Toxic Promises

By Herbert Howard Jones

When Gerald Raphemore’s beautiful high school girlfriend Florence got pregnant he knew that his life would be over unless he did the proper thing and marry her. He sort of loved her but considered himself too young to be taking that walk down the aisle. His girlfriend Florence was fun and easy when it came to the bedroom, but she came with a serious catch. If she got pregnant, Gerald would have to marry her or incur the wrath of her rich Uncle Damien.
Keeping a pregnancy secret was a non-starter, but Gerald did not want to be subservient to a powerful businessman like her uncle. If Gerald married Florence he would lose his independence and probably end up working for her exploitative family. Perhaps forever. Gerald had a vision of working for a New York firm but Uncle Damien would close all doors to his escape. Gerald would be compelled to work for Uncle Damien’s established provincial company out in the sticks. His prospects boring and bleak. Gerald’s appetite for freedom and young women would be curtailed and he would be stuck with Florence for the rest of his life.
This was not how he saw his life panning out. Of course if he could just persuade Florence not to have the baby then life could go on as normal and he would eventually be able to dump her. But when Gerald persuaded her to take steps to abort the baby, things backfired, and she dug her heels in and declared that she was going to have his child. After all, they loved each other, and she was confident he was the man for her.
In view of this setback, Gerald found himself contemplating other options. Perhaps in his desperation he went a little crazy, maddened like a creature caught in a trap. It seemed to him that if Florence was off the scene altogether then he would be a free man again, able to concentrate on what he really wanted to achieve in life. It certainly wasn’t marriage, not now. Also his love for Florence vacillated almost from day to day. Some days he thought she was stupid and spoiled and on others, one of the best lookers in high school – a catch. And she was a catch because she was the beneficiary of a huge allowance and then later a generous Will. If he married her, they would be rich, and life would be a fine thing except that he would have to work for her tyrannical uncle.
To Gerald this would be unbearable and come with many drawbacks, loss of freedom, loss of control over his own destiny to name but a few. He just didn’t want to be under this man’s thumb. Gerald would be almost like a sacrificial lamb, there to satisfy Florence’s dreams of a perfect domestic life. But Gerald’s brain screamed no! If Florence insisted on having her baby, then Uncle Damien would make things very hard for Gerald indeed. He had the power as an influential businessman to ruin his life. In 1950’s America having a baby out of wedlock created a huge stigma for the mother and placed a burden on the father. So Gerald was well and truly trapped. He would have to do something truly desperate to get off the hook, something unthinkable before there was no turning back. And to him, murder was the only answer, but done cleverly enough so that no one would ever guess.
And while Gerald was plotting and planning, behind the scenes Florence was playing him like a chump. In fact, she had her own agenda as she herself felt trapped by family circumstances. In Gerald she had seen a way out, a way that she herself could get off the hook and bring her own destiny forward. Their mutual enemy was Uncle Damien and one way or the other someone would benefit from his removal. But the question was who hated her tyrannical uncle most, Florence or Gerald? And who in the end was the more ruthless of the two?
In a way it was serious test for Gerald, but would he fail it? One thing was for certain, someone was in for a terrible shock!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Herbert Howard Jones
• Release date: Feb 3, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005827380

