Chapter 30

The following morning two very tired but sated lovers came down the stairs to breakfast.

Jen, looking like the cat that got the cream spoke to Jessica, "Mum, we agreed to tell you when we went all the way ... last night we did."

Ron just about choked on his coffee; Jess looked at us both for a moment and then said "with all the noise you two have been making at night I thought you had broken your promise weeks ago."

"No Mum, we kept our word, now that we are engaged it's only natural to take the next step. We will be taking all the precautions you told us about though."

"That's wise dear, although I think this should stay in the family, you know how the town gossips would love to hear about it. Old Mrs Dawson would have a field day if she knew."

Many a true word spoken in jest, two days later I was having a hair cut and talking to Ray Cook who was waiting his turn.

"I hope you are still driving carefully young Jimmy, I'd hate to book you so soon after getting your licence," he said with humour in his voice.

"No worries about that Ray, I need to have it too much to take a chance on losing it."

"Right there Jimmy, that'll be two and six son."

I paid the barber and bid Ray goodbye, stepping out the door I literally bumped into Mrs Dawson.

"Watch where you are going you ruffian," she then recognised me.{You rotten little bastard, just like that bastard father ... you and that little slut of a sister ... incestuous brats ... murderous swine... }

I could feel her thoughts coming in disjointed bursts, she was just about ready to loose it, I stepped back and apologised for bumping into her, then she did loose it, she launched herself at me screaming "you filthy swine ... damned murderer ... filthy fornicator."

I tried to fend her off but she managed to rake my face with her nails, I raised my arms to stave off a second attack when she was forcible pulled away from me.

"POLICE, you are under arrest."

She turned to attack Ray and manage to rake his face with her nails as well, Ray was in trouble so the only thing I could do was to hit her behind the ear, she collapsed on the ground.

"Whew, she went berserk Jimmy, are you alright?"

"Just a few scratches Ray, that woman should be locked up."

Ray went to his car and came back with a pair of handcuffs, snapping them into place, he then told the Barber to call an ambulance and to bring a straight jacket; Mrs Dawson was in deep trouble.

When the ambulance arrived Mrs Dawson had regained conscious and was cursing everyone in sight. The ambos quickly trussed her up in the straight jacket and bundled her into the ambulance. Taking a quick look at Ray and my scratches they suggested we go to the clinic to have them treated, dirty finger nails could harbour all kinds of nasties and cause infection.

Ray followed the ambulance to the hospital and called Doc Downs to have her assessed.