office desperately needed a touch of repainting."
"I waited ten agonising minutes in the reception area with Miss Hope. She was completely silent. I looked down on my scruffy right shoe which had lost it shine through kicking stones on the pavement near the school."
"She showed me no emotion and it was clear from her stoned facial expressions that her intentions were to expose lies and deceit about me to the Headmaster. She had ignored totally my side of the story. I was proven right."
"Enter in!" shouted the Headmaster to us.
"Mr. Jones, the Headmaster, smiled openly at the sight of Miss Hope. It was obvious to everyone that he was infatuated with her. His grin rapidly disappeared as I entered through his office door. She explained to him the purpose of our visit. I was scared. My tummy was churning inside of me."
"I was left alone with a mature, silver grey haired, middle aged man dressed in a batman suite. He was no batman. He looked more like the Joker."
"What do you have to say for yourself, boy?" asked Mr. Jones.
"I didn't do anything, sir," I murmured to the Headmaster.
"Speak up louder, boy!"
"I didn't do it, sir."
"Miss Hope has informed me that you spat on the desk."
"No sir. It wasn't me."
"He stared at me for a brief moment and he walked away to the other side of the room reaching for his cane. He didn't believe me."
"The Headmaster looked down at me with a red, stoned face. His teeth were coloured with yellow cigarette stains as he opened his mouth and said I am disappointed with you."
"He told me you are one of the brightest students in Lower Ashworth School and I had expected better from you. Roll up your shirt sleeve!"
"I put on a brave face. I was petrified. The Headmaster held the long flexible straw coloured bamboo stick next to his side. I was now anxiously waiting for several strikes of the cane."
"Stretch out your arm, boy," he commanded.
"He struck me hard several times with the cane. It was painful and hurt me like hell."
"After the caning he wanted me to return to Miss Hope class room."
"I had no intention of going back to Miss Hope classroom beside I hated the woman and I was the innocent lamb. The truth would be revealed someday."
"The truth was tiny Joe had spat on my desk from behind me and I was presumed guilty for his misdemeanour."
"The Headmaster, Mr. Jones turned out to be the kind of person who did not listen to reason. I felt more hurt by the injustice of being accused of spitting on the desk rather than being whipped by his cane."
"I walked out of the school and headed home. I was totally distressed and angry by the whole ordeal. My nose was streaming with blood. It was running slowly down my shirt as I walked back home."
"I was upset and shocked. It was the longest journey of my life. My mum went berserk when she saw me in such a state. She went straightaway to the school and shouted at Mr. Jones."
"My sister had a bad temper in the good old days. She was a fiery lady. No one messed with her. I heard that she made the Headmaster cry," said Elder Jack.
"I heard that too, Elder Jack," said Evangelist Jackie. "Everybody knows me as Evangelist Jackie but my real name is Edwina."
"I spent most my marriage life inside of the house. I raised my children with Mr. White until God took him home. We laughed, we cried and we loved each other. One day Jesus will take me away to heaven. I can't wait to see Mr. White again."
Margaret watched Phil intensely as he made a fuss of collecting Naomi's coat. He helped Naomi put on her coat. Phil had a grin on his face as wide as a Cheshire cat. Margaret instinctively susceptive something was going on between them and she moved slightly closer to eavesdrop on their conversation.
"Thank you, Phil."
"It's my pleasure."
"Naomi, what's your testimony?" asked Margaret.
"I have no testimony."
"Everyone has a story to tell. Is there someone special in your life?"
"I'm feeling a little bit tired. I have thoroughly enjoyed myself," said Naomi.
"Phil has spoken a great deal about you."
"Has he now?"
"Yes."
"All good things I hope."
"Yes, indeed. You are very popular with Phil."
"Our families go back a long way."
"Sure."
"Thank you for inviting me into your home, Margaret. I had a lovely time. I really have to go now."
"Why don't you stay a little while longer so that we can get properly acquainted?"
"I would love to but I had a long day."
"It's a pity we have one thing in common."
"What's that?"
"Your coat."
"Really!"
"I have a similar coat inside of my wardrobe. Phil bought for me. It was my birthday present. Was your coat a present too?"
"I'm getting a little bit tired."
"I'll take you home, Naomi," replied Mantel.
