tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55309055886185954772024-03-19T05:20:22.436-07:00Oh My Word BestDrWhohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14003720218824109178noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5530905588618595477.post-82877663683616717832022-03-29T01:41:00.001-07:002022-03-29T05:00:11.630-07:00Favourite Son #ScruffyKid <p> #TheScruffyKid </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBGAZ8WxwxswNe3r3cT1lLPQQekKYrjrMBEXay2_TutDgcD0oESR3yBBkaB-Mrdnk-RUZm5cmHIWYeMkVk-Q2rDLNg0cLTPU3zFQJr938JhoNVCwbpPhJIey6LaGiJsLjawmlcrhTznS8XsNOfE8-epL_LqNt8xL6ikbZ6F6fV5fRdoaqCOIqDBnllCw/s1136/E314E923-78A2-4A22-9071-3824BF38D728.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBGAZ8WxwxswNe3r3cT1lLPQQekKYrjrMBEXay2_TutDgcD0oESR3yBBkaB-Mrdnk-RUZm5cmHIWYeMkVk-Q2rDLNg0cLTPU3zFQJr938JhoNVCwbpPhJIey6LaGiJsLjawmlcrhTznS8XsNOfE8-epL_LqNt8xL6ikbZ6F6fV5fRdoaqCOIqDBnllCw/w225-h400/E314E923-78A2-4A22-9071-3824BF38D728.jpeg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Favourite Son</p><p><br /></p><p>It was one of those hot lazy days of summer, where the heat rose in shimming waves from the pavement, and playground concrete, at the time these days seemed to last forever as the laughter of children filled the air, to compete with the bees, birds and butterfly’s as they filled the air to in ways only bugs and animals could, all joining the constant buzzing, and chirps, giving the 60’s a natural acoustic soundtrack of life, on those lovely sunny days.</p><p>I'm five and enjoying my first summer holiday from school.</p><p>Down by the shopping centre there was an enclosed car park with garages, set in a dip that was made up with grassy slopes.</p><p>Without snow, it being the height of summer, the pleasure of sledging was made possible on grass with the aid of a torn piece of cardboard box.</p><p>Well that's what the sensible kids used like me; my twin however decided his short trousers could provide adequate slipperiness to these grassy fun activities.</p><p><br /></p><p>As the day wore on the grass was quickly developing into some dry bawd stony soil patches, where the sliding kids were followed by a trailing dust cloud, and it's here someone was about to lose the back of his trousers.</p><p>Well as you’ve no doubt guest that someone was my twin Michael who was blissfully unaware the entire back of his trousers was replaced by the site of his soiled pants… soiled with soil thankfully. </p><p>Well he soon became aware due to the friction burn on his backside.</p><p>It was a few days later Mother presented me with these Holey Shorts… I say holey not holy as in the saintly; you now have the power of Gods in your pants kind of way. (which would have been cool as the parting clouds allowed a golden light of sunshine, to light on my blessed trousers, to the sounds of singing angels)</p><p>In fact there was literally no material on the rear of these trousers at all.</p><p>This is when you realise you’re in no way the favourite son.</p><p>I was incensed, and innocent of the crime, in one outraged cry, I said, “What?....Why do I have to wear those? I didn’t do that!”</p><p>“Michael is going to your grandmothers, with Steven and Loraine so you have to stay here!... he can’t go out wearing those.” Mum replied, as if this was obvious to everyone. </p><p>“But he’s wearing MY Trousers!...... MINE!” I protested emphatically. </p><p>“Well you’re not going out so you have to have these.”</p><p>“But I want to go out!”</p><p>“Well you can’t in these, so quit you’re moaning and put them on.” Mum insisted. </p><p>“FINE!" I said, slumping down heavily onto my chair, which sighed, ‘What did I do?’ As chairs are sometimes inclined to do, especially on weekends. </p><p>There's no use arguing with these giant adult parent types. So I just busied myself with my constant companion, my trusty scratch book. </p><p><br /></p><p>So there I was condemned to stay home, until my friend from the bungalows across the road, near to our home, called. (These were what I thought at the time, as Posh kids, as their parents owned their own home.)</p><p>So my posh friend asks, “Are you coming out to play?”</p><p>It took me a nanosecond to consider the consequences of being seen with my backside hanging out of my shorts to say, “ why of course, Yes.”</p><p>And out I go, and soon we are opening the gate to his driveway to walk round his home into his family’s rear garden.</p><p>All this time I’m conscious of keeping by backside out of view, and all gardens at this time had a coal bunker, a concrete rectangular box, that sat about 4 feet high.</p><p>So jumping up I plonked myself down on it…. Now satisfied my hide was hidden.</p><p>“Lemonade?” My friend’s mother enquired. </p><p>“OHHHHHH yes please.” (Posh kids had the greatest mothers) I say to the smiling face of my friend’s mother.</p><p>Brilliant! And my friend asks, “Can we have cake too mum?”</p><p>“Of course, I’ll bring it out to you.”</p><p>What can I say… with my bottom hidden on the slightly warmed concrete, with Cake and lemonade! I was convinced I was in the garden of heaven.</p><p>The garden was well kept, with roses and other flowers in full bloom, and that lovely familiar buzz filled my ears, and I felt truly happy.</p><p>We joked around, playing word games and such, then his sister joined us, she had beautiful blonde hair that shone like corn.</p><p>We were laughing away and eating cake when suddenly... As most things that happen when you’re least expecting them are… I was stung by something in my throat… This was like Owch! But three octaves higher, and much more painful. </p><p>I was starting to get hot and bothered, my throat felt tight, so with one hand to my throat I jump off the coal bunker, then the concerned face of my friends sister changes to concern to confusion as she saw my backside hanging out of my trousers, with no so much as a hello, and I can see she’s wondering if I ripped them as I jumped.</p><p>Totally impossible of course, holes like this take time, and patience, and the empty headedness of a stupid brother. </p><p>Her mother runs to me saying, “Oh My Goodness! Are you alright? Did you rip your trousers?”</p><p>“I’m feeling giddy and say... “Bluuuuuuh.”</p><p>“Mum he’s been stung by a bee!” My friend shouts in horror. </p><p>“Oh NO!.... we must get you home.” And she plucks me from the ground like I was a feather and runs with me in her arms to the rear of my home… and with my friend banging the door like the klappers it's soon answered by my mother, who hadn’t even noticed I was gone to the loud knocking noises only a duel washing could do. </p><p>“He’s been stung by a Bee! And he’s ripped his trousers jumping from our coal bunker the poor boy.”</p><p> I’m rushed in and sat on a chair where I wobble, feeling sick and dizzy.</p><p>“I’m terribly sorry I hope he’s alright?”</p><p>“I’ll fetch him some water, he’ll be fine.” My mother assured her, hiding her annoyance, that I’d gone out, “Thank you for bringing him back.”</p><p>“Is he going to Die MUM?” My friend asks. </p><p>Am I going to die? I’m thinking as my throat tightens even more.</p><p>“No! He’ll be fine.” My friend’s mother, replied easing his fears, and mine at the same time.</p><p>When all the fuss dies down and I’m alone in the kitchen with my mother she says, “I told you to stay indoors, this wouldn’t have happened if you listened.”</p><p>I was finding it hard to talk, I was slightly scared bee poison might be the end of me still, but I manage to say... “I didn’t want to stay in mum.” but in my head I'm saying, shouldn't you be feeling guilty? if I wasn't attempting to hide my Hide I may have been standing and running about like a normal child... Bees would have looked and thought, 'Na, he's moving to fast to be a flower, curse you boy with your sweet cake.'</p><p>“Well we can’t go to the Doctor’s, not with you dressed like that so drink this water and rest.”</p><p>She looked worried which worried me, but she would never give me trousers with holes in again, that was for sure, so in that way I won a small victory for my kiddy freedom.</p><p>After a while my swollen throat did die down and when my siblings returned home I was able to tell them how I escaped the icy cold grip of death, armed with a holey pair of trousers and true grit… “and my Twins a git!” I added, which is apparently a rude thing to say, but true.</p>BestDrWhohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14003720218824109178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5530905588618595477.post-44170565162131579182020-11-21T10:23:00.017-08:002022-09-04T10:35:04.999-07:00The Gorilla Incident <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zP9DCvuRTr3dReDELTx0lVhwIYmStLWe8bfquOFXmdSpqjYJJ6F_VNxdqFWuPPYmEL_CGxDy3zUJ-roSLS8cjkrDDFkk_Z5Zxzv6tjVWbSGs8l21LzvFf7wp1YsI0Ggsf_dCieaDmuyF/s1023/scruffy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1023" data-original-width="724" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zP9DCvuRTr3dReDELTx0lVhwIYmStLWe8bfquOFXmdSpqjYJJ6F_VNxdqFWuPPYmEL_CGxDy3zUJ-roSLS8cjkrDDFkk_Z5Zxzv6tjVWbSGs8l21LzvFf7wp1YsI0Ggsf_dCieaDmuyF/w452-h640/scruffy.jpg" width="452" /></a></div><br /><p></p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">The Gorilla
Incident</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The
sun was in a good mood as the family and the other jolly adventures queued to
board the Coliseum coach.</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">"All
aboard!"</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Window
seat, window seat, window seat, out the way lady... WINDOW SEAT!</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Sorted.</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">There
I am, halfway down, on the left hand side, nose pressed to the glass, first win
of the day.</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">"Did
you go to the toilet?"</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">"Yes
mum," sigh.</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> "Well
you better had."</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I'm
three of four of the sibling collective, the fourth being my little sister,
beside me is Jess, our Gran (as we were the first grandchildren, (Jess wasn't
ready to be called Gran, so she insisted on being called Jess)</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> Jet
black hair like my siblings, and hazel eyed, like my siblings, Jess was a formidable
woman, she never suffered fools, and her word was law, so deal with it.</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">All us
kids were skinny in the 60's, which when you look back was amazing, considering
the amount of fat and sugar we consumed.</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">You
could literally buy a bag of sugar by the Ib and add a red sticky lolly pop,
on it's sticky stick, that you used as a shovel to get that sherbet down you, it came
in all colours and flavours, and by far the cheapest form of sweets you could
get for your money, and Wow, they knew nothing of the increased energy boost causing
hyperactivity.</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">We could
run all day on one packet, the main safety feature on most play ground areas
was concrete, the lesson being, don’t fall down, it hurts, most boys, had
scabby knees, and elbows, and you’d always get to a point where the edges of
the hardened blood, would lift, you had to be patient, pull too soon, and it
bled all over again, get it right and you had a nasty old scab to chase the
other kids with.</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">“Ohh,
get off with that smelly scab,”</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">RUN! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I
guess it was all the running that made us so skinny.</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Back
on Board the coach, it wouldn’t be long before the singing started, once we were
underway.</span></p>
<pre style="mso-outline-level: 2; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">My old man said: "Foller the van,</span></b></pre><pre style="mso-outline-level: 2; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">And don't dilly-dally on the way".</span></b></pre><pre style="mso-outline-level: 2; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">Off went the van wiv me 'ome packed in it.</span></b></pre><pre style="mso-outline-level: 2; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">I walked be'ind wiv me old cock linnet.</span></b></pre><pre style="mso-outline-level: 2; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">But I dillied and dallied,</span></b></pre><pre style="mso-outline-level: 2; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">Dallied and dillied;</span></b></pre><pre style="mso-outline-level: 2; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">Lost me way and don't know where to roam.</span></b></pre><pre style="mso-outline-level: 2; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">And you can't trust a "Special"</span></b></pre><pre style="mso-outline-level: 2; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">Like the old-time copper</span></b></pre><pre style="mso-outline-level: 2; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">When you can't find your way ‘ome.</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"></span></b></pre>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Oh
yes, we can’t beat a song about being thrown out of your home, for missing the
rent, to get things started, and everyone would be singing, especially the elders
among us, who’d really put some oomph into it.</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Then key
change please while we start our next little ditty, Daisy Daisy… I thank you.</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Daisy, Daisy give me your answer do.<br />
I'm half crazy all <br />
for the love of you.<br />
It won't be a stylish marriage,<br />
I can't afford a carriage.<br />
But you'll look sweet,<br />
Upon the seat,<br />
Of a bicycle made for two.</span></b></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I think you’ll find poverty features a lot in the old
songs as we were all living on the edges of it, the 60’s wasn’t long passed the
rationing from World War Il, just 10 years after that I was born in 1956, that makes you think,
doesn’t it, 10 years just flashes by these days.</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And another
maestro please.</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">I'm getting married in the morning!</span><br />
<span>Ding dong! The bells are gonna chime.</span><br />
<span>Pull out the stopper!</span><br />
<span>Let's have a whopper!</span><br />
<span>But get me to the church on time!</span><br />
<span>I gotta be there in the mornin'</span><br />
<span>Spruced up and lookin' in me prime.</span><br />
<span>Girls, come and kiss me;</span><br />
<span>Show how you'll miss me.</span><br />
<span>But get me to the church on time!</span></b></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">We
must have sung a few hundred songs on our way to Bristol Zoo, and there was one
song I could jump up and start, and the rest of the coach would all join in
instantly…</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">There she was justa walking down the
street singing?</span></b></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Then
you put a hand to the ear, and await the reply..</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">do-wah diddy-diddy down diddy-do.</span><br />
<span>Snappin' her fingers and shufflin' her feet, singin' </span></b></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">do-wah diddy-diddy down diddy-do.</span><br />
<span>She looked good, LOOKED GOOD</span></b></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">she looked fine, LOOKED FINE</span></b></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">she looked good, she looked fine and
I nearly lost my mind.</span></b></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">You’re
all singing it in your heads now aren’t you? I’ve still got it baby, I’ve no
idea what It Is! But I’ve got it, what ever it is. </span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></b></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Bristol Zoo</span></b></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span></b></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">If it smells of hay, and smells of poo, you must be at?</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">BRISTOL
ZOO! </span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I
thank you, I’m here all week, try the fish.</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">So
here we are all entering said Zoo, and there would be a donkey or elephant
going by, and then head over the fencing was a camel, there’s one thing I
learned at Southampton Zoo that lead me to be cautious of these humpity lot...
So I stand back and wait, and sure enough, the Camel tips its head back and spits
right in my big brothers face, yea this boys learnt nothing... Nothing! It’s a
Camel they hate you! </span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">So the
rest of us are all laughing, tears in our eyes doubled over, and mum offers my
brother a tissues, and I say, </span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">“Mum
it’s too late, that Camels gone.”</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Unamused
my brother takes the tissue and wipes his face, then chases us with the
disgusting contents.</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Well let
me tell you, no one ran a sprint faster than I, in this family, so I’m pretty
much untouchable but my sister, with her short little legs, she’s easy meat and
she’s going to get it.</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">“Eww
Mum! Steven has rubbed spit in my face!”</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">“Get
away from her, give me that! Now give this fresh tissue to your sister, or you’ll
have a thick ear? “</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Believe
me, no one wants a thick ear, so my brother obeyed.</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">We’re
walking around for about ten minutes, so you know what it’s time for right? Yes
Icecream.</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">“Dad
dad dad dad… Icecream!”</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">“No!”</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">What
did he just say? Because I don’t think I’m hearing right.</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">“DAD?”</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Mums
first to cave, YESSSSS, so she says, now would be a good time for a cup of tea
before the trouble starts…</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">“What
trouble?” says dad, like he didn’t know.</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">“Your
Bloody kids, I don’t need them yapping all day so come on, the café is there
look.”</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">“You’re
too soft on these kids.”</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">“Your
head will be soft in a minute, so move it.” Mum says, “You and dad want a tea
Mum?” she asks Jess (The Boss)</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">“That
would be lovely, right Jim?” she replies, bringing my Dad back into the
conversation.</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Dad
groans, in that way we all do when we don’t really agree, but it would be rude
not to. </span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Now I’m
going to teach you lot, the #ScruffyKid ice-cream eating technique formed by
years of skilled training and dedication.</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">First you
take your Icecream in a cone, At this particular time, rectangular cones,
tapering to a point at the end, were the norm, as ice-cream came in blocks, and
the manufactures, made separate segmented, ice-cream <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ready
the fit the cone.</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">“Would
you like Hundreds and Thousands?”</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">“I
certainly would like Hundreds and Thousands my good man, dip away, and I maybe
counting that I have a thousand, so no tricks Mr I’m watching you…” and two
fingers to the eyes, and pointing with those same fingers adds enthuses to the
task at hand.</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>OK Ice Cream connoisseurs, this is how to eat
a coned Ice cream, start licking all round, savour the thousands, then every so
often push down with the tongue, you keep going until you’ve forced as much ice
cream as you can down into the cone, when the top is flat to the top of the
cone, you’ve made yourself an ice cream sandwich, bit off the bottom and if you’ve
done your work, it will be full of ice-cream, yum, eat at your leisure.</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Well
now all refreshed, we continue our adventure round the Zoo, soon a monkey cage
appears, and one fact I can tell you is this, my twin is a monkey, as soon as
he gets to the cage a monkey will run up to the cage opposite, so he starts
swinging his arms and running up and down the side of the cage, with the monkey
following him, like a reflection from a mirror, a crowd soon gathers and they
notice the similarities…</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">“I’m
not sure that’s even a boy! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Run monkey
boy run!”</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">As exciting
as that is, we continue our walk and ahead is the Gorilla cage, I can’t say enclosure,
because in the 60’s these cages had very little and not that roomy, I’m about
four paces behind Jess at this point, and even from my position, I can see this
Gorilla isn’t happy, its pacing and growling at the crowd, and it began rocking
side to side, then quick as a flash, it poops into one hand and flings it with
all his might straight at my Gran Jess (The Boss)</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Everything
is silent for a fraction of a second as everyone’s jaw drops, then I point and
say “Hey Mum, that Gorilla got Jess!” </span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">My
Mother is shocked, and now those spared the poop hit, start laughing, and Jess
isn’t happy.</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">“That
dirty little devil.” She says indignant. </span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Then Granddads
at her side laughing and handing her his cotton hanky, Jess takes it and tries
brushing off some before attempt to wipe it off, but that poo’s stubborn, so
those relieved it wasn’t them move on, much to Jess’s relief as she was embarrassed
by the attention, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Granddad
laughs, “He didn’t like you did he,” He grins.</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No the
little sod.” And despite the shock she starts laughing, and a Zoo keeper came
over to apologise, and offered to hose Jess down, but she went to soap it off
in the nearest Zoo Loo… get it ? Just me then.</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Doing
my best Michael Caine voice I say, “Hey Mum, where are the Zoo Loo’s?” Not a
lot of people know that.</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">What a
day, not many people can boast a Gorilla picked them out from the crowd, that
made the trip even more memorable.</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Then
as light started to fade, we made our merry way back to the coach, for the
return journey and more singing…</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back at school teacher asks, did everyone have
a good weekend? </span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I had
a great weekend Miss, a Gorilla threw Poo at my Gran!</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">That’s
my story and I’m sticking to it.</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
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<![endif]-->BestDrWhohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14003720218824109178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5530905588618595477.post-25059417243453032402020-09-26T03:17:00.000-07:002020-09-26T03:17:13.641-07:00A personal story... The #ScruffyKid<p> A personal story... The #ScruffyKid</p><p><br /></p><p>November, the light rain was full of icy intentions, the sort of rain to lazy to be sleet...but determined to be cold.</p><p>We all set out to take our place, saying our farewells to family as we lined the street. </p><p>You could feel a air of excitement so intense, at that moment you could hear a pin drop, it was the focus to what was to come, it muffled the buzz of chat, as everyone took their position.</p><p>At the front and centre was a drummer I knew as my elder brother. </p><p>We waited for the signal, the wind felt bitter, but ignored, as a hand is raised, and the drummers lift the sticks, to be held just under and in front of the nose, in white gloved hands. </p><p>As the first beat strikes we march as one, and the music of a 50 strong marching band of the 23rd Division heads down hill, from the road centre. </p><p>At first it’s just the drums with the rat-a-ta-tat-tat and the booming of the bass drums, then my moment comes as I raise my bugle in unison with my fellows players, and a familiar tune known as the theme to Top of the Form begins.</p><p>Oh, the cold really bit in during the downwards March, I start losing all feeling to my fingers, as the thin white cotton glove is for looks only, and provides no thermal barrier. </p><p><br /></p><p>We beat and tooted our way to the Church, providing Remembrance service, where all the main kids military units were to gather, the cubs, scouts, sea scouts, air cadets, brownies, Girl guilds, Boy’s and Girls Brigade, Who all marched and froze their way on foot. </p><p>After the March releasing my grip on the ice cold bugle proved impossible, and the brigade Band leader hurriedly rubbed heat back into my hand, until I could let go. </p><p> </p><p>Those were the days my friends, we thought they’d never end, because Mary Hopkins told us so.</p><p><br /></p><p>We will remember Them, as they fought so we would learn not to.</p>BestDrWhohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14003720218824109178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5530905588618595477.post-62118786229049183522018-10-09T00:24:00.003-07:002022-09-25T03:21:38.407-07:00A Bus Ride For One To Winchester Please!<div class="_1dwg _1w_m _q7o" style="font-family: inherit; padding: 12px 12px 0px;">
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Dear Diary <span class="_5mfr _47e3" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="img" height="16" role="presentation" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/f9c/1/16/1f4d4.png" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: -3px;" width="16" /><span class="_7oe" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0px; width: 0px;">📔</span></span> <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"type":104,"tn":"*N"}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/scruffykid?source=feed_text" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span class="_5afx" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit;"><span aria-label="hashtag" class="_58cl _5afz" style="font-family: inherit; unicode-bidi: isolate;">#</span><span class="_58cm" style="font-family: inherit;">ScruffyKid</span></span></a> aged 5 </div>
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<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Ah, there you are, it’s been a while hasn’t it, well sit down and get comfortable and my story will begin...</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
A Bus Ride For One To Winchester Please!</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
I remember my mother stooping over me, while she brushed off, what ever it was, off my Duffle coat...<br />
“There, that’s better.”<br />
With a safely pin from her purse, she added the final touches to my finely brushed down coat.<br />
It was to anchor the parcel label, made from a rough brown card, which was arrow shaped at one end, where a hole punch allowed a tatty piece of string to pass through it. Thus secured it read:<br />
‘ I’m Paul, and I’m going to Winchester Station to be met by my Great Grandmother. Please make sure I get off at this station.”</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
“What’s that Mum?”<br />
“Oh, it’s just a note so people know where you’re going.”<br />
I look down at the blue biro’d scribble, now firmly secured by the pin through the string.</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
‘ lovely.’ I thought, ‘I look like an idiot, on auction to the first village I come to.’<br />
“Why?” I say, in that way children do.<br />
“Just so people can see you’re travelling alone, and to look out for you.”<br />
‘Oh, cricky!’ I though some more.<br />
Don’t worry Granny Gardner will be there to greet you.<br />
And this did comfort me, I loved My Great Granny Gardner, and more importantly, she loved Me!<br />
The day was fairly sunny as I remember, it was the start of the schools summer holidays, so there were quite a few crowds gathering around each bus, all destined to different parts of Hampshire. and I remember in one corner of the station they had Quart milk machines, that would drop a quarter pint of milk in a carton, for a few pennies.<br />
But I was given a bottle of orange juice, made by Jess, from another bottle of concentrated juice. How long it concentrated for, I have no idea, for I was all ready to go!</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
I was lifted up to the rear seat, that sat longways down the aisle, and had its twin facing me on the opposite side. These were the first seats you’d pass boarding the Green Hampshire and Dorset Bus.</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Mother stepped down, brushing her finger through her wavy dark hair.<br />
“Bye! And you be good! Don’t start running about!”<br />
Ding! Ding!<br />
And we were off.<br />
The Bus made a grouching sound, as it turned out of the station into Bedford place, as if it disagreed with the direction taken. This made me rock from side to side until the bus settled on its route, but it wasn’t long before it turned again, with its same complaint.</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
I was going past the Park now, with the sun dancing through the trees.<br />
A woman sat opposite read my label and smiled.<br />
Now this label could have said anything, like Please do not make eye contact, he bites, or for 2'6 this child can be yours, and for a small down payment, you can take him away today! we hardly notice him most of the time anyway. PS no returns or refunds after midnight.<br />
The Conductor walked over to me and said, “Don’t worry Sonny, this bus stops at Winchester station, so I’ll let you know when we arrive.”<br />
Great!<br />
It was a bumpy spring screeching ride to Winchester. But I was headed to a place, that even now, gives me a warm feeling, because my Granny will be there, and we will have Great fun.<br />
I’ve no idea why I’m on my own on this journey, because I’m one of four siblings and even my Twin was with the rest of the family. But I didn’t care, the best woman on the planet will be looking after me.<br />
Sure enough as we passed King Alfred, who had nothing better to do. I saw my Granny waving at me, wearing her pie shaped hat.<br />
I jumped off the bus and run up to her and gave her a big Hug!<br />
“Granny!”<br />
“Steady on, you’ll have me over!”<br />
“What are we going to do Gran?”<br />
“Well, first, lets go to the park, you can feed the ducks.”<br />
“Brilliant!”<br />
I spent the whole of my summer holiday with Gran, in the day time we’d go for walks, and she would point out the wild flowers, and tell me there names, and the birds, and the trees, my Granny knew Everything! She was a genius.<br />
We would play cards or make up puzzles in the evenings, starting from the corners, naturally.<br />
And the smell from the lamps had a scent where fond memories would stir if I ever come across that same smell.<br />
It was the smell of warmth, the smell of Comfort, the smell of Love.</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Dreams are something I seldom remember, least of all childhood dreams, but on my first night with Gran I had a dream I can still remember quite vividly; I was stood outside Grans house in Colden Common, and it stands close to the main road that leads to Winchester, and it had a slight bend and a rise there, and for some reason I fell into the road, and I couldn’t get up, Gran screamed at me to get out of the road as a car was coming, but all I could manage was to Rock from side to side while my gaze was fixed on the car baring down on me with horn blaring and dust flying from its wheels....<br />
Gran woke me and handed me a glass of water, she said I was shouting in my sleep.<br />
That’s the only dream I’ve ever had where I felt helpless.</div>
<div style="display: inline; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 6px;">
After I told Granny, she said, “Well next time that happens, stop being silly and just get up and step to the side.”<br />
It’s never happen since and I’ve no clue as to what had set it off.<br />
But I still remember it.<br />
Thank you Gran...</div>
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BestDrWhohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14003720218824109178noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5530905588618595477.post-38335174433616609262017-09-04T05:29:00.005-07:002022-06-19T02:49:48.176-07:00My Father, written after he died.<span style="color: #0b5394;">Here's a Story I Wrote in memory of my father... I can't even remember writing it, such was my state of my mind I guess... This is similar to my Scruffy Kid Stories only this one features my father rather then me...</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Have a read you may like it. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;">The Day I Met My Father…Possibly</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> The April rain that shone as gold in the late evening was nowhere to be seen as it was now October.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> In fact it was The 19th October 1956.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> Jim Xxxxxx had made his way home in the knowledge he was now the proud owner of two Twin boys, hardly used and straight out of their wrappers.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> I suspect I need to point out at this juncture that the boys are unidentical Twins, produced from separate eggs. This is like A billion and one people saying, "What are the Chances?"</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> Michael was born first and was duly slapped by the Midwife for his impudence… Paul having seen these events dodged and slapped his Dad for being cheeky.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">In fact after my jazz hands entrance to the world followed by "Ta Da!" The nurse thought, this ones too cute to slap, so she slapped my dad for being cheeky too. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> Now at home relaxing after helping with all the pushing involved with moving the furniture During birth, Jim sipped his Tea, then jumped bolt upright to the sound of knocking on the door, this knocking was the result of someone’s hand being made into a fist, and tapping the door with its knuckles.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> By the time Jim put down his tea… nibbled on his bourbon the door was knocked again.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> “Are you Mr Xxxxxxx?” the man said muffled from behind the door? </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">So Jim opened the door to a young reporter from The Southern Evening Echo. (of course Jim didn’t know he was a reporter at the time… that would just be spooky!)</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> “Hello I’m from The Southern Evening Echo.” The young reporter said, quite unnecessarily for us, as I’ve already mentioned it but very necessary to the Proud Father.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> “Are you happy about the triplets Mr Xxxxxxx?”</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> When Jim recovered some time later he told the reporter he was unaware of a third child, so he rushed by walking back to the hospital.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> Lying peacefully in her bed June Xxxxxxx, Wife to Jim remarked on his arrival “What do you want? I’m resting!… all that pushing takes it out of you you know, and I’m still not sure the wardrobe looks good in the middle of the room.”</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> “Forget that!! Where’s this Third baby?” Jim replied anxiously. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">“What Steven? He’s home with you and your Mother you Nut!”</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> “No, Not him the other one?”</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> “What other one? Have you been out celebrating with the falling over juice?”</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> “No… the Man from the Paper said…”</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> “A Man made of Paper?”</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> No… Not a M…… What? That would be ridiculous; he’d get soggy every time it rained… No I mean from the Echo?”</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> “Pardon?” </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">“From the Ec…..Ho very funny… anyway he said we had Triplets!”</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> “Na… your having a laugh… I’d know if we had three!”</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> “How?”</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> “Because cubby chops, I can count!” June said emphatically.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> Well what a palaver, someone had reported a women had given birth to triplets… and the Echo keen to get to the story that would have been front page news, had a big let down…</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> “No we only had Twins.” My Mother later told the reporter… “But one is rather Gorgeous if that’s any good?”</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> “Na…. you’re alright.” The reported said with that Huff sound people make after Huffing.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> And that was it! </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">This is actually a true story but the words might not exactly be those used by the above mentioned participants on the day… Now That Would be even Spookier! </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> My Mother told me about the mix up and the excitement it had cause at the time. Poor old Dad must have fainted in shock.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Yours Truly The Scruffy Kid.</span>BestDrWhohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14003720218824109178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5530905588618595477.post-90826274247770348092017-04-06T01:53:00.000-07:002020-09-26T03:16:07.119-07:00A Snippet of The Scruffy Kid, Favourite Son<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZWgjaf-SkxxKgnij3tIJ4RtJZxlZkJwoFBzMFrFvu-Pe56qKhx32aOxZC8WVo6j_rSt65hk3j9ZGLaoY8CNCsZ8LlryIzuYe_ZbFmbWk5T0zEisQatxF6oDArKJzJkd3rqIPCZXQB9nw-/s1600/banksy+and+me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZWgjaf-SkxxKgnij3tIJ4RtJZxlZkJwoFBzMFrFvu-Pe56qKhx32aOxZC8WVo6j_rSt65hk3j9ZGLaoY8CNCsZ8LlryIzuYe_ZbFmbWk5T0zEisQatxF6oDArKJzJkd3rqIPCZXQB9nw-/s400/banksy+and+me.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Me at One and a Banksy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><a data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/thescruffykid?source=feed_text&story_id=1260092070774412" style="cursor: pointer;"><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">#TheScruffyKid</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Favourite Son</span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">It was one of those hot lazy summer days where the heat rose in
shimming waves from the pavement.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">At the time these shimmering days seemed to last forever, and the laughter of children filled the air, to compete with noise of the bees, birds and
butterfly’s as they fluttered and buzzed in the sky.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">It was the sound of joyous life, where the insects and birds added to this summer soundtrack.</span></div>
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">I'm five and enjoying my first summer holiday from school.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">Down by the shopping centre was an enclosed car park, these garages were set in a dip, and the surrounding land was made into a grassy slope.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">Without snow and it being the height of summer the pleasure of sledging was
made possible on grass with the aid of a torn piece of cardboard boxes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">Well that's what the sensible kids used like me; my twin however decided his
short trousers could provide adequate slipperiness to this fun activity.</span></div>
</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">As the days pass the grass was quickly worn to dry stoney soil,
where the sliding kids were followed by the lifting dust cloud, and it's here
someone was about to lose the back of his trousers.</span></div>
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">Well as you’ve no doubt guest that someone was my twin Michael who was
blissfully unaware the entire back of his trousers was replaced by the sight of
his soiled pants… soiled with soil thankfully.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">Well he soon became aware due to the friction burn on his backside, and No
Mother is kissing that better you idiot!</span></div>
</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">So it was a few days after this I was presented with these Holey
Shorts…. I say holey but not in the saintly you now have the power of Gods in
your pants kind of way. (which would have been cool as the parting clouds
allowed a golden light to shine on my blessed trousers, to the sounds of
singing angels)</span></div>
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">In fact there was literally no material on the rear of these trousers at all.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">This is when you realise you’re in no way the favourite son, heck! You're not
even the second favourite, but luckily there isn't a third to make you the
fourth, so I figured the least Favourite son was up for grabs so I took it with
both hands... Yea in your face Family, I'm here whether you like it or not.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">“What?....Why do I have to wear those? I never did that!”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">“Michael is going to your grandmothers, with Steven and Loraine so you have to
stay here!... he can’t go out wearing those.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">“But he’s wearing MY Trousers!...... MINE!”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">“Well you’re not going out so you have to have these.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">“But I want to go out!”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">“Well you can’t in these, so quit you’re moaning and put them on.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">“FINE!"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">there's no use arguing with these giant parent types. So I just busy myself
with my constant companion, my trusty scratch book.</span></div>
