The Golden Age Trilogy Boxset

By Gabriel Woods

The Black Marbella, a virus, is spreading across the world. Disease and death is escalating across Europe. An immortal The Protector and his army The Protectors Of The Light defend humanity. Will they be able to save humanity from extinction?

Linda is a lonely and single rich clinical psychologist who leaves her predictable life in Birmingham for adventure in Europe. Colin is escaping poverty in Dublin and backpacks across Europe. He has a passionate meeting with Linda. Their lives afterwards becomes fraught with danger and life threatening events. Susan, a happy, prosperous doctor working in Accident and Emergency in a major hospital in London faces the greatest challenge in her lifetime as patients arrive into Accident Emergency with an excruciatingly painful unrecognized disease which eventually spreads across London. Susan struggles to control her developing telekinetic powers at the same time. Will Susan save London from an epidemic?
The author will give the proceeds to Merchants Quay Drugs and Homelessness services.

"A classic tale of good versus evil, The Protector lending an almost Biblical dimension to the lives of an array of interesting characters as they take the reader across the globe in search of resolution." Lisa Oliver Journalist and Best Selling Author

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gabriel Woods
• Release date: Jan 6, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005175474

Gabriel Woods

I am Gabriel Woods, author of The Golden age Trilogy and four other books including Easter Rising 1916 A Family Answers the Call for Ireland`s Freedom. My latest novel is The Golden Age Evolution, view Facebook Books by Gabriel Woods. I researched and described in my novel The Golden Age Dawns how a serious pandemic manifests and the proper international public health procedures used to control an outbreak such as in my novel the Black Marbella virus sweeps across London and the world. Covid international policy and how Covid has manifested differs widely from the proper public health procedures used to control virus outbreaks. I have obtained a Degree in Psychology and a Masters in Aid work Management from University College Dublin, a Certificate in Counselling from University Maynooth in Ireland and I am a fully trained life coach. I have travelled around the world and lived in Sydney and Brisbane in Australia. I explored major sacred places and the spiritual practices of aboriginal culture and the Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim ancient sites of India. I am the author of nine published books and my very popular positively reviewed The Golden Age Trilogy.   

Book preview

The Golden Age Trilogy

By

Gabriel Woods

Copyright 2022 Gabriel Woods

All rights reserved. No part of this e-book may be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher or author

Author`s note

Unless otherwise attributed, all prose examples, both good and evil, were composed by the author.

Thanks to the community of Athy especially Les, Irene, Hughie and Aisling Hyland Photography.

The Golden Age Dawns

The Golden Age Desolation

The Golden Age Evolution

About the Author

Other Books by Gabriel Woods

The Golden Age Dawns

By

Gabriel Woods

Copyright 2016 Gabriel Woods

All rights reserved. No part of this e-book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher.

Author’s Note

Unless otherwise attributed, all prose examples, both good and evil, were composed by the author.

1

Colin began having strange dreams. He dreamt that he was in a green forest. He was talking to two women and a glowing white man was talking to him. In the dream, he felt that he was being given some training or instruction for the future. The old man asked something of him that he always forgot when he woke. He felt relaxed for the whole of the next day after he had these dreams.

In his dreams, Colin sometimes saw a bright white light. He would awaken having had a deep restful sleep when he saw this light in his dreams. The first ‘guidance’ - as he began to call his gut feelings was to trust what his heart was telling him. He began to trust his heart again when he realised he started making the right decisions. He was not sure if these changes had anything to do with these mad crazy dreams, as he called them, but they happened at the same time.

He rolled out of bed and hastily put his clothes on, a tight white t-shirt and a tight pair of blue jeans which were narrow along his lower legs. He quickly brushed his mop of black hair.

Colin was excited as it was his eighteenth birthday today. His mother was in bed, as she was most nights, even though it was only seven o`clock in the evening. He opened her bedroom door and walked through the darkness to her bed and he kissed her lightly on her forehead. His mother wished him a whispered Happy Birthday and told him to have a good night. Colin wished she would join him but understood how terrible she felt at times.

Later, Colin stared at his pint of Guinness in the dimly lit local pub, thinking about his past as he sometimes did when drinking heavily. It was his birthday, he was surrounded by friends and relations but someone dear to him was missing from the crowd. While he loved the taste and appearance of the frothy ‘black stuff’, sometimes it made him think of the past.

Colin was a happy child for the first six years of his life. His mother was very loving to him and had attended to all his needs. His father, Peter, worked as a hospital porter. Peter would often play with him. He would come home from work and, even though he was tired, he would go out into the small back garden and play with Colin. He would lift Colin high above the ground and then he would throw him into the air and catch him as Colin plummeted to the ground. Colin, on coming down into his father’s arms, would feel exhilarated and then feel his father’s embrace, his strong firm arms surrounding him. Colin felt so safe then and so loved. He remembered how his parents doted on him when he was a child. They always supported his schooling too and were never afraid to have a word with a teacher if they needed to.

Colin was happy at school as a child, but had difficulties with writing in primary school. His teacher told his parents that Colin’s spelling was poor and that he seemed to have a difficulty in learning words. He would get angry in class and throw his books off his table in frustration. Colin’s parents went to see his teacher to try to solve the puzzle of Colin’s reading difficulties. The teacher invited his parents into an office. She had a calm air about her and, as she sat down, smiled at Colin’s parents. The teacher greeted them warmly with a firm handshake. They sat down opposite her across a large brown wooden desk.

Call me Joan, Mr and Mrs O`Brien, said the teacher. Before I say anything else, I want to say that Colin’s issues are primarily due to a particularly high intelligence. He gets frustrated with reading and writing because he thinks at a higher and more sophisticated level.

