November meeting

A full compliment today at John's on a cold morning. Pat started with a full report on the misuse of a 3D printer to produce counterfeit coins.  Joan Read all about the IRA and ending in a firing squad.  Brian about the Chinese storming the Gloucester's regiment in Korea. Ann stuck in the forest. Sally a new home for poor farm workers. Sheila on the way to pick up a school uniform. My story about a marriage heading for the rocks. Joan a walk around the block. Sue an amputee determined to walk.

Joint win Rosemary and John 3 votes each.

Rosemary's story

John's story
NOWHERE TO WALK. JAKE BROWN WAS A TYPICAL SMALL TOWN CROOK WHO MADE A LIVING, STEALING OPPORTUNISTICALLY WHENEVER HE COULD, AND WHILST, LIKE LOTS OF HIS FELLOW CRIMINALS, HE HAD A DRUG DEPENDENCY, HE WAS IN SOME WAYS, QUITE A LIKEABLE CHAP. HE WAS WELL KNOWN TO THE LOCAL BOBBIES WHO HAD A TIRED ACCEPTANCE OF HIS WAY OF LIFE, AND THEY KNEW THAT IF JAKE WAS BANG TO RIGHTS, HE WOULD RESIGNEDLY ACCEPT HIS LOT, WHICH WAS USUALLY ANOTHER STRETCH INSIDE. THIS PATTERN HAD BEEN THE CASE FOR A GOOD FEW YEARS, AND SO LIFE FOR JAKE BECAME QUITE PREDICTABLE. HE HAD A FEW RELATIONSHIPS WITH WOMEN, WHO INEVITABLY USED TO GET TIRED OF HIS ACTIVITIES, BUT THEN ONE DAY A LADY CAME INTO HIS LIFE, WHO WAS DETERMINED TO CHANGE HIM. YES, WE ALL KNOW ABOUT THESE WOMEN, WHO FEEL SURE THAT THEY CAN CHANGE THEIR MAN FOR THE BETTER, BUT GLORIA SEEMED DETERMINED, AND JAKE CERTAINLY GAVE THE IMPRESSION THAT HE WAS PREPARED TO GIVE IT A GO. SO, FOR A WHILE HE EVEN GOT A JOB, AS A ROADSWEEPER, AND GLORIA WAS HAPPY. WHY, HE EVEN GOT HIMSELF SOME PETS. A LITTLE KITTEN, A TATTY OLD MONGREL OF DOG CALLED WAYNE, AND A PARROT. WELL, THIS WENT ON WELL FOR A FEW MONTHS UNTIL WITH THE ICY ROADS JAKE FELL WHILST SWEEPING AND WAS SUDDENLY LAID UP WITH A BROKEN LEG. HE THEN HAD NOWHERE TO WALK IN THIS CONDITION, AND SPENT HOURS WITH HIS PETS AND SOON HAD THE PARROT SPEAKING QUITE WELL. HE SPENT MANY A DAY WITH HIS PETS, ALTHOUGH GLORIA HAD TO TAKE THE DOG OUT FOR WALKS. UNFORTUNATELY, ALL OF THIS SPARE TIME COULD NOT BE TAKEN UP COMPLETELY WITH HIS PETS AND JAKES MIND TURNED ONCE MORE TO HIS CRIMINAL THOUGHTS. ONE DAY AFTER HE HAD HIS PLASTERCAST REMOVED, JAKE DID A LITTLE TRIP AROUND THE NEIGHBOURHOOD, AND MANAGED TO GET INTO A HOUSE AND GOT AWAY WITH A GOOD SELECTION OF JEWELRY AND WATCHES, GOT HOME AND QUICKLY PUT IT AWAY IN HIS SECRET CUPBOARD. LET THINGS SETTLE DOWN HE THOUGHT AND THEN HE WOULD CONTACT HIS FENCE AND SELL IT ALL OFF. NEEDLESS TO SAY THE LOCAL BOBBIES DIDN'T TAKE TOO KINDLY TO A ROBBERY ON THEIR PATCH, AND AFTER A BIT OF DIGGING JAKE'S NAME CAME INTO THE FRAME. HE HADN'T GOT RID OF THE ILL GOTTEN GAINS EITHER WHEN THEY PAID HIM A VISIT. GLORIA WAS SHOCKED TOO. SHE'D FELT THAT JAKE HAD BECOME A BETTER FELLOW UNDER HER WATCHFUL EYE, BUT OF COURSE HE COULDN'T RESIST THE CHANCE TO GET BACK TO HIS OLD WAYS. JAKE PLEADED HIS INNOCENCE TO THE LAW, AND ALL WAS LOOKING GOOD UNTIL HIS BELOVED PARROT SUDDENLY CHIRPED UP IN ANSWER TO THE POLICEMAN ASKING WHERE THE SWAG WAS, BY SQUAKING "ITS IN THE CUPBOARD". BLAST IT THOUGHT JAKE AS HE WAS LED AWAY LOOKING AT ANOTHER STRETCH INSIDE. GLORIA WAS DISTRAUGHT, BUT THE PARROT SEEMED TO HAVE A SORT OF GLOW ABOUT HIM AS JAKE WAS LED OUT OF THE DOOR.

No meeting December
January Became intrigued

28th Oct

The morning after the storm we met at Jack & Joan's, eleven of us. Brian jumped in to start with a Goose fair past and present. Joan E house removal. My story of my love of motor bikes when young. Sally 80 mph gales. Sue two old codgers and a bomb. Rosemary Ship Street nostalgia. Sheila throwing apple cores in gardens. John's sad tale. Joan R SAS men.
Next month "nowhere to walk" at John's.

