by Sarah Thorn
Amber wiped away a tear. ''I suppose so, but I really thought I had something with him. He's different.''
''He's just a footballer. Do you want your life all over the papers, and the life of your parents?''
''No. But you screwed Rod, so what makes you so high and mighty?''
''I didn't do anything of the kind. I fancy him, and he wanted to, but I went home. My job is worth too much. I can't go around screwing clients and neither can you.''
''Sorry. I didn't mean.....''
''It's okay,'' Josephine said. ''Come on let's go and get a latte.''
The following morning Danny was too hung over to turn up to training. He pushed the girls in his bed to one side and went to throw up in the bathroom. His phone rang, it was Miguel.
''Sorry boss, I'm ill. A touch of flu.''
''Not according to the Daily Star. You and a group of tramps are all over the back page.''
''Okay, I got pissed. Really pissed. Sorry.''
''Ten thousand fine, and get your ass here this afternoon or you're off to Spain to play football, do you understand?''
''Yes boss.''
Danny sat at the kitchen table in his three million pound London apartment and looked down the River Thames. It was raining and the clouds only just cleared Tower Bridge. The weather matched his mood. He was ashamed of his drunkenness and his womanizing, but he only had one overriding thought. He wanted her back, and he wanted her back now.
He called her, but she didn't answer. He called again just before his dressing down by Miguel, not reply. He called her afterward, no reply.
On the way home, he summoned all the self-discipline he had and drove straight past the pub.
Maybe if he explained his secret, she would understand him better. It would explain his behavior, the late night drinking, the nightclubs, the women. But could he trust her not to tell anyone? He'd lived with it for too long; it had eaten away at him for years. He felt inadequate and frightened that one day he would be the laughing stock of the country if it got out. But Amber would understand and help him; he was sure.
*****
''Danny, what the hell, it's two am,'' Amber said after she'd looked through the spy hole in her apartment door.
''Sorry. I know. But I need to speak to you.''
''You scared me, coming here at this time.''
''I know. Just let me in for a minute, I promise I'll go away again.''
Amber looked at him and stood aside. He entered the hallway and waited for her to close the door.
''What?'' she said.
''I can't read and write,'' he said.
''What?.''
''I need your help. I can't read, and I can't write.'' He began to cry.
Amber felt desperately sorry for him, as well as deep shock at what he'd just revealed. She hugged him. ''Come on, sit down.'' He sat on the sofa and looked at her.
''You can't read and write?''
''No not a damn word. Not even my name. Why else do you think I party all the time? I'm shit scared it'll get out. If it does, just imagine how stupid I'll look. I do stupid stuff just to keep the tabloids off the scent. If they're reporting me getting drunk and screwing women, they're not digging into my school history.''
''My God, I never realized. You know it's really not that difficult to read and write. It won't take you long to learn.''
''Eleven years of school didn't teach me.''
''Because you weren't interested. You probably spent all your time with a ball on your foot.''
''Yes. I did.''
''Okay, I'll teach you.''
He smiled. ''But don't tell anyone okay? It's more than my life's worth.''
''Of course, I won't.''
''You don't think I'm stupid to do you?'' he asked.
''No, of course, I don't. Danny, I'm sorry for doing what I did to you. I really like you, but Josephine got to me and told me I shouldn't be dating you.'' She squeezed his hand and looked at his fraught face. ''She told me all sorts about me being dragged into your court battles and made me worried it would affect my parents’ reputation. I was a bitch to you; I can see that now.'' She smiled at him and wiped a tear from his cheek. ''Stay with me tonight. I will make you feel better,'' she put his hand inside her robe. ''Let's forget what happened. Let's look to the future. And the future means you and me, and reading and writing.''
*****
''Amber? What are yo doing with a book called, ''Elementary Reading and Writing for Adults?'' Josephine asked.
Amber looked down at her bag which was on the floor next to her desk. The top was open, and the title of the book she'd bought for Danny was there for all to see. ''Er.....I'm just.....''
''He can't read can he?''