</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">So there I was condemned to stay home, until my friend from the
bungalows, near to our home called. (These were what we thought at the time as
Posh kids, as their parents owned their own home.)</span></div>
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">So my posh friend asks, “Are you coming out to play?”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">It took me a nanosecond to consider the consequences of being seen with my
backside hanging out of my shorts to say, “Yes.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">And out I go, and soon we are opening the gate to his driveway to walk round
his home into his family’s rear garden.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">All this time I’m conscious of keeping by backside out of view, and all gardens
at this time had a coal bunker, a concrete rectangular box, that sat about 4
feet high.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">So jumping up I sat myself down on it…. Now satisfied my hide was hidden.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">“Lemonade?”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">“OHHHHHH yes please.” (Posh kids had the greatest mothers) I say to the smiling
face of my friend’s mother.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">Brilliant! And my friend asks, “Can we have cake too mum?”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">“Of course, I’ll bring it out to you.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">What can I say…. Cake and lemonade! I was in the garden of heaven.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">The garden was well kept, with roses and other flowers in full bloom, and that
lovely familiar buzz filled my ears, and I felt truly happy.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">We joked around, playing word games and such then his sister joined us, she was
beautiful with blonde hair that shone like corn.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">We were laughing away and eating cake when suddenly…. As most things that
happen when you’re least expecting them… I was stung by something in my throat…
This was like Och! But much more painful.</span></div>
</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">I was starting to get hot and my throat felt tight, so with one hand
to my throat I jump off the coal bunker, then the concerned face of my friends
sister changes to confusion as she sees my backside hanging out of my trousers,
and I can see she’s wondering if I ripped them as I jumped.</span></div>
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">Her mother runs to me saying, “Oh My Goodness! Are you alright? Did you rip
your trousers?”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">I’m feeling giddy and say….. “Bluuuuuuh.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">“Mum he’s been stung by a bee!” My friend says</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">“Oh NO!.... we must get you home.” And she plucks me from the ground like I was
a feather and runs with me in her arms to the rear of my home… with my head
back all I see is sky, and I remember thinking 'wow that's really blue.'</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">My friend was soon banging the door like the klappers, and it's soon answered
by my mother.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">“He’s been stung by a Bee! And he’s ripped his trousers jumping from our coal
bunker the poor boy.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">I’m rushed in and sat on a chair where I wobble, feeling sick and dizzy.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">“I’m terribly sorry I hope he’s alright?”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">“I’ll fetch him some water, he’ll be fine.” My mother concludes, “Thank you for
bringing him back.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">“Is he going to Die MUM?”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">Am I going to die? I’m thinking as my throat tightens even more.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">“No! He’ll be fine.” My friend’s mother reassures him and me at the same time.</span></div>
</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">When all the fuss dies down and I’m alone in the kitchen with my
mother she says, “I told you to stay indoors, this wouldn’t have happened if
you listened.”</span></div>
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">I was finding it hard to talk, I was slightly scared bee poison might be the
end of me, but I manage to say…. “I didn’t want to stay in mum.” but in my head
I'm saying shouldn't you be feeling guilty? if I wasn't attempting to hide my
Hide I may have been standing and running about like a normal kid... Bees would
have looked and thought, 'Na, he's moving to fast to be a flower, curse you boy
with sweet cake.'</span></div>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Well we can’t go to the Doctor’s, not with you dressed like
that so drink this water and rest.”</span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: georgia; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">She looked worried which worried me, she would never give me
trousers with holes in again, that was for sure, so in that way I won a small
victory for my freedom.</span></div>
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.32px;">After a while my swollen throat did die down and when my siblings returned home
I was able to tell them how I escaped the icy hands of death armed with a holey
pair of trousers and true grit….and my Twins a git! I added, which is
apparently a rude thing to say, but true.</span></div>
</span></div>
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BestDrWhohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14003720218824109178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5530905588618595477.post-37118736011621474722016-02-04T02:53:00.001-08:002020-09-26T03:16:07.125-07:00The Adventures of Avon Sagan and the crew of the Aura, Series One The Xian Curse.<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;">The Adventures of Avon Sagan. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHoYgUbm7xwrohJgxGnnUQUTVwyPVjz0t6bDM-3U0gAut1F-1dWLyYyQo7BtLs2lsl-kAcctu6hdrCn6nKUU_8ybU6E4jLkT3y6krnlKJh1mLBpBy_LP-3AtWP_JD0n3CBB3Zbio4Qu3Lc/s1600/Avon+Sagan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHoYgUbm7xwrohJgxGnnUQUTVwyPVjz0t6bDM-3U0gAut1F-1dWLyYyQo7BtLs2lsl-kAcctu6hdrCn6nKUU_8ybU6E4jLkT3y6krnlKJh1mLBpBy_LP-3AtWP_JD0n3CBB3Zbio4Qu3Lc/s400/Avon+Sagan.jpg" width="302" /></a></div>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Thousands of years have passed since Earth, the planet thought to be the
origin of the human race, died. Now the decedents of these desperate souls colonise any livable or remotely livable planets they can find. It has been a continuing mission to find peace and settle. Over the millennia they have spread the remains of the species throughout what was once the unknown reaches of the galaxy. where Man was to
discover that beyond this galaxy were uncountable others.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Men and women, because one can't exist without the other, have learnt the hard way to share these galaxies with other species, who were themselves in varying forms of
advancement. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">War was inevitable but now considerably rare, mainly because those with the advanced
weaponry annihilate those that didn't. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">So Man had to fight his instincts to dominate all he surveyed in order to
survive, trade and negotiations with others for co-existence was the only way forward.</span><br />
<br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Planetary life was on the main bearable and the aim of any species, but
for the few who never felt the need to put down roots space life was the norm. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Such is the life for the crew of the Aura.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">So let us join these misfits at the Nursia system, where it’s cold sapphire darkness filled the Aura's view screen, stars have been drawing the imagination of man since he first viewed the heavens, but now it's the common backdrop for this crew and all the awe has gone, these stars in particular looked to have been scattered like hand thrown corn and surrounded the
gaseous cloud called Jade’s belt, which twisted outwards a spiralling smoke as if from an unseen fire, with its reds, greens and purple wisps, </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">So in this lonely spec of Space the Aura looked to be motionless, like some discarded sugared Almond from a race of sweet toothed giants, but this relic was Captained by none other then Avon Sagan.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Now what could I tell you about Avon Sagan, that hasn’t been told throughout
the known universe a thousand times over; well Hannah Fletcher could tell you
all you need to know but I’ll attempt to describe this rambunctious scallywag, for I know dear reader you crave information and who am I to deny you this?</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Avon’s friends are few, which is of his own choosing and he was thankful
for it, as he’s beholding to no one but his crew. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">At thirty six years old, Six foot three (1.9m) with an athletic build, he
was a formidable character, the dark tussled hair has never seen a comb
in his lifetime and this sits atop his slim but rugged face, the curves of that
face are only broken by the square jaw line, his distinctive but not overly
large nose divides the green eyes that would seem to pierce right into you when
he had his inquisitive gaze on you... He would claim to be an honest man; others
would call him a rouge and Pirate but he would prefer to be called a Privateer.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Avon has no living relatives to his knowledge and this vessel he calls home
was inherited from his late Grandfather who acquired it 120 Earth cycles
ago... To be totally honest, and I can see by the way your gripping the page I need to be, Avon has never called it home, he calls it Aura, which isn't strange as this is what happens when you name something; like "Hello, I'm Malcolm and I live at Seaview," or some such silly name people give to their homes. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">The Aura was already extremely old by the time Avon's Grandfather acquired it, and the exploits of the Aura and Fabien Sagan are legendary, the scared paint work could have been blue or grey but years of
space dust and meteor fragments had polished most of its surface to a golden
shimmer, the metal is unknown as is whomever built the ship but it was
definitely none human…this race now lost in the eon’s of time since it’s
construction controlled it’s systems telepathically in a language which was as
much a part of Avon as Avon was to the ship. It was a symbiotic relationship,
each needing the other to survive the constant dangers of space and he
commanded this vessel without conscious thought.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Another secret of the ships
longevity was the extraordinary ability of its metal to renew and repair
itself like a living organism. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Avon had never experienced the joys of
planetary life, this was the only life Avon knew since birth, so answering the
needs of the Aura were second nature; you’d not describe Avon as timorous, His
Stubborn belligerence and total disregard for authority or his own safety is
something that would apply however, as for brave, no self respecting Sagan has ever run from a fight... but this isn't bravery it's an inbuilt stubbornness to yield, and to be honest you wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of their rage.</span><br />
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<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Avon trained in all forms of the fighting arts has no fear, this was a family skill
past down from generation to generation,
his Grandfather was a fearsome man in his own right. These ancient methods are
known to a very few, and considered a lost art, and in this universe you are
unlikely to meet anyone with all these skills, after all who needs to learn
these rather tiresome arts when those with the gun feel anything more than
squeezing a trigger is over exuberance.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Avon wore the uniform of a Galactic Captain from the old Earth Fleets. He
discovered it in an old chest under the bed in his Grandfathers cabin, now his
cabin, the jacket was a navy blue with gold insignia at the collar and cuffs, with
a scarlet centre, to hide the blood from the men its said, and had a line of three
gold buttons at each sleeve. These matched the ten larger buttons that
travelled evenly down both sides of the jacket front.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">He also wore black cavalry trousers with red twin piping down the outsides
that ended at his leather bound gravity boots with there five silver buccaneer
type buckles, these boots looked heavy but were in fact light as air and twice
as comfortable… the sensory systems gave the wearer the equivalent gravity of
Earth, that long dead forsaken planet of his ancestors and overcame the
weightlessness of space, not that they were needed while on board the Aura, because it’s artificial gravity was slightly greater, but
should the need arise to inspect the outer hull or board other less
sophisticated craft they became invaluable.</span><div><span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;">The crew were not weak boned or weak of body, by being space dwellers, because of the ships unique gravity field within the Aura, which simulated the gravity of whatever planet the builders originated From. </span><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">A black leather belt held the holstered phaser and the curved hilt of the
plasma sword at his waist.</span></div><div>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">The Galactic Fleets were a thing of the past, the colonies out grew the
effectiveness of any central forces and build forces of their own to guard and
protect their planetary systems. Avon wore the clothes for his love of style,
plus he thought it made him look heroic.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Also on board this fine vessel was Pip, with jet black slicked back hair,
hazel eyes, and slender nose, firm mouth gave him the simmering looks that
would melt many a young girls heart, and he also had the advantage of youth on
his side at twenty one years old, he’s five feet ten (1.8m) and also a skilled
fighter, due to the training of Fabien and now Avon.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Pip preferred the all in one suits used by the old Zytonian Navy, a grey and
blue camouflage patterned suit, used on planetary night missions with the same
boots worn by Avon, he wore an ancient samurai sword at his waist and on his
opposite side he had a Thaygon Phaser rifle strapped to his right thigh, Pip
Braddock was from the hostile Zyton System, where you fought to live.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">The Zyton System had 7 planets with humanoid life forms the fifth of these was
called Destra, this having a harsh environment that no one in there right mind
would choose to live on, but being rich in precious metals and stones it gave
men the incentive to try, many generations had fought and died there, it takes
a tough breed of men and women to survive this unforgiving planet and it had
little in the way of law enforcement. What didn’t kill you would feed you, as
the old Zyton nursery rhyme will tell you. They did however have some of the
most lavish space stations ever built in any system, families made rich by the
mining of Destra lived on these stations and in doing so built a thriving
community of station dwellers, it had 312 space stations on last count. Each
family had its own interpretation of the Law so clashes seem to happened on a daily basses </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Fabien had rescued Pip then five from a fierce battle between two rival
families, but while returning to the ship with the crystals needed for the
Aura’s Stardrive, the shuttle had been cut in two from a blast that came from a
vessel already docked at the station. It took some impossible manoeuvres from
Avon to get his Grandfather still clutching Pip on board, but at the loss of
his Brother Damien and both parents, Hurcual and Nemera. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Hannah Fletcher had witnessed it all from the observation deck on the ship;
she was another stray the family found on their travels. She stayed with Fabien
who was badly wounded and the boy, while Avon beamed onto the ship and killed
everyone on board, first by surprising the six bridge crew with the speed of
his attack, then disabling weapons and setting the ships self destruct, a sizable
part of the Space stations docking area was also damaged. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">It’s impossible to beam crystals as they disrupted the beaming process and
many a ships been lost attempting it, a shuttle is the only way for safe
transport and now shuttle 3’s shattered remains floated around the Aura in a
burning spiralling storm.</span><br />
<br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">When Avon returned to the ship Hannah was shocked to see the hate had not yet receded
in his eyes, this wasn’t the cool headed Avon she knew, this was a scary twin as
he stood over his Grandfather. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">He had a fresh phaser burn, that was now a vivid red, scarring his chin, “They
would have fired on us Hannah, you know that,” he said, when he saw the fear in
her eyes.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Yes I know,” she answered reassuringly.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Hannah is beautiful, her raven hair cut in the classic Telorian bob, gave
her an exotic look, with clear blue eyes that shone with youth, and at five
feet four (1.62m) she still looked every bit as capable as Avon, her purple
uniform seem to be made from space with what looked like stars gleaming over
it’s surface, making the cloth a glitter as she walked, she also wore the
silver Telorian battle breast plate, with its ornate engraved patterns on the
armour. Like Pip she also favoured the Samurai swords and she carried two. One
half the length of the other. And two holstered laser pistols at her waist on
crossed belts. The boots didn’t look like they belong to this outfit but as
they are standard issue for this crew so you can over look this fashion foe par,
with those pal blue eyes and the golden skin of a Telorian, Hannah is a woman
you’ll not forget in a hurry.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Fabien blamed himself the for loss of his family, it took him three months
to recover from his injuries and he used his 10,000 year old sheathed samurai
sword as support as he never gained full strength to his right side. Avon now
his only living relative took on the increased training he had to endured
knowing his Grandfather was preparing him for a the time he’d be the last of
the Sagan’s. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">The Aura can carry a crew of fifteen, it had four shuttles now three, and 14
life pods due to one chamber being empty when Fabien found it, these would only
be used in extreme emergencies, so it’s believed the former owner abandoned
ship for whatever reason, for fear of his or her life.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">From the outside the Aura looks golden, it’s smooth
surface showing no windows, docking ports or access at all, it was as if making
these visible spoilt it’s curved lines, and perched up top of this oval hull
held a silver dome at its centre, this is the observation deck, again there are
no external windows the whole dome was like a bubble in space from the inside, But
no one could view into it from the outside. it just looked as smooth and as the
metallic body, on very close inspection outer hull and dome contained ancient symbols
raised from there surfaces by thousandths of a millimetre, some of the old paint
work clung on stubbornly as if to stake it’s claim to be there, it takes an
agile mind indeed to master all it’s systems but this crew of three are more
then a fair match to a Phellentine Battlecruiser or two, with a complement of
one hundred and fifty crew, and you don’t want to mess with a Phellentine
Battlecruiser if you had any sense or need to live.</span><br />
<br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Maybe Avon should have avoided the meeting with the Holy Order of The
Seventh but when did he avoid anything. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Now I’d better tell you the story of the Seventh or you’ll be wondering what
all the fuss is about later, won’t you. So let us begin.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">The Holy Order of the Seventh is a religious group following the teachings
of the seventh Brother of faith. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">It is said the Seventh Brother saved the lives of the Selig system by giving
his life that others may live. He gave himself up to a race called the Xian. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">The Xian were a warring race who moved from system to system taking
technologies and any treasures they could find, their lizard like green eyes
gave them an evil look, the eyes looked even more intense due to their grey
rhino like skin, with large bullet shaped heads and no neck, on long bodies and
strong muscular legs and arms all armour clad. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">The Average height of 7’ feet made their very presents scary. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">They always kept ahead of their intended foes with advanced weaponry and
dominated every system they entered, they ruled with an iron fist, leaving
their own governing bodies in their wake, backed up by the formidable armour
clad armies, these men fought as one, unyielding and they would soon crush any
rebellion to their leadership. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">It wasn’t all bad for the people though, once order was established some
even became the richer from the experience, by the new trade the Xian bought. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">The one thing you couldn’t have under their reign was freedom, the majority
of the people were no more then slaves, some would say this was agreeable as
this brought education and medical advances, but Freedom is something that has
been fought for since man first hurdled a rock as a weapon.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">The Xian Home World was the red planet Xiantus</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">The Seventh Brother travelled to the Xian home world, telling them they
should leave the Selig system or The Xian will be humbled by the hand of the
one god, who would show no mercy... </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Well you can do many things but threatening the Xian meant death. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">After a brief and some would say unnecessary trial at the highest court of
the realm, he was taken to a place of execution, where the Seventh Brother was
stripped of his robes and they found he wore a golden shield strapped to his
chest, the shield with its religious symbols and artistry depicting stories of
the Selig God, it was about to be removed when the Brother asked, “do you fear
my God?” </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">This brought laughter to the surrounding Xian’s gathered in the arena, “If
you do not fear my God then allow me to wear his words.” </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">A guard taking a knife from his belt was about to cut the shield free when,</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"> “Stop!” was shouted down from the
main gallery... </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">The Xian Emperor Turus Tec walked down to the Brother looking him in the eyes and his grey face creased in a big
grin... “You think you can mock us with your ancient mumbo jumbo?... If this is
the symbol of your ridiculous beliefs,” he said while placing a hand on the
shield, where he felt a tingle in his finger tips that forced him to pull his
hand back quickly, hiding his shock, “then we will destroy it! Along with You!” He
finished.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Thank you,” was all the Brother
uttered, and the entire audience to this mans death erupted into laughter
again…</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Stand ready!” The captain of the Guard ordered at the 6 men of arms; and the
armour of these Xian’s shone like flames on its silvery surface, under the
bright Xiantus sunshine lit by its two suns.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">It would have only taken one soldier to turn this monk to dust as a molecule
disruptor would literally blow him away. But now the 6 Xian soldiers with
bullet shaped helmets over their bullet shaped heads with their long horizontal
slits for the eyes stood motionless awaiting the order to fire.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“On My Word Fire! you will fire!” The Captain said, “ Take aim!” the 6 men
lifted the disruptor's to their shoulders… FIRE!!</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">The Brother’s Body dissolved into dust as did the shield but before the
shield vanished it glowed like molten gold, it was so bright all the viewing
public closed their eyes and turned their faces away as if they were looking
directly into the sun itself, when the grow lessened they all looked to see the
Monk and his shield were no more. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Then ripples of golden dust emanated from the precise space occupied by the
Seventh and as it touched the surrounding Xian they in turn also turned to dust,
within 3 hours there wasn’t a single Xian on the planet, all that remained were
the slaves or members of others races, not a single building was harmed it was
just as if the whole Xian race ceased to be!.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">It took several years to spread through the surrounding systems controlled
by the Xian but one by one this once powerful race turned to dust, even those
that converted to the order of the Seventh, in the hopes of finding salvation. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">The remaining armies once ruled by the Xian disbanded and returned to their
own systems, those that did try to keep the old Xian order were soon over run,
and a new life for those who had been controlled for hundreds of years began,
of course without the Xian some of their advanced technology was lost, as was
the advanced medical skills but each race now advanced at their own pace as before.
</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Over many millennia even the buildings of the old Xian race returned to
nature because nature is always there biding it’s time waiting for Man or any
other race that came, to slip up and then it would restore everything as it was.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“We want you to find an artifact for us,” </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Oh really!” Avon said eyebrows rose in his best disbelieving face.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“We have been told you are a very resourceful man and ….let me see, how was
it put to us...? Ah yes, and you have no fear!” The Monk in his blood red robe
of the seventh opened his old winked eyes wider, “Where you will be going, be
sure, there will be plenty to be fearful of, and much danger,” Avon had to stop
himself coming out with the old adage I laugh in the face of Danger and even
changing it to I chuckle at fear, didn’t make it sound any less of a cliché in
his head.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“So you know all about me eh?” He said, shifting on the flat rock the Monks
use for seats, “did anyone mention I like payment too?” </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Ah yes… indeed they did, and you must believe me when I say, what I have
for you is beyond price,” the Monk chuckled softly, and nodded his head to
Avon’s inquisitive gaze. (The one that could look right through you)</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Avon was slightly put out that he never got his chuckle in first, </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Now listens here my Monkey friend, what you believe to be priceless isn’t
going to be of much interested to me. I mean look around, you have rocks for
chairs, a pillow would be priceless at this moment!” He leaned to the right this
time still trying to get comfortable on his Freaken Rock. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Look I’m a busy man,
the crew and I are due some RnR, it’s very nice of you to think of me old man
Buu…” as he was about to finish his statement and leave, The Monk said, “We
believe the knowledge we have will be as precious to you as the artifact we ask
you to seek, is to us!”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Now intrigued Avon sat back on his rock, forgetting the discomfort as his
interested heightened, “Well now, is that so,” now impatient he added, “Well
lets have it! Give me this wonderful knowledge with all speed! Oh… this Freaken
rock I’ll have a flat backside when this chat is over,” he remarked. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“How would the knowledge of who built your vessel, The Aura I believe you
call her, and not only can we prove that this is the race you seek, we also know
where you can find them.”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Avon blinked for a second as he took this news in “Them! Are you telling me
they still exist?... Oh My Giddy Gods!!” He was thinking how long his Grandfather spent
trying to find Who had built The Aura, he would Have given a limb, OK maybe not 'His' limb but he would of given a limb for this knowledge, so who was Avon to
turn away from this. They could refurbish the worn equipment, maybe fit a
Jacuzzi!</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“I’m not saying I believe you because, hey we just met, so what I mean
to say is. I don’t believe you.”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">The Monk Chuckled to himself again. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Damn Avon thought, that’s two Chuckles to my none, I’m losing this battle of
wits. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Reaching into his robe, that got the reaction of eww, from Avon, ‘now
what’s he going to pull out?’ He said in his head.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“This is a manuscript from a play, only no one can read it except you!” </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Well how do you know it’s a Play?” said Avon now smiling at how cleverly he
caught the Monk off guard. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“It has a PICTURE of a man in costume, on the front.” </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Well, OK , but that still doesn’t make it a Play does it.” </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“And,” added the Monk, “it says this is a play, written in English at the
bottom.”<br />
<br />
"What? Give me that thing! and talking of plays, where did you go for your negotiation skills Rada Centauri? I
think you like a bit of drama yourself, come on hand it over wise guy." </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">The smiling Monk handed him the manuscript, "So?" the Monk replied </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Sitting back with the script in hand Avon’s eyebrows almost cleared his
forehead completely as he started reading."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“This is something you are familiar with yes?" </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Familiar!" he laughed, still reading the words that were usually
only formed in his mind. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"I should think everyone knows the works of Billy
Shakespeare, this is a script for Richard III, now Monk, even you know Richard
III right? maybe this race had a fascination for mans ability for self destruction."<br />
"Indeed, it also says that in English on the back…Are you satisfied?" the
Monk gestured to the script. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"You can clearly see it is a match to the
builders language you know so well, the builders of Aura?" he trailed off
waiting for the gobsmacked Avon to reply but Avon had already touched the
communicator on his wrist.<br />
"Hannah check the data banks for trade with the Unie" the
communicator projected a hologram of Hannah sat at the main console,
"Unie?" she quizzed "Who the Freak are the Unie?" </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Just do it" then he added, "Please," as an after
thought.<br />
"Ok, checking........Hum.. Nothing… no wait? As I thought Nothing! What
were you expecting?" </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"I’m not sure at this point Hannah, will you doubled check all systems
to find any reference of them, I will beam out shortly to explain, don't worry
about calling me back if you find anything, we can talk about it when I return,
Tell Pip we will have two guests for lunch" </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Will do, over and out." Hannah said signing off.<br />
"Well" enquired the Monk, "Do we have an agreement?" <br />
"We will discuss it over Lunch" Avon raised his eyebrows again but
not as far as last time as he added, "Monks do eat I take it?" </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Yes as strange as it may seem, we do eat" he pointed to the
hooded monk sat quietly in the corner of the chamber, "This is Sol"
he will be travelling with you." Avon now standing turned towards Sol. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Now wait a Freaken cycle old man, I never said anything about being a
passenger liner." Avon's mouth was open slightly as he looked in disbelief
at the Old Monk, <br />
"Sol is part of this, and how shall we put it, This collaboration! We
consider this undertaking of the utmost importance and maybe even beyond
your, Ahh... considerable talents Mr Sagan, Do we have your agreement?" the
Monk replied head down and then looking up at Avon, in that, do we understand
each other look. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"OK, we can talk about it onboard the Aura." </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Now it was the Monks turn to ask a question. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"How did you know there
would be two of us joining you?" </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Avon just laughed, "Old Man, didn't anyone tell you I'm a genius!"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">On the Aura as you would expect, everything was pure white and pristine…..
Well that’s what you Might have expected, but what you get on The Aura is a
crazy day at a Steampunk Convention.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">The bronze looking interior looked like it was held together with a million
rivets the surfaces a muddy gold. The walk ways a florescent jade as though
under floor lighting had been installed but this was the natural state of the
smooth metal like surface. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Please take a seat,” Pip said as the Monks entered the function room… also
known as the dinning room, technology centre and training room, this was the
relaxation area of the ship, a place of silent study or combat, as you’ve no
doubt guessed it’s the none flight essential room, on a ship of the old Earth, you’ll probably
call this the captains cabin situated under the beating heart of The Aura’s
Bridge; even if the protective force shields clasped this room and that of the
main bridge above, was heavily shielded with the strange organic metal, a sheet
of this metal 6mm thick 60cm sq would be as light as old Earth A4 paper. But a
strength unmatched by the best Phellentine armour plate.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Pip spun the bucket style seating with it’s red leather upholstery round to
allow the old Monk to sit, he then offered the hooded companion a place, “Sol
is it?” Pip asked. Sol bowed to Pip and said “Thank you” in a soft voice that
seemed at peace. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Then nodded before accepting the offered seat that sat directly opposite his
master The Old Monk. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">The younger Monk lowered the hood as he sat, revelling long jet black hair,
he was 19 years old with dark blue eyes and a slender face, and His features
had the look of innocents. The blood red of his robes made his tanned skin look
even darker. He was five feet eleven (1.803m) and by far the tallest of the
Monks Avon had met on the surface.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Now with the hood no longer covering his head the gold ornate head band with
its one red ruby at its centre was visible, and on closer inspection you would
have observed the religious script engravings that completely encircled the
band. It looked like something a prince of an older time would of worn and
maybe to this religious sect he was a prince, because Sol is a direct
descendant to the Seventh Brother of faith.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Now from what we have learnt from the story of the Seventh, I bet your
guessing this head band held some secret power, and you’d be right but that
will be revealed later. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">So the guests ate and talked politely of trivial matters and agreement was
met that Avon and his Crew will help find this lost chalice, until Sol said,
“Do you know the Phellentine 7<sup>th</sup> Fleet Captain?” Well that was a
conversation stopper and everyone except the two Monks stopped eating. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Why do you ask?” Then after a pulse Avon continued with, “Vanlak F Praetor
admiral of the 7<sup>th</sup>Fleet is someone you wouldn’t want to meet, we may
have bumped into him from time to time shall we say and I can tell you one
thing his reputation for being the meanest son of a Salian Pirate isn’t
exaggerated.”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Well my Father wishes us to relieve the Admiral of a certain individual
called Mellitus Boniphus an exiled Brother of the faith.” </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“And what’s he to us?” Hannah asked, “Ex Monks come ten to the dozen, it’s
difficult enough trying to trade with a Phellentine let alone surviving the
encounter, with Praetor you just as well shoot yourself and save him the
trouble.” </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Avon laughed…remembering the last time Vanlak
crossed his path, </span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">he and his Grandfather managed not only to slip passed his
battle Cruiser, but pulled off a sweet deal after acquiring a considerable amount
of the Admirals fuel, thus allowing a Gwen fleet to escape the Phellentine
blockade. He swore to kill them both on site.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">The old Monk stood “Well Mr Sagan I believe that concludes our talk.” </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“What do you mean? Concludes our talk,” his gaze shifted to both Monks in
turn looking for signs of the deception…the old Monk looked to Sol and bowed,
“Sol we trust your judgement on this endeavour, help Mr Sagan obtain the
chalice and return to us soon.” </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“I shall Father.” </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Pip’s eyebrows arched in surprise “So he’s Daddy now?” and laughed.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Actually Yes he is” said Sol.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“What?….well what I really meant is,” Pip scratched his head searching for
what he really meant, then squinting inquisitively at the old Monk, “isn’t
Father just part of your religious thing?...you know, I thought like, father
where art thou?” </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">He still looked puzzled.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“So you’re part of a religious sect that allows sexual relations?” Avon said
amused </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“We may marry if we wish, oh… your puzzled by your own ignorance of us I see,
how would we continue our faith without the family lineage?” </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Whatever” Avon replied, now bored by the father son sentiment, “I
personally don’t give a Salian monkey’s ass what you weirdo’s get up to, Now
where can I find the Unie?” he set his jaw firm in his; don’t give me any
nonsense stare….</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“You’re so mistrusting Captain, we will give you what you’ve been seeking on
completion of your task,” Sol said then added, “Boniphus we believe hid The
Chalice Mr Sagan under the orders of my great grandfather and only he holds the
key to its location.” </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Oh I see” said Avon sighing … “So what you’re not telling me is this
Mellfist.” “Mellitus,” corrected Sol. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“What ever the freak his name is, he’s being sought by others including
Vanlak, Who probably knows everything by now, is that right?”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“You’re very astute Mr Sagan, we did approach others with your skills and
they unfortunately concluded that working without us would yield more profit.”
said the old Monk but before he could finish.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"> “And for Freaks sakes stop calling me
Mr Sagan, Mr Sagan was my fathers name OK?... so we weren’t for first choice?” </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">The old man shrugged.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Well you know how to make things harder to achieve don’t you… tressmires
pits (The tar mines of Tressmire) this could get sticky.”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Both Monks nodded. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Good… Now listen I need to know everything! If we’re to help you, this
little snippet, that seemed to have slipped your mind could get us all killed!”
</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">The old Monk smiled, “Ah Yes as I was saying Mr…Ah…Avon” he looked to Avon
to see if this term was more agreeable and it appeared grudgingly to be so.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“We fear others as well as those who betrayed us, are after the knowledge
Mellitus holds, this is why we must retrieve it quickly or every known universe
could be in great danger.” </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Oh so now it’s the whole known Freaken Universe at stake, Well why didn’t
you say sooner!” then shouting Avon added “I COULD HAVE CANCELLED THE FREAKEN
PUDDING!” </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">He stood, took a deep breath and tried to calm himself….. “Ok ...well it
appears this is going to be far more trouble then I anticipated, I’m pondering
now, if this information is worth our lives, let me think” he closed his eyes a
second, “so you say you know the builders?” </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Yes” said the old man. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Well I think, I can over look this lack of intelligence for their location.”