I`m sorry, Joan, what do you mean by sophisticated? Colin’s mother asked. His mother had deep brown eyes and fine white skin. She always thought she would burn badly if they went on a sun holiday but, as they didn’t have the money to go, that wasn’t a problem. Her nails were badly chewed and she had a nervous twitch in her right eye, and a vein would sometimes jump involuntarily on her eyelid. Joan’s eyes looked upward toward the ceiling – she often forgot to speak in simpler words for the students’ parents.

Mrs O`Brien, what I mean is that - if Colin concentrates - with your help on his reading and writing, he probably will improve. Now I know you do help him with homework, he just needs to focus on these two things. I think then he might not get so frustrated in class, explained Joan.

They talked a bit more about Colin, and his parents were satisfied that they could help him.

You see, I have too many students in my class and Colin needs more one-to-one, sighed Joan.

Ok Joan, well we will do that, thank you for telling us about this, Colin’s mother, Aoife, said, bowing her head - she had such respect for teachers and thought they were so much more intelligent than she was.

Colin drank his fifth pint - the celebrations for his eighteenth birthday became louder and merrier. He laughed at his friend, Patrick's humour as he told jokes. In between his friend's jokes, he thought about his father. As he often did on his birthday, Colin wished his father had been with him. He smiled to himself as he thought of his father. He knew his father would love to be here tonight. He thought of how patient his father had been to him when he was alive. Each evening, except at weekends, Peter would teach Colin how to spell and teach him new words to bring him up to the same level as the rest of the class. Time passed and Peter honoured his promise to his wife. Colin liked this teaching time with his father. He would get frustrated from time to time and get angry when trying to learn. His father always successfully calmed him down. Peter would hug Colin and tell him everything was ok. Colin would feel the strength in his father’s arms and felt secure.

Colin missed his father and began to think of how his father spent so much of his time off from work teaching Colin spellings and how to read. In time, Colin did learn the words that were essential for his level of schooling and he became among the best in his class. The extra time that his father gave him, which his teacher was unable to give, had paid off. At the end of the school year, Colin’s mother was very impressed with this and bought Colin a gift to reward him for his hard work. It was a new bike, the colour blue, which was his favourite colour.

Lines of wrinkles spread across Colin’s forehead as he recalled the horror he had been exposed to when he was only nine years of age. He clenched his pint in his hand. His other friend, Jeremy, joined in with Patrick as they began to sing Molly Malone. Jeremy`s carrot red hair stuck out under the lights. He was very thin. Patrick looked younger than his age, several dimples were dotted along his cheeks. His blond hair was in a crew cut style. Colin’s perception of the pub was fading along with the people and his friends as he began to replay the scene in his mind’s eye.

Colin was living in a poor area of Dublin. His parents ensured that he was home by nine o’clock at night. They would close the curtains and there were extra locks on their door. Although it was illegal to have a gun, Peter had one hidden under the bed. The worst crimes took place at night so decent people stayed at home when darkness fell, except for Friday and Saturday nights when most of the community went out boozing in their local pub, The Golden Harp.

That night was so many years ago now yet still crystal clear in Colin’s mind. Aoife had decided that the family would go for dinner in their favourite pub. It was a dreary place, there were rips in the seats and cracks on the windows, but Colin’s parents liked it. The friendship and camaraderie made up for the dim, dreary environment. Aoife and Colin were going to meet Peter in the pub when he was finished work. As Aoife and Colin left home and walked towards the pub, they could see Peter walking along the road at the same time - he had got off work early. Colin waved excitedly at Peter, and Peter waved back. Just before they entered the pub, two men with guns burst out of the doors. Bullets were flying from their guns. At the same time, Peter fell to the ground clutching his head. Blood was pouring from a hole in his skull and bits of brain clung to his hair. He had been shot by stray gunfire as the drug dealers shot at each other. The drug dealers jumped into their cars and sped away from the scene in opposite directions.

Colin ran across the road, nearly getting knocked down by a car. Aoife ran after Colin, shouting at Peter. Aoife arrived at the bloody location where her husband lay dead. She was shouting repeatedly are you ok love? Are you ok love? Peter didn't move and the pool of blood around him grew larger.

Colin was shaking his father Wake up Dad, I know you are just tired after work, we will just go home if you like. His father didn't answer. Dad, please, please, let’s just go home!! repeated Colin.

Aoife stood by her husband unable to move. She started screaming and shouting someone get an ambulance, my husband has been shot!!!!!

People were coming out of the pub. One of them was a nurse. She tried to resuscitate Peter. She looked for a pulse but there wasn`t one.

I'm sorry Aoife but Peter is dead, she said.

Aoife started screaming. Don't leave me Peter! She didn't move from where she stood.

Colin kept shaking his father as if to wake him. Come on Dad, you’re just tired, wake up and we will go home, come on Dad, wake up!!

The nurse picked up Colin and held him. Colin realised his father wasn't going to wake up, that he wasn't coming home with him, and that they would never see him again. Colin didn't cry, he just stared at his father's body. The nurse held him closer, saying you’ll be alright. But he knew he wouldn’t be. His mother was screaming hysterically. The ambulance came and took his father’s dead body away. The local GP was called and he gave Aoife an injection to calm her down. Aoife and Colin walked home. One walk down that small stretch of road had changed their lives forever. His mother didn't touch Colin or talk to him on the way home and there were no caring words of comfort for him. When they got home, Colin and his mother sat on the couch and they fell asleep on opposite ends of it.

