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C’mon  By  Henry  Tudor  

 “C’mon  Kath,  we’ll  miss  the  start  and  have  to  walk  down  the  rows  in  the  dark.”  Shouted  Den,  up  the  empty  stairs  to  their  immaculate  bedroom.    No  reply  as  Kath  had  heard  it  all  before,  Den  was  always  on  time  with   a   little   bit   of   a   leeway,  whilst   she  was   always   in  her  own  time  and  couldn’t  care  less.  This  state  of  opposites  frustrated  Den  so  much,  he  would  sit  in  the  car  on  the  drive  with  the  engine  running,  swearing  under  his  breath  cussing  the   day   he   married   the   girl   from   his   old   class.   Now  considering  whether   to   engage   this   usual   car-­‐sitting   tactic,  he  sat  down  again  in  the  lounge  to  stare  at  the  clock  then  his  watch  then  the  clock  again.    Nothing  stirred  upstairs,  his  brain  was  going  to  explode,  the  theatre   tickets  were   going   to   be  wasted,   then   he   heard   his  wife’s  desperate  voice.  

 

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 “Den,  can  you  come  up,  I  need  a  little  help.  C’mon  hurry”    Mumbling   obscenities   under   his   breath,   Den   rose   from   his  chair,   stared   at   the   clock   fingers   again   and   strode   up   the  stairs  two  steps  at  a  time.  In  his  casual  going  out  clothes  he  felt   comfortable,   wearing   a   suit   and   tie   were   just   not   his  style  at  home,  his  soft  casual  jacket  caught  on  the  end  of  the  bannister   rail   and   jerked   his   body   before   the   protruding  pocket  ripped  away  to  dangle  as  a   triangle.  He  swore  again  under   his   breath,   threw   off   the   jacket   and   stomped   up  towards  the  front  bedroom  and  his  late-­‐yet-­‐again  wife.    “Den!     There’s   blood   in   the   toilet.”   The   tearful   voice   came  from  the  closed  door  of  the  bathroom.    Dennis’  mind  retrieved  instant  memories  of  his  relationship  with   Kath   from   being   just   a   spotty   lad   at   school,   to   now  being  her  husband  of   nearly   fifteen   years.  He   stretched  his  legs   and   ran   Olympic-­‐like   up   the   carpeted   stairs   to   the  closed   bathroom   door.   It   was   not   locked,   a   regular  annoyance   for   Dennis   who   often   walked   into   the   room   to  find  Kath  sat  on  the  loo,  her  obvious  habit,  which  randomly  drilled  into  his  neat  world.    This  time  the  unlocked  door  was  ignored  and  he  found  Kath  crying   on   the   floor   in   the   corner   next   to   the   bath-­‐cum  shower.    “It’s   gone,   another   baby   gone,   get   the   doctor   now!”   Kath  cried  to  her  shocked  husband.  “I’m  bleeding.”    The   ambulance   was   only   ten   minutes   from   his   call,   the  hospital  was  only  two  miles  away  and  Dennis  packed  a  rush  bag  with   clothing  and   toiletries.  He   sat  with  Kath  who  was  seemingly  asleep  in  the  back  of  the  vehicle  and  stroked  her  

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hair.  His  mind  went  back   to   the   first   time  he  had   seen   this  woman.  His  classmate,  his  girlfriend,  then  finally  his  wife.            “Now  children,  we  have  a  new  member  of  your  class.  Please  welcome  Katherine,  she  and  her  family  have  just  moved  into  this   area,   she   is   eleven   just   like  most  of   you  and   is   looking  for  new  friends.”  Miss  Jenkins  announced  to  the  silent  class  who   had   just   been   funneled   into   the   room   by   the   two  assistants.      Katherine  Hopkins  was  now  the  twenty  sixth  member  of  the  class   whom   had   not   fully   gelled,   as   the   term   was   only   six  weeks  into  it’s  first  term.  The  boys  were  still  separating  into  power   groups   and   the   girls   watching,   all   still   in   Primary  school   clusters   to   see  which  male   and   female   group  would  become  the  most  dominant.    One  boy   from  the   least  dominant  group   fringes  was  Dennis  Philips,   a   shy   background   dweller   who   watched   a   lot   and  said  nothing.  Dennis  was   always  neat   and   tidy   and  had  his  hair  cut  short  to  reveal  a  clean  neck.  He  always  smelt  cleaner  than  most  of   the  boys   in  his  class,  not   trying   to  get  dirty   in  the  break  time  activities  and  keeping  away  from  trouble.    Dennis   never   liked   football,   nor   cricket,   he   did   not  understand  why  the  rest  of  the  boys  were  so  taken  with  the  sports.   Always   chosen   last   in   any   class   team   selection,  always   the  goalkeeper  or   the  wicket  keeper.  He  didn’t   care  as  he  didn’t  want  to  be  there  anyhow,  his  regular  two  duties  were  not  team  playing.  Stopping  balls  from  entering  his  goal  was   his   biggest   problem   so   he   learnt   how   to   fall   well   and  slide  in  the  mud.    

