woohoo another baby

lucy's talking

cath

I love that Lucy is talking, and I agree with Sue, now that she's started, she will probably keep talking!!!

Poor Sue, but hooray, another baby!!!

Joy

So, Sue is really pregnant does Jack know yet????

I am so glad Luce talks!!!!


Restie

You want to know if Jack knows, this update should help with that. Thanks for r and r

Jack and Myles stood and looked at the furrow that Jack and the horse with the assistance of the plough had made.

“You think you can do it?” he asked Myles

“I don’t know, it’s a big field”

“That’s why we’re here together”

“How did everyone manage when you were fighting in the war”

“Everyone had to do that little bit over their share, we’re lucky here we have Howie and Wayne to help and they can plough a field as good as anyone, a bit slow but it’s gets done eventually. What happened before the war and what will happen this year is that we start with this field and by the time we are half way through the next Bobby and D will have finished their planting, so they lend me their plough and Howie takes one, Wayne the other and we get the rest of the land done in no time”

“How did Tara and Donna manage in the war?”

“Howie and Wayne helped, so did Charlie an older farmer who lives that way and then if necessary then Tara and Donna would plough”

“The woman do the hard manual labour?”

“If necessary yes, if you think that‘s hard stay here until harvest then you‘ll know what hard work is, not many farmers I know have babies born nine months after the harvest”

“Things are certainly different here”

“Yeah, have you any gloves ‘cause you’re gonna get blisters the size of potatoes if you plough without any”

“I haven’t got any, the ones I had from the army were so worn they fell to bits I didn’t think of buying any when we went to town”

Jack sighed and said “There’s some spare ones floating around the farm, I’ll get them you start ploughing"

“What about my hands can’t I borrow your gloves?”

“They won’t fit” said Jack looking at his smaller hands

“I suppose they won’t, alright but don’t be long”

^^^^^^

Jack jogged back to the house approaching from the back and met with Sue who exited the privy once more.

“Sue?” he said catching her by her shoulders to steady her startling her slightly. “You should take it easy, rest”

“Really?”

“Really”

“There’s too much to do, the planting”

“Let’s everyone else do it, there’s enough of them up at the plot”

“Lucy’s not she’s taken Isaac for a walk though the orchard”

“Still there’s the kids and my mother, Eleanor and Alice, plenty you need to rest, just for a bit huh?”

“Maybe, just for five minutes though”

“Five make it ten, come on” and he took her by the arm and led her into the kitchen, poured a cup of water and took her upstairs, where he insisted she lay on the bed with the water on the table at her side and the chamber pot on the floor.

“Ten minutes only” she said “Then I’ll get up”

“Okay” said Jack knowing that when she shut her eyes she would be out for a couple of hours

“What you looking for?”

“Spare gloves that I wear over these”

“Top drawer” she replied, he looked, found them and fished them out

“For Myles” he said

“Jack”

“What?” he said

“Lucy spoke to me” and then she shut her eyes.

He brushed a strand of hair off her face and kissed her forehead before leaving her to sleep and he wondered if she meant that Lucy really spoke or communicated in some other way as he made his way back to Myles.

i just love the way you are weaving this story, it's beautiful

cath

I've said it before, I will say it again - I want my own Jack!!!

Joy

Me too, Joy, me too!!!

same here!



a Jack of my own sounds heavenly!!!!

Jack is really attentive and sweet husband, you're right, girls!!!

But I am not sure if Jack knows...


Restie

I too love the way you are weaving this. I've decided that writing a story is like weaving a basket. So many routes you can take, yet nearly all of them will yield a beautiful result.

Me thinks you have definitely chosen a FAB route!!!!

More when you can!

Jenny

don't worry sue everything well be okay!!


woohoo a little hudson on the way and lucy is talking!!

Restie this should clear up whether Jack knows about the baby or not, thanks for your replies

Jack took his time, first he went to the vegetable plot and spoke with his Mom about Sue, then he went to check on Howie and Wayne before he finally made it back to Myles.

“Here” said Jack handing Myles the gloves.

Myles stopped the horse and Jack took his place as Myles walked alongside

“You were a long time, I thought you’d got lost” he commented

“Sue” said Jack

“What about Sue, surely you two didn’t? Weren’t?”

“No Myles we weren’t, she was sick I made her go to bed”

“I thought she looked pale this morning, why she peaky, too much of a good thing?”

“She’s pregnant Myles”

“Again? Really? How old is Lydia?”