The house that Colin and his mother lived in was humble. Aoife had closed the curtains in all the rooms in the house after Peter died. There was barely room for a bed in Colin’s bedroom. The sitting room had a couch which looked like it had been shoved into the room. The kitchen was the only spacious room in the house. Colin had opened the curtains slightly to allow a little light in. His mother stayed in bed most of the time, her grief had smothered any happiness she had. Ten months after his father’s death, something curious happened. Colin flung open all the curtains around the house. It was a summer’s day and rays of light flooded into the house. Aoife walked down the stairs, not as slowly as usual. She had an almost vacant look in her eyes, as if her soul was no longer in her body. There were dark grey circles under her eyes. She sat down, then lifted her head and looked at Colin. There seemed to be a little light in her eyes, like a flickering candle about to go out.

The words came slowly from Aoife’s mouth and she made a deliberate attempt to smile, even though it felt so unnatural.

She said you are so dear to me, love. I have been very sick. I miss your dad so much. Thank you for your help. I’m going to try to get better. I love you, hon.

She stood up then, kissed Colin on the forehead and began to walk slowly back to bed. Aoife looked at her son from the top of the stairs and said That was a very good idea son, letting the light in. Goodnight, I’ll talk to ye tomorrow.

Colin stared at his mother as she walked up the stairs. It was like looking at an apparition, like seeing a moving statue of the Virgin Mary that some people claimed to have seen around the country. Some people thought his mother was improving. She seemed to be waking up. He might finally be able to communicate with her after such a long time.

Colin had an unusual thought, it was almost like a voice but in his mind. A cross between a voice and a thought. It said do not fear, Colin, all is well, Colin, all is well and then disappeared as quickly as it came. Colin was unsure of where the voice came from, whether it was in his own mind or outside of him. It felt reassuring and he thought yes, everything will be ok. He smiled to himself then sat down and watched football on the television.

Three years after Colin’s father’s death, Aoife was very quiet a lot of the time and spent most of the day and evening in bed, surfacing to have a cup of tea or a dinner that Colin cooked. The doctor visited her because she would not go to him herself. Although something terrible had happened those three years ago, Colin couldn’t understand what was wrong with his mother. The doctor told him he was too young to understand. Colin usually made the dinner and cleaned when he came home from school. Aoife would come downstairs. She wouldn’t move at the table and usually stared at her dinner and then ate as if ingesting poison.

Colin would try to start a conversation with Aoife. How`s it going Mam, how are you feeling today?

Colin’s mother would say, irritably the same as always Colin, what makes you think I would be anything else? She would stare at her dinner and nibble bits of it.

Colin would tell her the news of his day. His mother would stare at him blankly. It was as if her spirit had left her body, leaving only a shallow imitation of his mother behind. After eating, Aoife would slowly move towards the stairs and up to her bedroom again. Colin felt very sad about this but he didn’t know what to do for his mother, apart from the practical things. However, he was doing that much and he was satisfied that he was helping the best he could.

It was Colin’s tenth birthday, the year that his father had died. His mother had brought a fruit cake to the table. No friends or family had been invited. His mother sat at the table with a grim smile. She had been in a daze and had a continuous distant look about her since her GP had put her on tranquilizers. Colin often felt alone in her presence. When he was with her he felt like the loneliest child in the world. When his mother left the house, neighbours either went into their homes as she passed by or looked at her with pity. Aoife’s sister helped her and looked after Colin with practical things such as clothes or visits to the doctor.

Aoife wished Colin a happy birthday, his small face beaming a smile at her. She began to talk about the birthdays Colin had had when his father was alive. The fun, the laughter, so many friends and family running around.

Today there is no party, ‘cause your dad has passed away. Aoife ate a slice of cake slowly, she did everything slowly. Her hair was matted around her forehead. She neglected herself and rarely washed. Happy birthday son, today we will think of your father, he would love to be here.

Afterwards, Aoife went upstairs slowly, climbed into her bed, took a valium and fell asleep. Colin watched television for the rest of the day and at night went to bed and cried himself to sleep.

Aoife adored her son even though she was unable to express her love due to the concoction of medication her doctor had prescribed her and a disabling, crushing depression that smothered any happiness she might feel. There were times when her love could break through this prison of darkness and she could show her love for her son. She had not been able to recover from the death of her husband and each month since then she had plummeted to deeper and deeper levels of melancholy.

Colin returned to the present where he was surrounded by friends and family. He decided to join in the merriment and leave the ghosts of the past behind. The crowd began to sing ‘happy birthday’ and cake was placed in front of him. The delicious layers of cream began to slide under the weight of the frosted icing. The blue letters were encircled with candles. He blew the candles out in one breath to the cheers of all around him.

Colin’s school did not encourage its students to go to college. Learning a trade was seen as more important than a degree, and for that reason many students dropped out if someone offered them an apprenticeship before they achieved their Leaving Certificate. The people living in the area simply couldn’t afford to put their children through college.

Colin achieved his Leaving Certificate. His mother brought him out for dinner to celebrate in the River Restaurant, a popular restaurant in Dublin’s city centre. Colin and his mother rarely went out together but Aoife wanted to fuss over her son. The conversation was awkward but they both tried to talk to each other. Aoife kept smiling and doting over her son - she proudly told the waitresses of Colin’s achievement. A waiter gave them free drinks.

Colin, there is something I have for you which I hope you will like, Aoife said.

She took out a small red book. She opened it up and there were lists of words on each page.

I kept this for you, it’s your spelling book, the one that you and your dad worked on together.

Colin became a bit upset but smiled at the same time.

If you look at the back, you can see your dad wrote something. Do you want to have a look or is this too much and will I put it away for later?