''Who?''
''Danny. Danny can't read and you're helping him.''
''Please don't tell anybody. He's so hurt by it. It's not his fault; he had a terrible childhood; nobody supervised him.''
''So out best footballer is a dunce. What a surprise,'' Josephine said sarcastically.
''He's not a dunce, he's a great guy. He just needs help that's all.''
Josephine took a rubber band from her desk and played with it. ''Are you still seeing him?''
''Yes. I apologized for what I said to him. We are an item, and we will remain one.''
''Can't you find someone who is literate?''
''Fuck you, Josephine.'
''Ladies, ladies, what's going on?'' Joe asked.
''Amber is seeing Danny Constance. I don't think it's professional. And he can't read or write.'' Amber looked daggers at Josephine.
''Really?'' Joe said looking at Amber.
''Yes, I'm seeing him, and yes he can't read or write. But if it gets out the press will crucify him.''
''Well, Josephine, I don't see any law against dating someone, especially if it makes both parties happy. On the subject of his literacy capabilities, that's none of our business and a private matter between Danny and Amber.''
Joe scowled at Josephine, who pulled a spoiled brat face. ''And now Josephine, I want to see you. Apparently you called Rod Stevens a black bastard. The owner of the club heard you. I had to plead with him to let us keep the contract. Apparently you were miffed Rod wouldn't sleep with you at the celebration the other evening.'' Joe came back into the office with Josephine ten minutes later and watched as she cleared her desk.
*****
''You bitch, you lying cheating bitch,' Danny cried down the phone. ''Look at the sodding newspapers. Rod called me. The ass holes are calling me Consonant Constance. I don't even know what a consonant is. How could you do this to me?''
''But Danny I swear, I didn't tell anybody.''
''Liar. How come, a day after I told you about my problem the whole world knows?''
''Because I bought a book for you to learn from, Josephine saw it and put two and two together.''
''You mean the same bitch that called Rod a black.....?''
''Yes. Danny, I'm.....''
''No Amber. You were careless now I'm a laughing stock. Do you know I'll never live it down.''
*****
Stand by: five, four, three, two, one, on air:
''Good evening and welcome to the John Rushforth show, an hour of discussion about current topics. This evening we will discuss the widening crisis in Syria with the Deputy Prime Minister, the future of Britain in the European Union with the leader of the Chamber of Commerce Mandy Jones, and adult literacy with our guest Amber Sullivan a close friend of the footballer Danny Constance, and Margo Cummings from the Adult Literacy Foundation.
Amber sat next to Joe in the wings of the YTV studio. Joe knew all the most important TV show hosts and directors. After forty-five minutes of the live show, John Rushforth announced a commercial break and Amber was told to go on set.
''Welcome back. Yesterday a fascinating story broke about Danny Constance, our best footballer. According to reports, he is illiterate. After a little research, we have discovered that as many as one in five UK citize
ns cannot read or write, or both. This evening I'm pleased to welcome Amber Sullivan a personal friend of Danny Constance and the Chair of the Adult Literacy Foundation, Margo Cummings. First Amber, perhaps you can tell us about Danny's case?''
Amber cleared her throat and as Joe had told her looked into the camera. ''I became a friend of Danny's a few weeks ago. He asked me to help him because he was desperate. He was so ashamed of the fact that he can't read or write that it was destroying his life.''
''How did he manage to get through school?'' John asked.
''He had nobody at home to supervise what he was doing. Nobody really cared about his education. Luckily he is a great footballer and can make a very decent living, but what about those less fortunate than him?''
''Sure. It's an enormous problem. Margo can you tell us more.''
''As you correctly mentioned about one in five, in this country, have this problem. And it's usually due to what Amber explained. Lack of parental support.''
''Isn't that what teachers are for?'' John asked.
''Teachers can only do so much. They have hundreds of children to look after. The role of the child's parents or guardian plays a hugely significant role.''
''And how is Danny now Amber?''
''Devastated that he is being made a fool of in the press, and on a personal level very upset with me. Danny, if you're watching, I'd like to say sorry.''
