13 comments/ 56234 views/ 10 favorites Hopes and Dreams By: Hopes and Dreams "Did I do that?" she whispered. "Sorry," I replied, "but you are very attractive." Mary smiled shyly and whispered "thankyou." Once she got a taste for dancing, it was impossible to get Mary off the dance floor. She became more relaxed and she was soon grinning broadly with pleasure. Her body brushed more and more against me and I had the distinct feeling that Mary both enjoyed it and was doing it deliberately. All too soon it was the end of the evening and we found ourselves walking home, arm in arm. "I haven't had so much fun for ages, Billy, thank you for taking me," Mary sighed, leaning on my arm. All too soon we were at her home and I was faced with the decision as to what do I do. Should I kiss her or just say good night? "Well lass, that were a grand night out," I told her. "Thanks for going with me." Mary gave the sweetest smile. "I'll let you into a secret, Billy, that was my first night out with a lad," she told me. "I hope I haven't put you off then," I grinned back. "No, quite the opposite, can we do it again?" "Look, I'm spending some time on my allotment tomorrow morning if you want to come and chat, lass." Mary grinned, "I'll be there." She then looked at the kitchen window. "I had better go in, my mother will be waiting." She gave me a quick kiss on the lips and went inside. My first kiss! I was walking on air! I was working early shift on Sunday meaning that I had the Saturday to myself to work in my allotment, talk to Mary and play football. I couldn't think of a better way to spend a day. ------------------ I got to my allotment early, not only did I have several jobs to do but more importantly I couldn't wait for Mary to arrive. As I have already explained, my allotment was provided by the local authority. It had belonged to my Da who had taught me the basics of gardening and good husbandry. He had build a simple wooden shed at one end which was used to store tools, sacks and the usual paraphernalia needed for gardening. I had also obtained a small spirit stove which I used to brew tea. The weather was unusually pleasant, with only one or two clouds occupying the otherwise blue sky when I arrived at the allotment. I met several of my neighbours already working on their own allotments. I stripped off my shirt and had started weeding and mounding up my potatoes when I heard the sound of someone walking towards me. "Good morning Billy," came Mary's sweet voice. I put down my spade and walked over to her. She hugged me and we kissed, a longer kiss than the night before. "Be careful lass," I told her, "people will talk, you hugging and kissing a naked man." Mary blushed slightly and smiled. "It would be worth any tittle-tattle," she retorted. Mary wore a plain dress. Not as attractive as the night before but she was nevertheless a sight for sore eyes. "Can I help?" she asked. "Are you any good using a hoe?" I asked. We set about our work for an hour or so, soon finishing my list of tasks. "Time for tea," I finally announced. We washed up and I set about heating the water. Once tea was ready we sat down on the bench outside the shed and relaxed. The sun shone warmly and we were content to sit quietly, enjoying our tea. My gaze passed over to Mary as she sat quietly staring across the allotment to the hills in the distance. What was it about this girl which entranced me so? By any standards she was dressed plainly. Her dress was of a style common in the town as being worn by the wives of the miners. Plain blue material with buttons down the front, reaching below the knee. Mary wore no stockings or socks and her shoes were plain. Her legs were lightly covered with hair, miner's wives or daughters had no time or money for cosmetic niceties such as depilation. Her legs bore the marks and bruises for her hard life - it is difficult to kneel to scrub the house step or lead the fire grate without banging your legs. Her body was slim and her breasts full. Mary had left the top two buttons of her dress unfastened revealing her pale chest and the curves of her breasts. Her hands were crossed on her lap. Mary's hands were small and delicate but again showed the effects of her hard life. Mary wore her hair long and her wavy hair gleamed in the sun. Mary's face was serene. How anyone who had a difficult, care-worn life, such as her, look so peaceful was perplexing. Her features were elfin, a small nose, sweetly pointed chin, full but delicate lips and large brown eyes. I felt a surge of tenderness in my chest. I wanted to take this girl in my arms and hug her until she became part of my being. I felt a tear roll down my cheek. My emotions were confusing, what the hell was wrong with me? I decided to break the silence. "I remember you well from school," I told Mary "People weren't so nice to me in those days because of