Other Times Other Places

By Pamela Elaine Simons

Pamela lives with her husband Peter, and Benjy the dog.

Her daughter Tamara currently lives in Vancouver,B.C.

Her step daughter Yvonne lives in Edmonton, Alberta.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Global Summit House
• Release date: Nov 30, 2020
• ISBN: 9781637325384

Pamela Elaine Simons

Pamela Elaine (nee Herbert) Simons was born in Lancashire, England. Her family lived in Libya and Malta and eventually moved to Canada. She studied Radio and Television Arts at Fanshawe College of Applied Arts and Sciences in London Ontario. In 1976 she graduated with a diploma in Radio. She started writing poetry and stories when she was ten years old. Pamela lives in South Delta, British Columbia with her husband Peter and their dog Little Minxy. She has a daughter, Tamara who lives in Whistle, B.C. and three step children. Jason lives near Ottawa, Ontario and Yvonne and Michael in Alberta. Pamela has eight step-grand children.

Book preview

Other Times Other Places

Tales of adventure, intrigue, fantasy and drama with a touch of humor.

Escape to another time and another place.

Pamela Elaine Simons

Copyright © Pamela Elaine Simons.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by reviewers, who may quote brief passages in a review.

ISBN: 978-1-63732-539-1 (Paperback Edition)

ISBN: 978-1-63732-540-7 (Hardcover Edition)

ISBN: 978-1-63732-538-4 (E-book Edition)

Some characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

Book Ordering Information

Phone Number: 315 288-7939 ext. 1000 or 347-901-4920

Email: [e-mail]

Global Summit House

www.globalsummithouse.com

Printed in the United States of America

Contents

Sid

Perceptions

Chicago When It Sizzled

The Christmas Party Portrait

The Little Shoppe By Silver Lake

The Christmas Contest

The Foot Stool

Over The Sea To Skye

Le Chateau St. Jean

Hollymount Manor

The Lexus Project

An Irish Faerie Tale

The Bucharest Express

The Nor’easter

A New Years Cruise

Never Assume

The Dress

Steam Heat

Adirondack

The Cottage

Black Ice

All Hallows Eve

Where There’s A Will

Sid

Decisions

Mother And Child Reunion

The Fishing Trip

The Hideout

A Glitch In Time

The Babcock Boys

Faith’s Secret

Safari

Sofia

Lucky

A Strange Inheritance

Sid

In early November the weather had been mild in the Black Forest in Germany but on November 15th, 1942, with no warning, a storm hit with a vengeance. The winds came down from the north east bending the trees and heavy wet snow clung to their branches. Jorgen and Angelica Richter lived in a beautiful log house in the middle of the forest. So far, they had been spared the agonies of war. They were in a section of the forest that was still quite isolated and even though they kept in touch with the world, via radio, they preferred the sounds of the forest or the gramophone. They were both from Berlin and as soon as they realized their country was ready to start another war they packed off both their children, Greta and Dieter to Switzerland to stay with Angelica’s sister. Their children were in their teens and Angelica and Jorgen feared the worst for both of them if they stayed in Germany. In 1938 Jorgen closed down his company which made beautiful hand crafted custom furniture and started to build their dream home, far away from the city and war. His company had done well and he sold it for a large sum. Jorgen was a master craftsman. It took two years to strip away a section of forest and build the house. It had three bedrooms, a family room and all the most up-to-date amenities he could afford. They moved in to their new home just as Berlin was near fever pitch. The next few years passed peacefully and they never missed the city. The nearest town was 30 miles away and they would go in every month to get supplies. The house was warm and comfortable with an enormous fire place in the living room and one in each bedroom.

Supper was finished and they both settled down to a mug of hot chocolate beside the roaring fire. Jorgen got up, reluctantly, as he heard the wind howling outside, to check that all the windows were secured when he heard a different sound. He looked through the kitchen window and saw a bright flash of light, both red and white dropping from the sky. He knew right away that it was a falling plane and it was quite close. He grabbed his coat and went out into the cold. He took Scout, his trusty dog of unknown heritage with him. Scout went bounding through the snow for about 15 minutes; Jorgen had to run in the deep snow to keep up with his excited dog.

