When Empires Crumble

By Murth Hogan

When Empires Crumble is an environmental based crime thriller.The story is told in two parts, one a fantasy world in ancient times. The second part happens in a modern day setting of big business and, its disregard for the protection of planet earth the home of humanity and every living thing.

In the empire of The Great Lord, death and destruction are the order of the day. Nothing is sacred to this man. Everything, man, woman, child and the magnificient beasts that roam the great forest of his kingdom belong to him. He abuses the power he has over all things, until one day he is challenged by a woman who enters his kingdom in a strange and, very mysterious way. Her mission is to show him the error of his ways and, create a change in his attitude, to guard and protect that which surrounds him. Will he listen to her, and reform his ways, or will his hunger and lust for power seal his fate and, bring an end to his reign of terror.

Blake and Jessica are the son and daughter of two of the directors of a major business empire. They have a huge interest in all things concerning, the environment. At times there is much conflict in both families because, of the actions, of a third director of The Corporation. This man has no qualms about, bending the rules or, breaking the law if it means he can increase the profit margins. His illegal actions cause a major environmental disaster which, in time, threatens all their lives.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Jan 29, 2015
• ISBN: 9781504935784

Murth Hogan

Murth J. Hogan was born in Wexford, Ireland, in March 1952. He was educated in The Christian Brothers primary and, secondary schools. He left school at fifteen and, served a five year apprenticeship in carpentry. He worked in the construction industry for a further six years after completing this apprenticeship. During that time he completed a four year course in Interior Design and Construction. He started his own design practice in 1981. The business was successful for a number of years but, the recession of the mid eighties, virtually wiped out the need for those professional services. In September 1986 he emigrated to Canada. He lived in Toronto for three years and, St.Catherines close to Niagara Falls, for three and a half years. It was during this time he developed his interest in writing. He wrote a number of stories in screenplay format. He returned to Ireland in December 1992 and, once again, worked in the construction industry. In January 1995 he began his career as a staff supervisor for a voluntary organisation in his ome town of Wexford in the famously sunny south east corner of Ireland. He still works for this organisation to this day. In 2011 he decided, once again, to work on his ideas, only this time to write them as books. His first book titled The Attic, a tense crime thriller, was published in December 2013. Shortly after this, in late January 2014, he suffered a near fatal heart attack . He is now fit and well once again and, Is very pleased to be able to publish his second novel.

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© 2015 Murth Hogan. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse  01-27-2015

ISBN: 978-1-5049-3577-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5049-3578-4 (e)

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Contents

About the Author

Chapter 1    The Destruction Grounds

Chapter 2    The Beach Front Paradise

Chapter 3    The Hunt

Chapter 4    Unwelcome Attention

Chapter 5    The dinner party

Chapter 6    The meeting

Chapter 7    Un-granted Demands

Chapter 8    The Illegal Operators

Chapter 9    Ancient Times

Chapter 10    The golden rule of cheating

Chapter 11    Facing facts

Chapter 12    The Investigation

Chapter 13    Betrayed

Chapter 14    The Quest for Evidence

Chapter 15    The Informer

Chapter 16    The perfect plan

Chapter 17    On The High Seas

Chapter 18    Gathering Support

Chapter 19    The fight back begins

Chapter 20    Battle grounds

Chapter 21    Repairing the damage

Chapter 22    Winners and losers

Chapter 23    Revenge is said to be sweet

Epilogue

This book is dedicated to the memory of my parents

Phyllis & James Hogan

They thought me real life values, kindness, manners, hard work and how to appreciate the good things in life.

Miss you both every day.

______________________________________

Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage, for your children and your children’s children. Do not let selfish men or greedy interests skin your country of its beauty, its riches or its romance.

Theodore Roosevelt

About the Author

Murth J. Hogan was born in Wexford, Ireland, in March 1952. He was educated in The Christian Brothers primary and, secondary schools. He left school at fifteen and, served a five year apprenticeship in carpentry. He worked in the construction industry for a further six years after completing this apprenticeship. During that time he completed a four year course in Interior Design and Construction. He started his own design practice in 1981. The business was successful for a number of years but, the recession of the mid eighties, virtually wiped out the need for those professional services.

In September 1986 he emigrated to Canada. He lived in Toronto for three years and, St.Catherines close to Niagara Falls, for three and a half years. It was during this time he developed his interest in writing. He wrote a number of stories in screenplay format.

