When We Were Young: The Future

By Antony Smith

Spanning four generations and an infinite range of human emotions, When We Were Young is the story of the Mitchell family beginning in England at the outbreak of World War II, chronicling the triumphs and tragedies of those tumultuous times. But most of all, it is the story of Jim Mitchell, a young ambitious English boy hardened by his wartime e

• Language: English
• Publisher: Primix Publishing
• Release date: Apr 18, 2022
• ISBN: 9781957676135

Antony Smith

Antony Smith was born in Cheshire, England and was educated in the northwest of England where he obtained a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. During his career, he traveled extensively around the world, working in the cruise and hospitality industries. Smith now resides with his wife in Florida.

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© 2022 Antony Smith. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by Primix Publishing 04/18/2022

ISBN: 978-1-957676-12-8(sc)

ISBN: 978-1-957676-13-5(e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022908800

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

Certain stock imagery © iStock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 1

The breaking sunlight slowly filtered through the cabin window heralding a new day in the life Jim Mitchell, a new day of hope, a day of relief. In his arms lay the naked body of his mistress, her head resting on his breast, loose strands of auburn hair gently covering the classical contours of her beautiful face. He smiled gently, parting each strand, revealing her high forehead and her dark manicured eyebrows, the long eyelashes, the small dimples on her cheeks, her wide full lips, lips that had tantalized his very soul. His smile deepened as he felt the touch of her long slim manicure fingers resting on his belly.

From the corner of his eye, he surveyed the bedroom. The remnants of clothing, hastily discarded from the previous night, a prelude to a night of tender love celebrating their reunion. Lydia Louise Henning had returned into his life. She had loved him with an unbelievable passion into the early hours of the morning. He smiled remembering his words to her, Marry me.

There was a deep smile on her flushed face as she murmured, Yes please.

Jim, dressed in his white coveralls, readied himself for his usual morning inspection of the engine room. He was greeted by the steady beat of the twin Doxford engines, and the whine of the B M W generators, sounds that were always pleasing to his well-trained ear. He entered the control room to be greeted by Henry, the ships Second Engineer. Good morning, Sir, he said with a broad smile.

All is well? inquired Jim.

Yes sir, I have moved the engine controls up a notch and our speed is now seventeen knots.

That’s fine, thank you, Henry, replied Jim. Perhaps you and your wife would like to dine with Lydia and myself tonight?

Thank you, Sir; I shall look forward to that. Have a good day.

Following his routine inspection, Jim walked to the Captain’s office to be greeted by his old friend.

Good morning, Jim, said Brian. How are your sewing machines? Jim laughed at Brian’s usual reference to his domain.

In good order, he replied.

And your night?

Jim smiled a question that could only be asked by intimate friends of long standing. They had sailed the seas together since the early days, when Brian was the Ship’s Mate on the Sidney Star, and Jim was a Junior Engineer on his first trip to sea.

Bloody marvelous, he enthusiastically, Lydia is back in my life again.

Congratulations, he said with a warm smile. I have organized a reception for Lydia tonight. We are all looking forward to meeting her. This calls for a beer, said Brian as he walked to his refrigerator, Heineken?"

Fine, replied Jim, Thank you.

You’re a dark horse, Mitchell, said Brian. In all the years you and I have known each other, you have never mentioned her.

Nothing was cast in stone. We knew we would be apart for a while, neither of us knowing whether we could stand the strain. I guess it was a case of hope against hope, a sort of surreal experience for both of us. He smiled, Five years is a long time.

Where did you meet your fine lady?

It’s a long story, said Jim. "I think we first met when I was eight years old at a football match in my village. Her father and my grandfather were good friends and I was with my Dad before our soccer game. He was a bit of a joker and Captain of the football team. That was the day he tied our village mascot, a sort of woolly bear dressed in the team’s colors, on Lydia’s team’s mascot, a Welsh goat, and whacked him on his backside. He careered around the field. It was funny. Afterwards, my Dad apologized to the opposing team’s captain, Lydia’s brother, and later after the match, I met Lydia. She was a gangly- legged girl, somewhat older than I was. She tells me that I had the audacity to wink at her, much to her surprise she winked back.

