The Hand of God: Taken

By Malcolm Ward

We find Malcolm back in Africa. This time his sister, Linda and girl friend April are with him. He must find a safe way out for them all, while fighting off those who brought them to Africa. We find Malcolm trying to come to terms with his last ordeal. His strange thoughts and visions block his mind. He must fight his own demons before they destroy him. He finds it too hard to stay at home. Hes thrown out of university. He vows to keep his temper under control. He vows to stop killing. He thinks his killed too many bad men. Linda and April go missing. The trail leads him to a beautiful young lady, called Marie. Is she all that she seems? He most look for her first then save her, and all before he goes back to Africa. The screaming demon becomes a more powerful witch doctor. More than he could ever imagine.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Aug 7, 2015
• ISBN: 9781504946384

Malcolm Ward

My name is Malcolm Ward. I was born in 1958, in Workington. I was only four when we moved to York. I didn’t learn to wright until I left school. I suffer from dyslexia, which hinders my ability to spell correctly. So I apologize if you fine too many mistakes. I was helping my younger daughter with her homework, on her computer. That’s when I found spellcheck and I’ve been writing ever since, or trying to, did I hear you say? This book. The Hand of God: The Devil Within, is my fourth book. The sequel to Taken. My next book, the sequel to this one, the final chapter. The Hand of God: The Devils Gold. I love and live for my writing.

Book preview

UNIVERSITY

University wasn’t that bad at first. I just got stuck into my work, and all the rest just fitted in around me. There were some of my old friends from school with me, and some friends from collage with me. Phil and John were their names, and they were amazed at how much I’d grown, while I was in Africa the last time.

There wasn’t any trouble at all for the first week. I don’t know if this was down to how big and strong I’d grown, or just this place. The lad who I once put into the hospital, while I was at collage was here. He was now my best mate, and by the end to the day. I discovered he was going out with my sister, Linda.

I’d told them all about my adventures in Africa, but some of them already knew. They’d already heard about me, or read all about me inside the local news paper. I brought too much attention from the girls and some of the female teachers as well. I couldn’t get over how some of the girls, from school had grown. I would keep thinking about fishing, or football whenever I was with the girls, or I would have them all feeling randy, which would often last all day long. I think I was always thinking about sex. A topic I would have to forget about, or try not to think about it.

My old girl friend from school was there. The girl who once told me I was more interested in football than her. Well, she was right back then, but how she’d grown over the last two years! I bumped into her in the geography room one day, and I was drawn to her large cleavage, but she caught me looking at them, and I noticed her nipples were going hard. Well that was that! I had to look towards the floor, while I thought about football. Then I quickly walked away making sure my hand were inside my pockets, or I would carry my paper-work in front of me.

I could sense she was getting aroused, but for the rest of the day, she would try and sit-down, right next to me. After that I was always finding phone numbers, which were always left were I would find them. I just left the little pieces of paper with the phone numbers on, but then the girls would hand their phone numbers to me, and with a big smile. Then the young ladies would say, That’s if you would like a good time, big boy? Or they would say, Shall we study this together? Just phone me, and then we can meet! This was going to be very dangerous for me.

I was on my way home when a thought suddenly popped in my head. I could have anyone of those lovely ladies, or all of them, and one or two teachers, if I really wanted. I’d seen the way they looked at me. I would need to get that from my mind before tomorrow, or I would have the whole university feeling randy, and on heat. I just walked around the corner then into my street, and there they were. I recognized their black car, as soon as I noticed the car, and it was parked right outside my house. I would have them now!

I slowly walked over up to the car, but there was nobody inside. It was the same type of car, big and black and there was, B M W on the back, and they were now inside my house, waiting for me. I would have to come up with something fast. I couldn’t see to them in front of my mother, but I was too late. My mother had already seen me walking down the street. She opened the front door. Then she shouted for the whole world to hear,

Malcolm … You get yourself inside here right now?

Yes! My mum was standing at the door, shouting at me, as if I was just a kid, who was late home.

What have you been up to now? There are two policemen waiting to see you! Mother didn’t look happy. They’re from London, she finished with.

I was gob-smacked. I just stood there, and put my hands up to my head, what had I done now? I’d already told the police, what happed to me at the airport, before I was set free,

What’s up mum? I asked her in my softest voice. It used to work on her, but not when the police were involved.

What do you thinks wrong? The bloody cops are here! she snapped.