He returned to Ireland in December 1992 and, once again, worked in the construction industry. In January 1995 he began his career as a staff supervisor for a voluntary organisation in his ome town of Wexford in the famously sunny south east corner of Ireland. He still works for this organisation to this day. In 2011 he decided, once again, to work on his ideas, only this time to write them as books.

His first book titled The Attic, a tense crime thriller, was published in December 2013. Shortly after this, in late January 2014, he suffered a near fatal heart attack . He is now fit and well once again and, Is very pleased to be able to publish his second novel.

Chapter 1

The Destruction Grounds

In ancient times, in the Kingdom of the Great Lord,

the first warnings of the destruction of the world were heard and, just like today, those warnings were not listened too.

The Castle of the Great Lord is shrouded in a thick early morning fog. It is in that moment, just before sunrise, when the welcome daylight seems to struggle against the dark of the night, for a short period of time. Once again, as it always did and always will, daylight wins the battle. The sun rises slowly above the horizon in the eastern sky. The gentle breeze from the west and the warm sunshine, natures own reliable drying method, will soon burn away the moisture which clings to every thing it comes in contact with. The Great Lord and his hunting party want the breeze to increase, in strength, to a strong wind. This will deaden the sound as they make their way along the forest pathways, to their prime hunting grounds. The Great Lord’s empire is one of rich farm land, which surrounds his castle. This land constantly provides an abundance of food for everyone. The land is worked by tillage and dairy serfs. Many of them following in the footsteps of the generations that have gone before them. Just like their forefathers they are forced to work long days. Their payment for this is barely enough to feed their families. Their toil is forced upon them, by the Great Lord, to meet his extravagant wasteful needs. In the rich green forests, tall majestic trees reach high and straight into the blue summer sky. Many of these trees have been a feature of this land for more than two hundred years, their trunks measuring as much as two metres in diameter. The green canopy provides huge areas of umbrella like cover, on the forest floor. There are scattered gaps, in this magnificent canopy, through which streaks of brilliant sunlight reach the forest floor below. In these areas, where heat and moisture come together, there is an abundant growth of rich nourishing vegetation. This is more than enough to satisfy, the grazing needs of, all the forest creatures that have roamed this land for centuries. For most of the time all these creatures carry out their quest for food, in this most peaceful setting, without fear or intrusion by humans. The many species of birds make themselves heard, each one trying to outdo the other, with a crescendo of different sounds. Red and grey squirrels busy themselves, jump from tree branch to tree branch, in their search for food. They resemble a troupe of acrobats. Rabbits, hares and red deer graze peacefully on the rich grass and plants. Buck deer prowl the forest, displaying their huge antlers like badges of honour. They often engage in power battles, amongst themselves, in their ferocious efforts to prove themselves worthy to win the breeding rights, over one of the many small herds of female deer. The wild boar constantly searches through the undergrowth, in their never ending quest, for food. Many animals such as these giants of the forest will be killed, but few if any, will be used for food. Their majestic heads will be kept for display, by these blood thirsty hunters, in their trophy rooms. Their carcasses are often left to decay, or be eaten by scavengers, on the forest floor. Each Lord will have a different story to brag about to their friends. They will greatly exaggerate the quality of their skills, which they have acquired over the years, to be able to kill each of the majestic creatures. The heads of these animals are displayed, on the walls in trophy rooms, in all their castles. Fresh water flows in abundance. Many streams cut through the forest floor. They resemble a pattern of silver ribbons randomly scattered over the ground. It is a place where most people would like to spend some time relaxing, and to have the time, to be able to appreciate the wonders of this extensive natural splendour.

The courtyard of the castle is a hive of activity. The grooms and the other male and female servants prepare the horses and load the carts with everything needed, for this hunting trip. Nine guests, all Lords in their own kingdoms, are invited to join the Great Lord on this adventure. All of them have travelled long journeys to take part in this event. They know from past experience, that this land is an excellent hunting ground. They know the sport, as they refer to it, will provide many opportunities for them to add to their trophy rooms. They do not kill to satisfy hunger, they kill for the sake of killing.

The grooms and servants know only too well the demanding standards their ruler expects from them, nothing down to the least item, must be forgotten. Their master has often severely punished those, who did not meet with his every wish, with a beating or banishment from his kingdom. He is the supreme ruler. This is his kingdom and everything, man, woman, child and the beasts that live within its boundaries, he believes, belong to him. Several months prior to this trip the Great Lord announced, to his labourers, that he wanted a new pathway constructed through the forest. This will open up a new hunting area for his guests to enjoy. This new pathway will stretch out for five hundred metres. It will be at a ninety degree angle from one of the existing main carriageways. This means a very long winter, and spring, for the men and women who have to make this ancient road. They will spend many long hours using pick axes, shovels and many two man cross cut saws.

