The Romantic Orphan

The Erotic Story: The Romantic orphan is available on kindle' and is now in print'
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Anna.

All of us can get hooked on:fags, booze, the race track and other naughties.  Anna Pavinski, a sophisticated, blue-eyed blond, has a problem, which is; she can't get enough sex.

Anna waited until she was twenty-seven before she had her first sexual tumble with an Italian. The earth moved beneath her feet and this new delicious experience awakened an overpowering desire,within her, for sex.

Anna has affairs in: London.Warsaw and Kowloon.  During the exciting nights she is on a high, but mornings is hangover time, with headaches and deep feelings of guilt.  You see, Anna wants to be a good girl, but she doesn't  know how to escape the tenacious hold sex has on her.

Will Anna ever escape and return to a more normal life-style?

Any reader who invests the few pounds to buy the paper-back version of the story, will not be disappointed.  They will also augment the pension of an elderly Scottish gentleman for which he will be grateful.      

Loopy the Robot Dog : A Short Story

It was the year of our lord, Twenty-Twenty. Professor Jacob Einsted was a very clever man. He knew so much about science and engineering that scientists, from all over the world, would contact him when they had a problem. Some years ago he had lost his beloved wife. Now he was a sad and lonely man.

To cheer himself up, he constructed, in great secrecy, a robot dalmatian dog called Loopy. He made Loopy very strong and gave him the ability to talk every language known, and some unknown, to man.  Loopy was so well made that he looked like an ordinary dalmatian. Because he didn't eat or drink, the professor didn't have to fuss with meals for him. Loopy was told he must never allow anyone to hear him speak, otherwise some bad men might capture him, put him on TV, and make loads of money from him: as The Miracle Talking Dog. Loopy promised he would only talk with the professor when they were alone.

The professor had a second-hand Tiger Moth aeroplane, which he bought from the RAF. With it he flew to various countries where he gave lectures at universities. After lecturing in Hungary he flew, with Loopy, over the high Alps en route to Kloten airport in Zurich, Switzerland, where he would give another lecture. After that he would fly back to England and his Laboratory in Cambridge university.

Flying over the high Alps their engine stuttered: Brunch! Crunch! Brunch! The engine made a final splutter and stopped, and the propellers no longer turned.

The professor said, "I'm sorry Loopy we will crash into these high mountains and that will be the end for us."

Just as they stalled and were about to crash, to their amazement they saw, surrounded by steep cliffs, a beautiful green valley.

"Hi, Ho, Loopy. It wont be easy, but I'll try to glide down and if we're lucky, make an emergency landing."

The professor managed to land, and apart from bruises they were both OK, but the Tiger Moth would never fly again.

Feeling shook-up and dizzy, the two survivors gazed in amazement at the landscape before them. They were in a previously unknown green valley. There were trees laden with fruit, rabbits, wild fowl, goats, some dainty Roe Deer, and best of all there was a crystal stream of pure water that ran into a small lake.

"Well Loopy, it looks like we've discovered an unknown valley."

When they felt less groggy, the survivors noticed some primitive huts. They became concerned because groups of people, appeared out of the huts, and walked towards them. They looked like people from an earlier age dressed in animal skins.

The strange natives advanced nearer and nearer towards them. They carried no weapons and their faces expressed amazement rather than aggression. Stopping about twenty feet from our two adventurers they muttered amongst themselves in a strange language.

"Can you understand anything of their strange tongue Loopy?"

"Yes I can. They have never seen a western man before, or a dog, and certainly not an aeroplane. Unfortunately, they think you are a God."

"Tell them we come in peace and mean them no harm."

Loopy relayed the professor's message and to his relief the group surrounded them and began to smile and laugh.

A curious Loopy questioned the crowd, "Who are you people?"

An old man stepped forward.

"We are known as Hunites and we have lived alone in this lovely land for centuries.  Many years ago we were hunter gatherers. One day, lost in the mists of time, starving and thirsty we wandered through a pass in the mountains and discovered this land, with its abundance of game and clear drinking water. We intended to fill our satchels and water bottles and return to our homeland.  Fate thought otherwise; there was an earthquake,  followed by fierce storms and weeks of heavy rain. The mountains collapsed, rocks fell, and our exit passage was blocked. Thankfully, none of us were hurt. There was no way out and we were trapped. In the end, fate had been kind to us because we made our home in this wonderful valley. We built houses from the plentiful timber and bulrushes. We grew healthy and strong and we were never hungry. Our only weapons, for hunting, were bows, arrows and clubs. The shame was that the animals were so tame they would run up to us and be friendly, but we had to eat, and we killed only as many as we required. We all have equal standing in our tribe, but as I'm the wisest they have made me their leader."