Many years later, we met at a dance in our village hall. She was a Pilot officer in charge of a contingent of R A F women’s brigade, attending our village Wings for Victory parade. I asked her to dance. I was a bit of a kid at the time. She was gracious enough to accept. After the war, we met at a dance in the same village hall, then she disappeared out of sight for while. We met again later. She became my tutor during the run-up for my matriculation examinations. The war had not been kind to her. Later she spent some time in the United States. We exchanged letters and when she returned we met again, I was twenty. By then, I had my heart firmly fixed on becoming a Chief Engineer. Her aspirations were to become a lawyer, to practice international law, and we resolved to meet again after we had achieved our ambitions."

Quite a story, said Brian. You never mentioned it, did you?

No, replied Jim. I never did, I guess, Jim smiled, five years was a long time in our lives.

Another one, said Brian referring to Jim’s empty glass.

No, thank you, Brian, replied Jim. I’m off to see my girl.

Lydia Louise Henning lay in Jim’s bed. It was a glorious feeling. She was the united again with the love of her life. She was grinning like a Cheshire cat. Last night she had been laid beautifully. She stretched her lithe body. She had found her man and she felt like a woman again; strong, vibrant, satisfied, rejoicing in their reunion.

She smiled, recollecting the evening before there meeting. It had been a shock to Jim’s system. Poor boy, she said. They had returned to Jim’s cabin to satisfy their overwhelming sexual needs. She remembered his words as they lay together. Their bodies, wet, soaked in perspiration, Lydia Louise Henning I have missed you girl.

They had talked long into the night. They both had achieved their objectives. She had obtained her Masters Degree in international law, and Jim was now the proud Chief Engineer of his own ship. This was the way that they had planned their lives. By some miracle, they had achieved their ambitions, and had overcome the last hurdle in their relationship. She smiled, wanting him not just for today but forever. She recalled the flush on her body as she whispered in his ear. Will you marry me?

What changed your mind, my beauty? Jim asked.

There were tears in her eyes as she murmured softly, I want babies, lots of babies. I want them to be your babies, Jim Mitchell.

He held her face with the palms of his hands. There were tears of joy running down his cheeks as he murmured softly, Yes, my darling.

She gently rose from her bed and looked at the pile of clothing placed on his day bed. That was a bloody good night, she said to herself as she walked into the bathroom and regarded herself in the long mirror. Was it worth it? she asked, to herself. You bet your sweet arse it was lady, she exclaimed as she stepped into the shower. The water cascaded over her slim body. Yes, a thousand times, yes, she cried. She had made ardent love to her man with a passion that had excited every fiber of her body. She was a tigress again, she smiled. Life was so bloody good.

She slowly massaged her firm body, then she toweled herself vigorously, hoping to revitalize her aching body. Then wrapping herself in Jim’s dressing gown, she watched the ship’s bow sail smoothly through the calm open seas of the Atlantic.

Anyone at home?

A chill ran down her spine as she heard the unmistakable sound of his voice.

Hello you, she cried excitedly, I am in the bedroom.

There was a huge smile on his face as his arms encircled her slim waist, kissing her waiting sweet lips gently as their lips parted. He murmured softly. I have news and questions, which do you, want hear first?

The news, she cried ecstatically.

I had a beer with Brian after my morning inspections, and he announced that the officers are throwing another cocktail party for you tonight. He laughed. To make up for party you and I skipped last night.

That’s kind of them. Do they do that for all the mistresses on the ship?

Jim laughed, Yes they do. Mistresses are held in high regard to sea-goers ever since Lady Hamilton seduced Lord Horatio Nelson.

Lydia laughed, And what’s the second piece of news?