To make the new pathway the saw men must cut a swath through the trees, about six metres wide. As the trees are felled, axe men strip them down to the bare trunk. Other saw men cut the tree trunks into suitable sizes, and then, they are placed end to end on both sides of the pathway. Every branch was stripped bare of leaves. They were gathered in huge piles to the side of the pathway. The axe men worked tirelessly. Their arms endlessly wielding their axes as they chop the small branches into smaller pieces. These are mixed with twigs, wet sand, and soil and spread out between the tree trunks. This mixture is bedded in, with constant wetting, with water drawn by horse and cart from the nearest stream. Over time the large piles of leaves rot. They are also mixed with wet soil and spread over the top. When this work is complete, the hot sun of late spring and summer will bake this surface to a smooth pathway. It was planned to be used by this hunting party and, their provision wagons. At the end of the pathway is an open area. This area is completely cleared of all trees and undergrowth, leaving the ground bare, except for a layer of grass. This will be the campsite for the hunting party. A separate clearing, more than a hundred metres from the main clearing, was cut out for the servants and grooms. The unused branches are cut up for fuel to keep the cooking fires burning.

The Great Lord is a tall robust man, his strength superior to most men. His only equals, are those who will accompany him on this killing spree. His size and power strike fear into those who dare cross his path, or displease him in any way. Young men who have tried to ignore his orders, or show the least sign of discontent with his demands, have felt the lash of his whip tear across their bodies. Some, the ones who dared face up to him, have felt the cold steel of his sword tear through their chest never to breath again. Many young women feared the night he would choose them to satisfy his lust. Their tender young bodies abused with brutish force and left alone, in pain, to cry their pitiful tears. His violent ways stealing their youth from them. He left them alone, to suffer in silence, with no recourse to justice to avenge the savagery inflicted upon them. Some of them, the brave amongst them, who dared to resist his assaults on them, were banished from the castle and abandoned to the wilderness. Many stories are told of their screams of pain, as they echoed through the silent night time forest. Many died from attacks by bears or tigers. If any did escape, they were never to be seen again. Many young men and women also vanished in the night, never to return. Their wish to marry required his permission. He always demanded his feudal right, to take the bride to his bed on the first night of the marriage.

In all his power and glory, with all his wealth, he knew the one thing he needed most he could not find. Many would consider this a sign of weakness and would, if given the opportunity, exploit it to destroy him. He longed for the love of a woman, a woman he could love in return and never have to force his way upon her. She would give herself to him in freedom and from choice. In a strange mysterious way, a woman like this will soon come into his world. She is a woman he will yearn for, but she is also a woman who will never bow to his needs. She will never lower her head, in fear, or respect of his power and strength. Instead she will try to teach him the error of his ways, to guide him down a pathway that will change his world and, the lives of those who live within it. Will he listen and accept her guidance, or will his pride overpower the good she will try to teach him.

The Present

It is a clear moonlit night. The ocean surface is calm and reflects the bright full moon, like a mirror. It’s reflection, cutting a path across the surface, like a massive widening fan. The slight ripple, that the occasional gentle breeze causes, adds a woolly texture to the surface of the ocean, in patches. The stars sparkle in the never ending blackness of the sky. At intervals the blackness is only disturbed by the flashing lights of an aeroplane, high above the ocean. The passengers on board each plane are oblivious of the events that are occurring, in the ocean, below them. On such a night shooting stars can be clearly seen, as they speed across the sky only to burn out in the distance. The only sound to be heard is the splash of a whale, or the movement of a pod of dolphins, as they cut through the water in chase of the food supply closer to the surface. Suddenly, from the depths, a barrel bursts out of the water. This is no ordinary barrel. It contains a thick black substance which is leaking from it. The oily mess is spreading, in a widening fan like shape, on the otherwise pristine surface of the water. Several other barrels rip through to the surface, all within an area of fifty to a hundred square metres. Within minutes a widening mass of this substance spreads its poison, in an ever increasing circle, on the surface of the water.

