Moira's Stories
Who Watches the Watcher?
It was imagination. Had to be. Why would anyone in their right mind want to be following him? After all, he was only a boring old history teacher on his way home after a day trying to convince his students that the past really was important.
Tony took a left hand turn and then paused as if to look in a shop window. He cast a quick glance behind him and noticed the stranger also had paused and had a mobile phone to his ear. A yuppy yapper, Tony thought derisively and started off again.
When he took another turn so did he follower. Well, maybe that meant nothing. Maybe he was imagining things. But if the other took the same turn as he did a third time…
Um, he did!
Frowning. Tony stopped at a roadside café and ordered coffee and a chocolate muffin. Surreptitiously he checked for his shadower. There he was – across the road and browsing – or apparently browsing in a bookshop. Tony drank his coffee, then wrapped the muffin in a serviette and popped it into his bag – no sense wasting it; after all he’d paid for it, even if it did taste like cardboard!
On an impulse, when he started off again, he retraced his steps.
So did the stranger. So he was being followed! Hah! But why, he asked himself. He was no one, just an ordinary teacher at a college. Rather like Indiana Jones, his hero. But there of course, he admitted to himself, any similarity ended. He lived a dull and routine life, with the most exciting things in his day nothing more than rebellious students – and there weren’t many of those. He ruled his classrooms with the metaphorical iron glove. He might not be the most popular of teachers, but his students worked damn hard.
So, he asked himself again, why was he being shadowed? A case of mistaken identity? A would be thief, home invader or burglar? No, the other man didn’t look like any of these.
Curiouser and curiouser.
In any case, Tony had tired of the game. He could see no point in it so turned abruptly and went straight home with no further detours or delays. It wasn’t far to the inner city block of flats where he lived on the ground floor. Inside, he hurried to the front window and, without disturbing the lace curtain, looked out into the street.
The man who had been following him was standing on the other side of the road. He was making yet another call on his mobile. As Tony watched, he finished and pocketed the phone, then started to walk away.
Tony frowned and then on an impulse – the second within a short period of time and quite unlike his normal rather pedantic manner – he hurried from the flat, ignoring the plaintive yowl of his cat, who had obviously considered Tony’s arrival home as cue for a meal.
“’S OK, Tuppence, I’m following the bad guy, I’ll be back soon. I hope,” he muttered.
It amused Tony that his erstwhile follower walked directly along the city streets, making no attempt to see if he himself was being shadowed. Interesting.
Tony turned a corner and saw the other man enter an office block. He sped up and was in time to see him enter a lift. There were several other passengers, so Tony ran across the foyer, calling, “Hold the lift for me, please!”
Inside, he eased his way to the back and waited. One by one the passengers left and others entered. The man who had followed him had at first looked shocked and then uneasy. But he made no move to exit the lift.
Finally Tony could stand it no more.
“Why were you following me?”
“What? Duno what you’re talking about, mate.”
“Oh yes, you do. You followed me home.” Tony grimaced and lied valiantly. “I’ve even got a photo of you standing opposite my place, yapping away on that phone of yours.” Quickly he added. “And I told my partner I was going to follow you and find out what you were up to. So, care t’tell me what’s going on?”
He didn’t think it necessary to divulge his ‘partner’ was in fact his cat.
The other man sighed.
“Oh, damn. OK. Come with me.”
“Where?”
“Back down to the ground floor. There’s a coffee shop there and I’ll buy you a drink while I explain.” He took a deep breath. “No, even better, let’s go to the bar next door. I need something stronger.”
“Hmm. This should be interesting.”
The stranger’s explanation was interesting, almost beyond belief. He was, he confessed in embarrassment, a trainee spy. Yes, that was right, for ASIO. If this got out however, as of course it would (he also was under observation) it would be a black mark against his name. he and the others in his group of would-be James Bonds had been set the exercise of following a total stranger; in his case, Tony.