my legs," she replied sadly. "Give us a look," I asked her. Rather shyly Mary lifted her skirt well half way up her thighs. "They look fine to me now," I told her honestly. Whatever bend there might have been in her legs then had now gone. Mary gave a small smile of thanks. "So do you have a girl friend?" Mary asked. "No," I replied. "I've never had a girl friend. To tell the truth, if you hadn't kissed me last night, I wouldn't have known what to do." "You can kiss me any time you want," Mary said. She suddenly blushing furiously as she realised what she had just said. "Oh, you don't think I'm being presumptuous do you?" "I was hoping you and me might er... walk out together," I replied bravely. "If you and your Ma don't mind." In those days this was a proposal somewhat more serious than asking for a date but not quite a proposal in marriage." Mary put her hand on mine. "Oh yes please," Mary grinned. "My mother likes you. You don't think you would have taken me to the institute if she didn't, do you?" I leant forward and kissed Mary. Unlike the brief kiss of the night before, Mary gave a slight moan and pressed her lips against mine. And then she giggled. "Sorry," she whispered as she pulled back, "but your face is prickly." I had forgotten to shave that morning and my chin and cheeks were rough. I began to apologise but she held up her hand to stop me. "No. I like it, it reminds me of my daddy. He used to rub his prickly face against me when he played with me when I was young. I like your smell as well, a smell of sweat and work. Kiss me again please." How could I refuse? Our next kiss was firmer, Mary's lips opening slightly. Unconsciously I placed my hand on her breast. Her breast was full, warm and so incredibly soft. Mary shivered as I touched her and I pulled back, fearing that she didn't appreciate the intimacy. Almost immediately she grasped my hand, replaced it on her breast and held it firmly against her. Because Mary had unfastened the top buttons of her dress, the cloth slipped, revealing her naked breast to my hand. The sensation of her soft flesh with her nipple stiffening to my touch was captivating and I groaned as my cock attempted to burst through my pants. Mary pulled back, panting gently, her face flushed. "Oh Billy, I want to do more, but we mustn't." I felt a flush of disappointment but understood the sense of her words. While my shed would be the ideal place for more fun, we couldn't take the risk. It wouldn't do Mary's reputation any good for us to be caught. "How about something to eat instead?" I asked with a smile. I had brought some of Ma's baking and we ate a simple lunch while discussing all the inconsequential things that two people getting to know each other talk about. As time progressed we became more and more comfortable with each other. A comment would be emphasised by the touch of a hand on another and we would smile or laugh. Mary was so different from the sad, wet girl I had helped a week earlier. She seemed to have lost a little of her depression as she sat laughing in the sun. I felt a deep, protective, tenderness towards Mary, I would do anything for her. Looking back I suppose that was the time I fell in love for the first and only time – not that I would have had the courage to tell her if I had realized. Time was passing and I needed to head back into the town for the football match. "Do you want to go and watch the football?" I asked Mary. Mary jumped at my invitation to come and see the match. She admitted that she had no idea of what football was about but that didn't put her off. Calling where we played a "football ground" was rather an overstatement, it comprised of a flat patch of land with goal posts. We had no changing rooms – we had to change at home and walk to the pitch in our kit. Arthur Roberts was at the pitch ready to greet us, wearing his usual brown suit with the trousers tucked into his socks. "How, Billy lad!" he called out. Although he was an educated man, he hadn't forgotten his roots. "Harry Ramsden is here today," he added with some pride. Harry Ramsden was the scout for Tynecastle United, the biggest team in the northeast and cup winners for the last two years. I felt a thrill of excitement, this was my big opportunity. If I had a good game, he might sign me up and give me a break. Tynecastle United was owned by Bernard Meek, a millionaire businessman. Mr. Meek was a legend in the area. He was the opposite of Edward Barras. While Barras was greedy and self serving, Meek was a generous, altruistic man. Born into a Quaker family, his grandfather had built a cotton mill in Manchester and made a fortune. He inherited the family wealth but didn't want to run the mill. He now spent his time channeling his wealth into helping the needy. He moved to the northeast where he spent his time and money on good causes and fighting poverty. He