“Yes again, yes really and Lyddie is…….six and a half months old” he replied

“You ever thought perhaps you had enough children, maybe you should try to contain your manly bodily urges”

Jack shot Myles a look which told him he had gone too far and watched as Jack pulled on the reins to stop the horse, when both the horse and plough were stationary Jack fixed his whole attention on Myles.

“Hold it right there” he began his tone angry “What right have you to tell me how I should and whether or not I should be intimate with my wife?”

Myles frantically summoned a response and said “Back home, in Boston, it is customary for a man........ Look my mother and father never shared a room”

“How many brothers and sisters do you have?”

“One sister as you already know and that’s too much, we can‘t stand each other”

“I don’t appreciate you telling me how Sue and I should show and share our love for each other” Jack said as the muscle twitched in his cheek.

“I’m not saying you should stop……there are other ways to dissolve your intimate manly urges. My father was discreet, my mother knew of course about the other women but she wasn’t bearing a child almost every year”

“You listen to me and you listen good, because I’m not gonna repeat this Myles. If I wanted to be like your father, which I don’t and never will I would ride into town, go to the saloon and pick up a loose woman at the bar. But you don’t get it do you? Love,it’s about love Myles and love, isn’t like that.

I will love Sue forever and want to make love with her until I am physically unable to or I die. We feel blessed with the children that God has entrusted to us, to nurture, love, cherish and teach. Sue and I are pleased about another baby. Intimacy is not just sex, it’s about marriage and commitment. Marriage is the coming together in heart, body, mind and soul under God’s loving guidance and not some misguided high society rules Myles” Jack paused and looked at Myles then at the furrow Myles had guided the horse and plough to create. “You’re doing good here, finish up” and then without looking back Jack walked off in the direction of the farm.

“And Leland puts his foot in his mouth again” said Myles to the horse as he watched Jack’s retreating figure “This is a big field horse, oh what’s your name? Dumpling? No that's the goat, Honey? No that’s the cat, Bramble? No that’s the old cow who they keep for sentimental reasons, whatever your name is horse let’s get on with it, otherwise you and me, we’ll be here into the better part of next week” he made a clicking noise and the horse obeyed him walking slowly along as Myles followed behind to guide them and Myles did think, he thought about everything that Sue, Ruth and Jack had said to him since he came to stay.

leland puts his foot in it?

i think he put both feet in and still had room to talk!!!!!!!!!

i also think he was very lucky jack didn't punch him right on the nose but i love the talk he gave him and the fact that myles is listening and thinking, now we just need a bit of action


yet another wonderful post, how do you do it?

cath

Don't you think Jack thinks Myles is a little underprivileged, not knowing or having love himself?? He probably thought a good talking to would push him in the right direction!!!

Joy

Just be careful, cath, action can be good or bad!
Hope Lucy can open up to everyone! Maybe Sue can convince her that they don't want to hurt her.

Wow! That was some speech that Jack made huh? Myles, Myles...can't you see how much Jack and Sue love each other?

Myles, Myles, Myles!!! What were you thinking? Shame on you!

Thanks for feedback A little more

Jack walked into the house and threw his gloves onto the table, no one was about and he went over to the stove and stirred the stew which was simmering away before helping himself to a coffee and walking upstairs to see if Sue was still there. She was and his heart constricted as he watched her sleep, he walked over to the bed and knelt down stroking her soft tresses with his calloused hands and slowly she began to stir.

“Did I miss lunch?” she asked looking at him

He shook his head and said “It’s not lunchtime yet, I came back because I was angry with Myles and because of something he said to me. I wanted to ask you something”

“Oh” she said moving to sit up against the pillows, then taking a sip of water “What happened? You lost your patience with him didn’t you?”

“A bit”

“Where is he now?”

“Ploughing the field with Murray”

“You left him alone with just the horse for company?”

“Well he won’t get bored it’s a big field”

“A bit much for a first attempt he’ll be exhausted by mid afternoon then you, Howie and Wayne will have to go find him and carry him home”

“He might come back for lunch”

“Not if you snapped at him he won’t”

“Perhaps not, let me just ask you something then I’ll go and take him some water and some lunch in a can, how does that seem?”

“Like you are prepared to forgive him and meet him in the middle. He’s had a different upbringing which means that his values and the way he looks at life is different from us Jack”

“I know”

“He doesn’t know that maybe there are other ways and methods to go about things and different choices he can make for his own life. I thought that was why he was here so that he might discover things like that”

“You’re right as usual” he said smiling

“And you were right about taking a nap, I feel much better and hungry. So what did you want to ask?”