Pat got top votes.

THE ROAD WAS CLOSED

During one of my contemplative moments I was thinking about the 3^rd age. Actually I believe there are 5 ages...if you are lucky.
Being totally dependent on others at during the 1^stmini age.
Hopefully you make it unscathed to the 2nd age, the teenage years, when your brain and eyes slowly open to the world around you. The adults don't seem to know whats going on, finding it hard to understand you. Why do they seem cross all the time.

To my mind the 3^rd age is those middle years. Time to ditch the long

hair and short skirts, concentrate on work and family and finally feeling like a grown up.

As the 4^th age dawns we all look forward to retirement. We still have plenty of energy to garden and do up the house, take lots of holidays. Time to meet new friends and try something different. Learning is more fun these days. No exams to take. Families reshape over time, with marriages, divorces, new babies and departure, sometimes much to early. Christmas is to be endured these days, after all its basically for the young unless you are a churchgoer.

Now the 5^th age is really old age. The teeth are not what they were which makes you very careful. There are many decisions, for instance to carry on colouring the hair , keep on driving as long as possible, bother to renew the passport? At 3am all is black with the world. What to do with my favourite books, jewelry and carefully dusted little treasures? Will it all end up in the tip? Make a mental note to leave all paperwork in order and drawers tidy, you never know do you!

Waking up is a great start to the day, that means my number isn't up yet...that road is still closed. Keep taking the pills and try not to fall over.

If only I knew how long I had left I would know how much I could spend!

23 September at Pat & Brian's

Just nine of us with ten stories one from absent Sue read by Sheila all about two runaway children lost in the Australian desert. Joan wrote about a small coastal town. John RAF and a depressed young lady who commits suicide. Ann unfortunate youngster breaks leg in an orchard. Sally all about dogs. Pat a visit to Hurst castle. Sheila first prize for flower display. Rosemary, Brian and myself all got two votes each so here are all three. Rosemary still hasn't got the computer working.

Next month "the road was closed"


 Brian's first

 LARGE SPRING. In A small village in North Wales, they tell of an old legend.. That there was a beautiful young girl named Winifred. It is said that she was no older than Nineteen, of sweet face unmarked by disease, hair, dark as the feathers of a ravens wing, hung long and straight to her slender waist, her eyes were of the lightest blue. Her family was not of the peasant class, nor were they very wealthy. Winifred was in love with a tall handsome young man, Thomas, who's family was the richest and most powerful family in the whole of North Wales. Winifred and Thomas would met in secret, near a charcoal burners cottage in the woods near the village.
 One day Winifred went to met Thomas, wearing her favourite red dress, over this a light woollen hooded cloak. She was a little late arriving at the spot to met Thomas, a bird shrieked in the tree top, as if to warn her. There standing in the spot where she and Thomas met was a dark cloaked figure, he grinned at her. He was a stocky man, grey haired and a square plaited beard in two thick ropes fastened with silver clasps. His forearms were scare, on his belt, around his waist hung a thick-bladed sword. The man was Thomas' father, 

“ Listen to me girl, I told Thomas you will never see each other again. I have made a match for him with Lord Owen's daughter, I know that he can disobedient, headstrong, and foolish . So I have sent him to his uncles house, until the marriage.” With this Winifred fell to her knees and told him that she would pray that he would always remember her, and she would wait for him. With that the fathers face turned red with anger, he draw his sword and with swift slice of the blade he decapitated her. Her head rolled down a slight slope and from the spot where it came to rest a LARGE SPRING gushed forth. The murderer was immediately dispatched by a heaven-sent thunderbolt. Over time the spring became famous for it healing powers. Its waters it is said can cure a broken heart, if you wash you hands and face with the water you will never have any face scaring diseases. Is that why, to this day ALL the people in that village have beautiful clear, unmarked skin.??? Even in old age.

Rosemary's



L



Bill's

A large spring
I feel that my life is controlled by two clockwork springs, a large spring, that runs once only for my whole life and another small one that runs for a whole day. My imagination brings to mind a large brass mechanism with cogs and levers working harmoniously, ticking away away to power my self. My first day measured by the smaller spring was my birthday. My first actual day of birth when the spring was already tightly wound and concealed a huge amount of energy.

So that early in the day was the time to throw the body around and make noises that belied the size of the body that it emanated from. It was set to run fast and lasted only for a short period before suddenly stopping but as time flowed on it slowed so that it lasted a whole day before requiring a night's sleep to rewind. But now many years later it no longer has the energy of the past glory days but still serves me well only partially slowing after lunch when sleep beckons.

The large spring is fully wound on birth and slowly unwinds during a lifetime. In my case reaching the end of its life it slips occasionally, the attached pendulum momentarily falters and I find myself in a situation surrounded by people or places that I don't recall leading up to. But knowing that we live in such a mysterious unknowable reality I find it is best to accept it and continue to react to whatever presents itself.   If anyone notices the sudden jolt of recognition as you struggle to make sense of where you are or who you are with, you have to smile at them reassuringly to stop them from running away in panic.