In Ancient Times

The Great Lord and his guests are in the dining hall for breakfast. Several suckling pigs have been roasting over the open fire for some time now. The roasting spit is constantly turned by a young servant male. He is known only by the name Billy. He was an orphaned child who was taken in by one of the servants. She found the infant abandoned, but carefully hidden, in the forest. The woman who abandoned the child knew he faced a certain death, if the man who fathered him found him and knew she had survived. The servant who found the infant was allowed to keep him, in her care, and rear him as her own. She had one condition placed upon her by the Great Lord. She had to bring him up in such a way that he fully understood his place in society. He was considered a slave and as a slave, all believed, he would remain for his lifetime. As the suckling pigs cooked, he also gathers the fat in a tray. He uses this to baste the roasting potatoes. This young man has been at his work for many hours before the Great Lord and his guests opened their eyes, and arrived down from their rooms, after a long night’s sleep. Billy is weary. The heat from the wood burning fire drains every morsel of energy from his young body. He knows very well, if this breakfast is not prepared to perfection, he will suffer for any error made at a later time that day.

As the guests take their places, at the table, their jugs are filled to the brim with fresh milk. This was brought in from the fields that morning. Each guest is served with a whole suckling pig, crispy roast potatoes and freshly made stone baked bread. The food is served on large square wooden platters. Each guest eats their fill and leaves the table. They return to their rooms and finish their preparations for the journey through the forest. Billy the young servant boy, must then clear the table of everything. On most occasions he will secretly eat some of the leftovers from this table. When he does, he must be very careful. If he were caught he would be banished, from the castle, for all time. He is only allowed to eat in the servant’s hall, where gruel, dry bread and water, is the constant diet. The food left by the diners is fed to the hunting dogs. If he takes anything it is during this task that he can eat some of the freshly cooked meat. It is by this means he plans to grow big and strong and someday escape the clutches of the Great Lord. He plans to travel beyond the borders of this kingdom. Someday he dreams of challenging the hostile nature of the Great Lord and his guests. By some miracle he could force them out of their kingdoms and, by changing their ways and lack of respect for the world they live in, make life easier for all

The courtyard is a hive of activity. The servants have finished loading the horse drawn carts. The hunting dogs are, gathered in a pen, waiting impatiently to be let loose to stretch their legs. The dog handlers waiting close by to put long leashes on their charges. Each man has six dogs to lead out, on the journey, into the hunting grounds. The mighty stallions are saddled and ready and, waiting in nervous anticipation. Soon they will be mounted and ridden out into the open space, away from the confines of their stables. Their grooms are busily attending to every detail. If the task of tacking up is not carried out to perfection, and if something happens to one of the riders during the hunt, then that particular groom could pay with his life for such an accident.

A hush descends amongst the crowd gathered in the courtyard. The heavy iron bolts, on the inside of the huge double doors, are pulled across and the doors are pushed open wide. The intimidating figure of the Great Lord strides out onto the space, at the top of the steps, and examines the gathering below him. He gives the signal in one mighty roar.

Groomsmen. Come forward with your charges.

The grooms leave the stables and walk the horses, across the courtyard, in single file. The guests join their host at the top of the steps. The first horse to reach the bottom of the steps is the mount of the Great lord, a magnificent animal, jet black with a flowing mane and long tail. His silver and leather tack gleaming in the bright sunlight. He walks down the steps to his horse and examines him carefully, he is satisfied. He slaps the animal on the neck and, then rubs his hand down the hind quarters. The animal’s muscles are strong and hard. He mounts up, dismisses the groom with a wave of his hand, and walks the horse towards the castle draw bridge entrance. Each of the guests come down the steps as their mounts are brought forward, each one admiring the condition of their animals, and each one in turn mount up. They also dismiss the grooms with a wave of their hands. They join their host at the drawbridge. They line up side by side in twos as once more, the Great Lord roars out his order.

Lower the drawbridge.

There is a creaking sound, from the metal cogs and wheels, as the ancient mechanism slowly lowers the drawbridge across the moat. The grinding sound of metal on metal startles some of the horses. The riders have to react quickly to control these powerful animals. As the bridge is finally lowered, with a loud thud against the stone wall of the moat, the hunting party is ready to leave the castle.

The Great Lord leads the way out into the open space. His guests, the dogs and their handlers and then the provision wagons follow him, in this procession. The servants and the grooms walk behind the wagons. They will trek for ten miles or more, before they reach the newly constructed campsite. Then the servants will be faced with the daunting task of, unloading the carts and, setting up camp. As the servants work tirelessly to set up the camp, the hunters will scout the area and, make their plans for their first foray, that afternoon, into the vast and beautiful forest that surrounds them. But first they will return to the campsite. They rest their horses after the long journey through the forest. A meal of chicken, fruit and bread, washed down with large tumblers of mead, awaits them.