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Opposing   players   would   have   their   feet   taken   from   under  their  fast  strides,  the  ball  would  divert  with  more  luck  than  skill,  to  his  own  side’s  team  of  defenders.  He  didn’t  want  any  more   responsibility   than   what   he   had   already   pushed   on  him.    Dennis   eventually   found   other   outsiders   in   the   schoolyard  and   they   formed   their   own   little   unit   of   shadow   dwellers,  some  were  girls  but  all  were  the  mostly  neatly  dressed  and  the   quietest   in   their   classes.   Katherine   Hopkins   wandered  into   their   group   to   hide   away   from   the   skipping   and   the  rounders.    “So   what’s   Dennis   like   then?”   Katherine   asked   her   new  shadowy  friend.    “He’s   a   real   nerd,   always   early,   always   in   perfect   uniform  and   his  mum   collects   him.   She   even   kisses   his   forehead   in  full   view.”   Replied   Janice  wondering  why   or   how   this   new  girl  had  chosen  her  to  talk  to.  “Wears  a  Disney  watch  and  is  always  looking  at  it,  he  knows  when  the  bell’s  about  to  ring  and  when  Miss  is  about  to  stop,  to  pack  up.”              “C’mon  Katherine,  just  one  kiss,  you  know  I  really  fancy  you,  ever   since   I   saw   you   arrive   at   our   school,   I   just   knew   I  wanted   you.”   Dennis   whispered   his   lie,   to   the   silent  Katherine  sat  on  the  wooden  bench  in  the  school  yard.    “Not  here,  they’ll  all  see,  all  yer  mates.”  Katherine  answered.  “So   you   want   me   to   kiss   you   then   eh?”   Replied   a   now  blushing  Dennis  knowing  he  had  lost  his  bet  with  his  nerdy  mates,  but  had  gained  a  girlfriend.  A  real  social  boost  to  his  image.    

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“C’mon   Katherine,   we’re   alone   now,   just   one   kiss.”   Dennis  whispered   into   Katherine’s   ear,   now   both   sat   on   the   park  bench  after  they  had  met  for  their  first  ever  date.    “One   kiss,   is   that   all,   what   a   disappointment!”   Replied   a  smiling  Katherine.        “C’mon  Katherine  where  are  you,  It’s  cold  here  and  the  film  is   about   to   start,   there   wont   be   good   seats   left   by   now.”  Mumbled  Dennis,  feeling  the  money  in  his  trouser  pocket  to  keep   his   hands   warm.   “Always   late,   is   that   all   women   in  general?”    He  mumbled  to  himself.    “Hi,  Den,  sorry  I’m  late  but  my  hair  drier  was  broken  and  my  hair   took  ages   to  dry  before   I   could   leave   the  house,  didn’t  want  me  to  look  like  a  scarecrow  did  ya?”  Shouted  Katherine  tripping  on  her  mums  high  heels,  as  she  rounded  the  corner  to  the  front  of  the  Odeon  cinema.    “Come  on,  if  we  hurry  we  may  still  get  two  seats  on  the  back  row.”   Interrupted   an   eager   and   stressed   Dennis,   as   he  grabbed  her   hand   and   guided  her   up   the   concrete   steps   to  the  foyer.    “Back   row   eh!   Got   your   plan   then   eh?”   Replied   a   giggling  Katherine.   “Maybe   I   just   wanna   watch   the   film,   the   first  Terminator  was  ok,  but  this  ones  been  praised  more.”    “C’mon  Kath,   let’s   get   some  seats   anyhow  and   see  where   it  leads.”   Whispered   Dennis,   now   Den,   smiling   at   the   very  thought  of  the  movie  or  the  snogging  or  both.    To  Katherine,  the  movie  was  boring  and  took  Den’s  attention  away   from  her,   she   slid  down   in  her   seat  and  began  eating  the  popcorn  to  be  alone  with  her  thoughts.  

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     “C’mon  Mum  I’ve  been  late  already  this  week,  Miss  said  she’d  write  a  letter  complaining  if  I’m  late  again.”  Young  Katherine  shouted   from   the   back   gate   to   the   open   backdoor   of   the  house  where  Kath  her  Mum  was  still  drinking  her  coffee.    “I’m   coming,   you’re   just   like   yer  Dad,   nag,   nag,   I’m   coming.  We  don’t  want  Miss  to  be  angry  with  you  do  we?”        “C’mon  children,  line  up,  bell’s  about  to  go,  lots  of  learning  to  be  done  today.”  Shouted  Doreen  the  assistant  teacher  on  her  yard  duty.  “Is  little  Katy  here  yet,  don’t  want  her  late  again.”    “I   can  see  her  with  her  Mum  crossing  at   the   lollipop,   if   she  runs  she’ll   just  get  here  when  the  bell  rings.”  Replied  Katy’s  best  friend,  Melba.      “C’mon  Katy”  the  new  line  shouted  as  they  saw  their  teacher  walking   down   the   glass   walled   corridor.   “C’mon,   teacher’s  almost  here.”    Little  Katherine  shrugged  off  her  Mum’s  hand  and  ran  to  the  end  of  the  line  just  as  Miss  came  through  the  classroom  back  door  to  inspect  her  class.    Mum   joined   with   the   other   mother’s   and   grandmother’s  watching  their  wards  enter  the  school,  as  they  did  everyday  in  term  time.  She  smiled  at  her  daughter  as  she  entered  the  school  as  last  in  the  line,  waving  secretly  as  the  door  closed.    “Well  done  Kath,  got  her  here  on  time,  mind  you  it  was  touch  and  go,  nobody  thought  you’d  make  it.”  Whispered  a  regular  to  the  panting  mother.    

