What About Madelyn?

What About Madelyn?

A crime/fiction novel written by

Carl Delprat.

Copyright 2015 Carl Delprat

10-11-2015 (First Edition.)

Cover painted in acrylic by Carl Delprat. (15/10/15).

Yes you can judge a book by its cover.

ISBN: 9781310746536

For those faces I remember ... and the times ... I know so well.

The characters in this novel are fictitious and germinated from life's collective experience.

Any connections with actual people living or dead are unintentional.

Another big special thanks to Herb and Carmel for all their great help.

This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favourite e-book retailer and purchase your own copy.

Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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Other excellent stories by Carl Delprat are ~

31 LAMAN STREET. Is where an evil ghost wreaks havoc amongst the locals.

THE THREE TREES. An international serial murder mystery set in the 1950’s.

GIRL SOLDIERS. A futuristic global adventure, where girls have the power and have taken over.

ALL STRINGS ATTACHED. Find out what happens after a mysterious glowing object is discovered in a coal seam. Based on Steven Hawkins ‘string-theory.’

DREAMMAN. Is where a young man uses his dreams to fight for good over evil.

THE STORY OF ANNIE. The long life of a MG-TC roadster.

THE TWO BROTHERS. A crime and passion novel, with a serial killer on the loose.

A FEED OF FISH WITH FREDDY. A chocolate box selection of short stories.

THE HARPSICHORD MAN. A tale about a criminal harpsichord builder.

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A Word from the Author.

I decided it was time to write about politics, now don’t worry; this is all from a neutral perspective.

In this story WHAT ABOUT MADELYN? you will be served up a black political comedy at all levels, and I hope I have not shown any bias.

After reaching my 70’s it’s hard not to remain cynical. Anyway… I have chosen two different paths for my pair of heroines. And…why not! If these women instantly hate each other from first sight … then … their political preferences would follow suit.

Reader; get ready to meet Madelyn Johnson, and Betsy Drake.

The time and place…Newcastle NSW Australia and in the 1980’s. As with all my novels, I had no idea what would happen on the next paragraph, and that way … these girls kept surprising me with their amusing antics.

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Contents~

About Carl Delprat, Storymaker

Other titles by Carl Delprat

A word from the author

Part One.

Chapter 1: Now how did it all start?

Chapter 2: Fun at the office.

Chapter 3: The downturn.

Chapter 4: Election day.

Chapter 5: Bring it on.

Chapter 6: Getting noticed.

Chapter 7: Council elections.

Chapter 8: A fight for that seat.

Part Two.

Chapter 9: Nose to the grindstone.

Chapter 10: Now how did this happen?

Chapter 11: A change of scenery.

Chapter 12: Betsey’s up again.

Chapter 13: How to get noticed.

Chapter 14: Sad times for Betsey.

Part Three.

Chapter 15: Still going it alone.

Chapter 16: The years roll by.

Chapter 17: Consuming passions.

Chapter 18: What about Betsey?

Chapter 19: Not another bloody election.

Chapter 20: Parliament resumes.

Please note: As with all my stories, … indicates talking and ‘…’ signifies thinking.

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Part One.

Chapter (1). Now how did it all start?

Rudeness is the week person’s imitation of strength.

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"So …I can see that you’re having a quick look at this book!

Well I’ve a big complaint to make … that Carl Delprat really got the title wrong.

Yes it’s not all about that fake … that phoney Madelyn-bloody-Johnson at all. Or…her other name that was once called Wainwright, because . . . I play a big part ... and I reckon a lot bigger than that bitch!

Now my name’s Betsey Drake and … and I can assure you …I’m mentioned throughout this novel far more than that pretentious Johnson ever is … and who exactly is she anyway?

Well, perhaps the best thing I could say about Madelyn is … she liked dogs.

Well she had to like something, and I did see her pat a dog … once.

Now remember my name… its Betsey Drake and I’m starting off this story, someone has to and seeing I’m the only one bothered to do it right now … well here it goes.

So let’s get started from when she started work it was back around 1982 … no, take that all back, Donald started then. Yes, it was back in 1983 when Madelyn arrived and Mr Sharp introduced her to the staff. Well one look at her was enough; … Madelyn was slim, had mousey long hair … no makeup at all … and dressed like … like she hadn’t a clue!

And she never said much at all back then …not like now when you can’t ever shut her up.