So I quickly made my way into the front room. I sat down in my dad’s armchair. I listened to what the policeman had to say, while my mum just stared at me all the time.

The policemen were two plain clothes detectives, who’d, travelled all the way from London. They intruded themselves as, Detective Ash and detective, Darby.

Detective Ash was the one who was doing all the talking. He was sitting down opposite me. Ash looked me straight in the face. Then he said,

I understand you’ve just come back from Africa, Malcolm, and that you made a statement. You told the police about one__ Peter Bergman, and how Peter saved you’re live. Then you came back to England? said the cop, in a deep cockney accent, that I could only just understand.

Detective Ash was around forty, with a full body that filled his dark suite well. Ash looked like he’d done some boxing, or just been in the police for a long time,

Yes I told them that! I told them as I felt my face turning red,

Well, we would like you to tell us about the Morgan’s Mr. Batley. You said you couldn’t recognize them last year, and you never mentioned them in your statement that you made two weeks ago. You also told us that, Mr. Bergman’s men did all the killing, and that you weren’t there?

Detective Ash removed a large blue file out of his briefcase. Then he said,

These files come from Africa Mr. Batley.

Detective Ash put the file on his knee where he slowly looked me over. As if I was something that he’d just removed from off his shoe. Then the other detective walked into the room behind me. He spoke with a deep cockney accent, but spoke much slower than his partner. He looked straight down at me. Then he said,

I’ve been searching your room, Malcolm. We’ve a search warrant, Mr. Batley … here … have a read!

Detective Darby passed me the search warrants. Then he stood next to the door. He was dressed the same, but looked terrible in his suite, and his face were younger looking. I quickly read through the search warrant. Then I looked up. Ash was reading a paper from the file. He was holding the paper in his hands, so I looked down at the big file on his knee.

There was something wrote on the front, so I leant over so I could read what it said, but then I felt sick. It read Cameroon, Batley. I looked back up, and the two detectives were smiling. I was going to jail for mass murder. It looked like they were going to pin it on me, or at least try to.

Mr. Batley, it seems you’ve been telling us some lies. You said that you, you didn’t know the, Morgan’s, and yet on here you say, you knew it was the Morgan’s that kidnapped you, last year?

Detective Ash was looking at me, and now I was trembling.

Mr. Batley we’re investigating the disappearance about, Mr. and Mrs. Morgan. You say in this statement here that, Tony Morgan was killed in Africa, by one, or more big snakes, and that, Rose Morgan was also killed on the same day, he looked down at the file, then picked up a coroner’s report from Cameroon. Then Ash continued,

Mr. Batley this is a report from Africa. The report tells us, who all those bodies belonged to. You do still remember them don’t you? he asked me.

Yes I do … all those basterd’s who were inside the hotel! I replied. Then I wished that I hadn’t sworn in front of my mother,

MALCOLM Batley, that will be the last time I hear you saying that? my mother shouted, as if we were at a football match. She even made Detective Ash jump. I couldn’t even look at my mother now. I could already tell she was ready to give them what for, and me. My mum then said,

Are you accusing Malcolm of something?

No! We just want the truth this time Mrs. Batley, said the detective standing by the door,

Mal, you tell them the truth, so we can get them out of here before your father gets home? replied my mum.

Yes! I remember it like it was yesterday. Tony and Rose Morgan were both there,

Malcolm this report states that, Rose Morgan wasn’t there, he replied, all sure of himself.

I shut my eyes, and there she was Rose Morgan all wrapped in cling film, and screaming her head off, while the white powder went into her eyes. My eyes soon opened. I didn’t want to go back there. I wasn’t having this, it was time for some magic, and it was time for them to go, so I quickly stood up. I made for the door, like the house was on fire. Both detectives did what I expected them to do. The detective who was sitting down quickly shot to his feet. Then he grabbed my bare arm.

The detective by the door quickly grabbed the other arm. They both held me there while I stopped struggling. I could have dropped them both, but that wouldn’t help me, and I could hear my mum screaming at me all the time. How it was time for them to go, so I held both their arms, just before the handcuffs went on. In a very deep voice I said, and while I looked into their eyes,

You nearly fell just then son. Lucky we were here to catch you. I see you don’t know the whereabouts of, Mrs. Morgan, and that you are telling us the truth. We’ll put on our reports that Rose Morgan is believed to be still missing in Africa. Sorry to have disturbed you and your family, Mrs. Batley. Have a nice day.

