THE RIVER

THE RIVER  By Tessa Harvey     Blue thought 'this is silly, this is not real. It's a film. No-one says dumb stuff like this.' But though afraid, the panic was gone.     Amy stood straight. "That was in the past." Though angry, she was aware that her voice wobbled. "My parents worked hard. They were good." A thought came to her. "Were you listening when Dr. Harper talked about God?" Joey thought he heard something. "You are just a nothing!"     Emboldened by the sight of light from behind Flash Harry, the young girl moved away from the darkly-dressed man. He was gazing at her. He had expected a cringing child, pleading, begging. If only he had got out of prison earlier. It was her dumb brother's fault. They had all ruined his life. Waiting for a distraction, he too saw the lights, heard the calls:  "Blue, Amy," and from her brother, "Come on Dodo Brain. Don't be gormless!" "Ok, Fungus-Face," Blue y...

THE RIVER  By Tessa Harvey     The youngster kicked over her chair in anger, and leaving the firelight, stalked off into the darkness.     "Let her go," Elizabeth said firmly, as Gladys Swan, her employer stood to go after the girl. "Amy will be back soon. She hates the dark." But she did not return that night.     She had run as far and fast as she could. The night enclosed her like a dark blanket. The young girl hunched over, hands on her knees, panting hard. She looked back. No one had followed her. There were no wavering torch beams, no light at all, far beyond in the all-encompassing blackness.           "Fine," she told herself, "I don't care." Unbidden, a memory of her father quoting an old expression came to her: "Nobody loves me, everybody hates me. Think I'll go and eat worms," he had gently chided her when she had one of her familiar tantrums.     "Yuck! Worms," she would giggle, helplessly, her mood s...

THE RIVER  By Tessa Harvey     "There is a river of God," began Joshua, looking at each person gathered around the blazing fire. They had all helped to build it, gathering wood from Riverbend weeks ago to dry. Sparks soared like fireflies glimmering against darkness.     "God's river also gives to us, but never harms. It flows from East to West. It is when King Jesus will come again on a path of Glory."     "God is Light. He is also Love, Hope, Joy, Peace." Elizabeth looked wistful, longing, but no-one else seemed interested, listening politely thought Joshua.     Undaunted, he shifted on the metal chair, glad a cushion had thoughtfully been provided.     "Have to cut back on all the snacks," Anne was smiling to herself. She prayed silently. The stars danced in the flickering light.     "Does anyone have any idea when Jesus will appear when he returns to earth?"     There seemed to be no response, then the young ...

THE RIVER  By Tessa Harvey     Family and friends gathered together in early winter , a few months later. Elizabeth was now working part-time for Gladys Swan, the young owner of the jewellery shop.     Elizabeth appreciated being able to work again and Gladys gained so much from the older lady's insight and sensitivity.     Blue was now at high school and thriving. Her new friends called her by her given name, Amy. Some of them felt pressured by the current gender dysphoria, but Amy felt secure and safe, being a child growing into a young woman.     Josiah was doing well and his apprenticeship would last just another two years. He had made the collapsible boathook his aunt had used to save him from the river. He was proud of the design with its two detachable heads.     Dr Harper looked at them all, gathered after a hearty barbecue. Joe had cooked the meat. Amy, her aunt, Joshua (the doctor), and wife, Anne had helped with salads an...

 THE RIVER By Tessa Harvey     Police and hospital doctors had confirmed Noddy (Charlie) had a form of narcolepsy. There was believed to be no cure. Charlie, heard as usual, a blur of words. He realised dimly that he and James were free to go and was again happy. The memory of the wonderful ruby-red necklace lit up his mind.      Charlie wanted to keep it. He kept wondering where it was. He knew better than to ask.     James took his younger brother to a special home. It was set in pretty grounds with a far off green lawn, a riot of roses, even now in autumn and a distant blue glimpse of the sea between buildings.     Charlie was hugged. "I have to go away for a bit, mate. Business, I will come back."     Charlie heard the deception in his voice, tired though he was. The men in his mother's life had hit him over the head just too often. "Dozy, lazy, stupid, useless, waste of space." Harsh words echoed in the small man's head. ...

THE RIVER   Part Two - The Grey Ghost By Tessa Harvey     Arrested with his sleepy, younger brother, Flash Harry phoned his smart lawyer. Within days, said smart lawyer had proved beyond reasonable doubt that the sole perpetrator of the theft of the priceless necklace has, in fact, been Charlie Swift, known as Dozy or Noddy.     Flash Harry was James Sewell. Same mother, whereabouts unknown - different fathers, also whereabouts mostly unknown, perhaps questionable. They had left long ago.     The men were now adults and needed no family, though secretly Charlies would have liked a real mum and dad like in the books he read. Children's books were his favourite, though he hid them from James, or thought he did. He loved adventure stories.     James was released. There were no witnesses to the robbery. The sales assistant had left his post for personal reasons. There was only a boy's word based on a brief, panicked glimpse, that he had deliberat...

THE RIVER  By Tessa Harvey     The following day, later in the morning, the original sergeant was accompanied by the officer of the previous night, Detective Inspector David Jones. Young Josiah had explained to his boss why he had to have the morning away from work. Derek had gruffly answered "You guilty, boy, you go. If not, we happy you here," the elderly Latvian man, Vilis, paused. "You very gifted boy, work hard, not be crazy silly on that roaring bike, maybe live to be almost a credit to me. Okay?"      Overwhelmed, Joe stuttered a mumbled answer. Pleased by the guarded praise, he knew he had to grow up now and be responsible.     A beautiful Eurasian lady stepped out of the police car. She was tall, very well-dressed, wearing also an air of elegance.     She regarded Elizabeth, waiting on the doorstep. Imperceptibly, Elizabeth straightened, seeking warmth in the intelligent dark eyes. The two smiled at each other. Both women led th...

THE RIVER  By Tessa Harvey     After their meal, they all helped clear everything away just as there was a brisk knock at the front door. A senior police officer stood on the step. "May I come in?" he asked politely, "a real autumnal nip in the air tonight."      Joshua glimpsed the stars shining brightly in the still air and thanked God Josiah had not been in the river tonight. He said nothing though, and ushered the intelligent looking officer in. The man had an air of calm authority, but his remarks showed a great sense of humour. He complimented Elizabeth and the youngsters on their ability to be clear and honest. Their story had checked out with Joe's friend, Brian Carter, but further evidence had come to light. "Flash Harry and his pal Noddy," the children burst out laughing at the officer's words and the motherly Anne knew he was destroying fear as he spoke-"have been happrehended and are in custody."     Jenkins, the officer smile...