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 yelled back. I'm sorry, Dr. Harper." He had reached her, out of breath, his handsome face sad and drawn.
    Stricken, the girl met his tired eyes. "God is real. I know really." Trying to please, but underneath sounding unsure, sorry for causing distress.
    The doctor felt sad. It was hard to explain, to express the Glory, the Beauty of Christ, His Risen Lord who had willingly died to bear all the wrongs of willing people, that all who would believe would be blameless before God.....
    He had been aware the thief had been listening. God had whispered in the doctor's heart. Joshua called out: "Come back James! A thief said sorry on the cross next to Jesus. He was taken to heaven, and I think I can help your brother, Charlie."


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