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Life's Illusions - Book Four - Chapter 39
The following day had been a whirlwind, Van and None Missing, were opening their joint sell out tour of Australia in Sydney that day, four sold out nights at the iconic Sydney Opera House, then another five locations.
From midday until four in the afternoon they would be sound checking, and Pil was with them, a complete bag of nerves until he started singing with Van, then it was easy to see how he relaxed, the lyrics folded in and out between them seamlessly, and it was a true Rock Anthem style song, but something had been baffling Van since hearing it for the first time that previous evening.
"Okay Pil I give up, I thought I knew every published piece of rock on the planet, so who wrote that, I just can't pin it down?".
Pil's answer shocked them all.
"I wrote it, I wrote all of the music I performed, I love writing it almost as much as performing it".
They were completely enthralled, but Ary's response summed up how in awe they were.
"Oh my god, an all rounder, he can do it all, I'm so fucking envious".
Pil blushed as they all dived on him.
Bobby called a halt to the rehearsal around three thirty, with Pil saying nervously.
"But we haven't rehearsed the other two songs, what if I mess them up?".
Trevor chipped in.
"Oh please Pil, you make us look like country bumpkins, you'll ace it, just do what you did last night, you lead, we'll wrap around you, and I promise, the audience are going to love you".
Back at the house a cookout was in progress when they arrived, and Pil changed mode like an automaton, blending into cooking with his brothers as if it were normal practice for a boy in his almost last year of school to come off stage with two of the worlds most iconic stage and recording names, then set about cooking for family.
Their housekeeper had interrupted Piers and Milo to inform them the estate gatehouse were calling to advise a Mr Dillon was asking for entry.
Piers almost ran to give his permission.
When they all flocked out front to welcome Dillon, who had Albert with him, they saw JJ and Jem walking up the road as well.
It was a really good family afternoon, but soon enough it was time to leave, they needed to get into the venue and chill.
Ary had spoken to Pil before they left the house, with, by his insistence, Milo and Piers in attendance.
"Tonight, you're going to understand how good you are, you're going to enjoy the love, the totally deep appreciation an audience can give you, soak it up, but don't get too big for your boots, you have a life to live, I don't think it's quite your time yet, enjoy your family, your friends, it's why you were so upset with your teachers, you don't need to be pushed, wait until you feel comfortable, and whenever you're ready, see tonight as what we can do, because we, your family, will be proud to launch you, and I predict, you will eclipse us all in less than two years, now, family hug and we're off".
Pil was sat in his dressing room looking at a copy of the rider he had completed, and he giggled, it had been signed off by his Poppas, looking up, he saw the stacks of TShirts and caps he'd requested, and the food, burgers sizzling away on a slow grill, and the buffet table loaded with all the things his brothers and sister loved, he hadn't touched any of it, keeping the wrappings on it so it wouldn't dry out, they'd be here with him straight after the show, but his giggling came from the comments against his request for beers, his Poppa Piers easily recognisable handwriting read, 'Absolutely Not', and in truth, he'd expected nothing less, it strengthened his resolve, it was all fun, but he wasn't ready to leave them yet, he still needed their protection.
A little over an hour and a half later, he was stood in the wings with Van, watching and listening as Ary, Trevor, and Bobby finished their third number, with Bobby announcing.
"Guys, it's an absolute treat for us to be performing with real family, and we know how much you're waiting for him, so I guess it's time to bring him out, let's hear some noise for the legend that is, Van".
Van patted Pil on the shoulder and trotted out onto stage, to an absolutely thunderous welcome.
The boys came off stage and changed their shirts, then stood with Pil, all four of them dressed identically, as Van went through three of his most famous numbers, then he said.
"Okay folks, time to give the old man a rest so let's get the boys back on stage while I go catch my breath, and that was their cue, with baseball caps pulled low, the boys, including Pil, ran out onto stage, with Pil taking up position behind them".
They launched into their most recent hit, but they could see the audience were straining to see who was the fourth person on stage, and when it came to Ary's solo, the lyrics boomed out, but he lowered his microphone and grinned at the audience, Pil was taking them through the solo section, and the audience were loving it, the boys joined back in bringing the song home to a tumultuous applause.
Then they turned to Pil and brought him forward with Bobby saying.
"Who read the Morning Herald today?, did you see the article about our little cousin, guys this is him, Philip Grant-Alonso- Bowles-Cruz, or as he prefers, Pil".
