4 for the Price of 1

By Maurice Northmore

The first story “A Job in Bangkok” is a suspenseful thriller, packed full of intrigue and mystery. Our main character Joe Baker gets the choice when his x Sarah arrives at his apartment with a message from his boss. ‘It’s a job in Bangkok. Or else?’

The second story “Penelopes Wedding” is about Penelope’s intended marriage to Rodney Johnson the gardener at Hamilton Hall where her father, Lord Hamilton tries everything within his power to stop the wedding taking place. This story is humorous and witty and anything that can happen. Does.

The third story “Her Fathers Wish” features Charlotte Rose who wants to become a lawyer as good as her late father was. But her dramatic experience when she arrives at London’s “Kings Cross Railway Station” is just the start of her problems.

The final story “The Spring Of Seventy Four” is based on a true story about a family who emigrate to Australia. But their journey there in an ageing ship and the dangers they face are hell bent on ending their life in the middle of the Indian Ocean.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Maurice Northmore
• Release date: Dec 20, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215817766

Maurice Northmore

PERSONALI've lived half my life in England and the other half in Australia. In my earlier years I was an excellent middle distance runner and a useful football player, I've raced motorbikes, and played competitive squash. My interests are photography, music and I love to travel and see how other people live. I try to keep fit bike riding, walking, swimming and going to the gym. I like to relax, drink coffee with friends and family and watch television.WRITINGMy technical writing skills were honed in my career as an electrical and mechanical consulting engineer.But my writing took a dramatic change In 2002, when I found a hidden passion to write fictional short stories and novels and a bit later, poetry. It gives me much satisfaction that four of my poems have won the "The International Poetry Society Editors Choice Award."My first novel “The Urban Soldier,” has sold well and received some amazing reviews from readers. After writing this I thought that I wouldn't write another novel because it would be hard to top it, but mirraculously I did write another, "The Prime Ministers Rival." Again this novel was well received with a multitude of 5 star ratings. Then came my first crime thriller, "When Darkness Falls." And again this novel received good ratings and the type of comment received from one reader that all authors love to receive "This novel is as good as any crime thriller I've read." My other novels include, "Lost in Transit," and "One Lifetime is not Enough." As well as my novels, I have also written several novellas ranging from 17,000 to 35,000 words.My short stories feature in my book "Twilight" and there is something for everyone in this book as there are a wide range of genres and again this book has been rated 5 stars.My award winning poetry features in my book "Atmospheric." If you like poetry, this book is a must read. And if you don't like poetry, why not give it a try. You might surprise yourself as it is full of ryhming poetic extra short stories.As well as my fiction and poetry, I have written books describing how to write stories and novels. For the beginner there is "A Beginners Guide To Writing A Story." For the more advanced writer why not try "Fast Track Your Novel." This book contains a comprehensive and easy to follow guide into the art of writing novels. As well as being packed full with ideas for stories and characters, this book describes the numerous techniques needed to write a successful novel, including, the art of story weaving, how to tantalize the reader, and how to write a skeleton plot of a novel in 30 minutes.LEARNINGLearning the art of writing stories, and improving my writing knowledge and style has allways been very important to me. Subsequently, I have undertaken numerous creative writing courses, entered various writing competitions, been a member of several writing groups and over time, compiled an enormous amount of information about writing stories.In the beginning, my story writing was less structured. I wrote freehand for a while, but soon began using a computer and "Microsoft Word". But eventually, I developed a more structured approach to my writing. Now I use "Microsoft Excel" spreadsheets to store my library of story ideas and elements, I develop a skeleton plot of my story and finish off the story with specialized writing software.THE FUTUREI am always looking for my next great story. I have a multitude of story ideas to prompt me. But most just stay as that, ideas. I have several good leads at present and am pursuing those. If you think you have a good idea and would like me to read it or help you in any way whatsoever, please drop me a line (or two).SUMMARYWriting stories is an amazing pastime. It can take you to wherever you want to go, allow your mind to drift and imagine and come up with a multitude of ideas, beginnings, endings, and twists. The list is endless. It can also improve your knowledge of words, some you may never have heard of, or never knew the meaning of.SOCIAL MEDIAYou can find me on my "Google Web-site" at mauricenorthmore.comAs well as you can find me on:TwitterFacebookLinkedinThanks for readingRegards and best wishes from Maurice Northmore (author)

Book preview

INTRODUCTION

4 FOR THE PRICE OF 1 features, 4 very different and uniquely interesting Novella stories.

The first story A Job in Bangkok is a suspenseful thriller, packed full of intrigue and mystery. Our main character Joe Baker gets the choice when his x Sarah arrives at his apartment with a message from his boss. ‘It’s a job in Bangkok. Or else?’