The main thing is that there is still enough of the spring's length to unwind to last a few more years before it finally stops for good. Scientists do say we have biological rhythms for measuring time so it is not far from the truth. These rhythms are driven by what they call a circadian clock, and rhythms have been widely observed in plants, animals and  fungi but of course we all know that. Oh Dear I've just had another one of those jolts that accompany the spring jerking forward. It feels that it was only a moment ago I was sitting in front of my computer typing this out but now here I am reading out this daft story to the creative writing group. Never mind I'll just make the best of it and continue reading then they won't notice anything amiss.

26th August.

Nine of us today on a sunny morning but we decided to stay inside. Rosemary an unfortunate dog that was run over after being too snooty.  Sheila, Daisy walked up the ladder to success.  Brian one tree chopped down too many. John cheating book-keeper. Ann sick child gets wish. Joan pony training. I wrote about a fierce teacher starting a new school.

Next month "large  spring" 23 Sept at John's

Joan and Pat tied

This is Joans

Her reputation

Evelyn Grant was 65 years old and had been a widow for 10 years the first two years were the worst but with the help of friends and family she felt she now had a good life and a reputation for getting things done this was down to her mother who had told her when she was very young not to say she would do some thing unless she was sure she could do it and up until last year she had lived by this rule. It was a Tuesday and she was out to lunch with friends from the U3 A group she belonged to listening to every thing they had been doing such as yoga, tennis, golf, walking ect now she considered herself fairly fit but she did not do much exercise she was quite lazy in that respect. There was a pause in the conversation and she heard herself saying "I am thinking of running the London Marathon next year" every one looked at her in amazement, so she quickly added "That's if I get a place". Mary one of the group then said "perhaps if you apply on U3 A headed paper it will give you an advantage" so it was decided that this is what she would do and against all odds and to her dismay back came the number she would have 4462.

Since then she had been getting up at 6am to go running at the start she could not jog to the end of the road, let alone run, with out getting puffed and the stitch in her side but gradually as the months progressed it became easier she was now running twice a day morning and evening.

But unfortunately she was still only able to run fifteen and a half miles far short of what she needed. One of the ladies she sometimes ran with said she had heard if you run 15 miles in the forest that is like 20 on the road because of the uneven ground. So this particular Saturday morning she decided that's what she would do it was a beautiful morning there had been a slight shower the night before so every thing smelt fresh. She was jogging along very happily and was just going down an incline when out of no where a deer ran across her path it gave her such a fright that she stumbled, fell and rolled the rest of the way down landing in a small stream at the bottom. She lay there for a while getting her breath back, as she tried to move she had a terrible pain in her left leg she looked down and saw that a bone was protruding through the skin just under her knee. She went to get her cell phone then remembered it was on the kitchen table all she had was a letter from her sister that she was going to read later she realised that she had to get out of the stream so she tried once again but the pain made her pass out. Evelyn thought she felt something cold on her cheek and rustling then talking "Evelyn wake up, open your eyes" as she opened her eyes the nurse was saying "Do you remember you had a fall a dog found you and his owner called for an ambulance" As she fell back to sleep she thought at least her reputation was still good as she could not run the marathon now could she?

This is Pat's

HER REPUTATION

It was 'bake a cake' competition time again. I groaned inwardly as not being especially creative at cooking, I felt that I had to have a go.

After all, I belonged to the local Women's group who were very enthusiastic.

1. First, choose a recipe and make sure that I had all the ingredients. No improvising which is what I usually do, which probably accounts for my many disasters.

The cake was duly baked and I carefully carried it across the road to the

hall. Looking at the other entries I placed mine between two lavish designs hoping to go unnoticed. Some people just seem to go overboard at these things don't they.

Along came the judges, pens and pads aloft. They carefully examined each entrant, then proceeded to cut a small slice which was minutely inspected and notes were takes. It was all very tense and I stifled a giggle. Mine was checked, cut and tasted in turn, notes were duly written and they moved on.

Finally the serious business of deciding a winner was over, The ladies all sat down to tea and cake of course. We all knew who the winner was, indeed, she had outdone herself with a wonderful chocolate creation., and we ooo'd and aaahd. Her reputation was intact.

As no one had taken had bothered to take a piece of mine, I picked it up to take home to my other half or the birds. Looking back, I was just in time to see the winner trip over the step and the beautiful cake went flying through the air to a stunned silence.

29th July Meeting

Nine of us today met up at cheznous, Joan R started with a story a link we all thought of when we think about the curtain swished a funeral story and murder most foul. Sheila, school lessons and drama dress rehearsals. John told of a start to a happy union with a mysterious brother in MI5. Ann, about two boys finding a subject that they were both interested in. Sally, theatre and its destruction in 1943. Rosemary Captain Cooke suffering from a fever sees future. Joan a day at the seaside. My story Hazel's last day at home. Sue, dress rehearsal and successful play but no affection for producer.
 Next month P&B "her reputation"

 Rosemary voted the winner

24th June 2013

Very small group today seven only but with 8 stories including Rosemary's who was not able to be there. John read out that one first about the friendship that wasn't what it seemed but all revealed when a vet was mentioned.
Ann, Grandfather tells a story about when he was a boy.
Sheila told us about all the stories that could have written but didn't.
I wrote a playlet about a transplant heart. Joan story of a family surviving a crisis and coming out OK. Pat was about a predator who was shamed  in the stables. John, a story of a bricklayer who became a boxer.

Joan Read read out a shocking scary story which was voted the best one.

