The White Charger

By J.P. Hill

The story begins in and around Tenby, West Wales, about a teenager who finds a ring buried in the sand after a day of treasure hunting with his brother. It is set round the family Bed and Breakfast where James slowly emerges as the main protagonist, as it follows his adventures which are surrounded by the Celtic Myths of West Wales. It begins when hes on a treasure hunting spree with his brother and finds what appears to be a very old ring. Later, as he takes his small dog for a walk, it becomes trapped in a rabbit hole, ultimately being freed by a cloaked stranger. Once released, it races off and finds a hidden opening in the ground and starts barking at it. James, reluctant to go into it with the little dog, decides to return later on his own, intrigued to see where it may lead. The venture starts off alright, until he crashes through the floor of the passage hes in, as he gains consciousness he finds himself in a large cavern where he discovers an ancient plinth. On opening it he is met by a dust cloud, once it settles he discovers the Torque of Graal inside. Initially keeping his find a secret, hes awakened that night by the same figure whod helped save his dog, and swearing James to secrecy about his find, he disappears once again. Following Jamess progress as he meets up with a young girl called Bethan, with whom he forms an immediate bond, letting her into the secret he was keeping. The story unfolds to find that James has a rare form of cancer and is visited by the old man again. He tells him that the Torque will help him discover the Cauldron of Rebirth, while the Torques secret eventually takes him on an incredible journey back to the Otherworld, meeting up with Merlin and some of the Knights of the Round Table, as his adventure starts trying to find this magical potion.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris UK
• Release date: Apr 28, 2017
• ISBN: 9781524598617

J.P. Hill

Born in Wellington Somerset in 1944, privately educated until my father failed to pay the fees but still took ‘O’ and ‘A’ levels. Started to read History at Bristol University but due to a tragedy, I only did the first year. From there I joined the forces and spent six years living dangerously. On leaving the forces I joined a progressive rock band and for about a year went all round the country and Europe playing gigs we’d blagged, including opening the first Isle of Wight ‘Woodstock’ Festival. From there I married and found a real job in Sales and Marketing, working my way up to management in various different organisations. Not really satisfied with my life and eventually divorcing, I then went off to do some building work hoping to satisfy my creative talents hoping to create palaces from ruins, as I’d always loved carpentry and all things to do with wood, I was also adept at bricklaying and plastering which helped me greatly. I built many different houses/ mansions with my then partner but desire to travel always found me accepting jobs in different countries in Europe. For a short while I set up an Art shop focusing on framing pictures which also sold prints and originals by local artists but became bored and sold it on to do something else. I’ve spent time in Madrid helping build a nephews house on the outskirts of the city, staying there for just over a year. I’ve travelled America, crossing it East to West to follow route 66. Most of my time in England I’ve stayed in the building trade, working for friend’s etc., then for a short period I found myself out of work, so went out doing small jobbing work helping me to keep my head above water. I did a bit more travelling and moving around until I reached 65, finally teaming up with a very dear friend to help him with some building work, mostly as favours. Just over two years ago I was diagnosed with Cancer, so after all the treatment was finished, I found myself having to take a back seat, which is when I decided to finish a book I’d started some twelve years earlier. Hopefully I can help repay the kindness I received from both Macmillan Nurses and Velindre, also to recognise the help that I had from Dr Philip Connor who was kind enough to give me an insight to how AML is treated.

Book preview

Copyright © 2017 by J.P. Hill.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2017904520

ISBN:      Hardcover      978-1-5245-9863-1

                Softcover      978-1-5245-9862-4

                eBook         978-1-5245-9861-7

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 04/27/2017

Xlibris

800-056-3182

759713

Contents

Chapter 1 The Visitors

Chapter 2 Treasure Hunting

Chapter 3 The Dinner Party

Chapter 4 An Unusual Circumstance

Chapter 5 The Cloaked Stranger

Chapter 6 Falling To A Find

Chapter 7 A Day At The Farm

Chapter 8 The Fishing Trip

Chapter 9 Another Strange Turn

Chapter 10 James’s Awful Discovery

Chapter 11 The Quest Of The Torque

Chapter 12 An Anxious Prognosis

Chapter 13 A Kings Knight For A Day

Chapter 14 A Life Returned

CHAPTER ONE

The Visitors

D avid, who had just come back from Jones the News, plonked himself down on his large beanbag and started wriggling around to make himself more comfortable, leaving the beanbag to wrap itself around him as if he was a cuddly toy, then giving one last heave, he finally settled in. Slipping on his earphones, he clicked the sound button to listen to one of the CD’s which had started playing on his music centre. Now feeling quite settled, he reached across to pick up the latest edition of GQ magazine he’d just collected. He had become so absorbed in an article about the latest fashion items for men that he hadn’t heard his younger brother James enter his room.