The second story Penelopes Wedding is about Penelope’s intended marriage to Rodney Johnson the gardener at Hamilton Hall where her father, Lord Hamilton tries everything within his power to stop the wedding taking place. This story is humorous and witty and anything that can happen. Does.

The third story Her Fathers Wish features Charlotte Rose who wants to become a lawyer as good as her late father was. But her dramatic experience when she arrives at London’s Kings Cross Railway Station is just the start of her problems.

The final story The Spring Of Seventy Four is based on a true story about a family who emigrate to Australia. But their journey there in an ageing ship and the dangers they face are hell bent on ending their life in the middle of the Indian Ocean.

INDEX

A JOB IN BANGKOK Page 5

PENELOPES WEDDING Page 83

HER FATHERS WISH Page 145

THE SPRING OF SEVENTYFOUR Page 273

A JOB IN BANGKOK

CHAPTER 01

A glistening black chauffeur driven limousine carrying an unexpected and unwelcome visitor pulled up outside the apartment building. A door opened and an attractive immaculately and expensively dressed woman stepped from the back seat and onto the footpath.

She quickly scaled the steps as if she owned them and entered the building striding confidently passed concierge.

Concierge merely cast a casual glance in her direction as she made her way towards the lift. Concierge watched her progress on his security monitor as if his life depended on it. He saw her reach inside her elaborate designer handbag pull out a security card and place it against the lift's security keypad. He observed the lift doors close the lift begin to move watched it reach the tenth floor saw its doors part and observed her step out into the lobby. He adjusted the tenth floor camera and watched her stride towards apartment 501. He adjusted the zoom on the camera and watched her place a security card against the keypad.

The door to the apartment opened and in she strode.

She made her way quietly down a passage and stopped to peer into a bedroom carefully analysing the mess. A crumpled pile of clothes heaped in a corner an ashtray full of cigarette butts and an empty whisky bottle littered the bedside table. She rolled her eyes with contempt; her posture stiffened she shook her head slammed the door hard on purpose and set off marching towards the lounge.

Joe Baker was slumped in his lounge room chair. The noise had woken him. He stirred and casually and wiped the sleep from his eyes. He was annoyed at the rude way in which she had audaciously burst straight into his apartment without an invite. He chastised himself for not making sure he had got her security card back. I will have a word with concierge later and make sure he cancels it he thought.

Sarah raised her eyebrows and glared at his dishevelled sight with eyes as cold as ice.

He noticed the look on her face and it brought back unwelcome memories.

Sarah questioned herself; how could I have been stupid enough to have had an affair with the unshaven lump in front of me?

He questioned himself, why was I so eager and naive to fall for someone who was obviously hell bent on climbing the corporate ladder no matter whom suffered.

The affair was history now that much was painfully obvious as there was another man in her life now, his Boss at ‘Premier International Investments.’

Sarah threw an envelope on his lap.

'What’s this?'

'An urgent job the Boss wants you to take care of. Details are in the envelope. Once you arrive at your destination our agent will be waiting to meet you at your hotel. You will have to leave on this evening’s flight.'

His eyes narrowed as he shot a glance at her. 'What’s the rush?'

'I told you. The Boss says it’s urgent.' She looked away.

He returned his gaze to the envelope and peered inside. 'And what if I refuse?'

Sarah threw him another envelope.

He does not want to take the job. But he had noticed the smirk she had given him and was suspicious.

He opened the envelope and pulled out a letter. He began to read. He had suspected for a while that his boss wanted rid of him. Now as he read this letter he knew for sure he did want rid of him. He either accepted the job or he would be thrown out on the trash pile and he was getting too old to start looking for another job.

He glanced at her giving a false smile. 'Tell the Boss I will take the job.’ His eyes were glaring straight at hers. ‘And please tell the boss that I will make absolutely sure that I repay his confidence in me back in full.’ He smiled. ‘And with interest.'

The interchange had rattled Sarah especially his last comments but she was trying hard not to show it. She merely blew him a mock kiss gave a false smile and walked towards the door where she stopped, turned her head and cast a cold blank stare at her prey. 'Don’t mess up this time Joe. Rumours are you won’t get another chance.' She gloated and smiled.

Joe’s face had screwed up; his shoulders had sagged and his head was buzzing. He quickly analysed her warning and even though he felt like the underdog at present, he tried to think of the positives. It was difficult. The Boss seemed to hold the upper hand.

