Journey to Love Read online

  She laughed and smiled at the handsome man in his tuxedo. "Well I have to fight off all the other girls who'll want to dance with you."

  He took her to a good restaurant and their waiter seemed so taken with the lovely couple he gave them a very special service. Then it was on to the dance. In many ways it was an old fashioned affair, they were even able to waltz properly. An extraordinary thing happened when they first began to dance, it was just as had happened when they had sung together in church. Everyone else seemed to disappear and they were alone with the music, their bodies moving in fluid harmony almost as one being, floating around the dance hall lost in their pleasure. Jack and Kathy were oblivious to many eyes that watched them, the tall handsome man and the beautiful girl who danced so perfectly together.

  The evening fled by with neither of them noticing the time but finally the last dance was played and it was time to leave. Many of the couples would go on to nightclubs or restaurants but Kathy had a curfew and Jack was going to get her back in time. As they left the dance hall and out into the foyer a man approached Jack and with a quick apology to Kathy asked for one minute of his time. Kathy could see Jack wasn't pleased but said she would go on to the car and wait there. Jack gave her the key and she left.

  She made her way through the throngs of people and headed towards Jack's car which was some distance from the main park. Two rough looking men started calling out to her...nothing very nasty but over familiar and unpleasant. She didn't look at them but walked on quickly towards the car the remote ready for action. Suddenly the two men were blocking her way.

  "That's not polite girl, not polite at all."

  "No not polite," sneered the second man. "We were just being friendly but you upset us. We need comforting now. You gonna comfort us girl? Give us a good time?"

  Kathy suddenly found the one to speak first had his arm around her and although she tried to shrug him off he wouldn't let her. She glanced around but no one was taking any notice. She wondered if they'd all just run off if she cried out for help. Then Jack was there.

  It was hard to know what he did. He didn't actually appear to do anything very much at all but the man's arm was no longer around her and the two men were stepping backwards away from her with Jack quietly in front of them stepping forward. Kathy looked at his back and noticed just how well built he was. His shoulders were broad and he was definitely strong, not bulky but lean strength which now looked quite dangerous.

  His voice was quiet. "The lady is with me."

  Kathy saw the two men eye him up and down and saw the decision in their eyes, too dangerous even for the both of us. Muttering stuff like "Not worth it... stupid bitch," they turned and left for the dark side of the car park. She wasn't bothered by the insults, she knew it was just face saving.

  They walked on to their car Jack appearing relaxed but Kathy noticed that his eyes never stopped scanning around. He opened her door and handed her in like a gentleman and then got in behind the wheel.

  "That was impressive," she said. "Thank you. I was scared."

  He switched the engine on and then off, sighed and turned to her. "I wasn't always a pastor. I left home when I was fifteen. I was already tall and strong for my age. My parents were naturally extremely upset. I did mainly manual work but frequented bars and got into lots of fights. I lived with a woman for a while, yes and I do mean it was a sexual relationship, you may as well know that. Then I was offered a job as a doorman at a nightclub, not a very nice one. Every night we had to use muscle to stop men getting in or to throw them out. Women too sometimes, they would tear your face open if you let their hands free. Then one night a man was killed. It was another doorman that did it but it could just as easily have been me and it made me sick to know what I had become. I just quit on the spot and went back to my parents like the prodigal son and they welcomed me home without any recrimination. I was nineteen Kathy, not much older than you are now but I had seen so much. Have I disgusted you?"

  Kathy found herself unsurprised by all this. She wasn't sure quite why she was unsurprised but surmised that she was picking up the vibes of his personality. "Jack, I have been dancing with the man you are now not the boy you were back then. There is nothing disgusting about the man you are now."

  It was partly because it was Pastor Jack Myerscough that Kathy had been allowed an extension to midnight, and now like Cinderella the hour was nearly there. Jack got her back with about ten minutes to spare, handed her out of the car and then kept hold of her.