You stinking little toe-rag yelled David furiously, as his Saturday morning read was rudely interrupted by his brother, who had just sneaked in and unceremoniously snatched the magazine he was reading from his hands. Holding it aloft like a trophy James raced off making for the bedroom door, leaving David struggling to get out of his encompassing beanbag. Tearing off his headphones, he started hurling a string of abuse after his brother as he gave vent to his frustration at being ambushed, his expletives intensified as he pathetically attempted to free himself from the enveloping beanbag. Finally, by managing to put both hands on the floor it enabled him to give one last contorted twist, allowing him to get to his feet. Incensed with frustration, he began chasing his departing brother who, on reaching the door, began to taunt him with his magazine before shooting through it. His actions prompted David to curse him more loudly than ever, as he made a mad dash to reach the door before James could close it.

You wait ‘til I catch you, you little …… the rest of his angry outburst was drowned as James slammed the door shut in his endeavour to escape his brother’s wrath. By the time David had yanked open the door, all he could see was that his brother was already astride the bannister rail to begin his express descent to the ground floor. Knowing it was virtually impossible to catch him now, David could only watch as James quickly disappeared from sight, so walking to the top of the stairs to watch his descent, he swore down at him telling him he’d make him pay later. As he continued to watch his brother hurtle down astride the bannister, it appeared that James seemed to have lost hold of the magazine. It was during all this that Mouse, James’s tiny Jack Russell, who had been curled up on his duvet had heard the two boys bickering, which made him start barking. Fully awake now it leapt off the bed and began scratch frantically at the door in order to get out and join in. David, on hearing the dog’s fervent scratching, instinctively looked round as the little dog was making the most dreadful noise to get out. James had almost reached the halfway point in the staircase still feeling David’s angry stare follow him, and just as the magazine he’d pinched snagged in one of the cast iron balusters, yanking it violently from his hands, he heard him shout even more loudly. James had never really thought of it as a particularly dangerous form of descent, but somehow today was proving different. Sensing that he was about to lose his balance, and being perilously close to following the fluttering magazine, he started to panic. Automatically making a grab at the rail with his right hand, James tried to steady himself by shifting his balance and twisting himself, attempting at the same time, to hook his left leg round one of the ornate metal stanchions that supported the bannister. As he came up to the bend at the bottom of the first landing, he hooked his leg round one of the ornate uprights, which halted him abruptly with a knee wrenching jerk and landing him on the staircase.

Meanwhile Mouse, finally managed to open the door and not wanting to miss out on this game of chase, headed straight for the stairs. David was still standing at the top of the stairs cursing after his younger brother, albeit not quite so loudly, jumped as the little dog rushed past, making him instinctively recoil as it charged off down the stairs. Mouse carried on yapping furiously as he raced down to catch up with James, for he loved nothing more than having the opportunity to play a new game of chase, as he now waited while his master fought hard to control his descent. Mouse, who’d taken the stairs two at a time was almost level with James, sat watching as he crashed into a heap on the staircase. He let James sit up before hopping onto his lap, where he began to lick him anxiously as James sat trying to recover his senses. James couldn’t even be bothered to push him away as he sat going over his lucky escape, wondering what could have happened, if he hadn’t fallen onto the staircase.

Mum will kill you if I don’t catch you first, you brainless little div, James had heard him shouting abuse as he left the top floor, but his bad language seemed to have stopped since he’d fallen off. So as he sat in silence on the staircase, James thought all the noise he’d been making, plus his brother swearing, was bound to alert their mother. David being aware that his voice would carry, was trying to keep it down hoping that it wouldn’t carry any further than his brother’s ears. However, because he was so angry, he couldn’t stop himself hurling a load of disparaging remarks after his brother. Only after stopping to draw breath and hearing James clatter onto the staircase, he realized it was a great opportunity for him to catch his brother. David set off down the stairs in pursuit, but unfortunately had only got about halfway down when he heard the unmistakable sound of the kitchen door opening. Knowing it could only mean that their mother was now coming into the hallway he froze, not wanting to be caught up having to explain what was going on. Their mother Josie, had merely come out to investigate what all the fuss was about, having been disturbed by the terrible ruckus on the staircase, almost expecting to find a crumpled body at the foot of them. Not wanting any further hassle, David discretely stopped chasing James, quietly turning to go back upstairs, knowing that he could be in serious trouble for swearing if she caught him. Keeping close to the wall of the staircase, feeling sure that his mother wouldn’t see him, he slowly and quietly crept back up the stairs, for if she wasn’t aware of his presence, then she probably hadn’t heard him swearing at James either. As luck would have it, he managed to make it to the top landing unnoticed, where he stood reflecting on the fact that that both of them had broken two of the most important rules in the Wyndham-Price household. Feeling a bit more confident that he’d got away with it, David stood up against the wall, keeping out of sight of his mother as the sound of her voice came floating up from the hall below.