Lost heart

She tried opening her eyes oh why did her head hurt so much where was she. Finally her eyes opened it was dark but she could feel the chain that was on her wrist. What had happened she remembered going to the cinema what was the film yes The Lost Heart her and Jean, yes she had gone with Jean they left to walk home and this van pulled up along side of them and they were bundled in that's all she could remember until waking up. As her eyes became accustomed to the dark she could see that the room was very small with a toilet and a sink and another bed where was Jean? It was then she heard the scream she covered her ears but she could not shut out the sound. The screams went on and on until she thought she would die from the sound. Then there was a noise just outside the door she rushed back and laid on the bed and pretended to be asleep. She heard the door unlock, footsteps, and a thump then she was poked in the side and a voice said "We know you are awake the drug does not last that long you best look to your friend after all it will soon be your turn" she waited until she heard the door close. She rushed over to Jean she was naked and covered in blood from the knife cuts over her body there was a towel Mary wet it and tried to wash away the blood fortunately Jean was unconscious so she did not feel it. She covered her with a blanket and then went to the toilet to be sick after this she was exhausted she lay down on the bed and thought perhaps this is a dream when I wake up I will be home in my bed. When she came to Jean was looking at her she went over and they both began to cry Jean said "You know they will kill us when they have finished" Mary nodded her head when she looked Jean was unconscious again. Well Mary thought they will not find it so easy to take me they would have to take of the chain and that will be my opportunity. She waited until finally they came two of them one big and the other average size this one took of the chain and Mary lashed out with her foot she made it to the door before her hair was grabbed, pulled then she was punched. When she awoke she was tied to a bench she looked round and saw there were four men she also saw the bench with the knives and other instruments on it. She screamed as loud as she could but they just laughed "Scream as much as you like no one will hear you" He came towards her the knife in his hand and as the knife touched her skin the director shouted CUT that's a wrap let's call it a day.

Next month 29th July cheznous Cadnam

"The curtains swished"

27th May

At Jack and Joan's today on a sunny morning. I started off with Reg looking forward to getting out from gaol. Joan debated how to start the story. Pat all about cats and dogs as pets. Brian half the year gone and them hedgehog reminders. Sheila school and exams. John "wasted" education to become an actor. Joan giving up the allotment and going on a cruise.Sally won't marry the smell club footed fishmonger. Is this story PC?
Rosemary Coming back from a holiday with its chores.

 Ann a rather precocious baby which won another clear 5 votes.

 Next Few Weeks For the first few weeks of my life it was very quiet. I was very tiny and slept a lot. My mother wasn't very well so my Grandma came in most days to help when my father was at work. As I got bigger and mum got stronger we started going out more. Occasionally we visited some of mum's friends who had children, but I always sensed an atmosphere or kind of awkwardness among them and mum seemed relieved to leave. It wasn't until I was about six months old that I realised something was worrying my parents. What ever it could be was something that seemed to make them so sad. Now once again I was woken up to hear my parents talking about "it." "It" seemed to have been the main topic of conversation recently. My mother was getting upset and my father was trying to pacify her and telling her that he was sure this time everything was going to be all right. He told her that in the next few weeks they would know for sure and it was no good getting upset as there was nothing they could do and they just had to keep faith and look on the bright side. Just because I couldn't see them, they seemed to think I couldn't hear them either. I was still small and unable to communicate with them, but I knew everything they said and understood more than they would ever realise.
 The time passed slowly with me often being woken to hear my mother sobbing quietly. In the end Grandma came to stay again while my father was at work. I wanted so much to be able to let her know I understood her worries, but I knew in my heart of hearts that this time her worries would be unfounded. Eventually the day arrived when we all went to the hospital. The mood was quite sombre and no one spoke their inner most thoughts. I wanted to get things over and settled so that we could get back to normal. After all the formalities were over we were shown to a room and prepared for the procedure. Suddenly I heard a strange voice telling my mother she was doing really well and to push one more time. With an effort I was propelled from my soft, warm, dark bed into a light, cool environment with different voices around me. I closed my eyes tightly and took a sharp intake of breath that made me make a strange wailing sound. I was picked up as the strange voice said, "Congratulations. You've got a lovely little girl and it sounds as if she's got a good pair of lungs on her." I was then placed in a pair of arms that wrapped around me so gently. I knew they belonged to my mother. I opened my eyes to see her and my father peering down at me, their faces wreathed in smiles, but with tears coursing down their cheeks. I gazed at them for the first time. I knew my little brother had been born asleep last year, but I had tried so hard these last few months to let them know that everything was going to be fine this time. My mother looked at me in wonder and declared I was perfect as my father placed his hand around mine. I curled my tiny fingers around one of his as I gazed intently, happy to now be part of this family.

J&S's June 24th "Lost heart"

29th April 2013

Nine of us today John being last month's winner started off, a tale all about football and high wages. Joan E wrote about baby sitting. Pat attending a talent contest to support a family member who was singing. Sheila busy going to football matches and the U3A. Sally travelling by train and all its "pleasures" to a wedding. Ann God moves in mysterious ways. Sue continuation of the Indian saga and a racist preacher.
My contribution received most votes 5 in total a record says I modestly.

Joan and Jack's next month May 27th.
"the next few weeks"

Haven't got the time.

I haven't got the time now. John Noble mused over those words his son had said a few moments ago after a short message over the phone. His son had more pressing things to do than visit his terminally ill father lying in a lonely bed in the private room of the Priory Hospital. John reached out to the bedside cabinet and picked up his Rollex watch, it was eight oclock. With nothing on the television he had tried reading but soon gave that up. He felt lonely but accepted that he too had not comforted his mother when she died so he could not complain. His father had died early from a heart attack and now John wondered perhaps that was better to go that way than ending up here. Maureen his wife died several years ago and his daughter rarely visited him since then and he never saw the grandchildren from then on.