</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“You will be given this information on completion of your mission... Avon,”
he almost said Mr Sagan but the Monk corrected himself.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Yea yea yea, so you keep saying” Avon replied. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“But,” continued the Monk, again reaching into his rode and produced a white spiky ball no bigger then a golf ball,
“To show our good intentions and to honour this undertaking, I will introduce
you to tig.” </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“What the Freak?” Avon responded, he looked towards Hannah and Pip who were
both smiling at each other in amusement at how absurd this toy looked, what good was a spiky ball? Was the unspoken words
between them, and how was a tiny piece of some weird ping pong game going to compensate
them for their time…. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“You’re giving me a Ball? …called tig? </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“This is no ball Mr Sagan sorry… Avon, this is a proximity device, it will
mentally graft itself onto the mind of this ships captain, which is you… it has
many uses, the alien captains of their time who piloted these ships used such
devices to maintain the ships systems, so they could free their minds for other
duties, think of it as the captain’s log with benefits, for instance it will
constantly record and store data, such information as our meeting will be
stored because I had it with me when we met, it can also be used as a probe and
once it’s imprinted on you, it will never work for anyone else, unless you
command it… it’s part of this ship Avon and it will be a great asset to you,
even I am not aware of all it possesses, it may teach you more about this ship
then you could ever know.” </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Sol interrupted with, “I believe it to be a computer of some kind, it will
communicate telepathically only to the one it’s imprinted on, I also surmise it
will have total access to all your systems and main computer, surely this is
adequate to show our good intentions.” </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Avon took the devise as the old Monk reached out, “really?” Avon looked from
the Old man to his son, “Aren’t you the chatty one all of a sudden,” then as he
held the ball it suddenly struck out with it’s spikes entering his palm and
Avon felt as if he’d grabbed a red hot poker made from cactus.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Pip and Hannah instantly put their hands to their swords.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Avon hissed through his teeth, “Wait!” then still with a searing pain that
distorted his voice he added, “This better be interesting old man!”….He held up
his free hand up to reassure Pip and Hannah, still grimacing, now they all
watched as the ball first glowed red then blue to green… settling to an amber
glow </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“What the Freak?” Avon exclaimed, as he tried in vain to shake the device
off, but it only made the tig clamp itself even deeper into the flesh of his
hand, then Just as suddenly as the pain started it now subsided, to be replaced
by a warm tingling in his finger tips, the hairs rose on the back of his neck
and a cold chill ran down his spine. </span><br />
<br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Tig detached itself, then began
orbiting around Avon, hovering round and round just two hand widths from his
head, Avon heard babbling then ‘Yez … yez, yez.’ </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Ok stop that he thought and ‘Yezz,’ in what to Avon sounded like a robotic
voice replied.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Avon found with just a thought he had total recall of the entire encounter
with the Monks in every detail, including things he’d not noticed, in total
clarity. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Wow…this is totally cool!” and all that information passed in a nanosecond.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Weapon! The warning in his head showed a scan of Sol and as he turned to
face Sol the scan overlapped so he was able to see every concealed weapon on
Sol’s body, this process again took nanoseconds, and to all those who observed
him since the device was activated was the time it took Avon to say, “Wow…this
is totally cool!”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“You’re packing quite an arsenal under those robes of yours aren’t you Sol?”
</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">But Sol just smiled happy in the knowledge his point was proven.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">At the command hide given in thought only……tig vanished “oh this is awesome,
the Tig has a stealth mode” Avon said to Hannah smiling.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“As you can see Captain, Tig is now part of you…it will enhance you in ways
you could never imagine,” Sol said, he also looked satisfied that the gift was well
received. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“I don’t know about that Sol, I can imagine quite a lot.” </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“No doubt you can,” Sol replied.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">The old Monk bowed, “I must return to the Chapel it’s time for prayers, I
wish you all a swift journey and with Gods help you will return to us soon.” </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“May the 7<sup>th</sup> bless you my son.” </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">The parting over, the old Monk returned to the chamber where he and Avon
first met.</span><br />
<br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">In a Galaxy Far away…. (Yes it does happen) a team of 10 mercenaries, the
meanest scared faced bunch of pirate scum money could buy, had already been
sent on the same mission to retrieve the exiled Monk, the leader of this
shambolic group is the Celorian Messa Sarktec, a race with grey scaly skin as
hard as armour and Messa has a reputation of getting what she sets out for,
she’s a grey mean fighting machine. Her Black hair was plaited half way down
her back, where the scabbards of the crossed swords met. Messa’s cat like
yellow eyes were unblinking as she looked into the eyes of Seth, the man who’s
attempt to relieve her of command had just ended badly, she slowly withdrew the
sword she had thrust through his throat and into his skull, and his limp body
slid down the bulkhead wall. “Get rid of that, sling his stinking carcass out
the airlock” she spun round at Fadda and Peke who we’re still frozen in shock
at the speed of the attack, “Now!” she screamed waving her hand in rage as she
carried on to the bridge. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Well that leaves 9 who are already closer to the Phellentine 7<sup>th</sup>
Fleet then the crew of the Aura.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">With Stardrive at
full the Aura arrived an hour behind the Mercenaries ship The Cuffa 213.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The Cuffa Crafts
were built for speed and the military of Celorian used them as troop carriers
and were made to withstand a heavy barrage... the objective was to land as many
troops as possible during the first stages of attack.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"So we're
here... this fleet use mines to protect the ships and they will attack anything
none Phellentine, so we have to find a way round them, My Grandfather used to mask
the ship with a fake signature, but they are on to that trick, we will be cut
to pieces if we try it." Avon informed Sol.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">"Ah... then I
suggest you ask Tig for a suggestion."<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">"Really!
That’s your best advice? Ask a computer? Your tactical skills amaze me no
wonder you've lived to be so young."<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">"Try it...what
have you to lose?"<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">"Fine!"
Sighed Avon, "Tig..." then he was interrupted by Sol, "use your
mind... you will get used to it eventually."<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">"OK!.."
and with his mind he asked, 'Tig...observe our situation,' and the word 'Tig'
entered his thoughts in acknowledgement.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">'TIG... The
information I've gathered would suggest stealth mode will be the most
effective.'<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"We have a
stealth mode?"<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"We Do?"
replied Hannah and Pip at the same time.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Snap!"
said Pip, with a self congratulating smile at getting the snap in first.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"It's hardly
surprising Avon having witnessed the Tig using It." surmised Sol.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"That's
fair." Hannah agreed.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Alright...
according to Tig the mines will not detect us in stealth, so it's reasonable to
conclude the fleet won't see us coming either," and with his mind he
ordered stealth mode engaged.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Unseen by those
on board the lettering surrounding the ship started glowing with a florescent
blue light…then as if reading an incantation the words lit up one after the
other at such a blinding speed the Aura looked as if it had been wrapped in a
silk cocoon by a space spider who intended adding it to it’s larder for
sustenance later.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">If any of the crew
stood on the observation deck they would have witnessed this event as the words
flashed round the dome and the hull of the ship, but the only thing noticeable
was some flickering on the view screen, and they all assumed it was cause by
the stealth engaging.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Here goes
nothing... take us in Pip."<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Aye Aye Captain,
we have engines at 000001 parsec speed."<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"There's no
need to speed Pip, just edge us in slowly."<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Aye Aye, slow
it is."<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">There was no sign
of the other ship... the fleet with it's massive carriers and cruisers filled
the screen.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"There,"
Pointed Avon, "Take us in to that bilge rats ship."<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">They came alongside
the massive hulk of Admiral Vanlak F Praetor 's flagship and it filled the view
screen completely, and they attached the Aura like a flea on a dogs back.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"That was
easy!" Pip Pipped in.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Yes and I
hate that," said Avon, and he had the uneasy feeling they were being
watched.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Hannah, put the detention deck on screen.”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Aye Aye Captain” she spun in her chair, “on screen now, was
there any level you had in mind?”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Avon studied the screen, wondering where a sick minded
individual would imprison the Ex Monk.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“You could send in the Tig Captain, do you remember Sol said
it could be used as a probe, so let’s probe!” Pip said smiling.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Brilliant! Well remembered Pip.” </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">And Tig vanishes in the blue beaming light to board in
stealth.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">On the screen it was evident some sort of siege was taking
place on board the carrier, the security detail of 30 were attempting to gain
access the level 5 from the south end but the corridor breach doors looked to
be on full lock down, and carrier crew had five to unlock or break through
before they could engage with the mercenaries, and the Northern and portside of
the detention levels were inaccessible due to the Cuffa craft with 213 painted
on it’s hull protruding into these lower levels of the ship.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Well that seems a haphazard way to get through the Fleets
minefield… they must have hit the carrier at speed, like a torpedo.” Hannah
observed.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“An effective barricade though…so why haven’t the crew’s
security team beamed in to gain access?” Sol asked.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Because,” Avon offered, “the Cuffa ship uses beam blocking
as standard, we won’t be getting into that level in a hurry, we would have to
fight off the whole crew before we could even think about charging into the
Cuffa crew.”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Well that was a wasted trip then.” Pip remarked to no one
in particular.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“We can gain access Avon,” Sol said, but you need to
manoeuvre the Aura alongside that lower level, so we can get behind the three
aiming the bazooka canons at the access doors.”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Ok, then what are you thinking we can drill a hole?” Avon
asked.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Sol smiled and said, “No we will walk through.”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Yea…right, that’s going to happen, move us down Pip, we are
going to walk through these paper thin Bulkheads, on second thoughts...” And
Avon ordered Tig to return and manoeuvre the ship.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"We need to get our war faces on, Sol stay right where
you are we'll be right back."</span></span></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">When Avon returned Sol said, "Are we off on a
date?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Pardon?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"You! your wearing makeup, is this some weird ritual I
need to know about?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Oh, now I understand, you see we have this tradition of
wearing war paint to help strike fear into our foes," Avon relied satisfied
he'd made an impression.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Well your looking fabulous." Hannah said, unable
to hide her amusement, she was wearing her usual three black finger strokes down
her face, with the middle strip travelling the length of her nose and down to
her chin.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"What the Freak is wrong with you two?, "He asked, "Sol, I can
possibly understand but you... you know our ways."</span></span></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"And usually I wouldn't say a thing but your paint has
strayed to your upper eye lids, it looks like eyes shadow."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Really?" Avon walked to the view screen and set
it to internal view... then when he saw himself he had to laugh, "I do look rather fetching don't I, well it can't be helped, now are we set?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">As Pip returned he open his mouth to say how lovely Avon
looked when Avon cut him off, "Shut up Pip or you will need a real plaster
across your nose." because Pip wore a white strip 23mm wide across his
face, and travelling across his nose.</span></span></span></div>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"You'd have to catch me first darling," he said
instead.</span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">They all laughed and Avon shrugged, "Who knows I may
keep it as a look." he laughed as Hannah and Pip were wondering if he was
being serious, but the typical laugh gave him away.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">As Tig lowered the craft and set down on the level Avon had
selected, Sol with outstretched right hand placed it against the wall, and as
he concentrated he said, “lower please,” then his body tensed, “Here, this is
the entry point, stop here.” He said turning to the others, then in the quiet
calm voice they had become accustomed to, he told them, "Listen! you
must do as I say, I need you all to hold on to me, if you let go while we are
walking you will be forever part of this ship, or the other." </span>He started chanting “trec puc coom, Trec puc coom, trec
puc coom.” over and over, while Hannah place a hand on Sol’s left and Pip and
Avon took his right.</span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">The stone in his crown started to glow as he step through
the hull of the Aura, although the three were tempted to resist, they swallowed
a last breath, and followed Sol out through one hull and into another, to the
three it felt like walking through silk curtains, and into a summer days heat, which blew into their faces.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Ok, let’s not do that again,” and Hannah looked green and
about to vomit as they step on to the Admirals deck.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“It’s disorientation… it happens, it will pass.” Sol
reassured her.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
Hannah </span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">fell to her knees just as a sword passed over her head,
Avon was the first to react and he kicked Messa back 4 metres backwards, where
she struck a guard rail hard and tipped over the side falling to the next
level, where she landed on her feet.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Bitch!” Hannah screamed and she jumped over the rail to
follow her down.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Pip move move move, fast, come on move it.” Avon ordered.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Sol was already throwing two three spiked discs towards the
Bazooka crew, one struck a Big Veeda warrior in the base of his neck killing
him instantly while the other struck the back plate of Peke’s armour where it
stuck fast.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Peke was unharmed and turned in a furious rage firing his
laser rifle at Sol, who was upside in mid air as he somersaulted across the
chamber, and catching the returning disc while he did so, the blue skinned,
shark faced warrior fell from his level backwards with his evil razor sharp
teeth gnashing as he fell.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Pip followed behind Hannah while Avon ran at the two
remaining bazooka crew.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Peke and the other Veeda warrior turned to face Avon, Peke,
still firing his weapon cut a jagged black scar across the bulk head wall
following Avon’s back.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">The Veeda made the mistake of trying to turn to Cannon onto
this new threat.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">He died as quick as his brother, when the Plasma Sword
sliced him in two, </span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">and with an upper stroke Avon managed to remove Peke's Rifle
with both his arms still attached, cutting him from the elbows down, followed by a vicious
kicked that sent the stricken soldier against the doors he was thought to
defend, and with a loud clash of Armour on metal he slid to the floor like a
limp doll.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Avon turned still running towards the other deck Sol had
just landed on, just to see him Sol frozen in thought.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"What's wrong?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"It has occurred to me, why would they ram their ship
into the carrier, knowing they would never be able to back it out after the
breach locking fluid had effectively cemented them in?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Oh....damn! I should have thought of that..." he
touched the communicator, "Pip! return to the ship, I've a feeling the
beam will work on this level, but ready yourself, we have guests on
board."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"I'll be sure to give them our warmest greeting."
Pip assured him, as he hit the retrieval stud at his sleeve, nothing happen!
"I can't comply Cap' we're still being block!"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Right...that would happen... there's nothing we can do about it now,
I see you below us, where’s Messa?" </span></span></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"She slipped into the detention bay, two of her thugs
are holding the door shut, but Hannah cut her, she's going to need medical
attention."</span></span></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Yea, Right I'll make that my first priority when hell
freezes." Hannah could be heard saying over the com.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">We're coming down... Sol and Avon landed lightly on their
feet, hardly making a sound.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Avon looked through the port hole into the adjoining
corridor to the detention cells.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Who's that?" Thug one asked of two.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"I don't know but he's looking fabulous!"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Isn't he just." </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Both thugs from a clan of Tyrrell 6's Station cluster, wore
a Tartan sash from a bygone age. Carrying broad sword phasers set to kill, they
insured no one would pass alive, should anyone get passed the doors.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Mc Nish had long dark hair, bushy eyebrows and a face that's
been hit so many times everything looked broken, with his round fat lipped face
pressed against the left porthole he blew a kiss at Avon, daring him to try
getting in, his bearded and Ginger hair colleague laughed out loud, until
Avon's fist punched the glass, sending the shattered pieces into Mc Nish's face
and eyes, making him an impotent threat.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Screaming out he made it clear with some terrible language
that he was blind.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Mc Greggor took a step back as the doors were pushed open
and holding up his hands, "There's no need for anything hasty here... I'm
not prepared to die for a flippin Cup!"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Fine!" said Pip, stooping to retrieve Mc Nish's
weapon, and setting it to Stun, then he shot Mc Gregger who collapsed to the floor next
to his pal.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Talking to himself, although Sol assumed he was talking to
him, Avon started to count, "Messa had 10 members to her bunch of
cutthroats when I last met her, we've taken out three, two here...and Messa so
that leaves four unaccounted for, I'd guess they wouldn't have sent less then
two to my ship, so where are the other two?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"With the Monk obviously." Hannah concluded.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Pardon?" Avon asked still in thought.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Erin Spectre!" suggested Pip.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Erin who?" Sol asked puzzled.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"OH YES ERIN SPECTRE! perfect make it happen Pip."
Avon ordered.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Still puzzled Sol could only look on as the three of them
stood at the detention cell doors.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Knock Knock!" Avon announced in clear view of the
glass plate.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Then a device hidden within the doors Exploded taking the
three out with it.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">The smoke was chocking, and the gapping hole where the doors
once stood was torn with burnt jagged edges.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Well that went well I thought." laughed Pip.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Indeed, how rude of them to be so aggressive to cold
calling...Who knew?" Avon added.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"So let me get this straight...." Sol interrupted,
"This Erin has something to do with Hologram Technology?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"No! not just something," Pip said still beaming,
"She is a Hologram techno genius... she's changed the gaming world
forever!"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"A waste of time.....gamers, so annoyingly." Hannah said with conviction as she walked into the room.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Think of it as mental combat training Hannah," Avon said after her, "with real
time reality so real you know your there," Avon informed the still unappreciative
young woman.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Not impressed Captain." she called back.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Avon stood at the opening to the detention cell control room, where he saw Messa strewn on the floor under the blood smeared wall where her body slid downwards, she was unconscious but
not due to her rapid loss of blood, but because of the open wound at the right side of
her head, she had been shot with a hot bolt gun, and looking towards the Large man at the desk he saw the hand gun was still smoking, Avon squatted beside her and felt her neck, she was still breathing but
not for much longer at the rate of her decline.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">And to everyone's surprise the man smirking at them as they entered was the
Admiral of the fleet.... he was cupping a golden upper skull like a half cut ball shaped trophy.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">The last of Messa's thugs, who had been manning <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>another Bazooka cannon, was also shot in the
back of the head, but he was seriously dead.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"If you ask me," Avon said shrugging his shoulders, "This party really got out of hand, you people need to avoid each other."</span></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Well when they said the Monk had the location in his
head I didn't think they meant it literally... I mean, look at this beautifully
etched map of our universe, this would be the envy of any science museum."
Vanlak Said, he voice booming in the 5 metre by 4 metre room.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Haven't you got a Fleet to run?"</span></span></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"I've decided to Retire Sagan, when these thugs entered
my ship, all I wanted was their crushed bones under my boot... but what I've
learnt fascinates me. this is Priceless as you no doubt know, you filthy
pirate."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Enough of the sweet talk Tubby, we’re not here to barter,
why are you here?”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“this is my Flagship you buffoon!”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Not here here….. I mean here in this section, how did you get passed this crack team?”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Oh…that! Well as much as I hate to admit it they caught me
off guard, and beamed me here from my cabin where I was sleeping.”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Well you certainly seem to be on top of things now… so what
happened?”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“They got careless and left this gun," he said pointing, "within my reach, but I’m not here to answer your Questions! I'm going to take your ship and run! but I'm curious... how the satin's pits did you get on board? do you have the beam encryption codes?" When all Avon did was rise his eyebrows The Admiral shouted, "How did you get on board?”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“I’ve learnt some new tricks that I’m not prepared to share…it’s
a secret and if you tell it’s no longer a secret, that's not how secrets are meant to work isn't it?</span><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">He looked to Hannah who was examining Messa.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Would you say Messa is the type to be careless with a weapon Hannah?"</span></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Only when she's pointing it at me... but if you're asking would she allow one, anywhere near that G</span></span></span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">orilla, I'd say no way."</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"> </span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Sol stepped forward…. “Allow me to speak please.”</span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"></span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Fill you’re boots Youngster. It’s your show.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Avon stepped back out into the corridor, where he paced with frustration at his apparent lack of cool around that arrogant skunk breathed megalomaniac.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“What’s wrong Cap?”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Nothing Pip…. I just need to think.”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Right’O, I’ll leave you to it Captain.”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Tell me Mr Praetor, what do you want?”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Is that any business of yours? I've no need of you, or your childish questions.”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“I’m no child Mr Praetor.”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“And it’s Admiral to you Sonny.”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Didn’t you not just say you had Retired?”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Oh I see Sagan has another smart ass in his mists!”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“I represent the owners of the item you feel so priceless,
so I’ll ask you one last time, What do you Want?”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“What a insolent </span></span></span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Child you are?, are you a lost brother of this scum?" He asked indicating Avon with his thumb, "How
dare you even look me in the eye… I could crush you like a bug!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“I very much doubt that Mr Praetor, but never the less I am
prepared to make a deal with you for the Map.”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“How would a Trillion Gold Bars suit you….BOY!”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“We have no need of wealth Mr Praetor, so if this is all you
require, then you shall have it.”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“REALLY?” called Avon from the hall.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Yes Really.” Sol answered back.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Fine! Carry on.” Avon uttered in mock agreement.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Well Mr Praetor do we have an agreement?”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“And why should I trust the word of a boy and his Pirate
friends? Eh? Do I look a Fool?”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“I could answer that.” Offered Avon still pacing.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Shut Up Scum!”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Where would you like this Gold sent?”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Sent?... I’ll take it with me in the Aura.”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Avon step back into the room in a rage…”Over my dead body.”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“You will not be taking the Aura Mr Praetor, be assured of
that… but I can provide transport if you need it.”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“I’m betraying the Fleet…Of course I NEED IT!”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Raising your voice Mr Praetor doesn’t bring your point
across any firmer, You will have a ship and your Gold, but to get it you must
come with us.”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Deal! He said spitting into his hand and offering it to Sol,
who declined to shake it.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Fine!” Praetor said wiping his hand down his uniform, “We
are in agreement, you would never get passed the quarantine of region 23 anyway, not without my connections.”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“These things can be discussed on board…” Avon said in annoyance,
and stooping over Messa he removed a small remote from her belt. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“I suggest you hang onto
something!” he said shooting a grappling bolt into the deck as he fastened the
wire to his belt, he then held onto Messa. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Hannah and Pip had already done the same with their grappling blots. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Sensing what was about to happen, Sol wrapped the sleeves of his robes round <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Avon’s wire.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Avon didn’t care if Praetor was ready or not, he pressed the
remote self destruct to the Cuffa. And the whole detention deck levels
decompressed… sucking anything not screwed down out into space… </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Pip Ducked as first a
chair then three cabinets flew over him.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Avon saw that <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Praetor
was unfortunately still with them.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Hannah Beam us back.” With a flick of a switch on her cross
belts Hannah locked everyone on to a transport beam and while the room still
screamed with escaping air the six were transported to the Aura under a blue
shimming light.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">On board they discovered Two of Messa’s men frozen in an
energy field. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Without worrying about their fate Avon beamed them back into the corridor
full of the Admiral’s crew.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Quietly he thanked Tig, who was becoming a valuable asset to the Aura and crew.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
“That will teach them to keep such bad company, speaking of which
get Messa into the Med Bay… I think she has information we will need.”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“If she survives and I do mean If! With the head trauma she’s
received I doubt she will have any memory of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>who she or what she is, let alone anything that's taken place.”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“We’ll soon know Hannah…plug her in and let the Med Aid Tech deal with her.”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Aye Aye…I’ll let you know, I’m going to staying with her for quite a while.”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Fine.” He looked to <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the Admiral, “As for you, I haven’t decided
what to do with you yet, so until then, hand Sol here the map and Pip will escort you to your cabin.”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“The huge man was about to disagree when a nod from Sol indicated
it would be for the best.”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“It had better be better then this Scum bucket of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>bridge!”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Don’t you Worry I’ll see you get the best scatter cushions and scented candles.”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Grunting the Admiral complied, grudgingly following Pip.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Pip! Lock the door when you leave.”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“Aye Aye Captain.”</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“I don’t like this one bit Sol, there’s something fishy
going on round here, I wouldn’t trust that man under any circumstances, he’s
hiding something… he’s a career Officer… this stinks big time, his predecessor was vaporised on a deck cannon for less, and the dashing Admiral was the one pushing the Button.”</span></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“I understand your worries Avon, I will handle him, but he
was right about one thing, we will need his contacts to get through the quarantine,
or we will be obliterated as a threat of contamination, because we are going to
the Xian Home World.”</span>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"We could use Stealth."</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Not for the length of time would take to pass the two light year parameter, the Galaxy is too afraid of the consequences to risk another out brake of sudden death, we would be detected."</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
"<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">And you think he could make it happen?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Do you have any better idea?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Fine, so we wait and see, either way I'm watching him like a Terran Falcon."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"If you feel it necessary."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">It's very necessary if you expect a good out come to this venture."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"CAPTAIN CAN YOU COME TO THE MED BAY... THERE IS SOMETHING YOU NEED TO SEE!"</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"On my way Hannah," He patted Sol's head, "now you go play nice with that Tub of lard, we need to know what he's up to."</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"You can count on it Avon."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Good."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">As the doors of the Med Bay slid open, Avon saw Hannah studying a blood sample on the view screen.</span><br />
"<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Well whats got you so concerned?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Take a look for yourself." And Hannah back off the view to show the whole body internal scan.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Well I see a strong heart beat, the blood flow looks fine, treatment to the head is looking good, with some cell regeneration healing the wound."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"And."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Well she's looking OK to me...Ahh....now what is that? can you zoom in?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Hannah zoomed in and the screen was full of blood vessels pumping blood through the body with some additional help.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Nanites, I should have known, she always healed fast didn't she."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"They are doing more then that Avon... they have been and still are re sequencing her DNA, what ever she is, she's not </span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Celorian."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Can you find her real DNA pattern anywhere?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"I found a small trace which explains her unusual eyes, it appears she is Bristitarian."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Are you sure?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"As sure as jammy toast always falls jam side down, Why are you looking so strange?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Do you remember the Gwen Fleet?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"What, the story you told us of the blockade?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Yes... Well what I might not had mentioned when the Fleet first encounter the </span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Phellentine</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"> 7</span><sup style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">th</sup><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"> Fleet, the cruisers protecting the transport ships abandoned them in order to protect their Carriers, and Mr Charming sharing the delights of this ship destroyed every one of the unarmed ships, and one was carrying the last known members of the Cat people... The Bristitarians."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"You mean he wiped out an entire race?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"He wiped out more then a Million lives on those transports, and yes he could have wiped out the whole race, we many never know if others survived."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"So someone must have picked up survivors? do you think they may have changed her DNA to save her?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"One thing I do know, if anyone picked up survivors The Admiral wound have had them blasted out of airlocks... This isn't to hide her DNA, someone wanted to enhance her Body to make a weapon out of her, Celorians are the most feared fighters ever encountered, they are hard to kill, and heal fast."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"I don't understand?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"I'm saying She was altered to make her a formidable soldier, if it was to hide her true species, whoever changed her could have chosen a thousand other more pleasant races... this was thought out by someone who wanted to control his or her own force."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Your just guessing, it could have been to protect her and make sure she could defend herself."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Hmm, maybe but my gut feeling is the one behind this body altering has been using her from the start, this could be bigger then we imagine, lets just say you wanted to make a fortune but you wanted to maintain the appearance of being a humble servant, or Politician, you could effectively make yourself invaluable and insure your never suspected of any wrong doing."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Wow! where did that come from? we only have this vicious woman, who's hounded us for Like.. Forever! and now you think she's a puppet? I'm not buying it... she's one mean bitch."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Maybe..."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"I know your gut's never wrong, which is even more annoying when you think about it, most people use their intelligence to make these assumptions."</span></div>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">"Is she going to live?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">"Yes I think so, she's a tough old bird, but as I told you her memory could be impaired after suffering such a severe trauma to the head, there's no telling what she will remember."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">"These nanites effecting her DNA, can you disable them?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">"To disable those I will have to disable them all, including the ones responsible for keeping her alive."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">"That head wound is healing right?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">"Yes."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">"So the nanites saved her but they are not doing any more then the Med Aid can cope with... Disable the nanites."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">"If you say so... but she'll never survive a shot like that again without them."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">"Well she will have to learn to be like the rest of us then won't she."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">"Oh harsh, OK I'll get on to it, you know her appearance will change right?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;"> "Yes... let her be 'au naturel' as nature intended, it works for us Right!"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">"You did get out of the wrong side of bed this morning didn't you Mr Grouch."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">"Your funny."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">"And your weird."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">"I've had another Idea."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">"Well your full of them today aren't you Captain."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">Avon spoke into his whist band, "Sol can you join me in the Med Bay....Pip you too!"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">and both confirmed they were on the way.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">"Hannah, put a hold on disabling the Nanites for now, I think we can help her regain some memories."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">"Really? how?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">"You'll soon find out."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">Hannah was still making fun of Avon as Sol and Pip entered the Med bay.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">"What's the problem?" Sol asked</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">"I was about to say the same Cap' is the equipment playing up?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">"No, I just want to help Messa here regain some memory... I think she's had a Mind Wipe, but it's there somewhere we just need to sift through the layers."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">"How do you Propose that Avon?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">"Well that's why I asked you here Sol... your a Man train in the mind right? as part of your beliefs?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">"Well yes, with my own people, we can share a single mind if we need to."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">"I what you to try on her," Avon said, indicating the comatose Messa, and as he did so he felt her pulse in her neck, "I think she's strong enough of mind to take it."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">"She won't be conscious Avon, you do know that right?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">"I'm depending on it Hannah." . </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">"So what do you want of me Cap'? I've been thinking of going through the archives, I was interested in finding out more about this Tig thing."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">"I want you, my freckly friend, to set up a virtual hologram so we can see her memories."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">"OK dissing the freckles again, and What? is that even possible? you know this isn't a film right?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">"Work with Sol, make it happen."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">"Avon if I may use Tig, I believe I could use it's mental imagery system to pass on some usable data for Pip to work on."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">"Excellent! I can see we make a good team, well I better get on with piloting the ship and I'll send Tig down to you." </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">Pip busied himself placing the three triangular 1cm mirrors used to project a holographic image as he did on board the carrier, </span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">the sleeve of his left arm held all the computer systems needed to control the stream, he hoped he could use, he tapped in the commands and waited till he had enough data to work with.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">Vanlak was fuming in his cabin, he banged his huge fists on the door when he heard the lock engage, he shouted out to Pip before he left, "I'm not your prisoner you space trash, unlock this door at once do you hear me?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">But Pip was well on his way to the Med Bay, and he didn't really care what The Admiral wanted anyway.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">"What an idiot," He muttered to himself.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">Avon was on his third coffee when Pip announce they had something, So with one last sip he downed his cup.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">He figured that this far out in space it was more or less safe to put The Aura on Auto pilot, as long as there were no meteor storms or imminent attacks planned, and that wasn't likely as no one was pursuing them and no storms had been detected.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">He entered the Med Bay with his usual smile.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">"What have you got for me?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">"Well first off, let me say my Genius with code has paid off, as I've practically rewritten a whole new program."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">"I wouldn't expect anything less of you Pip." he answered, winking.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">The Admiral paced the room looking for a way out... then he pulled a small communicator from his boot and sat in the hammock, "Are you receiving Fadda?... Fadda are you there?" realising the ship had some jamming device in operation he grudgingly</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia;"> put the communicator back in his boot. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">He knew Fadda would have escaped His carrier, as there was always a plan B and C to fall back on.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">Fedda was on board the Aura with Secorvek the Android when they all returned to send him back to the Carrier, he used a chameleon mask to appear as The Admiral on their arrival on the lower decks, where the massed crew who were attempting to regain control of the detention level were now desperately working to ensure the breach was contained. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">"Captain VeeK why are you not firing on those Pirate scum!"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">Alarmed At seeing the Admiral appearing from the shimming blue transporter beam, VeeK just stuttered, " Wa wa wWhat ship are you referring to Sir? the Pirates ship detonated and blew a hole big enough for a cruiser the pass through, there's nothing remaining to threaten this ship any longer." </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia;">"You miserable excuse for a </span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Phellentine, I'm referring to Avon Sagan's ship your Cretin."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"I don't understand Sir, we haven't had any reports of the Aura in this sector or detected any other ship." </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Well How by the fire pits of Krang do you think I got here?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"I've no idea sir, I believed you were on the Bridge!"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"On the!..... Lieutenant Grum! Take command and have this man ejected from my ship."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"At your Command Sir." and he ordered three marines to escort the captain to the nearest airlock.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"I've done nothing WRONG! I'm in command here Grum stand your men down at once."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Sorry Sir you're no longer an officer on this ship, by the guidelines of fleet Command order 55678-a delta you are to be removed of Command, and ejected into space."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"You FOOLS! you're being led by a mad man!"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"When your done Grum, ready my private craft for immediate departure, tell Hellec and his eight marines to join me in the transport hanger.... You have your orders now carry on, you are promoted to Captain as of now and have full command of this ship until Admiral Secca arrives, are we clear?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"All clear and by your Command Sir!"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Good, I will deal with Avon Sagan and his scum of a crew myself, it's time to cleanse this Sector of their kind once and for all."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"At your Command Sir, good Hunting."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">'Tig' announced himself in Avon's mind to inform him it had blocked an outgoing signal.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">'Well we know who that will be.' he told himself.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Pardon?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Oh nothing for you to worry about Sol."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Carry on Pip, you say you have something?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Yes... are you ready to send Sol?."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Yes Pip, I'm ready, but please allow me to get comfortable, I will need to clear my mind." and as he spoke he sat crossed legged on the floor.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Do you need a cushion Sol?" Hannah asked, concerned that the hard floor wasn't her idea of comfortable."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Believe me Hannah compared to the rocks they give you to sit on, this floor 'Is' a cushion." Avon assured her.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Sol said nothing, but he did have a broad smile on his face as he sat bolt upright with his hand laying lightly over his knees palms up.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">A scene from a child's past filled the room.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"You must go to the shuttle Saveena, hurry now my sweet child." </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">And an Adult cat like female spoke directly at them, she was wearing a golden jumpsuit with an jade silk over jacket, her skin was smooth and the colour of shadow, as you'd expect from a race of hunters, </span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">her oval human like face was exquisite, with a button nose, and her cat like eyes stood out a vivid green in contrast to her skin. her pointed ears and hair was hidden under the jackets hood.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Man, she's beautiful." Pip blurted out louder then he intended. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Wait! I remember these people!" Avon blurted out in surprise, "So is this 'Her' people?" he asked Hannah.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"I guess so, I don't know anyone who's met them, I could search the archives, I'm not even sure if any survive today." Hannah replied looking quizzically at Avon.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"This is one of the ships under attack when the Gwen abandoned them, Fabian put me on board to help evacuate any survivors, while my parents and brother worked on the other ships."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">And as soon as it was said a 15 year old Avon appeared reaching out to take her hand.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Come with me, I have your pilots readying ships in your shuttle bay."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Her name is Saveena, please you must take her, I need to find her bothers," then the mother whispered to Avon, "Her fathers dead, please hurry," then louder, "I'll meet you there."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Come Saveena, it's time to leave this party," He handed her a lemon and lime flavoured Lollipop, from his pocket, but she spat it out, "Yea, maybe not to everyone's taste I guess, come little one, we must run!"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">They ran through the corridors then down three flights of stairs, as it wasn't safe to use the turbo lifts.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">The Hanger was swarming with people and crew.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">A shuttle pilot was about to close his hatch and lift off when Avon leapt on to the deck pushing a protesting crewman aside.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"She won't take up much room," he said leaving her.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">One of the </span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">surviving </span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Bristitarian </span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">females took her in her arms, "She'll be fine with us, thank you."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">The memory faded as did the image.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"I can't believe she's the same girl? I mean.... Look at her now!"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"It's genetic alteration Pip, she will soon transform back to her former self, once I disable some nasty Nanites!" </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Ready? Wow, if she's anything like her mother she's going to be a Babe!" </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Three unimpressed faces forced him to add, "I mean, she'll be very different."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Well, it won't quite happen that quickly, her skin is tough, it will take a while for her to shed it."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Shed it?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Yes Pip, like a snake, it will become dry and flaky... but this current skin is as hard as an Armadillo, you remember them don't you?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"NO! why would I know that?" Pip exclaimed, gesturing with his arms out, "I'm a Space brat remember?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"OK you two, lets get back to it... Hannah, she will remember this now I take it?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Yes I believe she so, the nanites have rebuilt her brain tissue, so now it has something to store."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Right I can see this will take some time, you three keep working I'll be at the helm, if anything important to our safety comes up, call me, otherwise I'll be heading to Zereon we will be there in two clicks."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Hey Cap'!"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"What is it Pip? It better be good."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"You were a babe to fella." said Pip laughing, and Sol and Hannah couldn't help but laugh too.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Avon tuned to leave, "Yea, well you've either got it or you Ain't Pip." </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Have you found Them?" Hellec asked Fedda.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"We don't need to find them."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"We Don't?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">No... because we know exactly where they are going, only now we can get there before they even arrive." </span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Fedda held up a clearance Disc for the Xain sector. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"And we can give them a very warm reception."</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Two hours later the Aura was orbiting Zereon, it was here the Galactic Enforcement for Interstellar Peace and Law was based; considered one of the oldest planets, it was here The Great Minds of Heira first reached out to other civilised worlds to ensure Peace and gain Allies in it's wish to protect all the known Galaxies. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">The grave yards held the last resting places of Aliens seen as Gods in some Worlds.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Representatives from every know plant with sentient life, were chosen by The Heira for their special abilities and inherent goodness found in their soul, beings that had shown an advanced state far beyond others of their worlds, were trained to use these powers for the good of all races.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"You want to go to Xain Major for what reason?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"As I stated to your Minister for Universal Safety, we believe there is a risk to all life, still laying somewhere on that Planet, and Sol here represents..." But Avon was cut off.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"I, Mr Sagan know exactly Who Sol represents, and I will welcome his council," The White faced bug eyed Alien raised his monobrow and added, "Alone Mr Sagan if you don't mind, can you be so kind as to wait here, my assistant will bring you and your companions refreshments."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">In his red and green finely patterned robes with golden edging, SpiraZat Varg Looked like a King among peasants, he was 244 cm tall and he looked down on the Crew of the Aura as he rose from his seat that sat behind his finely polished Gray stoned desk.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">SpiraZat was a Pareediean, a race with a flesh so white it seemed to glow, their heads looked to hold a huge brain, mainly due to the large round black eyes being set two thirds down their skull, if you over look the large brain the remainder of the face had a oval shape, with breathing gills on his neck he had no need of a nose and his mouth was average sized for a human, so it looked small on his large head.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">He escorted Sol to a private chamber.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Well that's typical isn't it, we have that fat Admiral gloating about his special connections, and it turns out we don't need him after all!"</span><br />