So what is Mum going to kill somebody for? Josie Wyndham-Price called out, as she stood looking up through the central part of the staircase, watching as the magazine fluttered past her. Having clearly heard the words ‘Mum’ and ‘kill’ from the kitchen, she had assumed that it was the boys having an argument with each other. Though still not sure what it was she’d actually heard, she knew something had fallen noisily on the upper staircase and was relieved that her fears were unfounded, as no-one was lying in a heap at the foot of them. Whilst his mother waited patiently for an answer, James was not really anxious to admit that the noise was his falling off the bannister, knowing she’d tell his father. For the moment all James could do was to sit there and try to pull himself together, yet work out how he explained his noisy dismount without having to deliberately lie.

Were you by any chance sliding down the bannisters James? she asked, sounding slightly annoyed as she stooped to pick up the spread-eagled magazine from the floor. Glancing at the glossy cover she asked, I suppose this is what you two were fighting over is it? Josie looked up through the stairwell holding up the magazine in question as she spoke, then in frustration shouted, Well answer me.

Sorry Mum, it’s just that I caught my foot in the upright as I came down the stairs and fell over that’s all, James replied guiltily as he sat back against the staircase composing himself, feeling awkward about distorting the facts to avoid telling his mother exactly what happened. Mouse, was still on James’s lap and began licking his face, attempting to stop him, James put up his hand still shuddering at the thought of what might have been.

David, on hearing his mother grilling his brother, had prudently kept back from the rail and started grinning as he realized that she wasn’t even aware of his presence. He carried on listening as she asked James who the magazine belonged to, craftily moving to lean over the rail where he was able to hear exactly what was being said, as she told James off.

I’ve told you before about racing down the stairs, Josie admonished her younger son, as he now stood up to look down at her where he could see her waving the magazine in question at him.

I was just trying to escape from my stupid brother when I tripped and missed a step he replied anxiously, still quietly trying to collect himself together after what could have been a painful, if not fatal fall.

How many times have I told you not to refer to your brother as stupid, and does that mean you were or weren’t sliding down the bannister? said his mother, an exasperated tone began to creep into her voice as she sensed that something didn’t ring true, and is this magazine yours or your brother’s? Josie waited for an answer while holding the offending article in the air.

David suddenly leant out over the rail, shouting that it was his magazine and that James had just come in rudely snatching it from him.

Well you’d better come down before I throw it in the bin, Josie replied as she turned to go back into the kitchen, but not before placing it on the hall table, reminding them, and no more arguing or I’ll bang your heads together, understood?

With a unanimous ‘Yes Mum’ she left them to it.

David, needing no second bidding, raced down to collect it and as he dashed past James, who’d sat back on the stairs to tend to his sore leg, he clipped him round his ear with a sharp slap making James forget all about the pain in his leg. David’s stinging slap provoked Mouse to start growling as if to warn David not to mess with him. David stopped briefly and raised his hand, making as if to hit the little dog, but when he growled even more angrily, baring his teeth as if to say ‘you dare’, he quickly backed off and carried on down to the hall.

The unexpected blow his brother administered as he went past, made James even more upset, as the sudden slap triggered a blinding headache making him feel ten times worse. Once David reached the ground floor, he picked up his magazine from the hall table, so deciding to kill two birds with one stone, he opted to have his breakfast and read his magazine while he was down there. David felt that at least by going into the kitchen, he would be able to sit there and read it in peace. Fascinated, Josie watched him as he flitted round the kitchen in a world of his own, finally sitting down at the table with his cereal, completely oblivious to her presence, to become completely engrossed in his magazine. The fact that David seemed almost unaware of her presence prompted her to mull over how so much had changed as they’d all grown up.