He studied his arms lying on the white sheets with multitudes of blue veins running down the length of them so little flesh, the hands of an old man he thought in disgust.

The words I haven't got the time echoed in his mind. He recalled when his son was eight excited by the tent they had bought him for his birthday, pleaded for his dad to join him inside. I haven't the time he had said. When Sarah his daughter asked him to help read a book that they bought for her Christmas he had again said he hadn't got the time. He had always been busy earning the money to keep his family in the comfort and luxury he believed was proof that he achieved all as expected as head of family.

He reached out again for the bedside cabinet to find the letter. His daughter had written a very short note to him the first one since entering the hospital for cancer treatment. He began to read it again. She wrote that she could not come down to see him as they could not take the children away from school as exams were coming up but hoped all was well. All is well he thought bitterly with half of his colon removed how could any one say that. The typed half page ended with the words I must go now to get a meal ready and prepare for the children who would soon be back from school.

God dammit surely she could find ten minutes to write. Does the imminent death of a father mean nothing in this world today. He screwed the letter up and threw it towards the waste bin.

The room seemed to have darkened the shadows deeper or was it his mind as blackness descended. He came to again hours later. A shadowy figure tall and gaunt sat watching him from the corner of the room a spectre that although not uttering any sound its lips framed one word. The word entered John's mind as clear as if it had been spoken . TIME.

25th March 2013

Only seven of us but eight stories to tell. Rosemary told of a story that at the end revealed it was the life of a butterfly. Sheila whistled or clapped for those pesky missing keys. Joan, a couple losing their dog on a walk. Ann continued with previous story. Pat Missing rosette, Brian blew up Wall Street. I raced around looking for things lost.

A wide variety of votes and John was the winner.
Next month at Sue's if OK with Sue and the chosen words Haven't got the time.


 DESPERATE SEARCH AUNT AGNES WAS A DEAR OLD SOUL WHO WAS LOVED BY ALL HER RELATIVES, AND SHE LOVED TO HAVE VISITORS. WELL OF COURSE THERE WERE LOTS OF NEPHEWS AND NIECES, WHO BY AND LARGE MADE AN EFFORT TO VISIT AGNES IN HER OLD AGE. SHE WAS ALWAYS WELCOMING, AND HER CAKES WERE LEGENDARY. NEEDLESS TO SAY IT WAS A BIT OF AN EFFORT AT TIMES TO GO TO SEE HER, BUT EVERYONE KNEW HOW MUCH SHE APPRECIATED THE VISITS. AGNES HAD NEVER MARRIED, BUT SHE HAD BEEN A VERY SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS WOMAN WHO LIVED IN CONSIDERABLE COMFORT. IT WAS THOUGHT THAT WHEN SHE PASSED AWAY, THERE WOULD BE A FAIRLY SUBSTANTIAL ESTATE LEFT. THE HOUSE ITSELF MUST HAVE BEEN WORTH A MILLION OR MORE. THE FAMILY WERE VERY DISCREET WHENEVER AUNTIES ASSETS WERE DISCUSSED, BUT EVERYONE FELT THAT AGNES HAD YEARS LEFT IN HER, AND THEY JUST HOPED THAT SHE WAS ENJOYING HER RETIREMENT. UNBEKNOWN TO THEM AGNES WAS WELL AWARE OF HER WEALTH, AND HAD GIVEN IT MUCH THOUGHT AS SHE GOT OLDER, BUT SHE WAS DETERMINED THAT WHATEVER DECISION SHE MADE ABOUT HER ASSETS THEY WOULD ONLY BE REVEALED AFTER SHE HAD GONE.SHE HAD GIVEN HINTS THAT THERE WOULD POSSIBLY BE SOME SORT OF SURPRISE, WHEN HER WILL WAS ANNOUNCED, BUT THE FAMILY DIDN'T GIVE IT MUCH THOUGHT BECAUSE THEY FELT THAT SHE HAD A LOT MORE YEARS LEFT IN HER. YES, SHE SEEMED TO BE IN VERY GOOD SHAPE, AND THE VISITS CONTINUED. IN THE SUMMER SHE LOVED TO HAVE A HUGE GARDEN PARTY. HOW SHE LOVED HER HUGE GARDEN, WITH ITS WOODS AND LOVELY BORDERS. SHE DID MOST OF THE WORK HERSELF, BUT HAD A GARDENER IN WHEN SHE GOT OLDER, TO DO THE HEAVY WORK. THE GARDEN WAS A GREAT PART OF AGNES'S LIFE AND SHE WAS SO PROUD OF THE WAY IT LOOKED. THE PARTIES WERE LEGENDARY. THE FOOD AND DRINK FLOWED WITH NO EXPENSE SPARED. THE CHILDREN LOVED THE CHANCE TO EXPLORE AND HAD A GREAT TIME IN THE WOODS. AGNES HAD A WICKED SENSE OF HUMOUR AND WAS DELIGHTFUL COMPANY, AND WHEN THE TIME CAME FOR HER TO NEED ASSISTANCE, SHE INSISTED ON STAYING IN HER OWN HOUSE, WITH PLENTY OF HELP. THE FAMILY MADE SURE THAT SHE HAD PLENTY OF VISITS, AND WERE SURPRISED TO GET A REQUEST FROM HER TO HAVE A MEETING . WELL, WHEN THEY ALL GATHERED ROUND HER BED THEY WERE GRATEFUL! THAT SHE WAS STILL IN VERY GOOD HEALTH, BOTH MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY, FOR HER AGE. SHE HAD BEEN WELL LOOKED AFTER BY THE NURSES. SHE SAID THAT THE REASON SHE HAD GOT THEM TOGETHER WAS TO INFORM THEM THAT AS HER CLOSEST RELATIVES, THEY WERE ALL GOING TO GET AN EQUAL SHARE, OF HER NOT INCONSIDERATE FORTUNE, FOR WHICH THEY WERE ALL VERY GRATEFUL. BUT SHE SAID,"THERE WILL BE A LITTLE SURPRISE WHEN I DO GO WHICH MY SOLICITOR WILL DIVULGE TO YOU ALL AT THE READING OF MY WILL" SHE REFUSED TO BE DRAWN ON WHAT IT WAS, SO THE NEICES AND NEPHEWS HAD TO WAIT. THE WAIT WENT ON FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS BEFORE POOR AGNES PASSED AWAY. WELL, COME THE DAY OF THE READING OF THE WILL, THERE WAS A TENSE FEELING AS THEY SAT IN THE SOLICITOR'S OFFICE. THE SOLICITOR WENT THROUGH THE VARIOUS LEGACIES WHICH WERE THE SAME FOR EACH OF THE 10 NIECES AND NEPHEWS. AND THEN CAME THE SURPRISE. SHE HAD PUT £5000 IN WEATHERPROOF BOXES AND HAD BURIED THEM IN AN AREA OF THE GARDEN NOT TENDED BY THE GARDENER, WHICH SHE SAID WERE PART OF THEIR LEGACIES. ALL THEY HAD TO DO WAS FIND IT. SHE ALSO STIPULATED THAT EACH NEPHEW AND NIECE COULD ONLY HAVE ONE BOX EACH, AND THAT THE TREASURE HUNT SHOULD TAKE PLACE AT A GARDEN PARTY FOR ALL OF THEM. WELL COME THE DAY, THEY ALL MET IN HIGH EXCITEMENT. A WONDERFUL DAY WAS SPENT IN THE DESPERATE SEARCH FOR THE BOXES, AND EVENTUALLY THEY WERE ALL RECOVERED, LEAVING EVERYONE WITH SUCH WONDERFUL MEMORIES OF A VERY DEAR AUNTIE, THEY ALL MISSED VERY MUCH .