Loopy answered, "Thank you. What is your name?"

"Yohannah. What's yours?"

"This gentleman is Professor Jacob Einsted and my name is Loopy."

The old man held out both arms in a welcoming gesture.

"We are your friends, you will sleep in my house until we have built a house for you. We start building tomorrow. As well as timber we can use some parts of your broken flying machine."

All that was left for Loopy to say was, "Thank you Yohannah."

The old man said, "Man who flies in the sky, with wounded bird, follow me.  I have something mysterious to show you."

After Loopy had translated they trailed after Yohannah.

Yohannah took them to the plane and said, "Strong dog lift the wing of your bird."

Loopy easily pushed the wing to one side and they were surprised to see an old stone with carved writing on it.  Excited, Jacob went to the house and returned, with a pen and some paper, and drew a diagram of the scribbled writing.

Jacob asked Loopy, "Do you understand this strange lettering?"

"No I can’t, but I can tell you it's older than Sanskrit, which I can read."

None the wiser Jacob stashed the drawing, he had made, into his pocket.

The Hunites were an attractive race. The men were tall, with good feature’s, and fine physiques. The woman were willowy, gracious, and appealing. They were good workers; they had the professor's house built in three days. With the help of the professor's planning, the construction of his home was remarkably efficient, helped by the professor salvaging some items from the plane.

Life continued and the Hunites proved to be faithful friends. Loopy would play ball with the children and together they enjoyed fun and games. He took this opportunity to find out more about their unexpected hosts.

Yohannah told him, "We all love each other and we are all mothers and fathers to the children."

Loopy received a strange answer when he broached the sensitive subject of burial.

Looking serious the old man said, "We have no need for burials because none of us ever die. We stay the same age as we did when we arrived here. If you remain with us you will also never die."

When Loopy relayed Yohanna's answer to Jacob, he retorted, "Please my friend, don't tell me any more fairy stories, life is complicated enough."

Some weeks later, Loopy brought a pretty girl called Marannah to Jacob.

Loopy's story to the mystified professor was, "Yohannah has sent this girl to you, she will cook, clean, and wash your clothes, she will also live with you and care for us both."

Jacob hesitated, but before he could refuse Loopy intervened, "If you refuse to have the girl, the tribe will be insulted and our friendly relations will cease."

A bewildered Jacob, not wishing to stir up trouble, made a show of making the girl welcome. The choice should have been an easy one because Marannah was extremely pretty. She had large dark eyes, and jet-black hair that curled down to her waist. She smiled easily, had a trim figure, and her animal-hide dresses were fashioned in a modern manner.

The couple enjoyed life with the Hunites, but after a month Jacob talked seriously with Loopy, "As you know I have a dear friend, Doctor Tom Galbraith, who is my lab' assistant in Cambridge. Tom will be worried about our disappearance. Unfortunately, I've no way of contacting him and explaining our dilemma. We've no satellite phone and our radio was wrecked beyond repair. I would dearly like to contact Tom, but I don't know how."

Loopy stated, "When Tom receives no messages from you, he will look into things."

"Of course he will, but I must admit to growing happier every day. I want us to be found, but life is so peaceful here.  Do you feel the same way Loopy?"

"Yes professor, I would be happy to stay here with my new friends."

"Duty is duty Loopy and I'm sure Tom will be delighted to find us in this wonderful place.  Let's stand by the wreck of our plane and marvel at how lucky we've been to make a miraculous landing in this unknown valley." 

In Cambridge, Tom was on the phone to the Swiss Mountain-Rescue-Service.

"My two friends were flying from Hungary to Zurich, Switzerland, but they never arrived. Perhaps weather conditions forced my friends  to alter course. It's all a bit of a mystery. Tell me, are you  willing to mobilise a search team from Switzerland?--You are!--Excellent!--Would you mind if I flew to Switzerland and took part in the search?--Don't be daft!--I'm only forty and I keep myself in tip-top condition-- I can--Good! I'll meet your team and we'll get going in three days time.  My friends will be surprised,  but pleased to see me.  I hope they are OK because I'm very fond of them both.  Jacob is a competent pilot so I expect they will both be fine."