''I have seen some of the press reports, and it makes me sick to be a journalist,'' John said. ''I want to say here and now, and we have upward of ten million viewers, that their treatment of Danny has been a disgrace.''
''That's right John, and it's typical of people's attitude to illiteracy,'' Margo said. ''They think these people are dumb or lazy, but they aren't. They just didn't get a great start in life. In fact, I want to invite Danny to be an Ambassador for our cause. He's hugely popular with our children, and I would love it if he could do some school tours to tell parents of the importance of helping their children, especially in the early stages.''
*****
After the show, Amber was in a taxi on the way back to her apartment when her phone rang.
''Get over here now,'' Danny said.
''What's up?''
'Nothing, just get yourself over here, now.''
Amber asked the taxi driver to turn around and take her to Danny's apartment. When she arrived, a group of press was gathered outside his house. Amber pushed her way through them and went inside.
''Danny what's going on?''
''Come with me,'' he said. He took hold of her hand and went outside. Cameras clicked, and there were flashes.
''Thank you for coming,'' Danny began. ''I have a statement to make. I can confirm press reports that I can neither read or write. I haven't got a clue what this says, but I'm told it's an apology from the Press Association about the way I have been treated since the news leaked.'' Danny held up a fax that Miguel had brought round to him. ''Being illiterate isn't funny, and people who are illiterate shouldn't be the butt end of jokes. Racism and sexism, are illegal, so why not illiterate-ism. If you will excuse my made up word.'' The press laughed. ''This is Amber, and she's my girlfriend, and she's going to help me to read and write, and in a year I'll be reading all your spelling mistakes. Thank you.''
Ignoring all the follow-up questions Danny put his arm around Amber and went back into the house. He closed the front door and threw her against the wall. She struggled for breath as he kissed her and felt for her zipper. He slid her pants down until they reached her ankles, her panties followed. He picked her up and held her against the wall. She kicked her legs free of the garments and hooked herself around him.
''Oh God I want this,'' she moaned.
He freed his penis and in one fluid movement thrust up and into her, making her cry out. She held him tightly as he took her. He pulled her blouse open and took out her breasts. He was wild, demanding her, and taking exactly what he wanted.
''I'm coming,' Amber shrieked. She began to shake as she held onto him, his trusts so strong her whole body shuddered violently under the force. He cried out and held onto her as they enjoyed their first mutual orgasm.
They collapsed in a heap on the hallway floor, both totally out of breath, Danny still deep inside her.
*****
''Hi babe,'' Danny said. ''How's college?''
''Great. Almost done. Two more months,'' Amber replied from her student apartment at Yale.
''Then you'll be a WAG.''
''A what?''
''Wives and Girlfriends, WAG.''
''Oh yes, how stupid of me.''
''You're not stupid. Without you, I would still be the old Danny. Now I can read what they say about my footballing skills, although sometimes when I read what they write, I wish I was still illiterate.''
''That's what I love about you Danny Constance, you're sense of humor.''
''Don't speak too soon, when you come back to England and live with me, you'll have to put up with it all day.''
“I don't care as long as I'm with you.''
*****
THE END
BILLIONAIRE BOSS Romance – Bought by the Boss
Tonya Campbell was late for work; the road was littered with branches after a violent thunderstorm the previous evening, and the fire department had partially closed the road. Tonya was glad it had rained because it had been unbearably hot over the previous three weeks and the surgery had been littered with old people suffering from heat stroke.
When she pulled into St James Medical Facility, she waved at Jonnie, the gardener and parked her battered old VW Beetle in her usual place.
''Hi Jonnie, how you doing?'' she shouted across the parking lot. Jonnie was pruning a border of roses adjacent to the surgery.
''Great Tonya. How's your mom?''
''Not great,'' Tonya replied.
''Send her my love. She's a tough old thing. She'll be fine.'' Tonya wished she shared Jonnie's optimism.