We are dining with an old friend of mine and his wife.

The cocktail party that evening was an affair to remember. Brian and the ship’s officers greeted them as they entered the officer’s wardroom, Lydia dressed in her elegant best for the occasion. She circulated the room, mesmerizing his fellow officers with her charm. There was an air of confidence about her as she exchanged pleasantries and the occasional joke with them.

Jim smiled. She was a charmer, a lady for all seasons, confident, supremely at home with his fellow officers.

Dinner, that evening, in a secluded corner of the passenger restaurant with Henry and his wife Elizabeth, was fun. Jim had known Henry since the day he had joined the Brazil Star as his Junior Watch Keeper. He was fun to be around, never lost for a word or a joke. He had met his wife Elizabeth when she had sailed to South America with her parents. Later, after a brief courtship, they were married. This was her first trip on the Imperial as Henry’s wife.

A penny for your thoughts, my Love, she murmured as she lay in his arms reminiscing about the evening.

Do you recall that time that I asked you to marry me?

She laughed as she recalled her reply, No Jim, but I will be your mistress forever and a day. Hold me close for a moment please, Jim, she murmured. She buried her face in his arms. Jim before we get too serious, my Love, I want you to know that I am still your mistress, however, I dallied a few times while I was away from you. I guess I was missing you and wanted to feel a hard cock inside me. I know that is not a bloody good excuse, but I want you to know. Jim was quiet from moment. Are you okay with that?" she asked anxiously.

He looked at her with a smile as she sat astride his body, Lydia Louise Henning, we both agreed that we would love the one we were with.

Oh, Jim, do you really mean? The tears welled in her eyes falling over her high cheekbones running down to her breast. What about Maggie?

What about Maggie?

That affair ended years ago. It is over Lydia, it is over, do hear me? Damm-it woman, he wiped the tears from her eyes.

Oh Jim, she cried ecstatically. I have waited so long for this moment. I have always wanted you, and I thought that I was second best. I love you with all my heart, with my entire mind, with all my body. The two weeks that we spent together in Wales was a dream come true to me. Do you remember the night that we spent at the hotel? Jim nodded. The night I told you that I would be your mistress for ever and a day. She smiled. I wanted it to be that way. I was scared of losing you. You see Jim, I have wanted to marry you since the first day I saw you. I knew then that you wanted me when we were together that last evening, I have passed the test of time in our relationship and I was ready, if you asked to be your wedded wife.

Oh beauty, I have the missed you so much. Damn-it woman, I did not know where I was in our relationship, Lydia. What made you change your mind?

I want babies, lots of babies, Jim. He looked at her naked body sitting on his belly and whispered, We have so much to talk about, my Love. Will you fix me a whiskey?

Is that my first duty as prospective wife? she asked amusingly.

Jim smiled, Yes.

They sipped from the same glass, each tasting the others lips, then she dipped her finger into the glass and slowly caressed Jim’s breasts.

When sir, she said with a coquettish smile, Do you propose to make me an honest woman?

Jim laughed, then with a serious look on his face he said, Lydia Louise Henning, from where I’m lying, you look so beautiful. There are three options, the first is that we can wait until we return home, the second we could be wed in South Africa and the third, we could get married on this vessel.

There was a radiant smile on her face as she murmured, Can we really?

Yes, replied Jim. It’s an old tradition, madam.

Oh Jim! she cried ecstatically, When?

Jim, clasping the cheeks of her face in his hands looking deep into her eyes, replied, The Sunday before we reach Cape Town.

She looked at him incredulously, hardly believing his words. How do you know? she asked.

I talked to Brian after my morning report.

Oh, she exclaimed. I haven’t got a thing to wear.

Why don’t you wear that beautiful dress you wore the night of the passenger cocktail party?

The one you ripped off my body? she looked quizzically.

Yes, I suppose that will do.

What do I do about a wedding ring? she asked with a concerned look.