Report from Second Creative Writing Group

JUST A BRIEF OUT LINE OF OUR RECENT GROUP MEETING. AS YOU KNOW THERE IS ONLY THE TWO OF US. ON TUESDAY THE 26TH OF FEB, WE MET AT CAROLS HOUSE AT 10.15. AFTER A GREAT COFFEE AND CATCH UP WE READ ALOUD OUR STORIES. THE TITLE THIS TIME WAS, (SOMETIMES I FORGET WHAT ITS LIKE TO RELAX LIKE THIS) THE TITLES ARE PICKED AT RANDOM FROM A SELECTION OF TWO BOOKS AND AN AD HOCK PAGE AND LINE. MYSELF AND CAROL STORIES ARE ALWAYS POLES APART IN CONTENT, AND THAT IS WHAT MAKES IT SO INTERESTING AND ENJOYABLE. I THINK CAROL HAS A WONDERFUL CARING VIEW OF LIFE'S STRUGGLES, WHERE AS I SEE ONLY INTRIGUE AND THE DARKNESS LIFE HAS TO OFFER. "I FRIGHTEN CAROL AND SHE WARMS MY SOUL". WE LAUGH TOGETHER AND ARE NEVER CRITICAL OF OUR ATTEMPTS AT BEING AMATEUR AUTHORS. "SO WATCH OUT CATHERINE CROOKS AND MARTINA COLE!!" WE ARE AFTER YOUR READERS. I AM SO VERY GRATEFUL TO THE U.3.A. FOR THE OPPERTUNITY TO EXPAND AND GIVE A VOICE TO MY WRITING AMBITIONS. BUT BEST OF ALL, MY FRIENDSHIP WITH CAROL LEGGETT. YOURS SINCERELY, ANN STRUTT.

25 Feb 20013

Only nine of us today Ann continued her story of the down and out being pursued by an older woman. Sally a very confused lady.  Pat day dreamed and forgot her dentist appointment. Isaac and his ghost with an interest in shoes. Rosemary on the downside of getting better sight. I told about a fortune teller seeing a demon. Joan coming of Spring. Sue told of her and her sister's painting a shed. John story read by Brian all about the war and the air-force.
Next month's "Desperate search".

Ann won most votes.

Uncomfortable Clarity

As she hurried up the road, Marian smiled to herself. What would people think seeing an elderly lady running after a young man and calling out for him to "Stop, please"? She could see him in the distance now limping along. He must have heard her, as he turned and recognising who it was, stopped and waited. She caught up with him and suddenly felt a little foolish. "I didn't thank you properly in the shop for returning my purse. The shopkeeper said you live at the hostel up the road, so you must have left the bus before your stop. Let me give you something for your honesty." She opened her purse to take out a note, but he put his hand over hers and said he didn't need rewarding. He was only doing what any self-respecting person would do. She realised with uncomfortable clarity that she had been guilty of a crime we all commit from time to time. She had prejudged him because of his appearance and the thought disturbed her. Marian suddenly found herself asking him if she could meet him in town sometime and buy him a coffee. He looked a little taken aback, but said he would like that and introduced himself as Daniel. They arranged a day, time and place, said goodnight, and went their separate ways.