By now the crowd were going crazy, as Ary took up the banter.
"Do you want to hear him perform his own music?".
The roar was fantastic, and a definite yes.
"Okay guys, just be kind to us in the years to come when he's eclipsed us, because I'm telling you, he doesn't know how good he is, you tell him".
The boys turned as one to face Pil, and Bobby said.
"The stage is yours Pil, take em on a roller coaster ride".
Then the music for Pil's first song started as the boys left the stage.
He went through three of his own songs, a rock number, a punchy pop song, and an amazing a cappella, moving, love song, where not a sound came from the completely captivated audience until he finished, then they went wild, shouting for more as Van trotted back onto stage.
"So what do you think guys, you reckon he's any good?".
The roaring 'Yes', had them both grinning, and Van saying to Pil.
"I think they like you Pil, do you fancy duetting that rock ballad that sent the Morning Herald into a frenzy?".
Pil nodded and Van replied.
"Okay, lets do it".
Their performance, a rolling, intertwining, roller coaster musical ride had the audience clapping along right from the start, and when they finished, the boys ran back on stage, with Ary taking the lead mic.
"You're the first international audience to see and experience this boy, remember this night, and remember the Morning Herald's prediction, because I agree, when he finally decides it's his time to launch, you will clamour for every second of him you can get, and now I give you Pil, bringing you a rock song which he wrote, it's called, 'I'm here, where are you?', and I just know you're going to love it".
And suddenly Pil was alone again as his music started.
He absolutely smashed it, by the second verse they were clapping, foot stomping, screaming out the chorus, and when he brought it home, the applause was tumultuous.
Van and the boys came back out to join him, this time it was Van speaking, with his arm around Pil's shoulder.
"I think they liked you Pil, anything you want to say to them?".
Pil nodded, and amazingly, the venue fell quiet, all those thousands hanging in there waiting for him to speak.
"I just want to say thank you, it's been a real privilege to sing for you, and I wanted to say thank you to Van and None Missing, for sharing their stage with me, I hope you liked what I did, but it'll be a while before I'm able to concentrate on just my music, you see, I've got exams coming up, so maybe in about a year from now I'll decide to really be a musician, but thank you, you made me so incredibly happy".
And the audience went wild again as Pil bowed to them and left the stage.
In his dressing room he found his brothers and sister jumping up and down, waiting to wrap him in hugs, telling him how fantastic he'd been, and his Poppas, who'd just hugged him with tears running down their cheeks, his Poppa Piers saying.
"So I guess we're going to have a rock star son, but just remember, it's not going to happen until you decide you're ready, but I have to tell you, we sat, and mostly stood out there tonight, and I would pay to see you perform, your music, and the way you performed it, lifted me, and not many artists make me feel that way".
Pil was tearful by now, but he was determined, it was a day to be enjoyed, and a sure way to break the maudlin mood was to tell his brothers and sister to uncover the buffet he'd kept under wraps for them, that had the desired effect, a teenage food frenzy ensued.
Four weeks later, after completing their Australian tour None Missing arrived back at Milo and Piers house, to relax for a few days before returning home to the US.
Van had already left Sydney, travelling to the UK where he would be performing a special for the BBC, 'An evening with Van'.
Pil had been incredibly inquisitive, asking so many questions.
'How do you keep it real?, how do you fit family in?, how do you say no?, because it seems to me that if you say no, they don't like it, and the press start to slate you".
Ary answered him, with his brother and Trevor nodding in agreement.
"For young struggling artists it's hard there's no denying that, they have to toe the line, their management, and recording companies, put some really tough conditions in their contracts, and there's nothing they can do about it, if they don't do everything that's asked of them, they could be sued, or worse, dropped, we are more fortunate".
Ary stopped speaking and Trevor took over.
"Van launched us, his manager appointed a guy he trusts to manage us, Sam is a real good guy, he pretty much knows what we will or won't do, and he insists on down time, as much for, as he calls it, generating a need, as for us to recharge, he reckons if we're always available, always in the spotlight, our value diminishes, so he deliberately takes us out of circulation at certain intervals, like now, we have two talk shows to do here in Sydney, then we fly home, and we are on R & R for two months, time which we use to write and record new material".
Pil was fascinated.
"But how do you avoid the tough conditions from recording companies?"
Bobby chuckled and answered him.