  "Kathy I was planning a hike up in the hills for next Saturday. Is that the sort of thing you are interested in?"

  "Well mum was in a walking group when she had any spare time and she took me with her until my last year of A-levels when I was too busy and she wasn't well. We used to mainly walk on the moors. I had proper gear but I gave it to a charity shop when I came here, I had to shed a lot of stuff really. I'd like to go with you but I would have to borrow the right boots and things. There are lots of girls in college so I may be able to."

  "How about I plan an easy route and a proper hike then it can be switched depending on your gear? Would you come then? We could really talk and get to know one another."

  Kathy was surprised he was still interested but smiled and agreed and then he took her in his arms and kissed her. She had been kissed by boys before of course but they were all fierce, urgent things. This was slow, sensual and extremely lovely. She smiled up at him when it ended, content to stay in his arms for the moment. "Thank you," she whispered.

  ---oOo---

  Stacey was asleep when Kathy finally arrived back at her room. She undressed by moonlight and fell happily into bed smiling at the ceiling for some time before she too fell asleep. The next morning at breakfast she sat not only with Stacey but some of the other girls in their set of ten rooms. She had to tell them every detail of the meal and then the dance. They looked at her eyes, sometimes sparkling, sometimes dreamy, and read the story of her evening and sighed wishing they too could find a man like that. They heard about the car park incident and the rescue and how effortless he had made it seem but Kathy told them nothing of his confession to her. That was private.

  "There's history there," one girl pronounced wisely.

  "Yup a marine or something like that."

  The girls ran on concocting a history until breakfast was finished and Kathy had to get off to church, but Stacey knew there was more and wouldn't let her out of the door until Kathy admitted that yes he had invited her out again.

  "Yes, I knew it. You'll be Mrs Pastor Jack Myerscough. I Stacey, am the Stacey the Wise and I foretell..." Then a pillow hit her with some force and Kathy ran out of the door laughing.

  Kathy was able to sit next to Jack in church again but they didn't kiss or hold hands as that wouldn't really have been approved. But they did sing again, their voices blending in perfect harmony, rising up to the roof of the church as they lost themselves in the sheer joy of singing together. When the service was over he didn't want to let her go but did think it was good she was getting to know more people in the congregation. Kathy waved him goodbye and followed the Andertons' car to their home never once letting on that she already knew where they lived.

  There was quite a large group at the Anderton home. Kathy was introduced first to Martin and then Sarah. With a shock Kathy realised they were her uncle and aunt, her father's brother and sister. Then there were their spouses and children. Martin was married to Samantha and had four boys - Spencer, Roger, Peter and Shane. Sarah was married to Tom Duval and they had three children - Olivia, Matilda and Matthew. By the time she had met all of these, Kathy was overwhelmed with names and knew she'd never remember their names, at least not today. Olivia was eighteen and the eldest of all of Madge and Matt Anderton's grandchildren... apart from her of course...she was a few months older than Olivia. It dawned on Kathy that all of these grandchildren were her cousins and that perhaps that was why the Andertons hadn't reached out to her mum, maybe Olivia coming along a
t roughly the same time filled their minds.

  Olivia Duval was not a happy girl that Sunday. She was aggrieved with her parents over a number of issues and didn't want to stop a discussion that had obviously been going on for some time. It was embarrassing for everyone. Olivia was red faced and extremely tense. Kathy thought that had she been younger she might have been stamping her foot. Her voice was permanently raised and her grandparents had disapproving looks. Soon everyone was listening and watching the confrontation that got louder and louder. Kathy was extremely embarrassed particularly as Olivia was her own age.