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“Yeah!   She   was   two   weeks   overdue   too,   y’know.”   Mum  laughed.          Katherine  remembered  her  first  day  at  this  school,  having  to  leave   her   old   school   only   just   into   her   year   seven   really  upset   her.   Her   Mother   now   moving   in   with   her   latest  boyfriend   and   right   across   town   forcing   the   change   in  school.    “It’ll   be   alright   love,   they’ll   not   be   totally   friends   yet,   you’ll  soon   join   in   and   find   new   mates.”   Whispered   Katherine’s  Mum  as  they  sat  outside  the  Head  Teacher’s  office  and  could  hear  the  bell  ringing  in  the  yard,  to  line  up  the  year  groups.    “Welcome  Katherine  to  our  school,  I  am  so  sure  you  will  find  it   a   comforting   place   to   be   in   and   soon   join   in.   Your   new  teacher  will  be  along  shortly  to  take  you  down  to  meet  your  class  and  be  registered  for  the  first  time.    The  knock  at  the  glass  topped  door  and  the  shadow  of  a  slim  woman  in  the  smoked  glass  told  Katherine  that  this  was  her  new  teacher.  She  couldn’t  remember  her  name  so  she  hoped  the  head  teacher  would  say  it  as  the  door  opened.    “Ah!   Miss   Jenkins   do   come   in,   here   is   your   new   student,  Katherine.”  Shouted  the  Head  teacher  to  the  opening  door.    Sarah   Jenkins   the   probationary   year   seven   form   teacher  entered  the  room  and  smiled  at  the  three  people  sat  around  the   small   unused   coffee   table,   next   to   the   window  overlooking  the  front  car  park  of  the  school,  where  the  head  teacher   could   glance  with   pride   at   her   new  white   BMW   in  her  private  space.    

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Sarah  Jenkins  had  been  at  this  school  for  one  of  her  practices  from  college  and  was  pleased  to  obtain  her  first  teaching  job  here  as  it  was  only  ten  miles  from  home  and  she  could  only  afford  to  run  her  fifteen  year  old  gold  Micra  she  had  passed  her  driving  test   in.  The  Head  teacher  still  scared  her  a   little  bit  as  she  seemed  to  be  always  in  a  meeting,  or  off-­‐site  with  the   local   education   department.   The   school’s   two   deputies  were  different,  they  welcomed  her  to  their  staffroom  and  the  regular  slagging  off  of  other  staff  not  there.  Sarah  made  sure  she  was  always  there.    Then  there  was  blackness,  silence  except  for  the  rumbling  of  the  ambulance  and  the  body  movement  caused  by  the  speed  ramps   and   potholes.   Katherine   remembered   being   in   an  ambulance  before,  when  she  fell  off  her  bike  and  cut  her  leg  on  some  barbed  wire  hidden  around  the  wooden  fence  pole  the  bike  wrapped   itself  around.  Then   it  was  her  Mum,  now  alone   again   in   the   council   house   her   Ex   boyfriend   had   fled  from  when  he  found  out  he  was  to  become  a  real  father  for  the  first  time.    This  time  she  came  out  of  the  rear  of  the  ambulance  still  on  a  wheeled   stretcher   and   she   could  make   out  Dennis   running  next   to  her  holding  her  hand.  Then   it  went  black  and  silent  again.            C’mon   Kath   the   check-­‐in   time   started   thirty   minutes   ago,  there’ll  be  a  long  queue,  then  no  seats  together  on  the  plane.    “It’ll   be   ok,   we’ve   paid   the   fares,   so   we’ll   get   two   seats.”  Replied  Kath,  now  fed  up  of  being  rushed  all  her  life.    

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“Sorry   sir   only   single   seats   are   left,   nearest   is   five   rows  apart,  will  they  be  ok?”  Spoke  the  check-­‐in  girl,  not  caring  as  her  shift  was  only  ten  minutes  from  ending.    “Suppose  they’ll  have  to  be.  See  Kath,  get  here  late  and  only  have  the  crumbs  to  eat.”  Spitefully  replied  Dennis  to  both  the  girl   and  mainly   to  his  wife,  who  was   looking  around  at   the  last  few  in  the  queue.        “C’mon   young   lady,   you   can   change   seats   with   me   if   you  want   a   gangway   to   stretch   at   least   your   left   leg.”   Enquired  the   tanned   Texan,   to   the   pale   skinned   Katherine   now  blushing  at  the  attention.    “Why  thank  you  sir,  you  really  are  one  of  the  few  gentlemen  I’ve  met  of  late.”  Replied  Katherine  as  she  looked  back  along  the  plane  to  see  Dennis  staring  back  at  her.    “My   name’s   Mike,   I’m   going   home   from   a   boring   business  trip   to   London.   How   about   you?”   Enquired   the   broad  accented,  handsome,  forty-­‐something  oil-­‐man.    “Holiday,  to  join  a  cruise  at  Galveston  then  to  sail  around  the  Gulf,   my   husbands   idea   of   fun,   but   sounds   boring   to   me.”  Replied  Katherine.  “My  name’s  Katherine.”    “Well  Katherine,  it  is  boring,  only  the  sea  and  the  occasional  oil   rig,   then   yet   another   sandy   beach   and  Rain-­‐Forest   café.  Then   Mexico   and   Panama,   so   industrial   and   poor.”   Added  Mike   to   the   conversation,   realizing   that   this   woman   was  speaking   her   mind.   “So   why   spend   a   fortune   on   a   boring  vacation  then?”    