saw the football team as a way of providing entertainment for the ordinary people. It must have been my day because I didn't have just a good game, I played a blinder. I scored two goals and had a near miss. As expected the Blythe team played with a little more aggression than skill but I managed to keep out of trouble. I guessed that Harry Ramsden would be more interested in my football skills than my abilities in a fight. As I left the pitch I saw that Arthur was talking to two men. Arthur signaled me to come over to them. "Billy, these gentlemen are Mr. Meek and Mr. Ramsden, they would like a chat with you," he told me. I was shocked and surprised that Mr. Meek himself had come to see our game. Mr. Ramsden was genial, ruddy man dressed in a tweed suit, flat cap and boots. "Hello lad, that were a fine game," he told me. "Both Mr. Meek and I have heard good things about you for quite a time and we thought it was about time we took a look. I must say we haven't been disappointed. We think that you're a handy centre forward." I muttered my thanks, appreciating their complements. "So lad, are you a miner?" Mr. Meek continued. "Yes, sir," I replied. "Do you see that as something you want to do all your life?" I had a sudden vision of my Da sitting in his chair coughing up coal specked bloody sputum into small pieces of news paper, cut for the purpose. "It's just a wee cough, it'll soon pass," he would tell my Ma. They both knew however that it was a sign of lung disease. There was no way I wanted a lingering death from working in the pit. "No sir, I may be many things but I'm not insane," I said. Mr. Meek smiled. "I thought not. Well my lad you're a useful player with a lot of talent and I think you can go far. Would you like to play for Tynecastle as a professional?" I felt my heart pound and my head swam. My chance had come. I looked at Arthur who nodded encouragingly. Although it meant his losing me as a player, he knew how much it meant to me and how much good it would do me. "Take your chance, lad," he told me. "You mean on trial?" I asked. "No lad, as a full player. We've watched you play five or six times and Mr. Ramsden has told me a lot about you. I only come and see players who look like they make the grade and what I saw today satisfied me and I want to offer you a full contract." "I would like that very much, sir," I told Mr. Meek. "If you think I'm good enough." "That's grand lad," he replied with a grin. "We'll pay you a good wage and find you a house in Tynecastle. You'll do alright by us, lad. Much better than down the pit. I'll have the papers drawn up and sent to Mr. Roberts for you to sign." "Thankyou sir," was all I could say. I felt a profound gratitude towards this man who had suddenly opened a door to a brighter future for me. "That's the legal bit but as men all we need to do is shake on it." To my surprise, he spat into the palm of his hand in the traditional way and held it out. I did likewise and we shook hands. It felt strange to be exchanging such a traditional working man's gesture with this millionaire. "Now you live in a tied house, is that right?" he asked. "Yes sir, with my mother." "Enough of the 'Sir', call me Bernard, lad. Well we'll have to sort out somewhere for you to live when you leave the pit. Most of my players are lads like you who have lived a tough life. The only way I can be sure to get the best out of them is to make sure that they have a good, settled home. I give each of my players a house as part of their sign-up deal." "I'll talk to Mr. Barras' people and arrange for your mother to continue to live in the house." My jaw sagged in amazement – the idea of owning a house was beyond my wildest dreams. "Will I have to move to Tynecastle?" I asked. "As long as you get to training and matches on time, no. What did you have in mind?" I explained my love of my allotment and told him that my idea of heaven would be a house with a small holding, preferably out of town. Mr. Meek grinned broadly. "I approve of a man who finds pleasure in God's creation. I happen to own a cottage with a small holding in Hopethwaite which will suit you nicely. It's currently unoccupied so you'll be able to move in once all the papers are signed. Will that suit?" Hopethwaite was located two miles outside Tynecastle on the road between Sleascale and Tynecastle – it sounded perfect. I nodded, incapable of coherent speech. "Gobsmacked, eh?" Mr. Meek grinned, "It's good to see a modest man. Now there's just a little matter of your sign-on fee." He reached into his jacket and took out a fat, leather wallet. He opened it and extracted a number of bank notes. "Now lad this is your sign-on fee and it's yours to keep or spend as you see fit." He handed me the notes, twenty pounds in all. "Now you'll have to work your notice at the pit otherwise Barras will evict you from your