Her thoughts were temporarily halted by the sound of the doorbell, so putting them on hold, she left David in the kitchen and went to the front door expecting it to be her sister. Mouse reached the front door before her, having raced down the hall ahead of her as she came out of the kitchen, was stood waiting patiently to greet the visitors. Wagging his stumpy little tail in excitement, he waited for Josie to open it, backing away as the door nearly caught his nose, then started barking as Josie stepped back to let her sister in.

Come on in Sopes she said, standing back to welcome her in, looking at Mouse and wondering why he was making such a fuss, then realized as she saw that it was not her sister.

Oh! I…I’m sorry she stammered, I was expecting my sister

The mysterious stranger looked at her and started to smile, as Mouse continued barking excitedly, attempting to get out of the door to confront him.

Get back Mouse and be quiet, James, James she called him again as she waited for his reply, James, come down here now and fetch the dog please, Josie shouted up through the hallway, putting a restraining foot across the it’s throat in a bid to stop him going out any further.

Come on James, hurry up.

Just coming, James called out as he answered his mother’s demand.

James had been on his way down when he’d heard his mother shout, so going straight to the front door and picking Mouse up, he tucked him under his arm, before turning to go back upstairs. Feeling peckish, he stopped outside the kitchen, but on poking his head round the door he could see David reading his magazine while eating his cereal. Not wanting any further arguments with his brother, he reluctantly pulled the door shut and made his way upstairs to his bedroom, arriving on the top landing just as his sister Vicki emerged from the bathroom.

Whatever was all that shouting about earlier? she asked, David sounded really angry as usual.

Oh nothing, just David being a pain about his magazine, James said casually, dismissing it with a wave and heading to his room. Once inside he put Mouse down giving his aching arm a rest, as the little dog had been constantly wriggling trying to get away. Still feeling a bit bruised from his fall, he went over to lie on his bed, where he would quietly reflect on the events of earlier. As he lay considering the implications of his actions, he flinched involuntarily, shuddering at the thought of how his stupidity could have ended in tragedy

Meanwhile back at the front door, having waited for James to disappear with the dog, Josie turned her attentions back to the unexpected caller who was standing at the door.

I’m so glad you are open, The stranger’s words took her by surprise.

Open? Josie said bemusedly, trying to collect her thoughts.

Yes, for Bed and Breakfast, you still do that don’t you? the stranger said, turning and pointing at the sign near the front gate.

Well yes, but we weren’t opening until Whitsun this year as we’ve been redecorating the rooms and why we didn’t open this Easter.

She was about to tell him to try the Hotel just up the road, but found herself saying something completely different.

I’m afraid the rooms for Bed and Breakfast are still not ready, but we have basement flat which I could let you have.

Before Josie could finish the stranger had interrupted her.

That sounds absolutely fine, as long as we’re not putting you to too much trouble. We’re only looking to spend about three, possibly four days away, so I hope that won’t change your decision about letting the flat to us for such a short spell.

His smile broadened as his big blue eyes twinkled, lighting up his strangely handsome face, as his infectious smile consumed her, its warmth somehow enveloping her.

No, no, that’ll be fine, she said caught off guard, but I’ll need about an hour or so, just to air it properly and to put on fresh bedding etc, smiling as she said it.

Brilliant, I can’t tell you how much grief I would have got had you not been able to accommodate us. he said, while Josie’s quizzical look prompted him to explain further.

Well for many years now my father had come down to Tenby for his holidays, in fact he’s stayed here twice, so my wife Rebecca always wanted us to come down here and see for ourselves. Dad always said it felt like home from home whenever he came down here, sadly after his death last year, I came across your card with gold stars on it, which was his highest seal of approval. When I found your card I realized this was place that he kept on about, for he never stopped talking about your hospitality and said that it was one of the best B&B’s he’d ever visited. Hence why we’re here, it’s a sort of memorial to him I suppose, but also to see for ourselves what made him love Tenby so much.

Stopping for a moment, the stranger seemed to be lost for words, as if he was trying to control his emotions.

I’d mislaid your card and wasn’t even sure that I’d remembered the name of your house correctly, foolishly I told Rebecca that I’d already booked it, as Dad always said Tenby seemed to be quieter between Easter and Whitsun. I know it was stupid to assume that you’d have vacancies, but something told me to try and I’m glad I did now. The stranger took an anxious look up the road as if he was expecting someone, before turning back to Josie saying, Look I can’t thank you enough for putting yourself out for us, I’m really grateful for your kindness, then glancing at his watch and smiling a little sheepishly, Crikey, is that the time, I’d better get back to Rebecca, she thinks I’ve just gone off to buy her something for our anniversary.