"<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Good job</span> <span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">we didn't bring him down with us then," Pip offered, taking a hot drink of Passion Berry from the Ministers assistant.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"I should of ejected him, why Sol insists we drag his fat backside along with us I'll never know</span>."<br />
"<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">I think before this day ends we will know," Hannah said, as she took an iced Keva Beer.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"I'll have an Earth Cider if you have it, cold without ice.... who does that too cider?" </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"We do indeed have Earth Cider Sir, do you have a particular favourite?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Surprise me... I like surprises."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Very well sir, may I suggest you all wait in the main gallery, the view form the domed lounge is rather lovely at this time of day."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Very well....Thank you, Can you bring a menu with that drink I'm famished."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Of course sir, how remiss of me not to ask."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">The three walked on through the large gathering hall into the Gallery, the mix of seating was designed to cope with the variety of races who visit, in the hopes of getting a favourable outcome to disputes over their civil rights or property.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Hannah headed to the edge of the dome and sat at a chair with a lengthened seat to allow the occupant to lounge. she sat resting on her side with her elbow supported on the armrest, "Ah... this is the life, a lady of leisure that's me, </span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Oh and isn't this just lovely, I could get used to this." She affirmed as she stretched out, placing her drink on the green glass topped table.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"So how much do we know about Messa now?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"You mean Saveena Cap', "</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Whatever!.. So what have you found out?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"From what we can piece together so far, her craft was damaged, and picked up by the Fleet and the then Admiral was replaced by Vanlak as you told us.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Hmm... Interesting, so that's when he really took command."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"It appears so yes." Hannah conceded.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"There was something else Cap' but we didn't want you going into one of your strike first ask questions later faze."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Really? And what was that?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Well at first we thought we were viewing her memory as you'd expect, only knowing her age at the time Hannah believes someone grafted a part of his own memories on hers in order to aid his control over her mind."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"And what makes you think it's a He?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Embarrassed Pip looked to Hannah for support, and as he reached for a audio play back jack to plug an ear piece, she nodded, there was no way Pip was going to use wireless ear pieces, that would get Hacked in seconds.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Avon heard a crackle then the unmistakable voice of the Admiral. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"I want you to fire of that shuttle before they reach The Aura."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"But sir they are unarmed?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">There sound of a laser blast then, "Does anyone else here question my orders?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"No sir." was the reply from more then one man.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Peke take over, fire on the shuttle now! Fadda your with me, we will negotiate an offer for the ownership of this station"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"You mean Kill all who disagree?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Do you have to ask?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Just making sure we're on the same page Sir."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">While listening Avon's jaw visibly tightened and the scar there seemed angrier as it reddened, and he clenched his fists.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">He stood, "I'm going to cut that ugly head right off his shoulders!"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"No!" they both said at once, then Hannah continued, "Sol asked us to talk you through this, he needs Vanlak on the Planet when we arrive."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">With an evil shout Avon screamed, "Why?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"He's Xian Avon."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"WHAT!"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"It's true Cap' Sol believes he altered his DNA like he had Saveena."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"he also believes those he places his trust are also Xian Avon," Hannah said, and she wished she could take that hate from his eyes. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Freaken Xian!! Is he kidding me?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Your Drink sir and a menu, can I recommend the lassian steak? it's so tender this early in the season."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"No, I've lost my apatite."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Will your companions?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"> "No they wouldn't."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Well I was just thinking of hav..... no nothing for us." Pip agreed.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Avon downed his drink in one... </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">And in a ship not so far away...</span>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Peke, what do you think of your new arms? pretty cool eh?" Fadda asked.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"As long as I get to strangle Sagan with them, they will do."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"but they come with a freaken Laser man... that's so cool."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"How would you like me to arrange for you to have some?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Hey! no need to get touchy my friend, I came back for you didn't I"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Avon sent you back to the ship you bakat! you never came back for anyone."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Well I saved you just the same, so be grateful."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Avon had calmed a little when Sol returned unaccompanied.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"We can leave as soon as your ready Avon."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Well isn't that honky dory, so how long have you known about our guest?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"I'm sorry Avon, I was going to tell you at an appropriate time, I wasn't to know about his private army," He paused to look sincerely in to Avon's eyes, "He knows the Xian ways, Avon, he he's able to regain their technology and reestablish links with the old fighting force, this galaxy and many others will be torn apart!, The Heira asked me here, these are dangerous times Avon, if he rules the old Xian elite you and many others will be swotted like flies. We can't allow these old ways to return."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Well if I cut his head off all will be sorted then won't it?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"No."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"No! Then why not?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"We don't know how deep this goes, he could already command a force bigger then any of us can even know, He has to show his hand Avon, and he will do so on Xian Major."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Avon unable to speak in frustration began pacing the hall.... but after the rage he felt subsided he returned to the others, who where now eating at the table.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Yum... looks lovely I'll have the same as them if you could be so kind? what is your name by the way? and the Human assistant for the minister replied my name is Emilia."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Then for the first time from beneath her blonde curls she noticed her beautiful hazel eyes. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Will you join us?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">That's most kind of you but I'm going to decline, we were not meant to meet for another three years."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"WHAT?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">But Emilia had already turned to stride off, giggling to herself as she left.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Could this day get any stranger?" He asked no one in particular.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Probably Cap'... In fact I'll bet you it does."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Shut up and eat Pip, you need some meat on your bones, and beside I don't pay you so you've nothing to bet with."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Well there is that I suppose."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Avon, may I ask... you are all good friends, practically family, so why do they refer to you as Captain?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">It's tradition Sol, my family have sailed space since man first took to the heavens, I even called Grandfather Captain."</span><br />
"Ah... <span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">So it's a term that allows you to remember them."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"You know I've never thought of it in that way... But yes I believe your right, and when the last of us is Captain, then they can remember all those who came before too, Isn't that right Pip?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Captain Pip does have a ring to it." he said smiling.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">And the friends ate their fill.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Avon stood to leave, and return to the transport area, because it was still illegal to beam in or out of an undesignated area, when he was approched by a two headed female Vyven, a creature who's natural environment was under the sea of Jenuvern , but a sophisticated suit held all her bodily needs long enough to survive on land, well at least for for short periods, until they had to</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"> return to their fluid filled ships.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"I'm a medium!"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"You look more a laar..."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"They are trying to warn you!"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Avon looked about him, "Who, exactly?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"The four at your Shoulder!"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"look spooky lady, I haven't time for this." </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"You Will Die under Two red Suns!"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Well if you have to go, I always insist on topping up my tan for the wake."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"You mock me! but I see them!"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Avon tipped back the last of his drink, "Two more of these and I'll be seeing them too!"</span><br />
<br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">As they all walked through one chamber to the next Hannah asked, "What was she going on about?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Nothing to worry your pretty head about Hannah."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Which left her feeling even more concerned.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Back on board the Aura Avon asked Pip to take over as pilot, while he and Sol went to the observation deck to make plans for their arrival.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Over the com's Pip asked "Is it really practical to monitor two parsec of space Hannah?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"They have been doing so for 200 years Pip, and each machine is capable of replicating it's self once a day, using the same beaming technology we use to transform any matter, which would then be converted in the beam, to manufacture replica parts, after all you can't build something from nothing."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Blimey! that's a lot of ships, so where does all this materials needed to build come from?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Monitor platforms Pip, far lethal than ships and armed to the teeth, the materials come from</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"> everything the Xian left behind Pip... from the humble pen to the Massive Fleets."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"I see, so if anyone gained Xian Tech..."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Then they would be able to have control over the Platforms, yes Pip, and if they are used in force, they would be unstoppable, even if we merged every ship of the current fleets they would just be like drips in a bucket."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"I was going to say like flies round a massive...."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">and interrupting Hannah chided, "Shut up Pip." </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Pie." Pip continued unabated.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Even with the clearance disc's giving out the required signals, some of the platforms moved to intercept, f</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">illing the screen with their huge mass.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Sensing more then seeing Pip knew he was no longer alone on deck, "Ugly but effective... just like it says in the manual." Pip chirped.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"What's our arrival time Pip?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Four more Clicks Cap',"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"In that case, go free the Ape, and return to the Med Bay with Hannah."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Where do I allow our guest to go?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Don't worry he''ll head right for us, his urge to kill is strong."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">On his release from confinement </span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Vanlak was intent on taking out his frustration on the young Pip, so he barged through the door, but Pip always light on his feet side stepped and the weight of the man took him forward to land heavily on the far bulk head. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Pip just smirked and headed to the Med Bay.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"You insolent Pup! where is HE!"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Let me see....last I saw we where hurtling through space being hassled by bigger brutes then you, so I don't know what goes on on your Carriers but here we like to be on the bridge."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Bugh!" and Vanlak pushed off the wall and headed to the bridge even more intent on hurting someone.</span><br />
<br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"How did you get the Clearance!"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"What! Without you you mean?" Avon answered, spinning round in his chair to face the man who killed his family.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"They don't give them to Pirates!"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Well it's a good job I'm not one then isn't it, is there anything else? because from where I'm sitting you look pretty unless to us..." Seeing the Admiral's fists clench he added, "I'd think twice about the next thing you say to me on MY ship, I've had a trying day." Avon spun back to view the forward screen.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"You there Priest or whatever you are... come with me."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Avon looked at Sol to gauge his reaction, but Sol's features never altered in the slightest, he still had a grace about him.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Very well Admiral, please I'll meet you in the ready room shortly, can I have a moment?."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Huffing the huge man left cursing.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"I have to admit Avon you have far greater control of your temper then we have been led to believe."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Really? So where did you learn of this?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Survivors of the Station, where you attacked a ships crew."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Humm .... yes well it was a concern for my Grandfather too, it was his will that I focus my energies away from uncontrolled flaring, he told me it would only end badly....it wasn't easy.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"In this case I'm pleased, and I'm happy these stories are now unfounded."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Hold on there... I'm all for keeping those impressions circulating, it saves a lot of effort."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Your secret is safe Avon." and for the first time Sol bowed and touched his forehead and gestured with the palm up.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Is this a good thing?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Most definitely."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Well anyway as for the Temper, we worked on it, I broke a few things and we worked on it some more....I'm a changed man," then leaning back in his seat he shouted back, "Hey! Van Man... if you need help shedding some of that extra weight you're carrying let me know and I'll cut your head off!"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Sol tilted his head to study Avon's face, "You seem to have a knack at making others angry however."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"It's a gift." Avon said, as Sol followed the now bellowing Vanlak.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Cap' can you come to med... someones awake."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"On my way Pip."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">On the Home Planet of the Xian the welcome committee was setting up a perimeter, which didn't include bunting as you'd expect from a ragtag bunch of killers.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Fadda was shouting orders while Peke marvelled at how quick and strong his new arms were, "I should of cut my old arms off years ago!" he announce.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Well you soon changed your tune, I've always looked after you haven't I?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Yes... Well I never asked to have them removed at the time, but now," and he laughed, "this is much better, fancy an arm wrestle?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"We haven't time for messin about, get yourself hidden, I want us ready for the </span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"> old man, and those pirates will be here soon."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"> Fadda thanked his lucky stars that he'd had the chance to glance at the map on board the Carrier, or they could have ended up searching the entire planet for Avon and his crew.</span><br />
Mc<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Greggor was also keen to reacquaint himself with Avon, as he had to abandon his blinded colleague back on the Carrier.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br />"What's new Hannah?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"The nanites have done all that's needed so I've disabled them, they have already passed through her systems, she's clean, and surprisingly awake."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"if you call eyes rolling and moans awake." Pip added to clarify her current status.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Avon looked down at the once leathal Messa, her one grey skin was dry and peeling, making it look white.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"How much will she remember?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"She will remember the younger you, that we know for sure, so maybe she will react kindly to your presents, she will remember being shot in the head by Vanlak so he's won no friendship medel's there, we saw some sketchy bits of her training, also more of her family life on her home planet, but having said that, we will either have the crazed killer we all know and love, or someone completely different."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Oh please let it be the crazed killer, I loved her eyes when she got mad."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Shut up Pip!" they both said.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Shutting up."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Well Sol seems to be keeping Tubs busy, so is there any way to revive her now?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Of course, if you're sure."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"I'm not saying I'm sure, but we need to know who's side she's on before we get to that Planet."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Well the restraints are on but I advise standing back." </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Hannah used the med-gun to administer a stimulant through the skin, this wasn't the syringe of old, this blew the chemical through the skin and directly into the blood stream, usually leaving a slight blemish to the skin, but in this case nothing changed.</span> <span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Her eyes opened and the once yellow eyes had the most beautiful turquoise colour around her cat like opaque pupil. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Nice." Pip blurted before holding a hand to his mouth.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Her eye moved and dilated until they adjusted to the light, then as she focused on Avon's face hovering over her she moaned, "Whaaa...Where am I?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Hello, your on board The Aura, do you know it?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Should I?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Possibly but that's not important, do you know who you are?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"I'm......I'm.... Who am I?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Good question and I'm glad you asked," said Pip, immediately taking the seat meant for Avon, to hold her hand as he spoke.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Avon amused said, "Have you met Dr Pip?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"No.... he seems very young for a Doctor."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Pip was beaming from ear to ear. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Hannah now chipped in, "I suggest more rest, are you Hungry?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Yes...I feel I haven't eaten in days."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Chicken soup and a bun coming up!" Pip said jumping from the seat and heading to the galley without waiting her answer.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Hum.... I hope you like chicken?" Avon asked.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"I don't remember it? what is a Chicken?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Another good question and one scientist have been asking for years, I'll leave you with Hannah here," he gestured, "If you remember anything or want to ask anything, she will call me."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"OK..... I think."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">The Admiral was blocking Pip in the galley when Avon arrived.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"What are you up to Tubby?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"You will talk to me with repect or not at all!"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Hum, not at all it is then, but if you want to keep that arm I suggest you let Pip pass."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Grunting in rage Vanlak swung his massive arm only to strike the balk head behind Avon.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Temper temper, didn't your tubby mother teach you anything?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"I will KILL YOU!"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Keep that thought I'm rather busy at the moment."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Avon waited only to see that Pip was allowed to pass, then he pushed Vanlak towards the Bridge. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Come on you, we will be at Xian Major soon, you could have used the shower in your room you know, it was free, I'm sure we can have a chat about over things after we conclude our business with Sol.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Reluctantly the Huge man moved, he knew there was nothing he could really do on board this ship, what he assumed would be a classic drive station, turned out to be a telepathic linked drive, and he had no way of controlling it.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Sol was at the drive station, "We have arrived," he announced.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Good lets get down there." Vanlak said, keen to be off this ship and somewhere where he could control events.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"I need to anilyse the atmosphere before I we go anywhere," Avon barked. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Very well, then lets get on with it, I don't what to be on this toilet any longer then I need to."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Avon raised his eyebrows, "How were you expecting to get home?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">The Admiral just huffed and sat down, and the chair creaked under his weight.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Pip joined them having taken the soup to the med bay, "Someone needs a chill pill I see, wasn't your bowl of gruwett worms to your liking?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Shut Up!"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Pip laughing added, "Shut up is my second name, and I call them Gruwett Worms because I grew it myself, did you see what I did there Cap'."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Unfortunately Pip Yes."</span>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Sol was just looking in wide eyed wonder at Avon</span>,<span class="Apple-style-span" face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"> "Hey, don't look at me pal, you volunteered for this remember? This is about as sane as it gets."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Over the com Avon told Hannah to put her war face on, Pip sprayed his one stripe and Avon painted his blue.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Let's get it on crew.... the eagle has landed."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Avon always used the Eagle when they were planning a surface attack.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Admiral your with me," Pip told him.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Why aren't we going down together? What tricks are you playing here?"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Rule one Tubs.... never put your eggs in one basket, we scatter." Avon told him.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Hannah are you ready?"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Aye Aye Captain." </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Avon beamed Sol and Hannah down together... then Pip and the Admiral.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Before Sol had left, he asked in private, "Why do you call The Admiral names? isn't it rather childish?"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Maybe, but my Grandfather always maintained an angry opponent is an easy opponent."</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">He knew Hannah would have sedated Saveena, so it was just left for him to beam down.... "Wait!" the voice of Tig said in his head.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">'There is another vessel in orbit Captain.'</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Avon was so shocked that anyone else could be here that he completely missed the fact Tig was taking on a personality all of his own, and called him Captain, as all members of the crew did.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Where is it? and have they detected us?"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">'I believe we have been detected Captain, would you like me to disable the ship?'</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">'Yes do it... I don't want anyone joining us on the surface."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">'There are 8 life signs plus our crew on the surface Captain."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Freak! OK..."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Crew we have company where ever you are duck down out of sight."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Over the com there was the sound of a blast...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Hannah?....Pip?"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"I'm here Captain, the noise was over by Pip."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Pip? are you alright?"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Tig anounced 'there are no life signs from Pip's suit Captain.'</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"That fat snake....how did he get a blaster?"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">'I can only anilyse factual Data Captain, but if you will allow me to surmise, I believe a weapon was left there for him.'</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">'you mean he's connected with those on the surface?.... Damn it... I should have known by the way he was tip toeing round me.'</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Hannah, can you see Pip?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"No, but I know where he is, I saw Sol heading there."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Sol?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Avon thought for a moment.... he had left Sol alone with the Admiral, could he be working for him?.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Hannah punch in Pip's last coordinance, I'm coming down, I suggest you move and keep moving outward, you are surrounded, four are stationed behind you, do you have any thermal detection Grenades?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Yes."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Throw two at whatever cover there is behind you."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">He heard the blasts.... and three of the life signs flashing in the map in his mind were extinguished.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Good Girl, I'm beaming down."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Avon materialised in a mix of blood and fire... Pip was nowhere to be seen but he did catch the Admiral running into an old hanger almost hidden in undergrowth.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Unbeknown to Avon, Sol had turned in time to see the Admiral about to fire on him, then somersaulting backwards he landed and ran round the outcrop where Pip and the Admiral had been standing, he heard the shot, and was in time to see Pip falling to the ground, he ran at the Admiral who now had his back to him, then he did something out of desperation, because he had no reason to believe what he was about to do would possible, this was not how he was trained to think, but being in this form in the company of the crew was making him more human and irrational.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">He wrenched the crown from his head, which was connected directly to his brain, blood was pouring form his wounds and he felt sick and dizzy, but he leapt taking the Admiral by surprise and sliced his blaster in two, then as he was about to strike again the huge man slammed him to the ground and stamped hard on his chest forcing all his breath out, but even while he fell he ran a small blade down the mans leg and into his foot, Screaming out in pain the Admiral fled, kicking Sol into the bolder by Pip... </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Reaching out Sol placed the crown on Pip... the tendrils entered his brain and he simply vanished.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Rolling over in pain Sol wiped the blood from his eyes... he saw movement to his right and ran at them, throwing the three bladed disc.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Avon ran to the hanger, tucking in behind some shrubs at the entrance, "I'm coming for you Admiral." </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Be my guest, It's time you saw who's in charge round here."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">there was a deep Hum coming from within the hanger.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"What are you up to Admiral? don't make me come in there and beat you with your own arms."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">He only heard laughter.... that insane laughter all mad men had.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">'Captain,' Tig said in his mind, 'I believe he has found the device.'</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Crap!... you mean he has the goblet or what ever the heck it is?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">'It's a transmitter Captain, more sophisticated then your human mind could ever envisage.'</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Transmitter for what exactly?" he unintentionally said out loud.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">'It's a multiphasic re-dimensional transmitter Captain.'</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">'And?'</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">With it deactivated this planet and all its cities will rejoin us in this existence.'</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"And it's people?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">'Yes Captain and it's people.'</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">'So the Xian where never really destroyed after all.... they were just out of phase with the rest of us.'</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">'You learn fast Captain.'</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">'I'm a geni..... Oh never mind, So why were we not told?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">'That is Sol's decision Captain, you could say it was his Sol purpose....did I make humour Captain?'... it is he who is assessing you.'</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">'No you made a quip. </span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">What do you mean assessing?' </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">'Assessment is where an individual or many individuals are...'</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">'I know what is means.... Why are we being assessed?'</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">'Your suitability Captain, you are using technology belonging to an highly advanced race, and they have abilities far greater then you can comprehend.'</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">'Ok... Just tell me this after, what do we need to do now, can you stealth me?'</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">'Before the device was deactivated yes.... but the planet is now drawing all the energy it can find, soon I will be depleted.'</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">'You mean dead!'</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">'That is another term I could have used, thank you for the correction Captain.'</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">'What about the Aura? is that being drained?'</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">'No captain it is shielded.'</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">'Return to the ship at once.'</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">'Returning now Captain.'</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">As soon as Tig was gone Avon realised all the planet telemetry went with him.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">I should have asked Tig to leave a route map.... never mind, he thought.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Hannah hissed, "Over here!"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Avon joined Hannah in the undergrowth, she looked exhausted, "You must return to the ship Hannah."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Where is Pip did you find him?" </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Pip is dead Hannah."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"NO!...he can't be dead I ....I saw him."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Did you pick up life signs from his suit?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"No.... but all my readouts are acting crazy!" she showed Avon the screen on her wrist."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Well I'm informed the item we came here for has been deactivated, everything with a power source is being drained, you can put you're guns away they won't work here now."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Hannah was trying hard not to get emotional.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Look, I hate to bring this up because I know it's a touchy subject with you, you lost your family in a heated battle caused by the Admiral, I never mentioned his involvement because you needed training, my Grandfather and I couldn't tell you because you would have looked for vengeance, and you were no match for him then. Look I know you are close to Pip, he's like a brother to you, you've grown up together, your suit is now subject to this planets power consumption, I need to find the Admiral and you need to return to the ship before it's to late to do so, I must reactivated the device."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"I don't understand, Why was it active? wasn't it just a vessel to hold the power to target DNA?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Ah.... about that," Avon look round but felt no immediate threat, so he ducked back down.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">It's more then we thought, it is some kind of phase altering device that targeted the Xain, </span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">The Xian.... Well they never left, they were all brought here to exist in another dimension, it seems the 7th wasn't the cause of a mass distinction after all, what a bunch of softies." He look into Hannah's eye's to judge her reaction.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"So they are still here, all the buildings all the people are invisible to us now?" </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"The old building here have deteriorated because we only see what was here before, in their Dimension I imagine everything has been maintained or even rebuilt, and they will be back if I don't reactivate it somehow, and we could end up crushed under the new city they must have made, so you must leave." </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"I can't leave, </span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">you need me!... without Pip, it's just the two of us, you know we can no longer trust Sol, you'll be alone here."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"It's Too dangerous for you."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"What do you mean? what's happening?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Reversing this devise has cause an energy drain like I've said, so it's compensating by drawing what ever energy it can find," He pointed to her Hand guns, and I've told you your weapons won't work, but I could use your swords."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"I'M NOT RETURNING."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Avon looked beyond Hannah and shouted out a warning, "Behind you!"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">as she spun around to look, Avon punched the beam retrieval, and drew her Sword, she vanished in the blue shimmering haze.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"If I survive this there will be one piss off girl waiting for me." he said aloud.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"I guess so." Sol said as he collapsed beside Avon, he'd lost a lot of blood, his face and upper torso was completely red.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"This body hurts."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Well what do you expect? I imagine you Unie live a life of pure energy right?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"You got me... yes we do, and in a realm untouched by other beings, we evolved centuries ago, we have no need of flesh and bone."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"But you felt bad about all that tech you left behind, so you had to stop the Xian from gaining an unfair advantage over other races...yes?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"When did you figure that out?" Sol asked,</span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"> and even his blood stained face couldn't hide that inquisitive stare.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"When you gave me the Tig, for a people supposedly absorbed in a religious cult you knew a lot about the Unie."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Well in your talk I guess I'm busted."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Indeed you are, so I assume I can trust you? What do we do?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"This is my responsibility Avon, you return to the ship, it's going to get messy down here if I get my way."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Big talk from one so young, and look at you! you're already a mess, those stains don't budge, I know, I've tried."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"I'm 456 of your years old Avon, I'm hardly young."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Well I signed on for the duration so get used to the idea."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Very well... There are only about three members of Vanlak's team left." </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">It was Avon's turn to do the stare.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"I've been busy... I saw Hannah leave so, I hoped I could get you to do the same, it's us against 4."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"I feel sorry for them already, it seems so unfair."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Indeed," Sol stood wobbled and Avon took his weight.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Give me a sec OK."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Take your time old man."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">They both had a smile on their faces at that.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Now both ran into the hanger where Avon slid to the left and Sol leapt to his right...</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Avon almost took Peke off his feet as he slid into him, but he was off balance long enough for Avon to swing Hannah's Sword and remove his new arms... "Sh...." then he removed his head before he had time to say more, after all it was he who fired on his Family, and his death was long over due.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Sol was weak but to those he was up against he didn't show it, Mc Greggor was dead before he even saw him, Fadda was behind Avon lifting his Gun when Sol's disc struck him in the throat. Avon only heard him fall before he was aware of him even being there. He nodded his </span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">thanks, even though his weapon wouldn't have fired, he had enough sense, once he'd realise to slip a knife into Avon's back.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">In the middle of the hanger was the unmistakable form of the Admiral, there was a mad activity of gold flashes as the Monk's ancient device spun at incredible speed.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"You can't stop it now....MY PEOPLE ARE RETUNING!"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">The Admiral knew he was untouchable now... so he didn't bother trying to kill them, as he now preferred the idea that they witness his greatest achievement , his glorious moment, he would be a hero to his people, and his reward would be great. plus he felt his people would carry out a far more painful punishment for these two scumbags.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Do you trust me Avon?" </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Of course....Why? what are you thinking?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"May I have your Sword?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Avon handed over the sword and in a blur Sol hit the beam retrieval for Avon and he was gone just as Hannah.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">He slowly walked toward the Mad Man, who's mind was clearly deranged, he knew The Admiral would never receive recognition or reward from the Xian because he wasn't pure Xian.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"What you have not calculated for Vanlak, it that the destruction of this device while it's running </span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">will destroy this world and your people for ever!"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">And with a flash of red, as the finely polished sword reflected Sol's blood drenched body, the blade cut through the spinning gold... there was a sound as if all the air was being sucked into the fragmenting object.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Sol hit his retrieval while the Admiral just stood open mouthed unable to move.</span><br />
<br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">When Sol appeared on the Bridge he shouted for all the hear... "Tig override safety protocaols light speed now, give our trajectory your best shot.....punch it!"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Avon and Hannah just had time to grab the straps to their seats as the ship moved faster then a human could bare and they both blacked out.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">As The Aura powered passed the grand structures they all exploded one after the other in a chain reaction.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">In the part of space that once contained a world of the Xian race there now existed the largest Blackhole ever recorded, and a huge power source that was much appreciated by the surrounding systems.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">The old Monk was standing over the waking forms of Hannah and Avon.... "Did anyone take the space number of the ship that hit us?" Avon asked looking up.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Seeing the Monk he added, "Oh please tell me you put some money aside to purchase some scatter cushion?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Sol, close to his fathers side helped them both to there feet.... </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"You should see the reality suite they have here Cap'." Pip said joining them</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Avon blinked.... and as much as he was glad to see pip alive he had to asked, "How?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">While Hannah just ran over and hugged him, screaming, "PIP!" and jumping like a school girl at a football match.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"The crown was made for me to allow me to return to my people Avon, I had no idea it would work for a human, we have ways of restoring damaged bodies if we catch it quick enough, Pip was still alive when I reached him, I had little time and even less options."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"But why is he still wearing your crown?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"That's easy Cap' it can't be removed, I would die if I tried what he did," he said punching Sol's arm in a brotherly way, "it comes with cool stuff too."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Yes like walking through walls." Hannah said, still overjoyed to see Pip again.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"We owe you a great debt Sol, how can we repay you?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"My Son would like to join your Crew Avon, he can no longer return to his previous form, when he gave Pip the crown he gave up his immortality too."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Yes Avon I would be happy if you'd accept me." Sol said bowing like he had before.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"And I would also like to join you." </span><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Saveena said now entering the chamber and Avon's eyes almost popped out of his head, she was now fully recovered and her skin was as dark as night and as smooth as silk, her ears were pointed as Avon's Great Great Great Grandfather's old Entertainment disc's showed of a character called Spock.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">she wore a silk tunic that complemented her eyes perfectly.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Are you sure you want to join us? it can get very dangerous out there?"</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"I wouldn't have it any other way Captain."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">And Pip Jeered, "OH you're saying Captain already... you'll go far."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"Lets hope so."</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">So now with his motley crew of four strange and wonderful beings, Avon and the Aura Ventured out into the vastness of Space. </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>BestDrWhohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14003720218824109178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5530905588618595477.post-82448904515918211672015-12-11T16:00:00.004-08:002021-07-03T02:16:10.575-07:00The Scruffy Kid<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLjlZCfQ5N9dx7oI_3pe3-NNYG-p49jyDplkguBwKlxTUE7JuRx-EmoBp8uqjAipGWR0Zb9c5oEdoL5cnGZ6USRhZDXq40nJ6CD4lPX0gXPo_o5Pe6oqVgA2NU46OWC3dcJY7UKhJC9cj/s1600/banksy+and+me.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLjlZCfQ5N9dx7oI_3pe3-NNYG-p49jyDplkguBwKlxTUE7JuRx-EmoBp8uqjAipGWR0Zb9c5oEdoL5cnGZ6USRhZDXq40nJ6CD4lPX0gXPo_o5Pe6oqVgA2NU46OWC3dcJY7UKhJC9cj/s640/banksy+and+me.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Well Hello to you... Yes you there! Here you see two pictures, 1.The Scruffy Kid aged One, having a
day on the beach at Sandbanks, near Poole, and 2. Graffiti by Banksy, found in
Southampton, the city of my birth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Strange isn't it, that a art piece from the talented
Banksy should end up in Southampton, and look, in an arty way at least, exactly
like me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
Ah yes, The Scruffy Kid was born on the 19<sup>th</sup><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>of Oct 1956. A Twin. It was a shock to
the parents as the first they knew about this other child was me shouting
“Boo!” which made everyone including the nurse jump three feet in the air, not
a good situation to be in to someone giving birth, and my mother had to stay at
the hospital longer to recover.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Almost dropping me the Nurse looking into my big blue eyes
decided to slap my twin for a second time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Well that’s how I believe it happened, and as I’m the one
writing this no one can stop me ….Ha ha ha ha ha (mad laughter) but I
digress.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Later that day due to some confusion a local reporter from
the Daily Echo knocked on the Door of our then home in Northam, an area of
Southampton situated near the Docks; many of the young crew on board the
Titanic lived in this same area, My father grew up here; he once told me when
he was a kid he and his friends often watched the Dog fights between the German
Bombers and there escorts with the Spitfires and Hurricanes that protected our
shores.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Interestingly My Mother being a young child too during
this War, was out in the Country, in a place called Colden Common, which as a
child I always thought was Golden Common, which just goes to show a kid can
listen but not necessarily hear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">When war broke out my Grandfather was sent to Scotland to
man the Guns; where he was to be told his surname was Scottish, and I since found we are part of The Gordon clan. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">So the family safe in the country now moved into Southampton where it
definitely wasn’t. In Fact my mother told me the story of when my Great Great Grandmother, tried to enter the safety of the Southampton Civic Centre air raid shelter... but the Man at the Door, probably an Air Raid Warden, sent them away to another shelter across the Park, Well as you can imagine she argued her case to enter as she was with two young children, but the man insisted that the shelter was full, and sent her on her way, and she muttered a few choice words about the man under her breath as they sought refuge elsewhere.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">That Man saved their lives that day, as the Civic Centre shelter took a direct hit from the bombers, the 500 pound bomb crashed through the roof and exploded in the basement. It was said that Hermann Goering stated rather smugly, that the Civic Centre looked like a Cake from the air, and he was going to cut himself a slice of it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Over 300 people were injured in that raid, and all 35 civilians which included the man at the door, and 15 school children were killed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">The force of the blast swept my relatives off their feet, but they blessed their good fortune and the man at the door.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">But Wait! I hear you cry, 'what’s this got to do with the Reporter!' Well nothing I’m
giving you some background, stories do that you know, and sometimes in the most unexpected way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Knock Knock! “Who’s there?” ‘Reporter!’ “Reporter Who.”…
Oh my word! I best get back to it hadn't I, as you've ALL forgotten already.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">“Hello Mr P………?” (Censured to protect the innocent) asked
the reporter in a way only reporters can, “I’m from the Echo, can you tell me
how it feels to be the father of Triplets?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">At this point I imagine my father fainted, after
witnessing my twin Michael and my birth, and then to be told there was a third!