house. Don't worry, it won't be more than a month then you'll be able to start playing for us." I didn't know what to say. Twenty pounds was near enough 3 month's wages, a fortune! "Thankyou, Bernard," I finally gasped. "No need to thank us lad, I know you'll do us proud. Now you go and get a bath." Mary had been standing away from us and knew nothing of what was going on. I explained to her that I was about to start new employment as we walked home. "Oh Billy, I'm so pleased for you," she exclaimed with a smile. I could see, however, that her smile didn't reach her eyes. Mary had tears in her eyes. "What is it lass?" I asked. "You'll be moving away and leaving me behind," she replied simply. I realised the passion she was carefully controlling. "Nay lass, the house is only in Hopethwaite, I'll still see you," I assured her. Mary shook her head sadly. "You're going to be a famous footballer, you won't have time for an ordinary girl like me," added. Then in a quieter voice she said. "It's sad that I'm going to lose you having only just found you." She began sobbing and turned away from me. I put my arm around her shoulders and hugged her. "Don't worry lass I'll sort things out," I told her. My Ma was made up when she heard the news. She was even more surprised when she saw twenty pounds of cash laid on the table. "Fancy my boy playing for Tynecastle. Your Da would be so proud." Mary stayed for tea and a bait to eat before I walked her home. She was subdued throughout the meal. "Can I see you tomorrow after my shift?" I asked. "We could go for a walk if you're not doing anything else." Mary's barely smiled. "Yes, that would be nice, if there's any point." I had a plan forming in my mind but needed to talk it through with Ma first. I talked to mum while I had my bath. She was grinning with approval by the time I finished. -------------------- My excitement helped carry me through my shift the next morning. The idea that I wouldn't have to spend many more hours of my life toiling in the suffocating wet darkness helped keep my spirits high. The good weather had held and the sun shone as I walked home mid way through the following afternoon. I took special care with my bath taking care to ensure that I had removed all traces of coal dust. I did after all have a date with a beautiful woman. I had arranged to meet Mary at her home and it was she who answered to door to the house. We briefly kissed. "I would like a word with your mother before we go out," I told her. Mary looked surprised but let me in. Tim and his mother were sat in the parlor. He gave a shout of excitement. "Yay, Billy Hudson is going to play for United," he shouted. "Well done Billy," Mary's Ma added, after giving me a kiss on my cheek. The moment had come to implement my plan, my heart thudded in my chest. "Er... M... Mrs Harris... I have something to ask you." She looked at me with an odd, amused look on her face. This wasn't easy and I felt my face turning red. Tim giggled. I took a deep breath. "Mrs Harris, may I have your permission to marry your daughter?" There was a long moment of silence then three things happened. Mary gave a huge gasp of surprise, blushed furiously and buried her face in her hands. Tim laughed out loud. "The fame has gone to his head, he's gone mad, no one in their right mind would marry our Mary." "Tim! Behave!" his mother snapped. Mrs Harris smiled broadly at me. "Your Ma came around this morning for a little chat," she said. "She told me what you had in mind and wanted to compare notes. We had a long and very interesting talk about the two of you. And we're both agreed as to what we think you two should do." I looked at Mary in despair but she still had her hands over her face. "I've known your family for a long time and I have nothing but good to say for you. Normally I wouldn't entertain any daughter of mine marrying without a decent engagement period but you've done nothing but good by us lad and I can't think of anyone who I would rather have my girl marry. You have my blessing. BUT! Mary has to be happy and you must think carefully about it. After all, you've only really known each other for a week." Tim gave another loud giggle. "Tim!" his mother muttered, he voice threatening. He grinned broadly. I looked at Mary and knelt in front of her. "What do you say, lass, will you marry me?" I asked. Her hands dropped from her face and she looked at me. Her cheeks were wet with tears. She burst into tears, leapt from her chair and ran from the room. I looked at her mother in alarm. Mrs Harris smiled. "Follow her, it'll be alright." I followed Mary into the small back yard where she was sitting on the step, her face buried in her hands. "Mary, what is it?" I asked her. "Nobody has been so nice to me as you," she sobbed. "The names the children at school called me made me feel inferior to everyone, I never thought