Mum’s the word she said stoically, pledging his secret safe with her.

You’re a brick, he said laughing, Rebecca’s always telling me I’ve a head like a colander, well, I suppose that’s true where some things are concerned, he said, tapping his head as he turned to go.

Come back in about an hour or so, and it will be ready, Josie waved him goodbye and began shutting the door, as she watched him bid her ‘Au revoir’ with a wave of acknowledgement, before making his way up towards Tudor Square.

‘Strange,’ Josie mused, making her way back to the kitchen to think about the stranger’s impending return, that she realized she hadn’t told him how much they charged for the flat. ‘Oh well it doesn’t look as though he’s short of money’ thought Josie, as she agonized on it briefly, then just as quickly she dismissed the thought from her mind.

During this time, both James and David had taken the opportunity to disappear back up to their rooms, astutely avoiding upsetting their mother again. James, now back in his room, had been mulling over the number of times he’d slid undetected down the bannister without mishap. As they’d grown up, especially the boys, the children were given certain rules of the house that had to be obeyed, originally the most important was not sliding down the bannisters. There were other which minor offences, like making too much noise or wearing dirty shoes in the house, it was mainly the boys who’d infringed the rules, although all of them had incurred punishment at some point. The bannister edict was enforced more rigorously since his father had recently finished the painstaking job of refurbishing the old staircase and now ordained that sliding on the bannister was a violation on a par with bad language, which in both cases breached the rules and carried punitive penalties. The ruling on bad language was a relatively recent one as, until David had started using bad language, there had been no need for one. So while David would more often than not be lectured for using bad language, it was inevitably James who suffered most lectures on preservation of fine architectural features.

His father was rightly worried on how dangerous it was to use the bannisters as a slide, always pointing out they could easily fall into the stairwell below. Invariably ending up relating the story about two young children, during the war years, who had been chasing one another down the bannister when one of them fell off, plunging to their deaths below. The thought of having to hear the same old story, or having to clean the staircase frustrated James immensely, for often under his father’s continuous supervision, he’d make him go back to do something he’d missed. There were odd occasions when James would lose a fortnight’s pocket money instead, though it was more for swearing than sliding down bannisters that his father had enforced such a ruling.

Quietly lying back, James began to think things through, then deciding unless it was an emergency, he’d never slide down the bannister again. On hearing his brother coming up to his room, he gently stroked Mouse, carefully shifting the little dog across the bed, so he could stand up before deciding what to do next. He thought he’d wait until he heard his brother lock his door before venturing down to the kitchen and began thinking how they were so different. Since his brother was two years above him at school, he’d become so superior towards him especially at school, teasing him in front of his classmates, particularly the female ones. James was the youngest of the family, being born twenty five minutes after his twin sister Vicki and at nearly fifteen years old, wondered why his brother begrudged helping him. David, on the other hand, considered James to be an annoying little sprog, coming into his room uninvited and asking stupid questions or, if he thought he wasn’t looking, root through his personal things. What was completely beyond him, was why James would rather read books than spend time with his mates or better still girls, like he’d done at James’s age.

David was into computers and girls, he felt it gave him an excuse for not to having to answer his brothers boring questions, especially as he’d opted to pursue a course in computer programming, as part of his sixth form curriculum.

On hearing David bolt his door and knowing he was safely locked away in his room, James who’d stayed in his room waiting for the coast to clear, felt it was time to go down to the kitchen. As he stood up the little dog leapt off to join him and headed for the door, so thinking it might be prudent to take him downstairs for a walk in the garden, James called him to come. Josie was aware of him going past the kitchen as she heard him open the door to the basement and assumed he was taking Mouse down to let him out in the garden. Hearing him chase Mouse down to the stairs, prompted her to get a move on as she had to get the flat ready for their forthcoming guests. Picking up the keys from the hook by the door, she made her way down the short staircase to the basement flat, but no sooner had she opened its door, than the front door bell rang for the second time.

Can someone get that please, Josie shouted up through the empty stairwell, her voice echoing along the empty passageway. Not hearing the clattering of feet in acknowledgement to her request, she left the keys in the door and made her way back up to answer the front door. By the time Josie had reached the front door to open it, Vicki was racing down the stairs, noisily jumping the last few steps, landing two footed with an almighty thump.

