Magic moments

Magic moments.

An adventure/fiction/ novel

by

Carl Delprat.

Storymaker.

ISBN: 9781370267415

Copyright 2018 Carl Delprat

Cover illustration by Carl Delprat.

A special thanks to Carmel, Carmen, and Herb for all their 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.

As per all fiction I have written, any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely accidental and with no intention of insult or offence.

Note: My stories are in Australian English, and … indicates talking while ‘…’ signifies thinking.

Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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Other excellent long and short stories by Carl Delprat are ~

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

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

GIRL SOLDIERS: A futuristic global adventure where the girls have taken over.

~DREAMMAN~: Where a young man uses his dreams to fight for good over evil.

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

THE TWO BROTHERS: A randy romp around Sydney and Newcastle set in the 1980's

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

BAD BOY BILLY: A crime and passion novel with a serial killer on the loose.

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

WHAT ABOUT MADELYN? A political catfight between two female rivals.

THE NEW PRIEST: Revisit the times and tribulations of 1950' style priesthood warts and all.

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

DAYS OF FLOWERS: A human menagerie of intertwined lives travelling along the river of life.

A YOUNG MAN'S POETRY VOLUME I: The first of three editions of poetry commenced in the late 1970's.

A YOUNG MAN'S POETRY VOLUME II: A collection of short poems all guaranteed to raise an eyebrow.

A YOUNG MAN'S POETRY VOLUME III: A special selection that must be shared with everyone.

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As far back as I can remember, magic has been an essential part of my existence.

How to define it, I have no idea, all I know it has been and is, until I expire to be and remain my guiding force.

As for this story, it was like scratching the coating from a lottery ticket to see what was waiting beneath, every paragraph became a surprise for me and I'm sure this tale will delight you right up to its last page.

So off we go into the magic life of young Bernard Bennet and his relentless search for a family, and we start off in Newcastle Australia and it iss 1952.

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Contents~

About Carl Delprat, Storymaker

Other titles by Carl Delprat

A word from the author

Chapter 1: He was such a cute little boy.

Chapter 2: Now what about girls?

Chapter 3: The holiday, days 1 and 2.

Chapter 4: Holidays, days 3 and 4.

Chapter 5: Sunny days.

Chapter 6: Enterprise.

Chapter 7: Off to high school.

Chapter 8: That journey to love and back is now over.

Chapter 9: 1955.

Chapter 10: 1956.

Chapter 11: New horizons.

Chapter 12: Another rotten apple in the barrel.

Chapter 13: Life with Anna.

Chapter 14: Another career change.

Chapter 15: Different strokes.

Chapter 16: Strange pastures.

Chapter 17: Is it really you?

Chapter 18: A Jewish shotgun formality.

Chapter 19: The two of us.

Chapter 20: A change of venue.

Chapter 21: What is really going on?

Chapter 22: Get me out of here!

Chapter 23: No not Newcastle.

Chapter 24: My kind of business.

Chapter 25: Family pressures.

Chapter 26: Big troubles.

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

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Chapter 1.

He was such a cute little boy.

Magic can be found in stolen moments. Francesca Lia Block.

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"And what sort of girls do you really like Bernard?"

These much older sixth-class girls liked to use him as their pet.

I only like the very pretty ones and then ... sometimes I change my mind, because it depends.

A full round of applause followed that statement.

And who would you say in this schoolyard measures up to your expectations?

One of the bigger girls could hardly wait to hear his answer.

I don't know how to measure anyone yet, so my mother will have to do that.

Enough noisy laughter erupted to draw some other children across the playground.

Besides, if I were to say which of all the girls here was the prettiest then ... all the others would get hurt, now wouldn’t they?

Clang—clang—clclang.

Miss Pringle just loved to ring that bell.

Recess was truly over and all the children started returning to their classrooms.

Well Bernie, how were your school lessons today? his mother was getting something out of the oven.

Mother, I must tell you something, Mr Childs has a big stick, and ... and that's the problem.

Best go and play outside for a while, dinner might be a bit late tonight.

Can I throw dirt clods?

Certainly not, and not in your school clothes, now be off and keep yourself clean.

Bernard Bennet put down his toy-racing car and just listened.