Herbert Howard Jones

HERBERT HOWARD JONES grew up in Notting Hill, London in the sixties. He went to a boarding school in Norfolk and then local schools including Sloane School where crime writer John Creasy attended near the King's Road. When he left school he got numerous jobs, including as a porter at the BBC London, working as a jewellery assembler in a factory in Hatton Garden and also in a number of roles at a showbiz solicitor's office where he was a trainee legal executive and ran errands for a few of the British movie and music names of the time.He is a creative spirit who also likes dabbling in music and art himself. When he was in the jewellery business he personally made over ten thousand 14 carat gold gate bracelets which was a great learning experience for him. However, he was more interested in media and always wanted to write suspense books with a melodramatic element and so spent years reading them and working on various projects. He is also interested in romantic and fantasy fiction.But meeting people has always inspired him the most and he has had the good fortune to meet quite a few interesting people. He was personally friends with horror writer, Denis Wheatley's housekeeper when she lived in Blackheath, and knew poet John Pudney who lived nearby before he passed. One of the most interesting people that he met was the daughter of the Captain of the Titanic with whom he had tea in her cottage up in Suffolk. Miss Smith was a lady with a big personality and a very interesting home. She was surrounded with Titanic memorabilia wherever you looked. Jones was only a boy at the time and didn't appreciate the significance of all this stuff, but regrets not quizzing her on the catastrophic event which has forever featured large in shipping folklore!PERSONAL MESSAGE:I WANT TO EXPRESS my gratitude to readers who have bothered to download my books. I put a lot of effort into them and also design my own covers, and so it is a wonderful reward to get a download. Every author on this platform will be grateful for them because writing can be a lonely and thankless task. It is only the reader who makes it all worth while, and so thanks very much again.HHJ

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Toxic Promises

Herbert Howard Jones

Copyright Herbert Howard Jones 2022

The right of Herbert Howard Jones to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with Sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988.

This is a work of fiction. Opinions expressed in this book do not necessarily reflect the author’s own views.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favourite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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Cover by Herbert Howard Jones.

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

About the author

Chapter One

Gerald tensed his calf muscles as he lay next to her in the bed. He tended to do that when he was feeling irritated. If Florence didn't shut the hell up with her crying, moaning and groaning, he was going to give her a good slap. But it seemed that she was determined to make her point. Even though she had been crying and her tears had annoyingly wet his hairless chest, she still reached for him. But he was in no mood for any more fooling around. Also, her breath was unpleasantly hot and heavy, and he felt smothered.

To him now, she was just a heavy lump of flesh who was determined to ruin his plans. But she seemed to do this in all innocence. However, he didn't care about that. His mind was very determinedly set on what he wanted, and he wasn't going to let her take it away from him.

They were both naked and her conciliatory hand movements were failing to arouse him again. He just wasn't in the mood for any more love making. But eventually his anger subsided, and he returned her caresses. They were both physical attractive young people, he darker than her, she quite dazzling. For him it was almost impossible to ignore her charms and she felt the same way about him.

But the night was hot and stuffy and even the fan in the ceiling did nothing to cool him down. Indeed, her skin was clammy to the touch and unpleasant feeling.

Gerald stared up at the fan rotating in the ceiling and then he abruptly pulled the single sheet down to reveal their nakedness. For a second there was a whoosh of cool air as he moved the sheet, but it was much better than being under it.

He could tell that she was trying to suppress her sobs. But he struck her as being a young woman who would cry over anything. To him it was like so many crocodile tears and they didn't move him.

I think you've made your point, he said. I get it, you're upset.

She moved her hand down to his thighs. I'm sorry. I can't help it. Look, I've wet your chest!

Laurence raised his head and then flicked her salty tears from his body. You should have told me you were knocked up earlier!

She turned her head to look at him, her beautiful piercing brown eyes were like sorrowful beacons. I didn't want it to be true. After all we took all the precautions.

Well obviously they weren't good enough, he said in a bitter tone of voice.

And I did take the pills you gave me from that quack doctor Michaels, she said. Not that they did any good.

How long have you known? he demanded as he began to feel tense again. He twitched his feet and really wanted to give her a good kick.

For nearly two weeks, she said. And then it was becoming obvious. The lump in my belly, I mean.

Gerald touched her abdomen. I don’t feel anything. Are you sure?

Yes a hundred percent and I blame the goddam doctor! she said.

He turned his head and studied her breasts which were flat against her chest. This is 1955 and these doctors should realise that they can't pull stunts like that anymore. We should sue the ass off him!

Really, she said.

Yeah, I mean he's charging women a small fortune for sugar and milk pills which aren't going to do anything. How much did you pay for them?

Fifty dollars for five.

Gerald slapped the sides of the bed violently. The thieving bastard. I swear to God I'm gonna get even with him.

Maybe I could get it adopted, she said staring up at the rotating blade of the fan, almost hypnotised.