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“Follow   the   leader,   seems   the   way   I   live,   always   behind,  always   allowing   others   to   make   my   decisions.”   Added  Katherine  with  a  small  sad  smile.    “I’m  sorry  if  I  made  your  decision  to  change  seats  for  you,  I  didn’t   mean   to   seem   bossy.”   Dived   in   a   sorry   but   smiling  Mike.    “No  not  at  all,  that  was  a  great  kindness,  I  can  get  more  room  from  here.”  Calmly  replied  Katherine  in  her  coyish  accent.    “I’m   going   to   Galveston   too,   I   live   there   with   my   Parrot.”  Added  Mike,  to  force  a  smile  back  onto  Katherine’s  face.    “A  Parrot,  why  a  Parrot?”  Replied  a  laughing  Katherine.    “Reminded  me  of  my  Ex,  always  saying   things   twice  and  so  boring,   but  Polly   can  have  a   cover   thrown  over  her,  makes  me   feel   better.”   Replied   Mike   with   a   wry   smile   across   his  face.    “Polly,   Polly   the   Parrot,   is   this   a   wind   up?”   Smirked  Katherine.    “No,   no,   Polly   was  my   ex-­‐wife’s   name.   So   I   called   the   bird  after   her.”   Mike   whispered   quietly   back   to   the   laughing  woman,  who  nearly  choked  when  she  heard  his  reply.    “You  called  your  bloody  parrot,  Polly,  after  your  wife  just  to  shut  her  up?”  Laughed  Katherine  quietly  with  the  odd  snort.    “What  Parrot?”  Answered  a  calm,  stony-­‐faced  American.    At  the  sight  and  sound  of  the  cold  reply,  Katherine  burst  out  laughing   loudly,   as   did   the   guy   sat   at   the  window   seat   and  the  hostess,  checking  the  trolley  in  the  service  recess.    

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     “C’mon   Kath   keep   pushing   your   case   along   or   others   here  will   pass   us,   not   all   the   entry   gates   are   manned.”   Shouted  Den  under  his  breath,  trying  to  catch  up  with  the  end  of  the  wide  row,  zigzagging  over  the  arrivals  hall,  towards  the  USA  entrance  checking.    “Please  place  your  right  hand  on   the  screen  so  we  can  take  an  image  of  your  fingerprints.  Please  look  into  the  camera  as  you   are   doing   it.”   The   arrivals   officer   chanted   at   his   best  seemingly-­‐interested  tone.  “What  is  your  reason  for  visiting  the  United  States  of  American  this  day?”    “Oh!  Eh,  we  are  going  on  a  cruise   from  Galveston,   for  a   ten  day   trip.”   Answered   a   stuttering   Dennis,   “Just   me   and   me  missus.”    “Now  dear   lady,  please  place  your  right  hand  on  the  screen  and  let  me  take  a  picture  of  your  face  at  the  same  time.”  The  now  smiling  officer  asked  Katherine,  politely  and  obviously  now  interested.      Katherine   could   see   Mike   passing   through   the   US   citizens  end  of  the  queues  and  saw  he  was  looking  directly  at  her  too.  Her   face   blushed   as   he   waved   to   get   her   attention   and  indicate  to  her,  his  interest.        “One   double   room,   how  many   suit   cases   do   you   have   Sir?  One  night  tonight  and  another  night  in  ten  days  time,  is  that  correct?”  said  the  disinterested  front  desk  clerk  of  the  three  star  Hotel  overlooking  the  fishing  pier  and  backing  onto  the  inlet  for  the  cruise  liner,  which  was  due  this  very  day.  “Going  on  the  cruise  and  your  bags  will  be  collect  here  to  be  taken  

  12  

on  board  in  the  morning.  Please  have  them  down  here  in  the  foyer   for   nine   in   the   morning.   You   will   still   have   time   to  breakfast  before  boarding.”    Den  nodded  as  he  was   still   trying   to  understand   the  whole  message,  Kath  was  sanding  a  rough  edge  on  her  near  perfect  nails  and  looking  around  the  dimly  lit  and  worn  lounge.    “C’mon  Kath  pay  attention,  we  need  to  get  to  our  rooms  and  have   a   rest,   then  be  back  down  here  before  breakfast  with  our   cases,   then   get   the   breakfast   we’ve   already   paid   for.”  Whispered  Den,   loudly   to  his  wife  who  turned  to  stare   into  his  eyes  showing  her  disinterest.    “Yea,  we  don’t  want  to  miss  an  oilrig  or  an  oil  slick  do  we?”  Replied  Kath,   showing  a   sign  of   contempt   for   the   first   time  eye  to  eye,  which  made  Den  pause  for  a  second  in  shock.        “C’mon  Mike  it’s  crazy  to  ring  me  here,  it’s  a  bloody  ship  and  he  follows  me  about  like  I’m  on  his  lead.”  Replied  Katherine  to  the  call  on  her  mobile.    “Where’s   he   now?”   Mike   answered   the   whispering  Katherine.    “He’s   gone   for   yet   another   search   of   the   all-­‐day   buffet,   for  something   else   he’s   not   tried   yet.   He’s   eating   all   the   time,  ‘cos  it’s  in  the  price.”  Whispered  Katherine  back  to  the  phone  and  looking  around  the  deck  as  she  spoke.  “Text  me  instead,  then  I’ll  tell  him  it’s  my  mate,  if  he  asks.”    “Send   me   a   picture,   I   don’t   have   a   picture   of   you.”   Mike  whispered  into  her  ear.    