When she closed the front door behind her, Marian suddenly wondered what on earth had come over her. She had propositioned a young stranger and he had accepted. She must be mad, but she was curious to find out more about him. She wondered what her friends would think of her when she told them what she had done. It was probably a good job she wouldn't be seeing them for another month. They would probably tell her to forget the whole thing. She had no intention of doing that though and on the day in question, made her way into town on the earlier bus to make sure she was there on time. She had suggested the restaurant in one of the large stores, thinking it would be a safer place than some back street cafe and also giving her a place to browse while waiting. It wasn't long before she saw him coming through the door. He saw her and smiling made his way over to her. "I wondered if you'd come", said Marian.
"I had no intention of missing out on an offer from a lady", he cheekily replied. They made their way to the restaurant and while he went to select a table, Marian got them some coffee and cakes. Once settled down in a quiet corner, she asked him to tell her about himself.

"Well you know my name is Daniel and I live at the hostel", he replied.
"What else do you want to know?"
"How did you come to end up there", asked Marian.
"It's rather a long story" was the reply.
"Well I'm in no hurry. Are you?" she said. So he began to tell her his tale. His mother had died when he was five and after a few years his father had remarried. Unfortunately his stepmother resented his bond with his father and in true wicked stepmother style, hatched a plot to get him out of her hair and the family home so she could have her new husband to herself. He was sent off to boarding school at the tender age of nine. At first he hated it, but after a while realising this was his lot for the next few years, he decided to make the most of the opportunities he had. He did well academically and got good grades, however when he left, the job situation was beginning to take a down turn and the only job he could get was at McDonalds. He was working his way up the ladder and although he hoped one day to better himself, he was prepared to learn as much as he could there. "So what happened to your leg then?"
"Well that's another story. I was knocked down one evening on my way home from work by a hit and run merchant. I had very serious leg injuries and was in hospital in traction for months. I lost my job because of it and consequently my flat, as I couldn't pay the rent. Friends helped out for a while, but I eventually ended up at the hostel and now I can't get another job. I think it's partly because of where I live and partly because of the way I am. I'm sure I will get something one day and then I can prove I'm a good worker". They spent the remaining time chatting about things in general and Marian found him to be a very well informed, intelligent young man for just twenty-two. She enjoyed his company and asked him if he would consider having coffee with her again. He said he would love that as he had enjoyed talking to her. They arranged to meet the following week and the week after. By this time Marian was already bursting to tell her friends about her new drinking partner.

At their next meal she waited for everyone else to tell their news and then came out with hers. As she had expected they told her she had taken a chance doing what she had done, but when she came out with her proposal, they were dumbstruck. She told them she had thought long and hard and was going to offer Daniel her spare bedroom. He would have a proper address and hopefully, a better chance of getting a job. She liked him and felt comfortable with him.
"Some things you just feel are right and this is one of them. My mind is made up".

28th Jan

Met at John & Sheila's ten of us on a relatively milder day accompanied by rain. Wide range of stories Brian kicked it off with a story of ghosts in a pub. Sheila children playing and a puppy named Dennis. Joan retold our day in Cadnam when it snowed. I told of my fears of heights. John a holiday in Argentine at the time when Malvinas was in the news. Pat wondered does it really matter. Rosemary a story 2000 years old.Sally a doggy story.
Sue and Ann had equal votes.
Next month Uncomfortable clarity.

Ann's story first
Uneasy Feeling

 Marian was looking forward to her evening with her friends. They had met while working at an insurance office in town many years ago and had all become great pals. Three of them were widowed like herself, one had never married and one was much younger. It had been her first job and Marian had taken her under her wing and helped her with any problems she encountered. The six of them met up once a month for a meal in town usually at a cosy little restaurant in a side street off the main shopping area. Occasionally they would treat themselves to visit to the theatre or to the cinema to see a much-acclaimed film. They usually met early in the evening, as none of them were keen to be out too late.

This evening they were going to their usual place. The food was nothing exotic or fancy, but was well cooked, with good portions and at a very reasonable price, something they were very conscious about now most were retired. Being regular customers they were always greeted like long lost friends, well looked after and given a table in a corner. As the weather had been quite nice, Marian decided to go into town a little early and do a bit of window-shopping before meeting the others. While waiting for the bus she started thinking how convenient it was to have her bus pass now. All this talk about doing away with the free bus passes for pensioners was quite upsetting. After all they had earned them having worked and paid taxes all their lives. Maybe when these jumped up young things that are suggesting these moves get to retirement age, they will appreciate that they do enable one to keep some sort of social life and independence. Arriving in town, she went to the main shopping mall and into one of the large stores. She enjoyed browsing and eventually ended up at the clearance and sale corner. These were the most enjoyable shelves and racks, as you never knew what you might find hidden away there. On this occasion she discovered a lovely, soft, chunky jumper in her size and favourite colour. She examined it carefully and it seemed to be in good condition, but best of all it was reduced to less than half price. She hesitated and after a little deliberation decided to treat herself. Looking along the rack further, she unearthed a pair of smart trousers. These would go well with the jumper and as they were also her size and had already been reduced twice, were a bargain not to be missed. Feeling very pleased with her buys, she wandered around the shops making her way slowly to her destination. The friends met up in ones and twos and settled down to a good natter and meal. They exchanged their news over the past month and had a good laugh. It was a good evening and as they made their way back to the town centre Marian felt a warm feeling from the friendship they all had. They said their goodbyes and left as they had arrived, in ones and twos. Marian was the only one going in her direction, so left to catch her bus alone. It soon arrived and she settled down mulling over the evenings happenings.

