Not leaving the last chapter's hand grenade to fester.

CHAPTER 60
The year had been a decent one, all told, and I was looking forward to the usual festivities, even without Malcolm and Graham’s presence. For once, I had not only the Christmas Day off but Boxing Day as well, and some sad man without a life had actually volunteered to cover New Year’s Day for me. My plans took a slight hit when Heidi dropped in to sort a couple of things at the end of November, those ‘things’ actually being Serena and Alicia. The four of us adjourned to the dining room as soon as Paul turned up with Nita, which I hadn’t been expecting. As I was sorting out a tray of drinks for us all, the kitchen door banged, and it was Kim.

“They here, then?”

CHAPTER 59
I called out to the girls slumped in various chairs.

“Any of you understand how to set this bloody thing to record?”

We had upgraded the television after the previous set had walked out of a back door and, by proxy, onto a mortuary slab, and it had all sorts of tricks I couldn’t get my head around. Chloe was the one who made the necessary button-pushes, finding the time for the programme and setting the machine up to capture the show for a later opportunity.

CHAPTER 58
I don’t know whether what Marlene and I had called my ‘girl magnetism’ was wearing off, but Heidi and Nita seemed to have come to a temporary half in supplying new residents. We are, after all, such a tiny proportion of the population that I must have been sheltering a major part of the available ‘supply’, and there was also the parallel fact that not all parents are bastards.

The trial starts and Erica gets a precursor of the abusive cross examinations awaiting her.

Sam has to face some ugly facts...and pretty dresses...

7. I don't have to wear dresses...

Chapter 5

Beatrice was the first to regain her composure. Not because she was over how amazing Ash looked, but because as the director of this shoot she needed to be professional. “Alright Jolene, I believe you can take it from here. You got the shooting schedule right?” Beatrice asked trying her hardest not to stare at her son too much. The change was shocking to be honest. Never in a million years had she thought Ash would come out looking this good.

CHAPTER 56
Cathy and Nell had left us with one mumbled apology, and that was for their failure to pack up and head home immediately after their term had finished. Nell in particular had done her unsuccessful best to hide a sly smile.

“Leo’s never been to Scotland, so, well… lot’s of places to explore”

Cathy had burst out laughing at that remark, leaving Nell blushing even more fiercely than she had done at that infamous New Year’s Eve party. She started to stammer something else, and I shut her up with a hug and a finger to her lips.

CHAPTER 55
In the end, it was Charlie who made the bridge that brought Tiff to us. The latest girl had done her best, holding her hand out to Gemma, but it was Charlie she clicked with. I suspected it was mostly to do with their shared experience of the man that the latter, with an increasing prickliness, started calling ‘That wonky-eyed cunt’.

Whatever the reason, they seemed to work well together, and the only time that I really saw the damage that had been done was in the simple fact that neither of them would ever leave the House. Not for any form of schooling, not to go shopping, not for a night out at the Smugglers. Just not, ever.

based on the song "The One" by Brandon Heath

To help Erica get over the trauma of the prosecution hearings, Susan invites her to a 'posh nosh' at a top class restaurant. There the pair unexpectedly encounter the judges and Hans, the boy Erica fancies but thinks she cannot have because of her HIV condition. The stress of the encounter causes Erica to have a near relapse.

Chapter 6

“Hey baby girl… Time to get up…”

Sam sang the words softly. Good to her word, she was up before me. As I slowly stretched, I could see her smiling face and flashing eyes. We both began to giggle. I felt so good…so alive. And seeing her face only reminded me of the prior evening and what we managed to do to one another.

Erica finally talks to Hans and explains why she appeared to snub his advances.

The Visund must depart for its next port of call. Maralin has returned to join the farewells before the Norse ship travels the short distance to Ferenis - and another heroes' welcome. Their host, however, has a surprise for some of them.

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

38 - Another Day, Another Country

Pas de Deux A novel by Bronwen Welsh A Sequel to 'Antonette's Story' Copyright 2021

Chapter 16   Coppélia and an unwelcome revelation