There it was, the wrecked plane. It was far below him hanging off a cliff. It was burnt badly and Jorgen couldn’t see any markings on it. The whole plane was black with soot and it was still burning. Then Scout started to bark and jump around him excitedly. Jorgen said, What boy, what you are trying to tell me? Scout grabbed him by the sleeve and started to pull him closer to the edge of the cliff. Jorgen peered over the edge. There, mostly covered with snow, on a small ledge was a man lying face down attached to a parachute. Jorgen couldn’t leave him there. He ran back to the house as fast as he could to get some rope. He grabbed his toboggan and alerted Angelica and she insisted on coming with him. They reached the ravine and tied the rope to a large rock and Jorgen traversed down. He reached the man and checked his pulse, it was ok, and he was still breathing. He sent him up to Angelica. After that, he hoisted himself back up and they put him on the toboggan and went home. Jorgen carried the pilot to a spare bed room and Angelica quickly made the bed and started the fire. She then let Jorgen take off the man’s half frozen clothes and put some flannel pyjamas on him and when Jorgen was finished, she put an enamel hot water bottle in his bed. Angie had been a nurse before she married Jorgen and checked for broken bones, he seemed ok. He was still very cold so Angelica rubbed his body with warmed oil. When he was warmer his breathing was not as shallow and they let him sleep. Angelica, Jorgen said as they helped themselves to another cup of hot chocolate. It’s possible he’s the enemy you know, we have no way of knowing until he wakes up. He has blonde hair and blue eyes though! Angelica replied. Did you check his clothes? Yes, German underwear from a fancy store in Munich. So, Jorgen if you knew he was the enemy would you have left him on the ledge in the ravine? Well, no, I guess not, but if I hadn’t seen the underwear I would be worried that he could be dangerous. I hardly think we have to worry about him attacking us tonight, he’s barely alive and he doesn’t have a gun or even a knife. Let’s worry about who he is when he is rested and feeling better and we’ll ask him. You mean you just ask him and he’s going to tell you!!! Angie what if he’s a spy? He could cut our throats Angelica chuckled Jorgen, We know he has no weapons on him and I promise you I will hide every knife in the house, now let’s go to bed.

The following morning Jorgen was up very early and tip-toed into the pilot’s room. He was surprised to see Scout curled up beside him and the pilot’s arm flung across the dog’s body. Scout always slept in his basket by their bed. The pilot was fast asleep and seemed paler than the night before. Jorgen felt the strangers head very lightly and it was quite warm. Angelica came into the room with a hot cup of cocoa and suggested they take it in turns to watch him just in case. The morning passed quickly and Angelica brought her sewing into the room and pulled a rug over her knees, she built up the fire and Jorgen took over after lunch. The storm was still raging but the house was solid and warm. At 5.10pm the pilot stirred. Jorgen had just come back to take over and both he and his wife were still in the room. The pilot opened his eyes very briefly and then shut them. After a few minutes they opened again and he glanced around the room. His eyes settled on Angelica and he said in German, Am I dead, I must be because this must be an angel. Angelica smiled, "No, I am certainly not an Angel but my Christian name means Angel. I am Angelica Richter and this is my husband Jorgen. We found you last night, your plane crashed and you were half frozen.

Jorgen said. We didn’t know if you were friend or foe but we had to get you out of the bad storm, we hope you are a friend. Can you move your arms and legs? The pilot said in a very weak voice. Yes, I think I can. as he showed them. My name is Bernhard Huber thank you. I am from Dresden. And with that he passed out. For the next 48 hours he was feverish and tossed and turned. Angelica put cold compresses on his forehead and eventually the fever broke. The sun had long set on the 3rd day and Angelica and Jorgen went to see the pilot. Angelica brought broth and coffee. How are you feeling? You’ve had a rough three days. Jorgen said. Bernhard replied I feel better thank you. I am sorry to put you to all this trouble but I will try and walk and if I can, I won’t bother you anymore. And where are you going to go, your plane is wrecked and we are in the middle of the Black Forest. Jorgen replied. Bernhard swung his feet on the floor and stood up. Yes, I can walk; please don’t worry about me; if you just give me my clothes I’ll be on my way and I thank you again.