“About the baby”

“Which baby?”

“The one that’s making you sick at the moment”

“Oh that one”

“I wanted to know, do you wish that you weren’t pregnant every year or so, I mean there are a couple of things we can do to try and stop it happening, if you don’t want any more children, if you feel that, that is all you do, if you want more from life…if….”

She smiled and took his face in both her hands and said “I want you Jack and I want as many children as God blesses us with”

He smiled and said “That’s what I thought, that’s what I told Myles, I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t taking you for granted or making you do something you didn’t want to do”

“You know I usually tell you when you suggest something that I am not keen on doing”

Yes”

“Well then, I want to have this baby with you Jack, I want to have more babies that we are lucky enough to have too” and he pulled her to him and they met in the middle for a warm embrace before he set off, back to Myles.

that was so sweet the way he spoke with Sue, how she knew he'd lost it a bit with myles and how she understands myles, the way she reassured him about their love and babies




cath

It was so sweet from Jack to ask Sue if she wants another baby with him or not... but I understand Myles's POV too... he doesn't know them so good so he was afraid of Sue's health...

... but now everything is fine again


Restie

I'm glad Jack went right to Sue and made sure that she was happy about the baby!!

Sue has already figured out Myles and realizes that he doesn't totally understand their way of life!!!

Joy

Great post!!!! So glad that Sue is feeling better! I wonder what Lucy is doing ???

Another wonderful post Rosa! Thank you!

I especially loved this
Beautiful!

Thanks, here is a little more.

A couple of weeks later Lucy sat with Sue on the porch preparing vegetables for that night’s dinner. Everyone had been more than surprised but very happy to know that Lucy had started to speak She didn’t speak if the room was crowded and usually only spoke to Sue, Isaac, Lydia or Alice and not every day either but it was a big improvement.

“The day after I came” said Lucy when Sue looked up at her

“What about that day?” asked Sue

“It was, I mean the day after that, when I took a bath and you saw my back”

“Yes?”

“I know you were shocked, disappointed, angry maybe that I allowed it to happen” she said with a sad sort of sigh that although Sue was unable to hear her facial expression spoke volumes

“I was not disappointed in you but for you. I not for one moment think that you allowed it to happen. People can do things that I find detestable to another human being and I know that you wouldn’t have let them do it but you didn’t have a choice did you?”

“No, there was no choice I had to endure my punishment, they said.” she started and stopped

“What did they say?” asked Sue covering Lucy’s hand with hers in encouragement

“They said it was less than………I deserved”

“How? Why? What did you do? There is nothing that I can think of which would merit such a horrendous punishment”

“I spoke out of turn when the plantation owner hit my Grandmother, Alice”

“And they did that to you?” said Sue remembering Lucy’s back

“Yes, it hurt a lot I thought I was going to die, then I wished I would die, for surely then the pain would stop”

“Oh Lucy. I am so sorry you had to experience that, I wish that you didn’t, but I am glad that you felt you could tell me. God loves you, despite everything that has happened and we don’t always know why he lets terrible things happen but you know he will always love you and be there for you and we, Jack and I, will be here for you, as long as you need us”

Lucy smiled feeling words were beyond her and Sue got up and gave Lucy a hug for words in this circumstance were not adequate.

i'm glad she felt able to tell sue........... it was a horrendous thing to happen

love the hug she gave luce, i'm sure it will help in her healling, along with sue's words

cath

I'm really feeling for Lucy. Rosa17, that was so touching

I'm so happy Lucy has this safe haven to heal in. Sue is so good for her -- they all are.

kav

Thanks a bit more as I am feeling generous tonight

Myles watched somewhat scornfully still after the few months he had been at the Hudson farm at Sue and Jack. They were standing together at the rear of the barn locked in an embrace, he wouldn’t call it passionate but it was certainly tender and intimate and he was in the situation where you never knew if it was more obvious to retreat back to where you had come from or just walk past as though you hadn’t seen them. He eventually decided on the latter and Jack didn’t seem to hear him or if he did he chose to ignore, as Myles slipped passed them highly noticeable as he tripped over a broken wagon wheel, but then he thought that the circus could come marching through the farm and still Jack and Sue would be locked together in a world of their own.