anyone would ask me to marry them. This is such a shock." Hopes and Dreams "Is it a nasty shock?" I asked. Mary paused and wiped her eyes. "No, it's a lovely shock. I suppose I'm crying from happiness." "Let me do this properly," I told her. "I have loved you since the moment I met you in the rain. I was so pleased when you agreed to walk out with me and I planned to woo you in the normal accepted way. Me becoming a footballer changed that and your worry that you would lose me made me think. The only solution was for us to get married. I want you to share my life and my new home. What do you say?" Mary's face was a picture as a broad smile emerged. "Of course I'll marry you," she whispered and we kissed. "Yay, the daft lass said yes," Tim, who had been eavesdropping, shouted. "And they're kissing... ow!" His outburst was terminated abruptly by the sound of his mother clipping him around the ear. ---------------- The following Monday I was working early shift and I met with Mr. Sime the pit administrator to give my notice. Mr. Sime looked at me severely and then telephoned Mr. Barras. "You will be required to work a full month's notice if you are not to forfeit the tied house you occupy. You will then be required to pay full rental rather than the subsidised rental you pay now. Do you understand?" I understood, the conditions were not unexpected. The formal submission of my notice completed it was back to work for me. All the guys on my shift were pleased for me although I had a lot of ribbing about how I'll be rubbing shoulders with the landed gentry. On the Monday evening Arthur came to the house with another bloke. "This is Mr. Simonds, he is Mr. Meek's solicitor," Arthur explained. Simonds was a small dapper man in a pin striped suit. "I'm pleased to meet you Mr. Hudson," he told me as he shook my hand. "I have the papers of agreement for you to sign." I showed them into the parlor and we sat at the table. The first document was my contract with the football club. "I've read through it for you lad, it's all in order," Arthur told me. "Read it for yourself, before you sign." I read the contract but didn't really understand it. I looked at Arthur in confusion. "I'm no lawyer, Arthur, it could be written in Chinese for all I understand." "It's very simple," Arthur explained. "You will play football exclusively for Tynecastle United for the next five years. You will be subject to club rules concerning your behaviour and training during that time. In return you will be provided with a house and will be paid a salary. Don't worry, the contract is a fair one." I signed. The second document was the deed of the cottage. "Could I ask you a question before I sign?" I asked Mr. Simmonds. "Of course lad." "Isn't giving me a house much too generous?" "Ah," Mr. Simmonds smiled. "No, it isn't. There is good sense behind it. Many of the players at Tynecastle come from an ordinary background. Mr. Meek believes that in order for his players to perform well they must have a comfortable and secure home life. He ensures this by providing all his players with a home. The cost is repaid many times over, be certain of that." Within a few minutes I was a property owner. "Are you working on Saturday?" Mr. Simonds asked me. I shook my head. "That being the case Mr. Meek would like you to play on Saturday afternoon." I felt a surge of excitement, my first taste of professional football. -------------- I arrived at the ground early that Saturday. "Now this is a football ground," I told myself as I looked at the huge grandstand and the floodlights. "Mr. Hudson?" a lad at the player's gate asked me. "Please follow me." "I'm James Hunter," he told me, "I'm one of the apprentices." He led me into the changing rooms. "Here is your kit," he told me, pointing at the a pile of clothes under a coat hook with number 3 written on it. There it was, the famous blue jersey with a number 3 on it's back, white shorts and blue socks. "You'll need to use your own boots today but some new ones are being made for you," James told me. Other team members began to trickle into the changing room. All greeted me in a friendly fashion. Mr. Meek approached me with another player. "Billy, this is Barry Dawson, the team captain. He'll give you your instructions." Barry didn't need any introduction, he was one of the best players in the north east." "How, lad," he said, smiling. "I want you to take inside right today. Take it nice and steady and get used to the game, you'll find the tempo a lot faster than you're used to. Link with Frank, the centre forward as much as you can." As we left the room I looked up. Above the door was a sign, it said: "We are all part of God's team. Remember that and we will always prevail." It was signed by Mr. Meek. The stadium was full, and I felt like a gladiator entering the arena. The crowd clearly knew about me