Mum, Mum, Auntie Sopes said she might be going to Haverfordwest shopping today, is it OK if I go with her? Vicki was pleading as she cornered her mother, flashing her big brown eyes in anticipation. Josie was about to say something about not being able to afford to let her go, but Sophie stepped into the hallway stopping her. Discreetly putting off having to give any immediate answer, she turned and gave her sister a big hug.

Hi big Sis, and who’s that walking sex machine I just saw leaving here? Sophie’s soft Pembrokeshire accent inquired, as Josie grinned shrugging her shoulders, amused by her sister’s description of the guest. Sophie, having always been a bit of a tomboy, that even now in her mid thirties, she still hadn’t lost that devilish air. In some ways they were alike as chalk and cheese. Josie was taller and considered more elegant, always seeming to attract the most attention, while Sophie was much more down to earth, there was no doubting that both were beautiful. Perhaps it was Josie’s smile that edged it in the beauty stakes, with her golden hair drawn up on top of her head helping to expose the exquisite lines of her beautiful face, while Sophie’s dark hair hung in a shock of dark waves and with her big brown eyes, it gave her an almost eastern air. Although both were quite slim, the family’s Rubenesque trait was quite obvious, though it didn’t detract from their elegance.

The two girls had both married men who were involved with the environment, but in totally different ways. Sophie’s husband Edward was a dairy farmer from Carmarthen, whilst Josie’s husband William, a cabinet-maker by trade, was now working for the Forestry Commission. However Wills, as he was known, had also joined the RNLI here in Tenby, enlisting as an auxiliary Life-boatman, more or less following in his father’s footsteps. His late father had served in the Royal Navy, and when he was demobbed, he’d enlisted in the local RNLI when they lived in Kent. Wills would often talk about the times his father had been called out to rescue stricken mariners in the Channel, as he proudly remembered his father’s past. Josie recalled how his parents had made her feel so special when they first met, and how his father had been really helpful, especially when they first moved to Tenby. Sophie looked her sister who seemed lost in thought, so nudged her, reminding her she hadn’t answered her earlier question.

You can both help me fix the flat up, we’ve paying guests coming in less than an hour Josie said, changing the subject, as she grabbed hold of her sister and started to hustle her down the passage way towards the kitchen, flinching as the front door shut with a thud. Vicki hesitating at the idea of having to go down to the flat to help prepare it, stopped at the foot of the stairs.

Mum, you said I should tidy my room today, so can’t you and Auntie Sopes do the flat, please? Vicki’s big brown eyes flashed pleadingly as she spoke.

Josie looked hard at her daughter, but when Sophie assured her that they could do without her help, she shooed her daughter upstairs before going into the kitchen.

It’s Auntie Sophie to you young lady, said Josie reminding her daughter of her manners, watching her race off upstairs then, looking back at Sophie shrugging, while adding, Kids, who’d have ‘em. Then going into the kitchen to pick up some clean crockery, she went to the laundry cupboard before going down to prepare the flat. As the two sisters made their way down to the flat, they started to apportion the various tasks that needed to be done. Whilst they were getting it ready for the unexpected visitors, Josie started to tell her sister about the encounter with the ‘sex machine’ Sophie referred to earlier.

I can’t picture his father though and I can’t think of anyone who’s been here that resembles him. Josie paused as her sister nudged her.

Must admit he’s a bit of a looker Sophie ventured teasingly, I mean, for you to be opening up this early, and before Whitsun too, well there’s a thing, if you weren’t happily married I’d be suspicious of your motives my girl Sophie grinned as she playfully wound her sister up.

Giving her a shove, Josie started to colour up.

Don’t so be daft Sopes, it’s nothing like that, but there is something about him, I don’t know, maybe I just felt sorry for him, defending her actions, then adding, Oh, it doesn’t matter, he was just really nice and looked so darned helpless.

In an effort to change the subject, she went to the patio doors to open them up, at the same time began taking great gulps of the warming sea air, enjoying the warmth of the spring sunshine as it gently nuzzled her face.

You know we’re so lucky to have all this she turned to Sophie as she spoke, having now changed the subject to cover any further ribbing.

