Dreams or Reality

By Phil Bryson

The story starts in the mid 1970s and follows the life of Danny who is a very easy going lifeguard and Gina, who works in a bank. They meet and Danny is besotted with Gina, but whereas Danny is a plodder and a dreamer, Gina wants to get on and make something of her life and her job. She is the realist to Dannys dreams.

Ginas parents are Italian and hence she speaks English and Italian.

The story follows their lives and quite frankly, Gina doesnt care how she rises in the world of finance as long as she gets there. This is actually a story of role reversal, Gina is the go getter and Danny is quite happy to drift along. As for Gina, she wants money and power you name it and she will do it as long as it advances her career. She will let nothing or anyone get in her way. She even marries Danny just to get away from her oppressive father.

Once Danny realises whats been happening, he awakens with a start and tries to change his life. Throughout the story there are many twists and turns, it is both a power game and has some very sexy encounters.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Dec 11, 2012
• ISBN: 9781477235362

Phil Bryson

I have led a very varied life, been in the royal navy, hitched around Europe and Scandinavia, worked on a kibbutz and been a telephone man and a photographer, all of which gave me ideas for my story.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

D anny entered his local bank, pulled out a chequebook joined the queue for a teller and looked up at the clock. It was 11.00am on Wednesday 5th May 1976 and he proceeded to fill in the amount of money he wished to withdraw. At last his time arrived and Gina Bonacci, a slim brunette, served him. Danny signed his cheque and together with his guarantee card, slid them to her.

Looking up, her large blue eyes twinkled as she said, Good morning Mr Thompson. I wonder if you could tell me your occupation and date of birth? It’s just a formality, as you wish to withdraw such a large sum of money.

Morning Gina. How’re you today? I thought you’d know me by now. Anyway for the record, lifeguard, born on 28th September, 1951.

Thank you. I won’t keep you long. Gina replied as she left her position and walked over to check the balance of Danny’s account, thinking to herself, Mmm, he’s often in here, he’s tall, slim and handsome, could be interesting. She noted he was withdrawing most of the money from his account.

She returned and said, How would you like the money?

Large notes. It’s to pay for a new car. Danny smiled and tried to assess the size of her breasts.

As she passed the money across to him, she gazed lovingly into his brown eyes saying, There you are Mr Thompson.

Thanks. He’d noticed the way she looked at him and said, By the way, would you like to come for a drink tonight?

Not tonight, I’m afraid.

Don’t tell me. You’ve got to wash your hair.

Gina winked at him and said loudly. We are not allowed to fraternise with the customers.

She smiled adding quietly in case she was overhead by senior members of staff, No. But I’ll see you tomorrow night, on one condition.

What’s that?

You get rid of the beard stubble.

He pocketed his money and stroked his dark stubbly chin saying, It’s my day off today. But for you, tomorrow, my face will be as smooth as a baby’s bottom. So, where shall I meet you, outside the bank?

Gina wrote her address on a piece of paper and passed it across to him saying, That’s the information you’ll need Mr Thompson.

Right Gina, See you tomorrow about eightish.

Don’t be late, she replied and watched him leave the now empty bank and thought, Nice bum and his T-shirt was stretched tautly across his chest. I wonder if he’s hairy?

Danny got into his old jalopy and drove round the back streets until he entered a street that had a railway bridge across it. Danny parked his car near to the bridge and strolled over to an access road that ran alongside the railway arches. He entered one that served as a garage. The sound of a car engine drowned out the radio and Gary’s tall frame was crouched over a Lotus 7.

Danny and Gary had worked together at a cheap car hire place. The owner had sold it and both Gary and Danny lost their jobs. Danny became a lifeguard and Gary set up a garage.

I’ve got the money for the car Gary. Danny shouted.

Be with you in a minute. Paul’s just gone out on a test run. Put the kettle on. I’m tuning your Webers. When I’ve finished we can go for a spin in it.