  Abruptly Olivia switched from being a tense and angry eighteen-year-old to sounding like she was about eight. She shouted at her mother, "I hate you. You're always spoiling things for me. Why can't I have a car? Because Mommy dear is against it. Why can't I date Adam? Because Mommy dear doesn't approve. Why-"

  That was as far as she got. Her father shouted that she had gone too far, asked Matt if he might borrow his den, and taking Olivia firmly by the arm began leading her out of the room. Olivia immediately began apologising and pleading but it fell on deaf ears and out she went. The entire family went rather quiet from eleven-year-old Shane right up to Matt Anderton. Soon the sound of spanking could be heard, slightly muffled to be sure but unmistakable. Kathy felt herself go red with embarrassment. Her own recent spanking brought clearly back to mind. Olivia's cries also began to be heard and she continued her pleading though the only really clear words were, "Daddy no, please stop."

  Madge suddenly remembered their guest and apologised but Kathy smiled and shrugged though inside she was marking it up as another example of difference to her own upbringing. When Olivia came back into the room she was tearful and Kathy could see she was also very embarrassed. She stood quietly and apologised to everyone for her bad behaviour then Madge encouraged everyone to get to the table for lunch. Kathy was sat next to Olivia but the girl wouldn't even look at her. In fact she wouldn't look at anyone and Kathy's heart went out to her. Being spanked so that everyone knew exactly what was happening must be hideous at any age but at eighteen, Kathy knew she would hate it. The meal was good but Kathy didn't join in the conversation, just listened. Olivia was eating very little and finally Kathy could stand the girl's misery no longer. She leant over and put a hand on one of Olivia's.

  "I got spanked at Pioneers in church a couple of weeks back."

  It was meant to be a private comment to Olivia only but in the way these things happen it fell into a sudden silence and everyone heard.

  Madge laughed. "And I bet it wasn't the first time in your life, Kathy."

  "As a matter of fact it was," Kathy replied quietly and with much more composure than she felt inside. She noticed it had the effect of making Olivia look up.

  "What your mom and dad didn't spank you!" Matt Anderton was incredulous.

  "I don't have a dad but no, Mum didn't spank me ever. It was my first experience and I sincerely hope my last."

  That got a general laugh and Kathy noticed even Olivia smiled. Then nervously Olivia asked her a question, "What does your mom think about you coming all the way out here to college?"

  Kathy hesitated unsure that she could reply without tears but steeled herself and answered quietly, "My mum died in the summer. She became ill in my last year of school. I'm on my own now."

  Kathy noticed that Madge welled up with tears at that and Olivia now reached out and put a hand on Kathy's.

  "Well we can be your family now Kathy," said Madge.

  Kathy wanted to scream, "You are my bloody family. Where were you when my Mum needed you?" She didn't, she just smiled faintly and looked down at the table hoping they would change the conversation, but Matt Anderton spoke.

  "So why the college here? It's a long way to go to study."

  "I wanted the structure. It's very strict; girls only, lights out, curfews, weekly meetings about your progress and that kind of stuff. I felt I need a lot of support like that or I might just party and waste my time and Mum's money."

  The family were very impressed with that and eventually the conversation began to flow on to other subjects. Kathy had never been part of a family like this and she was fascinated by the way it worked. They laughed, teased, bickered, and debated (she noticed it was mainly football as far as the males were concerned). In spite of herself she began to like them which made it all the odder that they had so completely abandoned her mother when she was a baby.

  Kathy realised she had warmed very much to Olivia who after all was pretty close to her own age. They managed to get into a corner to talk and Olivia's spanking had been much like Kathy's. It stung and made her bottom hot but Kathy could tell it hadn't been brutal. She had always thought, from what she picked up back home, that all spankings were brutal and abusive. She could see now what Jack had meant when he said it was corrective.

  Olivia was studying culinary arts at the local community college; she had a boyfriend named Adam that she was forbidden to see by her parents. "They think he is trouble," whispered Olivia. Kathy thought that really they should get to know each other away from the rest of the family so she gave an invitation.

  "On Wednesday when college finishes a gang of us from our floor are going to the cinema and maybe get a burger. Why don't you join us? It's a nice group and they won't mind. I can pick you up if you don't have a car."