"Goodbye everyone, it was great seeing you all again."
"I hope that Mantel will bring you back here soon so that you will share your story with us. I am all ears."
"He will. We'll be back. Mantel, can you take me to Jill's? We are meeting our dad there."
"It is good that you are seeing your dad again, Naomi."
"I don't know if I feel positive about him, Mantel. Sometimes I hate the sight of him and there are times when I hold a place in my heart for him. It sounds contradictory."
"It's a bit like Jackal and Hyde. Both of my parents died some years ago. I wish I could speak to them on the phone. At least you have the opportunity to make peace with your dad, "replied Mantel.
"Your mum and dad were lovely and kind to me, Mantel."
"Yes. But they were hard when they wanted to be, Naomi. You have a chance to rekindle your relationship with your dad. I can't raise my parents from the grave."
"You've got great memories of your parents whilst my dad chased the ladies."
"Don't dwell on the former things. Behold I am doing a new thing declared the Lord," quoted Mantel from Isaiah.
"Don't you rush me?"
"Jesus said you should forgive each other seventy times seven."
"Stop preaching to me, Mantel. I know the scripture."
"I won't preach to you if you start forgiving your dad. You can't live in the past forever."
"It's easier said than done."
"I know it is. Just do it. Life is far too short for regrets."
"Give me time, Mantel."
"No problem."
Just as Mantel and Naomi were exiting from Phil and Margaret's house, Sister Edna pulled them back. She was a little bit out of breath from walking briskly to the hallway. She sat down on the bottom step to recover."
"What is it, Sister Edna?"
"I have a message for you, Naomi."
Sister Edna was a well known prophetess within the church circles. Naomi was particularly worried in what Sister Edna would share information about her past but she was less concerned about her future because she knew that God wouldn't give to Sister Edna any prophecy which would embarrass her.
Twenty-one
"I knew your mum back home in Jamaica. We went to Sunday school together and we both came to England in the 50's. We worked at the bakery for more years than we can remember."
"Mum spoke fondly of you, Sister Edna."
"Your mum helped me to get a job at the Shepherd Bakery. Your sister is now one of the top managers working at the bakery and there were a number of oppositions against her getting the promotion. One of those unhappy person set fire to the bakery but the police had no proof. They hated your mum for rescuing the owner from the burning fire. Your mum was a brave person and a wonderful friend to me and I have missed her dearly," said Sister Edna with tears rolling down her ebony cheekbones."
Naomi hugged Sister Edna and Mantel glanced at his watch wondering why Sister Edna doesn't get to the point.
"What
is God saying to you, Naomi?"
"I don't know."
"You reminded me of your mum. She was a beautiful woman in her days."
"Don't cry, love. Mum is in a resting home and she is at peace."
"What is God saying you, Naomi?"
"I don't know, Sister Edna."
"You know that God speaks to us through His Holy Spirit by bringing back to our memory His Holy scripture."
"Yes!"
"I was praying and meditating quietly when Jeremiah Chapter 29 and Verse 11 were imported into my mind."
"I know that scripture very well," Sister Edna.
"It is a message for you, Naomi."
"I know the plans I have for you declare the Lord. His plans are to prosper you and not to harm you but to give you a hope and a future."
"Thank you for blessing me with that scripture, Sister Edna. God knows I needed some good news. There are times when I feel I am living in a blazing furnace and someone is stroking up the fire seven times. Anyway, I want more of Him and less of me."
"God will bring a man into your life."
Naomi hugged Sister Edna again and departed to Jill's with Mantel. Back at Phil and Margaret House the last visitor had left.
Twenty-two
"Is there someone else, Phil?"
"No."
Margaret screamed at the top of voice, "Is there someone else?"
A cowardly Phil replied, "No."
He had no place to hide. Margaret was on his case.
"Once again, has there been someone else?"
"I said no."
"Stop lying to me, Phil."
His conscience was working overtime. His mind was heavily tortured with guilt. He had enough of Margaret questioning of him. He shouted at Margaret leaving himself open for her inquisition.
"Yes. But it is all over."
"Are you saying you were having an affair?"
"Yes. But it's complicated."
"I'm leaving you Phil and don't you dear touch me again."
"Can we discuss this tomorrow, Margaret?"
"How can you pretend that everything is okay with