I can smell their breath and feel soft seaweed against my face.  But then I can feel myself being raised up and lifted from the water, I hear men’s voices, I am cradled in yellow oil-skinned arms and laid upon the deck of a small boat rocking to the rhythm of the choppy waves. I open my eyes to see the darkening pink evening sky above me.  I am saved.

 

Copyright Jane Scoggins