Sarah opened the door and with a parting smirk delivered her final insult. 'And clean up this messy place, preferably before you leave!' She abruptly left and slammed the door shut behind her.

Joe eased himself up from the sofa and went immediately to the bedroom, took the crumpled pile of clothes from the corner of his room, put them in the washing machine and switched it on. He emptied the ashtray full of cigarette butts into a plastic bag, grabbed the empty whisky bottle, put it in the bag and took the bag to the rubbish chute in the outside lobby.

He returned back inside his apartment, opened the cupboard, wheeled out the vacuum cleaner and began pushing it up and down his bedroom. In the space of half an hour the place was spotless. At least he thought it was. He lifted a suitcase from the wardrobe and packed it with an array of clothes shoes toiletries camera and some writing and reading material. He went to the bathroom showered shaved walked back to the bedroom and dressed. He checked his appearance in the mirror, ran a comb through his greying hair, lifted his suitcase, checked around and walked to the front door.

By now Sarah had arrived back at ‘Premier International Investments’ and was walking towards the Boss’s office. She knocked and entered.

The Boss was standing by a window peering vacantly into the distance. He turned to face her and his narrow charcoal grey eyes met hers.

She offered a satisfied smile and nodded and promptly left.

The Boss turned to look outside. A broad smile appeared on his chiselled face. Mission accomplished he thought punching one fist into the other.

Meanwhile Joe Baker checked his watch. Time was ticking along and he still had a few errands he needed to do. He took one final check before he quietly left his apartment.

Outside the building he walked quickly until he reached the ‘Great National Bank.’ He climbed a set of stairs and entered the bank through a revolving glass door.

Once inside the bank he walked straight towards the service counter where he filled in a safety deposit box inspection slip and handed it to a middle-aged woman at reception.

'Can I see some ID please?' She eyed him from head to toe?

Joe showed no concern but felt a tinge of tension from her gaze. He produced his ID card from his inside coat pocket and passed it to her.

The woman took a good look at the card then looked straight into his eyes. 'Follow me Sir.'

His eyes flitted about the space as he followed her towards the lift where he stepped inside.

The lift doors closed and opened when it reached the basement bank vault. The vault was dimly lit and lined with locked metal containers.

He walked towards them. There was no sound other than a key being placed in the lock of Safety Deposit Box 202 and the key turning. He put his hand inside the box and took out all of its contents, which included a set of interesting photographs. He put the contents in the sports bag he had brought with him, locked the safety deposit box and walked back towards the lift where the woman was waiting. He gave her the safety deposit box key and stepped inside the lift.

The woman pressed the ground floor button.

The lift began to climb until it reached the ground floor where it stopped suddenly and the doors opened.

Joe stepped out of the lift, smiled, thanked the woman and calmly left the bank.

The final stage of his plan involved a visit to the post office just around the next corner. The post office was busy. From the shelves he selected a packet of envelopes, a writing pad and a pen and went to wait in a line to be served.

At the counter he asked for some stamps and paid for his items. He made his way to a table and took the photographs out of his bag. He checked them moving them this way and that way. He smiled as he placed the incriminating photos of Sarah and the Boss in one of the envelopes. He started writing a letter. ‘One million pounds must be placed into Swiss bank account number 11357 at the address provided below within ten days from the date of postage otherwise similar photographs will be sent to the Morning Telegraph. He placed the letter in the same envelope as the photographs and stuck a stamp on the envelope. He sealed the envelope and addressed it to Sarah at ‘Premium International Investments.’ He placed the envelope down on the table. He had one more letter to write. This letter was to his lawyer. On the letter he wrote if I the undersigned have not contacted you within. He thought for a while. One month after you receive this letter please post the enclosed addressed envelope immediately to the Morning Telegraph. He took another envelope addressed it to the Morning Telegraph put a set of incriminating photographs inside it, sealed the envelope, put it inside the envelope he had addressed to his lawyer and sealed it.

He walked outside and stood in front of the post box holding the two letters. He hesitated knowing once they were posted there was no going back on his plan. He counted one two three, shoved the letters into the post box and heard them settle inside. Time to leave he thought.

He doesn’t realise yet but in his rush to leave his apartment he had forgot to ask concierge to cancel Sarah’s security card.

CHAPTER 02

Outside the Great National Bank Joe hailed a taxi climbed into the back seat and leant forward. 'Heathrow Airport Terminal 3 please.'

The roads were already busy with early morning business commuters. But somehow the traffic kept a steady flow. Fred weaved his taxi in and out of the traffic with masterly ease. Fourty minutes later the taxi stopped outside Heathrow’s Terminal 3. The taxi driver bent his head and looked at him. 'Make it fourty pounds Guv’.