He made it to the stables, saddled two horses and led them out into the sunshine Jack and Sue presumably still the other side of the barn, stopped at the bottom of the porch steps. Lucy stood nervously on the top step dressed in what appeared to be Jack’s clothes, a pair of old brown pants and a white shirt with an old jacket over the top. Myles looked at her not sure whether he disapproved or thought it was a practical decision.

“It will be easier dressed like this” said Ruth as she walked the silent Lucy down the steps “Be gentle with her”

“Of course I will” he replied, Ruth smiled and made her way back into the house and Myles spoke to Lucy “Ready?” Lucy nodded and he helped her up into the saddle when he added “We’ll have you riding confidently, jumping over obstacles in no time you rode the horse fine on the journey here” and all Lucy did was nod.

Myles kept up a monotone as they rode off across the fields together, “So I heard you had started speaking again, that’s good. I sometimes think it might be good to go off into a world of your own with only thoughts for company and if I didn’t talk then I would not keep putting my foot in it and come out with something insensitive and crass or hurtful. I don’t mean to be like that, sometimes it just happens and…”

“I don’t think that’s possible” she said cutting him off mid flow.

Lucy was more frightened of Myles than Jack, or Bobby or Wayne or Howie. It was the air he carried with him she knew, that reminded her of her past and the people she had worked for. No that was incorrect she hadn’t worked for them she had been a slave to them which was entirely different, but now she wanted a life where she earned a fair wage, had clothes on her back which covered a multitude of scars which apart from Alice only Sue had seen, she knew that Jack probably knew about them. There seemed to be little if nothing that they kept from each other.

“Excuse me? I asked what’s not possible?” asked Myles stirring her out of her thoughts

“You” she dared to reply “Not talking”

“I know I state my mind, which is not always good, it is something which was ingrained in me from a child I suppose. You know I was meant to inherit the family business but I had no interest in it really. I worked alongside my father for a number of years, making private investments for my future which now I am realising was my best move. But we argued” Myles paused briefly wondering why he was telling Lucy all of this, but she seemed receptive and so he continued “We disagreed about a client and that was it I left, the war had started by then, I suppose I could have bought a commission but I didn’t want that. I wanted to fade into the army as not be in a position where I could or would be ordering other soldiers about. I had done that enough of that when I worked with my father and so I joined up as a Private, there were some soldiers who thought it highly amusing to take the….make fun of me for I obviously came from the upper classes and what right did I have being a regular soldier, a bit like a fish out of water. I lived off my pay as a soldier, I didn’t want to touch my investments. I learnt that my father died some time later. It was in an old newspaper I discovered one day. Then I met Bobby and D and Jack when I lost most of my comrades in battle. I feel like they took me under their wing, even though I didn’t understand why. When we found you and your Grandmother I didn’t understand why Jack wanted to bring you both back here. But you know, now I think I do. I think we were meant to come here, to find peace with our lives to find out the meaning of love, heavens know Jack talks about it enough and obviously demonstrates his love for his wife regularly. What do you think?”

Lucy looked at him, them the ground over which they rode, slowly as the horses just walked along and said “I think, I think what Jack and Sue have together only happens to some people and that they might have saved our lives”

Myles looked at her and nodded somehow he had to agree.

Oh nice bonding moment. And Lucy talked to him, even though she was scared! That's progress.

kav

Myles is learning how to be kind, isn't he?? I'm glad Lucy talked to him and didn't remain silent!!!

Joy

loved lucys line about not believing myles could be quiet, she's showing that she can get over her fears

jack and sue's love is obviously having a real effect on everyone

cath

ps now the boring football is on does that mean we get more posts?

That was a huge step for both Lucy and Myles!!! Good for them!

That was very special. And very touching and meaningful.

That was perfect, Rosa17!

Jenny

Well I'm running out of posts for this story as my story in wip is filling my brain begging to be written. I'll try and write some more of this today, meanwhile I can post an update now.

Thank you for all your feedback it is always appreciated.

The barn was lit well with lanterns. There was a band one end consisting on a fiddle or two and an accordion. The room was crowded with local farmers and their families plus a handful of folk from town too, in the large barn which belonged to Jonathan Hammond. This was a yearly event, a Spring Dance with supper included and provided for everyone pitching in.

Myles and Lucy gasped together as they walked though the door, for entirely different reasons. Myles had been to dances in his time but this was something else, gone was the dinner suit and grand airs and graces with a five piece orchestra, wine in elegant glasses, this was, different, he would have used the word common, but he was trying hard to change and it was normal for these people. They seemed as far as he could tell in the few seconds it took to locate their allotted table, a rough wooden hewn things, not smooth wood encased in a pristine white table cloth that the people appeared to be enjoying themselves much more than at the function he was used to attending.