The rain had brought the temperature down by a few degrees and everything smelled fresh again. The surgery was built about ten years previously and served the community of Sandpoint, Idaho. The town is situated on the Lake Pend Oreille just outside the Kanikusu National Forest a major tourist attraction. In summer, the town was full of hikers and in winter full of skiers. Tonya was grateful that she was born in such a picturesque place, and she had no intention of leaving.
''Here she is,'' Gretta said thankfully. ''Tonya, Mrs. Bain here says she has an appointment this morning, but I can't find it anywhere in the system.''
''Hi Mrs. Bain. How are you?'' Tonya asked.
''I need to see the doctor about my, you know what,'' Mrs. Bain whispered.
Tonya knew very well what Mrs. Bain was referring to. Mrs. Bain was a regular because she had the worst case of bunions any doctor at the surgery had ever seen.
''No Mrs. Bain, your appointment is for tomorrow morning at eight o'clock.''
''Does that mean I've got to come back again? It's such a nuisance. I can hardly walk.''
''I'll see what I can do, Mrs. Bain. Bear with me a moment.''
Mrs. Bain, who was around eighty and bent double, looked at Gretta. ''She's a good receptionist is our Tonya. Without her this practice would collapse,'' she said.
Gretta was just eighteen, the daughter of one of the town's mayor. She'd decided to spend the summer getting some work experience by assisting Tonya on reception.
''Alright Mrs. Bain, Doctor Aldroyd will see you. He can squeeze you in before morning surgery.''
''Oh but he's such a bore. Isn't there anybody else?'' Mrs. Bain complained.
''I'm afraid it's either Doctor Aldroyd or a trip back here tomorrow,'' Tonya answered. ''Hurry up, though, the waiting room will be filling up soon.'' Mrs. Bain shuffled from the reception area and sat down in the waiting room next door.
''Sorry I'm late Gretta. Was she horrible to you?''
''No. She was fine.''
''We have a lot of patients and a few of the
m can be very awkward. But you'll get used to dealing with different kinds of people soon enough.''
Tonya sat down behind the reception desk which was made of wood and metal and painted a gaudy shade of green. It was seven minutes past seven in the morning. Surgery began at seven thirty and Tonya looked to see which doctors were on duty that day. Dr. Aldroyd, Dr. Day and Dr. Crosby. Five minutes later a steady stream of patients began to come into reception. She took their names and referred them to the waiting room.
At ten Tonya's cell phone rang. On the display, she could see that it was her mother. She answered nervously.
''Hi honey,'' her mom said. ''I'm afraid it's not good news. It's cancer again.''
Tonya felt herself welling up. Cancer was a word that struck into her heart like a rod of hot steel. ''Oh mom. How can that be? Are they sure?''
''I'm afraid so.''
Tonya felt sick. Her mother had been in and out of hospital for a couple of years with various complaints, but breast cancer was the most serious of them. She'd had a small operation to remove a lump six months ago, and now it would appear to have returned.
''I don't know what to say, mom. We'll just have to fight it again.''
Tonya's mom wasn't old. She was only forty-five, Tonya was twenty-two.''Listen I'll try and come home early, okay?''
''Alright my love. See you later.''
Tonya put her phone down and stood up. ''Gretta, can you take over for a while. I need some fresh air.''
Outside, she found a corner in the yard, crouched down and let the tears flow. After a while, she felt in her skirt pocket for a tissue and was dismayed to find she didn't have one. As she walked back to the surgery door, Dr. Crosby came out, presumably on his way to see bed-bound patients.
At just thirty-three, Dr. Crosby owned several medical facilities, many pieces of real estate and a sixty-foot yacht. He was at a point in his life where he didn't have to work, but he enjoyed contact with patients and continued to work as a doctor at his facility. He also happened to be the best-looking doctor the ladies of Sandpoint had ever seen. He was tall and dark with tanned skin and a perfect body. He was always pleasant to Tonya, but she was wary of him, he liked his own way. Tonya didn't know, but he had the hots for her. She was exactly his type. Leggy, slim and blonde with large breasts.