By now the envelopes Joe had posted were well and truly in transit.

Joe paid the taxi driver his money, lifted his luggage and walked towards a set of glass sliding doors.

He entered the terminal building and went directly to a bookshop where he selected a travel book which, he paid for at reception then walked to the check-in counter and stood in a line. The line snaked slowly forward until it was his turn. He walked up to the desk put his case on the conveyor and gave the woman his travel documents.

The woman entered his details into her computer applied a label to his luggage gave him his boarding pass and passport and smiled. 'Your flight will be leaving from Gate-15 in approximately one hours time Sir.'

'Thank you.' He took his travel documents from her and made his way through customs and then into the lounge of Gate-15.

Thirty minutes later after a boarding announcement he showed his boarding pass and walked down a walkway towards Gate-15 where a Jumbo 747 was parked.

Whilst he waited to board a tall slim woman perhaps a few inches shorter than he was and wearing torn jeans joggers a scruffy sloppy tea-shirt and headscarf stood a few paces behind him.

But her sloppy attire could not hide what lay beneath.

As he boarded the aircraft and showed his boarding pass to the airhostess the piercing blue eyes of the woman stood behind him were firmly fixed on him.

'This way Sir' said the airhostess pointing Joe towards the first isle.

He turned to the right found row 20 placed his bag in the overhead compartment and sat next to the window in seat 20-A. He fastened his seat belt and delved into the seat pocket in front of him to check the magazines.

Another passenger put a bag in the overhead compartment and sat down in aisle seat 20-B next to him.

A few minutes later Joe peered through the porthole window and took one final look at the green grass of home and the mobile staircase moving backwards from the aircraft.

The sky was full of low level cloud by the time the Jumbo took off from Heathrow Airport. As the plane passed through the low level cloud its wheels retracted with a thud and it continued its gradual climb.

Joe looked through the porthole and saw the wing panels rattling merrily with the wind and the green fields below passing by. A few minutes later the English Channel came into view. A few more minutes and Europe appeared.

The Jumbo had been in the air for roughly an hour when someone shook his arm and roused him from his dreamy state. 'Excuse me Monsieur' said his fellow passenger in the most delicate foreign accent.

He turned his head to face the passenger sitting next to him. His eyes opened wide as he analysed her torn jeans joggers headscarf and the power of her piercing blue eyes, which were drilling straight into his. The same piercing blue eyes he had failed to notice, which had been firmly fixed on him as he boarded the aircraft.

'Allo. My name is Monique. I don’t like flying.' She gestured with her hands assisting her to explain. The words flowed from the most exquisite moist lips and raised a flutter within him that pushed his imagination and interest to the absolute limit.

'I don’t like flying either. I’ll be glad when we’ve landed. Name’s Joe. Joe Baker.' He fidgeted in his seat and his heart seemed to miss a beat. Her beauty unnerved him and yet he was glad of the company.

'Have you been to Bangkok before' she asked?

'No. This is my first visit' he said nervously.

'Do you mind if we talk? It helps me relax' she said.

'That’s fine with me' he answered.

'I am how do you say? Recently single.'

Her declaration made his eyebrows raise slightly. They lowered again as he detected a tear in the corner of her eye. 'To tell you the truth I’ve not been that lucky in relationships myself.' He notices she seemed restless and fidgety and each movement she made revealed a touch more of her thigh. She had a habit of circling her tongue provocatively around her lips. Instantly he felt a tinge within him, which set off a shiver racing up his body as he struggled to stay focussed. His whole body was like a shivering jelly. His head began to ache as the chemistry reached his brain. He fidgeted and sat uncomfortably in his seat. His cheeks flushed red. He felt light-headed. He looked around to check whether any other passenger had noticed. He gave a slow smile and let out a sigh as he saw they hadn’t noticed.

Conversation from this point became easier and soon time seemed to evaporate. A minute seemed more like a second an hour more like a minute.

The captain plotted an easterly course towards Russia where the Jumbo dipped its wings to the right and headed south over Turkmenistan Afghanistan Pakistan across the top end of India and out over the Bay of Bengal.

Some time later the captain's voice sounded over the intercom. 'Ladies and gentlemen. Please return to your seats and fasten your safety belt. We have begun our descent into Bangkok Airport. The temperature on the ground is thirty degrees; the conditions are hot and sultry. We hope you have enjoyed your flight and thank you for flying with us today.'

Joe stirred and looked through the porthole window and saw people working in the rice fields below.