Sopes, as she affectionately called her sister, came up alongside her also taking comfort from the bright sunshine, standing with her sister as they looked out towards St. Catherine’s Island. Tenby was usually quieter at this time of year, the period of respite between Easter and Whitsun, something the locals could enjoy before the onslaught of the summer season. Their house was situated near the middle of St. Julian Street, which itself led down to the small harbour and onto the Castle Beach slipway, leading to the vast stretch of sand called South Beach. The harbour housed the Tenby Lifeboat and local fishing fleet, well what was left of it, though mostly consisting of day excursion pleasure craft, or specialist fishermen offering an array of off-shore fishing trips. Gazing out past St. Catherine’s island they could see a large ship on the horizon on its way to Ireland or beyond, the calm sea was almost an azure blue, making the reflection of the clear skies in the ridiculously still water seem to merge into the horizon. Some hungry gulls were wheeling high over the empty beaches, as they scoured the surroundings for scraps, their plaintiff ululations assaulting the empty beaches with angry vocal protest at the absence of pickings. It always fascinated Josie at the way the gulls would swoop on the part eaten sandwiches, cold chips, empty crisp packets, it seemed everything was fair game. There were times you’d be watching when they would swoop down on some unsuspecting person, who, if they didn’t move quickly enough, would forfeit a part eaten sandwich or ice cream to be snatched away with effortless aplomb.

Mmmm, yes Sophie agreed, as she replied to her sister’s observation, but it has its drawbacks having to put up with all those grockels in the summer.

No, Sopes, that’s the best bit. See, they’re only here for the season and then, when they’ve gone, we have it all back to ourselves Josie went on, unlike the city, where people are around you every day, all year round, there’s no respite from that hubbub, the pollution, the noise of traffic, the threat of danger in whatever form it seems to take nowadays. She paused as if reflecting on what she was saying, laughing as she continued, No, I say let them come, for at least they can escape to enjoy our bit of heaven for a while. At best we share this small corner of paradise, giving them an opportunity to enjoy their brief visit and maybe they’ll take something back when they go.

Josie stopped as it sounded as if World War Three had erupted. As it appeared to be coming from David’s bedroom high above them, she motioned for Sophie to follow her. Having been unaware that James had come back in from the garden, but realizing he must have done judging from the commotion that was going on above them, it seemed that the argument was continuing from earlier.

Oh no, they’re at it again, for god’s sake can’t they just go out and stop bickering, Josie looked at Sophie with a look of despair. Having had to reluctantly leave the warm sun, they both made their way through the flat to climb the stairs to the hallway.

David, James come down here now the both of you, she paused, as she stood at the bottom of the magnificent staircase, I mean right now.

The two boys came down the winding staircase still niggling at each other, Mouse trailing behind them both, anticipating more scuffles and excitement that usually followed these tiffs. The niggling stopped as they caught sight of their mother standing with her arms folded, as she waited for them at the foot of the stairs. She looked really angry, which to the boys meant trouble, so stopping their descent they looked down at her sheepishly.

Right you two, what’s it this time? she barked angrily, causing poor old Mouse to cower down behind James.

Both boys started talking at once, both making their excuses at the same time. This made Sophie smile, but not wishing to usurp her sister’s control, she started to look at a painting of Tenby harbour that hung in the hallway, before diplomatically making her way back down to the flat to leave Josie giving the two boys a talking to, adding that their behaviour had better change, as there would be visitors staying in the house later.

David, why do you always have to annoy James? Josie turned to rebuke her older son.

But Mum, you always blame me. It’s not fair he gets away with everything. David pleaded angrily feeling that James had got away with it yet again.

Don’t ‘but’ me young man, Josie quickly turned on him, otherwise I shall let your father deal with it when he gets home.

Sorry Mum, David spoke softly in reply, not wishing to invoke yet another one of his father’s lectures.

Well I don’t want any more of it, just remember this house will be having paying guests in later and I don’t want them being disturbed. Is that clear? And that means you too James, okay? she said pointedly, as they both nodded their compliance. Shrewdly, James had remained silent throughout his mother’s censure of his brother, and seeing how vexed his mother was, he refrained from saying anything that might aggravate the situation to avoid her scolding him as well. He had been smart enough to know that, had he started to argue the point with David, it would have brought up the episode of the bannister and since his mother seemed to have forgotten all about it, he’d let sleeping dogs lie. David having already decided not to pursue the bannister episode, assuming that James would only snitch on him about his swearing, knowing he’d get James back later, remained tight lipped as well. While all this was going on, poor old Mouse just sat quietly, his tiny ears folded back, hiding behind James hoping that all the invective was over and not about to come his way.