Gerald sat up and grabbed her arm. "No, no, no! If your uncle found out then that would be the end of everything."

Look, my family aren't as bad as you think, she said.

I don't want to take any chances, he said as he rested his head back on the pillow again.

She looked at him. Okay, so what do you suggest?

* * *

Before answering her question he sat up again and pulled the sheet back over them. He then reached for the packet of cigarettes which was on the bedside table. He lit one up and puffed at it for a second and then passed it to her and she puffed away as well.

Look Flo’, you know I love you and I want us to get hitched. And I do want a kid. And I know it would look like you. Beautiful or handsome as the case may be!

Okay, she replied listening intently.

So the last thing we want to do is upset the old man, Gerald said trying to use language that would appeal to her. But if we did the sneaky thing, got married because you're pregnant, then I think your uncle would just hit the roof. We could say goodbye to your inheritance. And that is a lot of goddam money to say goodbye to.

She didn't reply at first and then she said, No, I’m sure uncle Damien would understand. He knows I would never go with anyone else, that you are the only one for me, so why wouldn't he accept that?

Because he is a moralising son of a bitch, and although you may love me, he doesn't! Gerald stated indelicately as he took the cigarette from her and inhaled deeply on it. He passed the cigarette back to her.

Don't talk about my uncle like that; he's a good man and he only wants what is best for me! she replied clenching her fist.

But rich people like that who think they have a special relationship with God would want to make me pay for the mistake, he said. He's a pillar of the local church and people come to him for advice. He is in with the most important businesspeople in the community. He’s even sponsored my high school. And his wrath would be pretty evil. He would have a word with the Dean, and I will be flung out on my ear. I would be ruined.

She shook her head. That would probably be what he would want to do, his first reaction sure. But if I made it clear to him that I want to spend the rest of my life with you, then he will change his tune. I know how to get round him.

Well he sounds like a pretty nasty character to me, Gerald replied. But see, you've only seen his good side and you’ve always had everything you ever wanted. You don't know what it's like not to be pampered. You're just like a pampered poodle!

"Don't call me that! I know you're from a poor family obviously, but if the worst happened I wouldn't leave you. I would take care of you!"

That's not the point, he said. I'm a good student, and I know that if I put my head down I’d be accepted by a good college. I know I’d pass the bar exam and I would be able to write my own ticket with the best New York lawyers in the city. We could then get out of this hick town and really live. I'd have a great career and your inheritance could get us ahead with some prime real estate. We would be made. But if you had to carry me, I think I would grow to hate you!

At these words Florence frowned. God Gerald you are so negative. I can't believe you sometimes. But our kind of love would prevent that from happening.

He smirked. Our kind of love has just got us into a lot of trouble. And now you’re two weeks gone despite everything we did to stop it happening...

Florence suddenly smiled. But don't you see that means that this is meant to be!

You really like to believe in impossible things, don't you? he said in a nasty manner.

Florence suddenly got up from the bed and walked to the window.

Gerald stared at her curvy buttocks and found himself becoming slightly aroused again. Look the whole thing could turn into a nightmare,’ he said. And I don't want you looking after me; I want to look after you! And if your uncle got any wind you were preggers, I know for a fact that he would be under pressure to act and do something. And in turn he would drive me to do something quite desperate."

She turned to look at him, her eyes agitated. Like what?

He shrugged. I don't know. Kill myself. Jump off a high building. My life wouldn't be worth living.

She came back and got into the bed under the sheet again. Not even with me in your life?

You would be the only reason why I wouldn't do it. And I had it worked out so well in my head. With no pregnancy to worry about, you would have presented me to him, and I would have made him like me. You told me that he was a hunting, fishing man who had a passion for chess. Well, I could get to like these things myself, and then he would see that I would have something in common with him. And I would have just played up to him, and you would have given him good reports about me. And he would eventually have seen me as your perfect match. Especially as my school grades are all A's. That's the one good thing I can say about myself. I'm a quick study.

I know you are, she said putting her head on his chest.