"We bypassed them, set up our own companies, all under one umbrella, TF Management, it employs around one hundred staff, besides us, and Van, they manage a host of names, both new and established, the HQ is based at Gregous, but we have an office and recording studio in Chicago too, the staff range from secretaries, accountants, legal experts, IT specialists, artists, and really important are the promotion teams who build plans of action for upcoming events, like this tour, they would have started dropping hints around two years ago, then it gets formally announced around a year before, after that it's their job to make sure it's kept constantly in the media spotlight, but the best part, from our point of view is, our contracts are pretty loose, on most things we get to set our own requirements".
Although he'd been really interested, Pil now looked a little dejected as he replied.
"That's the part that really worries me, I don't understand all of that, I'd have to sign with a management and recording company".
Ary giggled as he responded.
"Duh, you obviously missed the relevance of TF in TF Management, Thorn Family, you'd sign with us, everything would be arranged for you, and whilst we've been here, Sam has set the groundwork for our Australian office to open, right here in Sydney, with recording studios, we want to offer new talent a much fairer deal, of course there are some rules, but we keep them as simple as possible, we're not out to rob our artists, we take a management fee and percentage of earnings which is approximately one third the average for most management companies, and TF still makes a healthy profit, all of which goes to a varied selection of charitable causes".
Bobby now threw in a curve ball which Pil didn't understand.
"You need to ask Baz and Jez what they've been keeping from you, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised".
Pil looked at his Poppas, but Piers held up a hand saying.
"Not our place to say, go ask your brothers".
He found them in Baz's room playing a video game.
"A little bird just told me you've been keeping secrets, so spill".
His brothers grinned at each other, with Baz replying.
"Did that same little birdie tell you about TF Management?".
Pil nodded.
"Yes, they're opening an office and recording studio here in Sydney, but that's not an answer, I don't understand".
Baz continued.
"We are both going to work for them when the Sydney office opens, as apprentices, Jez in accounting, he'll specialise in calculating artists royalties, he finds the whole process fascinating, I don't understand it, I am going to train in artist management, because it seems my little brother is planning on having a music career, and apparently he'll be needing a manager who understands his quirky ways, so you won't be out there on your own, wherever you are, I'll be there too, and we'll have Jez back home counting the pennies to make sure no one tries to stiff you".
Pil was totally gobsmacked.
"That's fantastic, will they really let you be my manager?".
Baz nodded.
"It was Van's idea, he saw how interested I was in the way Sam managed him, he spoke to the Poppas, then Sam, and finally the management team at Gregous, they're confident I can be ready to fly solo in twelve months, Van said the first few years of his career were the loneliest years of his life, he didn't want you experiencing that, he wanted you to have someone reliable close by, so relax, enjoy your last year of school, and keep writing that wonderful music, I'll be there whenever you're ready".
Pil was so happy, they'd ended up hugging.
Before they left to travel home, Ary sat with the boys, Milo and Piers.
"Roughly how many completed songs do you have at the moment Pil?".
Pil didn't need to think about it, he knew exactly, and the answer caused all of them to draw breath.
"Eighty one, plus one I'm still working on".
Ary, still looking surprised, went on.
"I've proposed to TF that they sign you up now, on a loose contract not involving performance, nor any other type of service, it would be a showcase contract only, it allows you to display material you've written but don't feel you would want to release yourself, I'm betting around a third of what you write falls into that category".
Pil nodded.
"I never understood why I felt the need to complete songs I was certain I'd never perform".
Ary smiled.
"We're all the same in that respect, none of us are able to explain the urge to write, nor what motivates us, but you have to admit, when that special one comes along you know it straight away, so once we have you signed up, sort your catalogue into two sections, keep, and sell, TF will list your sell material for other artists to record, you retain ownership, the material is sold on a strict license basis only, remember, there are a lot of artists who don't have the ability to write their own material and they're always looking for new stuff, plus it gently eases you into the writers market, your Poppas will have any legal documents scrutinised, and they'll be signing alongside you until you achieve adult status".
About a hundred and eighty miles away Roslyn and Cecile were overseeing the final stages of decorating the sprawling Villa style property they'd had built.
Piers assessment of the parcels of land had proved to be spot on, they'd split up the parcel which had poor soil quality due to the run off from the other parcels by bringing in mature trees and shrubbery, a third of it now accommodated their eight bedroom home, whilst on the other two thirds their purpose built winery was on target to be operational for the next seasons crops.