He could hear voices coming from next door and they all were strange voices.

"Well Beryl now you have what you wanted and now I'm going to have what I always wanted, yes I need one to get to work and so let's not hear any more about it."

"But David ... but you could get yourself killed on one of those dangerous things!"

Then their back door slammed shut.

Bernard played with his mashed potato, he'd placed some butter into a hole he made in it and then watched it all melt.

'My volcano is now almost ready to burst then run down all across the peas and carrots.'

Eat your dinner son and stop mucking about.

Two sets of grown-up eyes looked across at him.

'My baby sister Karen has thrown her food practically everywhere and no one said a word to her about it.'

Dad, there are new peoples living in old Mr Cocking’s house now, I heard them fighting about something.

You should never eavesdrop Bernard, its not good manners, informed his mother while wiping Karen's mess off the floor.

"I can assure you mother that I had no intention of dropping any eaves, its all because their voices were so loud ... that’s why.

Anyway, you can find out all for yourself, as I'm sure they will keep at it because that man's going to buy for himself a something that's very dangerous he is."

Mr Harold Bennet pulled a strange face and then looked across at his wife, Have you met these people Janet?

I did see a delivery truck arrive, I was too busy with the washing to see what it was all about, she replied while wiping baby Karen's face.

I think it's time to listen to the news, well pardon me while I go and switch the radio on in the lounge room.

"Mum ... mum did you see that black dot on dad's neck, 'cause its bleeding?"

Oh no! Now I'll have to go and wash his collar again, he probably cut it while shaving.

'"Mum, I think you're wrong about that.

And mum ... Karen looks like she's going to be sick again."

Bernard, will you just eat your dinner!

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School started off all right and Bernard played running games with his friends during recess.

However, after Miss Pringle rang her bell everything took a turn for the worse.

Class I'm here to announce your new English teacher.

It was Mr Childs the headmaster and standing beside him was a new woman, she wasn’t even pretty so for Bernard that was a very bad sign.

"Her name is Miss Hampshire and I expect everyone here will remain on their very best behaviour.

Now boys and girls, stand and welcome her to this classroom."

Good afternoon Miss Hampshire.

Mr Childs left the room and all eyes and ears inside it waited to see what she'd do next.

"I expect my class to always be at it's immaculate best and any troublemakers will be sent straight to Mr Childs for punishment.

Now open your books on today's lesson about nouns and verbs."

Please Miss? Bernard ventured.

We have finished that lesson, our other teacher Miss Jenkins taught us that yesterday.

Was I talking to you young man? this angry stare took Bernard by surprise.

But he's right Miss, she did say that. interjected Julie.

Out the front both of you.

Bernard and Julie left their seats; this was such unexpected behaviour by a teacher.

"Well off you go, go on, yes now go straight up to Mr Childs's office both of you."

This is all so stupid, we were only trying to help you, informed Julie Sparrow as they left the classroom.

Any more interruptions and this class will be held back in detention after school.

Mr Childs looked up from his fishing magazine then squinted at them.

Well ... what is it children?

We have to report to you Sir and it’s all because of something we've done, Bernard informed him.

The headmaster looked across at his cane resting beside an umbrella and then turned to Julie who was about to cry.

So, what were you couple up to, writing letters to each other perhaps?

"No Sir we both sit on either side of the classroom.

We were only trying to tell the new teacher about yesterday's lesson ... that’s all."

"Sir, there appears to be a great misunderstanding, our new teacher Miss Hampshire appears to presume we are troublemakers.

Sir if you had been present then I suspect your view on this matter might be ... different.

Sir our new teacher wants to give us a repeat lesson on what Miss Jenkins has already taught us, and today's lesson should be about adverbs."

He's right Mr Childs, and she was so nasty to him about it and then she was also nasty to me.

Bernard waited . . . but Mr Childs remained silent.

Sir, if we have to be caned for our 'mistake' then please cane me twice as much because Julie only has very little hands.

Bernard took hold of Julie's trembling right hand and then opened it for the headmaster to see.

Mr Childs pulled out a packet of cigarettes then lit one.

No child at Hamilton Primary School had ever seen him smoke before.

He looked once again at his wristwatch and then scratched his head.