Danny was a frequent visitor to the garage and knew his way round, filled the kettle and switched it on. He was singing and jigging along to a song on the radio. The record stopped and the DJ said, I love Music, by the O’Jays

The kettle had just boiled when Paul, who was thin with straggly blond hair, walked through the door. Gary had finished tuning the carbs and turned to Paul saying. Nip up the road Paul and get some sarnies. Do you want anything Danny?

Cheese and pickle. Danny replied.

What about you, Gary? Paul asked.

Get me one of those long rolls with bacon lettuce and tomato. Oh and whatever you want yourself.

Hah, bloody, hah! Paul replied as he left.

Gary wandered over to Danny, cleaned his hands and was handed a wad of notes. There you go Gary. I’ll pay you the rest when I’ve sold my jalopy.

Gary counted the money put it in a box and said. When I take the Lotus for a spin, do you want to come? That way I’ll be able to bank the money. Why didn’t you pay by cheque?

Dunno really. Thought you’d like the cash. Mind you it’s done me a favour, as I asked out the banker and she’s gorgeous.

Has she got big tits? Gary asked as he held his hands out in front of his chest.

Nah. Anyway, when do I pick up the Lotus?

Saturday, also, tell you what I’ll do. Give us your car for the rest of the dosh and I’ll throw in five, nearly new tyres for the Lotus.

Deal. Danny said as he spat in his hand and shook hands with Gary.

What you doing for the rest of the day?

Danny never replied as Paul had returned with the rolls and Gary said, Make yourself useful Danny. Make the coffee.

As the chairs weren’t very clean Danny stood whilst the other two sat down.

Anyway Danny, what’re you doing for the rest of the day? Gary asked again.

Danny shrugged his shoulders. Dunno, nothing much.

How do you fancy going sailing?

Yeah wouldn’t mind. I thought you were into motorboats?

Paul and I have been servicing an engine for some racing boat and the geezer asked if we’d care to go for a sail. Paul went with his missus last week and said it was all right.

Me missus enjoyed it, but I fancied a go on his motor boat. Paul replied.

Don’t you worry; I’ll get us a trip on his motorboat. Look, there’s not much on today, so finish what you’re doing and call it a day Paul. Me and Danny’ll go down the Welsh Harp and get in a bit of sailing.

If it’s all the same to you, I’ll work on a bit. I’ll phone round and make sure people know when to bring their cars in and try and get money out of those that owe us. To be honest, I don’t want to go home as the missus’ll nag me and say that I’m not working. ’Ere I am, thirty years of age, no kids, not through lack of trying. And I feel like I’ve been married a lifetime, instead of just three years.

Don’t know what you’re worried about. If you’re firing blanks, at least you won’t have to worry about condoms. Gary said.

It’s not me mate. I’ve already got one away. It’s the wife; she can’t have any kids. Still, as long as she keeps her legs open, I couldn’t care less.

Right then, Gary said, I’ll take the Lotus out for a spin, put some money in the bank and call it a day.

Money! Where’d you get the money from? Paul asked.

Danny’s paid me for the Lotus. Well almost. I said I’d take his car for the rest. Touch up the bodywork, polish it, tune up the engine and we get a nice little profit.

I wondered what you were going to do with my old jalopy. Danny said.

All three finished their rolls and coffee, Gary removed his overalls, grabbed a paying in book and handed it to Danny together with the money and said. Open the doors Paul. You get in the passenger seat Danny. It’s been a long time since I’ve driven this thing. Should go really well. I just hope I’ve got those Webers tuned in.

Danny stepped into the Lotus and sat on a plastic cover, which Gary had placed over the bucket seats. Paul opened the garage doors and Gary got into the driver’s seat. He started the engine and reversed out into the road and turned to Danny saying, Sounds good so far.

They shot off with a roar, Danny paid the money into Gary’s bank and they drove back to the garage. Danny climbed out of the car and Gary said, Almost there, hang about, then we can go sailing. Well you can, I’ve got some work to do, tuning some bloke’s car.