The captain manoeuvred the aircraft to the left until the aircraft was lined up with the runway. The aircraft began to lose altitude. The landing wheels thudded into position. The aircraft dropped much quicker now as crosswinds buffeted its huge fuselage and the land approached quickly. The airport terminal was visible as the wheels touched the runway surface firmly. The captain applied the brakes and before too long he had the aircraft taxing towards the terminal.

As the engines started to shut down and the seatbelt signs turned off tired travellers unfastened their safety belts stood opened the overhead compartments and pulled out their luggage. The exit doors opened. Passengers began moving forward and after a few minutes they flooded out through the exit doors and down the mobile staircase.

Monique stood. 'Have a pleasant stay.' Her eyes flickered and smiled softly at Joe.

'Au-revoir Madame.' He watched her join a queue walking towards the exit door and disappear from view.

CHAPTER 03

By the time the aircraft had landed Joe’s letter had arrived in his lawyer's London office and his lawyer had opened it read it and placed it in his safe.

Shortly after this the letter he sent to Sarah at ‘Premier International Investments’ was placed in her in-tray.

Joe waited a while until most of the passengers had left the plane before he himself collected his bag from the overhead compartment and departed.

As he stepped out of the Boeing-747 onto solid ground he winced as he felt the oppressive heat hit him full in the face like the opening of an oven door. He walked down the mobile staircase and onto a melting airport surface. The airport was blanketed with a cover of dense grey clouds stretching as far as the eye could see.

He walked towards the terminal building and couldn't help noticing how run down it looked.

Once through the chaotic customs area he walked outside to the crowded taxi ranks and was immediately swamped by a frenzied mass of people. Chatter erupted to a deafening crescendo. Cries of 'take your bags Sir' and 'this way Mister' rang out and were just audible above the constant drone.

He caught a glimpse of Monique's silhouette through the crowd.

She looked flushed with a forced smile and her hands placed firmly on her hips. She started to fumble through her bag and mumbled her annoyance at the taxi driver.

Joe walked over towards her and saw a young dark skinned taxi driver was pointing his finger at her in a threatening manner.

She was frowning and was either unhappy with what he had said or simply didn’t understand.

Joe interrupted. 'Where would you like to go Madame?'

Her eyebrows raised she seemed surprised to see him then her tense face relaxed. 'The ‘Hotel International.'

His eyes sparkled. 'What a coincidence. That’s where I’m staying. Would you like to share the taxi with me?'

'I would like that very much.' Her face beamed with that tantalising smile he had seen onboard the aircraft.

Joe turned to face the taxi driver and standing erect he gave him a challenging glare. 'Proceed to the Hotel International and be quick about it!'

The taxi driver stamped his feet and narrowed his eyes took a last long drag of his cigarette stubbed it out on the pavement with his worn and scratched shoe and uttered something totally unfit to be repeated. Then he climbed into his taxi and slammed the door firmly shut.

Monique and Joe climbed into the back.

The driver planted his foot hard on the accelerator and drove jerkily away from the airport.

Once they were well clear of the airport the taxi's speed gradually slowed as they mingled with the city's congested disorganised traffic until their pace was just a crawl.

The lack of progress didn't seem to bother Monique or Joe as by now they were totally engrossed in each other's company. Nor did they notice the meter keep running when the taxi driver stopped to fill up with fuel. Neither did the constant blasting of car horns and gesticulating irate drivers seem to register in their thoughts. They could have been on another planet for all they cared.

Teaming masses of people lined the streets and men were selling food livestock and all sorts of items at the roadside stalls. Other men were carting passengers around in makeshift contraptions. Women wore headscarves as they tried to sell silk scarves. Children without shoes shoved souvenirs at the passing tourists. The drone was louder than that made by a million bees the sight like a swarm of locust fighting over yesterday’s meal. The traffic jam now stretched out of sight. Through the haze overloaded bicycles and scooters wove in and out of the snarled up traffic jam.

By the time the taxi arrived at the hotel on the far side of the city a prison sentence later Monique and Joe had arranged to meet that night for dinner in the hotel restaurant.

‘The Hotel International’ was a welcome sight for the two weary and sweat soaked passengers pure five star luxury and set in two hundred acres of the most magnificent parkland. Tall creaking flagpoles covered with multi coloured flags swayed in the breeze along a tree-lined driveway. In the distance golfers were driving off from the first tee. A row of buggies and their caddies deep in conversation waited close by. The fragrance of multi coloured flowers filled the air fountains sprayed high and low water ponds cascaded over rock formations making the putrid smell and the deafening sound