  13  

“Hey!  I’ll  get  the  dozy  sod  to  take  the  picture,  that’ll  be  quite  enjoyable   when   I   send   it.”   Laughed   Katherine   into   her  hidden  microphone.  “Ironic  really,  so  keep  a  look  out  on  my  Facebook  account  I  gave  you  on  the  plane.”    “Hope  you  don’t  treat  me  like  this,  if  you  ever  get  fed  up  with  me.”  Laughed  Mike  in  return.    “Who  you  talking  to  hun?”  Den’s  voice  came  from  behind  her  white   plastic   deck   chair.   “Your   bloody   mates   missing   you  already?”    “They  want  a  picture  of  me  on  the  deck  in  the  sun.  Take  one  on   my   phone   will   ya,   Hun?”   Answered   Katherine   to   the  familiar   voice,   as   she   clicked   her   last   call   off   and   the   first  icon   screen   reappeared   with   the   camera,   which   she   then  clicked.  “Show  my  tan,  I’ll  hold  in  my  breath  and  push  out  me  boobs.  Gotta  look  good,  to  make  ‘em  all  sick  with  envy.”    Katherine  handed  her  phone  to  her  husband  who  positioned  himself  as   if  he  was  David  Bailey,   to  take  her  picture   lazing  on  the  sun  bed  with  a  cabin’s  round  porthole  behind  her  for  effect.   Katherine   put   on   her   best   body   shape,   she   held   her  breath,   lifted  her   chin   to  pull   any  wrinkles   flat   and  pushed  out   her   boobs   under   her   tight   fitting   bikini   top.   She   posed  her   legs   to   look   like   a   page   three   nymph   and   he   took   her  picture  twice,  to  make  sure  at  least  one  worked.    “So  who  you  gonna  send  that  to?”  Asked  Den  now  lowering  himself  onto  the  sunbed  next  to  Kath’s.    “Facebook,   to   all   me   friends.”   She   answered.   “Maybe   a  caption  to  make  them  all  laugh.”    “What  caption?”  Asked  Den,  now  pushing  the  umbrella  up  to  find  some  shade  on  his  sensitive  skin  and  to  stop  his  watch  creating  a  white  stripe  on  his  wrist.  

  14  

 “What   about.   Some   lucky   guy’s   gonna   get   this   soon!”   She  laughed,  whilst  he   slowly   turned  his  head   towards  her  and  smiled.   “Enjoy   it  whilst  you  can,  Den.  Maybe   the   last   time.”  She  thought  to  herself.    “Mustn’t  keep   this  picture  on   this  phone.”  Thought  Mike  as  his  mind  wandered  to  the  others  who  shared  his  home.    “C’mon,  Den  it’s  only  a  joke,  they  all  put  that  sort  of  thing  on  the  net,  harmless  really.”  Countered  Katherine  to  her  smiling  husband  she  had  fell  out  of  love  with.    “Hmm!   Cheeky   lady.”   Thought   Mike   as   he   emailed   the  picture   to   himself,   so   he   could   upload   it   to   his   private  computer  at  the  office  and  clean  his  phone  from  prying  eyes.          “Welcome  back  Sir,  I  do  hope  you  and  your  wife  enjoyed  the  cruise,   weather   was   brilliant   I   hear.”   The   Hotel   desk   clerk  spoke  as  soon  as  the  pair  reached  the  desk  with  their  cases  behind  them  in  the  porter’s  trolley.  The  return  stay  was  the  “tip”   stay   in   the   receptionist’s  mind   so   it   implied   a   look   of  interest.    “A  very  good  cruise,  the  scenery  in  port  was  interesting  and  the   food   on   board   was   excellent.”   Den   replied,   Katherine  stood  behind  him  and  continuously  checked  the  hotel  clock  and   to   look   out   of   the   hotel   front   windows.   “We   leave   for  Bush   international   tomorrow   at   eleven   in   the  morning,   do  we  bring  down  the  cases  earlier  or  keep  them  with  us?”    Bring   them   down   for   ten   and   we   will   load   them   into   our  Limo,   British   airways   terminal   I   believe.”   Answered   the  

