The Black Orchid

By Ernest Douglas Hall

The time came for their departure. When all the group had got together in the airport Jack was watching the main door he was expecting the Professor to come see them off. He was about to give up hope of seeing the Professor when he walked into the airport with his wife and two cameramen. When Jack saw the Professor he shouted for the group to form a single line. Then Jack walked towards the Professor and said. ‘Well it’s very good of you to come see us off sir and you Mamma.’ The Professor said. ‘You must be joking Jack do you think I would miss your send off. I mean it’s the biggest event in a very long time for the university. Now let me shake the hand of every person who is going on this trip. But before I do jack if it’s possible you let me know how you are progressing at every opportunity and which is most important how many rare Orchids you have got not to mention the Black Orchid.’
‘Well sir if it’s possible then I will get in touch with you at every chance I get.’
‘Ok Jack I can't ask more than that.’
Then the Professor walked along the group shaking every ones hand starting with Mary. Then he turned and waved his hand and shouted Bon Voyage then he and his wife with the cameramen still taking pictures walked out of the airport.
Jack turned to face the group and said. ‘Right I want everyone to give me their passports we are travelling as a group and I will deal with the passports, now we are boarding in less than half an hour so please stick together I don’t want any hold ups at the last minute.
Jack and Tom were standing talking when Tom saw Jake take a flask from his pocket then take a drink from it. Tom put his hand up to Jack then walked across to Jake and said. ‘Come Jake give it to me.’
‘Give what to you, what the hell are you talking about.’ Jake could see the look on Busters face as he put out his hand.’
‘What the hell do you think you are doing Tom’
‘I want that booze that you put in your jacket do you know that if the crew saw you with the drink they would put you off the plane before we have taken off, now give it to me.’ Jake saw Jack starting to walk towards them and he put his hand into his jacket and brought out a pint-sized flask and gave it to Tom.
Tom turned around and met Jack on his way to them. Jack said what’s the trouble Tom.’
‘Oh I saw that Jughead Jake taking a swig of this.’ Tom handed Jack the flask.
Jack took it to the nearest rubbish bin then with Jake’s mouth wide open Jack poured the drink into the bin then he threw the flask in as well.
The two men turned and walked back to the rest of the group.
When Jack and Tom’s back were to them Buster said tapping his breast pocket. ‘Don’t you worry Jake I have plenty more where that came from.’

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ernest Douglas Hall
• Release date: Oct 30, 2013
• ISBN: 9781310326424

Ernest Douglas Hall

I am 77 years of age and I live in the city of Newcastle upon Tyne England. I was born on the 14 September in the year 1935. I am a married man and have five children and 35 grand children and great grand children. I have written 55 books and my one aim in life is to see my work published.

Book preview

The Black Orchid

By

Ernest Douglas Hall

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2013 Ernest Douglas Hall

All Rights Reserved.

Chapter 1

The Book

Jack and his wife Mary Shaw were out as usual on a Saturday morning shopping and having their breakfast out.

It was a ritual that every Saturday morning for the last ten years of their married life they made it their business to do the morning shopping at a leisurely pace.

Mary had wandered into a woman’s type shop and she did this every week and Jack would go into the old bookshop every week until she came looking for him.

The old man behind the counter always saluted him as he entered his shop even when he knew that Jack would not buy a book he never did.

Jack was browsing through the books when his eyes fell on a very old looking book. He picked it up and read the cover it said The Black Orchid by Professor H Peabody.

Jack was a professor of botany at the Newcastle University and he opened the first page and began to read.

The next thing he knew was Mary tugging on his coat and saying ‘What have you got there Jack it has you spellbound I have called your name half a dozen times from the door but you did not hear me.’

‘Oh hello pet, well its this book.’

He held the book up so that she could read the cover, then she said. ‘I don’t believe you Jack reading about a black orchid you always said that there was no such thing as a black orchid.’

‘Yes pet but I have heard about this professor Peabody before and I have just read a few pages and they have got me thinking what if he did find a black orchid what then, I tell you what pet I must finish reading this book.’

‘Well take it to the old man and find out how much it cost but it better had not been too expensive.’ Jack looked down at the large bag she was carrying and said. ‘Oh it’s alright for you to spend a small fortune every Saturday morning but when I want something there’s hell to pay.’

She just laughed and said. ‘Go on get your grubby book.’

Jack took the book to the old man who was just sitting there with a large grin on his face.

Jack handed him the book then said. ‘How much for the book please. The old man said oh seeing as you are having a family crisis just ten pounds will cover the book.’

