LIGHT IN DARKNESS

LIGHT IN DARKNESS  By Tessa Harvey Lacey took a short-cut back to Gladys and Bill's place. It was a narrow street where front doors opened straight onto footpaths. The car reversed very fast behind. Glancing back, she saw it was heading straight for her. Desperately, she pushed the nearest shabby door, paint peeling from an ugly dark colour, but she noticed only the door opened inwards. Quickly she grabbed her baby and pushed herself backwards, relieved her baby was too young yet to fasten in the stroller. There was a quick glimpse of Don driving far too fast. He hit the stroller, crushing it against the wall, and a window opened and Miss Smit appeared coolly, aiming a gun from the speeding vehicle. Lacey heard a shot and fell back. A dishevelled looking lady with a baggy lopsided, dirty blue dress waddled forward. "Ere - what yer doing in my house." Then she saw the girl lying in blood. The baby was limp. END OF PART ONE

LIGHT IN DARKNESS  By Tessa Harvey Lacey was pushing baby Hope in her colourful stroller. She felt strong and happy. Last night it had rained, leaving the air fresh and clear. Beautiful cloudscapes dotted the blue sky. Glancing in a cafe window she suddenly stopped dead. Her stomach lurched and she felt gripped by fear. With a great effort, she forced herself to move and waited around the nearby corner, her heart pounding. She felt a little sick, and giddy, and gripped the pram handle hard. Mothers surged past with docile or recalcitrant small children in tow, business men talking on phones were moving through the throng. Lacey felt like an island in the middle of a flowing river. Unnoticed. No-one came after her. No-one. Hope, sensing her mood, whimpered a little. It was Joe, one of Miss Smit's men! She couldn't see the young woman next to him. Perhaps he was even now recruiting some other girl to replace her, or Simone. Perhaps they still wanted her.  She knew Glad had told...

LIGHT IN  DARKNESS  By Tessa Harvey CHAPTER SEVEN: Pierce held the phone away from his ear. "Get a life, Lou," he breathed. "What," snapped Lois, abruptly, sounding startled. "I...said...get...a...life!" You keep moaning about your family. It's not fair, this, it's not fair that...blah blah!" "Really?!" "Yes, you are complaining that your sister's allowed home after all she's done, whatever that means. Now she's got a pet and you never had one, even though you begged for years....you are an adult, Lou, dear - make a break. Live a little." There was a deafening silence. Finally Lois said: "Okay, shall we meet at the cafe near your place for a coffee? I promise not to talk about my family." She sounded subdued. "Fine, great!"  He tried to sound upbeat. "I'll be there in ten." Lois was thoughtful as she checked her make-up and then grabbed her purse and car keys. On the plane, try...

LIGHT IN DARKNESS  By Tessa Harvey  A few days later. Gladys drove Simone home. Bill  was working, Phil at school and Lacey and Hope were home alone. They stopped opposite a used car lot. "Mum," Simone said, "I do not need a car right now. First I want to work and save, but...thank you!" Gladys chuckled. "No, we are going somewhere else. I heard you talking in your sleep."  "Please, mum - not a psychiatrist. I'm not ready." But Gladys got out near a small, busy pet shop. Birds sang and whistled. A small, beautiful conya parrot was muttering to itself, some of the words sounding suspiciously rude. Kittens mewed and played, lovely fish swam among coloured pebbles, holey shoes, treasure chests, wreathed in bubbles. In the far corner..."oh," breathed Simone, "a puppy." It gazed soulfully back at her, then slowly edged forward, placing its front feet on the glass. It had brown, beseeching eyes, a soft wiry coat of tan and cara...

LIGHT IN DARKNESS  By Tessa Harvey Phil   was in a plane high above the clouds, coming home from his school trip to France. He had missed his family. The rudeness of some of the boys had shocked him. Phil realised he had been looking down on his parents for being old. The moon flooded the clouds with silver. The beauty was awesome. Suddenly he was aware of the Presence of God. It was very strong. A voice seemed to say: "Pray for your family. They need you." He glanced around at his school mates. They were all asleep, bathed in the soft moonlight. The young boy began to pray. He had been upset when Simone left, but now felt an awareness that they would be re-united. In his heart he felt Peace and a great stillness. He closed his eyes, resting in God. GLA D: My daughter's eyes flickered open and rested on me. "Mum?" she said questioningly, hopefully. Thank God, no brain damage. It had taken the doctors a while to determine what drugs Simone had ingested. I had ta...