because there was a huge cheer as I walked onto the pitch. Time after time I could hear the shout "Well done lad". I loved it. This is what I had been born for. I would like to say my first professional game was amazing but I was little better than average. I had a lot to learn in terms of fitness and the opponents were hard, very skilled players. I didn't score but I did lay on the winning goal for the winger so I couldn't complain. "Not bad, lad, "Mr. Meek told me afterwards. "You'll do much better after we've worked on your fitness." ------------------ "Well, Billy lad, you'll be leaving us after today to join the posh folk," Joe Hesketh, the shift foreman grinned at me. Everyone liked Joe, he was always cheerful and always found time for a joke. "Aye man, and the good news is I won't need to see your ugly mug every morning," I grinned back. He laughed long and hard before assigning us to our work. We were cutting in the east swelly, a deep, wet seam under the sea. It was a tough place to work with low 2 foot thick seams. It was wet and back breaking to work there. Because it was my last shift Joe took pity on me. "I want you to work at the conveyor with Ernie," he told me. This was good news. I would be spending the shift working in the main access tunnel loading coal onto the conveyor which fed the main shaft. It was with relief that I experienced the black claustrophobia of traveling down in the lift for the last time. Soon Ernie and I were trudging between the old railway lines down the steep incline towards the east swelly. We joked and discussed football as we walked. "So how much will they pay you for playing?" Ernie asked me. "I dunno, I haven't asked," I replied. "No doubt it'll be more than here... Hey what is that?" Ernie turned and looked up the incline. I heard a loud rumbling noise, heard a shout, felt a push, a fierce pain and then nothing. --------------------- There was darkness and pain. Strange smell... disinfectant. Voices in the dark... "Its touch and go... if he pulls through he won't run again... he'll be to lucky walk..." "Where am I? Ernie what's that noise?" A female voice. Soft, gentle. "Quiet... rest..." A sharp prick in my arm. More darkness. Sometime later... Still dark but no pain. A woman crying. Warm pressure on my chest. I opened my eyes, it was Mary. "Eh, what's up lass," I whispered. My throat was dry. She gave a gasp. "Oh Billy, you're back," she exclaimed and burst into tears. "Thank God." "Where am I?" I asked. "In Tynecastle hospital," Mary replied. "You've been unconscious for a week." "What happened?" "Well its a rum do and no question," Mr. Meek told me, his face serious and concerned. He was also standing by my bed with Arthur. "What happened?" I asked. "Barras kept a string of pit trucks in a blind heading. They were on a steep slope and held only on their brakes. They hadn't been checked for years and they broke free. They ran down the incline, out of control. They reckon they were doing 25 miles an hour when they ran into you and Ernie," Arthur explained. "What about Ernie?" I asked. Arthur didn't speak, he just shook his head. I remembered the shout and someone pushing me out of the way. I understood. "He pushed me out of the way. He died for me," I whispered. A cloud of depression fell on me. "You didn't escape unscathed lad," Arthur added. "Oh ay?" I really wasn't bothered, I was alive, Ernie wasn't. "Billy, lad," Mr. Meek interrupted. "You and Ernie were mates. Tell me, would you have done the same for him?" I nodded, unable to speak. "Would he want you to waste the life he sacrificed for you?" "I suppose not," I replied after a moment. "Now listen lad, this isn't easy," Mr. Meek continued. "You've been hurt bad. Your right leg has been broken badly, as has your right arm. Your left wrist is also broke. You've got broken ribs and your lung collapsed. You won't be playing football again, my lad." I felt surprisingly calm. It was bad news but I somehow already realised how things were. "I'm sorry Mr. Meek, I'll let you have your money back." Mr. Meek's face went red with anger. "Now shut up lad. You know how I work. We had a deal and I don't go back on my word. The money is yours, as is the cottage. All this was Barras' fault. I have enough evidence to take Mr. Barras to court and he will pay dearly for this. With luck we'll be getting compensation for you and your Ernie's family." I was surprised at the venom in his voice, he was normally so mild. In spite of the promise of revenge, I felt pain and lethargy wash over me. "I think the lad needs to rest," I heard the nurse tell them. "Aye," Mr. Meek replied, "he looks fair washed out." I felt depression and self pity take a grip of me. I saw no future in my life. Mary wouldn't want to be lumbered with a cripple who couldn't work, run or dance. I would tell her that next time I saw her. I slipped