And then when we both graduated, probably at the same time, we could have got hitched with his blessing. And I'm thinking as early as this August. But then, see, I know how these old rich guys think. They love their nieces and granddaughters, and he would have probably arranged a mortgage for us.

All that can still happen, she replied.

Not now you're pregnant. He would only see that as... depravity! Pregnant outside of marriage to him is a no no!

It was her turn to sit up and thump the bed. Depravity? No, you don't realise how sweet he is. If you met him you would realise that he is a pussycat! He is the only one looking after me while my parents are off galivanting all over the world.

Gerald laughed harshly. A Pussycat? Are you kidding me? Don't you remember I told you that I was doing some table waiting in Loewman’s downtown restaurant. And he came in and I served him. And he treated me like a piece of unmentionable on the bottom of his shoe. He's just a snobby, cold man who thinks that everyone is below him. And as for his religion, it just shows that he's a hypocrite!

Florence leaned on her arm. Are you just saying this because you want to end it with me? Is that what this is all about? Because if it is, I don't know what...

He looked at her piercingly. No, no I'm just trying to give you the full picture as I see it.

She nodded. Then, as I see it, we just need to get married and if Uncle Damian doesn't like it, that's up to him!

Gerald shook his head and his eyes swivelled almost contemptuously in his head. You are not getting it are you? This is a cruel world, and we have to be clever about this. You tell me he's a chess player, but see I have a few gambit's of my own. We can outfox him!

Florence was starting to weary of his determined negative talk. It smacked of cynical dissatisfaction. "Okay, you think we can outfox him? But why do we need to?"

* * *

What Gerald said to her next was almost beyond her ability to comprehend. She wasn't used to such barbarous ideas, because it was true that she did live in a pampered world. It was a world without threats, without any major catastrophes, or anything which might undermine her existence. What he suggested was something her instincts made her want to block out.

But as he told her his plan, she could see that he was becoming more and more physically aroused. He was running his hand over her naked body and kissing her breasts passionately as he spoke.

She shook her head. Gerald no, that's the worst idea I've ever heard!

Seriously, as the tablets didn’t work, you may need to have a procedure! Because getting rid of the baby is the only answer, he said.

No Gerald, I’ve changed my mind and you couldn’t be more wrong.

I’m not. Now get on your knees! he commanded.

You know I don't like it that way!

You don't want to do anything for me, do you! he said pulling an ugly face. But I think what I just said to you is the only way to go.

She looked down at him and saw that his thighs were full of desire for her. But of course this was why they were now in this predicament. They couldn't keep their hands off each other. "No Gerald. No, if my uncle heard what you just said, then he definitely would want to kill you!"

He suddenly slapped her face. Don't say that! It sounds like you want him to. Now get on your knees!

She brought her hand up to her cheek. What did you do that for?

Because you're not behaving like a wife yet, he said growing angry with her. You're not doing as I ask. Does it not say in the Bible that the man should always take the lead in a relationship and the wife should obey?

She shook her head and continued to rub her cheek. Well, I can hardly act like a wife if we're not even married yet. I've still got some say in this thing!

Then you ought to be saying the right things, he said. You should be saying, I agree with you darling. I’ll have a procedure if I have to for our sake!

She shook her head and sighed heavily. I can't say that because, it's ungodly! But we've already tried tablets and they don't work. And I’m glad they didn’t. But having a procedure is a terrible idea and I won’t do it!

The tablets didn't work because you got them from a shyster doctor! Gerald stated. At the time I was trusting in your judgement, but clearly we should have discussed it more.

But a procedure! she said shaking her head almost as if she was bewildered. It will be so painful. Girls have died from this!

Well obviously we won't go back to see that goddam doctor of yours, would we! he said. "We would go and see my family doctor. And I’m not saying you need to go under the knife straight away. In fact, I have already discussed this with him. And it's only because he is a friend of the family that he would help us. But actually he is against the idea of abortions anyway on principle."

She frowned. You're confusing me.