It was then repeated by them both. I looked them both in the eye, one by one as they put the handcuffs away. I said goodbye to them both. Then I reminded them about their file they’d left on the floor. Detective Ash came back inside the front room. He said goodbye to my mother, when he passed her on the way out.

He is a good lad that one … shall we have something to eat before, we go back to London Dave?

Yes that sounds good to me, what are we going to do with this file on the, Morgan’s?

File it finished, and then put it away … Fish and chips OK with you?

Yes!

Well that was that, now just my mother, who was just stood there with her mouth wide open, until I shut the front door,

Malcolm, you get your backside inside here … right now? she shouted.

I went back into the house, where I quickly placed my right hand onto the back of her neck. Then I looked into her eyes, before she could say another word. I spoke softly into her ear,

Shall I put the tea on now, Mal, and have those two cops gone now? Do you want fish and chips for tea, Mal? I said into her ear, with a little chant, while she repeated it, word for word.

Mother put her hand to her head. She looked as if she’d just seen a ghost. She asked me if I would like a cup of tea, all the evidence of the last hour was well out of her mind, and especially those two detectives. It would now stay that way until she meets them once more, but I don’t think she ever would.

April popped in that evening. We were all sat down watching the television, as though nothing had happened that day. The next day would be the same as the next one, and that would be the same for the rest of the week, but I would still have to take my fishing magazine to university, just to take my mind off the girls. If one came too close to me, with a low cut top, or a dress that went too high. I would quickly pull out my magazine, and then quickly read it, but that didn’t always work. It was on the following Friday.

Some of the lads and me were all sitting on the lawn at dinner time. We were all talking about the coming bank holiday Weekend. Then, Tim said he was going to make a move on his new girlfriend, on Saturday night. Well that got me thinking about my, April, but, Vicky was standing right behind me.

Vicky was one of the top girls at university. All the boys were after her, but her boyfriend was a boxer, so nobody would make a move on her. Vicky was what we called, Just to look at, but don’t touch! To us it sounded better than, Out of your league mate!

Well I was thinking about my, April one minute. The next thing, Vicky was all over me, like a bad rash. Well I tried pushing her off me, but the lads had to pull Vicky off me in the end. After that, Vicky went running home, with tears running down her face. Vicky went and told her boyfriend that I’d made a pass at her, and that I touched her up. The next thing I knew about it was when, he were waiting for me outside the university, on Friday afternoon.

Timmy was his name, or just Tim. Well, Tim came running up to me, while I was going home with, John. Jim asked who I was, but before I could reply, he suddenly went for me with a right hook. I was lucky. I knew what was coming, so I quickly ducked out of the way, but then Jim came back at me once more, with fists swinging all over the place. I was unlucky when a fist caught me just under the left eye, and sent me backwards. Luckily I stayed on my feet. I tried to ask him what this was all about, but Jim just told me he was going to beat the shit out of me, so I let him have it.

The impact from my right hook slammed into Jim’s impressive chest. The right hook quickly sent him towards the ground, with a thud. Jim got back onto his feet then he came right back for some more. I was ready for Jim, so I let him have it. My right fist caught Jim smack in the face. It was so fast that, he never made a move to avoid it. One by one every fist landed on him. After a few minutes of this, Jim fell towards the ground, but he never moved.

Someone shouted that Jim was dead. Then someone inside the crowd suddenly started shouting that I’d killed him. I looked round and there was a large crowd round Jim and me. I could hear my heart beating fast, and I felt the sweat rolling down my face. I looked down at the motionless body at my feet. Then I knelt down beside Jim, but Jim’ face looked a right mess, both his eyes were swelling up, and it looked like his cheek bones were broken.

Jim’s nose couldn’t get any flatter than it already was, and his jaw was broken. I could see that he wasn’t dead, so I gently rolled Jim over. I slowly put him into the recover position. Then I was going to work some magic on him, but there was too many eyes watching me, so I had to leave him until later.

The police were there first. They put me in handcuffs then drove me away.

I saw the ambulance arriving when we left the scene. I was told that I would be charged with grieves bodily harm. Well I was locked up for the night, and then let go in the morning, without been charged. It would seem that Jim told the police that it was his entire fault, and that I was only fighting back to defend myself. The witnesses told the same story, so the police let me go, with just a warning.