Some days later, after a difficult search, Tom with the searchers found the crashed plane and his two close friends. The beautiful valley was non-existent; there was only the rocky mountain terrain. Tom stared at the ancient stone tablet and asked if anyone could understand it. Naturally this was impossible because no person alive could decipher the scribbled script. If someone could have, they would be able to decipher just one word: PARADISE.

Philip's Army is now available in Paperback and Kindle formats.

ASIN: B008R7DD20
ISBN-10: 1479242624
ISBN-13: 978-1479242627


Chapter One The War Council can be read for free here.

The Fat Boy called Jumbo : A Short Story

Tom lived with his mum and dad in a small village in England. Tom was very, very fat, and he grew fatter every day. Because he was so fat the other boys and girls called him Jumbo.  Tom was twelve years old and he was bullied at school.  Boys would punch his large tummy and call him nasty hurtful names.  This made Tom unhappy and, when he was alone, he would cry.

Tom had a problem: he would only eat pies, sausages, cakes and fizzy drinks.

His mum would try to make him eat sensible food, but when she offered him fruit, vegetables, and fish dishes, Tom would thump the table angrily and say, "I want pies and sausages! Give me pies and sausages!"

Trying hard to teach her son, mummy gave Tom a big bowl of porridge, some oat biscuits and a glass of water.

Tom in a bad mood threw the porridge on the ground and stomped out of the room shouting, "You know I only eat pies and sausages!"

After a while his mum, and later his dad, stopped trying to make their son eat correct food.  Instead they would give him money to go to the shops and buy pies, sausages, cakes and fizzy drinks.

One Saturday Tom was waddling along the road, on his way to the pie shop, when a very old man called out to him, "Hello, Jumbo Tom.  Where are you going?"

"How do you know my name? I don't know you mister."

"Well, Tom for many years I have tried to help people solve their problems. Somehow the name of the person floats into my head.  That is why I know your name, and it's my duty to help you."

"Go away! I don't have a problem, and I don't need your help."

"Are you going to spend money buying pies you silly fat boy."

"Yes, I am, and anyway it's none of your business."

"Why don't you come to my house? I have lots of pies and cakes that you can eat for free."

Tom was tempted, "OK, I'll come with you, but don't try any funny business."

The old man led Tom into a nearby house.

Once inside, the old man told Tom, "Come into this room, I think you will like what you see."

Tom's eyes opened wide in wonderment, because on a table were rows and rows of pies, string after string of sausages, and loads of cakes and fizzy drinks.

As Tom approached the table, three strange things happened.  All the food disappeared, the old man vanished, and the entrance door grew narrower, and narrower making it impossible for Tom to squeeze through and escape.

"What dirty tricks are you up to, old man.  Let me out of here or I'll call the police."

His captor suddenly appeared.

"I'm sorry boy, but you're going to be my guest for some time.  The toilet is over there and that single bed is for you to sleep in."

Tom ran to the door and tried to force it open, but to no avail.

A desperate, worried Tom shouted, "Let me out of here or I'll biff you."

Tom rushed towards his enemy intending to force him into freeing him, but as soon as he got close, his jailer disappeared. Depressed, Tom sat down on the bed and started to cry.  The old man returned.

"No need to cry Tom, I won't harm you.  Go over to that long mirror and look into it."

Reluctantly, Tom went over and looked in the mirror.  He saw the figure of a slim, handsome, young man looking back at him.

"Who's this stuck up jerk I'm looking at?"

"It's you Tom, or how you will look before you can go home."

"Don't be daft! that's impossible."

"It's not easy, but it's possible.  I know some exercises created in China two-thousand-years ago. You will do these gymnastics for four hours every day, you will skip for two hours every day and you will run on the spot until you collapse with exhaustion, and you will only eat the food I give you.

"I refuse to be bothered with this silly nonsense.  I ask you one more time I want to go home, my mum will be worried about me."

"You don't have a choice Tom, you have to stay here, with me, until your're ready to go. Think how proud your mum will be when her handsome son returns to her.

Days past and Tom lost all sense of time.  The old man put him through a strenuous routine of Chinese exercises, skipping, and running on the spot, until Tom collapsed exhausted.

Then one day the old man said, "You're ready Tom, it's time for you to go home. Goodbye I'll miss you."

The door opened wide and Tom drifted, out of the house, into the sunshine.