Jack paid for the book and then he slipped it into Mary’s shopping bag and they carried on shopping through the city center.

When they got back home it was just after one o’clock in the afternoon.

Mary said go take your book into the front room and I’ll make you a cup of tea and bring it into you.’

When she walked into the front room, Jack stood up and walked over to the small table and sat down.

Mary said. ‘Well was it worth your ten pounds.’

‘Yes well up until now I would say yes it was well worth it, I have only read a couple of chapters and he was going through hell. I mean you have to take into consideration that it was 1903. And the Amazon jungle has not been explored even up until this day so it must have been hell in those days.’

Jack read the book for the rest of the afternoon.

Mary looked at her watch It was time to get ready to go to their friend’s house she went into the front room expecting to find Jack fast asleep but he was still reading the book, she lifted her hand to her mouth and coughed. But Jack did not seem to hear her then she said. ‘Jack are you deaf I am trying to get you to look at me.’

‘Oh I’m sorry Mary but I got carried away.’

‘Too true you did now come on its time to get ready to go to Dick and Lynn’s.’

‘Ok pet I’ll put the book down and go get ready but I had no idea of the time I have read about two thirds of the book and it fascinates me.’

‘Right I’ll give you ten minutes then you had better be ready.’

‘Oh its usually me that’s got to wait for you and for the first time I’m not ready I get the boot.’ Mary walked out of the room laughing.

About twenty minutes later they got into the car Jack always drove them to their friend’s but Mary always drove them home because Jack liked a drink and would not drink and drive.

When they got to Dick’s house they were the last to arrive. Jenks and Tracey were there and Dick and Lynn then they saw Willie and Jane sitting by the fire. When dick showed them into the front room they all shouted. ‘It's about time we lot thought that you two had deserted us.’

Mary said. ‘Blame the bookworm here, he has not put the book down that he picked up at that old book shop in town.’ Willie said. ‘By it must be a good one Jack what is it about big blondes or what.’

‘No Willie in fact I want you three guys to read it after me and tell me what you think starting with you Willie and when you have finished reading it pass it on to one of the other two then they do the same.’ Next to speak was Jenk’s. ‘Well now Jack you have my attention for sure, it must be some book.’

‘Well I’ll tell you this Jenk’s I bet you won't put it down until you have finished it, and all of you if you don’t mind write down anything that you find interesting then we can all put our notes together and see what develops.’

Then it was the turn of Willie he said. ‘What’s it about Jack can you tell me how I come into it I mean you three all work together but I am the outsider.’

‘Well Willie all I want is for your reaction to the book that’s all, you see my dear friend I value your thoughts on the matter.’

‘Ok if that’s all you want then I’ll read it, but if It’s about what you do at work I can't see what good my opinion is worth.’

‘Just read the book Willie please.’

The rest of the night went as it always did they drank cans of beer and played cards and had a good laugh every now and again.

Willie came out with the first joke of the night he said. ‘What is green and smells. Everybody looked at each other and Willie said. ‘It’s easy it’s the hulks fart.’

All the men burst out laughing but the girls turned up their noses to the joke.

The night came to and end and Jack said to Dick I’ll finish the book tonight or tomorrow morning and let you have it on Monday at work.’

‘That’s fine Jack now good night.’

When they got home Jack said to Mary. ‘I think I’ll stay up a bit pet and try to get the book finished.’

‘Oh no you don’t Jack Shaw you will come to bed and you can read in bed and when you fall asleep I can tuck you in and put out the lights.’

‘Oh very well you win.’

The next morning Jack was still asleep at ten o’clock.

Mary went up the stairs a shook him. He opened his eyes and said. ‘Good morning petal and how are you today.’

‘I am fine Jack and I must have fallen asleep before you so how long did you stay awake for.’

‘Well Mary I finished the book, I could not put it down it was so good.’

‘Well that’s it then I want to take a look at this book so this afternoon I will read it.’

‘No problem but I want it back before tomorrow I want the lads to read it right away.’

Chapter 2

Professor Hope

On the Monday morning when Jack had just walked into his kitchen for breakfast the telephone rang.

Jack turned back and walked to the small phone table in the hall he picked up the handset and said. ‘Hello Jack Shaw

Here.’ A voice on the other end said. ‘I know you are Jack Shaw and I’m Mr Bond but not James just plain old Willie.’

‘Good morning Willie what makes you phone me at this time on a Monday morning.’

‘Well Jack I have not read the book yet and I will most likely be the last to read it but let me know what has got you all excited over