  Olivia's parents agreed and on the Wednesday Kathy picked her up at her house which was actually nearer to the college than Matt and Madge Anderton. The other girls welcomed her and they watched a rather silly horror movie with great pleasure and came out laughing and giggling to get a burger. Kathy did notice three unpleasant looking young men on the other side of the road but gave it no more thought than one seemed to be extremely dominant. It wasn't until they came out of the restaurant that she heard a voice call, "Livy, what you doing?"

  Olivia ran across the road like a dog obeying its master. Stacey and Kathy looked at each other. The man who was now being very familiar with Olivia was trouble in their view. Olivia went to go having kissed him but he wouldn't let her go, he pulled her back roughly and Olivia just took it and hung her head as he had a go at her. Kathy wasn't having that and she marched across the road and said, "Time to go Olivia. Best say goodbye."

  "Who the fuck are you?"

  Kathy didn't really answer she just spoke to Olivia. "I have to get you back and I have my own deadline to meet."

  Olivia looked apologetically at Adam, as Kathy presumed he was, and said she had to go and she'd call him, but he was glaring at Kathy.

  "I asked you a fucking question."

  Kathy looked him in the eye and replied, "And I didn't answer," and taking hold of Olivia she walked back across the road to a tirade of abuse from Adam.

  Kathy was blunt with Olivia. "Is that Adam? If it is he is trouble. I'm sorry Olivia that's the truth." Stacey agreed but Olivia started crying so the two girls let it go and Kathy took her home. They were invited in but neither Kathy nor Stacey said anything about Adam. It turned out that Olivia had some hiking gear and was more than happy to lend it to Kathy. Since they were about the same size Kathy went home with a big bag of stuff and a high approval rating from Tom and Sarah Duval who thought she and Stacey would be a good influence on their daughter.

  When they got back to college Stacey found the first pieces of work that Kathy had helped her with had been graded and returned. She had two B+ and an A for the piece Kathy had promised would get one. Kathy had not actually done any of it for her, just made her focus her thinking and kept returning it until she began to see clearly what she had to do. Stacey was incredibly grateful and kept telling Kathy she owed her so much. Kathy rejected that and pointed out how much Stacey helped her. So they hugged each other, deep friends even though they had only known each other a relatively short while.

  On the Thursday morning Kathy was awake very early but Stacey wasn't. She didn't want to disturb her friend so sat up in bed and quietly began to do the daily study notes. I
t occurred to her that she never prayed except to pay lip service in church. She actually felt awkward about praying, so often she heard of people praying when they were in trouble or wanted something and she felt that was wrong. So what would she pray about if she were to do it? It occurred to her that actually she had much to be thankful for so, very self-conscious, she began a prayer of thanks: there was the college which Kathy loved; Stacey whom she loved even more; the church and Pioneers....well all except that spanking of course. Then she got tangled. Should she actually say thank you for that spanking? After all she had been out of control allowing her temper and emotion to take over, she certainly wouldn't let that happen again. In the end she added the spanking to the list and continued with Jack though she had no idea how long that might last, and then Olivia. As an afterthought her prayer worried about Olivia and Adam and a list of college girls who for one reason or another were not as happy as she was. Charlene's mother was very ill and Kathy knew just how that felt. Ava's dad was away on active service and Mia... well Mia was a whole big mystery and Kathy worried about her.

  She felt strangely happy after that prayer and from then on a prayer of thanks became part of her daily Bible study.

  ---oOo---

  When Jack came to pick up Kathy the following Saturday for their hike there were a great many pairs of eyes watching. Kathy felt like a celebrity of some sort but she didn't appreciate just how much the girls and staff wanted her to be happy. She had never complained or pulled a 'poor little me' act since arriving, but the fact she was alone in the world and her mother had only just died touched them. That heart-aching sadness that lingered in her eyes made everyone want to hug her, and so the fact she had such a great boyfriend was good news. Besides that, they wanted to see him! Jack quickly realised they were being watched.

  "What's going on?"

  Kathy laughed. "They all want to see what you look like."