Well, I reckoned I could provide a couple of brass washers, Jim said jokingly.

She looked surprised.

I am only kidding. We could go ashore in the Canary Islands the day after tomorrow?

Can we really? she exclaimed excited as a young pupil receiving the first kiss.

The following morning Lydia Louise Henning lay on her deck chair tanning her body. Her man was attending to his duties as Chief Engineer, and she was enjoying herself. She smiled as she recollected the last month. It had been hectic. Between her graduation class, and the preparations for her journey to London, it had been a tight schedule. The airline had been somewhat difficult. She had to pay over the odds to arrive in London the day before Jim sailed, then she remembered her remark. Oh what the hell, it’s only money. Claridges Hotel had been wonderful. She had telephoned ahead with measurements for an array of clothing to inspect when she arrived. The only information that she had about Jim, was that he was sailing from the Royal Victoria Docks on the ninth of the month. A quick phone call to a friend of a friend, ascertained that the Imperial Star was sailing for Australia, via South America. On her instructions, he booked her passage. She smiled when Jim told her that he was only traveling as far as Cape Town where he would spend a few months as his company’s Superintendent Engineer. Oh hell, it’s only money, she remarked. It had been years since she had thought about things financially. The last statement of her financial assets had surprised her. She was wealthy beyond compare. Her real estate properties were dotted all over the world. She smiled, a wise investment.

Her mind wandered to the future. She was soon to be wed, on her husband’s vessel in the South Atlantic. The setting was beyond her wildest dreams. She was excited. He had asked her to marry him. Her rival Maggie was now in the past. Oh, Jim, I love you so much my darling, she cried. She was happy. This man had done so much for her over the years since she had known him. She loved him with all her mind with all her soul. He had taken her from a hell, into a life of love. A thought crossed her mind; will I have to sleep by myself the night before? She laughed, not on your Nellie. A night without Jim is a night without love. She had had enough nights without love over the last years. To hell with tradition, she murmured to herself. Lydia Louise Henning will spend her last night as a maiden making love with her man and God help the person that would want to change her wishes," she cried adamantly.

Her thoughts turned to the day of the wedding. Elizabeth would be her matron of honor. Henry would be Jim’s best man, and the Mate, John Hoskins, would give her away. Brian, God bless him, Jim’s old friend and Master of the vessel, would conduct the wedding ceremony. There was a smile on her face, What a wonderful way to get married to the most wonderful man in the world, she murmured.

Jim smiled as he approached her, What you mumbling about, young lady?

This and that, she replied. How was your morning, Mr. Chief Engineer?

Fine, he replied. I have completed the job of the day, and I’m taking the afternoon off. I am tired, my Love.

I am not surprised, Mitchell, she giggled. It was a good night.

Yes it was, my darling, he paused. You see before you a happy and satisfied man. Oh by the way, Brian asked us round for a midday cocktail. He looked at his watch, in about fifteen minutes.

Oh, what shall I wear?

Just throw a rap on to hide those luscious curves. Then after we can spend the afternoon together.

In bed I hope, she said with a coquettish smile.

Brian greeted Lydia as she entered his day room. He smiled, Thank you for coming. I hope that I haven’t dragged you away from what you were doing.

I think I’ve had enough sun today, she said with a laugh.

What will you have to drink, my dear? he said.

A glass of chardonnay, please.

Are you excited about the wedding?

Yes I am, Brian. Thank you for doing the honors.

Not at all Lydia, he replied. Part of the job, don’t you know, he said with a laugh. I have a copy of the service and it calls for you and Jim to read from a book of verse, or from the Bible. Take it with you, he said with a flourish. Let me have it back in this a couple of days with any suggestions that you wish to make.

Thanks, Brian, said Jim. We really do appreciate your help, you’re bloody marvelous.

Chapter 2

There was a genuine excitement amongst the ship’s crew and passengers when they were told of the wedding ceremony to be held at sunset on the last Sunday prior to arrival in Cape Town. The Bosun was equally excited as his crew prepared the afterdeck for the wedding ceremony. The ship was to be dressed overall, as was tradition for the ceremony, and the decks were freshly painted.