Blimey!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Of course this turned out to be a mistake to the great
relief of all involved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Months Later I was to be seen holding my Rattle in one
hand whilst shouting to Odin “By the power of this Rattle tell me why, WHY I!, the
Norse God of all that rattles, why I’m surrounded by Saxons?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">For I was the ash blonde, blue eyed baby boy, with siblings, with brown eyes and the jet black hair of a Witches cat, except cats have fur... "What Fur?" I don't now they just do... Is it just me? or do you lot always ask questions while you're reading? because it's really annoying, I'm trying to be a professional Author for goodness sakes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">But If my siblings had fur they kept it to themselves. three
years later this difference was further highlighted with the birth of my Saxon
sister Loraine; spelt with one R as she wasn't a pirate. Now it's Loraine who swears that the darkness comes from an Italian source in our
family line, I didn't realise they had dark sauces myself but what do I know of
Saxon magic, or Italian dishes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">'So this is how it’s going to be,' I thought…. 'Me and the
Saxons it is then.'</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">When I was a year old the family moved to a newly build
Council home, and for what ever reason they took me with them, so it was in
these new dwellings we three; Steven the elder and my twin Michael gave my poor Mother the merry run around.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">She never understood how once placed in our play pen, how
it always appeared in another part of the room until she caught us all working
together to lift the wooden pen and walk it round.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">If I concentrate really hard, I can remember pushing my chubby baby face against the wooden bars, and rattling my Lippy cup along them, while stating, 'you got nothing on me Copper! that nappy was full when I got it.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">During one of these escapades I somehow escaped into the hallway, where I found an unused
capped gas pipe to chew on, as every father and mother will tell you, babies on
the road to discovery will put anything and everything into their mouths first, but this pipe,
unfortunately for me, had a very sharp pointed operating handle that speared me just under my lip…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">In my head I have this picture of my mother finding me
bloody mouthed attached to the pipe, and lifting me by my legs shouting to my
father, “That funny blonde haired one has become an appliance! He’s running on
gas now!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Poor woman run ragged and now she has to explain how her
child was battled scared, but I'm a Viking. We eat pipes for breakfast, if
only is wasn't copper, it could have been a good source of iron.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">I still have a scar just under my lip as a reminder of
this event, and recently I received an email from a worried dentist saying they
found a strange shadow under one of my teeth, that can’t be explained and in
order to investigate they will need to destroy said tooth to ensure it’s not
infected.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">To me this seemed a drastic way to save a tooth! How can
you save a tooth by destroying it? and then having to pay for a Cap. So
thinking, as you do when saving yourself from lunatics with drills, I tapped my
mouth in the area this shadow appeared and low and behold my finger fell onto
my scar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">I found this fascinating… that something that happened 59 years ago should still raise alarm to this day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
The scar is quite small at around 5mm in length, but on a baby it must have
looked huge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">I don’t recall there being any Crèches or preschools for
babies in the late fifties to early sixties, but if there had been any, I would
have been placed in the corner with the Roughty Toughty kids. You know, the ones with
flick knives and broken noses surrounded with everybody else’s lunches.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">“Cor’ Blimey! Look out! It's scar face! Give him the
lunches, we don’t want any trouble.” They would shout.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Davy Crockett killed him A Bear when he was only three... A Bear! and he was like Tiny!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">My very first recollection of my father and one of my
earliest memories is holding my mothers hand and looking up into the smiling
face of a stranger, a man as BIG as A Bear, who filled the door frame, as I stood, with my mother and my self, on the inside of the living room, while my father stood just outside, in the hallway.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">“Who’s that?” I ask worried, now looking back to mum for
reassurance that all was safe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">“This is your Daddy!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">This was a word I had no understanding of, “What’s a
Daddy?” laughing my mother stoops and adds “he’s your father….your dad!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">This still meant nothing to me. 'Stoop all you like woman! you make no sense!'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">My father had been working nights, although while my mother was recovering in
hospital after complications from our births, my father was our soul carer, but
I have no memory of this, my memories only go as far as three years old and that's without killing a Bear, But it has to be said my Brothers could have quite possibly killed a bear with their stinky bottoms. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">It was only after the birth of my sister, that my dad decided he’d had enough
of nights. He had a young family to bring up and he only ever saw us sleeping. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">So for me he was home for the first time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">This was that day! The day he would come back into our
lives, and there was I, leaning back to look up at this strange giant, but he
never scared my mum so he never scared me either.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">As children we had several dogs… one was a jack Russell that
used to playfully nip at our heels if we ever ran in front, so he had to go, and
then a rough coated hound called Rex who had to go after he snapped a bite at
Steven the elder, who, I might add, was teasing the poor thing, that he was
about to steal his dinner… Steven still has the scar under his eye.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Our next Dog and the one that was going to be my friend
until I was into my twenties Was Tiny; I'll elaborate further, yes he was a
small pup, but we also named him Tiny, probably because he was.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">He was brought to us by My Auntie Sonya, who was working at
some dog rescue centre at the time, and if we didn’t take him he would have to
be put down.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">"Call yourself a Dog! I've seen bigger!" and no doubt, and other such put downs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">So obviously to save him from these taunts, we took him in.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">I remember my first introduction to Tiny… he was a cross
between a boxer and some longer nosed Mutt, we were in the back garden when my
Aunt placed him on the ground, he was only a few months old and the poor pup
sat shivering as we all stood round to meet him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">I knelt down to get a closer look, and stroked him, his
fur felt as soft as silk and he was still shaking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
Now I seemed to have developed a telepathic link to Tiny as we grew, and I’m sure I could
hear exactly what he was thinking in to my kiddie brain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">If I was ever to venture into the woods, there would be
Tiny tagging behind saying ….”Ok! where are we going? Wow, smell this tree,
this tree smells great! hang on! I got something! ” he would say sniffing the ground, “Na,
I got nothin!” ….”Ohh…look a bird! That bird will get it if he ever comes
down here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">I never had him on a lead when he was young… he loved to
run and I used to run with him.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">By the time I was 3 I had one best friend and that was Kerry an elder girl who lived opposite to our house.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">These homes were build in blocks four houses each side with a passage alleyway separating the rear gardens.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">I used to look up to Kerry, mainly because she was a year older and a foot taller then me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">We of the Baby Boomer breed, seem to have had more freedom to wander as children, and we could venture out into the World alone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Steve The Elder, had a Trike!..."Really!"... Shh! he'll hear you.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p>It was a beauty, red with yellow handles and seat, it taunted me to ride it....oh yes it did. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">OK so I'm 3 3/4's and forbidden to ride the for mentioned trike.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">But my brother is at school.... hmm, now this is my opportunity to make a break for the hills. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">So tip toe little me... and unlock the garden gate, up the path to the second gate leading to the alley separating one row of four houses from another, then I am out! I'm on that bike and I'm peddling... The G forces on my face lifted at least two hairs on my head out of place, 'This is awesome!' The exit between the garden walls is rushing towards me at an incredible 1/8 a mile per hour... I hit the small step onto the concrete path heading for the asphalt path that circles the homes built in rectangles, turning left now I'm going down hill....... Brakes? Brakes!! not a clue, what's a brake ?...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">The end of the row is coming up fast and I need to turn left, so I can take the path at the front of these council homes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">I make the turn...who knew three wheels could become two! But armed with pure ignorance I keep the bike on the path... 'Wow' this is fun isn't it? I say in my head, but no one answers, we're too busy having fun!... And then it happens!... 'what was that??' I feel it again, so I stop peddling, because something is tickling my face, 'hmm what is it..?' I touch my forehead and it's wet! 'what ?' Where did that come from? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">As I run my hand over my face a bead of water runs down my hand... Crumbs this is awkward I seem to be malfunctioning in some way...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">With a sense of urgency now I start peddling again passing the last of the four houses, I turn left again and head up hill...'Cor blimey!' this isn't easy... <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">I dismount and run with the trike the rest of the way untill I turn left yet again and head back into the alley... to gate one... gate two... <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">"MUM!! ...MUMMY!!" I bang my tiny fist on the back door... I'm better off shouting because no one but a dog sleeping against the door would hear that! "MUMMMMMMMMMMM!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">The door opens and this giant is now looking down on me, "What have you been up to now?.... have you been riding your brothers bike?" "ahhh humm," looking back at the bike I return my gaze to my mother's smiling face.. "Mum I've broken my head, it's leaking!" <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">"What?" <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">"I'm leaking! my head is leaking... look!" <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">I point to the water running down my face... and Mum starts chuckling, "Your not leaking, your sweating!!" <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">"Oh NO! is that more bad then leaking?" I ask, in me best child English init... <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">"No ( chuckle, chuckle) it means your hot! people sweat when they get hot!..." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">"Really?" I ask... <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">"Yes..." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Well where did the water come from? it had to come from somewhere? I don't understand this sweating thing at ALL!...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">OK so I'm not going to die through leakage so I fess up to riding the bike. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">"That will teach you," Mother says... "Come in you better have some water."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="margin: 12pt 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Ahhh... very shrewd this is a sneaky ways to replace my empty head tank... I'm thinking.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">By the time I was at the ripe old age of 4 I was about to meet the lad who was to be my best friend through out my school years. he was the son of a polish RAF pilot who settled down in the sunny south of England after the war.... you know the one with the two W's and two I's. not the Boer war as some of you may have assumed.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Although before I was born, I was told about a Family member who owned an Orange plantation in South Africa, well obviously I was told this as a child and not literally before I was Born.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">You see back in the days of Empire and exploration my ancestor set out to map the unknown regions of the Great Continent, he painted this down on leather hide or so I was told, I'd hazard a guess the it was on paper that may have been wrapped in leather hide. But who knows? those that do have past.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">He settled in the Sunny South African coast and bought the land to start his Orange legacy... A legacy lost to the family due to the days of Sail, as none of the family could reach this land to lay claim to it after his death... Goodbye Orange Empire... Ma'r maladed this story to be when I was just a Tot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;"><br />OK like I was saying before you all distracted me with oranges I met this blonde lad while I waited a Mr Whippy ice cream. ( Mr Whippy was a brand name for a fleet of Ice Cream Vans that regularly circled the estate for custom. There was also Tony Bell, who had a cow logo, and various other manufacturers of these Icy delights) Mr Whippy was famous for his whipped Ice cream cones made possible by using a machine that pump the ice cream out and the comb would be twisted to form the Wippy look. Old Tony Bell still scooped his ice cream into combs so old school and today I was new school.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Well here I am aged 4 something, looking up at this giants van when suddenly a finger is prodding me, this isn't something I was used to so I look into the eyes of the prodding finger kid and he says "Why are you over here? this is our territory your trespassing! So my first though was 'Ice cream' my second though was 'Hey Ice Cream' but eventually I answer this probing with an all inspiring "What?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Yea that told um... did I mention there was about six of these tots surrounding me? No?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">OK so there are six of these young Mafia types now making a tight circle round me, 'Oh to be so popular' I was thinking in between shouts of 'ICE CREAM!' in my tiny brain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">"Your trespassing!" Blondie insisted, which was easy for him as he already had his Ice cream in his other none probing hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Now I had no fear of anyone or anything, because I was too ignorant to know why I should be scared.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">So I thought hard about it and repeated "What!" as my first line of defiance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Now this other kids starts shoving me "You hear'd im! now push off! get back to your side!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">My side as he eloquently put it was 300 meters away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Tom Baker would call this so wonderfully violent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Well let me tell you, I wasn't having any of it, so I stamp the foot that says 'I'm not going anywhere pal,' and say "I've come for a ice cream and I'm going to HAVE! an Ice Cream."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Now three are pushing me back and I'm starting to get a tad annoyed...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">"What do you want son?" the seller asks.... Where the Hell has he been the last 5 minutes, obviously I want a bloody Ice Cream!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">So I say probably louder then I needed to "ICE CREAM! with hundreds and thousands." (sprinkles as they are now called)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">I had the threepence in hand and reached up on tippy toes to place it on the counter. The boy's backed off a little, and I take my prize... "Don't cross the line again!" what Blondie really meant was don't cross the road, but the path looped round the road so no crossing was involved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;"><br />Now look back at the face of the one year old me, in the picture above and you'll know what my four year old face was set to, at this time... you have to be a brave fella to get between me and ice cream I can tell you, and just have.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">They shouted taunts and I poked out my tongue but they asked for it, this was a bloodless battle of wills and Kerry who came running over because of the fuss shook he fist at the little up starts shouting "Bully's you leave him alone." This just encouraged more shouting and taunts, but earned Kerry a lick or three of Ice Cream... I'm as stubborn as they come, I ignored their territory rules continually through out that year of 1960.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Motorcyclist or Rockers as they were known used to gather on that forbidden territory, with there bubble gum chewing girl friends, and me being a cheeky chap often walked into this gathering... the girls all thought I was cute and used to pick me up and plonk me on one of the huge Motorbikes, I was also a pillion passenger while they toured the estate. Oh They smelt of Fuel and Brycreem, and the boys were just as bad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">These Rockers would have music playing from some old radio and I think this is what drew me to them in the first place, and I would sing along much to the Aww's and Woo's of these young teenage girls, so they made The Scruffy Kid and honorary 'Rocker' and a leather jacket was wrapped round my tiny shoulders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">I was never with my siblings on these adventures as I would just wonder off on my own. People fascinated me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">School started when I was 5 and fortunately for my twin he got to come with me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">I remember Mum walking us to School for the first time and she imparted two rules to follow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Rule One... remember how we got here because you will be making your own way here from now on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Rule Two... if anyone tries to Bully you, you should give them a bloody nose and they won't bother you again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">I know what your thinking 'Did you write those rules down?' Well no... because this was the first day of school Dah!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">I'm shown where I'm to hand my coat, and each hook had a picture of an animal on it..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">"This is your hanger from now on so remember which on is yours." The Secretary said, before taking us to our Teacher for the year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">So I hang my Duffle coat up on Squirrely and my Bother does the same on badger.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">"This is Michael and Paul, the Twins" and turning she said, "Boys this is your form Teacher Mrs Anderson."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">We were manoeuvred into place in front of Mrs Anderson, "Hello boys...so who's who?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">"I'm Paul."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">"And I'm Michael." my brother answered correctly. (this boy will go far)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">So at this revelation we had our names pinned onto us so the rest of the kids who couldn't read knew who was who.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">And there was Blondie and prodder number two, who turn out to be Richard and Kevin, I assumed the squiggles pinned to their jumpers said the same.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Well any trouble from them and it's bloody nose time according to rule two.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">because they recognised me we actually made friends on the spot, they had never met Michael so it was pretty much just us paling up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">The Bloody nose was awarded to a tall lanky boy Roger who had formed a little gang, these were probably neighbours of his that entered school at the same time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">As soon as he started pushing me and going on about how his gang would rule this play ground I decked him with one punch right on his conk, the then slang for nose. I mentally put a tick in rule 2.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Mother was right, he never bothered me for the rest of the day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">There was another set of twins in the class, but these two Everett's were identical unlike us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Michael and Terry Everett were impressed with my ability to tell them apart, but to me one had a thinner face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">It was assumed the twins would form rival gangs but I'm not a joiner of such things as I liked to do things alone. I did however always look after my sibling who once he cottoned on to the fact I'd step in if there was any trouble, used his great big gob to find plenty for me to sort out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Don't get me wrong I was no bully...I never picked on anyone who wasn't asking for it, and as they force the issue so nicely I saw they got it.... rule 2 was now full of ticks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Probably because my first friendship was with Kerry I found I preferred the company of girls during play times, and I would be found singing the latest hits to a ring of them in the play ground.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">I also played footy with the lads.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">I was soon discovered to be a gifted artist, because my drawings of people were clothed and had normal arms and legs with shoes and not stick people...'What was that about! stick people Really?" kids were weird.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">according to Mum this was because I used to sit and watch some guy called Rolf Harris who had an art programme on one of the TV channels, I don't recall any of that so I must have been very young, I do however remember that it was my Mother who showed me how to draw Eyes, and that at no point do you see the pupil as a full circle, the top would be hidden under the eyelid. I still do eyes exactly the same way even today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">A Programme I do recall before school would be Four Feathered Falls, by that Man, Gerry Anderson.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">I remember it because the sheriff had magic guns that would shoot by themselves if he was in trouble, pretty cool eh?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Then the day came when Roger decided he would pay me back for the Bloody Nose I gave him, so he got his gang of five to surround me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">That was mistake number one, his second mistake was the punch to the chin... because what happens next needs explanation I think I'd better break it down for you, I had better explain how I eventually over came this threatening event.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;"> As a kid I had to play fight my bothers often, usually it was them against me, as they both liked the wrestling on Saturdays BBC Sport. A programme that; back in the 60's the whole family, including cousins would gather round at Grandads House to watch every week without fail.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">So the one thing I learnt from having two monsters attacking me at once, was how to thrown these fiends over my shoulder.... Now remember I'm surrounded so all six of these idiots are at arms length.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">I grab Roger's arm first as it had just struck me and turning into him I throw him down as hard as I can at my feet, then before the others even had the sense to react I took each opponent in turn by turning my body into them as I had with Roger and threw each one in turn again as hard as I can right on top of poor Roger.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">all bar one who ran away to inform the teacher on play ground duty I was picking on them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">One thing I was sure about was Roger had to be hurting I made sure everyone fell right on top of him, and boy did I slam them down with all of my kiddie Might.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">By the time Teacher joined us, there was a squirming mass of bodies under foot...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">"There Miss I told you!" said chicken shit. pointing an accusative finger, and my only thought was 'Hey! you should be top of this pile you ass!'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Well bless teachers cotton socks, cause she looked at this pile and said, "So Paul picked on all six of you did he?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Then one of the girls I was with at the time said, "No Miss they were picking on him!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">"Is this true?" Teacher ask one of the other girls, this was Pauline, who always wore her hair in pony tails.. I remember this because we used to run round the play ground, with me holding on to her tails as our waggon was under attack! under attack by Cherokees! (I was very gentle, I never pulled her hair so fear not dear reader) We loved this game....<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Anyway.... when asked, Pauline confirmed it was indeed, I, who was the intended victim.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Teacher now helped the boys to their feet and as the red faced Roger appeared she said, "Well let this be a lesson to you not to pick fights, now off with you get yourselves away so I can keep an eye on you."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Well from that day, in my little way, I became a legend in the play ground and it ensured people thought about it before attacking me. because rule 2 would be enforced at all times.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Before you start thinking This boy's becoming a bit of a brute... at this time I was also picked for the school choir and one of the Three wise Kings for the school nativity... such wisdom at a young age, and a king no less, and I had the paper crown with it's toffee sweet wrapper encrusted jewels to prove it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">"I bring you Gold!" said King one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">"I've the preset Frank sent!" King two announced.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">"I've just got Myrrh," I say shrugging ..... not a clue, what the heck was Myrrh?, when I found out later it was used for Medicine and scent I was even less impressed....What Baby wants that?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;"><br />Oh the 60's were brilliant... so much going on like Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner Bat-Man!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">The day Mrs Anderson made us play Blind mans buff I realise I may have over stretched myself...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">I was blindfold and I had to catch someone then guess who I caught....Oh The excitement Paul your killing us here you say..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Well here I am I know it's a girl because she had a girly giggle and Nigel wasn't in school that day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">"I'll give you a clue Exclaims Mrs Anderson....it's your girlf</span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">riend!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Blimey that's no help at all! I had six girlfriends.... so I have to have a guess, "Is it Heather?" I say optimistically<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">A gasp comes from the kiddie audience... the blindfold is removed and Sharon is giving he the evil eye...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">I was embarrassed as I had nothing for her, but hay ho, Heather gave me a friendly wave, And Mrs Anderson seemed very amused, so as least she had fun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;"><br />Richard's second name was Stephen but his father pronounced it as Stefen, when ever we got in trouble his father would shout STEPHEN! and not Richard, I asked him once what name he preferred and he said Stephen, so from that day on only his father and I referred to him as Stephen, which I soon shortened to Steph.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">One day playing in his room he hit on this idea that if he shone his torch in our eyes for long enough we could become invisible... well I certainly couldn't see much after that, that was for sure... with the treatment done we had to test this theory out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">We decided to go down in to the kitchen where his Mother was preparing lunch...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">I enter first and saying nothing sat down at the table, then Steph joined me by sitting opposite and low and behold his Mum totally ignored us like we weren't even there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">So both looking at each other wide eyed with the sudden Realisation we must indeed be invisible to her, we started giggling as kids do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">"What are you two up to?" she said... Damn it must have worn off we thought, but for a while we revelled in our invisibility.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">although Kevin was still in our pool of friends Steph and I did most things together, we even joined the Boy's Brigade together, as both our elder bothers were already in it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Steven, my brother was one of the Bands drummers so we both thought that too easy and became buglers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">But as I was anxious to be marching with the Band as soon as possible I took to the cymbals and marched behind the bass drum, as I had to hit the cymbal at the same time as he hit the drum.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">did you know the bugle only has five notes? you do now... and before we knew it, we were playing bugle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">But that was way into our future, right now we would be IIlya Kuryakin and Napoleon solo... of course Steph had to be Illya as his hair was identical to our hero, and darn it Illya was the coolest character so I was a reluctant Solo, but we were ready to fight crime and the evil Thrush agents at a moments notice, for we were agents of U.N.C.L.E, (Untied Network Command for Law Enforcement, it goes without saying that you ignore the fact that has an F in it, but I say it anyway)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">and Steph wore the triangular badge with the number two while mine was eleven...what a cheek! I wasn't even three! I was like miles away from two.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">but I got to say, "stand back girls we are on a mission."<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">We never played Doctor Who, as kids, probably because he was like our Grandad. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="margin: 12pt 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
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<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">You had to be careful growing up in the 60’s. Someone could leave a nudie book laying around.</span></div><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“Don’t look at that! You’ll go blind.” Came my Fathers Warning. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">“I’m over here Dad!” I said, so he turned and warned me again.</span></div></div></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">I’ve mentioned Christmas 63’ in a previous story, and I
only mention the snow of 63’ in a reference to the start of Doctor Who.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Well the snow of 63 was deep for us southern kids who’d
never seen more then a sprinkle before, and this was great for a scruffy kid of
seven…. I remember looking down and not even seeing the top of my wellies!
(wellington boots) in fact the snow was falling into the boots topping them off
like a thick white layer of the fluffiest wool, of course later this would turn
to water, soaking my socks, but right now, at this moment, it was Wonderful!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">The kids in the area soon gathered to enjoy the snowy
delights, and it was soon discovered that the pond in the woods had turned to
Ice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">But who would be foolish enough to step out and find out
if it was thick enough to walk on?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">OK so there I am tenderly stepping out...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">It held so all the kids eagerly stepped on and attempted
to skate in their boots and shoes, this wasn’t an easy task by any means, as
the ice was uneven and in some places branches and bits of old bushes pocked
out like a row of spears set down by the Roman guard to protect this ground
they once occupied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">I don’t know how long we played on the pond but it’s a
fair guess it when on for hours, during this time the elder kids in the
neighbourhood tried to command Who Could or Couldn’t<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span> play on the ice, but us scruffs
were having none of it, especially me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">We never had a sledge or toboggan, although some of the
lucky spoilt kids did, so we used scraps of wood or old tea trays if we could
get away with it without our mothers chasing us with a rolling pin, demanding
its hasty return. And as we kids played on into the night we were oblivious of
the problems gripping the country due to these severe weather conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">They say you remember exactly where you were when the
assignation of JFK was announced on the news, and this is certainly true for me
as I was in the kitchen where all family activity, including watching TV took
place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">My Mother stopped in her tracks and she stood staring at
the sight as it played out to the viewer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">I didn’t really understand who this man was but to my
Mother it was </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">obviously someone famous who was admired by the world. She looked
as if she was going to cry, and she was very sad…. I remember that clearly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">She tried to explain what a bad thing this was to The
Scruffy Kid and I was left feeling sad too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">This accrued on the 22<sup>nd</sup><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>of November 1963, why do I know?