LIGHT IN DARKNESS  By Tessa Harvey During the night the monitor started beeping. The instruments were flat-lining. Without being asked, Gladys slipped into the small waiting room as staff rushed to the bedside of her daughter. The older lady knelt on the worn carpet and bowed her head. The stiff pile did not smell very nice. Glad groaned aloud and prayed earnestly. Suddenly she was aware of the Presence of God and a heavenly perfume filled her airways. She breathed in deeply. She felt the words "Be still and know that I am God." At the same time, Bill was calling Lois, his younger daughter. He told her about Simone briefly. "Well, why aren't you at the hospital with mum, dad?" was the somewhat acerbic response. Bill tried to explain about Lacey. There were more recriminations. Finally her father cut her short. "Lois, I have to pray. There is money coming to you now to pay for a flight home. Let the college know, let me know and I can meet you at the airpor...

LIGHT IN DARKNESS  By Tessa Harvey Next morning the flicker of life left in the little dog was gone. And so almost was Simone. One of Miss Smit's assistants found her near the dog, and empty bottle and broken water glass nearby. Somehow she had managed to gather and hoard some drugs. They were all gone. The girl lolled, half on the floor, motionless. Miss Smit was angry. "No use to us now," she raged. "Check in the records where she came from, and get Don to drop her off." It was getting dark when Don arrived at the end of the street. He heaved up the heavy bundle of the girl, checked no-one was around, and dropped her on the doorstep. He realised it was where they had left that smelly baby and felt surprise. Well she was not saying anything. With a rare expression of compassion, Don knocked on the door before fading once more into the darkness. He did not look back. Above the chatter of Gladys and Lacey, Bill heard the knock. "Probably kids fooling around...

LIGHT IN DARKNESS By Tessa Harvey "Probably not," answered the doctor. "These things happen. Just believe she will get better and pray." Gladys glanced at the doctor. "We will pray. I always do that and this young lady is like a daughter to me, though we have only just met." Lacey smiled through her tears and moved to hug the older lady. Arrangements were made to leave the child overnight and a nurse helped Lacey express some milk. "Let's pick up Bill on the way home," suggested Gladys. "We can pray together if you like." Hesitating, Lacey then nodded. She didn't tell Gladys, but she had seen the note on her child's shawl before it was removed and she felt afraid, very afraid. ---------------------------------------- With a cry,  Simone reached to pick up the tiny dog. It stayed limp in her arms. Miss Smit let her take it inside, thinking it was something to anchor Simone here. Don felt hungry and needed a drink. That was a...

LIGHT IN DARKNESS By Tessa Harvey  CHAPTER FIVE Dispiritedly, Simone began to collect her belongings without being told. Watching her, she looked weary and defeated, but inside hope was flickering. As a child, she had asked Jesus freely into her heart and life, and meant it. For the first time in years, she wanted to quit her rebellion and be free. It wouldn't be easy, though, especially now. She would be carefully watched for a while. Nevertheless she was finally, quietly, praying. Simone had reached the end of herself and really wanted help. Somehow she would have to trust the God she had walked away from all those years ago. There was no other way. She knew that now, but was it too late? As she got out of the car, a small dog slunk away from the doorstep of the "Home." Don kicked at it, and sent it hurtling to crash against a fence. It fell and lay still. ------------------------------------------- The young nurse at the hospital called the doctor to check baby Hope. ...

LIGHT IN DARKNESS  By Tessa Harvey Glad had an idea. "Where you used to live," she said carefully, "did you know any of the other girls very well?"  "Not very well. We weren't really meant to see much of each other." "Did you ever see a girl called Simone?" Glad tried hard to keep the desperate tone from her voice.  "No, not Simone. Nobody was that name." Then Gladys had an idea. "Your real name isn't Lacey, is it?" "No, it's...it's Eloise Roberts." "If I show you a photo" - Glad went quickly from the room and came back with a photo of a pretty young woman. Lacey looked hard at the picture. "Yes,"  she finally answered, "that's Annie. Only she looks a lot worse, she thought sadly. ------------------------------ "H - hello, Miss Smit," stammered Simone. The older woman looked around the dirty room disparagingly, noting the discarded clothing scattered around, and...

LIGHT IN DARKNESS By Tessa Harvey   CHAPTER FOUR Simone   was dreaming. She saw her mother in church with her sister and younger brother. They looked peaceful and happy. In the dream, she was apart - she did not belong. She woke up, and that feeling of not belonging persisted, filling her mouth with a sour taste. She needed a drink, but there was none near her. Reaching out, she fell off the low bed and then rummaged among the discarded jeans and lost socks. Nothing. Groaning, she pulled herself up. "Gavin," she mumbled, "I need a drink." There was no answer. The young woman forced her eyes to focus. Daylight was streaming in, half-blinding her. She squeezed her eyes shut, then slowly re-opened them. With a shock, the realisation sank in, Gavin was not there - nor were any of his possessions. "I'm dreaming still," she murmured. "He's just gone out." A sudden thought brought her up short. Money! Running to the dingy dresser, she rifled th...