  15  

clerk.   “May   I   suggest   a   restful   evening   here   in   the   hotel  restaurant  and  Television  lounge.”    Locked  in  the  bathroom,  Katherine  began  to  write  the  letter  that   would   rock   Den’s   world.   She   was   going   to   stay   in  America  without  him,  meet  up  with  Mike  and  stay  with  him.  She  only  knew  the  guy  for  the  ten  hours  in  the  plane  and  ten  glorious  phone  calls,  but  she  knew  this  man  excited  her.    She  was  going  to  give  up  all  she  had  in  England,  she  had  no  children  to  complicate   the  scene,  only  breaking  Den’s  heart  was  her  most  feared  action.  She  wanted  the  excitement  that  was  never  apparent   in  her  marriage.  Mike   could  bring   that  to  her  boring  life.    “C’mon  Den,  could  you  not  see  it  coming?”  The  message  was  short  and  simple  and  in  the  hand-­‐writing  of  his  wife  on  Hotel  note  paper.  “I’ve  found  someone  else,  it  might  not  last,  it  may  be  a  big  mistake,  but   it’s  not  going  to  be  boring   like  my  life  with  you  has  been.”  She  folded  the  note  and  slipped  it  into  a  blank  envelope,  then  into  her  pocket.    The   elevator   was   silent   in   both   machinery   and   the   two  people   holding   their   wheeled   suitcases   and   watching   the  flashing  numbers  reduce  down  past  one,  to  the  letter  G.  They  emerged  and  took  their  cases  over  to  the  luggage  porter  and  turned  to  return  to  their  room  for  the  last  chance  to  combe  hair,  grab  carry-­‐on  bags  and  check  their  documents.    Katherine   saw   Mike   enter   the   hotel   front   doors   as   the  elevator   doors   closed   off   her   view.   The   plan  was  working,  she   would   get   to   the   room,   make   some   excuse   to   return  down   to   the   ground   floor   and   leave  with   her   suitcase   and  her  new  man.    

  16  

At   the   bedroom   door,   Katherine   spoke.   “Just   going   back  down  hun,  I  think  I  left  the  key  to  my  case  sticking  out  in  the  lock,  might  get  broken  off  in  the  transit.”    “C’mon  Kath,  it’ll  be  ok,  you  can  take  it  out  when  we  leave.”  Answered  Den.    “But   they’ll   load   the   case   first,   and   the   key   might   get  damaged,   it’ll  bug  me  all   the  way   to   the  airport.”  Katherine  added  as  she  turned  to  head  back  down  the  corridor  to  the  elevator.    The  elevator  doors  were  still  open  and  waiting   for  her,   she  was  soon  pressing  the  G  button  and  the  heading  down  to  the  arms  of   the  man  she  had   found  by  shear   chance.  He  would  be  waiting  at  the  front  doors  and  they  would  drive  away  for  ever.   As   the   doors   opened   Katherine   felt   the   letter   in   her  pocket  and  headed   for   the  receptionist.  No  sign  of  Mike,   so  she  thought  he  would  be  outside  or  waiting  near  his  car.    “Ah!  Madam,  a  gentleman  has  just  been  and  left  you  a  letter,  here  it  is,  I  was  just  about  to  place  it  in  your  box.”  Declared  a  now  disinterested  desk  clerk.    “Dear  Katherine.    Not   to   be   this   new   life   for   us   both.   I   lied  about   Polly   being  my  Parrot   and  my  Ex.   She   is  my   current  wife   and   we   have   been   drifting   apart   for   sometime.  Somehow   your   texts   and   phone   messages   have   spiced   up  our  marriage  again,   so   I  am  going   to   try   to  make   it  happen  and  try  again.    “I   am   truly   sorry,   I   know   you   hate  me   now,   but  will   come  round   to   understand   that   the   mess   we   would   have   made  would  hurt  too  many  people.      Mike.    By  the  way,  my  name  isn’t  Mike  either.”    

  17  

 Dennis   heard   the   room   door   slam   and   the   bathroom   door  slam   seconds   after   each   other.   It   disturbed   him   as   he  replaced   the  phone  handset  on   the  bedside   table.  He  called  his  wife’s   name  but   received  no   answer,   he   could  hear   her  crying  in  the  bathroom  as  he  pressed  his  ear  to  the  door.    “C’mon   Kath,  what’s   the  matter?   Speak   to  me,   have   I   done  something  to  upset  you?”  He  pleaded  through  the  laminated  door.   “We   aught   to   be   making   our   way   down   to   the   front  desk  and  pay  up  the  bill.”    Still   no   answer   to   his   pleas,   all   he   could   hear  was   his  wife  crying   and  knew   the   actual   reason  was   something   she  was  not  going  to  tell  him.  He  felt  he  should  break  her  silence  with  the  truth.    “I   know   about   Mike,   I   know   about   the   text   messages   and  your  phone  calls.   I  understand  now  why  you’re  so  sad  with  me.   I   will   try   harder,   I   promise   to   make   you   happy.”   He  whispered  with  tears  running  down  his  face.    He  didn’t  tell  her  that  he  had  looked  at  her  phone  whilst  she  was  asleep  in  the  ship’s  cabin,  he  didn’t  tell  her  that  he  had  talked   to   the  American  on  his   own  phone   and  warned  him  off  with  threats  of  litigation  and  showing  him  up  to  his  own  family.    He  didn’t  tell  her  that  he  had  told  Mike  to  dump  Katherine  in  such  a  way  as  to  bring  her  back  to  his  side.  He  knew  that  she  had  received  a  letter  from  the  front  desk,  he  had  planned  it.  He  had  just  spoken  to  the  American  as  he  drove  off  back  to  his  wife.    “C’mon   Kath,   please   don’t   leave   me,   I   need   you.”   He   cried  through  the  door.    