Look ... look perhaps I will give you both an early mark today, now sit down on these seats and don't make a move until I return with your belongings.

Off he went in a great hurry.

Janet Bennet heard the back-screen door close.

Who's there?

She grabbed hold of a rolling pin.

Just me mum, Mr Childs gave Julie and I an early mark today.

So, what did you do and this better be the truth?

Mum, I'm beginning to think grown-ups are all a bit stupid, our neighbour wants to get something that might kill him, and our new teacher likes to terrorise children, and Mr Childs has no idea how to run a school and would rather be off fishing.

Bernard! Tell me what you have done?

"I told Miss Hampshire our new English teacher the lesson she was about to deliver was already completed ... that's all.

Oh yes and Julie Sparrow also confirmed it.

Well for just doing that we were both sent up to see Mr Childs and I guess to get punished.

So now mother, so now do you see where I'm coming from ... and can I have one of those apples?"

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Mrs Sparrow's severe comments at the Hamilton Primary Parents and Teachers meeting resulted in a few changes being made.

For one, Miss Hampshire's probationary period was up for review and third class was to have a different English teacher.

Nobody ever messed with Mrs Sparrow, not the butcher, or the green grocer, the milkman, the paper deliveryman and certainly not an annoying young trainee teacher.

Bernard Bennet was playing marbles with his mates when this very important lady walked across the schoolyard and came right up towards him.

Julie Sparrow was holding onto her hand.

Young man. She directly addressed Bernard who arose and stood at attention.

Young man, I wish to shake your hand, and so she did.

Yes, I thank you for that gallant gesture of offering your own hand to receive the caning for daughter's alleged intercessions.

Julie smiled and the boys around the marbles ring shook their confused heads.

You are a good and decent Lady Mrs Sparrow and this school needs more teachers like you.

She raised one eyebrow ... and was off.

Bernard returned to the ring and it was his shot next.

And then he saw her, yes it was Miss Hampshire on playground duty standing beneath a gum tree ... and didn't she look so mad.

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When Bernard arrived home, he found his grandmother waiting for him in the kitchen.

"Go and have a good wash now Bernie, you mum had to take Karen off to the children's hospital.

It may have been something she's eaten."

He was not surprised as everything she ever touched went straight into her mouth.

His father arrived home from work and after a brief talk with his mother ... immediately departed.

Bernard ate sandwiches for dinner then had a bath and asked if he could listen to the radio.

Grannie kept herself occupied with some knitting.

The house felt sort of empty and much too quiet.

Then it happened, a fight, a domestic dispute started up next-door and his grannie was not at all amused.

It's all right Grannie, that man next door only wants to kill himself ... that’s all.

What a strange new world we all live in, was her reply.

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Chapter 2.

Now what about girls?

We do not need magic to transform the world. We carry all of that power inside us already. J.K. Rowling.

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Christmas came and went and Bernard just loved his double barrel popgun, and it only took one day to convert it into a potato-firing weapon.

Karen was far too young to understand what it was all about and soon was in convulsions with a peanut lodged in her windpipe.

The best present in the whole street would have to be delivered to their neighbours.

Mr Hoggets now owned a real noisy motorcycle.

His wife certainly didn't approve but while half the street watched and waited she finally hopped on the back and then ... with her skirt high above both legs went screaming up the street.

Later on Bernard had a close inspection and it was a B.S.A. B-33, whatever that was?

It stank of petrol and it really did look dangerous.

What do you think of motorbikes dad?

Bernard tried his best to look sort of grown up.

Bodgies and widgies ride about on them son, and they’re not for the likes of us.

And do they often kill people? was his next question.

Quite often, sometimes they only cause injuries, but very bad injuries.

It was now time for his father to light that smelly pipe.

So why the attraction, yes why risk killing yourself?

Perhaps its the thrill, I imagine there is some form of excitement, and a motorbike is a much cheaper form of transport than any motor car.

Tonight that rotten pipe smelt really bad.

So dad, when was the last time you ever got yourself excited?

Bernard’s mother broke out into a fit of the gigles.

Whenever I can least avoid it, now ... that will be all for now Bernard.

I'll certainly remember that one for next time Harold, his mother put down her magazine and then went outside for a while.

"Thanks a lot for that