It was almost funny; something that could have happened in one of the movies Tony so enjoyed. He just hoped his shadower would learn from the experience and master the art before he really had to follow someone!
Gone With the Wind
This is a novel I've read several times and I've watched the movie at least three times. Of course the storyline of the movie was simplified - if it hadn't been it could well have lasted twice as long as it did! However, to the book…
Scarlett O'Hara and her family lived in luxury in the South, at Tara, just as the American Civil War was about to begin. She cared little for the war or for anything else for that matter that didn't affect her directly. And she was in love with Ashley Wilkes. Hearing he and his cousin Melanie were to be married devastated Scarlett. How could he prefer that colourless creature to her?
At a party, she made her feelings known to Ashley, who in a very gentlemanly manner rejected her. This rejection was witnessed by one Captain Rhett Butler, black sheep of his family. He had offended all of the Southerners at the party by telling them they didn't have a chance of winning a war.
Scarlett was mortified and infuriated at the knowledge he had heard her pouring her heart out to Ashley and being rejected.
War began. Scarlett, in a fit of pique, married and was very promptly widowed. In the book, she had a baby, but this was changed in the film version.
Scarlett went to Atlanta to stay with Melanie and her Aunty Pitty. During the siege Melanie had to give birth and Scarlett, hating her, had to help.
They were rescued by Rhett Butler, who, after being a profiteer, decided to join the army, although he claimed not to be a patriot. He left Scarlett and Melanie and the baby close to Tara.
Scarlett and the others were broken-hearted at the death and destruction but were able to settle in at Tara which had not been destroyed. However Scarlett's mother Ellen had died from typhoid after nursing 'white trash' as they were called.
When the Civil War ended, Scarlett feared losing Tara, due to the high taxes imposed upon them by the victorious North and their army of 'carpetbaggers'. She decided to beg Rhett Butler for money, offering him more or less anything in exchange.
He laughed at her and in a huff she went off and accidentally met a suitor of her sister's. Discovering he was well off, she ensnared him into marrying her, much to her sister's rage. (I am unsure whether Scarlett had another baby or not; in the movie version she did not.)
By this time there were many social problems in the South due to the carpetbaggers, many freed slaves, terrified Southerners and all the rest.
Frank, Scarlett's husband, was killed during a vigilante raid for which she was partly responsible. Melanie proved to be a strong character and convinced the law that her husband was innocent of any involvement. Rhett Butler assisted in this deception.
Rhett and Scarlett were married, although she had never ceased loving Ashley - in comparison a very weak character.
Bonny, their daughter and very much loved, died tragically when thrown from a pony. Years previously, Scarlett's father Gerald O'Hara had died the same way.
Rhett was totally devastated by this and it was only Melanie who pulled him out of his anger and depression.
When Melanie died from a miscarriage Rhett taunted Scarlett that she could now marry Ashley as he would not stand in her way. In his final words, he told her he didn't give a damn.
Scarlett realised that after all this time she had really cared for Rhett and it was now too late.
She decided at the end to return to Tara and work out what to do next.
"Tomorrow's another day."
This gave a very vivid picture of a way of life gone forever. Sad also when we realise the social problems resulting from slavery and civil war continue to affect the South of the USA today and may continue to do so for years to come.
Three People to be Stuck on a Desert Island With
Three people to be stuck on a desert island with?
Well, of course, the first to spring to mind would have to be Robinson Crusoe. Resourceful, brave, etc … Of course, to take full advantage we'd need to assume our ship was well loaded with everything we'd need and conveniently just off-shore, so we could get at it all. So that would take care of our survival, in some sort of comfort, for a while at least.
Um, who else? Being a fan of the TV series LOST, I cast my mind over the characters and decided, reluctantly, that I wouldn't really like to be stuck on a desert island with any of them. Mind you, I weaken a little when I think of Sayid and Sawyer, but no, I think they'd be more trouble than they're worth. Personality issues, you understand. They are interesting people but definitely not nice people.