LIGHT IN DARKNESS By Tessa Harvey   Glad had already provided a bowl of warm water and several cloths. It hurt a little as the nurse gently removed the head bandage. She was pleased the wound was not infected and the stitches were holding. It was up near my hairline and shouldn't scar too badly, she said. Then Glad disappeared as she checked my body carefully, gently touching my sore ribs. She also palpitated my stomach, satisfying herself all was as it should be. Then she checked Hope, frowning slightly. "Have you had any drugs the last nine months, dear?" "Yes," I murmured, then defensively, "I was made to, but not many. I spat them out when I could." By now Glad had returned. The nurse checked we would attend the Monday appointment and left, smiling. GLADYS: Bill left after lunch for work and his last shift for the week, Friday, would finish earlier. He gave me a hug and tender kiss, then turned to Lacey. He gave her a sideways light embrace and ki...

LIGHT IN DARKNESS By Tessa Harvey Again the baby's eyes fix on her face as though memorising every feature. Lacey feels love well up for this tiny being, so perfect and beautiful and thinks how she would love her child even if it were sickly and ill. Hope looks so much healthier today. Yesterday for a while, Lacey thought she would lose her. She felt anger for the people who had done this to her, to her child.     "Will the father help you?" Glad asked gently, placing a cup of tea nearby and some biscuits. The girls eyes filled with tears. "No," she whispered, "it was my uncle. I ran away, and then that woman found me. She promised help, but it was a lie. I am to be a slave. If I run again, they will hurt the baby. One of them pushed me down the stairs. He wanted me to lose my baby. He was angry that I wouldn't have an abortion earlier."     "What about your parents? asked Bill. "They believe it was my fault." "Will you talk to...

LIGHT   IN DARKNESS By Tessa Harvey GLAD:     Bill was not one for tact and diplomacy, but I could have wished for a less abrupt statement! Poor Lacey went very pale, swaying a little. I was glad she was sitting down.     "They will take my baby!" "How old are you, dear?" I asked gently.     Lacey looked down and flushed. "I have, I am fifteen," she murmured. I was shocked and tried not to show it. "Where are your parents?"     "You see," interrupted Bill, "Glad found a note with your baby. The people who took and returned her want you back. We want you to stay with us and be safe if that's okay with you. So we need to talk to the police," Bill finished. Then the phone rang.     "Yes," replied Bill, "yes, yes, I understand. She is safe here. I can do that. Okay. Thank you." He put the phone down and turned to the watching ladies. "It was Staff Nurse Hilda. Says she knows you from church?" Glad...

LIGHT IN  DARKNESS  By Tessa Harvey BILL:     Time to get up so I leapt out of bed - and stumbled. Ah, well, youth lingers on the inside. Pity about the slow outside! Shower, shave, Gladys.     But when I came into the lounge-kitchen, there was no smell of cooking, only a funny sort of odour in the air and Glad reaching for the phone.     Just then there was a rap on the door. Glad leapt as though a snake had passed over her foot. Puzzled, I opened the door to a box of groceries Lifting the box, the contents so startled me I nearly dropped it again. Tiny baby diapers, sanitary products, infant formula... I rested the box on the kitchen table, puzzled.     "Don't worry, Bill. There's chicken in there, too! Let's get you fed. Put the jug on love, and then I need a hug."     Great! I loved hugs. LACEY:     It was late when I woke up. Hope needed a nappy change. We went to see the lady, Glad. It was wonderful to have my ...

LIGHT IN DARKNESS  By Tessa Harvey Glad: But when I was inside and the door safely shut, I wanted to rip it open and yell angry words - or even bullets if I had had them!!     This tiny infant looked and smelled terrible. Its limbs and head lolled; it seemed lifeless. I reached for the phone, but a voice stilled my arm. "Let me."     Lacey lifted her blouse and reached for the baby. I knelt next to her as she sank down, and I prayed: "Jesus, please help this child and its mother. Baby, be healed in Jesus' Name!"     The child sagged, but I gently moved its mouth towards Lacey. By instinct she touched a drop of milk to its lips and it slowly responded. It suckled for a few minutes, then fell asleep. Already there was a flush of health and warmth in its tiny form. Gently we cleaned the little body of the tiny girl.     "She is Hope," said Lacey. "Hope is my baby."     Later I tucked them both up in Simone's bed, and waited until I co...