Because on the 23<sup>rd</sup>, the very next day, we watched the first episode
of Doctor Who as it was broadcast. But as Kennedy still dominated the news and
was the only source of interest to any adult I believe they screened the same
episode the following week, I may be wrong but feel sure that’s how it was
shown.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">TV was a great escape to kids who had nothing but
imagination to play with and great shows at this time were The man From UNCLE,
The Munster’s, The Lone Ranger, Hop along Cassidy, Champion the Wonder Horse, F
Troop, Car 54, Z cars, Dixon of Dock Green, Maigret, The Saint, Danger man, and
true kids shows like Torchy the battery boy, The Wooden Tops, Twizzle, (the
scary) Hoppity, Fireball XL5, Super Car, Stingray, Thunderbirds, Joe 90 which
were mainly produced by Gerry Anderson.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Westerns were very popular so kids would play cowboys and
Indians as Native Americans were yet to be invented.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
The Cinema was also a great escape and this was shown mostly in colour.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
In 1966 England finally won The World Cup, this was such a significant event
that us school kids were taken by the bus load to see the story unfold as it
was recorded in true vibrant Colour, and boy! Didn’t those red shirts look
great!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">We never knew then that this was going to be the last we
ever see of an English captain lifting this treasured trophy, because the world
seemed a place where anything was possible at this time, even talk of one day
living on the Moon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">I remember a marvellous film set in Victorian times… where
a man dared to go to the moon, we would probably Steampunk this up more if it
was filmed nowadays, it starred<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Lionel
Jeffries, as I remember it he was an inventor who found away to fly to the Moon
with a substance he invented that made a kind of anti-gravity, and it used this
effect to use gravity the drive a craft to the Moon, I believe it maybe written
by H G Wells.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Anyway they fly to the moon
and discover an insect like life form, that work for it’s Queen, like ants,
First Men in The Moon, it was called and it was funny, scary and very Doctor
Who like.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">I wonder if I would enjoy it
as m</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">uch now…. special effects would have been fairly crude as this was a film
made in the early 60’s.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">So like I said we lived in a
time where everything seemed possible.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Every child played outside,
from morning till dusk we would used our imaginations to entertain ourselves.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">We had play areas on these
estates where Dragon swings, and ordinary swings were there to be used, first
come first served bases.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">The Dragon swing was a large
swing that held a dozen or so children on its long plank with grab handles
stationed along its length…. This would require two drivers, one at each end
who using the same motion you’d use to make a swing move if stood on it, as
these drivers were, some kids would also help by pushing from each end, and
part of the fun was trying to get back on the large swing once it was in
motion, yes some would fall but it was all part of the fun and daring we kids
had.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">The best of us could made this
swing that hung from its four pole supports go very high, so this was only for
the brave, if you suffer from motion sickness this was definitely not for you.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">I recall many a green face kid
being sick from these rides, and you hoped it wasn’t while in full swing.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">I'm not sure Dragon swing was
its real term, but that’s what we called it, because it was like the dragon
canoes the Chinese race with, one person sat behind the next, only these would
be split in the middle where the centre riders faced each other, this wasn't a
rule and at times everyone faced the same direction.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">There were also the
merry-go-rounds and if you spun these fast enough the centrifugal forces would
force you the hold on with all your might, at speeds where everything was a
blur… once one of my friends trying to jump on while at full speed; as this was
part of the fun, grabbed the bar and was instantly swept off his feet and he
was now holding on horizontally to the ground and screaming in fright, which to
the rest of us was hilarious… and my sides ached from laughing, we then decided
this flying kiddie obstacle would make jumping onto the ride even more fun and
it was still causing me to laugh so hard as many of my friends were sent flying
by the outstretched terrified kid…. Of course in order to maintain this speed
we had to add to it by pulling on the bars as they flew by and side stepping
the screamer.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">What a lark, we would have tears in our eyes, this was The
Life, and we relished all its dangers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">As the round-a-bout slowed our friend finally made contact
with the ground and unfortunately one of his legs caught under the ride and it
was now dragging him by his leg, so it was all kids to the bars to halt
the spin… after extracting his leg, he was a bit battered bruised and bloody
from the grazes on his knees and as we stood him up he said “that was
brilliant!” and we all broke into laughter again. This was all part of the
Roughty Toughty days where we learnt to look out for each other without an
adult in sight, and Boy! when we laughed it was wholehearted laughter it was
flowing through your whole being.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">I know what You're thinking.....'Did he try to recreate
the circumstances that lead to the boy flying parallel to the ground.' OF
COURSE WE DID! we weren't about to let him have all the fun, my dismount for
safety reasons, while in full flight, I flew off that thing like sugar off a
shovel, and the ground broke my fall like it always does, it was a bit
bumpy as you'd expect, but that's what the grounds there for after all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">We didn't just have fun in those far away days we all had
sad days too, the loss of family members for instance, The day my great
grandmother died was heart breaking because I knew she really loved me, and
even on that day I got it all wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">I remember playing up in our bed room (the three boys
room) when I felt the urge to look out the window and glace up the road that
was on the lower part of the hill, and there walking with her familiar hat and
dark woollen coat was my great grandmother, she seemed to sense me watching and
paused to wave... I rushed down stairs excited to tell Mum.... But! I was
running into the kitchen and there my mood would soon change.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">My Uncle was there talking to my mother and I could
see she was sad and he seemed to be reassuring her about something, but one of
my worst traits and one i still have, if I'm excited about something I will
interrupt any conversation. "Mum...Mum! Grans coming!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">At that I was slapped across the face, I was stunned... My
Mother let someone hit me without saying a word, "I was just telling your
mother she died you little ****!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Stunned but undeterred I said "no I've just seen her
and I'm going to meet her so there!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">I ran out of the front door turning left to race up the
hill where it joined the lower end of the Hill where I saw my gran.... she
wasn't there... and I knew there was no way she could have gotten past me but I
ran round the houses anyway.... She was gone and I thought it was my
Uncle's doing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">when I returned to the Kitchen my Mum was crying I gave my
Uncle the look I gave anyone who'd wronged me and my Mum held me by my
shoulders and said "She's gone Paul...your Grandmothers gone, but she's in
heaven now so don't be sad..." I wasn't able to cry, I had mixed feelings,
rage at being hit, disbelieve at how she could be gone when I'd just seen
her... and my mother's voice saying she's died.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">The thing with being a child is you believe what adults
tell you, so if my grans happy in heaven then it took the hard edge off my
grief. I never saw her again and that was very very sad, and I still miss her,
but when ever I see a Jaffa cake I smile because it was her favourite treat,
and when ever I was sent to bed without my supper for some crime a child can
only be blamed for, there she would be with a jaffa cake..."Go on, no one
will know." and she would smile a conspiratory smile, and I would laugh
and bite into the treasured chocolate tangy goodness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Thinking back we would be playing in our hundreds on that
field and football was also played with over twenty a side, you had to be tough
for this too and legs were kicked at more then the ball with five kids tackling
at once.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">My twin Michael had his arm broken twice while in goal at
these mad chasing games. You would have thought he would have learnt the first
time, twice was just carelessness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">It was the thing in those days to have a Budgie drawn on
your plaster cast so I obliged on both occasions, I’ve no idea what the budgie
was about but who am I; to turn down a chance to draw something, I drew a blue
budgie each time because a yellow one is a canary and I’m no fool.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">I can honestly say I took as many tumbles as anyone if not
more then my brother but no bones were ever broken.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Scars on the other hand I do have.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;"> As the Great
Bard once said "There's nowt as queer as folk" that's Albert Bard
who owned a chippy in Yorkshire. <o:p></o:p></span></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">
At this stage in my life I used to look at my siblings and think, 'No way am I
part of this family!'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Like I've mentioned
before my brothers and sister all had the same black hair and brown eyes....
with my fair brown hair some call ash blonde and blue eyes I convinced there
had to be a mix up at the hospital, but as I grew older my hair darkened and I
started to see a resemblance to my Mother.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">I remember one of our
neighbours, Kerry's mother in fact, telling me when I was around 8 that I took
after my mother.... I was devastated! I mean... she was a woman! am I going to
look like a GIRL?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="margin: 12pt 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">No one appeared to
have money to waste, forget the bright and Fab! colours you see in films depicting
the age.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Only the well off
could afford to follow such trends, Oh no the main colours worn by the majority
would be blue, brown, beige or grey, these clothes are also more likely to be
hand me downs from a jumble sale (think boot sale indoors without the cars)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Because of this hardly
anyone housed on a council estate owned a car... How great would that be today?
you can barely park anywhere these days. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">But back then, the
roads surrounding our homes only had one car to seen, and this belonged to Mr
Bishop, he's in his late 50's to early 60's at this time and he sells
insurance, and as fate will have it, yesterday I came across a car not just the
same make but the very same colour... </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFxd-KHSVCtKJjA-IrvsfbNtNqbrCpsFRXy1TX9k2KMUjIngZDwtZo-jv97kMfsFxlGNSDp0mNxXzJz4z3YSmNyODW4vVKl58iLc6wThyphenhyphene91K0ba1FBll36QOofF3wktH_YxOP7SUIfcwW/s1600/DSC_0219.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFxd-KHSVCtKJjA-IrvsfbNtNqbrCpsFRXy1TX9k2KMUjIngZDwtZo-jv97kMfsFxlGNSDp0mNxXzJz4z3YSmNyODW4vVKl58iLc6wThyphenhyphene91K0ba1FBll36QOofF3wktH_YxOP7SUIfcwW/s640/DSC_0219.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: center;">As the roads are so clear we often played tennis in the road using the curbs</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: center;">and the concrete joints to mark our court... This estate had generous green</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="text-align: center;">areas too</span><span style="text-align: center;">, where if we wished we could play football,</span><span style="text-align: center;">which nearly all the kids did play, you could end up with over 20 a side,</span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><span style="text-align: center;">sometimes even the adults wanted to join in these games, so we would have </span><span style="text-align: center;">two kids for every adult... there was a clever and simple answer to every</span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><span style="text-align: center;">activity in those playful days...</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: left;">The streets would be full of kids, playing all kinds of games ... the only
limit was your imagination... you could be the 300 Spartans out numbered but
defiant! or Cowboys and Indians... Soldiers from any war you could think of.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
The woods were also a place of adventure, where you could clime trees, swing,
or build your own den in the bushes by tying the branches together in a A
frame, this made a comfy den where the entrance arched like a church, off cuts
of Lino or carpet lined the floor... To a child it was the best play house ever!!
and built by your own fair hands.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">These skills are lost
on the computer generation... unless there are still children out there looking
for adventure that is, and not something that can only be satisfied by a hand
held console.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">I mentioned swings, and some of the braver
lads hung these from the high branches of a tree... with a short branch tied at
the other end as a seat,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">These self made swings would be guarded by the
older kids who made them, so to play on it you had to ask for permission or
wait untill they had gone... You could use this swing by climbing with the
swing, then swing out from the tree or hold the branch that was acting as a
seat and run out in a circle till your feet left the ground, the faster you ran
the further you swung out. This was the method I was using now aged between 5
and 6...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">For some reason no one else was on the
swing... so I played for hours, the main aim was to be off the ground for as
long as possible, so you could make believe you're flying, when coming back
towards the ground you'd tuck up your legs and place them down at the very last
second.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Once I left it to late, so I hit the ground on
my knees, but brushing myself down I set out again on the wide circular run...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">I don't know how long it was before I noticed
the tickling trickle on my right leg but looking down I saw my knee was
bleeding, and the once white socks I wore, one was now a vibrant red! soaked in
my blood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">We all wore shorts in those days too, my
Parents would never think of buying long trousers for a child...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">'Well I better head home then,' I thought, I
don't recall any pain, only that tickle, by the time I reached for the front
door I realised my Mother was going to go ballistic!...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">I had ruined my socks!... So I tried to cry...
not easy when you don't feel it, so it was more of a pathetic sob then a cry
but thinking my Mother wouldn't hit me if I was upset I continued this
subterfuge and knocked... The door opened, looking at me, Mum said "What
have you done this time?.... get in quick."<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">She took me into the Kitchen; which in the
60's was the main living area anyway, the living room mainly being for for special occasions
only and hardly used, this changed in the latter part of 63' following the
purchase of the first record player I'd ever seen...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">'She loves You' by the Beatles was played over
and over... very high tech... but wait why are you reading this! While I'm sat
bleeding in the kitchen? you really need to get your priorities straight...<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">So there I am sitting in the kitchen having my
knee washed, Are you with me now?... Good we can move on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">"Oh this looks bad!" My mother
informs me as she wipes at the damage.. By now I'm half sleepy... after running
round for hours... I was in need of a nap, but this announcement from my Mother
now has my full attention believe you me...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">"What Mum?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">"You have a
really deep cut in your knee, I think we better go to the doctors."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">'Woaaw' Wait a minute, this can't be! it
didn't even hurt!... but with a handkerchief wrapped round the knee, purely for
hygienic reasons as it had no bogie's, off we trot to the doctors...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Crumbs! could this day get any worse?... No
one likes going to the doctors, they tend to use you for darts practise...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">"I'm afraid your
son will need stitches."<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">'WOAAH!' My hands immediately wrap round my
knee to protect it... "NO! it just needs a plaster," I plead...
rather panicked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">This doctor is obviously a complete loony...
"OK thank you Doc ... Mum can we go get a plaster now?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">"No young man, you will need stitches the
wound is far to deep for plasters" the doctor insists .... isn't it funny
how quick fake tears turn in to real ones.... "NO Mum!.....NO!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Anyway a bus ride to the hospital later...
(some emergency this is)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">I'm waiting for a nurse to look at my knee...
and on arrival she tricked me with the equivalent of someone shouting
"look ...a cat!" to a dog... and as I look away, she puts a needle
the size of a bike pump to my threatened mind into my knee.......
"Ahhhwwwa that bloody hurt!" I bellow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">I should point out at this stage that it was
seen as very rude to say 'bloody' back then, and for a nearly six year old all
eyes fell on a blushing Mother...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">"The Things they learn at school"
she proclaimed, trying to looked shocked, and I knew as soon as we got out I'd
get a thick ear... (a term for a whack round the head..)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">I never got a thick ear, but I did get an ear
bashing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">"You never swear again is that clear! You
really embarrassed me then."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">"Sorry Mum" I mutter, still in pain
from needle and stitches... <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">So here's me three stitches the heavier and it
throbs like the red hot pokers of hell, as we walk to the nearest Bus Stop.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">That journey home was a long and painful ride
and tears of pain ran down my cheeks...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p> I
never slept a wink that night the pain was much to great for that... As a
new day dawned I was too tired to care and spent the day in a daze...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">At school I was a Hero, everyone wanted to see
the stitches... which is probably the reason the wound was infected by the time
the stitched were eventually removed, and this horrible green puss oozed out...
and the wound was cleaned, using cotton buds soaked in what looked and smelt
like diluted dettol, my leg was rebandaged and a tetanus jab was included for
good measure, my day in hospital was done...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Well the price of freedom doesn't come cheap,
going out unsupervised in the 60's could lead to a injury or three... But would
I trade those days for safety? Not on your Nelly ......... NO WAY!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
I was 9 when Heather stopped me on the stairs going to class to ask me a
serious question... "Do you like playing with boys?" she had three of
her friends with her all waiting with anticipation for my reply.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">"Well I do play
with the lads...so yes I suppose I do like playing with boys," I answered
thoughtfully.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">At this all assembled
round me grinned and Shouted "YOUR A HOMO!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">I was like, 'what just
happened?' so still ignorant as to what gave these girls so much pleasure at my
expense I ask, "What's a homo?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">One of the girls
squealed, "You should know you are one."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Hmm....this lot are
definitely weird! so feeling a tad annoyed at being made a fool of I say,
"Look I don't know what a homo is, so if you don't want to explain you can
all just piss off! GET OUT OF MY FACE!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">Then Patricia who we
just called Pat decided to enlighten me, so still smiling she told me, "A
homo is someone who likes playing with their own kind."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">"You mean boy's
right!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">"Yes."<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">"Well you nuts! I
just told you I like playing with boy's so I don't see what you find so bloody
hilarious." I say... feeling aggravated, and continued upstairs to screams
of "Paul is a Homo, Paul is a Homo."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">"Fine," I
say "Whatever!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Even if they had of
said Gay, I would have just assumed they had something against Happy people
too!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">At times like these I
consult the all knowing and wise Kerry, after all she's a whole year older then
me and wisdom comes with age.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> "Kerry do
you know what a homo is?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">"Oh My God! why
are you even asking me that?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">"Well some girls
called me one."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">"Really? Oh wow!
I guess it's something they have just been told, I doubt they really know what
it entails either."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Didn't I say she's all
knowing... now I'll get to the bottom of this!<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;"><u><br /></u></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Favourite Son</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia";">It was one of those hot
lazy summer days where the heat rose in shimming waves from the pavement, at the time these days seemed to last forever as the laughter of
children filled the air, and bees, birds and butterfly’s filled the sky, all with the constant sound of buzzing of insects as the soundtrack to this pleasant life.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia";">I'm five and enjoying my
first summer holiday from school.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia";">Down by the shopping centre
was an enclosed car park with there garages, that was set in a dip that was made into a grassy
slope.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia";">Without snow and it being
the height of summer the pleasure of sledging was made possible on grass with
the aid of a torn piece of cardboard box.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia";">Well that's what the
sensible kids used like me; my twin however decided his short trousers could
provide adequate slipperiness to this fun activity.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As the
days pass the grass was quickly worn to dry stony soil, where the sliding kids were followed by the lifting dust cloud, and it's here someone was about
to lose the back of his trousers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Well as
you’ve no doubt guest that someone was my twin Michael who was blissfully
unaware the entire back of his trousers was replaced by the site of his soiled
pants… soiled with soil thankfully.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Well he
soon became aware due to the friction burn on his backside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So it was
a few days after this I was presented with these Holey Shorts…. I say holey but not in the saintly you now have the power of Gods in your pants kind of way. (which would have been cool as the parting clouds allowed a golden light to shine on my blessed trousers, to the sounds of singing angels)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In fact there was literally no material on the rear of these trousers at all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This is
went you realise you’re in no way a favourite son.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“What?....Why
do I have to wear those? I never did that!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Michael
is going to your grandmothers, with Steven and Loraine so you have to stay
here!... he can’t go out wearing those.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“But he’s
wearing MY Trousers!...... MINE!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Well you’re
not going out so you have to have these.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“But I
want to go out!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Well you
can’t in these, so quit you’re moaning and put them on.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“FINE!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So there
I was condemned to stay home, until my friend from the bungalows, near to our
home called. (These were what we thought at the time as Posh kids, as their
parents owned their own home.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So my
posh friend asks, “Are you coming out to play?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It took
me a nanosecond to consider the consequences of being seen with my backside
hanging out of my shorts to say, “Yes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And out I
go, and soon we are opening the gate to his driveway to walk round his home
into his family’s rear garden.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">All this
time I’m conscious of keeping by backside out of view, and all gardens at this
time had a coal bunker, a concrete rectangular box, that sat about 4 feet high.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So
jumping up I sat myself down on it…. Now satisfied my hid was hidden.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Lemonade?”
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“OHHHHHH
yes please.” (Posh kids had the greatest mothers) I say to the smiling face of
my friend’s mother. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Brilliant!
And my friend asks, “Can we have cake too mum?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Of
course, I’ll bring it out to you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What can
I say…. Cake and lemonade! I was in the garden of heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The garden was well kept, with roses and other flowers in full bloom, and that lovely familiar buzz filled my ears, and I felt truly happy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We joked
around, playing word games and such then his sister joined us, she was
beautiful with blonde hair that shone like corn. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We were
laughing away and eating cake when suddenly…. As most things that happen when you’re least expecting them… I was stung by something in my throat… This was like Och! But much
more painful. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I was
starting to get hot and my throat felt tight, so with one hand to my throat I
jump off the coal bunker, then the concerned face of my friends sister changes
to confusion as she sees my backside hanging out of my trousers, and I can see
she’s wondering if I ripped them as I jumped.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Her
mother runs to me saying, “Oh My Goodness! Are you alright? Did you rip your
trousers?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“I’m
feeling giddy and say….. “Bluuuuuuh.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Mum he’s been stung by a bee!” My
friend says </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Oh NO!.... we must get you home.” And she
plucks me from the ground like I was a feather and runs with me in her arms to
the rear of my home… and with my friend banging the door like the klappers it's
soon answered by my mother.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“He’s been stung by a Bee! And he’s
ripped his trousers jumping from our coal bunker the poor boy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> I’m rushed in and sat on a chair where I
wobble, feeling sick and dizzy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“I’m terribly sorry I hope he’s alright?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“I’ll fetch him some water, he’ll be
fine.” My mother concludes, “Thank you for bringing him back.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Is he going to Die MUM?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Am I going to die? I’m thinking as my throat
tightens even more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“No! He’ll be fine.” My friend’s mother
reassures him and me at the same time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When all the fuss dies down and I’m
alone in the kitchen with my mother she says, “I told you to stay indoors, this
wouldn’t have happened if you listened.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I was finding it hard to talk, I was slightly
scared bee poison might be the end of me, but I manage to say…. “I didn’t want
to stay in mum.” but in my head I'm saying shouldn't you be feeling guilty?</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> if I wasn't attempting to hide my Hide I may have been standing and running about like a normal kid... Bees would have looked and thought, 'Na, he's moving to fast to be a flower, curse you boy with sweet cake.'</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Well we can’t go to the Doctor’s, not
with you dressed like that so drink this water and rest.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">She looked worried which worried me, she would never give me trousers with holes in again, that was for sure, so in that way I won a small victory to my freedom.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">After a while my swollen throat did die down and when my siblings returned
home I was able to tell them how I escaped the icy hands of death armed with a
holey pair of trousers and true grit….and my Twins a git! I added, which is apparently
a rude thing to say, but true. </span><span face=""\22 georgia\22 "" style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Christmas 1963</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Beatles
in Concert at the Gaumont, Southampton. December 13th 1963 End of `The
Beatles Autumn Tour'.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">I remember seeing the queues for this, and they used to queue round the Theatre and across the street, and it was huge and noisy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Ah yes
December 1963 was in the full grip of Beatles fever, unlike a real fever this came with long hair, 'I want to hold
you hand' would be played everywhere.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The
family are sitting in my Grans living room, we kids, the brothers three and tiny
Sis had to be on our best behaviour as this was the room only used for
best. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">"Mind what you do with that cup of tea" </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">"Yes Gran," I
would reply as I dunk one of her homemade short bread biscuits into the streamy brew, Oh crumbs they are scrummy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Father
and my Uncle Vic are laughing as each take turns wearing the black mop like shaggy
Beatles Wig, and I laughed till tears stream from my eyes as Granddad with a
huge grin has the wig plonked on his head by his son, this was considered long
hair back then and on my granddad it looked Hilarious, as he had grey and
rather thinning hair, I'd never seen him with dark hair before and it was strangely
amusing, we would regard this Wig as short hair these days, my
Brothers and I however did have really short hair cuts, "short back and
sides" my father would always asked the barber for us boys every time we
were due a cut, I never liked it much, I have to say as my dark blond hair
would curl every time it rained, I prefered it when it was wavy and natural,
but with a short back and sides it just tickled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">When we
kids were allowed in the living room alone I'd tune the Radio until I found
something funny to listen too, Granddads radio had the fan like grill made of Bakelite. And
the large dial would be lit up and you wound the pointer till you found some
thing like this <span style="color: black;"><span color="windowtext"><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007jv86">http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007jv86</a></span> </span>as
yes the Goons this will give you belly laughs for sure and my
belly enjoyed many a laugh with all the chuckles Milligan's Goons
would conjure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">I'd end
up imitating the voices of course and calling my dad "oohh you naughty man
youuw."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> I'm wearing
my now well worn blue paisley jumper identical to my twins, unlike myself
to my twin, my elder brother would be in his green reindeer adorned
collared jumper. The only difference in trousers would be that his were long
trousers even though I was almost as tall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">(Ah the
shorter twin brother syndrome) and ours would be short.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Other
jolly japes on the radio would be, Around the horn, Jimmy Cliverow,
the Navy lark with Jon Pertwee, Ronnie Barker and Leslie
Phillips to name but a few. <span color="windowtext"><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01nmgrk">http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01nmgrk</a></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Even
Steptoe and Son, and Hancock’s Half Hour were regulars on BBC's Radio.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">I'm
Sorry, I'll Read That Again maybe a show you know, the pilot programme
having been broadcast on 30 December 1963 under the title "Cambridge
Circus" With Tim Brook-Tayler (later to became one of
the three members of The Goodies). He has written humorous books
on various subjects, including cricket and golf. He was a member of the cast of
the television comedy series 'At last the 1948 show' with John
Cleese, as well as Graham Chatman and Marty Feldman, and later appeared in Marty Feldman's television comedy
series 'Marty'. Brooke-Taylor has acted in many
other television sitcoms, as well as appearing in the 1970s BBC radio sketch
show 'Hello Cheeky!' With John Junkin and Barry Cryer, a show which later translated to ITV.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">I still enjoy hearing him and Graeme Garden on the radio, still working with Barry Cryer on 'Sorry I haven't a Clue' That's the proggrame, not me being vague.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">I would
very often find a new hole in my jumper and be told off for picking at it... I
put it down to an over active moth or poor maintenance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Now<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> then,
I do </span></span>remember pulling<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> on my </span></span>charcoal grey duffel coat<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> with </span></span>it's red tartan
lining<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> and </span></span>heading off<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> to </span></span>Town<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> with the other family </span></span>members<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">, </span></span>Gran<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> and </span></span>Granddad<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">
lived near the </span></span>Town Centre<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> so it was only a </span></span>matter<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> of a </span></span>20 minute<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> walk
to </span></span>reach<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> the </span></span>Centre<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">, and the </span></span>winter sky would<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> be dark </span></span>allowing<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> the
best </span></span>view<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> of the </span></span>coloured water spouts<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> from the </span></span>fountain opposite<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> the
</span></span>Guildhall<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> and it was </span></span>beautiful<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">, I </span></span>would race<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> round it with my </span></span>brothers<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> , and
the </span></span>water<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> that was now our </span></span>backdrop<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span>would change<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> from </span></span>red<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">, </span></span>green<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">,
</span></span>yellow<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> to blue, </span></span>onlookers would<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> only see the </span></span>shadowed figures<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> of us
</span></span>boys<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span>full<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> of laughter running between the </span></span>coloured sequences<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">. </span></span>20<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> years later this
</span></span>would<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> be </span></span>dismantled<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> and moved to the </span></span>front of the <span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span>museum<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> but the </span></span>lights were<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">
never to </span></span>shine again<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">....I </span></span>think<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> a </span></span>tree fairy died<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> that day just from the
</span></span>sadness<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> of </span></span>such<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> innocent </span></span>beauty<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> being put to </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">death.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Well
after our usual run round the fountain, which happened every time we passed it,
we headed to Woolworth's because the rumour was Santa was in town... yes the
Real Santa!, can you believe that?... What did you say?.. Hmm? Well anyway
we were off to see the breaded one and we joined the long throng of kids
all lined up for the same thing, "Mum I'm bored" my elder brother
would say, "Well you'll have to wait." </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">"Yea I want
my present so shut up!" that's me ever the diplomat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Well wait
we did and I swear this Jolly soul looked the real deal, no fake beard for
this fella. oh no, and the suit was excellent, straight form some
Hollywood Jobby I'd say. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">"Ah my boy and what would you like for
Christmas?" </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Is this guy kidding me? I want a Bike obviously so
I tell him, he just smiles with that 'Yea, well I want a mansion.' face, 'but i'm not getting one,' and passes me a wrapped parcel, OH Boy I love guessing the parcel don't
you? Hmm ah yes well hum.... could be a book of some kind and something hard
but squishy, blimey no idea what that is.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">"WAIT!!