Chapter 2

The Beach Front Paradise

The present

On such a beautiful summer morning, in such an exquisite place on the surface of the earth, it is very difficult to define the horizon. The sea and sky seem to blend together in a massive blue canopy that enfolds the earth. The snowy white waves come crashing onto a golden sandy beach. Sea birds glide on the breeze, occasionally flapping their wings, until they reach the next updraft. Then, once again, they can save their energy. Their heads bowed down, their eyes fixed, as they constantly search the waters for food. Suddenly one will drop out of the sky like a stone. They hit the water, beak first, and then disappear for several seconds. They suddenly reappear, once again, on the surface as they quickly swallow their catches. They take off from the water and soar back up into the clear blue sky. This spectacle is repeated many times throughout the day. Many of these birds will dive several times, filling their bellies with fish, and then return to their nests to feed their forever hungry fledglings. It is a never ending task for them. This exhaustive work will last for several weeks, or until the time comes when their young are old enough to leave the nest.

The three beachfront homes sparkle in the bright summer sun. It is difficult to look at them without sunglasses, especially in the morning time, as the sun rises higher in the eastern sky. It reflects off the white painted walls and, the large glass patio doors that lead onto the decking area. The decking area rises several feet above the sand level. Wide timber steps, with wood hand rails, wind their way down to a timber pathway onto the white sandy beach. The pathway ends as it reaches the tide marks in the sand. Even at this time of day, the soft white sand becomes so hot, it is impossible to walk on it in comfort. The hardened sand, at the waters edge, is marked by many silver patterns as the waves leave their foam tracings. These silvery lines also glisten in the sunshine.

This is a small stretch of private breach. It is surrounded on the left by cliffs which curve down to the sea at an acute angle. There is no entry onto the beach from that side, unless you want to take the risk of being battered against the cliff face, because of the powerful waves that crash against it. The land on the right hand side, gradually slopes closer to sea level for about five to six hundred metres. Then it rises once again, to form another high cliff, which also prevents entry to the beach from that side. The low land contains three beach front homes. This is their private beach. It provides for their owners a sanctuary from the outside world, which could be envied by kings and queens.

They have their own private roadway, leading down to the three homes, with electronic gates the only means of access. The entire length of the site is also guarded by a wall, five metres in height and, backed up with three rows of evergreen trees. This provides for total privacy. The residents of the three homes are partners in several very successful businesses. Their business empire includes a huge network of gasoline stations, a construction company and a very profitable waste disposal depot. Their construction company employs over two hundred trade’s people. The waste disposal company deals with the waste oil products from their chain of gasoline stations and other major outlets. It also has the facilities to recycle the waste from construction sites. The household waste division is also a very important part of the operation. All three types of waste are either recycled or disposed of properly under strict environmental regulations.

The occupants of the homes are Harry, Hillary and Jessica or Jessie Philipson. Jack Swinbourne, his wife Beatrice died in a car accident, several years ago. Their son Blake often stays with his father, when he is on vacation or at weekends, when he can get home. The third owner is Tom Warfield, a bachelor by choice, who has no intention of changing his status in any way, or for any reason.

In the Philipson household, it is as usual an early start for both Harry and his wife Hillary. They leave for work at seventy thirty in the morning. Hillary has her own very successful business, a top of the range boutique, in the city. This morning differs from the rest of the year. Their daughter Jessica is home, for the summer holidays, from the second level school where she is teaching environmental studies and, natural history. Both parents are very proud of their daughter’s achievements, both in her studies and, in her career. She is also a member of several groups whose sole aim is the protection of the environment. This part of her activities can be a thorn in her father’s side. He is involved in business’s which are usually at the centre of any environmental crisis. His daughter Jessica is definitely a cause of great annoyance to, Tom Warfield, one of her father’s business partners. As her parents leave the house her mother Hillary calls out to her.

Jessica, we are leaving now, enjoy your day.

Jessica calls back to her.

Will do Mum. Bye Dad. See you later.

He calls out to her.

Goodbye Love.

Sometime later Jessica decides it is time to get her lazy backside out of bed. She has spent long enough, during the year, inside a classroom. Now is the time to get out in the sun, for some well deserved me time, on a sun bed with a nice long cold drink. Lazy is not in any way close to the truth about Jessica, she is a hard working dedicated young woman. Whatever she takes on, it is given one hundred percent of her energy and time. If she isn’t prepared to, or is able to do that, then she does not get involved. She expects the same from her students and, with most, gets the co-operation she desires. If there is an issue that a person claims to be passionate about then, for her to support them, they must be willing to back that passion with actions.