There's nothing to be confused about. It will just take maybe three days out of your life. You'll go and see the doctor, he will give you a check-up to see whether the pills he’s got can be taken by you. Because they are quite toxic, but they should do the job, though they’re expensive. The pills your doctor gave you were rubbish! But see if my doctor agrees that you were healthy enough, then he will give you a proper prescription. We will then get the pills, you will go to a hotel, and you will have an induced abortion. But if that doesn’t work then going under the knife is the only other way. Maybe you can take a friend with you to help you.

Easy for you to say! she said bitterly. I do all the suffering, I go through the pain, and it will be messy, while you're sitting in a bar with your pals getting drunk. That doesn't seem fair to me!

He shrugged. We're just talking about a few hours of physical discomfort. And you can get painkillers for that. I know this route. I've been down it before!

What do you mean by that?

Don't worry about it. But it worked and it fixed the problem! As he said this, he tried to look sincere. But he was lying. There never had been another occasion.

But the risks, and the pain, and maybe there will be a scar? she said.

Forget the surgery for now, he told her. The really good pills work in ninety nine percent of cases I believe. And if they don’t work, then we'll get hitched anyway, and to hell with your Mr Scrooge of an uncle. I can’t force you to have a procedure if you don’t want one. We'll just leave town and I'm sure I could get a job with a law firm if I really applied myself, worked nights.

Well, my uncle would still give me money, so we wouldn't be without any at all, she said.

He knew that even though she was a pampered princess, she had a better relationship with her uncle than with her parents. In a word, they were rich absentee parents who liked visiting glitzy hotspots in their yacht and were away for months at a time..

It resulted in her uncle Damian having to step in and take over to bring her up properly. Florence's mother was Uncle Damian’s sister and there was very little love lost between them. In fact, from what Gerald understood, Florence lived against a back cloth of family cynicism. It was full of antagonistic alliances between members of her family. Sometimes, she would be on one side and at other times she would be on another. In a way it resulted in her becoming quite a powerful person in the family. Her uncle was more likely to listen to her than his own sister her mother.

So will you do it? he said. Or will you at least think about it?

I'll think about it, but I'm not making any promises, she said. The risks of having a procedure are really bad!

* * *

While she was still trying to make up her mind, he took her brutally. She didn't like what he did to her, but it seemed to give him great physical satisfaction. It lasted the best part of four minutes. After the act, which made her feel sullied and used, Gerald seemed like a happier person. He had got his anger out of his system, even for just a moment. But then it didn't represent any long term cure.

However, she was prepared to let him use her. Especially if it meant entrapping this very handsome, resourceful, clever young man whom she believed could do anything. Although she was older than him, slightly, his maturity was impressive.

But to suggest that she was naive in the way of the world would have done her an injustice. She wanted to get her hands on her inheritance as much as Gerald did. They were both in accord where that was concerned. In the back of her mind she was thinking that he could do all the dirty work and they would both benefit from it. If she had to give her body in the process to him, then that was a relatively small price to pay. And in a way she was learning to perversely like the unpleasant quite gross nature of their love making. In fact she was acquiring a taste for it.

After the act, they took their sweat drenched bodies to the bathroom and had a joint shower. Time was now getting on and she had to get home for dinner and to finish a school assignment.

Chapter Two

Gerald Raphemore came from upper New York and was of French extraction. His parents, although quite well educated, had taken up impractical jobs. Jobs that didn't pay very much and so his upbringing was less than spectacular compared to Florence's.

He was deeply galled by his relative poverty as he saw it, even though they had all the basics of life that they needed. But he hated the neighbourhood where he lived and the scattering of project housing around him. It reminded him that he had been born into a less than privileged existence. However, Gerald proposed to change all that.

For one thing, his parent’s love of books and education was something that he embraced. And as a result he was regarded as something as a nerd, a word first used by Dr Suess. But he was strong enough not to allow himself to be a victim of bullying because of it.

The one thing he knew he had was good looks. His mother also made sure that he always wore nice clothes, clean and the latest fashions. This was something that he retained as personal image right up to high school, where he now was in the twelfth grade. And whilst young women we're attracted to him and we're frankly sexually curious about him, he had other ideas about their role in his life.