"Mr. Huber, We know you are not German. Jorgen said. The pilot sat down with a thump. How do you find out? When you were feverish you spoke in your native tongue; English. Jorgen replied. The pilot took a deep breath I guess the games up then, I cannot allow myself to be taken prisoner, other people’s lives depend on me. You have been very kind, I owe you my life, I promise I won’t harm you, but I must leave? What is your real name? Jorgen asked. Harry Symington, at your service. Harry said with a slight bow. Jorgen spoke with great emotion. Our beloved country is being controlled by a mad man and his followers. We will find a way to get you out of here. We will not turn you over to the Gestapo, they are the scum of Germany but we can’t let you go out tonight in this weather, you would last about one hour. Jorgen picked up the empty coffee cup and said. We will get you out of Germany as we want the world to know that all Germans most of us are not like the Nazis. The couple left and went to bed early.

The following morning the snow was falling again and a fierce wind was whipping through the forest. The first thing Jorgen did was check on the pilot. The bed was empty, he was gone. On his pillow was a note. I could not put your lives in jeopardy by helping me escape; you have done more than enough. I’m sorry, but I had to borrow some of your winter clothes, Jorgen, I also took a pair of snow shoes, gloves, a hat, matches and a blanket with some of Angelica’s delicious broth. I will make sure you will be repaid for these items. I have a job to do and I must do it. Again, I cannot thank you enough. With warm regards Harry.

Three weeks later, in the middle of the night a plane circled over their house during another storm and dropped a package by parachute behind their house. Jorgen rushed outside to see what it was and brought in the package, in it was all new items of the things Harry had borrowed with a note. I figured the best way to repay you was to wait for another storm so they wouldn’t spot the plane anywhere near your house. I couldn’t replace the broth; no one makes it like Angelica! I hope you are both well. With warm regards Harry.

The war raged on and when it was all over and Germany was defeated Jorgen and Angelica heard a knock at the door and there was Harry, with a big bunch of flowers. They couldn’t believe how happy they were to see him and they welcomed him with open arms. Scout went rushing around him, tail wagging a mile a minute. I just had to come and see you now it’s all over. They talked for a long time and Harry noticed they seamed strained. He got up to leave. Angelica suddenly broke down in tears. I’m sorry Harry, we are really happy to see you again but we are worried sick, we don’t know if our children are alive or dead. They were supposed to have crossed the border two weeks ago but no word from them. My sister said she put them on the train herself. I can’t understand what’s happened? Harry put his arm around her. I’m so sorry. Where they supposed to get off the train in Berlin? Yes, but everything is in chaos there. We went to Berlin and were horrified at the damage and the lack of information. We didn’t know where to start and who to ask. No-one knew anything. Angelica said with her face streaming with tears. Harry said his goodbyes and kissed Angelica on the forehead.

A week went by and the couple had started to believe their children were dead. Late Saturday night there was a knock on the door just as they were turning out the lights to go to bed. When Jorgen looked out of the window he gasped. Angie, it’s the children! Greta had her arm in a sling and Dieter’s left leg was in a cast. After they had hugged and kissed and they were settled in the cosy living room, Dieter handed Angelica a letter.

"Hello my good friends: I will not intrude on your family reunion. I managed to find your children at a church/hospital just outside Berlin with hundreds of other casualties. They were in shock and the place was chaotic. Their train got derailed by an unexploded bomb. They are a bit banged up but otherwise okay.

Now, at last, I can tell you what I was doing in Germany. I had studied Engineering at the University of Munich for three years before war broke out, so the language was second nature to me. I went through extensive training to prepare for my mission which was to get people wanted by the Gestapo, out of Germany. Thanks to you, I managed to save countless people who will help build a new Germany. Amongst them are, Physicians, Scientists, Scholars who just happened to be Jewish and many other Christian professionals who disagreed with the Nazis. When you were distraught about your own children it was with the greatest of pleasure that I left no stone unturned to find them. After all, that is what I was trained to do. Because of your compassion you have saved many lives. It is very important for the rest of the world to understand that not all Germans are Nazis, as you said. You nursed me back to health and didn’t turn me over to the Gestapo. You were both going to help me get out of the country putting both your lives at great risk. I have been to the camps and seen the horror these monsters are responsible for. When it is too much for me, I think of you and I can continue on. We know that you, and people like you, will not allow Germany to fall into evil hands again. You will build a better Germany.