My throat was so dry, with all that whispering, and chanting I’d done, while at the police station. I had to have a drink of water as soon as I returned home. My father was there waiting for me. He looked at my face first. Then he said I was lucky. He asked if I’d known who the lad was, so I told him no, so he told me who Jimmy was, and just how much trouble I was now in,

Well lad … let me tell you who this Jimmy is? He put the paper down. Then he said, Jim just happens to be, the Yorkshire boxing champion, but I don’t think his family are going to take this lying down son. That’s just how much trouble you’re in, so lad … what are you going to do now? he asked.

I’m going to the hospital just to see how Jims doing … Will you give me a lift there dad? My dad looked a bit shocked, but he still drove me to the hospital.

I never said much on the way there, but my father was always telling me to lay low for a while. Then he was telling me to keep out of trouble, and don’t go anywhere on my own from now on. At the hospital, father told me that he would just wait inside the car for me, but I knew he was always around the corner, right up to the ward I was going to.

Jim was in a privet room, with three people around him. I knew one of them, and that was his girlfriend. She was crying when she opened the door to leave. She shot straight passed me, so fast that I don’t think she even noticed that I was standing there. Well I slowly walked into the room. I stood at the end of his bed. I was waiting for Jim to recognize me, but he didn’t. It was the large man dressed in the expensive suit that asked who I was, so I introduced myself to him,

My name is, Malcolm Batley … I have only come to see how, Jim’s doing!

I was telling Jim until the man, sitting down next the bed, suddenly shot onto his feet, which was fast, until Jim grabbed hold of his large arm. Then Jim asked him to sit back down. Jim slowly sat up so he could see me. Then Jim slowly and painfully said,

Hello Malcolm I hadn’t expected to see you here … I wouldn’t have come to see you … if you were lying here. Come and sit down!

Then the old man sitting next to the bed stood up. He said,

Do you mean this is the lad, who put you in here Jim?

The large man was Jim’s father, who was also called Jim senior. Jim Senior didn’t look as old as he really was, but he did look like, he’d been inside the boxing ring all his life and it looked like, Jim senior could still go around or two, inside the boxing ring.

Jim held onto his fathers’ hand. Then Jim Junior said, with some difficulty.

Yes dad … this is lad … so leave him alone … or you’ll be lying in the bed next to me.

Jim’s father eventually sat back down. Then he suddenly stood upright. He told me to sit down, which I hadn’t expected. As we were passing one another I could see, and sense that Jim Senior wanted me outside, so he could knock seven bells of shit from me. Jim’s father said,

You know you’ve ruined his boxing career don’t you lad?

He’ll heal and be ready to fight in no time, you see. I told him, but I don’t think he believed me.

I sat down and asked, Jim how long he would be inside the hospital. Jim told me at least three weeks or more, but he could get back into the boxing ring this time next year, if he was lucky. Then Jim told me that his girlfriend had eventually told him the truth, and if he’d known how well I was with my fists. Jim would have sent her to see to me. We all had a laugh, well all but, Jim. Jim’s jaw was all wired up. It turned out that the big bloke was his manager, and he even offered me a job boxing for him. I must admit that I was a little bit tempted, especially when he told me how much money I could make, inside the boxing ring.

His name was, Big Jim, and Big Jims face looked like a long time boxer. Big Jim and Jim’s father have been training and running a boxing club in Leeds for two generations now. The club was also called, Big Jims. They both called, Jim Junior and Jim’s father was called Jim Senior, who now called me, friend for some reason of his own, and Big Jim said he now liked the look of me. I think they were still expecting to coach me into the ring!

We must have been there talking for well over an hour, when the nurse walked into Jim’s room. She immediately asked us to leave. Then she said,

This young man needs some rest, and you’re getting him too excited, just look at him? but we were not looking at Jim, like she was!

Then I was invited to the pub for a pint or two as, Jim Senior put it. We said goodbye to, Jim junior. I told Jim how sorry I was once more, but you wouldn’t believe what happened next? Jim junior unexpectedly winked at me on my way through the door. Then to my surprise Jim whispered, Thank you! I had the impression that I’d done Jim a favour.

We walked down the corridor, and there was my Old Man. My father was sitting down, pretending to read the paper, with a cup of tea in his hand. Then my father stood up when he saw us walking towards him, but my father wasn’t looking towards me, he was looking straight at, Jim Senior and Big Jim. Then my father held out his hand towards, Jim senior. My mouth was wide open. Then my father said,

Hello Jim, Big Jim, long times no see?

Well I just stopped and looked at the two of them. I couldn’t believe they were acting like friends. My father never mentioned them until now!