The first rays of the morning sun found Tom's mum sitting by the hospital bed. It had been two months since the old man had crashed his car into Tom.  The accident caused the old man to fall asleep.  The fat boy had sustained only minor injuries except for a bump on the head that had resulted in the  mysterious dream state of a coma.  A sudden movement, from the bed, alerted the watching mum.  Tom opened his eyes and muttered something.

Rushing out of the room the excited woman shouted, "Doctor! doctor! My son has returned! My son has returned to me."

Tom had returned and soon he was allowed to go home.  To his mum and dad's joy their son was now a trim, good-looking boy; he resembled the reflection of the handsome boy he had seen in the mirror.  The happy family looked forward to the future, but one thing was certain, Tom would no longer eat pies, sausages, cakes, and drink fizzy drinks.


Philip's Army is now available in Paperback and Kindle formats.

ASIN: B008R7DD20
ISBN-10: 1479242624
ISBN-13: 978-1479242627


Chapter One The War Council can be read for free here.

Bobby The Hungry Spaniel : A Short Story

Susie is a pretty ten year old girl.  She lives with her mum and dad in a seaside bungalow.  Susie owns a black and white spaniel called Bobby.

After school and weekends, Susie takes Bobby down to the beach.  The beach is Bobby's favourite place.  On the beach Bobby rushes around, sniffing noses, playing with other dogs, and saying a friendly hello to people. Afterwards, he dashes into the sea and splashes himself and any other dog or person that happens to be nearby.

Bobby plays fetch-ball, his favourite game with Susie. She throws a ball, as far as she can, across the sands. An excited Bobby chases after the ball and returns it to his young mistress. Susie would throw the ball again, and again, and again, and Bobby would return it again, and again, and again, until Susie stopped throwing.  She would then walk home with a tired, but happy dog.

When Bobby was a puppy, and later as a young dog, he slept on a blanket in the kitchen. Now he was older, daddy, who was a carpenter, built a kennel in the garden.  It was a nice kennel and Bobby liked it.  Every day mummy would bring to the kennel a meal and a bowl of water.  Bobby enjoyed these meals until one day something happened to upset him.

One evening as he was about to eat his dinner, Bruiser Bulldog, who had crept under the garden fence, pushed Bobby aside and ate his dinner and drank his water.  He then went away,  leaving a dejected and hungry spaniel feeling sorry for himself.  For the next few days, Bruiser bulldog stole Bobby's food, and as Bobby couldn't talk he was unable tell Susie what was happening.

Susie noticed her pet dog was growing weaker.  He no longer wanted to play or go to the beach.  Also his nose was no longer moist and cold, and he no longer wagged his tail.

Mummy took one look at poor Bobby and said,  "The poor boy is ill. We must take him to the vet at once."

Bobby was laid out in the car and they set off for the vet's.

The vet was a nice man.  He examined Bobby and felt his ribs, he then looked sternly at Mummy.

"This dog is dehydrated and starving.  He hasn't been fed.  I have a good mind to report you for animal cruelty."

An angry mummy shouted, "No! No!  I give Bobby a big meal every day, and afterwards the plate is licked clean."

The vet said, "I believe you madam, but if this animal comes before me again, without hesitation I will report you to the authorities. I will rest the poor dog here for a few days before you take him home.  Obviously if your'e feeding Bobby, either a stray dog or a fox is stealing the food.  I will notify the RSPCA to look out for a stray and they will deal with it."

Mummy thanked the vet and took Susie home.  Before Bobby returned home, Bruiser was captured and locked up in the kennels for unwanted, and stray dogs.

Bruiser was only partly guilty of of stealing Bobby's food.  He was given, as a present, to a cruel and lazy boy, who never took him for walks and beat him with a stick  Bruiser ran away and starvation made him steal food whenever he could. Now a fed-up and lonely bulldog  found himself behind bars.

One day  Bruiser's luck changed when he was taken home, as a pet, by a nice boy. This made Bruiser very happy.

Soon Bobby was back to his old self, he jumped around and played. He went to the beach again where he sniffed noses and played with other dogs, said hello to people, and splashed into the sea. He played fetch ball with Susie who would throw the ball as far as she could across the sands. Bobby scampered after it and returned it to Susie. She would throw the ball again, and again, and again with each time Bobby returning it to her, again, again, and again. When Susie tired of playing she stopped throwing the ball. She then walked home with an exhausted, but contented Bobby.

Chapter One The War Council can be read for free here.

Philip's Army : Now Available in Paperback and Kindle Formats

Philip's Army is now available in Paperback and Kindle formats.