Colin slid closer to Aoife and signalled her to continue. He took the spelling book and thumbed through it. At the very back, was an inscription that his father had written: ‘Son, if you really want something, you can have it. If you want to spell, you can do it but you must really want to and then you can." Colin looked incredulously at the words.

Aoife said I don’t know what he means in what he wrote. But in time, maybe a smart boy like you might find out. I just really wanted you to have the spelling book. I hope I haven't ruined our celebration?

Colin said happily oh Ma, thank you so much. This is the best gift I ever had!

Colin moved closer to Aoife and hugged her and gave her a quick kiss. Thank you Ma! Aoife smiled and said nothing because she didn’t want to spoil the beautiful moment they were having. They caught the bus home together – Colin’s perfect night.

Colin’s mother found it nearly impossible to face life since her husband died. But there were times when she wanted to express her love to Colin and, when she did, she always did it in an unforgettable, touching manner. All he knew was that his mother loved him very much and was proud of him and that was enough for now. Maybe those thoughts or that voice were right – all is well, all is well - he did have nothing to fear and his life was becoming brighter.

Colin woke up abruptly as he had had another vivid dream. He sat up in his bed, his untamed mop of black hair tousled as he stretched his muscular arms in the small bed. This dream was different to all the others. He woke from this dream and remembered it in great detail.

This dream was particularly vivid. The familiar forest that he always remembered in his waking state had become very bright, the grass and leaves a luminous green, a rich green shade. The sky above was a brilliant shade of blue. The sun sent radiant gold rays into the green clearing. In the dream, a very old man stood beside Colin. There were folds of skin around his face, deep long lines of wrinkles. He had a long white beard. He was dressed in a blue robe. To Colin, he appeared ancient, as old as time. His eyes peered out from the folds of skin, scanning Colin and the two women. Both kindness and power emanated from this man.

The old man began to fade as he spoke and white light began to glow from him until only the features of his face and the silhouette of his body remained, encapsulated by the light.

The old man smiled and said "the three of you are of great importance to mankind. You are to assist in the next stage of mankind and, provided the obstacles are overcome, the Golden Age will begin to dawn on earth. You have a message for humankind, which you must proclaim to the world. Go now and spread your message of hope. Know that you are well loved by all of us."

One of the women was tall with raven black hair. She was wearing a black dress that covered her body, leaving a small space for her long neck. She had an air of mystery about her and exuded confidence. The other woman had red hair with alabaster white skin. Colin thought about the red haired woman for the next few days, how he would love her to be real. He didn’t know if these people even existed but he wished they might. What did the old man mean by the three of them having to spread a message to humankind? Why was this old man bathed in radiant white light? Colin wondered why he was having these dreams so often. Colin was baffled by this dream. He rose, yawning, from his bed and suddenly realised what life had in store for him today. Yet another day working in a restaurant, doing what to him was meaningless work, listening to the meaningless babble of the customers and experiencing the meaninglessness of his life. He yearned for a more exciting life, a life that meant something to him. He jumped out of bed as it was time for him to go to work, the muscles of his body rippling as he quickly washed himself in the shower. He dragged his clothes on, still sleepy from the deep sleep he had had that night. He put on his red canvas jacket over his white shirt and slightly wrinkled black trousers. He slipped his feet into cheap black shoes that had a long time ago lost their shine. Colin’s mobile rang suddenly. It was Patrick, one of his best friends.

How’s it goin’ Col? We had a great night last night, me and Jeremy, and we got some nice women too. You missed a good night!

Ye but I’m working today Pat, so I didn’t go out. I have to work as much as I can to save for the holidays.

I’m really looking forward to going! In two weeks’ time we’re leaving. Oh it’s gonna be great! How about coming out tonight?

Ye, no work for a whole six months! Ok, I’ll go out tonight.

How about nine o’clock tonight? We’ll meet in the usual spot.

Ye, that’s grand.

Ok Col, talk to ye then.

Colin plodded on to his workplace with heavy steps - he had worked seven days in a row to save money. He thought of how his life was going to change radically in just two weeks.

Colin had been working in a small restaurant in the city centre for two years since he left school. He had, for a time, felt a strong desire to travel. Neither he nor his mother had any money for him to go to college. Over the years, he had seen pictures of beautiful places in Europe. He had studied details of travel in Europe and discovered that he could traverse around Europe on a shoestring budget if he was prepared to stay in low budget accommodation and eat in cheap places. His hunger for travel had become intense, as if he was being compelled in some way to do it. He began to save money from his meagre wages in the restaurant. His best friends, Jeremy and Patrick, had agreed to travel with him. Colin felt awkward telling his mother that he was leaving Ireland for six months.

On hearing this news, Aoife became very upset. It is like I am now losing you too.

Colin reassured her by saying that it would just be for six months.

Oh son, I will miss you so much. Your dad always wanted us to travel but I wouldn’t let him because it all made me so nervous. You should experience the world though, we haven’t been abroad and you’ve spent most of your life looking after me. You have my blessing son, sobbed Aoife.

Ma, I have to do this, I can’t ignore this desire to travel. I’ve asked Aunty Ann to call in on you and she will. I’ll only be gone for six months.

It was time for Colin to discover who he really was. For most of his life, he had been caring for his mother. He sometimes thought that he didn’t really know who he was, apart from being his mother’s carer. Deep inside him, he felt changes taking place that he didn’t have the words to describe. They were strong feelings that were starting like a small river that was gradually gathering momentum as it flowed, and becoming stronger and more powerful as it travelled further through the land. But he needed to leave home to discern what these feelings were and how they would affect him.