They were tired and covered in paint from experimenting with different samples when a voice shouting hello from the entrance hall several rooms away brought both of them to attention, they knew that voice.
Running, or wobbling, as fast as seven and a half, and eight months pregnant respectively would allow, it wasn't long until their eyes saw a beaming Fleur.
Roslyn had her in a hug in seconds.
"Oh cousin, you're a sight for sore eyes, why didn't you tell us you were coming?".
"Because one of you already knew, and that would have spoiled the surprise".
Fleur's reply saw Roslyn turn to look with narrowed eyes at a laughing Cecile who said.
"I knew how much pleasure you would get out of seeing her, and I need her help".
Roslyn started laughing.
"Now I understand the urgency of getting at least one of the guest bedrooms completed you sneaky devil, anyway let's go through to the kitchen it's finished, I don't know about you two but I could do with a nice cup of tea".
Over their cuppa Cecile explained the problem she was having with the vines.
Last seasons harvest had been ready to gather when they'd taken possession, they'd sold it off, but the crop level had been nowhere near what Cecile had expected and she couldn't figure out why.
Fleur told them not to worry she would do a detailed inspection the following day.
That inspection returned an evaluation Cecile didn't really want to hear, but, in all truth wasn't a surprise.
We're just about in time, the vines are in a terrible condition, they should have been pruned back hard months ago, they're really good quality vines, but they've been seriously neglected, they don't look to have been pruned hard enough for several seasons, we can do them now but I need about sixty workers for roughly two weekends, can we pay them cash in hand, it's not going to be easy getting that many.
Fortunately one of their nearest neighbours, Jenna, from around five miles down the road, had brought them a pot roast the day after they moved onto the site in their mobile home, her husband was a foreman at one of the local vineyards and she'd become a good friend, telling them on her first visit, she didn't mind lickers as long as they weren't licking hers, Roslyn and Cecile had rolled around laughing after she left, because she hadn't meant any offence, she'd just placed it out there as a fact, but it had completely cracked them up.
Jenna had listened to Cecile's request and assured them, Franky and Dale would sort it, expect someone to turn up the following morning with a batch of workers.
The girls understood Franky was Jenna's husband, but they had no idea who Dale was.
The following morning Fleur answered the door and stood transfixed, she was staring at what should have been, in her limited experience, a porn star, and she couldn't speak, all she wanted to do was fall on her back with her legs open wide.
Cecile almost pushed her out of the way.
"Good morning, are you here to work?".
His gravelly voice solicited an audible groan from Fleur.
"I'm Dale, my Mam said you needed men who would work for cash in the hand, is that the deal, if it is I've got twenty guys with me, and my Da's about ten minutes behind me with another twenty?".
Cecile looked concerned.
"Forty isn't enough, I need at least fifty, probably sixty, we have a massive amount of work to get through, but yes, the deal is cash in the hand, we'll provide the food and drinks".
He looked relieved.
"Cool, sorry, even I didn't quite believe it, we're used to being shafted, and don't worry, tomorrow morning you'll have sixty, this will zip round like flies up an unwashed snat.......".
He stopped dead, mid word, turning bright red, as Cecile finished the sentence for him and further concentrated his blush.
"Snatch, yes okay, I get the picture, and stop blushing, I'm a licker, as I'm sure you're mother has told you, only don't be fooled, I'm fair, but you fuck me around and I'll send you home as a eunuch, feel free to communicate that message to your friends".
She snapped her teeth together causing him to shiver.
That day they got very little done in the way of pruning, Fleur, after being physically slapped by Cecile, took Dale, his Da, who was Frank, and four others aside to show them what she wanted, they would each manage a team of ten from the following day.
Cecile took the rest of the men and a few girls who'd turned up aside, telling them.
"You won't be doing anything today, we need to get those guys set with what they'll need to show you tomorrow, but don't worry, you're being paid, and there's a tuck truck over there with food and cold drinks, choose to stay or not, your wages are assured, be here same time tomorrow morning and expect to work".
Meanwhile Fleur was in her element, explaining what she wanted.
"Okay, the vines on these four areas have been badly treated over several seasons, I want to take radical action to bring them back in line, but we only have about two weeks left in which to do it, so first, Dale show me how you would prune the first of these vines".
She'd been about to say, show me how you would do it, and at the last minute stopped herself.