Lucy looked around in awe and actually grabbed Myles’s arm as it was all a little overwhelming. He didn’t shrug her off and she was grateful, in fact he was all gentleman as they walked though the throng of people following behind Sue, Jack, Ruth, Alice and the kids with Eleanor, Wayne and Howie bringing up the rear.

They were all seated and had eaten when to Myles’s amazement Jack asked Sue to dance, he knew now better than to vocalise his thoughts and soon realised that she was as competent at dancing as she was at everything else he had witnessed.

“We can’t have you sitting here, if you come to a dance you have to dance” said a voice he recognised and looking up he saw Allie

“Me I don’t know the steps” he said looking at the barn dancing in trepidation and terror.

“You don’t have to, it’s just a bit of fun” she said and not taking no for an answer pulled him up for a dance and soon they had merged into the other dancers.

Lucy wished she could dance but who would want to dance with her. She sat there enjoying the music and people watching, she saw D with his wife and he danced with his daughter too, she watched as Tara danced with Bobby then each of her three sons in turn.

the contrast between what myles sees and what his previous experiences of dances has ben is immense

really hope they all ask luce to dance

i can live with extra posts on not a day goes by!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

cath

Woohoo! A party! I hope that Lucy will get a chance to dance. And when she does, I hope she doesn't say no!

A HUGE ditto here. I hope someone asks Lucy to dance. I would lu-urve mroe posts on Not a day goes by!!! In fact, I'm off to check!!!

Jenny

Okay I got some posts for this written today, so here is a little more

During a break in which Myles was taking some refreshment he noticed Sue and Jack sharing another close moment, looking at Allie he said “Don’t they ever stop?”

“They like that at home then?” she asked with a smile

He nodded and replied “Worse, well that is not strictly what I meant I think I am getting used to them, it was just different to see two people that in love and open about it” he glanced over at them again where Jack had one arm around her and one protectively covering her stomach while kissing her softly.

“Another baby then” stated Allie

“What? Oh yes I believe so” said Myles

“That’s not a surprise. I’ll tell you something, this dance it’s been going on for years, ever since I can remember. One year, twelve years ago to be exact was the year the school was established by a couple who now run the school in Mason’s Ridge, you know the next town from here, the one with the railroad?” Myles nodded and so Allie continued “They the husband and wife came to the dance with their three sons, two daughter in laws, three grandchildren and one daughter. I came to the dance sort of with Jack, we had this on, off relationship, he never came to town much if I’m honest. Anyway we walked in and it was as if she just stood out from the crowd for him, most people were dancing, she was sitting at the side watching, a bit like your friend Lucy over there.

He said to me he had to ask her to dance we walked over together and he asked her, stammered the words out would be better description and she told him she was deaf and didn’t want to make a fool out of him, I told her he was a fool anyway so it wouldn’t make any difference and if she danced with him he could only look better. She smiled, then we asked how she knew what we were saying and she explained about the lip reading and that her parents as teachers had really encouraged her to talk and lip read and play the piano and things. Then he asked her again about dancing and so she did. I never stood a chance and I think that if he felt anything for me other than friendship he would have made a move when he was eighteen or so which he didn’t, don’t get me wrong we flirted a bit courted for a bit but it was never serious. So tonight is the twelfth anniversary of the day they met. You want to dance again?”

“Um no, well I mean actually I might ask someone else to dance”

“You do that she looks like she needs a bit fun in her life” said Allie with a smile

“What about you?” asked Myles

“Don’t worry about me I promised Jon a dance or two, go have fun”

^^^^^
Lucy’s view of the festivities was suddenly blocked by a large figure she gasped a little until she realised it was Myles.

“Lucy would you do me the honour of this dance?” he asked

“Are you asking me to dance?” she whispered

“Yes, didn’t I just say so?”

Lucy looked worried for a moment then said “Yes, yes I’d like that”

He took her hand and led her to the floor just in time to learn the rudiments of another reel. Lucy never thought dancing would feel like this and wondered why perhaps she hadn’t had to the nerve to get up sooner, she had had the opportunity when Sue and Jack’s young son Sam had asked. Dancing she decided felt like flying and Myles? Myles was glad when he saw Lucy smile a smile which lit up her whole face, to the corners of her soul.

woohoooooo myles asked luce to dance

loved the way jack and sue met and got together, so sweet

cath

Great job, Rosa!