My elder brothers, who are handy with tools, would be worth considering, but I'd have to decide between them as I've chosen one character already. Better perhaps to stick to fictional or even historical people here, I think.
So … Sir Francis Drake, perhaps? Captain Cook … or even maybe Captain Hook, as long as he left his crocodile behind. (Although I have heard crocodile steaks are delicious!) Or some other hero of the sea?
Then again, I'm assuming an eventual rescue, so, if Robinson Crusoe is there to run domestic matters, I can pick whoever else I want …in that case I'll opt for King Richard lll of England, so I can find out exactly what happened during his reign.
My third character would be Dr Who … just in case Robinson Crusoe got tired of the freeloaders and wanted to go off and search for his man Friday. Then we could all go for a trip through Space and Time. With a bit of luck, the Doctor would get us back in time to be rescued. And if not, well, I wouldn't mind going off in the Tardis again.
Awful Romance Story
The first time Coralie Wilkinson set eyes on Royce Morgan, she disliked him.
How dared he? He was standing just inside the gateway to the property where Coralie lived with her widower father, and he was taking photographs of the house.
Her house! She was furious, and told him so. At length.
When he could get a word in edgeways - which took him quite a while as he was admiring the way her face flushed and her bosom heaved up and down as she berated him - he pointed out that he had her father's blessing and permission.
Coralie stalked into the house and directed her tirade at her father. He ignored her, as usual, but then smiled past her and she realised, with growing anger, the photographer had followed her.
"Coralie, dear," said her father. "This is Royce Morgan, and I've invited him for dinner."
She rolled her eyes and was about to make a nasty retort when Royce stepped forwards, his hands held out to her.
"I am sorry we got off to such a bad start, Ms Wilkinson." His blue eyes twinkled and the smile lit up his face. "Entirely my fault and I do apologise. Forgive me. Please."
In spite of herself, Coralie could not resist his charms. She nodded and smiled.
"All right. I suppose it was a bit my fault too. I jumped to the wrong conclusion. I hope you like sausages and vegies."
"My absolute favourite." And he grinned at her.
Naturally, it wasn't long before their friendship blossomed.
Naturally, there were people less happy with this state of affairs.
One was Johnny Tate, a local farmer. He had had an eye on Coralie and her charms for a long time, in spite of her frequent rebuffs and lack of encouragement. He was well off, handsome in a rugged sort of a way, and highly resentful of Royce as a newcomer.
Another was Coralie's workmate Daphne, who had met Royce briefly when he first arrived in town, and had set her sight on him. Realising he had eyes only for Coralie,Daphne took every opportunity to mention Johnny and his attraction to Coralie, and also to throw herself at Royce.
Even Daphne's plan of 'running out of petrol' when she was taking Royce on a tour of possible properties for him to look at, misfired when he insisted on following her in his car rather than accompanying her. When her car stopped, he smiled, opened his boot and produced a can of fuel. She hid her disappointment and instead showed him the best places as far away from Coralie's home and as close to her own as possible.
None of them was exactly what he was after, he assured her, but there were a couple he'd like to see again. He'd ask Coralie what she thought of them, too.
Daphne gritted her teeth and concealed her green-eyed envy.
During the weekend Royce and Coralie drove around and looked at several houses. She was amused.
"Planning on settling down here, are you?" she asked and he smiled into her eyes.
"I am tempted to do just exactly that," he admitted. "But the truth is I'm not looking for a place for myself. For, um, a friend."
He didn't offer any more explanation. Coralie did wonder however whether the 'friend' in question was male or female. In the following excitement, she quite forgot to ask. They had been driving along a gravel track near one of the properties, then Royce turned off onto a narrower track. Exploring, he said. They drove through the bush and eventually came to a dead end, with a wire fence and beyond it more bush. Both got out of the car and shared a long and satisfying kiss. But then Royce stared over her shoulder at the fence line and frowned, then consulted the map he'd produced.