  18  

The  bolt  on  the  door  slid  and  the  handle  moved  slowly  down  to   let   the   door   open   slightly.  He   pushed   it   open  wider   and  found   Kath   sitting   on   the   closed   lid   of   the   toilet,   Mascara  running   down   her   cheeks,   her   hair   a   mess   and   her   eyes  reddened  with  salty  tears.    “You  are  still  the  most  beautiful  woman  in  the  world  to  me,  I  need  you.”  He  pleaded  to  his  silent  wife.  Kath  stood  up  and  cupped  his  head  and  kissed  him  on  his  lips.    “I’m   back,   no   need   to   worry   about   me.”   Kath   cried   as   she  cuddled  the  man  she  had  known  most  of  her  life.    “Boy!  That  was  a  lucky  break,  must  keep  my  own  seat  in  the  future.”  Shouted  Nathan  to  his  reversing  mirror,  as  he  drove  down   into   Old   Galveston,   to   his   white   wooden   house,  overlooking   the   sea   where   his   wife   Polly   and   their   three  daughters   would   play   in   the   parched   rear   yard.   “Back   to  perfect  husband.  For  a  while  anyhow.”            The  shuttle   limo  was  disappointingly   just  a   stretched  mini-­‐bus,  with   only   two   seats   left,   both   separate   and   not   Kath’s  fault  as  the  driver  had  a  route  of  hotels  to  call  at  and  collect.  Their   three   star   hotel   was   last   on   the   list   and   the   least  expected  level  of  tipping.    “Welcome  aboard  folks,  enjoy  the  sun  for  a  wee  bit  longer  as  weza   headin   for   Bush   and   the   rain   of   Europe.”   Joked   the  Texan  driver  with  his  exaggerated  accent.    Dennis   let   Kath   have   the   best   seat   next   to   the   sliding  doorway,  and  the   inner  step  to  stretch  her   legs   for   the   fifty  minute   drive   along   the   bumpy   concrete   Highway   10,  

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towards  Houston  and  pass  Johnson  Space  centre  as  the  only  worthwhile  bit  of  scenery  different  from  the  repeated  Mall’s.    Katherine  was   silent   and   still   smouldering   inside   from   her  sudden   change   back   to   normality.   Dennis   just   watched   his  wife   all   the   way,   hoping   she   would   return   his   glance   just  once.  This   journey  gave  him  time  to  consider  his  behaviour  as  a  husband  and  lover  of  this  beautiful  woman  he  now  felt  so  lucky  to  have  married.  He  needed  to  fight  to  keep  her.    “A  baby  would  have  helped  me  to  loosen  up.  I’ve  become  self  centered  and   tidy.   It  must  be   so  annoying   to  her.”  Thought  Dennis,  as  he  looked  at  his  watch  for  the  tenth  time.    The   queue  was   just   as   long   as   the   flight   nearly   two  weeks  ago,   so   there  was  no  need   to   rush,   this   time   they  had   their  seat  pre-­‐booked  by  the  hotel  at  his  request  and  a  ten  dollar  tip  to  the  newly-­‐interested  receptionist.    The   flight   of   ten   hours   was   spent   asleep   for   the   first   five,  then   awake,   the   two   began   to   whisper   planning   ideas   for  new   beginnings   and   new  movements   in   their   life.   Changes  where   they   lived   and   where   and   how   they   worked.   They  planned  a  new  start  from  the  very  bottom.    The  train  back  to  their  home  was  busy  with  commuters  and  business-­‐folk   all   tapping   or   sliding   their   tablets,   pods   and  smart   phones,   only   these   two   travellers   were   actually  talking  to  each  other,  now  happy  and  holding  hands.          “C’mon  Kath,  we’re  nearly   there,   the   roundabout   is   coming  up   and   I’ll   take   you   right   to   the  maternity  wing   entrance.”  Shouted   Dennis   over   the   noise   of   their   second   hand  

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Landrover,   covered  with  muck  with  wiper   scrapes   curving  over  the  windscreen.    The   Landrover   stopped   with   a   screeching   front   brake   and  Den   jumped   out   of   the   driver’s   door,   rushed   to   the   front  door   and   grabbed   a   wheel   chair.   He   rushed   back   to   the  passenger  door   and  helped  his  wife   into   the   chair.   Leaving  the   door   open   and   the   flashing   hazard   warning   lights  flashing.   He   ran   with   the   wheelchair   into   the   foyer   of   the  maternity   wing   of   the   local   hospital,   where   they   had   been  only  a  week  ago  with  a  false  alarm.    Katherine   was   taken   by   a   porter   and   Dennis   stayed   to  register  his  wife  at  the  front  desk,  “Please  hurry,  I  want  to  be  with  my  wife,   she   needs  me.”   Shouted  Dennis   in   a   fast   but  quiet  manner.  “It’s  our  first,  we’re  both  scared.”    “Could  you  please  park  your  vehicle,   it  will  be  blocking   the  entrance   for   any   more   emergency   entrants.”   The  receptionist  asked  quietly  and  calmly  to  the  panicking  man.    Dennis   rushed   out   of   the   hospital,   slammed   the   passenger  door  shut,  ran  round  the  back  of  the  vehicle  and  jumped  into  the   unlocked   car.   The   vehicle   jumped   and   stalled,   then  jumped   again   and   ran   over   the   kerb-­‐stoned   edges   of   the  roundabout,  before  heading  to  the  public  car  park.  He  found  a   space   and   ran   to   the   parking   ticket   dispenser,   fumbling  with   his   pocket   he   eventually   found   enough   coins   for   only  two  hours,  then  he  plunged  the  ticket  on  his  dashboard  and  slammed  the  door  shut  not  bothering  to  lock  it.    As  he  ran  back  into  the  hospital  towards  the  desk  he  noticed  the  time  on  the  wall  clock  and  calculated  in  his  head  that  he  needed   to   be   back   by   three   twenty   pm   to   feed   the   ticket  machine.   He   never   wore   a   watch   anymore   now   he   was   a  farmer,  working  with  cattle  on  the  rented  one  hundred  acre  holding.   His   past   life   as   a   commuter   and   businessman   had  