Danny and Gary drove to a boat club on the Welsh Harp in Gary’s BMW. They stepped out of the car; Gary had his overalls under his arm and grabbed his tools from the boot. A man in his mid-thirties, who was thin and had dark receding hair met them.

Afternoon Skip. Gary said, This is my mate Danny. Any chance he can go for a sail?

Ever sailed before Danny? Skip asked.

No. Not unless you count the Isle of Wight Ferry.

It’s a bit quiet this afternoon. Tell you what I’ll do, I’ll have a word and see if there’s anyone in who’s willing to take a novice.

Gary wandered over to a shed whilst Danny and Skip entered the clubhouse. Danny stood by the door and looked up into the blue sky. Skip returned with a chap who had a grey beard and a mop of grey hair.

Danny this is Bob. He’ll take you for a sail.

Bob looked at Danny’s feet and said, Might be best if you remove your shoes as they might get wet. Bob was wearing sandals so Danny removed his trainers and socks.

Danny and Bob ambled down to the water’s edge where a dinghy was moored. I hear you’ve never sailed before. Can you swim? Bob asked.

Danny laughed, Yes, I’m a lifeguard.

That’s good. Put this on. Bob said as he handed Danny a lifejacket donned one himself and added, Right, get on board.

Danny stepped into the boat felt it move and quickly sat down. Bob pushed the boat away and jumped on board saying, Sit amidships. This is easy to sail, as it only has one sail. I’ll handle the tiller.

The wind caught the solitary sail and off they went and Danny’s face beamed into a broad grin.

Lee ho! Cried Bob, as the sail swung from one side to the other and Danny just managed to duck in time and the dinghy veered off in another direction.

What do you reckon to this sailing lark Danny?

I’m impressed, but I wish you’d told me what lee ho meant. I nearly got hit on the head.

Sorry matey. Would you like to handle the tiller?

Maybe next time. I never realised how enjoyable sailing could be. It’s just so quiet and peaceful.

Ah, but you should try sailing at sea, or even racing. replied Bob. If you’re interested, you can join the club, we’re always looking for new blood and we often go to the coast and sail for the weekend. We have races on small boats and sometimes, we get up a crew and sail over to France.

I’ll have to think about it Bob. Danny noticed Gary was waving at him and said, I think I’d better go back, as it looks as if Gary wants me.

Very well, but before you go I’ll give you a pamphlet about the club.

Would I have to buy my own boat?

Goodness no, most of the members have their own yachts, but the club owns a few dinghies and when we go away, we crew on a large yacht.

Danny and Bob docked. Bob was the first to jump ashore and Danny soon followed and got his feet wet. If you could just help me pull her out of the water Danny?

Danny eagerly helped and once the dinghy was on the shore, Bob furled the sail and said, Just wait there a minute and I’ll get you the bumf about the club.

Gary wandered over to Danny and said, Well, what do you reckon?

To be honest I really enjoyed it. It was so quiet and tranquil he glanced at Gary’s watch adding, I never realised how long we’d been out. Bob’s just gone to get me the info about joining the club. So what do you do here?

One of our customers uses us to service his car and wondered if Paul or I knew anything about marine engines. Paul knows more about them than me, but he soon taught me. Otherwise we come up and do a quick service on their cars. It saves them coming to us and it gets us out of the garage. Unless it’s a major job, then we collect the car. They’re good customers and always settle their accounts at the end of the month.

Bob returned handed Danny the information about the yacht club and said, Hope to see you again soon.

Thanks Bob.

So anyway, you mentioned this titless wonder you’re taking out. When’re you seeing her? Gary asked as they wandered over to his car.

I’m seeing her tomorrow night.

What’s she like?

Slim, very attractive and not very tall.

And don’t tell me, fucks like a rattlesnake.

How the hell should I know? I’ve not tried her out yet.

Are you out for a drink tonight? Or have you got some girl lined up?

Yeah, I’ll be out tonight. But I can’t wait to get my hands on that Gina.