Looking across at James, Josie waited for the inevitable response, but this time he remained silent as his eyes scanned the bottom step, so feeling that she had made her point, she changed the subject.

Why don’t you both go out and get some fresh air, the sun’s shining and it’s really quite warm now, so it’ll do both of you good, rather than being stuck in here all day, Josie was beginning to feel guilty at having gone off on one. Perhaps you could go out with your metal detectors, treasure hunting like you use to, besides, I could do with a peaceful chat with Auntie Sophie while we finish making the flat ready for the guests. Smiling as she tried to chivvy them along, while doing her best to encourage them to get out to do something constructive in the fresh air.

Knowing it would be pointless to argue with their mother, the two boys left the hallway, making their way back upstairs to change, where they could also gather up some of the things they needed to go treasure hunting on the beach. Having put an end to the dispute, she went back down to the flat, where Sophie had already begun laying out the clean towels on the radiator, as well as putting the flannels and toiletries at the end of the bath. Together they both flitted around the flat, plumping up cushions and smoothing curtains, before going into the bedroom to put on the fresh linen. It was while she was in there that Josie felt that the flat had a slightly stale smell about it, finding some air freshener under the sink, she began spraying a fine mist around the room. Leaving it smelling sweeter they left the flat and made their way back up to the kitchen where Josie put the kettle on, then getting the mugs out of the top cupboard, she looked at Sophie suddenly remembering that Vicki was meant to be going out with her.

I forgot all about Vicki, I wonder what she’s doing? dawning on her that she had conveniently disappeared after Sophie had arrived. Going to the bottom of the stairs, she called up.

I’m in my room, came the muffled reply.

Are you OK up there?

Yes, but can I have a drink?

What’s the magic word?

Hearing the muffled ‘Pleeease Mummy,’ she smiled.

Well I’ll make it, but you’ll have to come down and fetch it yourself. With that Josie went off back into the kitchen.

Coffee? she said, looking at Sophie.

Yes please, I could do with a drink, and I need something to wake me up before I start shopping. Sophie went to sit down at the table.

They started talking about the ‘inmates,’ which is how Sophie would refer to any of Josie’s paying guests I’m dying to see what she’s like. Sophie said as she referred to the newly arriving guest’s wife.

More like dying to see what he’s like. Josie retorted, shoving Sophie with a laugh.

Vicki walked in just as they were convulsed in fits of laughter and picked up her coffee.

What’s so funny? she asked, taking her drink from the worktop next to the microwave.

Nothing darling it’s just one of Auntie Sophie’s jokes, and don’t forget you need to be ready shortly if you’re going with her,

Josie winked wickedly at her sister. Sophie started to colour as they both started giggling again, just like a couple of schoolgirls hearing a smutty joke for the first time. They had only just composed themselves, but before Vicki could ask her Aunt what the joke was, the doorbell went once more. Sensing that she wouldn’t get a sensible reply now, she took her drink and went off up to her room. Meanwhile Josie, was still smiling to herself as she went to the front door to open it. There on the doorstep was the familiar face of the stranger who had called earlier, beside him was one of the most beautiful women Josie had ever seen. Nearly as tall as her partner, she had an air of expensive elegance about her, so much so, that Josie couldn’t take her eyes off her for a minute.

Oh I’m sorry, please do come in, standing back and motioning for them to come in, still slightly entranced by the woman in front of her.

Hello again said the stranger, and walked into the porch past her before stepping through the inner door that led to the hallway, where he stood waiting for his wife to join him, who smiled as she said ‘hello’ to Josie. Following them in and closing the door behind her, Josie came back to the inner hallway to greet her guests properly.

This is my wife Rebecca but all our friends call her Becky and I’m Sebastian Linmer, but call me Seb, everyone else does, he said, smiling broadly as he put down his valise and held out his hand. Josie took it and welcomed them in, excusing the state of the place, anxiously explaining that having children made it impossible at times to have any sense of domestic order. As she carried on rambling, she wasn’t really sure if they were interested in her excuses anyway, so ushering them on through to the kitchen, they saw Sophie standing gazing out over the Castle Beach coastline.

Seb, Becky, this is my sister Sophie Josie gestured towards her sister, introducing them as if they were old friends.

Pleased to meet you Sophie turned round and came forward to meet them. Seb held out his hand, and as Sophie caught hold of it, she felt a slight tingle flow through her arm. His hand was quite soft, almost silk like and so soothing