His father had this refrain about men being enslaved to women. After all, he argued, the men had to provide for the little woman at home. That technically meant that the woman was the master or the mistress and the man the gopher.

In that role the man was principally obliged to keep a roof over everybody’s head and feed and clothe everyone. This also included paying for medical care, education in some cases, maintaining transport for the family - being the chauffeur and cutting the lawn etc. Generally getting their hands dirty. And all to keep his mate from deserting him. As Gerald realised, it wasn't a man's world at all, it was a woman's world.

In fact, his father would say half-jokingly that a man really needed to find a rich woman to look after him. His role would then be to attend to her emotional and physical needs which would be a cinch if you liked the woman concerned. This resonated with Gerald very much and it became a sort of silent mantra of his, that all he needed to find was a wealthy coed.

But this kind of socially advantage person would normally not be found in a run of the mill high school. But Edmund Lacey High was very picky about its students, and you had to have real academic abilities to get in.

In fact, a very stiff entrance exam had to be passed. Only the intellectual cream of Upper New York would be inducted as a matter of course. And very often this included pampered rich young female students who came from successful and educated families. And Gerald being as calculating as he was, immediately identified twenty-seven young wealthy girls, half of whom were truly stunning. Although Florence Hildegard was not the most beautiful, she was exceptionally pretty and had a lovely personality. She also wasn't afraid to start conversations with boys or men and she seemed to like him. She also liked sex and didn’t mind experimenting.

They were both senior sophomore's when they met. She was sixteen and he was slightly younger than her, and of course they both had their sights on the big universities. Gerald wanted to study law because he saw that as a pathway to wealth, providing of course he was accepted by a prosperous firm. But that all depended on his performance at university. Florence in her turn was vaguely thinking in terms of going into the fashion industry, although in what capacity she wasn't sure. She even considered becoming a model, but this idea was slapped down by her uncle Damian who saw her in a more managerial role.

However, part one of Gerald's life plan was now in place. He had found an attractive young girl who was heir to a fortune. Not only was she heir but she was her wealthy guardian’s favourite. And hopefully this favouritism would be bestowed on him as well. All he had to do was a little bit of acting, be attentive, polite, dress conservatively, laugh at her uncles jokes etcetera. For an intelligent articulate young man like Gerald, this surely would be a walk in the park.

* * *

In the end Gerald decided to organise the tablets himself. There was really no need for Florence to go and have an examination by his family doctor. Clearly she was a healthy, strapping young woman. All Gerald had to do was explain the situation to his doctor and then he was certain he would just give him the necessary medication. Doctor Billington was an amiable man and he seemed to like Gerald.

In fact, he had been Gerald's doctor as he was growing up. It was handy that the doctor had moved, setting up a practice closer to where Gerald currently was in Dockwood. However, there was a rumour going round that he had been struck off and no longer had a license to practice medicine. Gerald just dismissed it.

By a happy coincidence, a new medication had recently come onto the market that was low risk and had few side effects. It was called Minoprostafem, and in fact the doctor had a drawer full of them. The kindly doctor gave him a box on account. There were twelve of them, pale blue large round tablets, which would probably make anybody gag.

Gerald accepted the box thankfully, giving the doctor the various assurances that he required. The doctor even promised not to tell his parents. Armed with this new weapon in his arsenal, Gerald went and met Florence under their tree which was on Dockwood High School grounds.

For a second as he approached the area, Gerald thought she had turned chicken and had not turned up. But there she was on the other side of the oak tree, looking very pretty in a yellow floral dress, talking to another student. The other student went as soon as Gerald arrived.

As it was a warm day they sat down at the base of the tree, and he gave her a brief kiss on the lips. He then reached into his pocket, pulled out the little white box and shook it. Here they are.

Florence hesitatingly took the box which was about half the size of the palm of her hand and opened it and looked in. She appeared dismayed at the size of the pills. I'll have to break these in half, she said.

There are a week’s supply, he told her matter of factly. "And you have to take one in the morning and one at night with food. And the whole thing is very gradual. It's not like one big thing, it doesn't