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gone  five  years  earlier  when  he  enrolled  for  the  agricultural  and  husbandry  course  and  began  as  a  trainee  farm  manager.    Now   a   fully   operational   team,   Dennis   and   Katherine   were  dairy   farmers   on   the   border  with  Wales,   some   thirty  miles  from   the   county   capital   of   Shropshire   and  part  of   the   rural  community.  Their  life  had  certainly  changed  ever  since  their  trip   to   America   and   that   cruise   in   the   Gulf   of  Mexico,   they  had  fallen  in  love  again,  this  time  stronger  than  ever.    Now   in   their   twentieth   year   of   marriage   and   with   a   little  help  from  a  test  tube  and  a  petri  dish,  they  were  having  their  first   baby.   Dennis  was   a   new   person,   always   scruffy   in   his  wellington  boots   and  woolly   jumper  with  hay   sticking   in   it  and  a  flat  cap  with  traces  of  cow  dung  on  the  top.    They  never  used  the  clock  to  get  up  in  the  morning,  the  sun  did  it   for  them.  The  cows  standing  at  the  gate  waiting  to  be  milked  also  screamed  out  their  fullness  twice  each  day.  The  farmhouse   smelt   of   dung,   the   fire   spit   out   embers   of   old  fence   posts   and   the   kitchen   smelt   of   baking   bread   and   hot  pot.  He  would  never  have  dreamt  that  this  way  of  life  was  in  store  for  him,  but  he  loved  it.  The  old  stress  of  climbing  the  ladder   of   supply   and   demand   had   been   replaced   by   the  problem   solving   the   mechanics   of   growing   food   for   the  chain.   The  most   important   job   in   Den’s  mind  was   to  make  Kath  happy.    “Can  I  go  in  and  sit  with  her?”  Dennis  asked  the  midwife  as  she  came  out  of  the  delivery  suite  doors.    “Ah!   Are   you   Dennis?”   replied   the   midwife   on   her   second  year  in  the  profession.    “Yes,   yes,   Kath’s   my  wife,   she’s   only   just   come   in.”   replied  Dennis.    

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“She’s   in  the  bottom  room  on  the  left.  She’s  been  asking  for  you.”  Lied  the  midwife.  “She’ll  be  ever  so  relieved  when  you  get  there.”  She  lied  again,  but  this  time  smiling.  The  midwife  knew   that   in   the   throes   of   giving   birth,   the   language   could  get   blue,   the   sight   of   the   man   who   impregnated   her   was  often  a  real  target  for  abuse.    Dennis   ran  down   the   short   corridor  and   into   the   last   room  on  the  left.  He  was  shocked  to  see  his  wife’s  knee’s  up  in  the  air  and  the  back  of  a  midwife’s  body  between  them.    “Sorry   I’m   late,   had   to   park   the   car   and   register   you.”  Shouted  Dennis  to  his  wife’s  head  now  pulling  gas  out  of  the  applicator  over  her  mouth,  with  huge  effort  from  her  lungs.    “Just  hold  my  hand  and  shut  up  Den.”  Mumbled  Katherine  in  her  mask,   but   Dennis   didn’t   understand   the  muted   speech  and  held  her  hand  naturally  anyhow.    “The  baby’s  large  as  it’s  overdue  two  weeks,  we  may  need  to  help   by   cutting.”   The   midwife   uttered   to   Katherine   who  nodded  with   fast  vibratory  movements  of  her  head.  Dennis  understood  this  as  he  had  helped  with  over  forty  deliveries  of  calf’s  on  the  farm.  He  didn’t  wince  and  just  whispered  to  his  wife  he  loved  her.    “C’mon   Katherine,   just   one   more   push,   c’mon   the   head   is  coming.”  The  midwife  uttered  from  down  between  her  legs.  “C’mon,  that’s  my  girl.”        “C’mon   you   two,   let’s   get   out   of   the   cold,   the   house   is   nice  and  warm  and   I’ve  set  up   the   travel  cot   in   the   front  room.”  Den   spoke   to   his  wife   carrying   their   new   daughter.   “I’ve   a  small   gift   for   you   to   remember  when   our   girl   came   to   us.”  

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The  small  picture  frame  was  passed  into  Kath’s  hand  as  Den  took  their  baby  in  his  arms.    Kath  opened  the  wrapper  of  the  picture  to  find  a  frame  with  a  parking  ticket  fine  displayed.    “I  was  late  getting  back  to  the  car,  isn’t  it  great?”  Laughed  a  tearful  Dennis.