Jeremy, Patrick and Colin were becoming very excited about their trip to Europe. It was unusual for young people from his area of Dublin to travel to Europe but Colin’s friends were like-minded people who wanted to see some of the world. They had been saving money for a year and had made detailed plans to travel through Europe and had booked a list of flights and hostels to stay in, with time to be spent in each place. There were a number of places that they really wanted to spend time in, including the Spanish island of Fuerteventura, the Road to Santiago also in Spain, Rome, Amsterdam, and Brussels to visit the EU buildings.

The Road to Santiago is a road in Spain that for hundreds of years people have walked along. It is a very long and time-consuming road to walk but it has been said that along the road you can have spiritual discoveries that are permanently life changing. Colin suggested travelling the road, he wanted to experience the scenery and the quaint towns dotted along it. Patrick and Jeremy were insisting on travelling to Rome to see the sights. Jeremy and Patrick’s parents relied on religion to carry them through their difficult lives. Patrick felt a sense of awe towards cathedrals and churches although he rarely went to mass. He still felt there was a mystery around Catholicism that he couldn`t explain, or maybe it was the need to hold onto some sort of belief to help him through life. A visit to Rome was important to them so as to experience the centre of Catholicism with its wealth of cathedrals, churches and art. Colin had disagreed with this part of the plan.

Ye know lads, I don’t like religion. I have always felt separate from the Church. I don’t think it’s ever helped me feel better. I don’t think God has ever helped me. It would’ve been nice to lean on a God to help me but that hasn’t happened. I’ve met some nasty priests as well. And it’s expensive. And I have no interest in going. Full stop!

His friends could see the fire they sometimes saw in Colin’s eyes when he felt he was being excluded from something - he clenched his hands and they became fists.

Patrick reasoned with Colin. Well Colin, that’s what you may think but, putting the religious thing aside, I’ve seen pictures of it on the internet and it’s really cool. Look, we will talk about it again.

Colin glanced at Patrick who looked back with that innocent look of his. His eyes were wide and he had his hands clasped in front of him as if praying. Ok Pat, but I don’t think I’ll feel any differently. I could visit somewhere else and let yez go there yourselves and then meet up later.

Jeremy quickly added we wouldn’t want you to do that Colin, but look, we’ll talk about it again okay. Now let’s have a bit of craic and play pool.

Instantly the difference of opinion between Colin and his friends dissipated.

Jeremy said hey Pat, ye might try and win a game this time ha ha!!

They all doubled up laughing and walked happily into the dim pool hall with its brightly lit green tables. They discussed in detail where all three wanted to visit in Europe, their voices becoming louder and their laughing constant with the contemplation of adventure and the excitement of pursuing their dreams.

Colin and his friends flew into Barcelona, on their very first flight. Colin marvelled about being in the sky, the professionalism of the stewardesses and the amazing glimpses he got of Barcelona as they prepared to touch down. He saw the fluffy clouds floating around the sky which gradually gave way to panoramic views of the city. They decided to visit the Oceanarium and then go to the beach situated on the edge of the city. Colin loved the Oceanarium. The three sat on a large seating area opposite the main part of the exhibition. They stared through a glass pane and were stunned by the beauty of all the different fish - sharks, schools of tuna and other fish they had never dreamed of. Jeremy pressed his hands onto the glass window that separated him from the fish – almost as if, were he to press harder, he could enter the circular dome. He stepped back speedily when an enormous shark sped towards him, opening its mouth to reveal sharp jagged teeth.

Their next stop was a beach. They set out on a train they thought would bring them to their destination. The train traversed at high speed along the tracks. It was much quicker than the DART or LUAS that were part of Colin’s daily travel in Dublin. These modes of transport now seemed to Colin to be unhurried and sluggish in comparison to this train, and this was true also of the metro. Eventually they could see chimney stacks, smoke, and large oil and gas tanks. Colin’s friends were mystified as to where they were. They appeared to be travelling towards a port.

Jeremy was becoming irritated. Lads, we are not going to a beach at all, we are in some kind of industrial area.

Patrick laughed ye, it seems we are lost.

Have patience guys, I am sure there will be a beach coming up soon, mocked Colin.

The train began to travel through an open space towards a blue sea and a cloudless sky. They saw sand stretching along the sea and between rocks. They could see surfers riding the crests of gigantic waves - ‘just like on television’, thought Colin. The three jumped from their seats, ran out of the train, down through the rocks and tumbled onto the beach in excitement. They pushed each other around playfully. Patrick ran over and pushed Colin to the ground and jumped on him. They rolled around in the sand, laughing.

Patrick said I think, Col, this isn’t exactly where we were supposed to go, was it now? A beach in an industrial park!

Jeremy threw sand at Colin. Maybe the next time we’ll go to a proper beach. Ah sure look, I’m only joking Col!!

Colin sat up and said I told yez boys to trust me! I brought yez to a beach as promised!

His two friends clapped their hands like excited seals. Colin you’re the best! The best! the two lads shouted.

It was a small, private beach. The sun’s heat bore down on them as they stretched themselves on the sand.

Jeremy said jaysus, there’s nothing like this at home anywhere! Look at the waves lads! And the blue sea, it`s just great!

Jeremy had large round bright blue eyes that made him look like he was permanently surprised. He was a thin, young man even though he would eat everything in sight when presented with any kind of food.

Colin replied this is just the beginning lads. The other places I told yez about will be amazing too.

Well, every so often I want to go to a beach. Dalkey and Bray are great places to be but thisbeats those beaches hands down. God lads, the cold beaches at home and the freezing water! I’m getting cold now just thinking about it! Patrick laughed.

Patrick rubbed his eyes, his carrot red hair mixed with the sand. Patrick was wearing shorts revealing muscled legs, as he played soccer. His legs were disproportionate to the rest of his body which was scrawny.

