Hope for the Future

By Lynn Whyte-Heath

Maria and Zach are a young recently married couple but before they even have chance to consummate the marriage, Zach is badly injured and in a coma.
Maria finds herself, firstly approach by two aliens, who need her help.
Then several years later, Maria and her daughter Yvonne Are terrorised by the devil, who wants to take Adam, (Marias son,) but he cannot take Adam, Maria must ask the Devil take him.
The Devil will get him at all costs and Maria will die herself, to keep her Son safe.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris UK
• Release date: Nov 12, 2014
• ISBN: 9781499091823

Lynn Whyte-Heath

Lynn Whyte-Heath is a recently retired train driver, who now finds she has time to proceed with her writing and other hobbies. They Came to Help Us! Is Lynn’s second book. Lynn the sixth of seven children was born in Lancashire and raised by her hardworking mother, who also wrote her biography but sent her only manuscript, written in longhand to a publisher, never to be seen again. Her niece is a self-published author of three novels. Therefore, it must be in Lynn’s blood. She is married to Alan and has two adult children, of whom only one has flown the nest, and a sixteen-year-old border collie. Lynn likes to paint in oil and is learning to play guitar and also plays lawn green bowling and swims daily. Lynn’s first book, Hope for the Future, was finally published in November 2014. Lynn Whyte-Heath is a recently retired train driver, who now finds she has time to proceed with her writing and other hobbies. They Came to Help Us! Is Lynn’s second book. Lynn the sixth of seven children was born in Lancashire and raised by her hardworking mother, who also wrote her biography but sent her only manuscript, written in longhand to a publisher, never to be seen again. Her niece is a self-published author of three novels. Therefore, it must be in Lynn’s blood. She is married to Alan and has two adult children, of whom only one has flown the nest, and a sixteen-year-old border collie. Lynn likes to paint in oil and is learning to play guitar and also plays lawn green bowling and swims daily. Lynn’s first book, Hope for the Future, was finally published in November 2014. https://twitter.com/lynnnanna https://www.facebook.com/lynn.whyteheath http://thebooktrap.weebly.com

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

T o anybody glancing in her direction, Maria was a middle-aged lady sitting on a bench in the park and rocking a push chair.

As she watches the young lovers passing by, hand in hand, a smile flits across her face as she recalls her many happy and not so happy years with the only man she ever loved… Zach.

It all really began in the year 1964. Maria was sitting so contented in the small bed-sit they had recently rented. The Penthouse, they had laughingly named it, was situated on the top floor which meant they had to climb three flights of stairs to get there. But what are three flights of stairs when you are young and in love?

The sun was shining brightly through the bay window casting shadows across the sparsely furnished room. They would soon make it their home. She was so excited at the prospect of having a new life. Although she had had a very happy home life, living with her mother, it was time to make her own family with Zach.

Today had been a special day, one they will never forget— their wedding day. In fact, there were two weddings. The first had been a traditional wedding held in a small village called Chobham in Surrey. Maria had been escorted to the church and down the aisle by an old family friend, Jeff. Although all the children called him Uncle Jeff, he wasn’t actually related to any of them. He was a very friendly popular neighbour. He had no family of his own and always had time to stop and chat with everybody. He worked an allotment and often arrived with baskets of fresh produce for her mother. So when Maria asked him to give her away, he was delighted and even shed a tear.

She wore a beautiful white gown and veil. The four bridesmaids had worn peach dresses which could be adapted later for everyday use; otherwise, it would have been a waste of such lovely material. Her bouquet was made from peach roses in a bed of white gyp, as were the bridesmaids’ flowers and the garlands that decorated the church. Of course, all of this had been done with the help of both their parents and the money they had been saving for the last two years.

Afterwards, they had a reception in the village hall that was for their parents, families, and many friends. They had a DJ and people were able to get up and sing with the microphone after they had the first dance. Everybody was up dancing, being careful not to fall over the many children that were mimicking their parents. They had a buffet meal which they ate from baskets whilst standing. Everybody seemed to be enjoying themselves. After Maria had thrown the bouquet to the giggling girls that had formed behind her, the bride and groom left with a group of close friends.

The second reception, just for themselves and four special friends, was much more fun. This was enacted on the common— not really far from where the first wedding took place. Maria wore a flowing, floral dress. Zach, dearest Zach, wore flared trousers in white and a lilac smock top. All wore silly large hats. A smile crossed Maria’s face at the memory.

It was early evening in July, their friends all carried baskets full of flower petals. They sat in a circle and sang their favourite songs, drank cider, and yes, smoked a few joints. In the 60s, people were not as aware of the damage marijuana could do to your brain as they are today.

There was a rabbit’s hole almost in the centre of their circle as they were all singing Rainbow Valley by the Love Affair. A rabbit ran out of the hole making them all jump and giggle. Their friends all began to shout for them to say their vows, so Zach and Maria stood in the centre of the circle, held hands and in unison said, I promise to love you for the rest of my life. Their friends began to shout and cheer and scattered the flowers over the heads of the bride and groom. All six of them fell to the damp ground laughing. Now, they truly felt like husband and wife.

Eventually, they all went home happy but totally exhausted. The first night in their new home they collapsed onto the bed and were fast asleep in moments, content in each other’s arms. Happy in the knowledge, that they had each other for the rest of their lives.

Excited but slightly nervous, Maria was awaiting Zach’s arrival at their new home. Her arms were wrapped around herself as if cuddling a much loved teddy bear, but really trying to control the butterflies that were fluttering inside her. They had both decided to save their love until after the wedding. Although this was a very old fashioned idea, it was their choice. Many of their friends were already parents and had had to quickly marry; thus, putting an unexpected end to any dreams of travel or further education. Not all were truly happy; although, they had to make the best of it as there was no other choice.

She recalled their childhood together in Chobham village where their parents still lived at least, her mother and Zach’s adoptive parents. Sadly, she had lost her father in the Great War. He had been a pilot and his plane had been shot down on active duty. The letter said he was a hero. Her mother had often said she would have preferred he had been a live coward. But the picture of him in uniform with three medals hung across it still held pride of place in the lounge and was lovingly dusted daily.

Zach, as all his friends called him; although, he was christened Zachariah, came to the village when he was just three years old, having been rescued from a camp in Germany. There was no trace of any family members so after a short time Bob and Victoria had been allowed to adopt him and they were the only parents he had ever known… Maria had been born there.

Although he has stood behind her in the choir, singing like an angel, he was also pulling at her pigtails. She would squirm but not dare to turn around or squeal, for fear of being told off. And she would let him get blamed for cheating in the spelling test; even though, it was her who copied from him. They always took each other’s side in playground squabbles, and whenever a partner was required for any reason in dance classes or the three legged race, they always seemed to end up together.

As teenagers, they began to date. She would say she was going to see a film in Chertsey and he could come if he wanted. He would say ‘Okay, nothing else to do’ or he would say,