The weather was perfect. The sun shone brightly at the end of the day. The cirrus cloud overhead added to the picture as Lydia, and her man, slowly their way down to the afterdeck. She was escorted to her seat by a contingent of ship’s officers. The crew, in traditional dress, and passengers were assembled neatly in orderly rows. Lydia smiled radiantly as she passed the assembled congregation. This was a magic day, a wonderful thrilling day. Not only was she marrying the love of her life, she was doing so in a perfect setting. Jim Mitchell, she cried to herself, you have made me a happy woman.

Jim was escorted to his seat by two of his Junior Engineers. Brian looked splendid in his dress uniform as a Lieutenant Commander of the Royal Navy Reserve, complete with ceremonial sword. He stood on the aft deck, a solitary figure, tall and erect, the epitome of a ship’s Captain. There was a warm smile on his face as he opened his Bible. The ships whistle blew three times. The wedding ceremony commenced

We, the ship’s company, and our guests, are gathered today in the sight of God, to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony. There was an eerie silence on deck as the ship glided over the calm waters approaching Cape Town. "Say after me the Lord’s Prayer:

Our father who art in heaven hallowed be thy name

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses

As we forgive those that trespass against us.

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil

For Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever,

Amen.

The Lord God said:

It’s not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helpmate.

The man gave names to all the cattle, all the birds of heaven,

And all the wild beasts, but no suitable helpmate was found

So the Lord God made the man fall into a deep sleep

And while he slept, he took one of his ribs and enclosed it in flesh

The Lord God built the rib he had taken from the man into a

Woman, and brought her to the man.

The Man exclaimed: "This at last is bone from my bones,

And flesh from my flesh. It is called woman, for

This was taken from man.

This is why man leaves his father and his mother and joins

Himself to his wife and they become one body.

Brian nodded his head Lydia.

Ruth, Chapter 1 versus 16 – 17, she said softly.

Entreat me not to leave thee

Or to return from following after thee

For whither thou goest, I will go

And where thou lodgest, I will lodge

Thy people shall be my people

And thy God my God

Where thou diest, I will die here

And there will I be buried."

Jim stood, his bride, and said:

"I love you, Lydia Louise not for what you are,

But what I am when I am with you.

I love you, not only for what you have made of yourself,

But what you are making of me,

I love you for the part of me that you bring out.

I love you for putting your hand into my heaped up heart

Passing over all the frivolous and weak things that you cannot help seeing there, and for drawing out into the light all the beautiful and radiant things that no one else has looked quite far enough to find.

I love you because you have done more than any creed

Have done to make me good,

and more than any fate

Have done to make me happy.

You have done it without touch, without word, without a sign,

You have done it by being yourself.

Perhaps that is what being a friend means after all."

Who gives this woman to this man?

I do. replied Henry.

Brian smiled. Repeat after me, Jim.

I, James, take you, Lydia Louise, to my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, in sickness and in health as long as you shall live.

Repeat after me Lydia.

I, Lydia Louise, take you, James Mitchell, for my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward in sickness and in health as long as you shall live.

They exchanged wedding rings.

"By the power invested in me as a Master Mariner and Master of this vessel, the exchange of rings, and the exchange of their vows, I now declare you, Lydia Louise, and you, James, to be man and wife. May the good Lord bless and keep you. Amen.

Jim Mitchell, murmured Brian. You may now kiss the bride.

Jim smiled as he embraced her. Hello, Ms Mitchell, I presume.

As they broke from a long ardent kiss, there were tears in her eyes. She murmured, I love the sound of that Jim Mitchell.

They stood for a while together receiving their guests, posing for photographs. It was a surreal moment in time. Jim smiled somewhat ironically. The sheer beauty of the marriage ceremony, surrounded