Colin said. We will visit other beaches too. We are going to have great craic over the next few months, lads!

Jeremy and Patrick clapped their hands again in appreciation, then got up and the three ran into the sea and swam together. Their legs thrashed through the water as they playfully pushed each other around in the water.

So, the three began their travels in Europe. Each one was a little worried about how their travels would turn out. None of them had travelled abroad before, not even for a two week holiday. Their parents never had the money. Most young men their age were concentrating on their apprenticeships, to learn a trade so they could marry and have children. Where Colin and his friends came from, it was more about survival. The three travellers knew that and very much appreciated their chance to travel.

Colin felt that he was on the threshold of something that was going to happen that would be insightful for him but it was only one of those vague feelings he had about situations and people. He would have the idea of the outcome of a situation but with no facts or any detail to back it up. People would seldom listen to what he had to say about events and even he too would ignore this intuition and think of it as useless. But still, the ‘bad feeling’ or ‘good feeling’ about a situation would be right or not in the end. In Colin lies the growth of something special. Like the many leaves on a tree, Colin will begin to piece together the many parts of the puzzle of who he really is. He is away from the difficulties of his life in Dublin. He has time to think about himself and his life, without his family crowding his mind with commitments that he was burdened with as a child.

Colin and his friends arranged a trip into one of the oldest parts of Barcelona. The area had two churches and unusually shaped houses that were in a beautiful worn, orange hue. It was night-time, the lighting was dim so, while the place was beautiful, they were more aware of their surroundings. They had strayed a little off their path and were lost. Colin noticed three men walking quickly towards them. Colin had that city sense, a strong intuition of what a safe place looked like and what dangerous places looked like. He would have a feeling of whether a person looked like a threat or not which was necessary to survive in an urban environment, especially in the poor part of town that Colin and his friends came from. The gang were clearly not friendly.

The three men began to run toward Colin and his friends. They were now beside them and they were putting their hands into Colin’s pockets.

Colin thought of the voice he had heard in his home back in Dublin that reassured him he was safe. In his mind, he called to that same voice.

Please help me, whoever you are who spoke to me. I am in danger, please help.

The voice, that same voice he had heard before, replied with that deep, caring, yet strong tone. Say in a loud voice, so you can be heard, the three of you are so handsome.

Colin didn’t have time to question so he acted as directed. The three muggers seemed to momentarily look at Colin and then fled.

Jeremy and Patrick were very shaken, as was Colin. They patted each other on the back in an attempt to calm each other. They left the area in a hurry and nearby they saw a pub on a main street. They went into the pub, an Irish pub. There is probably one or two in every city and region in the world. The three had some drinks before they went to their budget hotel. They thanked Colin for resolving the attack. Colin acknowledged their gratitude. Yet he wondered was it really him who resolved the situation? He may have acted in a certain way but he felt like he was told what to do. The voice, was it in his mind or an actual real voice? His friends hadn’t heard a voice. Colin was uncertain. But the tone of the voice was deep, steady, commanding, and yet gentle. It made him calm when there was chaos around him. He noticed that he only got the help when he asked for it. Help from who or what? He gave up trying to understand, he told himself it was just luck that he thought the way he did and decided not to dwell on it.

Colin felt like the pain he had felt as a child was being erased from his heart and mind, but still a part of him felt sad. He felt like he shouldn’t be happy when he thought of his mother still suffering, still depressed. At times like this, he took out his small red book. He had taken the small red book with him on his travels. When he opened it, there were the familiar lists of words in small columns. He brought this spelling book with him in his pocket so he would always remember his father’s lesson and even though he didn’t understand it, he thought someday he might. Inside were the words his father had written – son, if you really want something you can have it. If you want to spell you can do it but you must really want to, and then you can. Colin still didn’t really understand it, but he was looking at words written by his father. His father would be delighted that Colin was travelling and that he had survived his childhood against all the odds. Yes, he will continue to enjoy himself!

The young men travelled by boat to Majorca. They were on a shoestring budget and travelled on a cargo boat. The journey was long. On arrival at their hotel, Colin and his friends went straight to the bar though Colin didn’t drink as much as his friends. Patrick and Jeremy were busy guzzling a pitcher of beer that they were sharing. The barman was lining up tequila shots in front of them.

Their hotel was cheap but adequate. It was split into two parts. One was for people who would pay the full price, and this included drinks, meals and access to a bigger pool area. Colin and his friends were in the cheaper area. The people in this part of the hotel were loud and even from twelve o’clock in the day were knocking back beer. Colin chose the cheaper part of the hotel as he thought that he and his friends would spend more time in pubs, clubs and eating take-away food. It was also cheap to stay in. For Colin and his friends everything was perfect. This was their first sun holiday. Colin sat near the edge of the pool, drinking a glass of beer. The sun shone down on him and he could feel the warmth of its rays on his body. He noticed how white his skin was and he was determined to get a tan. He and his friends looked like lords of the manor, proud to be in the hotel by this crystal blue pool, lying back in their chairs forgetting about any cares they had.

Jeremy declared happily oh God lads, this is the life!! And to think we live in that windy, rainy, freezing cold Dublin!!

Colin spoke excitedly. The sun, the warmth, the blue sea. Jaysus lads, this was worth saving for. All those nights staying in on Friday nights. Well, we’re going to make up for it! What do you think Patrick?

Patrick said heaven, lads! I feel like I’ve died and gone to heaven!!

The three friends jumped into the pool only a few minutes after they arrived. They splashed each other, dragged each other below the water and Colin dived off a plank - a perfect dive, he seemed to slide into the water.