till your brother gets His!" Blimey, 'OK miss angry I'm just
investigating the possibilities here, give a kid a break, I say in my
head. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">"OK Mum." I really say, poking the lump in the centre
of the parcel again.....'na got nothing I'm thinking.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">I must
point out my sister is three at this stage and the light of her daddies eye, who
is now with Santa smiling like a Cheshire Cat with my sister in his arms,
accepting the present on her behalf, the little tike rips into it
straight away... well that's girls for ya.....<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">"Now
you can open them." Mother says and she didn't have to say that
twice so she didn't.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Rip!!........'OH
that's what it was, how cool a Huckleberry Hound bendy rubbery toy,' I say
bendy, but the toy clearly had a thick wire skeleton that would soon wear
through the deteriorating rubber in time, a health and safety nightmare that
would never happen now as the wire would also snap and protrude from the
constant bending, very sharp broken ends and kids don't mix, but that was later
this was now and this was a cool toy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">My elder
brother had Mr. Jinks. the cat and my twin had Yogi Bear, Now your
wondering what about the books, I'm getting there, the books turned out the be
colouring and puzzle books which was also cool as it would give us something to
do while the adults did their stuff... Ok which of you asked in your head
"What did your sister get?" how do I know she's like ......a girl and
it was probably some doll with a stupid bow. Happy now? yeeesh..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The walk
back to Gran and Granddads never took long and the fire lit in the
grate was a cheery welcome to us Arctic explorers, just back from the north
pole, it felt toasty warm after the cold night air. we were all now gathered in
the dinning room in the middle of the lower floors of Gran’s and there was a
salad spread which we had to help ourselves to, ohhhh Yum, ham cheese lettuce
be friends haha.. Oh and granddad made the best pickled Onions EVER!! so we all
dipped into those... But Wait! there in the middle was another jar with what
looked like tiny ears, to this day I wish I just stayed curious it was none
other then a jar of pickled whelks, "go on try some it will put hairs on
your chest" this was one of my Granddads’’ sayings he always used like a
I dare ya.. I opened the jar and forked out a Whelk... I didn't like the look
of this fella but I had to prove I'm a Man....ok tiny man, so I pop it in my
mouth and my mouth said "NO we don't want it".... but I couldn't spit
it out I'd be murdered where I stood, so I held my nose and swallowed EWWW it
was like a bitter tasting rubber slug Eww... bluaaaah! I didn't like it and
from that day on I refused to eat anything that even hinted at putting hairs on
my chest.<br />
<br />
We Kids all made our beds on the floor of one of Gran's bed rooms to
await Christmas day.....and I tell you there must have been some real sneaky
sneaks going on that night, apart from almost being killed in my bed by my
brothers whelky farts, there was a sack with Santa heading down the Chimney printed
on it at the end of all our beds, Oh what a lovely surprise that was, I had a
small model of a motorbike and sidecar a cowboy gun a holster sketch pads and
pencils it was all fantastic. there was also Apples, Orange and Bananas,
you may think that strange but my parents grew up in the Second World War and
to them this fruit was a great gift.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14pt;">By the
way just before Christmas a new show Called Doctor Who started that November
with a grumpy old granddad in, I thought this very interesting.....Just imagine
you could go anywhere in time, I could go see the Romans who Built the
walls around Southampton and ask them when were they going to finish?..<br />
Except for the whelks I loved Christmas 1963 ..Yea yea yea yeaaaaa. as the
Beatles would say</span><em><span face=""\22 georgia\22 "" style="color: lime; font-size: 18pt;">.</span></em><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Scruffy Kid Saves The Day</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Summer holidays were great! This is Times of Adventure, I've mentioned how as kids we'd play in the Woods which at the time we thought of as a safe enough place... OK some kids could get hurt falling out of trees and such, but hey! that's what the grounds there for.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My siblings;</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> the brothers and little sis, were joined on this day by Kerry, Brent and Leslie, our neighbours and best buddies.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Today was Den making time... all kids should have a base of operations after all, so we formed into groups of builders and searchers, It was the searchers job to find seating, carpet or lino to line the den with... were not savages! we need our comforts to you know, and sitting on the damp ground wasn't that great an idea, you could get Piles if our parents advice was anything to go by... "You Kids! Get off that cold wall You'll get Piles!" Of course none of us knew what piles was... except Kerry possibly, because she knew everything, and none of us thought of asking details as to what a pile was, or a pile of what...what ever it was it sounded like you made a big pile of them and that would make sitting difficult I'm sure.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Hey Jim? what are you doing?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"I'm sitting here till I make piles of money!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But I checked of Jim and there was no change.... boom boom, I thank you I'm here all week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Yes I did like a good laugh.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">All was going well, us builders were pulling the branches of three shrubs to form the arched roof of the den, and using some young shoots to make ties that hold the branches together...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Would you believe some kids used to rip the branches off trees and shrubs to build dens?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Well we didn't so the whole thing never died, it was a growing thing,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Some lino was found and cleaned at the spring, and it was while lining the floor of the den the argument started.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kerry insisted on carpet and my Brother Steven thought the lino was enough... Well it got heated and Kerry ended up stomping off having failed to win...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Ah let her go, she's a bossy boots anyway, and we'll finish sooner." Steven advised.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I was either 9 or 10 at this time, and I'd finished building, so I ran after Kerry, as she was my best Mate, and she was a year older so I always looked up to her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I followed her and stopped dead in my tracks when I her a Mans voice...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He was talking directly to Kerry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Have they upset you?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kerry never replied... she had also stopped in her tracks when she heard him and she looked worried.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"I had no Idea about sex or the harm Adults could do to kids at this time, but I felt ill at ease, there was something very wrong here so I hid close up to a tree and bending looked through the bushes until I could see who was talking.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He was a Man, probably in his early thirties, but at my age anyone above 12 was old.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I remember him still, he had blonde curly hair, brushed back in the way Greasers do. (A Greaser was a term for Motor bikers, and they were also called Rockers, as in the 60's Brighton was famous for huge clashes between the Mods and Rockers. The Mods rode Scooters and either wore smart suits or green parker jackets)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So his hair was slicked back with Brylcreem, he wore a leather bike jacket over a blue sweater, with jeans and black leather winkle picker shoes... I noticed the shoes because I always wondered where the toes ended in these types of shoe.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Come her I'll give you a hug, Kids are mean aren't they."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"No." Kerry finally replied.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Oh, come on, I won't hurt you, lets go get some sweets, that will make them jealous, you like sweets don't you?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I could see Kerry when I looked the other side of the tree, and she looked frozen in place, not knowing what to do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Hey, stop crying, come on over here and I'll take you for some sweets."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">No longer waiting for a reply he started to walking towards Kerry with his hand held out as if to be held.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I knew I had to do something before he reached her, so I sprang from behind the Tree, which made them both jump, took Kerry's hand tight, and said, "Hey Kerry, everyone is sorry and they won't you back." and I tugged her to me and we started back to the Den.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"EVERYONE'S WAITING." I say loudly to let him know we weren't alone, and I only stopped to take one last defiant look to make sure he wasn't going to following, but he'd stopped and had a nasty look in his eyes... I made Kerry Run.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We got to the others and I was saying.... "Quick! we got to go home there is a strange man in the woods and I think he's bad... he was after Kerry."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kerry's house was the closest to the Woods so we headed there.... we were all running now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kerry was banging at the door shouting for her Mum.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When it opened she rushed in pulling me in with her as I was still holding her hand tightly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Go home and tell your Parents." Kerry said the the others and that just left Kerry and I, with her Parents.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Calm down, what's happened?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"There was this man! and he wanted me to go with him." Kerry said crying.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Oh My God! RON! Phone the Police."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">They asked us what happened, and I told them how I felt worried so took Kerry away and then I had to repeat it all again to the Police, who spoke to me very gently.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"So what did you see son?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Well he was a Greaser with curly hair and piggy eyes."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"So did you know what he wanted?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"No... I just knew he was bad."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"How did you know?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"I just did!... He worried me because Kerry looked scared."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Paul... do you know what he wanted to do with Kerry?" Her Mother asked.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"No.... I just felt he was Bad."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We often patronize kids thinking they wouldn't know what to do about strangers, and would easily be talked into following them, but I'm proof that's not true, even a child knows instinctively when something isn't right.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"You know you must not talk to strangers don't you?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Yes." I tell the Police.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When the Police had gone and the fuss died down, Kerry's Dad said I was a brave boy... "Well done John Paul Jones," As he often referred to me due to the fact I was always singing, and he was a Rock Guitarist but I think he always meant the singer in Manfred Man.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">At Kerry's house </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I was guest of honour at dinner that night, so I ate well, Roast beef with lashings of gravy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Well there you have it.... and he may have gotten away with it too, if it wasn't for the Meddlesome Scruffy Kid.</span></div>
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BestDrWhohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14003720218824109178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5530905588618595477.post-89900332805015783152014-09-11T01:10:00.001-07:002020-09-26T03:16:07.261-07:00Innovation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); text-align: left;">Innovation</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPvOZGycRdgEujeCgQiIofMHo5hn4p0YoK3pU19VZaNxVdTfcb0JW5CqANXCzTzc3kGN_JrdM5SrjOdltsTdxFZvNiG-SZ5qZvaUt8Ih7yFcd7jB8AP5HfHFlh5Su82-dPgyf8QX4j1bBP/s1600/get+a+stick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPvOZGycRdgEujeCgQiIofMHo5hn4p0YoK3pU19VZaNxVdTfcb0JW5CqANXCzTzc3kGN_JrdM5SrjOdltsTdxFZvNiG-SZ5qZvaUt8Ih7yFcd7jB8AP5HfHFlh5Su82-dPgyf8QX4j1bBP/s1600/get+a+stick.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Oh, Hello, I wasn't expecting guests, but do sit yourselves down, maybe with some tea! that would be splendid with a lovely biscuit wouldn't it....<br />
The early 60's saw many <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Innovations</span>, <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The <b style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1964/1965 New York World's Fair </b><span style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">would be a place where the future was exposed to the public with all it's wonders... The Flying Car!! "Wow it's coming!"</span></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> was one such boast. </span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This is a true story of life in the 60's as I remember it... But the words may have changed to enhance the reading </span></span><span style="background-image: none; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">experience, so strap in, kiss your toes, as we use my </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">cerebral time and space </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">manipulation machine to take you back with me, to a time of Black and White.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This is an exciting age, man is on the brink of space exploration... And the Moon is the goal for man to take his first giant leap forward. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But before all of that we had toys to keep a child's brain busy for hours, not only that! They were education too! So picture this as we Approach the Early 60's </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As soon as we land you with notice the buzz of excitement coming from a crowd as they look for inspirational gifts for their children at Christmas, in Woolworths. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My Aunt Molly is front of the queue, because she wants the best for her growing family, and what she was about to be shown was the latest innovation for children of the new age. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"So what is it exactly?" She asks the young salesman at his display stand... </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"What is it? I'll tell you what it is Madam, it's the latest thing for a child's </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> Mental Development, Made! I might add in the latest high tensile plastics man can afford." </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Really?"</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"I wouldn't lie to you madam, I can see by your demeanour you're a very shrewd lady, this I can assure you is it! You are going to Wow your young child, may I ask his or her name?" </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"It's Richard and Jackie." There will be another child to come, but at this point and time Jane isn't even a twinkle in the eyes... And me being a scruffy kid have no idea of what I just said means.</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"That's a Strange name." said the man</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Its two names, I have a little girl too!" </span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Ah, two names madam... Would I be right in thinking Richard is a Boy?" </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Of Course he is." Molly replied with some bewilderment.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"I'm just checking madam you can never be to sure or take things for granted at this Exciting Age of Invention!!" At this point there was a clap of Thunder!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Now intrigued Molly bends forward and enquires again. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Madam if you leave this store with this Wonderful gift, the joy and love in your young sons eyes at Christmas will be your just reward." </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"But you still haven't told me what it is?" </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"What it is?... What it is, is a Static Technological Interactive Cultural Knackish." </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"What?"</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Oh excuse me madam I know it's a bit of a mouthful so we call it a Stick for short!" And with that he delicately places the Static Technological Interactive Cultural Knackish, on the green felt covered table."</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"But that's a Stick!!" Molly blurted out.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Oh My Word, madam you learn fast! That's Exactly what it is!"</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"But it's a Stick.... I mean just a stick." </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Ah.. Now don't be fooled by it's familiar appearance madam, this isn't just a stick, made from the strongest polymers...You can bend it, slap it, throw it and it will always keep it's shape! ... Why just imagine young Richard running along next doors fence with this little technological beauty... It would sound like a machine gun..he will be the envy of the school yard, .That alone is hours of fun... Young Richard will never be ignored with one of these.... Because he can poke his friends with it to get their full attention!" </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"I'll have it." Said Molly knowing a bargain when she saw it, and she was looking at one right now. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Just As we accept computer technology today, we know all innovation never stands still for long, and within weeks the next improvement is available.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My Mother June... Headed for The City, she sat on the No18 Bus, blot upright, and full of pride, as she gripped her handbag on her lap, excited by the knowledge gained through her Sister-in-law that the latest Thing! Was a stick. And she, being a fair and loving mother intended to buy all three sons this marvellous technological breakthrough in children's educational toy development. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As soon as the bus stopped at Southampton Central Bus Station, she was off like sugar off a shovel, and heading to Woolworths, ready to bash anyone with her handbag if they got between her and the Sticks. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"I'll have three of your finest sticks please." June demanded from the nearest stand...</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Oh God Bless you Madam I can see your a caring Mother, so for a further half crown I can add the latest innovation to The Stick! ... It's a Planetary leviathan .... Oh but let's cut to the quick madam... It's a Plate! </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"You want me to pay Seven and six for three plates? Are you Mental?" My mother said indignantly, eyes blazing.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"It's the latest Thing Madam... A plate on a Stick... Soon you won't be able to buy them as we are selling out rather fast." </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"I see.... So what's so good about this latest addition then?" </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"It's full of mystery and magic your children have only seen On Television... They will learn through perseverance, and practice, how to balance a plate on a stick... It's a spinning sensation."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">So not wanting to be out done my Mother brought all three of her Sons a Plate on a Stick that very Christmas. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">So now you know why Children Born in the 50's and Early 60's are always excited by Christmas.... Because after a you've experience a plate on a Stick, the whole of technology opens up to you.. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">In this story the boys of June are played by the real life characters of my Brother Steven, my Twin Michael and of course I play Paul the Gorgeous one with the puppy eyes. </span></div>
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BestDrWhohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14003720218824109178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5530905588618595477.post-47540967797227591742013-08-15T12:32:00.004-07:002020-11-30T05:59:27.278-08:00Ode of Lovelorn Dave<span style="color: yellow; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: yellow;">Ode of Lovelorn Dave<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVVhU9VIqZOWXrQD4Sd1ZG2YNxdsbC4nK5euipS-qDHNbhG79xMebLB2i9VGuE5OIhsddtJfz5w01DEwsyAFfuDs2RWvADLyePJ3G2buCHxBsIFaR30umtQowcJpwIDQFhG30bBYqKg3Wn/s1600/DaveMave.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVVhU9VIqZOWXrQD4Sd1ZG2YNxdsbC4nK5euipS-qDHNbhG79xMebLB2i9VGuE5OIhsddtJfz5w01DEwsyAFfuDs2RWvADLyePJ3G2buCHxBsIFaR30umtQowcJpwIDQFhG30bBYqKg3Wn/s320/DaveMave.jpg" width="117" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: yellow;">I’ll start this off so
your head won’t swim<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: yellow;">And have a go at
describing him<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: yellow;">Dave’s not renowned
for muscle or fat<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: yellow;">I’ll add a little more
then that<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: yellow;">You won’t see him with
suntanned skin<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: yellow;">In fact I’d call him
long and thin<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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</div>
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: yellow;">We begin this lovelorn
tale<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: yellow;">With a girl in David’s
spell<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: yellow;">Who believed her Dave
so tall and Brave <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: yellow;">And she goes by her
name of Mave<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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</div>
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: yellow;">Now why should she
think him Brave?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: yellow;">Or even he’s the best?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: yellow;">It’s because he
bravely wears her name<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: yellow;">Tattooed upon his vest
<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia";"><o:p><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"></span></o:p></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdP_myqYVS-0N4Tgi89SvY6jNT1jxVIKYsLTUQwJl_58_v-em_4ZkwvVafccZAAS7ZHjNYO1Y77wUsKs6RN6l-JPM96pd30zg6B49KnOmuLw9XhuxB1C5zakuVa7qFYOAIffI3Yar_eHk8/s1600/DaveMave2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdP_myqYVS-0N4Tgi89SvY6jNT1jxVIKYsLTUQwJl_58_v-em_4ZkwvVafccZAAS7ZHjNYO1Y77wUsKs6RN6l-JPM96pd30zg6B49KnOmuLw9XhuxB1C5zakuVa7qFYOAIffI3Yar_eHk8/s1600/DaveMave2.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: yellow;">But this true love match met its end<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: yellow;">When Mave ran off with
David's friend<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: yellow;">She said "our love will
stand the test"<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: yellow;">His friend took off with David's vest<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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</div>
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: yellow;">Well now that winters
drawing in<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: yellow;">We see Goosebumps on David's
skin<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: yellow;">It’s not sign he’s
growing old<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: yellow;">It’s just without his
Vest he’s cold<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4DRXaj7enXIQJ1ag7pth0zGqMmAPy8oRHiLhWQSgL1m9LeirEy1mksUg6BDd8ta1G9vgwkdVUPXTgz0IbWGdbwmn2CZwg3wNPgeXH3deKdAT3_3tJK_kSnEMuJFB6xhWyGhQu3zYS1sR/s1600/DaveMave3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4DRXaj7enXIQJ1ag7pth0zGqMmAPy8oRHiLhWQSgL1m9LeirEy1mksUg6BDd8ta1G9vgwkdVUPXTgz0IbWGdbwmn2CZwg3wNPgeXH3deKdAT3_3tJK_kSnEMuJFB6xhWyGhQu3zYS1sR/s320/DaveMave3.jpg" width="176" /></span></a></div>
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</div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: yellow;">David’s almost over
Mavis<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: yellow;">And the fact he lost
his friend<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: yellow;">And the smile he’s
wearing on his face<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: yellow;">Just shows he's on the
mend<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: yellow;">On refection Dave
admits it ended for the best<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: yellow;">And now he’s splashing
out the cash<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: yellow;">He’s brought a brand
new Vest<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
BestDrWhohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14003720218824109178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5530905588618595477.post-85034366043851054152013-07-17T03:24:00.002-07:002020-11-30T06:23:41.636-08:00The Rude Awakening<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms";"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;">The Rude Awakening</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.08px; text-align: left;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: cyan;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.08px; text-align: left;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: cyan;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.08px; text-align: left;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: cyan;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: cyan; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; line-height: 16.08px; text-align: left;">David's joined the ranks of the insomniacs.</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="color: cyan; display: inline; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; line-height: 16.08px; text-align: left;"><br />Three nights this week a goodnight sleep is something that he lacks.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; line-height: 16.08px; text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 16.08px;">In his bed he thrashes like a ferret in a sack.</span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: cyan;"></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16.08px;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16.08px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 16.08px;">One minute on his front, the next he's on his back.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16.08px;">
<span style="color: cyan;"></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16.08px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 16.08px;">his attempts to find comfort, frustrate, he's had enough already.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16.08px;">
<span style="color: cyan;"></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16.08px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 16.08px;">He thrashed his legs about so much he's even kicked out teddy.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: cyan;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em;">
</div>
<span style="color: cyan;">
</span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 16.08px;">Dave rose from his bed, tired of all the toiling.</span><span style="line-height: 16.08px;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: cyan;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 16.08px;">And to the Kitchen bleary eyed he found milk and a pot to boil in. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 16.08px;">He remembered as a child, hot milk's the best nightcap.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 16.08px;">So he thought with this warming brew he’d finally get a nap.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 16.08px;">He returned to his chilling bed relieved to feeling drowsy</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 16.08px;">But when the alarm clock woke him up, he thought it really lousy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 16.08px;">David’s reaching out, to stop this assault upon his ears.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 16.08px;">And from beneath the blankets Dave's head slowly appears.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 16.08px;">Trudging to the bathroom he washes sleep out from his eyes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 16.08px;">He’s wondering should he go to work or make up some white lies.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 16.08px;">Washing face and neck, he’s refreshed and forced a grin.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 16.08px;">He's wrapped up in his towel like the body from Turin.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 16.08px;">After these ablutions he dresses with a spurt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 16.08px;">One blue sock needs pulling up while putting on a shirt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 16.08px;">Tripping over teddy, on to his derriere.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 16.08px;">He noticed while in flight his socks are not a pair.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 16.08px;">Oh I’ve not time for changing even if these socks are clashing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 16.08px;">I’ll put up with the taunts and jibes and the inevitable ear bashing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 16.08px;">Dave heads out into the Morning, in his trusty clapped out Datsun.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">That he made look a little smarter by putting somebody cool mats in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 16.08px;">Up hill and dale no traffic swell, for him to get boxed in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 16.08px;">He’s filling up air the Country air with Datsun's smokey toxin.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 16.08px;">Well after all that effort you’d think we'd see Dave happy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 16.08px;">But sadly I must convey this Day it only made him snappy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 16.08px;">You see dear friends on his arrival; he found to his dismay</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 16.08px;">He could have stayed in bed all day... today was Saturday.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnipirk2mKIT91remCjuyioQQ0Okgl2gvIOybJKjmOAAz9OTFjq93xrVQ9VXXuJ9Q1aTXeT0ecCpsrY4kTPJ3_TZ66vewIQs7PpYu3FgC8diLxxavW9jPykd8jH7RaLMY7BIwpyWUecPNN/s1600/Rude+Awakening.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnipirk2mKIT91remCjuyioQQ0Okgl2gvIOybJKjmOAAz9OTFjq93xrVQ9VXXuJ9Q1aTXeT0ecCpsrY4kTPJ3_TZ66vewIQs7PpYu3FgC8diLxxavW9jPykd8jH7RaLMY7BIwpyWUecPNN/s640/Rude+Awakening.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Illustrated by BestDrWho <span style="color: blue; font-family: "comic sans ms";"><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
BestDrWhohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14003720218824109178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5530905588618595477.post-70023879518172229612013-07-16T02:56:00.003-07:002020-11-30T05:49:32.975-08:00David's Pain<br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "comic sans ms"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: lime;">David’s pain<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 19.32px;">It isn’t much for me and you </span></div>
<span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.32px;">To make a journey to the loo.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.32px;">Who’d have thought they’d make a fuss</span><span style="line-height: 19.32px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.32px;">When David asked to stop the bus.</span></div>
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<span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 19.32px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 19.32px;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 19.32px;"><span style="line-height: 19.32px;">With just a few more miles to go</span></span></div>
<span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 19.32px;">
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<span style="line-height: 19.32px;">The driver said he would not slow.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.32px;">If he had thought while at the station</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.32px;">He wouldn’t be in this situation.</span></div>
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<span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 19.32px;">As Dave returned to sit again</span></div>
<span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.32px;">He crossed his legs to ease his pain.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
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<span style="line-height: 19.32px;">Beads of sweat ran down his head</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.32px;">He held his breath his face turned red.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.32px;">He sought to occupy his mind</span><span style="line-height: 19.32px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.32px;">But found that nature was unkind.</span></div>
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<span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 19.32px;">When the bus stopped in the dark</span></div>
<span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.32px;">Dave was first to disembark.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.32px;">Although he had sat at the back</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.32px;">The need for speed he didn’t lack.</span></div>
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<span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 19.32px;">Now David legged it up the lane</span></div>
<span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.32px;">Found a loo and smiled again.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.32px;">But as he left with such relief</span><span style="line-height: 19.32px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.32px;">It only added to his grief.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.32px;">Although the bus had stopped that’s right</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.32px;">It was only for a traffic light.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 19.32px;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigPOWli3w-_IEgkk5jdaXTWxby1Kd9GwbJCm7JMyXLszlj4hP43U-7zSKLurJbHmmG69KzZ_8anVnZwHRk9jpU4cQs0GNzt8hh6ZBvebziGOX1NwjgGNTZ5Q39jadHrU8hwDMybdKmscx0/s1600/dave's+pain.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigPOWli3w-_IEgkk5jdaXTWxby1Kd9GwbJCm7JMyXLszlj4hP43U-7zSKLurJbHmmG69KzZ_8anVnZwHRk9jpU4cQs0GNzt8hh6ZBvebziGOX1NwjgGNTZ5Q39jadHrU8hwDMybdKmscx0/s640/dave's+pain.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
Illustrated by BestDrWho</div>
BestDrWhohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14003720218824109178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5530905588618595477.post-9449422096446129352013-07-15T02:25:00.003-07:002020-11-29T09:18:27.511-08:00One Shot Billy<div style="text-align: left;">
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><strong><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Hello viewers, this is a poem I wrote in my 20's while on a night shift back in </span></span></strong></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><strong><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">my </span></span></strong></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><strong><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">space </span></span></strong></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><strong><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and satellite days, with Marconi Space. </span></span></strong></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><strong><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The original was written and </span></span></strong></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><strong><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">illustrated in the nightshift handover book, so David the guy taking over in the early </span></span></strong></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><strong><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">hours would see it..</span></span></strong></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><strong><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I made four of these as the nights went on and intended writing</span></span></strong></span><strong><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> a whole series to make a book of poems called The Book of David....</span></span></strong></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><strong><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I hope you enjoy this trip to my past. </span></span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><strong><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><strong><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">One
shot Billy<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></span></div>
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</span><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "comic sans ms"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></o:p></span></b></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<span style="color: yellow;">Illustrated by Paul aka BestDrWho</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
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<b style="color: cyan; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">David’s in his western gear, </b><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Well at least that’s how it would appear</b></span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>He has one elbow on his steer,</b></span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>To rest it while he’s sipping beer</b></span><br /><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>As he walked back in to the bar, some folk Stunned, went </b></span><b style="color: cyan; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">quiet</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Then one man Speaking for them all, said,“heck he’s on a diet.”</b></span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Dave moseyed up to the bar and tapped the barman’s shoulder.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>He was just as thin as Dave but he was slightly older.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>“Can I have another drink?" He asked feeling silly.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>“What ya want?” the barman asked.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>"I’ll have a sarsaparilly."</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Drink in hand he spots The Game, and asks, “can I join in?“</b></span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>One man looked, and answered “yep!" Now poker will begin.</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The game went on for minutes and Dave got over heated.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>He jumped up in a headstrong rage and said, “That what name cheated!“</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>“Well that there’s fighting talk." His opponent said quite quickly.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>David’s face turned green to white, in fact he looked quite sickly.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The people said, “we’ll clear the street, so you can meet at noon."</b></span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>So one shot Billy said to Dave, “you’ll meet your maker soon.”</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>At the crack of noon Dave awoke to face his awful fate.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Then sent a note to Billy to say he might be late.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Nervously he walked to town and past the shop called Macy.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Billy stood there dressed in black, and David white and lacy.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>They stood there face to face, the sun made shadows long</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>David felt his bottom squeak, he wasn’t feeling strong <br /></b></span>
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Dave lurched, went for his guns but Billy was too quick.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Another notch went on his gun, this made it his hat-trick.</b></span><br />
<b style="color: cyan; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: cyan; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“David will you get up please." Mother shouted from the hall</b><br /><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>David sighed with great relief he must have dreamt it all.</b></span><br />
<br /><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Grateful he was dreaming, of fighting in the west.</b></span><br /><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>He strolled down stairs for breakfast, Mum’s cooking at its best.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
BestDrWhohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14003720218824109178noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5530905588618595477.post-29077685793602181682012-10-02T06:21:00.002-07:002020-09-26T03:16:07.323-07:00December 1963<span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">December 1963</span><br />
<span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;"><img height="384" id="il_fi" src="https://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Film/Pix/pictures/2011/8/18/1313659843023/The-Beatles-Christmas-con-007.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="640" /></span><br />
<span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><em>Beatles in Concert at the Gaumont, Southampton. December 13th 1963, And the End of</em> `<em>The Beatles Autumn Tour'.</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: lime;">Are you sitting comfortably? then I'll begin... Ruffty the squirrel was happy to find his nuts, after a very cold night... 'What?...' 'Oh, you want one of my true life growing up in the Sixties stories? why didn't you say so?'</span><br />
<span style="color: lime;">'I'm not a mind reader you know. That would be spooky wouldn't it...Ah Cheese on toast you want now?'</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><i><span style="color: lime;">"But Dad!¬ We know nothing
of how your life was growing up!" say the kids.<br />
Well now you do kids...Growing up in the late 50's and 60's is now covered by
my Scruffy Kid memories...<br />
come with me now to 1963, wrap up warm as none of the places we go have central
heating. You are now entering the world of The Scruffy Kid.</span><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
</div>
<span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><em></em>
<span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><em><br /></em></span>
</span><span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><em><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ah yes December 1963, wa</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">s still in the full grip of Beatles fever, 'I want to hold your hand' would be played everywhere.</span></em></span><br />
<span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><em></em></span><br />
<span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><em>The family are sat in my Grans living room. We kids, the brothers three and tiny Sis, had to be on our best behaviour as this is the room only used for best. "Mind what you do with that cup of tea" "yes Gran" I would reply as I dunk one of her homemade short bread biscuits. Oh crumbs they are scrummy.</em></span><br />
<span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;"><em>Father and my Uncle are laughing as each take turns wearing the black mop like shaggy Beatles Wig, and I laughed till tears filled my eyes as Grandad with a huge grin has the wig plonked on his head by his son, this was considered long hair back then and on my grandad it looked Hilarious as he had grey and rather thinning hair, I'd never seen him with dark hair before it was strangely amusing, we would regard this Wig as short hair these days, my Brothers and I however did have really short hair cuts, "short back and sides" my father always asked the barber for us boys every time we were due a cut, I never liked it much, I have to say as my dark blond hair would curl every time it rained and I liked it when it was wavy and natural,but with a short back and sides it just tickled.</em></span><br />
<span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;"><em>when us kids were allowed in the living room alone I'd tune the Radio until I found something funny to listen too, Grandads radio had the fan like grill made of</em> <em><span style="color: lime;"><strong>Bakelite. </strong>and the large dial would be lit up and you wound the pointer till you found some thing like this <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007jv86"><span style="color: yellow;">http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007jv86</span></a> As yes the Goons this will give you belly laughs for sure and my belly enjoyed many a laugh with all the chuckles Milligan's Goons would conjure.</span></em></span><br />
<em><span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">I'd end up imitating the voices of course and calling my dad "oohh you naughty man youuw."</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;"> I'm wearing my now well worn blue paisley jumper identical to my twins, unlike myself to my twin, my elder brother would be in his green reindeer adorned collared jumper. the only difference in trousers would be that his were long trousers even though I was almost as tall.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">(Ah the shorter twin brother syndrome) and ours would be short. </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;"><img alt="Image for The White Neddie Trade" class="media-player--depiction" data-img-src-original="http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/304x171/legacy/episode/b007jv86.jpg?nodefault=true" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/640x360/legacy/episode/b007jv86.jpg?nodefault=true" /></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">Other jolly japes on the radio would be, A<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">round the horn, Jimmy Cliverow, the Navy lark with Jon Pertwee, Ronnie Barker and Leslie Phillips to name but a few. <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01nmgrk"><span style="color: yellow;">http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01nmgrk</span></a></span></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;"> </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">Even Steptoe and Son, and Hancocks Half Hour were regulars on BBC's Radio.</span></em><br />
<span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span dir="auto"><span style="font-size: medium;"><em>I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again maybe a show you know, </em><span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">the pilot programme having been broadcast on 30 December 1963 under the title "Cambridge Circus" With <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Brooke-Taylor" title="Tim Brooke-Taylor"><span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tim Brooke-Taylor</span></a><span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> (later became one of the three members of<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Goodies" title="The Goodies"><span style="color: cyan;">The Goodies</span></a></i>). He has written humorous books on various subjects, including cricket and golf. He was a member of the cast of the television comedy series <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/At_Last_the_1948_Show" title="At Last the 1948 Show"><span style="color: cyan;">At Last the 1948</span> <span style="color: cyan;">Show</span></a></i> with John Cleese (as well as </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham_Chapman" title="Graham Chapman"><span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Graham Chapman</span></a><span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marty_Feldman" title="Marty Feldman"><span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Marty Feldman</span></a><span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">), and later appeared in Marty Feldman's television comedy series <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marty_(TV_series)" title="Marty (TV series)"><span style="color: cyan;">Marty</span></a></i>. Brooke-Taylor has acted in many other television sitcoms, as well as appearing in the 1970s BBC radio sketch show <i><a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hello,_Cheeky!" title="Hello, Cheeky!"><span style="color: cyan;">Hello, Cheeky!</span></a></i> with </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Junkin" title="John Junkin"><span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">John Junkin</span></a><span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Cryer" title="Barry Cryer"><span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Barry Cryer</span></a><span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, a show which later translated to ITV.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<em><span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">I would very often find a new hole in my jumper and be told off for picking at it... I put it down to an over active moth or poor maintenance.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">Now then, I do remember pulling on my charcoal grey duffel coat with it's red tartan lining and heading off to Town with the other family members, Gran and Grandad lived near the Town Centre so it was only a matter of a 20 minute walk to reach the Centre, the winter sky would be dark allowing the best view of the coloured water spouts from the fountain opposite the Guildhall and it was beautiful, I would race round it with my brothers , and the water that was now our backdrop would change from red, green, yellow to blue, onlookers would only see the shadowed figures of us boys full of laughter between the coloured sequences. 20 years later this would be dismantled and moved to front the museum but the lights were never to shine again....I think a tree fairy died that day just from the sadness of such innocent beauty being put to death.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">Well after our usual run round the fountain, which happened every time we passed it, we headed to Woolworth's because the rumour was Santa was in town... yes the Real Santa!, can you believe that?... What did you say?.. Hum well anyway we were off to see the breaded one and we joined the long throng of kids all lined up for the same thing, "Mum I'm bored" my elder brother would say, "well you'll have to wait." "Yea I want my present so shut up" that's me ever the diplomat.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">Well wait we did and I swear this Jolly soul looked the real deal, no fake beard for this fella. oh no, and the suit was excellent, straight form some Hollywood Jobby I'd say. "Ah my boy and what would you like for Christmas?" is this guy kidding me? I want a Bike obviously so I tell him, he just smiles with that "yea well I want a mansion" face, and passes me a wrapped parcel, OH Boy I love guessing the parcel, don't you? Hum ah yes well hum.... could be a book of some kind and something hard but squishy, blimey no idea what that is. </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">"WAIT!! till your brother gets his," Blimey ok miss angry I'm just investigating the possibilities here, give a kid a break, I say in my head, "Ok Mum" I really say, poking the lump in the centre of the parcel again.....na got nothing I'm thinking.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">I must point out my sister is three at this stage and the light of her daddies eye who is now with Santa smiling like a Cheshire Cat with my sister in his arms, accepting the present on her behalf, the little tike rips into it straight away... well that's girls for ya.....</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">"Now you can open them" Mother says and she didn't have to say that twice so she didn't.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">Rip!!........OH that's what it was, how cool a Huckleberry Hound bendy rubbery toy (I say bendy, but the toy clearly had a thick wire skeleton that would soon wear through the deteriorating rubber in time, a health and safety nightmare that would never happen now as the wire would also snap and protrude from the constant bending, very sharp broken ends and kids don't mix) but that was later this was now and this was a cool toy. </span></em><br />
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<span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><em>My elder brother had</em> </span><span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><em>Mr. Jinks</em></span><span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">. <em>the cat and my twin had Yogi Bear, Now your wondering what about the books, I'm getting there, the books turned out the be colouring and puzzle books which was also cool as it would give us something to do while the adults did their stuff... Ok which of you asked in your head "What did your sister get?" how do I know she's like ......a girl and it was probably some doll with a stupid bow. happy now? yeeesh..</em></span></span><br />
<span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">
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<span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;"><em><span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The walk
back to Gran and Grandads never took long and the fire lit in
the grate was a cheery welcome to us Arctic explorers,just back from the north pole, it felt toasty warm after the cold night air. we were all now
gathered in the dinning room in the middle of the lower floors of Gran’s and
there was a salad spread which we had to help ourselves to, ohhhh Yum, ham
cheese lettuce be friends haha.. Oh and grandad made the best pickled Onions
EVER!! so we all dipped into those... But Wait! there in the middle was another jar with
what looked like tiny ears, to this day I wish I just stayed curious it was
none other then a jar of pickled whelks, "go on try some it will put hairs
on your chest" this was one of my Grandads’ sayings he always used like a I dare ya.. I opened the jar and forked out a Whelk... I didn't like the
look of this fella but I had to prove I'm a Man....ok tiny man, so I pop it in