As always, Rosa, your story just keeps getting better and better!!

I love the story of how Jack and Sue met - so like our own Jack and Sue - at least with the love at first sight part!!

Myles is definitely mellowing and seems very good for Lucy!! And, I didn't think I would ever say this, but I like your Allie!!!

Joy

Thanks

The next pay day everyone from the Hudson farm went into town, Lucy was surprised when Jack had pressed the dollars into her hand.

“What have I done?” she asked him “I haven’t done any work”

“Yes you have, you help in the home, you help in the field, you’re great with the kids, here this is yours”

She took it reluctantly and said “Thank you” It felt strange holding the money real money in her hand she didn’t think that she had ever held real money in her hand like this ever before.

^^^^^


Lucy knew what she wanted she went straight to the store found the roll of material, she had asked Ruth on the way how much she would need to buy and if she had enough money for that sort of purchase. Ruth had assured her that she did and said that she needn’t worry about thread and pins and needles and such for she could use what they had at home.

She took the roll to Allie and asked for the amount she needed and soon her package was wrapped in brown paper and paid for and to her amazement she still had some left.

^^^^^

Myles felt weird with this money in his pocket whereas Lucy felt she had been given a fortune Myles didn’t think that had he been, in Boston the money would have lasted him more than five minutes, even his soldiers pay had been more than this, he did however decide to purchase a new pair or working gloves. It was funny he thought how they all seemed over the moon at the simple trip to town, even the kids had a cent or two to buy some candy, he watched them from a quiet corner of the store, finally realising that you needed have any of the world’s riches to be happy.

his story just gets better and better, love the generosity of sue and jack and the contrast between the way luce and myles feel about the money is very powerful but myles is realising the meaning of happiness, love how you've shown him developing as a person

cath

I have to agree with everyone who says your story just keeps getting better and better! Excellent work, Rosa!

I LOVE this story, Rosa!! It's full of love and caring and fun and growing!!!

Joy

Fab job with this story Rosa! I love this alternate universe thing that you have going on!

Rosa, your stories always touch me... I love reading them, thanks so much for them!!!!

Jack and Sue are sweet and Myles and Luce... I love the way they learn about each other


PERFECT STORY!!!


Restie

Thanks. A little bit more.

Lucy took great pains to make the dress, Ruth was very helpful and Lucy was more than proud when it was finished, even making a dress for Lydia out of the remnants saying that as the youngest she never got anything new and she deserved to.

^^^^
Lucy walked with almost a jaunt to her step down Main Street, her head up high in her new dress that she had crafted herself walking alongside Isaac and Tom who looked up at her in awe. They went into the small chapel which was already full for that Sunday service, the preachers at there own church few and so Jack and Sue had chosen to have Lydia christened in town instead. It was a beautiful service and a large party of people headed back to the Hudson farm to celebrate.

“I don’t remember you saying you were inviting Mr Pitts” said Bobby to Jack

“I didn’t he invited himself, I guess he thinks he’s saving money if he eats our food and he will no doubt be trying to tout business”

“That man is impossible”

“Couldn’t agree more” Jack replied

“Lucy looks a lot better” commented Bobby seeing the woman in question have a conversation with Tara and Donna.

“Yeah she’s coming along good, which is more than can be said for Myles although I think he’s turned a corner” observed Jack

“Mmmm I was surprise when he offered to help me with my planting”

“Guess he was feeling guilty”

“About what?”

“That is something you should ask him yourself”

“Sounds ominous”

“Actually it was generous” admitted Jack

“You mean it was Myles that paid my outstanding debt?”

“Yeah I thought you’d guessed that”

“No I honestly thought it was you”

“Oh well it wasn’t me”

“I see that now mate. He’s an odd bod, Myles but you gotta love him, he means well” Bobby finally decided

“Yeah, that sums him up well” agreed Jack “You ever pay Randy the money back to give back to Myles?”

“Yeah, yeah I did. We’ll let it lie, I’m not going to embarrass him by bringing the subject up now” Bobby said “I hear you got your wife in the family way again? When this one due?”

“January”

“Where is she anyway? Sue?”

Jack shrugged “I don’t know”

“You’re telling me that you actually don’t know where she is? That has to be a first mate”

“I don’t know where she is all the time” Jack protested and Bobby just laughed

I can just see Lucy walking tall and proud in her new dress!!

I'm with Bobby!! What do you mean, Jack, that you don't know where Sue is?? I thought you always did!!!

Joy