ASIN: B008R7DD20
ISBN-10: 1479242624
ISBN-13: 978-1479242627


Chapter One The War Council can be read for free here.

Joy and the Prince of Light : A Short Story

A few years ago, there lived in a cottage, in an English forest, a young woman called Joy.  She was a pretty girl with long black hair and dark smiling eyes.  Joy lived with her grandmother.  She was a wise and understanding old lady with a twinkle in her eye.  Grandma was a widow, and because Joy had lost her parents, she had cared for her since she was a baby.  Although poor, the old lady and her granddaughter lived happily together.  Behind the house they had a garden, a cow called Daisy, ducks, geese and chickens.  They grew vegetables.  Daisy provided milk.  To keep warm in the winter, firewood was collected from the forest.

As Joy was attractive, men called at the cottage; they often asked grandma for Joy's hand in  marriage.  Some of them were ill-tempered and ugly.  Others were polite and handsome.  When they were unpleasant and grandma said no!, Joy was pleased.  When they were nice and grandma said no!, Joy was annoyed.

Peeved, Joy would ask her grandma, "How will I know when it's the right one?, you give none of them a chance."

Smiling, grandma said, "Joy, there is a little bird in your heart.  When the right man comes, the bird in your heart will flutter its wings.  You will blush and feel shy.  You must then stare into the well where we draw water.  Look into its crystal mirror.  If it is true love, your loved one's features will show as a reflection in the water."

Joy thanked her grandmother and remembered what she had been told.  

Joy had lived in the forest all her life.  She had made friends with the animals and birds who lived in the grass, bushes and trees.  She had learned the language of the singing birds, the dainty roe deer and the timid rabbits.  These creatures all loved her.  One day, wandering with her friends, she came across a clearing in the trees.  Although it was daytime, to her surprise, the copse was in darkness.  Joy looked to see if there was a dark cloud overhead, but the sky was clear, and a lark sang down to her.  Joy, followed by her friends, decided to investigate and entered the copse.

Inside the copse, there was only darkness.  Suddenly a piercing beam of white light, as though from a giant torch, startled them.  Nervous, but curious, Joy approached the light.  On the ground, illuminated by a circle of light, was a man.  The figure was about one inch high.  The beam broadened; the midget grew in size until he was over six feet in height.  Joy turned and ran.  She tripped on a tree-stump and fell to the ground.  Too frightened to move, she lay there with her hands covering her eyes.

"Joy, did you hurt yourself when you fell?"  said a soft and soothing  voice.

Peeping through her fingers, Joy saw the smiling face of a young handsome man.  He had deep-blue eyes, a tanned complexion and fair hair.  How did this person know her name?  Joy decided that he must be a wizard.

"There is no need for you to be afraid.  I mean you no harm."

Feeling less frightened, Joy replied, "I'm fine, thank you."

Joy could say no more; she felt shy.  She blushed and a little bird fluttered in her heart.  The stranger sat down beside Joy.  He placed a protective arm around her.

Joy found the courage to whisper, "How do you know my name?"

"Where I come from, we know many things.  I know all about you."

Joy was no longer afraid.  He had  an aura of peace and calm.  Even the roe deer and the other animals, who had run away, returned.  They were no longer scared.

 Joy asked, "What is your name magician?"

"You can call me Michael. I know that you like that name."

Michael was indeed, Joy's favourite name; it was her late father's name.

"I will call you Michael.  I still think that you're a magician  who can read my thoughts.  I vow that when I'm with you, I will stop thinking."

Michael laughed and all the creatures joined in the merriment.

Michael wore blue clothing that matched his eyes.

"Are you a prince who wears such  fine clothes?"

"In my land, every single person is either a prince or a princess.  Shall I be your special prince?"

Joy laughed, "Will I be a princess?"

"You are my princess."

Michael kissed her on the cheek.  Joy was shy again. Grandma had been right.  A little bird fluttered in her heart and  her face was crimson from blushing.  Joy was happy; she had fallen in love with Michael.

Joy felt inquisitive.

"Where is this strange land?"

"My world is all around you.  It's so small it can't be seen by humans."

Two white doves glided from a tree. They joined the group around the lovers.

"Tell us more, Doo, Doo.  Tell us more, Doo, Doo, of this land that people cannot see."

Michael grinned, "My world is called 'The Land of Light'.  It's peopled by 'The Souls of Light'.  We have no bodies, but we're cleverer than the Earth people.  We are all rays of light, and in our world we live forever."