When she arrived at her stop, she gathered up her bags and made her way off the bus. As she started walking along the road, she heard a voice calling out "Stop, please". She glanced round and saw a man limping along the path towards her, waving. Suddenly she had an uneasy feeling and hurried along. Crossing the road towards the corner store, she decided to go in and see what he did. She picked up an evening paper and some milk and went to the counter to pay. As she was going to get her purse out of her bag, he came into the shop. "I think this belongs to you," he said as he held her purse out. "You must have dropped it as you got off the bus. I did call you, but you couldn't have heard me". Marian looked at him. His clothes were old, but clean and well looked after and he spoke in a soft, but well educated manner. Feeling decidedly chastened, she thanked him and took the offered purse Paying for her purchases, she noticed that everything was intact and felt even guiltier. Asking the shopkeeper if he knew who the young man was, she learned he was from the hostel for the homeless a mile or so along the road. With the sudden realisation that he must have got off the bus before his stop to catch her and return the purse she hastily left the shop and started hurrying after him. She wasn't as nimble as she used to be, but with luck she would catch him up. "Stop, please", she called as she made her way up the road. UNEASY FEELING Louis was my salvation on that fateful day when my village was destroyed by the men in blue. He brought Two Feathers and me up to his cabin to recover from our ordeal, then made the journey down to the trading post in the valley below, to seek word of my people. He returned the following day with the terrible news that no-one else had survived. He offered to take me to the next valley in search of another of my people’s villages. I had an uneasy feeling about this, as I knew these people would make me a slave until a brave needed a wife to keep his lodge. I did not wish to expose Two Feathers to such an uncertain future. Happily, I was saved from telling Louis this the next morning. When I rose from my place by the hearth, where I had spent the night snuggled into a warm blanket with Two Feathers, I peered out of the window and discovered a white world spread before me. It had begun to snow heavily and we were marooned in our isolated cabin. The door opened suddenly on a blast of icy air and swirling snow, and Louis came in swiftly, closing the door behind him with difficulty. “Well, we won’t be taking you to the next valley for a while yet, I’m afraid”, he said and, as the days passed, we fell into a routine, where I cooked and cleaned while he hunted and chopped firewood to keep us warm. One evening he returned to the cabin with a small fir tree which he had planted in one of the old water buckets. He explained that in his country this was a time of celebration called Christmas and we must decorate the little fir tree and have a special festive meal the next day. He went to the wooden chest in the corner, rummaged around in it, and finally raised a sparkly thing aloft. “Ha, I knew I had kept it – a reminder of my old life!” It was a silver shape, like the stars in the clear sky above, and he placed this on the top of the tree. That evening, as we sat before the fire with Two Feathers drowsing in my arms, he told me the story of the Christ Child and the significance of the Star of Bethlehem. I laid Two Feathers in the new bed Louis had made for him and returned to the fire, heaving a sigh of contentment. Louis, hearing this, asked me if I was happy here with him and I hung my head shyly as I tried to put into words the feelings I had for this man, who had taken me and my child into his home and fed and cared for us ever since. I eventually broke the silence which hung between us and said simply, “My world is here. You and Two Feathers, and this place, are all I desire.” Louis sat with his head bowed for so long I began to feel I had spoken too openly of my feelings, as squaws do not speak so. When Louis eventually raised his head, I saw with amazement there were tears in his eyes, one of which rolled slowly down his cheek and disappeared into his dark beard. He fell to his knees before me, took my hands between his calloused palms, and said brokenly, “Once the Spring comes, I could take you to your people if you like, but my dearest wish is that you stay here with me and we become a real family. We could go down to the settlement and be married properly when the preacher visits next year.” My dawning smile was all the answer he needed. That Christmas was such a time of celebration. Louis had killed a deer and we had a real feast. He also showed me how his mother decorated the tree with oddments of fabric and made cookies to hang on it. Two Feathers thought this was great fun and tried to crawl over and snatch them off the tree, while we laughingly gathered him up and gave him his very own cookie to chew on. Now it is Spring and we are setting off on the journey down the mountain to the settlement to be married. I am very proud that I can now speak enough of Louis’ language to make myself understood. I had been fearful of how his people would think of me, an Indian squaw with a child, but Louis has calmed my fears. We arrive at the settlement, a huddled collection of cabins much like our own. One of the larger ones is the general store and Two Feathers and I stare in amazement at all the things on display. Sacks of grain and flour line the walls, tools and utensils of all kinds hang from the ceiling, clothing all ready for men and women to wear is hung in one corner and piles of furs are in another, where they have been placed in exchange for goods. Louis tosses his furs on this heap once he and the storekeeper have exchanged greetings, I have been introduced and welcomed, and they have decided how much Louis can have in exchange. Two Feathers has escaped and is staggering towards the counter, stretching out his chubby arms to a jar in which he espies his favourite food – cookies. Louis laughs, lifts him easily and takes one of the cookies out of the jar, placing it in his eager grasp. We all laugh together and I say goodbye at last to that uneasy feeling as I follow Louis’ pointing finger towards another large building, which he explains is the church.