Jessie is a tall, very athletic young woman. Fitness, and taking care of her health, is of prime importance to her. As she always tells her closest friends, which includes some who don’t share her passion, ‘you can’t have one without the other’. She uses the gym three to four times a week, and never uses her car when she can get where she needs to go by walking or cycling.

She throws back the light duvet cover from her body, swings her long slender legs out over the side of the bed. She walks across the room, her pyjama shorts slightly lower down her back than it should be. One of the straps of her light see through top hangs down her arm giving a slight glimpse of her shapely upper body. She looks at herself in the mirror and shrugs as she says.

Ah well things can only get better from here.

Her long black hair looks tangled and ruffled like a rag doll. She looks as if she is hung over, after a long night out on the town, in fact the opposite is true. She arrived home around nine o’clock the night before after a long drive from her apartment in the city where she teaches. She was exhausted. After spending about thirty minutes talking to her parents, it quickly deteriorated from there, she just had to give in and go to bed.

She slips her top over her head, drops her shorts where she stands and, walks into the en-suite to have a shower. She let the hot steaming water run over her tired muscles for several minutes before she paid some attention to her hair. By the time she was finished her shower, the water was beginning to turn cold. It was only for that reason she decided she had enough. She dried herself, enjoying the aroma of the freshly laundered bath towel. She tucked the towel under her arms and held it loosely around her as she went back into the bedroom. She searched through one of the drawers in her wardrobe, until she found the bikini she wanted. The towel was dropped to the floor and she put on the swimwear. Jessica applied sun lotion all over her already nicely tanned body.

As she walked out of the air condition bedroom, onto the timber decking, a wave of heat hit every part of her body. It must be, she thought, close to thirty decrees centigrade, with a light breeze blowing off the sea. She positions her deck bed so she will be facing directly into the sun, one must ensure than an even tan is achieved on all areas of the body. All of the three homes are empty except for her. She wonders if her life long friend, Blake, will be home at any time during the summer. She hopes so, as she is looking forward to seeing him once again. He has called her several times recently and, they chatted on the phone for some time on all occasions. It often surprises her about the amount of times she thinks about him. She consoles herself with the thought, ‘that absence really does make the heart grow fonder’.

Her immediate concern, for now, are the hunger pangs that are beginning to rumble in her stomach. She goes back into the kitchen and pours a bowl of cereal for herself, smoothers it in ice cold milk and a little sugar, and brings that out onto the decking. She eats the breakfast cereal in the warm summer sunlight. When she is finished she gets up from the deck table and out of the corner of her eye, for a brief moment, she thought she saw something move about on the beach, to her left. She did not pay much attention to it. She went back into the kitchen and, took a bottle of mixed fruit drink from the freezer. She had put it there the night before. It was frozen solid but she knew, from plenty of experience, that it won’t take long before it starts to melt in the heat outside.

She leaves the kitchen and walks out onto the deck area and, once again her attention is again drawn to the waters edge. Once again her attention is drawn to the movement of something on the beach. This time, the movement is different, she is forced to concentrate completely on whatever the object is. It is about two hundred meters away from her, but still she cannot make out what it is. Jessica puts the bottle of frozen drink in the shade under the sun bed. She walks down the steps along the walkway to the water’s edge.

Whatever it is on the beach it is beginning to struggle, much more, the closer she gets to it. Within seconds she realises what it is. A large sea bird is struggling to get back into the water. The bird’s struggle is in vain. The unfortunate creature is covered in a thick coat, of a black sticky substance, which is very similar to oil. She spins around and runs back towards the house. She grabs the phone and immediately calls the animal rescue service. All her details are taken and, she is informed that a unit will be at the scene shortly. She agrees to meet their staff, at the entrance gate, and let them in on the property.

They animal protection people arrive, at the entrance to the property, much quicker than Jessie had expected. Within a couple of minutes they are on the beach, assisting the terrified sea bird. As soon as they clean the oily mess from around the bird’s mouth, they gently pour some fresh water into its beak. The bird is completely dehydrated and, as soon as it relaxes enough to trust those around it, begins to quickly snap at the water bottle for more. It gulps down every drop of the precious liquid. They continue to do this, and also feed it small portions of fish, until the