Joy pondered, "Have you a king?"

"We are all equal, but we exist in harmony.  We are ruled by  'The Creator of all Light'.  It is he who has sent me here."

A wild pig, who had been rooting amongst the bushes, snorted his disbelief.

A red squirrel who had listened, while chewing on a nut asked, "Why did this 'Creator of Light' send you? "

Michael helped Joy to her feet.

"For the moment, I will say no more  Come Joy, being human has made me hungry.  Your grandmother, at this moment, bakes scones for tea.  I will take you home now.  I long to meet this good woman."

Joy's friends scuttled, bounded, or flew away.  The happy couple strolled, hand in hand, to the cottage.  Even the wild flowers seemed to nod and bow, as they passed.

Joy whispered, "Did the creator send only you?"

"No, thousands were sent to many countries on Earth.  Are you pleased I came?"

"You know that I am."

Michael kissed her again, but this time even more sweetly and tenderly.

Joy's whole being was full of love.  She longed to be married to Michael.

Reading Joy's thoughts, Michael told her, "All that you desire you shall have, but only for a few brief Earth years.  I must then return to ' The Land of Light'."

Joy was sad.  Was she to lose Michael so soon after their meeting?

"Joy, you have no need to worry.  All will be well; you will be happy with me, I promise you."

Minutes later, they reached the cottage.  As they passed the well, Joy looked in.  Sure enough, the reflection of Michael smiled back at her.

At the cottage, Joy introduced Michael, "Grandma, this is Michael.  We met in the forest.  He is a prince from another land."

The honest woman gave Michael a curtsey.

"I am honoured to meet you.  My granddaughter seems happy."

Michael returned the curtsey with a bow.

"Good lady, I desire your permission to court Joy, and stroll with her in the forest."

Grandma saw the blushing face of her granddaughter and sensed the rapid beating of her heart.  She granted Michael's request and was rewarded with the glow of delight on Joy's face.  Michael took a ring from his pocket and pushed it on Joy's finger.  The ring sparkled and shone, aided by the light shining through the window.

Michael then produced a bag of gold coins.

"Grandma, there are twenty coins here.  One for every year you have cared for Joy.  I am rich and will see to her every need."

Joy expected the proud woman to refuse the gold, but she accepted.  Grandma thanked Michael and hid the gold in a secret place, under the floorboards.

The following months were the happiest Joy had ever known.  In the mornings, she would help around the house, milk Daisy, collect eggs from the hens and help prepare lunch.  In the afternoons, Michael would meet her and accompanied by her animal friends, they strolled and kissed in the forest.

Michael told his loved one many things, which he said must remain a secret.  Joy, being a simple girl, did not fully understand him, but she enjoyed listening to the soft tones of his voice.

Michael explained that the 'Creator of All Light' was worried that humans were destroying their world.  The humans were cutting down trees, poisoning the life in the rivers and seas,  and making powerful weapons that could destroy everything that was green and beautiful.  In the 'Land of Light', the pitiful cries of thousands of innocent children could be heard.  He knew that if mankind destroyed its world it would effect 'The Land of Light', and the 'Souls of Light' would be scattered amongst the stars.  Joy did not understand his mysterious talk. She did know that she loved him, and wanted to marry her unusual lover.

One wonderful day, Michael arrived at the house with sweets and flowers for grandma.  He asked for Joy's hand in marriage.  Grandma consented, and a week later, the lovers were married in a small wooden church at the edge of the forest.  They spent their honeymoon in the copse which was bathed in sunlight every day, even when it rained elsewhere   In the copse, fruit trees grew and a merry-brook provided drinking water of perfect purity.

Some months later, Joy was with child.  She told Michael and her grandmother, the good news, while they took tea together.

A serious Michael said, "We must walk in the forest.  I have things to tell you that are not for the ears of grandma."

In the copse, Michael explained, "I knew that we would have a child.  It is the reason I was sent to you by 'The Creator of All Light'.  Our child will be a boy; he will be both an Earth-Child and a 'Soul of Light'.  Our son will have similar brothers, from different races, throughout the world.  These children will be more intelligent than human children.  They will, in time, be the leaders on this planet.  Their wisdom will save Earth from destruction.  I will stay with you and instruct our son till he reaches manhood.  I must then return to 'The Land of Light'.  Each year, on our son's birthday, you must visit the copse.  There, you will find a bag of gold, so that you will never be hungry."