Jim senior took my fathers had. Then he said,

Yes! It will be a long time, Frank … when we were at school, and how Jessica? I haven’t seen here since you took Jessica from me, Frank! said Jim.

I was in shock. Then Jim Senior said,

We were just on our way to the pub Frank, are you coming to the pub with us? We can talk about old times, and I like your son, even after what he’s done to my lad. He’s not like you when you were that age, but I see you’ve been pumping iron.

I was left sitting inside the pub, listening to them talking about the past, between my father, and Jim Senior. It turned out that my father and, Jim Senior were at the same school, and in the same class. My father and, Jim Senior were always arguing, getting into fights, and that was over my mother, who attended the same school. No wonder my father knew who Jim Senior was.

Big Jim told me that he sent Jim Senior to get boxing lessons, while my father attended college, so he learn all about the building trade, and that’s what they are both doing to this day, even if Jim Senior and Big Jim were retired. We were all drunk that afternoon, so we made our way home. Father said he didn’t like leaving the car behind, but he was too drunk to drive home.

Big Jim was carrying Jim Senior; while my father was carry me home. It was a good job I’d learnt to control my magic, especially now I was living at home. I was once this drunk before, but I didn’t like remembering my performance at the time!

I was drinking heavily with an old friend, who stowed me away on his ship. It was when I was on my way home from Africa, about a year ago now. I was travelling from Douala towards France, but with no passport. My old friend would keep coming down to where I was hiding, so he could cheek on me, and bring me some food and water, but on this occasion. My friend came down with two bottles. One whisky and one was rum.

We were so drunk by the end of the night. The friend was telling me about his girl friend, back in Liverpool, and I said to him.

That’s just like a woman! but, you should have seen the look on my friends face.

He looked straight at me, but he looked absolutely shocked. My friend went running back to his cabin, and I didn’t see him for two days. I was so drunk that I didn’t have any idea what happened to my friend, or myself, but that all changed when I went for a piss! What an unexpected shock that I had, especially when I looked in the mirror! So I soon learned how to control my magic, especially how I said the magic. It was a good job my friend was too drunk, so he couldn’t remember.

My friend came back down two days later, in the morning. He said that he’d seen a ghost. He said one minute he was talking to me, while picking up his drink from off the deck, but when he looked back up, there was this ugly looking woman sitting there. So I told him to leave the spirits alone for a little while. I was left lathing while, he looked round all the time. The magic that Little Rat gave to me, is now planted right in the back of my mind, well most of the magic.

I was attending university on the Monday. It was a bright and sunny morning. I was with the other students, whom were waiting for the lecturer to arrive, inside the old lecture room. My elbows were on the old wooden table at the time, with my head resting on my hands, while I was waiting for late lecturer. I was still feeling hung-over from the night before, following a rough Weekend.

So I couldn’t be bothered to look upwards, when a beautiful young woman stood right next to me, and asked if she could sit down right next to me.

Her name was Marie André, a beautiful young lady. She looked eighteen, or possibly twenty. Marie’s hair was golden brown, and she wears her hair in a little bob. Her eyes were light brown, and her makeup was a light green, but Marie looked very slim, especially for Marie’s slender five foot eight height.

When Marie first walked into the room, wearing her sexy clothes, almost everybody inside the room was watching her, especially the young men. There were even some loud whistles, and some men even offered to move, so Marie could sit next to them. But Marie stood next to me, and I was sitting towards the back, but near the walkway. Then Marie spoke in her soft French accent.

As soon as Marie spoke, my arms were covered with goose bumps, but I didn’t look up, or acknowledged Marie,

Would it be OK if I sat here? asked Marie, but there wasn’t any reply from me, but most of the men shouted out, that Marie could sit with them, so Marie asked once more, but this time, I heard the commotion, which Marie started, Could I sit there please?

Yes!

I said without looking up, so I could see who was asking to sit next to me, but when I smelled Marie’s expensive French perfume, I slowly began to move. I thought nobody would sit next to me, especially not after what happened on Friday, so I slowly looked upwards, only to find this stunning young lady looking down at me

The first thing I noticed was how very slim Marie looked, and she weighed less than eight stone. Marie smiled when our eyes met. I couldn’t help but think of how, Marie would look naked. I quickly pulled my football magazine out, and then I start reading the magazine straight away, so I wouldn’t be thinking about Marie, and how sexy she looked. It worked until Marie spoke to me once more.

