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 the hospital where she was and felt safer but not really free.

Nearby, opposite the hospital was a police station. Perhaps she could tell them. She felt very afraid she had been seen and that even now she was being followed.

The young woman approached the entrance, and hurried inside. Inside she felt peaceful and the nervousness lessened. Perhaps Bill or Glad could come for her.

She approached the desk... A few minutes later, a tall policeman approached Pierce in the cafe. "Could you spare a few minutes for a talk now, both of you?" he demanded sternly. "Fine," Pierce said coolly, standing up, "not a problem." Swiftly he threw the hot coffee in the man's face and turned to the door.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
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...
Read more
Image
LIGHT IN DARKNESS  By Tessa Harvey THE STORM Phil  asked, "I knew she thought she did." With sudden clarity, the young man realised his mother usually did not lie.     His dad paused. They had reached the riverbank, and the dark water swilled by, surging and swollen by recent rainstorms.      The two men cast their rods into the quieter pool, eddying near the bank. They had to be careful not to catch their lines on driftwood, piled nearer the shore.     "Your mother did, I believe, really see Jesus! She saw Him carrying a tiny baby and somehow knew this baby belonged to Pierce and Lois. The child was looking at Jesus and smiling, even though it was so young. The Lord was gazing with perfect love at the child, then He turned to face Gladys and His face shone with great grace and light. Power emanated from Him, the power that formed the universe into being. Glad knew Jesus was asking her what she would like to see happen in her life and in the...
Read more
Image
LIGHT IN DARKNESS  By Tessa Harvey THE STORM Eloise (Lacey) had almost died at the hands of people who had trafficked in drugs and young girls. It seemed ludicrously far-fetched given that their other daughter, Simone had also almost died because of the same people. Despite being a nurse, this daughter had become a victim also.     The perpetrators were all in jail, convicted by the testimonies of other young women and by carelessly mislaid documents, records of their despicable work, which has increased worldwide with the COVID virus.     Gladys peered through the windscreen. Perhaps the storm was passing. The lightning had faded and great sounds of thunder were rarely heard. Only the drenching rainstorm continued.     The wipers moved rhythmically, annoyingly. Now Lois could die, and her baby.... It was just too much for one family. Why God? Why us, why? Her faith had been slowly eroded. Each day had become more of a struggle. Gladys was just too ti...
Read more