The barman would sometimes give Colin and his friends free drinks, and would give him a wink each time and Colin would wink back. Colin looked well at the pool, his toned body, black hair and dark blue eyes made him popular with girls. He would leave his friends for short periods to talk to girls and his friends would laugh at the shameless flirting Colin did naturally. They were sometimes given access to the more expensive area of the hotel because the three were popular. This area was more chilled and provided a break from club music.

Most of the women who were attracted to Colin were needy people who looked toward him for support. They thought of him as someone who would save them and protect them from their hard lives. He only had one-night stands.

He and other people considered him a leader. He would get upset with some of the problems his girlfriends had. Where he came from, a lot of girls had problems with heroin addiction. Sometimes even their babies were born addicted to heroin because the girls would not give it up even though they were pregnant. Once Colin had dated a girl who, unknown to him, already had a man living with her, and her boyfriend threatened to fight Colin. Colin declined to fight and her boyfriend lifted Colin up by the collar and threw him on the cement stairs of the apartment block. These needy girls, together with his mother and her chronic depression, meant that Colin was always in service to other people, not acknowledging his own needs. He did take a lot of time to study but he seemed to be divorced from his own needs and he didn’t know who he really was.

Colin stared out of his hotel window and was so thankful to be where he was. There was a time in his life when he was so miserable that his family were worried about his survival. He was frightened because he felt that he was consumed with depression. His Uncle David saw in Colin something very special and looked after Colin as if he was his own son.

David said Colin, I know of a good psychologist. I will pay for you. You don’t have to go if you don’t want to but I know he has really helped friends of mine. He`s been on the radio. What do ye think?

Colin looked at his uncle. He felt the cold in the house more than normal.

Ok, Dave, I`ll do that.

Colin remembered his first time sitting in front of the psychologist, Mr John Burke. The room was dim, not a lot of light came into it. There was a bookshelf stretching the length of the wall. Some of the titles Colin couldn’t understand. There was a painting on the wall of a field, some sheep and a country house. The psychologist sat behind a large oak table.

Colin sat in the large comfortable recliner that seemed to be made from cushions. His feet were slightly raised from the ground. As he pulled a small lever, he found that the chair could be reclined and he could lie back in the chair or sit up. He started sitting up in the chair and then lying back in the chair several times in front of the psychologist, testing his patience. The psychologist was unperturbed about this behaviour and started to write notes. Colin decided this man could help. He made another appointment and started his journey of self-discovery and healing.

Colin arrived for his afternoon appointment with his psychologist and gingerly walked into John’s office. It was nearly three months into the counselling.

Colin had barely sat down in his chair when John began to challenge him. Colin, who are you?

I am Colin!

Yes, that is your name. But, who are you?

Colin was already getting frustrated - he only liked to deal with practicalities. Look, my name is Colin, like what’s this all about?

John gently asked in a low soft voice: apart from helping your mother, girls and people you meet, who are you? What is your personality? What are your likes and dislikes? How do YOU feel about things and people in your life?

Colin’s voice began to increase in pitch. His throat felt constricted like someone was tightening it. He looked at the psychologist’s face to try to determine what he was thinking. John had his usual expressionless face.

I don’t know, I don’t know. My personality? No, I don’t really know my characteristics. How do I feel about issues in my life? No, I don’t know that either. Look, please, tell me what you are doing! Colin said, raising his voice.

John replied in a slow, measured, low voice. Colin, I feel that you care for people too much and that you have done so to the point of risking your own health. I think one of the first things we need to do is to try and separate yourself from others - family and people who cause you difficulty. I will help you think about you for a change. I can also teach you techniques that should make life easier for you, maybe at our next session. Would you like to make another appointment?

Colin said yes I would. Thank you, John, for listening to me, that doesn’t happen very often.

Three months into the therapy, Colin began to feel a bit strange, and felt thoughts he had never felt before. He felt hopeless and that his life was a disaster. He began to dislike himself and those around him. He couldn’t appreciate anything he had. He lost his sense of humour. It seemed similar to what his mother was feeling but not as extreme. Colin talked to his uncle and he advised him to go to his doctor. His doctor diagnosed Colin as having moderate depression and said that if it got any worse he might put him on anti-depressants. Colin told his psychologist that his GP said he was moderately depressed and that he might need medication if he continued to feel as he did.

John replied we have discussed a lot of issues over the past few months. I want to show you some tools to manage yourself and improve your life in general.

Colin was introduced to the techniques of visualization, deep relaxation and cognitive behavioural problem solving. These skills were alien to him, having always preferred practical ways of dealing with issues. John introduced the ideas gently and encouraged Colin to look further into them on the internet or to read about them. They were surprisingly easy to learn. John would ask him to stare at a picture on the wall. It had rolling fields and sheep. He hypnotised Colin and deeply relaxed him. John taught him - right from the first time - how to do this himself.

Colin learnt how to improve his performance in all areas of his life, how to instantly relax himself in a stressful situation and how to build up feelings of relaxation most of the time. John taught him how to think effectively through a problem and how to find a way of resolving issues in a systematic way. Colin really felt like he had been emotionally patched up by John. It was as if John somehow replaced his father and he was definitely a male role model for Colin. Colin completed more than three months of therapy with John. He felt prepared for life and started to think about travelling in Europe.