my mouth and my mouth said "NO we don't want it".... but I couldn't spit it out
I'd be murdered where I stood, so I held my nose and swallowed EWWW it was like
a bitter tasting rubber slug Eww... bluaaaa I didn't like it and from that day on I
refused to eat anything that even hinted at putting hairs on my chest.</span><o:p></o:p></em><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<em>We Kids all made our beds on the floor of one of Gran's bed rooms to await Christmas day.....and I tell you there must have been some real sneaky sneaks
going on that night, apart from almost being killed in my bed by my brothers
whelky farts, there was a sack with Santa heading down the <span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">Chimney</span> printed on it at the
end of all our beds, Oh what a lovely surprise that was, I had a small model of
a motorbike and sidecar a cowboy gun a holster sketch pads and pencils it was
all fantastic. there was also Apples Orange and Bananas, you may think that strange but my parents grew up in the Second World War and to them this fruit was the greatest gift of all.</em></span><br />
<span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;"><em>By the way just before
Christmas a new show Called Doctor Who started that November with a grumpy old grandad in, I
thought this very interesting.....Just imagine you could go anywhere in time, I could
go see the Romans who Built the walls round Southampton and ask them when were
they going to finish..<o:p></o:p></em><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">
<em><span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">Except for the whelks I loved Christmas 1963 ..Yea yea yea yeaaaaa. as the Beatles would say.</span></em></span></span>BestDrWhohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14003720218824109178noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5530905588618595477.post-28884595041218189502012-07-10T04:23:00.002-07:002022-04-27T17:21:03.506-07:00A spoof of 50 Shades... 50 Shades of Earl Grey.<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">50 Shades of Earl Grey</span><br />
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<span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Brent lay on his back, as he sighed staring at the ceiling. </span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">'Oh my good grief,' he said in his head, as he realised watching all episodes of Doctor Who season 6 back to back was a bad idea for a Sunday Evening.</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">He turned to see the flashing warning from the alarm clock. 'damn now I have to rush....'</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">He leapt out of bed naked except for the clothes he was wearing... turning the shower on to full flood to wake his still sleeping mind and body.. The water hit his body like a wave, not the sort of wave you give to friends across the street, no this was more like a wave from a stormy sea.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="color: #45818e;"></span><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">Dressing quickly in blue floral Cotton shirt with the last two buttons undone, navy blue flannel trousers blue socks and his dark brown shoes, he reached into the wardrobe one last time to grab his brown linen jacket.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Dashing through the kitchen, no time for anything now he took what he could find to eat later and shoved them into his jacket pocket. </span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">The buzzing of the garage door met him as he passed through the front doorway...</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">And there she was. Gleaming from the shadows of the garage. Red and inviting, he took her from behind and backed her out of the garage doors into the bright sunlit Morn.</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Brent spent over £2000 on this little beauty, and riding her was always a pleasure. The posture sprung mountain bike was his pride and joy....and he rode her hard.</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">He was in the lift when Gabriel tripped on the slightly raised lip of the lift floor and she fell into him, 'OH MY GOD' she thought as she felt something hard pressing into her hip, it can't be she thought, not this time of the morning!! moving away embarrassed she gushed out a Sorry to Brent who was still smiling at her, he really fancied Gabby as he called her but she never took any interest in him at all.</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">"Oh it's fine." He said, beaming at her. </span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">She tried not to stare at the bulge that had so recently pressed against her, but her mind was now conjuring up all kinds of things, and she knew what she would do with it, if she had it...</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">She had to ask... "Ah is that a Crunchy Granola Bar in your pocket?" </span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">"Yes ...yes it is." Brent replied, "I never had time for breakfast this morning, so I was thinking of having it with my coffee." "COFFEE?" She said, "Oh my poor boy, Earl Grey is what you need on a morning rush like that! I'm having one myself, would you like me to bring you one?" </span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">"That would be lovely!"Brent said taken by surprise by the kind offer from the gorgeous Gabby, in her tight fitting green dress.</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">She imagined it now rolling on her tongue, 'would he have a spicy one? or would he play it safe and go with the Maple and Almond...' She was now craving the nutty taste, She knew she had some ginger bars in a safe place.</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Earlier that Morning Gabriel had stopped at one of the many new Coffee bars that now lined the High Street. She had to have it there and then, hot and dark, the lip of the cup pressing against her lips, she knew she would have to take it standing up, as all the comfy chairs were taken. Her first Earl Gray of the day sent a quiver down her spine as it travelled down her throat.</span><br />
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<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">Leaving Brent in the lift, as he headed for the third floor.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Gabriel could hardly contain her wanton desire for more Earl Grey... </span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">She raced into the canteen, switching on the silver kettle by the microwave. "damn," she hissed as she noticed a wisp of steam that taunted her, the water appeared ready! But it wasn't ready because it needed filling.</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Now full enough for two cups she switch the kettle on, satisfied, she now rushed to her desk.... She was too excited to think straight, and pulled her draws open, her hands reached in, she knew the ginger bars were in the left hand draw, but having remembered a half eaten dime bar in the right she took both and walked back to the canteen, as she returned finished off the dime bar, by taking it into her mouth in one, she bit down and the delightful shards of caramel mixed with Delicious chocolate coated her tongue. she moaned as the sweet taste filled her mouth.</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Back in the Kitchen, Gabriel placed a bag with its string hanging over the edge of each cup and poured the hot liquid. The string on each cup pulled tight as the bags bulged in the hot water, Gabriel was about to start tugging on each bag when her Mothers voice warned....'Never rush it dear! its better to wait five minutes so as to bring out the full flavour.'</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Five minutes passed like Five minutes, and she threw the depleted sacks into the bin.</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">She liked it hot....but this was too hot, she still pressed the cup to her lips and the tongue licked the rim..oh yes way to hot.</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Brent watched Gabby as her well rounded bottom pushed the glass doors open.... He laughed to himself as he always did when he heard the word 'BUT TOCKS' in his crazy brain, Brent's head was full of more voices then Paddington Station on a Tuesday afternoon.</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">One voice was now saying in slow motion, as Gabby backed in through the doors....'Ohhhh Yeeaaaaaaa!' like the Yello song.</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">"Here you go, one Earl Grey." </span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">"Thank you Gabby, this is so kind of you." He said, trying but not succeeding to look at her breasts, while she leaned over to place his cup down on the desk. "Wow!" He mumbled, "that looks great!" Hoping she realised he meant the Tea.</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">"Yes it is good isn't it, you should quit that coffee lark, and drink more Earl Grey." She paused, as she thought, 'if you want that tight ripped body of yours to stay healthy.' </span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">She watch as he raised the cup to his soft full lips...</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">"Humm, lovely, very aah... Very tasty Gabby." </span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">'Think nothing of it." she said turning, and Brent took in the curves of her body and let out his second Sigh of the day.</span><br />
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<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">Victoria couldn't resist it any more she had to feel his package, hoping to feel the rounded ridges at her finger tips. She hoped to feel Jammie dodgers... and in her disappointment she screamed out at Phillip in the kitchen. "Bloody Bourbons! you know I hate Bourbons with that stupid white layer of whatever!"</span></span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">'Sorry Darling." Phil shouted back. "I can't hear you, the kettle is boiling... Help yourself to a biscuit! I wont me long." 'You're never LONG!' she shouted back.</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">She had been looking forward to a mouthful of Jammie Dodger, where her tongue could explore the ring of it's Jammie centre.</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">"By the way," Phil said, as he walked into the room with a tray. "I forgot you prefer Jammie Dodgers so I've put some around your saucer."</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">"Oh lovely!" she cooed , "your so thoughtful, I love that about you, you always make sure I'm satisfied."</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">"OH, Yes! Of course my Dear. I'd feel awful if I let you down." </span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">She looked up at his handsome face, "Shall we forget the tea and just have sex instead?"</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">'Very well Darling if that's what you want?"</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">'Give over, don't be ridiculous you fool, I was joking give me my Earl Grey, I want it while it's full and rich."</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Phil sat beside Vicky... She was beautiful.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">"I think your right, it is better when its hot."</span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">He lifted a hand to touch her face, then wiped a crumb of Jammie biscuit away. </span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Vicky had taken it in almost whole. Her cheeks were as full like a squirrel, with it's nuts, but the look of Ecstasy was there for all to see.</span><br />
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<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">more information on Earl Grey for you..</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;"></span><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan;">A
blend of Indian and Ceylon teas, Earl Grey tea is infused with the flavor of
bergamot, a small citrus fruit from Asia now cultivated in Italy. The health
benefits of bergamot have been documented for centuries. Many of these benefits
can be attributed to bergamot's antioxidants. Antioxidants attack free radicals,
which have damaging effects that age the body. In this way the antioxidants in
Earl Grey tea help your body stay young and healthy, fight off infection and
keep illness at bay. That's why Earl Grey tea is recommended for patients with
cold or flu, who often need to boost their immunity. Earl Grey tea is also used
to reduce the temperature of patients who have a fever.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-size: x-large;">Chapter Two</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Well Hello again readers …..here I was going to add a plot change, but the characters of this little folly had something good to watch on TV… some random Shakespeare thingy… they are such lovey's …</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Well that just leaves us ….ecthum .. (Awkwardly, clears thoat) well ..crazy weather we’re having (OMG, Think of something!) very eh very wet isn't it…. And Sunny!….but mainly wet (come on think of something you’re looking desperate!) very wet indeed….</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Brent rode up Mount pleasant street (thank god, back on track) turning left he saw Gabby sat in the window of Costa, this was Fortunately a new and surprising honest Coffee shop in Lower Piddle High Street.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">The door sounded with ring, as soon as Brent entered .. "Hello Sir! How can I help you today…. It’s all very expensive and I don’t recommend the muffins as they are way over priced." ( like I said a surprisingly honest shop).</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">"Well...hum? let me see, I’ll have an Earl Grey please." </span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">"Are you sure sir!" </span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">"Yes very sure thank you." </span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">"And how would you like it Sir?" </span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">"In a cup if possible." And Brent flushed red, as his humour flew over the head of the straight face assistant. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">"Ecthum…" He cleared his throat. "I’ll have it medium black like my coffee…haha." (tumble weed moment)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">"Very well sir. if you’d like to take a seat I’ll bring it straight over." </span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Brent paid and walked over to Gabby’s table. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">"May I join you?" She looked up with a look of alarm as he’d just woke her from a day dream of swimming in chocolate. "Oh Brent... Yes, sorry, yes take a seat, I was miles away then.. Oh mind the mess I just had a Muffin, and it was rather crumbly." </span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Brent took the seat opposite and brushed off a few crumbs, he wondered how she managed to get the crumbs to travel so far, she must have really bit into the Muffin with some vigour…. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">It’s at this point I’d normally Procrastinate about adding a long and totally unnecessary word to the story, what an absurd ambiguous Dilemma. but alas I can’t think of one.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">"Thank you for the Tea yesterday, ah, oh, by the way I took your advice, I'm having an Earl Grey, and it's on it's way." </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">"Oh lovely, she replied, glad I could help." </span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">He watched the speckles of crumbs on her chin,as she spoke and found them rather distracting.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">She seemed to sense what he was looking at and wiped her chin quickly.. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">"Oh SORRY! How embarrassing." Her lips, with the cherry red lip stick looking so kissable.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">"Oh, I didn’t notice he lied..."</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Not five miles away….what? …pardon? </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Well I’m not going to walk it am I. it’s a story.. OK wait there ( The Author gets into his car and drives not five miles away)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: black; color: cyan;">Exactly 4.78 miles away. 'happy now are we?' Susan longed for some excitement. The touch. The feel. Yes she wanted Cake! </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: black; color: cyan;">But the choices were so damned tempting, she wanted them all! </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: black; color: cyan;">You can lemon drizzle me anytime baby, she thought as she eyed the waiter in his skin tight black trousers. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: black; color: cyan;">"Would you like to order?"</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: black; color: cyan;"> 'Hell yea,' she thought, you on this table right now!, just move the pepper shaker that would be a painful accident waiting to happen.' </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: black; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: cyan;">"I’d like the cherry pie. Hot! with </span><span style="color: cyan;">Vanilla Cream, and you if you’re not too busy."…. 'holy cow! she thought, 'did I just say that out loud?' "If your not busy serving others, can bring me an Earl Gray too." Good save! she told herself.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: black; color: cyan;">"Thank you madam I’ll bring it right over…"<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: cyan;">The Earl Grey now sat in front of Brent.. he sipped the dark liquid, </span></span></span></span><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">and it was Hot!</span><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> to damned Hot!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: cyan;">"Gabby ?..hum. A</span></span></span></span><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">re you seeing anyone at the moment?"</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">"Well the Doctor said if I keep taking the eye drops my sight would improve soon." she chuckled.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Brent did the 'I better laugh!' because she’s gorgeous and funny… "Ha ha." he laughed.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">"No, no..." he looked Ernest. and he knew how Ernest looked because he worked in the post room.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">"What I mean is, I’d like to take you... Take you</span><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> out, he stammered, "maybe we could have dinner or something?"</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"></span><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Gabriel looked hard at Brent, as she sucked on the lemon that came with her Tea.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"></span><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">"Oh well, I’m free Sunday but on Monday you have to pay!" She chuckled to herself again, 'god he will think I’m an idiot!' she thought.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">"Sunday's good, so Sunday it is then... say 7 ish? Is OK? that sounds fine." </span><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Brent said as he gulped down more tea. 'Bloody hell that’s hot!' He wiped a tear before she noticed, and said "Well I have to get going Greg is meeting me at the Gym!"</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Gabriel knew Greg, he was a rather tubby man in his late 40’s "Lovely chatting, I’ll see you Sunday then." Brent said raising from his seat to leave.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">She watched him mounting his bike, as his perfect buttocks met the saddle. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">'Wow.' she thought, 'nice buns.' She also chuckled at the word 'BUT TOCKS' now sat firmly in her brain, just like Brent the day before.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">And strangely enough, it was nice Buns Patricia was tucking into right now, the jam filling slipping deliciously over her tongue and down her throat... Her heart was racing, it was from the sugar rush, and she was loving being on board the sugar train. 'Choo Choo!'</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">She took her cup of Earl Grey slowly, not wanting to rush it, she wanted to savour every lovely moment...</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">"Hello Greg... Where the bloody hell have you been? I’ve stood here like a lemon for half an hour man!" Greg said and he looked annoyed. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">"I bumped into Gabby, at the cafe."</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">"Oh... You’d like to Bump into Gabby more like.</span><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> And often!" He said as he gave Brent that all knowing look.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">"Oh shut up!"</span><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> Brent replied, "she’s lovely." </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">"I don’t doubt it me old fruit, but look! she’s coming between us already." Greg said pouting his lips... </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Brent patted Greg’s cheek mockingly, "shut it you." </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">The guys played tennis every Friday night. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">So new balls please.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chapter Three</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: black; color: cyan;">This particular Saturday evening saw Victoria and Phillip doing a little late night shopping. Vicky fancied something fruity and plucked two plums off the shelf….</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: cyan;">"Oh, do be a dear and grab a banana for me would you? I’ll have it for Lunch on Monday". </span></span></span><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Phillip shouted across from the cheese counter; He was sampling some goat’s cheese. "Hum... Vicky come try this </span><span lang="EN" style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Drunken Goat!" (This is a Spanish cheese from …. Spain) </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span lang="EN" style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">He still chuckled at the Tetilla</span><span lang="EN" style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Cheese which translates as Nipple.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span lang="EN" style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">As Vicky joined him, he pointed to the Drunken Goat cheese, which was resting between the Stinking Bishop and a large slice of </span><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Hooligan.</span><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">"Well if you like, get 220 grams." Vicky suggested as she tossed the banana into the basket…</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Phil sat in the cream leather chair in the lounge, while Vicky sorted the shopping out on the table, as she did so she dropped a plum, and it rolled a wobbly path past her legs, so she bent, half turning to retrieve her plum when she felt Phillip stood behind her. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">“Oh Really Phillip, those sorts of shenanigans are for Sunday night!” She said turning to facing him, to chastise him some more, till she saw she had backed onto the Banana half hanging from from the bag on the table.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">'Oh well that explains it, I thought that was unusually frisky,' she said to herself.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: black; color: cyan;">You have to discipline yourself that’s the secret of exercise. It’s not meant to be a punishment for the body, it’s a meant to be a benefit. Well that’s what Brent was telling himself as he stooped to do more press up’s … 'Oh stuff this! I’ll have marmite on toast instead' and on that enlightened brain wave he headed to the kitchen. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: black; color: cyan;">Two slices of granary bread later, Brent sat watching the news. As he watched he thought of Gabby and her fabulous curly body… 'Oh Gabby, Gabby, Gabby.' He said in his head as his tongue delighted in the marmity toast. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: black; color: cyan;">And because she said he needed it, he'd bought some Earl Grey, so he was now resting the steaming brew on his crouch, as he had nowhere else to rest the mug of tea.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 20.79px;">She could feel it pounding and pounding….at this rate she was never going to get any sleep…. 'Bloody thunder!' she murmured. This was the second time she had woken in the night, the first time she woke herself by shouting “Don’t spank the Monkey in the hallway!” 'Oh good lord,' she said in her head. She had been watching Rise of the Planet of the Apes that evening and it seems to have followed her to bed.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Gabriel sighed and rolled over wrapping the duvet tighter round her body.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="color: cyan;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Steven couldn't believe the size of it…. Susan said she had one, but that was huge, he looked at her frowning </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: cyan;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: black;">“You couldn’t possibly …?” he was saying, and she cut him off short. “Not in one go. No!” <span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: cyan;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: black; font-size: medium;">“Blimey” he said, amazed, and she placed it between her ample supply of oranges in the glass bowl, centrally positioned atop her dark oak coffee table.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="background-color: black; color: cyan;">“So I imagine you take it a piece at a time?” </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="background-color: black; color: cyan;">“Well yea!!” she said. “Haven’t you had Toblerone before?” "Not one that big, no… that would last me a week or more.”</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="background-color: black; color: cyan;">"Well." Susan said. “I did say I couldn't eat a whole one at once, is your Earl Grey is getting cold by the way?”</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="background-color: black; color: cyan;">“Oh.. Yes, I was feeling your Muffins, they are very firm aren't they.” </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="background-color: black; color: cyan;">“I made them fresh today, thank you for noticing, help your self!” </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="background-color: black; color: cyan;">Steve went straight to the white iced beauty with the cherry on top. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="background-color: black; color: cyan;">“Oh... this is scrummy! I love the way it feels on my tongue, and having something steamy to go with it is a heavenly treat.” </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="background-color: black; color: cyan;">"Well Thank you." Susan said as she held a dark triangle chocolate to her lips, then let it slide into her mouth. Then she held a second segment, and dropped it down her cleavage. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="background-color: black; color: cyan;">"That's your piece." </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="background-color: black; color: cyan;">And Steven fought not to spit out the mouthful of tea he’d just taken.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chapter Four</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-size: medium;">The Buffalo Bill</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">She really wanted it this morning... Hard! and Nutty! with a hint of ginger. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">So riffling through her draws once again Gabriel grabbed the last of her Ginger Crunchy Granola Bars.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">"OH Yes!" she sighed, as her taste buds boogied with delight.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">This Sunday morning was brighter than yesterday, with a gorgeous sunrise making the mist hug the ground, as the clouds stretched thin in the sky over the trees and fields of Lower Piddle.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">Joggers in teams of two or three ran as joggers do on such lovely mornings, with their eye's screaming 'Why am I doing this?' avoiding the puddles of the previous nights rain. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">Susan was running on her own down the winding path that lead to the tree lined bridleway. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">The earthy smell after the rain was fabulous, she breathed it all in as she ran between trees and shrubs, and the light danced over her, like bright fairies at a disco. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">Once home She kicked off her trainers and headed for the shower, discarding her top and shorts into the laundry basket at the top landing as she enter the bathroom, and from the door way she threw her bra and pants into the basket like a professional basketball player, if throwing pants was a sporting event she would have scored a perfect 3 every time.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">Now naked, as she found it the best way to shower, she turned on the water, adjusting till it was as hot as she could bare, the water cascaded over her athletically toned body, and she was using a Chocolate scented shower gel, that now ran wave after soapy wave, down her tanned skin, her hands working the sweet smelling gel into all her curves and crevices. (Blimey is it getting hot in here?) </span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">'Oh God this feels fabulous after a good run,' Susan said to herself, with that satisfied sigh that comes from such pleasures. </span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">('I'm no betting man but I bet it felt good too....the shower that is... not Susan...not that Susan wouldn't feel lovely too you understand...naked...Gulp!!' '</span><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">OK I need a cold shower now!') </span></span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">Susan towelled herself off, took the robe from it's hook on the door, and wrapped it round her, as she took the stairs down to the kitchen, where she switched on the kettle and picked up her book from where she left off, ten minutes later mug in hand she entered the lounge and sat in her comfy chair Earl Grey at her side, She loved her Sundays.....her time to relax, and the sun coming through the window into her mainly cream coloured lounge made it all the more lovely.</span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">Brent was excited, today was going to be his date with the Gorgeous Gabby and he wanted it to be perfect, he spent some time Saturday looking for an after shave as he wanted to smell good, he was thinking something woody perhaps.</span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">He asked the girl at the counter, "Excuse me!....What would a woman like? which of these smell best?" </span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">"That would depend on what she likes." </span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">Not helpful Brent thought...</span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">"Oh, So there isn't one that really stands out to you?" he asked again. </span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">"Well there is this one......It smells of dark chocolate.</span><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">('Hum I sense a theme here, Maybe I should have got paid for product placement? Where's an Agent when you need one?') </span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">"Oh really?" Brent replied... "and girls love chocolate right?" he added...</span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">"Most definitely, I was sucking on one not five minutes ago!" "Oh great said Brent how much?" "</span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">Not a lot, I didn't want to over do it, a moment on the lips a lifetime on the hips! as they say." she chuckled, "it was only a whisper." </span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">"NO....I mean how much is the After Shave... "</span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">"Oh</span><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;"> silly me... It's £49.99." said the blond assistant. </span></span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">"Blood and Sand!" Brent said in alarm, "it's a very tiny bottle for 50 quid isn't it?" </span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">"It's the top of the range sir!" (Well that explains it) </span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">"OK." he said, "I'll take it... </span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">(It's a strange thing, but people never want to look cheap do they? and they always end up buying things they wish they had the sense to avoid, but he really, really likes Gabby.)</span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">Gabriel looked stunning in a green sparkling evening dress, that clung to her curves like a lovers caress. </span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">"Wow! You look stunning Gabby." (Told you) </span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">Brent said as he was greeted at the door... </span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">"Oh, This old thing? Thank you it's just something I threw on." she smiled warmly. (Yes she threw it on several times after trying 20 other dresses.)</span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">They reached the restaurant via Gabriel's yellow Cleo as Brent had no car of his own. </span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">"Table for two Please." Brent told the young Italian looking waiter. </span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">"Right this way sir...would you like the table by the window?" "That would be excellent thank you.." </span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">The waiter pulled a chair out for Gabriel and she sat with a Thank you... </span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">Brent sat opposite as he did at the Coffee bar.... Well here we are." He said.</span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">"Yes, isn't it lovely here." Gabriel said, looking around the candle lite restaurant, it looked very romantic with cosy little nooks for lovers to spend a wonderful evening eating, wtih Beautifully presented food.</span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">The reason Brent picked this Particular Restaurant was that it had Buffalo Steak with Buffalo Mozzarella. "You don't get any fat on Buffalo meat." he explained to Gabby. </span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">"Oh that sounds lovely." she said, "I'll leave you to order then."</span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">Brent ordered the Steaks which came on a heated flat stone that allowed the meat to sizzle away with the Mozzarella melting into the meat to add it's juices to the flavour.</span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">The still cooking food meant it was all the more inviting with it's thick cut chips in there skins, honeyed<span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: magenta;">parsnips, carrots and runner beans, with a rich red wine sauce. </span></span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">Gabby selected the red wine at Brent's request and she chose a cheeky little British wine called Pinot Noir 2010 from Bolney Wine Estate.</span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">The favours bursting on to Gabriel's tongue made her want to squeal with delight....'OH My God!' she thought, 'this is just fantastic... Hum I'm loving this.' and her taste buds agreed. and the juices were so rich she swallowed them slowly and with great pleasure....</span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">"How is it?" Brent asked, eyebrows raised.</span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">"</span><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">Oh it's absolutely Divine, I've never had Buffalo before, it's wonderful!"</span></span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">The meal was indeed lovely and both enjoyed the evening and chatted about life and their dreams......no work talk.</span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">Even the view looking over a large lake seemed to make the evening even more magical, as the bird life around the lake came and went, throughout the night.</span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">"I really enjoyed this evening Brent." Gabby said.</span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">Brent looked straight into her beautiful green eye's, that were made all greener, by reflecting the green of her dress.</span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">"Oh, Ah, I loved every minute Gabby." he said feeling like the luckiest man in Britain... "I'll see you tomorrow." and he moved closer and kissed her cheek. </span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">Gabriel felt her heart skip a beat for a second and turned her head to meet his lips.......when the kiss came, her lips seemed to tingle like an electric current was passing from Brent to her and Brent felt it too........after a rather long and lingering kiss, Gabriel unlocked the door looked into Brent's blue eyes, took his hand and pulled him inside.... he didn't resist.</span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">(Why the lucky Baa,....... that would never of happened in my day, oh no, you might be lucky and get a firm hand shake and a hearty goodbye..... Kids of today Eh? well I never.)</span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;">I need a steaming Earl Grey after that...... and I guess they will too, so lets leave them to it, shall we.</span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Chances are you've heard that a little alcohol - especially wine - is good for the heart and for health generally. </span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: black; color: cyan;">Sorting out fact from wishful thinking isn't easy. We look at the facts and find a little wine is probably fine - just don't overdo it. </span></span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #0b5394; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/content/wellbeing/features/wine-health/1/" style="background-color: black; text-decoration: none;">http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/content/wellbeing/features/wine-health/1/</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">
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</span></span>BestDrWhohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14003720218824109178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5530905588618595477.post-34096780204528635532012-04-04T10:30:00.016-07:002022-09-06T05:57:25.775-07:00A step back in time. <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 24pt;"><strong>A step back in time.</strong></span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBvcudO5TNsgurpqbemGIKAuJcBoV2TXQNcT_vLJV3coH-KTcKsxOaQtoMEy5hK6ozKG5rCh9y_UquqvuGqqKN1yWJUMkr2uNobjIbjWkoCvTgmBx461IOJOj9af1t2GlQmXpfuI9Ze4i8/s1600/the+price+of+freedom.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBvcudO5TNsgurpqbemGIKAuJcBoV2TXQNcT_vLJV3coH-KTcKsxOaQtoMEy5hK6ozKG5rCh9y_UquqvuGqqKN1yWJUMkr2uNobjIbjWkoCvTgmBx461IOJOj9af1t2GlQmXpfuI9Ze4i8/s1600/the+price+of+freedom.jpg" width="386" /></span></a>
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<span 18pt="" georgia=""><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This banksy looks exactly
like me as a Kid</span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia";"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">Well this will be
a slice of the 60's taken from those little memory nuggets, stored in the back
of my mind, where it sleeps, yes, till I wish to remember them.</span></strong><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><em><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">"Oh yes, I can
when I want to. And that's the point, really. I have to really want to, to
bring them back in front of my eyes. The rest of the time they... they sleep in
my mind and I forget. And so will you. Oh yes, you will. You'll find there's so
much else to think about. To remember. Our lives are different to anybody
Else's. That's the exciting thing, that nobody in the universe can do what
we're doing."</span></em></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><em><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">: Patrick Troughton.</span><u1:p></u1:p></em><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">We
of the Baby Boomer breed seem to have had more freedom to wander as children, and
we could venture out into the World alone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">My Elder
brother had a Trike!..." "Really!" "Shh! he'll hear you!"</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">It was a Little Beauty, red, with
yellow handles and seat, it taunted me to ride it....oh yes it did. </span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">OK so I'm Three and a bit years old, and forbidden to ride the for mentioned trike. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">But my brother is at
school.... hmm, now this is my opportunity to make a break for the hills. </span><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">So tip toe little me...
and unlock the garden gate, up the path to the second gate leading to the alley
separating one row of four houses from another, then I am out! I'm on that bike
and I'm peddling... The G forces on my face lifted at least two hairs on my
head out of place, 'This is awesome!' The exit between the garden walls is
rushing towards me at an incredible 1/18 a mile per hour... I hit the small step
onto the concrete path heading for the asphalt path that circles the homes
built in rectangles, turning left now I'm going down hill....... Brakes?
Brakes!! not a clue, what's a brake ?...</span><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">The end of the row is
coming up fast and I need to turn left, so I can take the path at the front of
these council homes. </span><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">I make the turn...who
knew three wheels could become two! But armed with pure ignorance I keep the
bike on the path... 'Wow' this is fun isn't it? I say in my head, but no one
answers, we're too busy having fun!... And then it happens!... 'what was
that??' I feel it again, so I stop peddling, because something is tickling my
face, 'hmm what is it..?' I touch my forehead and it's wet! 'what ?' Where did
that come from? </span><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">As I run my hand over my
face a bead of water runs down my hand... Crumbs this is awkward I seem to be
malfunctioning in some way...</span><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">With a sense of urgency
now I start peddling again passing the last of the four houses, I turn left
again and head up hill...'Cor blimey!' this isn't easy... </span><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">I dismount and run with
the trike the rest of the way untill I turn left yet again and head back into
the alley... to gate one... gate two... </span><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">"MUM!!
...MUMMY!!" I bang my tiny fist on the back door... I'm better off shouting
because no one but a dog sleeping against the door would hear that!
"MUMMMMMMMMMMM!"</span><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">The door opens and this
giant is now looking down on me, "What have you been up to now?.... have
you been riding your brothers bike?" "ahhh humm," looking back
at the bike, and I return my gaze to my mother's smiling face.. "Mum I've
broken my head, it's leaking!" </span><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">"What?" </span><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">"I'm leaking! my
head is leaking... look!" </span><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">I point to the water
running down my face... and Mum starts chuckling, "You’re not leaking, you're sweating!!" </span><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">"Oh NO! is that more
bad then leaking?" I ask, in me best child English init... </span><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">"No ( chuckle,
chuckle) it means you’re hot! people sweat when they get hot!..." </span><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">"Really?" I
ask... </span><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">"Yes..." </span><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">Well where did the water
come from? it had to come from somewhere? I don't understand this sweating
thing at ALL!...</span><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">OK so I'm not going to
die through leakage so I fess up to riding the bike. </span><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">"That will teach
you," Mother says... "Come in you better have some water."</span><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="margin: 1em 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">Ahhh...
very shrewd, this is a sneaky ways to replace my empty head tank... I'm thinking.</span><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="margin: 1em 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">No one
appeared to have money to waste, forget the bright and Fab! colours you see in
films depicting the age.</span><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">Only the well off could
afford to follow such trends, Oh no the main colours worn by the majority would
be blue, brown, beige or grey, these clothes are also more likely to be hand me
downs from a jumble sale (think boot sale indoors without the cars)</span><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">Because of this hardly
anyone housed on a council estate owned a car... How great would that be today?
you can barely park anywhere these days. </span><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">But back then, the roads
surrounding our homes only had one car to be seen, and this belonged to Mr Bishop,
he's in his late 50's to early 60's at this time and he was selling insurance, and as
fate will have it, yesterday I came across a car not just the same make but the
very same colour... </span><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p><br />
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<br /></div>
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFxd-KHSVCtKJjA-IrvsfbNtNqbrCpsFRXy1TX9k2KMUjIngZDwtZo-jv97kMfsFxlGNSDp0mNxXzJz4z3YSmNyODW4vVKl58iLc6wThyphenhyphene91K0ba1FBll36QOofF3wktH_YxOP7SUIfcwW/s1600/DSC_0219.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFxd-KHSVCtKJjA-IrvsfbNtNqbrCpsFRXy1TX9k2KMUjIngZDwtZo-jv97kMfsFxlGNSDp0mNxXzJz4z3YSmNyODW4vVKl58iLc6wThyphenhyphene91K0ba1FBll36QOofF3wktH_YxOP7SUIfcwW/s640/DSC_0219.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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</div>
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<span georgia="" imes="" new="" quot="" roman="" serif=""></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">As the roads are so clear we often played tennis
in the road using the curbs and the concrete joints to mark our court... This estate
had generous green areas too, where if we wished we could play football, which
nearly all the kids did play, you could end up with over 20 a side, sometimes
even the adults wanted to join in these games, so we would have two kids for
every adult... there was a clever and simple answer to every activity in those
playful days... </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">The streets would be full of kids, playing all
kinds of games... the only limit was your imagination... you could be the 300
Spartans out numbered but defiant! or Cowboys and Indians...and Soldiers from any
war you could think of.</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">The woods were also a place of adventure, where
you could clime trees, swing, or build your own den in the bushes </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">by tying the branches together in a A frame, this
made a comfy den where the entrance arched like a church, off cuts of Lino or
carpet lined the floor... To a child it was the best play house ever!! and
built by your own fair hands. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">These skills are lost on the computer generation... unless there are
still children out there looking for adventure that is, and not something that
can only be satisfied by a hand held console.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">I mentioned swings, and some of the braver lads
hung these from the high branches of a tree... with a short branch tied at the
other end as a seat, </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">These self made swings would be guarded by the
older kids who made them, so to play on it you had to ask for permission or
wait untill they had gone... You could use this swing by climbing with the
swing, then swing out from the tree or hold the branch that was acting as a seat
and run out in a circle till your feet left the ground, the faster you ran the
further you swung out. This was the method I was using now aged between 5 and
6... </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">For some reason no one else was on the swing...
so I played for hours, the main aim was to be off the ground for as long as
possible, so you could make believe you're flying, when coming back towards the
ground you'd tuck up your legs and place them down at the very last second. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">Once I left it to late, so I hit the ground on my
knees, but brushing myself down I set out again on the wide circular run... </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">I don't know how long it was before I noticed the
tickling trickle on my right leg but looking down I saw my knee was bleeding,
and the once white socks I wore, one was now a vibrant red! soaked in my blood.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">We all wore shorts in those days too, my Parents
would never think of buying long trousers for a child...</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">'Well I better head home then,' I thought, I
don't recall any pain, only that tickle, by the time I reached for the front
door I realised my Mother was going to go ballistic!... </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">I had ruined my socks!... So I tried to cry...
not easy when you don't feel it, so it was more of a pathetic sob then a cry
but thinking my Mother wouldn't hit me if I was upset I continued this
subterfuge and knocked... The door opened, looking at me, Mum said "What
have you done this time?.... get in quick." </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">She took me into the Kitchen which, in the 60's
was the main living area anyway, the living room was for special occasions only
and hardly used, this changed in the latter part of 63' following the purchase
of the first record player I'd ever seen... </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">'She loves You' by the Beatles was played over
and over... very high tech... but wait why are you reading this! While I'm sat
bleeding in the kitchen? you really need to get your priorities straight...</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">So there I am sitting in the kitchen having my
knee washed, Are you with me now?... Good we can move on. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">"Oh this looks bad!" My mother informs
me as she wipes away at the damage.. But by now I'm half sleepy... after running round
for hours... I was in need of a nap, but this announcement from my Mother now
had my full attention, believe you me... </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="margin: 1em 0cm; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">"What Mum?" </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="margin: 1em 0cm; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">"You have a really deep cut in your knee, I
think we better go to the doctors."</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">'Woaaw' Wait a minute, this can't be! it didn't
even hurt!... but with a handkerchief wrapped round the knee, purely for
hygienic reasons as it had no bogie's, off we trot to the doctors... </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">Crumbs! could this day get any worse?... No one
likes going to the doctors, they tend to use you for darts practise... </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="margin: 1em 0cm; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">"I'm afraid your son will need
stitches." </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">'WOAAH' My hands immediately wrap round my knee
to protect it... "NO! it just needs a plaster," I plead... rather
panicked. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">This doctor is obviously a complete loony...
"OK thank you Doc ... Mum can we go get a plaster now?" </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">"No young man, you will need stitches the
wound is far to deep for plasters" the doctor insists .... isn't it funny
how quick fake tears turn in to real ones.... "NO Mum!.....NO!" </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">Anyway a bus ride to the hospital later... (some emergency this is)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">I'm waiting for a nurse to look at my knee... and
on arrival she tricked me with the equivalent of someone shouting "look
...a cat!" to a dog... and as I look away, she puts a needle that looked the size of a
bike pump, to my threatened mind, into my knee....... "Ahhhwwwa that bloody
hurt!" I bellow.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">I should point out at this stage that it was seen
as very rude to say 'bloody' back then, and for a nearly six year old all eyes
fell on a blushing Mother... </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">"The Things they learn at school" she
proclaimed, trying to looked shocked, and I knew as soon as we got out I'd get
a thick ear... (a term for a whack round the head..)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">I never got a thick ear, but I did get an ear bashing. </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">"You never swear again is that clear! You
really embarrassed me then." </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">"Sorry Mum" I mutter, still in pain
from needle and stitches... </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">So here's me three stitches the heavier and it
throbs like the red hot pokers of hell, as we walk to the nearest Bus Stop.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">That journey home was a long and painful ride and
tears of pain ran down my cheeks...</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; background: white; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;"></span><o:p></o:p> <span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">I never slept a wink that night the pain was much
to great for that... </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">As a new day dawned I was too tired to care and
spent the day in a daze...</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">At school, the next day, I was a Hero, everyone wanted to see
the stitches... which is probably the reason the wound was infected by the time
the stitched were eventually removed, and this horrible green puss oozed out...
and the wound was cleaned, using cotton buds soaked in what looked and smelt
like diluted dettol, my leg was rebandaged and a tetanus jab was included for
good measure, my days in hospital were done...</span><span style="font-family: "georgia";"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">Well the price of freedom doesn't come cheap,
going out unsupervised in the 60's could lead to a injury or three... But would
I trade those days for safety? Not on your Nelly ......... NO WAY</span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;"><span style="color: black;">!</span></span><span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
</span><br />
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<br /></div>
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