With warm regards, Harry."

THE END

Perceptions

The meaning of perception in the dictionary:

The process of using the senses to acquire information about the surrounding environment or situation

October 31st was clear and cold in the town of Whispering Pines in Northern B.C. Whisperings Pines was a small saw mill town but due to incredible insight from a few of the town council members they realized the potential for a tourist haven. Whispering Lake was very deep and teaming with fish and Whispering Pine Mountain was 4120 feet from the ground with a very gentle incline at the bottom, perfect for expert and novice skiers. The mountain was behind the lake and when coming into town it looked like a picture perfect postcard. There were no camp grounds or trailer parks, just a beautiful lodge made out of the local timber catering to the discerning tourist looking for complete escape. It was a huge success.

Every year the town had a special celebration on Halloween as that was the date they opened the resort to tourists back in the 1980’s. A big Halloween party was held at the Town Hall and residents and tourists where all invited to attend as long as they dressed in costume. If they didn’t, they were not allowed in.

Milton Kozack was in his early 80’s. He was a widower and lived with his daughter Eileen and her family in a house near the lake. He had his own rooms but had his meals with the family. Eileen, her husband Jim and their two sons Cassidy and Collin were all dressed up to go to the party. Everyone was very excited as they knew the town spared no expense on entertainment and food for the event and there was always a very nice prize for the best costume. Milton was sitting watching T.V. when Eileen knocked on his door and walked in saying, Dad, we’re waiting, are you ready yet? Milton replied, My knees hurt today, my arthritis is really acting up, I’m not going. Dad, I don’t want you to miss out on the biggest party of the year and I don’t want to leave you alone, it’s a beautiful night so we’re all going to walk there. If you decide to come, call me at the hall and I’ll walk back and take you in the car, I really hope you don’t miss this, your costume turned out better than I’d hoped. Milton said, I told you, I’m not going. Reluctantly Eileen left and Milton turned on the T.V. to watch his favourite show. To his dismay his show had been pre-empted and angrily he started flipping channels, nothing was on that he cared to watch. What the hell, I need some fresh air and if I walk a bit it might help my knees so I’m going, but I’m not bothering Eileen, I can manage if I take the short cut. Milton said to himself. He slowly got up and put on his Merlin the Magician costume. Eileen had made it herself. She’d done a beautiful job using royal blue velvet with a gold silk lining and red, gold and silver stars on the hat.

He walked very slowly breathing in the fresh evening air. He cut through the small wooded area near the lake instead of taking the longer paved route by the highway and suddenly felt a sharp pain in his chest and his left arm felt tingly. He fell to the ground and couldn’t get up, the ground was very cold and damp, and he knew he was in trouble as he could barely breathe. He lost track of time and it seemed like forever but his next conscious thought was that he felt warmer, a lot warmer. A pulsing heat was surrounding his heart, he opened his eyes, and to his surprise, he saw a young man holding a small device on his chest and another young man behind him. The young man was startled when he saw Milton looking at him and backed away. Milton said Thank goodness you came along, you must be a doctor. I feel much better, I can’t believe it. I didn’t expect to see any body at this hour going to the party, especially a doctor. The young man didn’t respond but came close again and put the small devise on Milton’s knees. Milton noticed the man’s skin was very white and he had platinum blonde hair, he was very tall and thin and his costume was a shimmering silver one piece also his eyes were a deep aqua colour. (Nice contact lenses, the things they buy for Halloween, Milton thought.) Your Halloween costume is very unusual, I really like it, that must be some new kind of iridescent paint, it looks great. Milton said aloud. The young man was still silent then he got up and backed away into the woods with the other young man. Milton yelled out Thank you doctor, I guess I’ll see you at the party but the young man was out of earshot. As Milton tried to stand he realized his knees were no longer hurting and he never felt better, he walked the rest of the way to the Town Hall and told his family and friends about his encounter. Milton looked for the doctor at the party but couldn’t find him. Eileen said, It must have been a doctor, you look ten years younger Milton shrugged. "It must be some new thing they’ve come up with. Technology is