Marie told me her name, but with a sexy soft voice of hers. Her accent was English, with a deep French accent,

"Hello my name’s, Marie. I hope I’m not late … I’ve been lost for so long … I thought I would never reach here in time. Then Marie smiled.

No! You’re not late; we’re still waiting for our lecturer to arrive.

I told her while still reading the football magazine, but now I daren’t look up.

It’s a big place … what’s your name? asked Marie,

I still daren’t look up, but now there was something stirring deep inside me, so this time I picked the fishing magazine from my rucksack. Then I said,

Have you seen this fish? I asked Marie with a trembling voice.

I held the fishing magazine up, so I could show Marie the fish, without actually looking at her myself. Then Marie said,

Yes..! Will you show me around? I don’t want to be late for anymore classes and I think we’re doing the same!

There was nothing I could do that would stop what was going through my mind at that moment. There was only one other thing that I could think of. So I moved next to the door, where I could quietly slip away, but first I looked towards Tim, who was sitting behind me. This was so I could take my mind off Marie, but it looked like Tim was already looking at Marie, and there was a big grin on Tim’s face, as he looked her up and then down.

When I looked around the room, I found that most of the lads were starring at Marie. While the girls were just pulling faces behind Marie, and making fun at how skinny she looked. You could see the jealousy on all their faces.

Marie gave me a gentle nudge. Then Marie said,

Are you ignoring me? Marie asked in that soft sexy French voice.

Marie put her soft left hand over my right hand. Then she said,

Is it because I’m from France? Or do you just not like girls? she asked with a little devious looking smile.

No! I mean yes I do, but my head’s killing me, Marie. I think I’ve had too much beer last night.

I told Marie, while my head was still burred in the magazine, but I suddenly thought that, I’d heard Marie moving away, so I looked up at Marie, just to see what she was doing but, she was just going through her handbag. She caught my eye. Then Marie said,

Here you are! Marie said while she held her hand out.

Marie had two white tablets inside her small palm.

I said thank you, and that I’d already taken some painkillers.

Marie smiled. Then she popped the painkillers back inside her handbag. Then she said, You haven’t told me your name?

I wouldn’t turn around, so I could face Marie, so she pulled onto my arm,

It’s Malcolm … Malcolm Batley … and yours? I politely asked, but I still wouldn’t look her in the face. Then Marie said,

Marie. Marie André. I’m here for the rest of the year … Will you show me around after our lecture, Mal? Marie asked while she put her hand back on my hand. Then she said,

Can I call you, Mal? Or do you prefer, Malcolm instead?

I whispered, Sorry! I have to go! Then I made straight for the door, which were only three rows behind me.

I hadn’t told Marie why I was leaving. I just left my seat and made straight for the door, but the lecturer walked into the room at the same time.

The lecturer was just about to introduce himself, and say now sorry he was for being late once more, then I almost knocked him over. I told the now furious lecture, that I was sorry, and that I didn’t feel well, so the lecturer told me that, he didn’t like interruptions. Then the lecturer told me that, I wasn’t to come back, because he didn’t like people, to miss half the lecture. Then the angry lecturer closed the door, behind me.

When I left the room, I didn’t look back. I made straight for the gents, where I throw cold water over my hot face. I walked from the toilets’ a little faster than I would have, but when I walked through the main door that lead from the toilets’, I unexpectedly walked straight into Marie.

Marie was almost knocked into the wall. Then Marie told me that, she only come to see if I was OK.

Are you OK, Mal? You don’t look too good!

Marie asked while I stopped her from bouncing off me, and then into the wall.

Yes! Just go away! I’ll be OK! I snapped back at the bewilder Marie. Then Marie snapped back with,

I only asked if you where OK, and not, do you want to shag!

Then Marie suddenly pulled away from me, and I was now red faced.

Marie’s last word was all it took to get me going. I couldn’t help myself now.

I looked down at Marie’s round bottom, which you could have seen, if Marie were to suddenly bend over, her dress was that short. Then I wished my hands were on Marie’s bottom, which hadn’t helped. Not now I was thinking about sex.

Marie suddenly turned round, only to reveal her wide cleavage, and how nice her small breasts looked, especially with her push-up bra. Marie opened her mouth wide, and then she came running straight into my waiting arms. We ended up kissing like we were long lost lovers. Then Marie’s hands were all over me, before she realized what she was doing.