When the time came, Joy's baby was born.  As predicted he was a boy.  The happy parents called their new-born Ray because he was from 'The Light'.  He grew up to become a clever, handsome man.  He had his father's fair hair and physique and  he had his mothers lovely dark eyes.  The following years were happy ones for the small family.  Even the passing away of the grandmother was not sad.  She had lived a contented life with Michael, Joy, and the boy Ray, who she had adored.

When Ray was eighteen, Michael declared, "It's time I returned to my own dimension.  Iv'e told Ray and he understands.  Tell people that I sailed to my own country, my ship foundered, and I drowned."

Michael's worried wife inquired, "Will I ever be with you again?"

Michael held her close and kissed her for the last time.

"Joy, every person looks forward to their own heaven.  You are for ever my soul-mate, and later you will join me in 'The Land of Light'."

Michael left, and walked to the copse which was again in darkness.  A beam of light shone on him; he became smaller, and smaller, until he was again a ray of light, and could be seen no more.

Joy spent most of her time in the cottage.  She still took walks with her animal friends, who stopped her from being lonely.  Ray became a brilliant scholar who could do difficult sums and write good English  .He became fluent in the languages of other lands.  At the university, the masters were certain that he would become a leader of men.

Every year, on Ray's birthday, Joy visited the copse.  There, as promised, she found a bag of gold.  There was never enough gold to make her rich or so little she would be poor. There was just the correct amount to keep her in comfort.

Joy knew that one day, she would be with Michael as his twin soul in 'The Land of Light'.


Philip's Army is now available in Paperback and Kindle formats.

ASIN: B008R7DD20
ISBN-10: 1479242624
ISBN-13: 978-1479242627


Chapter One The War Council can be read for free here.

The Gentle Pit Bull : A Short Story

Somewhere in England, in a tumble-down shack, Placid was born.  He was a pedigree pit bull, but Placid didn't know that.  His owner was a cruel man called Wayward Jack.  He bred dogs to fight at illegal dog fights, but Placid didn't know that.  If he knew that Wayward Jack wanted him to fight,  he would have been horrified.  Placid was kind, and gentle.  He would not harm any living thing.

Placid grew into a strong and handsome dog.  Wayward Jack was convinced he would win fights and make lots of money for him.  The dreaded day arrived.  Wayward Jack tied a rope round Placid's neck.  He took him out to his ancient land rover.  He drove into the countryside and stopped outside a farmer's barn.  Inside, a group of rowdy men drank beer, flashed money and bawled encouragement at two dogs in mortal combat.  Placid was becoming nervous.  The fight ended with one dog lying exhausted and wounded on the floor.

It was now Placid's turn.

The man in charge shouted, "As usual Wayward Jack has brought a fine looking animal with him.  He will fight Cannonball for a big money prize.  Place your bets lads."

Placid and Cannonball faced each other, in readiness for the contest.  It would have begun, except Placid lay down and refused to fight.  Cannonball rushed towards Placid twice. When his opponent didn't react, he stood there looking confused.

The man in charge was angry, "All bets are off lads.  Wayward Jack take that cowardly mutt out of here."

Placid was dragged outside the barn.  Wayward jack took a stick and was about to hit Placid with it.  His potential victim bared his teeth, barked and threatened to attack his evil owner.  Wayward Jack ran away and Placid made off into, what was for him, an unknown world.

For the next few weeks, Placid enjoyed his new found freedom.  He scavenged for food from hotel dustbins and drank from rain puddles.

Placid's wonderful way of life came to an abrupt end.  While padding along a pavement, a van pulled up beside him.  Two uniformed men came out; they muzzled Placid and locked him in the back of the van.  These men were from the RSPCA.  Someone had phoned them and had said that there was a savage dog running loose in the streets.  These men loved animals and cared for them, but Placid didn't know that.  He was taken to kennels and put in a cage with other pitiful animals.  Some of these dogs were so sad that  they whimpered, cried and howled all night. Placid couldn't sleep for the constant noise.

From time to time, parents brought in their children to choose a pet to take home.  Some of Placid's fellow prisoners, the lucky ones, left the kennels in the arms of an excited child.  As Placid looked so savage, he was never chosen.  The parents had heard tales of pit bulls attacking people.  Three weeks passed and Placid became more and more depressed.  He gave up hope of ever escaping his imprisonment.

One day, a rich lady called Clara Toffeenose visited the rescue centre.  She had recently lost her beloved bull terrier who had died from old age.  Clara was anxious to find a replacement to take home with her.