"Hmm, looks like this is the back of your friend Johnny Tate's place." He pointed to a warning sign stuck on a tree just past the fence. 'Keep out. This meens YU.'
Coralie grimaced.
"He's not my friend. And he can't spell either." The topic of Johnny Tate bored and annoyed her. She wanted a bit more of the kissing; it had been most enjoyable.
"No." Royce pointed through the trees. "And I can see why he doesn't want any trespassers either."
"Huh?" Coralie blinked and then looked where he pointed. "Uh-oh. Are those plants what I think they are?"
"I'm afraid so." Royce returned to his car and produced his camera. "I'll get a couple of pics of Tate's marijuana plantation with the telescopic lens and then we'll be out of here."
She frowned a little as they drove back towards town.
"Um, Royce, did you have any idea where we were going and what we might find?"
"Yes," he admitted slowly. "I am a keen photographer, Coralie, but I also work for the police and we have had our suspicions about Tate for a while."
At her house she jumped out of the car, angrily and turned to him.
"I suppose I was a good cover then, going around with you?"
He frowned. "Daphne took me to a lot of places, too, you know."
"Daphne!" Coralie was furious. "Well, you can just go and tell her how clever you've been!" She stormed off towards the house, and slammed the front door behind her, while he stared after her in amazement. What had he done to annoy her this time? If only she'd given him the chance to explain how much he enjoyed her company - everything about her, as a matter of fact. He sighed and set off for the local police station and set in motion a search warrant for Tate's property.
Lacking Coralie to inform, he went and found Daphne.
"I don't understand her, Daphne. I thought she'd be proud of me. Maybe she really does have the hots for Johnny."
Daphne was a nasty girl; she knew how Coralie felt about Royce, but she wasn't going to tell him that! Maybe if Royce stayed away from Coralie for a while she'd have a chance with him.
Relations between Coralie and Daphne were never the best, but when the latter rang her, Coralie unburdened herself.
"I think I love him, Daphne. And he thinks I'm a fool. What can I do?"
Daphne shrugged.
"He's just not the right person for you, I suppose." She could not help passing on another piece of information. "He told me though, he really had been looking at properties for a friend - and that friend's due to arrive soon."
"Like I care," Coralie snapped. But, of course, she did. She cared even more when Royce's friend arrived, and proved to be a bright eyed, well dressed blonde. Not just that, but she was an actress whose appearances on TV were frequent and well received.
Coralie drooped when she saw Royce walking along the street, the blonde by his side. She would have turned and hurried off, but Royce called to her.
"Coralie! Come here, please! There's someone I want you to meet."
She tried to keep the sullen expression from her face, knowing how it spoilt her otherwise charming expression.
"I'm so pleased to meet you, Coralie. I'm Julia. Royce has told me so much about you."
Coralie tried to put on a brave face. But she was close to tears. Julia took her by the arm.
"Come for a little walk with me, Coralie. I have something to tell you."
Oh, for an excuse! Any excuse! But Coralie couldn't find one and, most unwillingly, she accompanied Julia. They stopped in the park and the other woman bent her head towards her.
"You really have to do something about Royce. He's been so miserable since you broke his heart."
"What? What are you talking about?" demanded Coralie. "You're his girlfriend, aren't you? You're the one he was looking for a house for?"
Julia burst into laughter.
"Oh, dear, he has been fibbing to you, hasn't he? No, I am not his girlfriend, but yes, he has been looking for a house for me. A nice country retreat." She smiled. "And it seems that while he's been looking for the house for me, he's managed to find me a sister in law, too. I hope so anyway."
Coralie just stared. Then, she grabbed Julia and hugged her, before turning and running along the pathway to where Royce, arms outstretched, waited for her.
And they all lived happily ever afterwards!!