I couldn’t get enough of Marie. My hands were all over Marie’s firm little buttocks, but, I remembered my girlfriend, April. I quickly thought about fishing and then football when fishing hadn’t worked, which I found hard to think about at the time, but not as hard as my dick. I moved Marie out of his way. Then I ran through the door. This just wasn’t me or what I wanted. I loved April, and I didn’t want to lose her; especially to a girl I didn’t know.

I was heading straight towards the pub, but I remembered that I didn’t have any money with me. Then I realized the pub wouldn’t be open at this time of morning, so I headed home, but in one hell of a sulk. Even the dogs where I lived started barking, when I walked past them. There was nobody home, they would all be at work until five but, Linda wouldn’t be back from the hairdresser until six.

April would have gone straight to the hairdressers after college, and April would come home with Linda. So, I looked at my watch, but it was only ten am. I went straight up towards my bedroom, where I would just lay down, but I still couldn’t forget about Marie, so I came back down stairs, hitting the wall on my way down. I put the kettle so I could make a nice cup of tea.

It didn’t take the kettle long before it boiled. I was just going up the stairs with the tea, when the door bell rang out its silly little chorus, Fuck it! I said to myself, and then carried on walking towards my bedroom, but the doorbell never stopped ringing, by the time I reached my bedroom.

OK I’m on my way! I shouted back down.

I almost ran down the stairs, but when I opened the front door. Marie was standing there, all smiles and smelling of expensive perfume.

Marie smiled first. Then she said,

You left your rucksack inside the hall Mal, so I thought I would bring it around for you! said Marie then she held up the rucksack, with a bigger smile on her face.

I asked Marie how she knew where I lived. So she told me that my name and address were on the rucksack. I was just about to ask Marie inside, when she said she better go, but I was pleased when Marie said she better go. If I really wanted Marie to come inside, she wouldn’t have said no, and I knew it. Then Marie said,

I will see you at university then, Mal!

Marie closed the front gate behind her, so I closed the front door, and then I leant against it,

Mal don’t go there? I said to myself over and over, and while I slowly walked up the stairs.

I sat on the bed reading Sandra’s letter one more time. Then I noticed the picture on the wall, but that picture would have to go. I just couldn’t stand looking at that picture anymore. It was the picture that came in the post. Peter was fishing off a boat, but the picture brought back to many bad memories, which I would rather forget. I turned away from the picture, and reread Sandra’s latter, but at some time, I most have fallen to sleep. The next thing I knew was when my mother started shouted up for me.

Malcolm, are you up there?

Yes!

I’d being sleeping for hours, when I looked at the bedside clock. It was now half past five. Yet, I could only remember my dream, like it was real, but I couldn’t understand the dream. I was on a boat with a little boy, and his mother was shouting for the boy, but I could never see the boy’s mother. Then I was back in Africa where my dream turned into a nightmare.

In the dream, I was looking down at, Harriet’s crave, while I was holding Linda’s hand, and then we were both planting flowers over Harriet’s crave. Them I suddenly found myself in my bedroom. I was looking at the picture of Peter, only to be reminded about the Morgan’s, especially Rose Morgan. At this point, I was lying in a pool of sweat. My whole body shaking on the bed, then I found myself watching, while Rose Morgan cooked the little boy, over an open fire.

I screamed out, but I couldn’t move. I woke, when I heard mother walking through the front door. I looked at the picture, and then the time on the clock suddenly caught my eye. I knew April would be here soon, and I needed to shower, before she arrived. I jumped from the bed, and undressed in the bathroom. I quickly shaved and showered. I only just finished in time, when April and Linda walked through the front door.

But April didn’t look happy. She walked right past me and without the usual smile. Then April asked if we could go up to my bedroom, where we could talk. You could clearly see that, April was upset with me, and it looked like, Linda knew what upset April. She gave me an unspeakable look, and then she walked straight past me.

Malcolm never knew what to think, especially when, April had that stern look on her face. Sometimes it was just the start of her period, but most of the time it would be something that, Malcolm had done wrong, or he had simply said the wrong thing.

April would say to Malcolm,

I never feel that I’m in control of my own mind, especially when I’m with you?

I never could understand what was on a woman’s’ mind.

April sat down onto the damp bed. She asked me to close the bedroom door. So I shut the door first. Then I nervously sat down next to April. She looked at my face, while looking all serious. Then April said,

Mal, do you still love me? She asked, none too happily, and with a tear in her eye.