He'd bent, grabbed the vine low down, stretching his already tight shorts over an impossibly beautiful butt, then counting up on the shoots, he cut cleanly, standing back up and expecting praise.
She'd surprised him.
"Good, if the previous years were as good, but not good enough in this case".
He'd been stunned, but he didn't argue as she went on.
"Prune hard, watch me, wherever you want to go to, push the boundaries, go that little bit harder".
She took the vine down a further two inches".
Seeing them all nodding their heads she said.
"Okay, impress me guys, run down this row, because tomorrow you're going to be teaching the others what I want".
One hour in she'd called a halt.
"Okay guys I'm satisfied, tomorrow morning you show your assigned teams how to prune, and don't let up, remember I'll be watching you".
But when she said those last few words, she was only looking at Dale.
Several days into the pruning, Fleur saw something else becoming apparent, the support system of posts and wires was seriously substandard, whoever had installed it had used the wrong gauge wire and a really cheap version at that, on the whole it was badly rusted.
Her request that evening to Roslyn and Cecile brought a groan from Cecile.
"Can we afford to keep them on for another two weekends to restring a lot of the support network, the wires are loose, rusted, or really poor quality, it's going to damage the new growth".
Surprisingly, Roslyn's reply was more pragmatic.
"Okay, it's something we didn't expect, but if it's essential for the quality to be assured, then we do it now, arrange whatever you can Fleur".
The following morning Fleur took Frank and Dale aside.
"Is there any chance your guys would consider an extra two weekends, same pay arrangements, I need to get most of the support system restrung?".
Frank chuckled, saying to a smiling Dale.
"What you reckon lad?".
Dale was beaming as he replied.
"Most of these guys are still pinching themselves at how fair you've been, I reckon if you asked them to work through the night, for you they'd do it, so I'll ask, but I think you can take it as a yes".
Fleur didn't realise he'd finished speaking, she was too busy staring at him, until she heard.
"I said, is there anything else?".
She jerked back to reality red faced, realising Frank was chuckling.
Instead of the two full weekends, pruning was completed by around eleven in the morning on Sunday of the second weekend, and with Roslyn and Cecile's approval, calling the part time workers together, she surprised them again.
"I wanted to just take a moment to thank all of you, I've been looking at what you've achieved and it's absolutely first rate, so you're going to receive the full day's pay for today, go enjoy the rest of your weekend and I hope to see you back here for the restringing we need to do over the next two weekends, once again, thanks to every one of you".
Dale came up to her as everyone started drifting off.
"That was a really nice thing to do, they only expected to get paid for the hours worked".
Fleur answered honestly.
"Fair's fair, they could have strung it out, made sure it took them all day to finish, they were more focused on getting it right, I like that, and I asked them to give up two weekends, so, as I said, fair's fair, they deserved it, they earned it, and what about you, what are you going to do for the rest of the day"
In her mind what she'd wanted to say was, 'Come back to my bedroom and fuck me till I can't walk'.
His reply almost made her choke.
"I was hoping you might be at a loose end, we could get lunch in town".
It took all of a second for Fleur to answer.
"Give me a half hour to shower and change, and I'd love to get lunch with you".
His reply started a stream of imaginative pictures in her head.
"Actually, could I use one of your showers, I have clean clothes with me, I just need to clean up?".
Her response was wobbly, for a reason totally different to that which he thought, she was picturing him stark naked in her bathroom.
"You'd have to use my bathroom, apart from Roslyn and Cecile's room, it's the only one finished".
He flushed a little as he answered.
"If you wouldn't mind?".
She blushed as well, as soon as she realised how quickly she'd responded, and how it had sounded.
"Maybe we should share, save water".
She thought he was going to answer, then he stopped himself, shit, she'd been too forward.
But he stepped forward, closed the two pace gap between them, and drew her to him, planting his lusciously full lips on hers.
Fleur had been startled, but she relaxed immediately, allowing her body to mould itself into his, feeling the firm mound in his jeans pressing against her.
It wasn't a peck, it went on for several minutes before he broke the kiss, drawing back, looking into her eyes, saying.
"Let's go shower".
In her suite, he drew her into another kiss, this time unbuttoning her blouse and pulling it off as their lips and tongues wrestled.
Dale could feel her trembling, hear the soft moans into his mouth as he ran his hands up to her breasts, pushing her bra off the firm mounds, rubbing her stiff nipples with his thumbs, gently caressing and squeezing her full breasts with his palms and fingers.
