A Gift From An Angel

By Gary Preston

Angels don't always appear winged, serene and beautiful, they come in all shapes and sizes.

A young girl from Glasgow enjoys her anual works holiday to the seaside resort of Blackpool, the town and her friends show her the time of her life and all is right with the world.

That's how it seems through young and untested eyes, until you make the wrong move and the town shows it's ugly twisted side. When your young and things turn against you the world can be a very cold harsh place, so if Angels offer help don't question it, embrace it and hope it will save you from the dark.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gary Preston
• Release date: May 7, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476474915

Book preview

Angels don’t always appear winged, serene and beautiful, they come in all shapes and sizes. Follow Annie on her testing journey through the seaside town of Blackpool and see how many angels you can find.

A GIFT FROM AN ANGEL

By Gary Preston

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2012 by Gary Preston

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Chapter 1

Annie waited for the inevitable put down as she handed the box of groceries to Mrs Mclusky. It was the same every time with this lonely old woman and Annie had learned to roll with it. I don’t eat tinned ham, never have, never will. I told you last time girl, only salmon, you know that.

Mrs Mclusky had her own way of showing she was grateful for her monthly box of free food from the young girl. Annie looked down, Yeah sorry I’ll get salmon next time, promise. I can take the ham and give it to someone else if you don’t want it Mrs Mclusky.

She knew the answer, No it will have to do now won’t it girl.

With that she slams the front door and moans her way back to her tiny kitchen. Annie smiles to herself then blows as she picks up another box by her feet and sets off to her last drop off of the day.

Nineteen Nevin Street was a new call for her, all she had been told was that an old man in a wheelchair had moved in recently from outside the area and was living there alone. She knew that side of Glasgow though and didn’t care much for it. Annie noticed the lone trainer hanging from a lamp post, a warning she was entering another gangs territory as she walked up the scruffy terraced street with it’s back drop of towering tenement buildings and aggressive graffiti.

As she arrives at the gate with ‘19’ written in grey paint running down the peeling varnished wood she becomes aware of three boys sat on the wall. They had watched her every step as she made her way up their street, their eyes fixed on the box she was carrying. The three scruffy monkeys with little else to do but try to profit from each passer-by challenge her, What’s in the box you!

Sorry, Annie was afraid this might happen.

It’s simple woman, we want your box so hand it over.

They slide off the wall like hungry snakes slowly moving around her. Annie holds the box of food tightly in her arms determined not lose the old man’s groceries. Just as things might well go from bad to worse for her the old man at number nineteen appears at his front door in his wheelchair, Wow lads wow, you don’t want to do that.

His voice is loud and carries the authority of a military man, it makes the boys stop and turn in their tracks. The biggest of them who looks like he could handle any physical encounter regains his confidence from the chair, And what are you going to do about it old man, take us on in that state, hey?

The other two laugh weakly.

The old man is ready for the challenge, Well no, I couldn’t do that could I. I just thought you might want these instead.

He holds up three crisp new ten pound notes and gestures to them to help themselves. The boys don’t hesitate and jump the wall and gate grabbing their winnings. Without a single word either way they push past Annie and disappear up the dirty street feeling good about their days work.

Annie blows a huge blow and walks up the path to her new found friend, You shouldn’t give away your money like that you need it.

He lays his hand on her arm, No it’s money my dear no more than that, don’t worry yourself. So what do they call you then.

Oh my names Annie, pleased to meet you and this is your food parcel from our local group, but don’t get too excited it’s not much just a small gift.

His face lights up, A gift, really, that’s wonderful.

She hands him the box of tins and packets and a smile of her own, It’s not worth thirty quid I’m afraid.

The old man looks deep into her eyes and likes what he sees, Did you help collect all this as well,

She smiles modestly, Some of it, we bring them round once a month, well if we can, not always, you know.

The old soldier is visibly moved by her and chokes one back as he studies the contents of his box of treasure, but this is everything I need Annie, everything.

She understands his meaning, Pleasure, no problem.

He looks back into her eyes, So what else do you do with your life then Annie?

Annie looks upwards, Oh well not much, I go dancing with my friends when I get the chance and work, you know.

He enjoys seeing a young face that reminds him of the past, Not got a young man at home yet then.

Annie grins, No, no just my sisters and mum of course. We don’t always see eye to eye me and mum, if you know what I mean.

He rests back in his chair, Now don’t let that worry you to much, give it time.

She pushes her hands into her coat pockets, I’ll try not to, look it’s time I was off, I’ll see you in four weeks then hey. Oh no I’m away then I go on holiday on the twenty eighth. Anyway it will probably be Barbara who calls, you’ll like her she’s nice.

He smiles and raises his eyebrows, Holiday hey, and where might you be off to.

Annie tries to sound casual but can’t disguise her excitement, Blackpool, just Blackpool, for the week you know.

He sits forward in his chair and beams, I love Blackpool I used to go there a lot, it’s a fun place isn’t it, so much to do.

Her mind does cart wheels at the thought of all that is in front of her, I know, we go every year from Jackson’s. Jackson’s Snacks that’s where I work, it should be really nice. I’ve actually just started seeing a guy from work so we’ll see. Anyway, I don’t know why I told you that but look I’ll have to go it’s been really nice to meet you Mister?

The old man holds his box of food tightly, Really nice to meet you too Annie, now have a great time in Blackpool, let your hair down girl you deserve it and I hope it works out with your new friend.

Annie turns and opens the gate, Oh cheers, you take care ‘til I get back, ok. Oh and thanks again for rescuing me that was so nice of you.

She sets off to walk back the way she came, the old man watches her to make sure she is safe, he calls as Annie turns the corner, Thank you, bye Annie, give my love to Blackpool!

Annie gives him the thumbs up just before she disappears from view.

Chapter 2

Early on a windy Saturday morning in late August outside Jackson’s