It had been raining and her shoes were wet and so was her hair, well she looked like I half drowned rat. Anyway … my first impression of her was … well not another one of those English sparrows without any makeup on…and if you'd asked me…"

"Attention everyone! Mrs Wainwright will be starting with us today, and she’s from England … just arrived with her husband last week and I’m sure you will all make her feel welcome.

Miss Betsey Drake! I want you to show her the ropes so . . . everyone please get back to your work." Mr Sharp sighed then quickly left the room.

Right well you know my name now so I will introduce you around, do you want to be called Madelyn or Maddie? Betsey still wasn’t sure who or what this new girl was like.

"I certainly insist on Madelyn," was the reply and the accent was certainly upper class English.

"Oh right-oh! Well M-a-d-elyn this is John, John Blake and he’s a draftsman and John is into hang-gliding … and William Pearce at the water bubbler is another draftsman and he loves cricket. Next over at this drawing board is Patrick Hennessey a design-engineer, Patrick’s just been married and likes sports cars, beside him another design-engineer Frank Lloyd. Frank breeds German Shepherds."

If you need a dog Maselyn I should have some puppies next week, Bertha is about to burst?

"Its M-a-d-e-l-y-n thank you very much Frank, now I expect you should all have that clear enough," informed Madelyn.

Betsey raised her eyebrows then continued, "And last of all is Charley Price our checker, Charlie is a photographer.

Well M-a-d-elyn I will show you the facilities and then the filing system.

Now we have a lot of printing to do, and since Janice left it’s been building up."

So far Madelyn hadn’t said a word to Betsey Drake.

‘Perhaps she’s shy?’ presumed Betsey.

The day dragged on until the lunch break arrived.

"I will show you where the canteen is M-a-d-elyn ... you can get a cheap meal there. So come on and I'll introduce you to the canteen staff."

That idea proved to be a waste of time, Madelyn had brought her own sandwiches, she sat with the Drawing Office crowd … yet said very little.

Betsey was already sick of her, (‘like why should I keep trying?’) and shared a few jokes with the boys.

"Would anyone want another cup of tea, perhaps you M-a-d-elyn?" Betsey waited for a response, however Madelyn remained aloft and kept reading a magazine. ‘Well, I reckon she’s going to fit in here like a bad smell!’

When Betsey returned ... she found the boys had now gathered around this 'stuck-up' Madelyn Wainwright and ... now they were all laughing together.

So she sat at her end of the table … looked at her wristwatch then waited … and waited for the lunch break to end.

‘Well, what about Madelyn? Just look at her … she has this so-sweet smile now … well she’d never shown it to me all bloody morning. And look at Patrick making a fool of himself, and he’s a married man.’

‘Only one hour till 4:00 pm, one hour of making copies of bloody drawings before I can get out of here.

At least Janice would talk when she used to work here with me… talk all about herself that is … but bloody well talk.’

Yes, Betsey was now rather upset, and it was obvious that this English bitch didn’t like her.

"M-a-d-elyn, please look and listen, I've told you twice now … this is how we fold up the drawings at Southern Steel’s Drawing Office. Mr Sharp will be most upset if he ever sees you do it this way."

Betsey went through another example of folding the sheet and leaving one corner folded back displaying the details.

Well in my last job we folded the drawings this way, informed Madelyn Wainwright with her arms folded and a scowl across her face.

OK, well I tried to show you … Betsey went about her business.

The day was over and Betsey Drake waited for her bus to come, the clouds were moving in and soon rain would arrive.

The bus seat was wet already and … then she noticed Madelyn Wainwright had been standing beside her all this time and … had never said a word.

Suddenly — a car pulled up, a nice new little blue Ford car and with a lovely young man driving it. Madelyn hurried across and got in the front seat.

The driver looked across at Betsey and said something to Madelyn . . . she shook her head and — then the car took off and mixed with the traffic.

A moment later … the heavens opened . . . and Betsey Drake was drenched.

**********(1)**********

Tuesday was much more of the same.

Wednesday a duplicate, yes the two girls hardly said a word … not even in the canteen and now the boys were onto it. Snide remarks and a bit of teasing had Betsey fuming and that Madelyn Wainwright seemed to be enjoying all of it.

Then things came to a head when Mr Sharp arrived with a pile of drawings all folded incorrectly.

Betsey walked over from the copier to