AUTHOR'S OTHER TITLES (1) Wound (Poetry) - [43 words] [Relationships]
The Green Bag Jay Mallick
(Romance Genre)
Rosaline stretched, happy just to be with Jean-Pierre. The cool night air blew softly into their scorched faces, cooling them instantly. Jean-Pierre held Rosaline close as they gazed up at the glinting stars above them. All they could sense was that time had ceased to move – they were in love and they were together.
The relationship had begun uneasily at first, due to the objections and restrictions imposed by Rosaline’s father, Mr. Campbell. He had initiated a rift between them. Unbeknown to Rosaline, her father held strong prejudices against all men of foreign descent. This unjustifiable attitude had originated at his previous job, where the people that surrounded him were foreign, or even of mixed race. His demeaning position as Personnel Assistant gave him no choice but to deal with the difficulties arising between the people of different ethnic backgrounds. Mr. Campbell himself, once having been an extremely withheld child, tended not to express himself clearly and therefore never told Rosaline how he felt about her relationship with a ‘foreign’ man. Although without a doubt she would indeed discover the truth behind her father’s shadowed remarks.
L’Arc de Triumphe represented a place of real beauty in the eyes of Rosaline and Jean-Pierre. It marked a truly significant location, for it was here that they had first caught the first glimpse of one another and gazed intently, and it held many cherished memories. They would sit and chat, completely oblivious of their surroundings, at a little café near l’Arc de Triumphe. They had spent numerous weeks of joy-filled days and long pleasant evenings together, eventually swapping addresses. Jean-Pierre, who lived in France, had no choice but to say farewell to his beloved Rosaline as the time came for her to return to her home - in England. This day they parted, they swore never to lose touch: a letter a week promised on their lives.
Small, silken and green, the bag, being of very high sentimental value to Rosaline, was the keeper of only her most precious possessions. Following the sudden and most recent death of her mother, Rosaline had been left this single item, and longed to keep it safely secreted away from the mundane humdrum goings-on of life. She treated the bag with the same reverence and love as she had felt towards her mother. Of all the family, it seemed that Rosaline had suffered the most with the sudden death of her mother, and since she and her father had always been somewhat distant, she now felt very much isolated, empty and alone. The bag, however, was by no means empty. Although no one else was aware of this, Rosaline’s bag held the entire collection of precious and revered letters sent to her in correspondence with Jean-Pierre. Showers of sweet and totally honest letters followed the subsequent months of their parting. Every single letter from Jean-Pierre was re-read over and over, until the next letter arrived, and then the newest letter would take pride of place. Rosaline knew of every separate letter in her green bag by heart.
But now it had mysteriously disappeared. The possibility of her misplacing the bag was unthinkable, as her highly organised and precise life was living proof of this. So the only possible conclusion she could arrive at was that somebody had taken it. And there was only one other person in the house: and that was her father. And if it was her father, this would explain the detached attitude he had been adopting towards her recently. But why…
(Thriller Genre)
His name was Franco. Franco Misselleni. Commonly known for his distinctive limp and the peculiar way that he walked, Franco was certainly identified amongst his friends. He was the lucky father of three young children and a husband to a beautiful wife; all of whom he believed were the only ingredients necessary for ultimate happiness. Unfortunately, however, Franco had strong tendencies to assist his friends with matters in which he should not have involved himself. Being a loyal and honest man, he never failed or hesitated to run to the aid of his so-called friends. Franco worked continually to support the family and sometimes to help his sister financially, even though his shifts became longer and longer. His job involved transporting high quality merchandise on long distance trips all over the United Kingdom; he was more literally known as a courier. Franco was hard working. There was no doubt concerning that.
He had only spoken of Harry a few times, but Franco always seemed to speak well of him. Harry worked alongside Franco, and during the course of two years working together; they had become very well acquainted. The two families had become quite friendly. But beneath his charming appearance Harry, the more worldly of the two, perceived Franco to be quite gullible and naïve, and subsequently used these apparent weaknesses for his own purposes.
Harry asked Franco for a ‘favour’. This service would entail the delivery of a green leather duffel bag, and the journey just happened to be on one of his routes. From London to Manchester Airport the bag was to be taken. The contents of the bag were completely unknown to Franco, and unsuccessfully, Harry tried to persuade Franco into believing the bag contained something of little importance. Franco had already worked out that there appeared to be something ‘not quite right’ about this ‘favour’. But when he confronted Harry with his anxieties, he was pacified admirably.
The only instructions established were that Franco should take the bag directly to the left luggage area, and then to lock it securely in a locker. This key should be posted instantly, within the stamped addressed envelope provided. Franco accepted, feeling more than obliged to support his friend. A faultless plan? With the contents of this particular green duffel bag, Harry certainly hoped so. Franco seemed slightly more reluctant to perform this deed once he discovered – quite by accident - the contents of the green bag. Although they did not surprise him. One word. Drugs.
The noise and confusion of the airport hurried his mind, as the subconscious checklist ran through the various stages. Normally so little affected him, but at this time, the tension became unbearable. Harry told him there would be no danger if only he followed the few simple instructions. This was his intention.
In an instant, the green leather duffel bag was hoisted from within his grasp. Franco turned, just in time to catch a glimpse at the back of a teenage boy running away…
Submit Your Review for The Green Bag
Required fields are marked with (*). Your e-mail address will not be displayed.