into sleep. ------------------------------ I was so preoccupied with my own misery that I failed to see the tears streaming down Mary's face. I had just told her that I was no use to her and that she should find another man. I failed to notice the silence in the room. "You know, I was so grateful when I heard you weren't dead," she finally spoke. "I didn't know how I would have coped if Ernie had lived and you died." Mary's voice was icy and measured. "I had always thought that you had guts. I hadn't realised that you would curl up and want to die." I looked at her. She stared at me with an intensity with terrified me. "Look at you, whimpering with self pity. Well I have news for you, you've underestimated me. I don't give up on anyone I love. I don't want another man. I want you and there's nothing you can say or do which will drive me away. Now think about it and think about your father. What would he say? And what about Mr. Meek? Has he given up on you? Of course not. Think about things, I'll see you tomorrow, we'll talk then." She left without another word. I couldn't believe that sweet, shy Mary could behave that way. I still had a lot to learn. I did a lot of thinking that night. The next day Mary visited me, smiling as though nothing had happened the day before. She gave me a lingering kiss and sat down by my bed. "I'm sorry about yesterday," I began. "If you want to be burdened by a useless bloke like then me, then I suppose I had better not argue." Mary smiled. "It's not going to be easy," I added. "Without me working we won't have any money coming in..." "We'll cope," Mary interrupted. ------------------------------ I had another visitor the next day – a doctor. "Good morning Mr. Hudson, my name is Mr. Stephenson." His voice was really posh, he didn't come from the northeast, that was certain. "I am an orthopedic surgeon. Mr. Meek has asked me to examine your leg." I wasn't going to argue with Mr. Meek and for the next half an hour I experienced severe pain while he pulled and prodded my broken limbs. "The fractures are reasonably set but you need some surgery if you are to regain maximum mobility," he told me. "You won't play football again but there is every chance that you'll walk and dance again." "What are you going to do?" I asked, not relishing the idea of more pain. "The doctors have set your leg well enough but they have limited skill and the bones are not correctly aligned. If the leg is left as it is then it will be permanently twisted. I must reset the bone." I looked at him in horror. "Don't worry, it is quite a simple procedure which I've done many times," he assured me. "You'll be unconscious for less than an hour, that's all." "OK, I sighed," like it or not, it seemed my only way to achieve some measure of normality. "When will it be done?" "This afternoon," the surgeon replied. "the sooner the better. You are to be moved to a private clinic where you can receive the best of care." Mary was sat in my room when I woke up later. The nurse left and fetched the surgeon the moment she knew I was conscious. My leg was in a full plaster and attached to some ropes, pulleys and weights. "I fully expect to have you dancing again," Mr. Stephenson told me. "The procedure went exceptionally well. This apparatus is holding your leg in traction," he added pointing at the stuff hanging on my plaster. "It will help it stay straight." So that was how I began my long road of recovery. I had nurses who attended to my every need. I have to tell you, that took some getting used to. It was one thing to have my Ma wash my back, but something completely different to have two women wash your whole body, wipe your backside or hold you when you piss. The first time I had a bed bath I thought I was going to die from embarrassment. Having my face and chest washed was fine but the nurse then uncovered my crotch and began soaping my cock and balls by hand. This was the first touch of a woman's hand on my tackle and I became stiff in seconds. A few seconds more of the friction from her hand and I felt the floods of pleasure from my orgasm. Weeks of unreleased passion flooded out in thick jets of gism, spurting over my belly, chest and the nurse's hand. "I'm so sorry," I gasped as my cock throbbed in her hand. "That's alright," she replied. "It's quite normal, and I must say, very nice." She smiled and gave my cock a slow squeeze, as if to milk it, before cleaning me up. Having a piss was just as tricky. As soon as she tried to put my cock into the special bottle, it would get stiff making it impossible to piss. Mr. Stephenson would visit me every week and after six weeks he announced that he was content that I could leave the hospital and go home. I was by then sat in a wheel chair, the complex traction equipment having been removed a week before. While I was unable to move the chair myself, my arms