2

There was a thumping sound on the ceiling in Susan`s apartment. As time went on the thump got louder and became more difficult to ignore. It usually came from the hall close to Susan`s bedroom. More and more noises developed. Then all of a sudden, it stopped only to begin again. The strange occurrences began to get worse. One lazy Saturday morning Susan lay in bed tired from her week of work. It was nearly midday and still she didn’t rise. She rolled onto her side. Suddenly there was a loud clap beside her ear. Susan was startled and momentarily thought it was one of the twins so she turned over with a smile but no one was there. She jumped out of her four poster velvet red bed and grabbed her dressing gown opening the curtains quickly. Susan winced as the sunlight flooded into the bedroom through the thick braided floral curtains. Her long raven black hair was full and lustrous, shining in the sunlight. There was nobody in her room. Susan rushed out of the bedroom and made a cup of tea. She didn’t know what to make of this. Susan had never experienced, nor did she believe in, ghosts or spirits. She decided not to think of it again and not to speak of it to anyone.

Christopher and David, the twins, were in their final year of school and were completing their exams which Susan was hoping would lead to University. Both of the twins wanted to study medicine. Susan`s family had a long tradition of medicine, and for many generations there was at least one doctor in the family. The twins did everything together except in one area, sport. Christopher loved sport and David couldn’t even kick a ball. Christopher was well- built, he had large muscular legs as he played soccer a lot. He had broad shoulders and his mother`s jet black hair and height. Many girls would fall at his feet in admiration of him, he had a disarming beaming happy smile and bright blue eyes. David was thin and more fragile looking physically. David liked to read and was not as outgoing as Christopher. He had his mother`s pale skin.

The twins came to talk to Susan one afternoon when they came back from school about what they said was a serious urgent matter. Susan made tea and she and her sons sat down on the sitting room brown leather couch. Christopher began to talk first.

Christopher yawned and rubbed his eyes Mam, we are finding it awfully difficult to sleep. Both of us wake up at the same time. We hear a slow walk above the ceiling. There is a sound of walking and then it stops, then walks a little again and then the sound disappears altogether. We can hear it in both our bedrooms. It`s always at night but lately sometimes early in the morning too. It`s quite spooky Mam. What shall we do? Susan stared at the crystal chandelier that glimmered in the sun’s rays.

Susan smiled softly Listen boys, give me time to think about what to do. I shall talk to your dad about this. I`ll check with the apartment management to see if anyone has moved in upstairs. In the meantime, keep an eye on what you hear in your bedrooms and talk to me about what you experience. Don’t dwell too much on this. Do all the things you usually do. Now, why don’t the two of you go and do some studying. You know how important this final year of schooling is.

Christopher said, jumping off his chair and walking towards the door with David following him, We`ll study in the park, it’s a sunny day. We’ll be home at dinner time.

Susan glanced at her gold watch and said I`ll have dinner ready at seven so be home by then.

The two boys left the apartment and Susan could hear them jostling and laughing as they ran down the stairs. Susan thought that this situation was getting serious. What was happening to her was one thing, but if her children were getting disturbed then she had to deal with the matter. Susan was like a lioness when it came to her children and she would protect them at all costs. Susan stared out the window into the wide blue sky. She remembered time spent with her parents as a child. Her mother was blond and tended to style her hair short. She was a very tall woman, around six and a half feet tall and was very kind, especially toward Susan.

Susan was a child. She had made a child`s drawing using crayon. The figure was of a man with a blue dress and a circle around his head. He had two loops for wings on either side. Susan was busy colouring the gaps when her mother walked into her bedroom. Her mother lifted Susan up and sat on the bed with Susan in her lap.

Susan`s mother beamed a smile at Susan. Susan, what an amazing, beautiful picture you’ve drawn! You could be a budding artist couldn`t you, dear! My dear, I want to tell you something that you must remember now and forever. I want to tell you that you are absolutely perfect, child, just as you are! Don`t ever think otherwise. And I want you to know that you deserve the best of everything that God can give you!

Susan looked up at her mother Thank you, Mam.

Susan`s parents always told her how special she was even when she got older. They taught her to be confident, and throughout her life she was.

There was a sound in the kitchen. Susan swung her chair around to see where the sound was coming from and didn’t see anything. She heard another sound. This time she saw something move. The salt and pepper containers were moving together at a fast pace across the kitchen table then moved off the table and hung in the air. Susan was shocked. She never believed in the paranormal. She always thought people who reported this phenomenon were either crazy or attention seekers. But it was happening now to her. The salt and pepper containers began to hover upwards to the ceiling and then slowly landed on the table and smashed, tiny shards of china hopping into the air. Susan stared at the smashed salt and pepper containers, as if the longer she stared the more she could convince herself it didn’t happen.

Susan got up off the stool and put her leather jacket on. She wore a long black skirt. She worked as a consultant in the Accident and Emergency Department of St Thomas’ Hospital, London. They had moved from the sleepy region of Kent to the busy cosmopolitan city of London. They were living in an expensive part of London and, even though it was a pretty area, she felt uprooted from the quiet country life. She had a very responsible job in Accident and Emergency in one of the busiest hospitals in London and possibly in England. She swept up the broken shards of china. Susan didn’t understand what had happened.

Susan noticed that her muscles were very tense and decided to go for a walk. She had a coffee in a small, pleasant café near the park and started to feel better. She went home and began to prepare dinner. She rang the apartment management to see if anyone had moved in above them and they informed her that nobody had. Alex, her husband, came home. He was also a doctor and had a private practice in the local area of Kensington. Alex had grey hair with a small bald patch in the middle of his scalp. He had gained a little weight since they moved to London. Susan told Alex of all the occurrences in the home. She explained in more detail what the twins had said. Alex sat down, put his long fingers to his chin, and looked out the window as if the solution was going to land in front of him on the balcony.

Alex looked directly into Susan`s eyes and scanned her demeanour, assessing her behaviour "Susan, I myself have heard or seen nothing out of the ordinary. We have moved into a new home and there might be pressure on the boys. I`m almost