I now had the impression that April was going to tell me that she was pregnant, so I took a hold of Aprils shaking hand’s first. I held the other hand over her stomach, and before she could stop me. Now I knew she wasn’t pregnant. I looked at April. Then I softly said,

Yes, I love you April … what’s this about anyway? You look upset.

I kissed April on the cheek, but before I could kiss her on the mouth, April suddenly hit me with the bad news.

April pushed me away first. Then she said,

Then who’s this bloody Marie then? I was told you’ve been seen together, and you both walked out of university! In, in the bloody morning, and you never came back! she cried out, almost in tears. So what have you two being up to?

I didn’t deny anything. I told April we were just sitting down, next to each other, and inside the lecture hall. I said I hadn’t felt too well, and that’s why I came home. I kissed April full on the lips. April gave a little smile. Then she said,

Is it true that she’s good looking?

April wiped the tears from her eyes, so I took her hand once more. Then I said,

Yes it’s true, but not as good looking as you are, April, and I love you, April … Let’s get out of here and have some fun? I finished with my deluxe smile.

April didn’t know whether she should believe me. You could see it on her face, but once I kissed her, she knew I wouldn’t cheat on her. April looked towards the closed door, and then back towards me. She gave a little cheeky grin. Then she said,

No! Make love to me first! she said, while pulling me towards her.

I thought I’d used some magic on April at first. I soon realized that I hadn’t. I was worried that somebody might walk in, but once I’d seen the sexy look on April, and what she were doing, I said,

But my mum and dad are down stairs, and someone might walk in! I told her while still in shock. Then April said,

Then lock the door. Then turn the music up, but you better gag me! she said while removing her top.

We made love slowly, and as quietly as we could. I was gentle with her for as long as I could be. We dressed without talking to each other, but we were both smiling. Once we were both dressed, we went down for tea.

April walked into the dining room first. So I followed her when our dinners were wormed inside the microwave. All was quiet when I sat down next to April. When I looked up my father was just sitting there, but with a big grin on his face, hidden under the paper that which he was reading. Then Linda came into the room with a towel wrapped around her head. She asked if she could finish her bath now that we’d finished whatever we were doing.

I felt my face turning red when I looked towards April, but she was already the colour of a well cooked lobster. My mother walked into the dining room. Mother didn’t look happy and she was looking straight at me. She looked daggers at me. Then mother said,

Malcolm that will be the last time you and April play your music that loud! Then mother walked back into the kitchen.

My sister looked towards April and just winked at her. Then she went up to finish her bath. My dad looked over towards me.

Your music was a little loud son. Your mother put her earphones on so she could listen to her own music. Then he winked at me.

April was so embarrassed that she tried hiding behind me. I looked up.

Yes dad, but I thought you liked, Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin?

Not that loud. said Frank.

Frank just ruffled the newspaper. Then he set about reading the paper while April replied with a kick underneath the table, which caught my leg, but I portended that I hadn’t felt Aprils little kick.

Once April and I finished our dinner, we walked into the front room, where Linda was putting on her makeup.

April sat down next to Linda, where they started talking.

I hadn’t noticed how much weight Linda lost while I was away, and how good looking she looked, with losing the weight and, especially now she was dressed in her new sexy outfit.

April asked Linda with a sly smile on both their faces,

Who’s the lucky feller? smiled April,

It’s not a feller April … it’s a woman, a young woman whom I met at work yesterday. I was cutting her hair and we got talking. She said she needed a night out, so she could meet a feller. So I asked her out tonight, with it been my day off work tomorrow.

Well I hope she has good luck, commented April.

We left Linda putting on her makeup, while we left for the pub. We did nothing but talk on our way towards the pub, and while we were drinking, but April did all the talking while I did all the drinking. But, April did nothing but go on about the coming weekend, so I went along with whatever, she said.

I only hoped that I would remember the next time I saw April. I returned home around midnight, after walking April home.

Linda only just arrived home before me. She’d only just put the kettle on to boil, so I asked if Linda had a good time on the town. I asked if Linda would make me a cup of tea, while I went for a piss. Linda and I weren’t drunk, just a little merry. While the kettle came to a boil, Linda told me about her night out.

Then Linda told me they were all going out on Saturday night, and she was going to ask if April would come along with them. Then Linda said,

It’s going to be a girl’s night out! Linda laughed.

Linda was soon boring me so I said goodnight. Then I went straight to bed, leaving Linda to lock the doors.

I left for university the next morning, after a good night sleep. I set off earlier than I normally would have,