still being in plaster, it felt good to be free from the restriction of a bed. It also felt as though I was making some form of progress to recovery. The prospect of leaving hospital filled me with hope – hope that I was going to get better. "Leaving hospital, that's good news lad," Mr. Meek told me when he next visited me. "Where are you going to go?" "I would like to go to the cottage but I don't know about how I'll get the nursing," I replied. "I'll do it," Mary interrupted. "You're not a nurse," I protested. "To be frank, rigorous nursing as such is no longer necessary," Mr. Stephenson replied. "The bones are well on the way to being healed and I don't expect any medical emergencies. It is really a case of helping you with normal daily tasks." "You see, I can do that," Mary said. "Well that is a matter for you to consider, the medical work is done," Mr. Stephenson made to leave the room. "Mr. Meek, could I have a word please?" Both men left the room. "Mary, do you know what the nurses have to do for me?" I asked. "Yes, wash you, feed you, give you a shave, make sure you don't get bed sores, I know," she replied. "And...?" "And what?" she replied. "Other er... personal things." "I know about that, that's not an issue. We all have to go to the toilet, you're no different to me." "But I don't have wipe you clean!" I gasped. "Billy, you once gave me and my family food when we needed it. You were the first man ever to ask me out. When you did, you treated me like a lady. I would happily do anything for a man such as that." "You don't have to thank me for what I've done for you, it was my pleasure," I protested, misunderstanding. "This is not gratitude," Mary snapped. "I will do anything to help a man who respects me and I love. The man I will marry." Tears rolled down her cheeks but she was smiling. She lay her head on my chest and sighed. ------------------------------ It was three days later that my wheel chair was pushed up a ramp into an ambulance. The day before the casts had been removed from my arms. It felt good to have freedom of movement in my arms again but I could do little with them, the muscles being wasted and weak. The sun was shining and the air was warm both lifting my spirits. The road took us away from the coast onto the moors, a wild but deeply beautiful place. I had never been into the area but soon became entranced by the moors. The hand built stone walls, thickets of gorse, the tuffs of sedges and grasses and the profusion of bird life. I felt at home. We passed through the village of Hopethwaite, not that it quite classified as such. A dozen houses, a pub and a small chapel were all that constituted the place. A short way out of the village we turned up a short track to the cottage. There can be no doubt that there is nothing more beautiful than an English stone build cottage. It never ceased to amaze me how man could fashion lumps of grey stone into a building which was able to withstand the fiercest of weather. The low building was roofed with thick slabs of slate and nestled in a tidy garden. The nurse eased my wheel chair down the ramp and up the path. Mary, her Ma, my Ma and Mr. Meek stood at the door to greet me. "Welcome to your new home," Mr. Meek grinned. "The ladies have got the place neat and clean for you." They had indeed. "I'll leave the ladies to show you around," he added. "I'll come and see you in a few days once you're settled in." The front door led direct into a spacious parlor furnished with upholstered chairs, a welsh dresser and a table with chairs. The parlor was the nerve centre of the house where we would eat and relax in front of the fire. The fire place was a huge stone built affair which dominated the room. Off the parlor was a small kitchen with a cooking range and sink. Off there was a wash room and pantry. There were two bedrooms, one large bedroom with a double bed and wardrobe and a smaller one with a single bed. Everywhere was bright with colourful curtains at the windows and flowers in vases. There was evidence of fresh paint on woodwork and whitewash on the walls. "There is one more room," Mary told me with an excited smile. She opened a door off the bedroom to reveal a bathroom. The room was tiled in white and had a cast iron bath plumbed to a copper geyser. "The water comes from an artesian well and is heated from the cooking range so we have lots of hot water any time we want!" Compared to using a tin bath in from of the fire, this was utter luxury. "What's an artesian well?" I asked. "Because we are at the bottom of the moor, underground water runs down to us under gravity giving us a supply of fresh, clean water," Mary replied knowledgeably. "She's been talking to Mr. Meek," my Ma explained. We settled in the parlor to drink tea. "I think you'll be nice and cosy here," my Ma said with a smile. I was uneasy. I had to ask a question.