His lips left her mouth, kissing and licking slowly down her neck toward her breasts.
Meanwhile his hands were busy undoing her jeans, pushing them down her thighs, then his right hand returned to teasing her right breast, while his tongue was pleasuring her left one, meanwhile his left hand slid down inside her lace panties, over the small patch of public hair, to her pussy.
Dale's fingers explored the top of her slit, uncovering her hard button, he rolled his finger over it gently, as his mouth continued its work on her hard nipple.
Her pussy was getting wetter as his fingers continued to stimulate her, sliding in and out now with long strokes.
And then he stopped, drawing her back into a brief kiss, and breaking it quickly as he started to strip his clothes off.
"I think we should get into the shower".
They were like a joint whirlwind, clothes flying in all directions, then she got her first look at him naked, and she shivered, he was an absolute adonis, smooth chested with big developed pecs, a flat six pack, and strong muscled thighs, hanging between which was his cock, fat and long with a big bulbous head peeping out from its foreskin sheath, and it was slowly rising up to greet her.
He took her hand, pulling her toward the bathroom.
In the shower he stood behind her, enveloping her, playing with her nipples and pussy in turn, his rampant cock sliding back and forth between her thighs as he gently rocked back and forth, nibbling her ears, neck, shoulders.
They'd flip flopped back and forth, she behind him, teasing his erect nipples, slowly stroking his hard cock.
Finally they'd been face to face, her back against the tiles, tongues duelling as he bent his knees slightly, dragging his cock down over her sensitive pussy, allowing it to slip inside, and as he straightened up again she was impaled, and his rocking action brought gasps and moans from her.
Two hours later they were sated, intertwined, naked on her totally wrecked bed.
He was first to speak.
"Wow, that was the best, it's never been that intense before, you are beautiful".
She felt so warm in his arms.
He tilted her head up and kissed her again.
"Let's get dressed and go get something to eat, then I might just bring you home and jump your bones again, that's if you're in agreement?".
The hand stroking his stiffening cock as they kissed again was her answer.
They'd almost dressed when there was an urgent knocking on the door, and Roslyn was shouting her name.
When Fleur opened the door she could see Roslyn was clearly flushed and agitated, but she didn't get chance to ask why as Roslyn gasped out.
"Cecile's in labor, her water broke about ten minutes ago, we need to get her to the maternity unit".
Surprisingly, Dale took charge.
"Collect her things together, I'll go get my truck and bring it up to the house".
When he got back, pulling the Double Cab Ute right up to the front door, he found them in the hallway, with Cecile sitting on a chair almost screaming, things obviously weren't going well, as Fleur explained.
"She's really advanced, she can't walk".
Dale didn't hesitate, he leaned in and scooped her up into his arms as if she were a child.
Outside Fleur opened the rear door of his big truck.
She'd protested.
"The seat, I'll ruin it, put something under me".
Dale answered matter of factly.
"Bugger the seat, that little nipper's more important, just get as comfortable as you can".
Once Cecile was in and comfortable, he helped Roslyn in, then collected the bags as Fleur got into the front passenger seat.
On the way to the hospital he made a phone call.
"Hi Ma, can you look after Jimmy at yours tonight, Cecile's gone into labour, not sure when I'll be back".
His mother could be heard telling him to look after her, then a little voice came on the line clearly upset.
"Dad, what's wrong, you are coming back aren't you?, I don't feel very good".
"Hi pal, yes I'm definitely coming back I promise, but one of the ladies I'm working for is having a baby, I'm taking her to the hospital now, stay with Gran tonight and I promise I'll be there before you wake up in the morning, be a good boy for Gran, I love you son".
The little voice sounded reassured when he replied.
"Love you too Dad, see you in the morning, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite".
The line clicked signalling the call had ended.
Dale realised all three were looking inquisitively toward him.
"My son James, Jimmy, he's almost six, long story, suffice to say I'm a single parent".
They were just pulling up at the maternity unit as he finished his explanation, and an orderly was bringing a wheelchair out to meet them.
They'd sighed collectively, thinking everything was now under control, but isn't that what Life's Illusions does to you, just when you're least expecting, it throws you a curve ball.
TBC Allan
Comments are welcome to cfgw2000@aol.com.
Thank you for giving me your time, enjoy.