Spying the dejected Placid, she called out loud, "I'll eat my hat if this dog is not a thoroughbred pit bull."  She asked the keeper if Placid was dangerous.

"Dangerous! no madam,  this 'ere pit bull is gentle and 'e is well behaved.  You can 'ave me word on that."

"I see he has a collar; my eyesight is not so good, what does it say?"

"It says 'is name is Placid, but it don't 'ave an address."

"Very well, how much is he?"

"'e is free madam, but if you wants to, you can put something in our charity box."

Clara rummaged in her handbag, "Here is fifty pounds, is that sufficient?"

"Thank E madam, most generous of you."

Soon, Placid found himself being driven in a Bentley towards the country estate of Clara Toffeenose.

Placid's new life was completely different from before.  He was now being fussed over and mollycoddled.  He had tasty meals and a comfortable doggy's bed to sleep in.  Clara was grooming him for Crufts, but Placid didn't know that.  He became fed up with the constant baths, brushing and nail cutting that he was subjected to.  He once had the indignity of sporting a coloured ribbon.  On the plus side, he had the run of the estate grounds, but he was not allowed to visit the village without being tethered to a long lead.

The day dawned when Clara took Placid as a competitor to Crufts.  Placid was surprised and baffled by the whole affair. The event was held in the town hall.  When Placid arrived, all of the proud and ambitious dog owners were already engaged in last minute improvements to the appearance of their entrants.  All of them were anxious to impress the judges.  The time came for the judging of the bulldog category.  Placid was placed on a box, gazed at, prodded and felt all over by the first judge.  As the second judge approached, Placid, thoroughly annoyed, rebelled.  Jumping off the box,  he caused havoc by blundering through the spectators.  As he ran for the door, Placid knocked a few of them over.

With glee, Placid returned to his previously happy life.  He sniffed at lampposts, rub noses with other dogs and played games with them.  After a wonderful two weeks, the inevitable happened.  He was captured and returned to the kennels.  The attendant phoned Clara Toffeenose and asked her whether she wanted Placid back.

In a hurt voice Clara replied, "Placid made me look a fool in front of all my friends.  He was a disappointment to me.  No! no! no!  I don't want that beastly animal back."

Placid endured a few more weeks of boredom.

Placid's luck changed when two burly men looked at him.

One man said to the other, "He's not the breed we usually work with, but he's a fine looking animal who deserves  a chance.  Anyway, we'll take him and see how he performs under training."

The two men were rich business men. More importantly, they were also members of a canine disaster search team, but Placid didn't know that.

Placid was about to start on the greatest adventure of his life.

Jim and Teddy Dunlop trained dogs to search for people who had been buried after an avalanche or a tsunami.  If Placid was found suitable for the work, he would travel the world, working with firemen and other helpers.  Jim would become Placid's main trainer.  When training was over for the day, he would take his new pupil to his home. His kind and caring wife Mary was good to Placid and made him feel at home.

Jim and Teddy took Placid to the moors for training.  Teddy would hold Placid while Jim went and hid behind boulders and high grasses.  Teddy released Placid, who using his sense of smell, and to a lesser extent his hearing, would try to find Jim.  Placid proved to be outstanding.  He always discovered the hidden Jim quickly.

Jim would pat Placid and say, "Well done Placid, welcome to our team."

A week later, Jim received a phone call.  After quickly donning protective clothing, he rushed Placid to his car.  Not far from them, a building had been demolished by an explosion.  At the disaster zone, Placid rummaged amongst the debris, avoiding the spots still on fire.  He scented his first casaulty and barked twice to alert the firemen.  To his joy, a young man was rescued from where he was buried.  Placid followed this first success by saving two more lives.  Sadly his next discovery, a young girl, didn't survive.  Afterwards, everyone was full of praise for Placid, and a proud Jim took him home where they were warmly welcomed by Mary.

After this first experience of a disaster zone, Placid rescued people in different countries struck by earthquakes or floods.  His biggest test came when a tsunami and earthquake decimated Japan.  Placid joined many other search teams called to the disaster. When no more survivors could be found Jim, Teddy and Placid returned home.

In the years that followed, Placid continued his life-saving work.  He received: thanks, respect and honours from all over the world, but Placid didn't know that.


Philip's Army is now available to purchase on the Amazon Kindle from multiple countries.
Book Number ASIN: B008R7DD20