LIGHT IN DARKNESS

LIGHT IN DARKNESS By Tessa Harvey   CHAPTER TWO Bill and Gladys had three children. The eldest, Simone had been a nurse. Next was Lois who was away at college, studying. Lastly there was Phil, away at the moment on a school trip.     Lacey slept deeply, but murmured names every now and then. Gladys heard the words "Maman" and "Hope." Sighing, she went back to the lounge and kitchen. She could hear Bill snoring in the bedroom.     Glad tidied up and cleaned the bathroom, wiping away some dirt and dried bloodstains. Next she cleared all the used clothes to the washing machine and put it on. Then finally the dishes were done and put away.     There was no trace of their young visitor. Glad sat down with her Bible. Taking a sip of her hot tea, she prayed.     "Lord, I think I know something of what is happening. I need your wisdom, Jesus, and your help. You sent this girl here, Lord. Help me to love her as you do, and show her your Love."  ...

LIGHT IN DARKNESS By Tessa Harvey   "Why, no-one, dear. Too early for visitors."     Just then there was a peremptory knock on the door, loud and strident. The girl's eyes widened and her hand flew to her mouth. "Toilet," hissed Gladys, "and lock the door." The last few minutes had made the older lady wary and suspicious.     "Who is it?" she asked. "A health worker from the local hospital. Open the door."  "No way! Why should I?" But the woman's voice persisted. "We want to check on a young woman who gave birth. We are concerned for her physical and mental well-being."     But the voice sounded arrogant and uncaring. "Why should that concern us?" parried the older woman. "Go away!"      There was a long silence, then footsteps sounded as the unwelcome visitor left. "You are safe, dear," called Gladys. Lacey swayed near the toilet door. "Come on, love," Gladys said. ...

LIGHT IN DARKNESS  By Tessa Harvey "Have you a woman?" the girl asked, warily. "Is she free?" Bill was tired and puzzled. "My Glad...'course she's free. I need my bed. Glad will help you. Follow me and see."     He strolled away and Lacey followed, almost as weary and in a great deal more pain. Finally they reached a small house. Fumbling for a key, Bill opened the door and called "Glad - I'm home!"      He headed up the nearby stairs, yawning loudly, scratching his chest. Lacey teetered on the doorstep, uncertain. A small, wiry looking, grey-haired lady bustled forward. Seeing Lacey she halted. "Well, I never!"     Sensing the girl was poised for flight, she beckoned her in, closing the door firmly. Lacey whirled around. She was panic-stricken, reaching for the door handle, then yelping in pain as her sprained wrist gave way. Lacey sagged to the floor, whimpering softly. Glad knelt beside her. "What's your name, d...

LIGHT IN DARKNESS  By Tessa Harvey Just then the doctor's pager beeped. Pushing his hand through his almost grey thinning hair, the man mumbled an apology, wrote out a quick script, gave it to the attendant staff nurse and left.     If only the doctor had had time to check the young girl's age, if only the harried staff nurse had not been preoccupied with her teenage son's belligerent attitude, if only the doorman had been stronger, less easily intimidated....the worlds of people everywhere are hinged on clanging gates labelled "If Only!"     At 3 pm the staff nurse bustled off-duty, then found the unfilled script in her pocket. Her daughter called just then, in tears. Apparently she had been punched hard by her sibling.     The doctor rushed over to the Intensive Care Unit to check a new COVID admission.  The new nurses on duty found the girl's empty bed and began stripping it, talking of the coming weekend and an expected night out with friends...

LIGHT IN DARKNESS   By Tessa Harvey CHAPTER ONE     Lacey stirred and winced. Her whole body ached. Opening her eyes, she was aware of dim lighting. Moving slightly, she gasped with pain - and puzzlement. The sheet crackled beneath her thin body. It felt stiff and hard.     Suddenly she opened her eyes wide. Where was her baby!? She felt her stomach, almost flat. Then she groaned. Deliberately the young woman pushed aside the dark in her mind, burying the panic and fear.     And thought hard. The upstairs flat, the stairs, the sudden vicious push in her back, the scream as she fell tumbling over, flailing wildly to try to stop her headlong plunge...then blackness.     So this was obviously a hospital. My mind is slow, thought Lacey.     The curtain round her had swirled open. A nurse poked her head around. She was sturdy with dark hair and eyes.     "My baby," whispered Lacey. "Where is she? Where is Hope?" "She is fine,"...

LIGHT IN DARKNESS By Tessa Harvey      The doorman glanced again at his watch. 5am. Dawn. He would be relieved soon. He thought of the slow, sombre watch of darkness and chided himself for his unease.     The woman had clicked up to the hospital entrance around 3am, her low heels harsh sounding and abrupt. She was tall, angular looking, dressed all in elegant black with a flash of white blouse at her neck. She had flicked a laminated card at him. He saw words and a photo on the plastic card. But the moment had been brief.     She tucked away the black lanyard and hurried on.     "Social Worker" - the words had been flung back over her shoulder. "High level." The words were as clipped, authoritative and precise as she looked herself. "I shall be back soon and I expect clearance. No delay!"     Not long after, she had returned, a small bundle under her arm. The tall woman stalked away, not even giving him a glance. Still, he felt une...