“What is this, tee rak?”
“It’s 250,000 baht. That’s your share of the reward money for finding Jack Morgan.”
“Jing jing?” (Really?)
“Really. It might be enough to help you start up your new detective business.”
Danny did not think that Nok would accept the money if she knew that he had taken it out of his own bank account.
Nok beamed her wide smile at Danny.
“Thank you tee rak, for make everything good in my life.”
They finished the steaks and went up to the room. Nok showered and washed a naked Danny, being careful not to wet his bandaged dressings. They made love several times through the night.
The next morning it was at Danny’s insistence that they said goodbye in the hotel reception, while the limousine waited outside to take Danny to the airport. Nok wanted to go to the airport, but Danny was not a fan of big goodbyes. Nok had promised not to cry, but she could not help herself and, as they kissed goodbye, the tears rolled down her face.
“Tee rak, I want you to know that I love you.”
“I know Nok. I love you too.”
“Last time you leave me I say you that I wait for one year for you to come back. I say that because I know in my heart that you will come back. But now I say that I will wait for you forever, because I not think you will come back to me.”
“I don’t want you to wait Nok.”
“I cannot help it. I can only wait for you because I love you.”
“Goodbye Nok.”
“Goodbye my tee rak.”
Danny walked out into the blazing heat of another Bangkok day and Nok watched through tear filled eyes as the limousine took him away.
“Goodbye my handsome tee rak” she whispered again.
Chapter 58: Welcome Home
The flight to Udon Thani was only a short one and would only take an hour. It was not until he got on the plane that he realised how nervous he was about seeing Ling again. He drifted off into his own thoughts and memories about Ling. He looked out of the window as the plane took off and climbed into the sky. He did not realise that, as he stared out of the window, he was smiling. He was thinking about how he had met Ling and how incredibly beautiful she was. He thought about all the funny things that she had said to him. He remembered meeting her family, the people from her village and how they fixed up Mama’s house. He thought about how they made love in Mama’s house as the lightning forked down and the rain thrashed on the green tin roof. He could visualize the diamond ring he had bought for her and the field where Ling had pointed out where they should build their house. He remembered all the smiling faces of the friends he had made and the celebrations that just seemed to happen at Mama’s house.
“Holy Jesus!” he said out loud, when he remembered eating the ‘beef curry’ made from the field rats.
Most of all he remembered how much he had fallen in love with Ling and how happy he felt when he was with her. How relaxed he was in her company and how sure he was that it was the spirit of Ying who had brought him back to Thailand to find happiness with Ling.
Danny knew that he was happy and excited to be going back to Ling. He knew that he loved her and he knew that he had a lot to tell her. Danny decided that he was going to tell Ling all about his life; his entire history over the last ten year. He decided that what had happened between him and Nok was part of that history. He did not feel worried about telling Ling, because he knew it was part of the journey that had brought him back to Udon Thani; back to Ling, back to life.
When Nui, the Thai Government Agent, went to explain everything to Ling she was surprised that Ling already had absolutely no doubt that Danny was not a killer, despite everything that had been on the TV and in the press. Nui and Ling liked each other and, before she left Ling, Nui had promised that she would phone her to let her know when Danny was coming back to her. As promised, she rang Ling as Danny was boarding the plane in Bangkok.
It was just long enough for Ling to make phone calls and tell everyone that Danny was coming back home. People, alcohol and food all started arriving at Mama’s house. Ling and her young sisters, Am and Om, helped Mama to prepare the party.
The plane touched down in Udon Thani and Danny felt happy in his heart to be there. The taxi ride through the city felt different too. Suddenly, this city felt like home and Danny just wanted to be back with Ling. He was wishing away every minute to see her again and then, suddenly, he was there pulling up at Mama’s house.
The awnings had been erected again and huge speakers were piled high, blasting out Thai music. It looked to Danny as if every single person in the village must have been there. There were hundreds of people and most of them came swarming towards the taxi to greet him. Danny handed 500 baht to the driver and told him to keep the change. The delighted taxi driver wai’d him but, after recognizing a face in the crowd, he too got out of the taxi and decided to stay for a while and enjoy the party. Danny was being pulled along towards the back of the house and then, suddenly, Ling was coming towards him. She was even more beautiful than he remembered. In that moment he knew that he had arrived at where he was destined to be. He felt that his lonely, drunken journey was over. He was with the woman he loved and he knew that it was Ying who had guided him here. Ling threw herself into Danny’s arms and they embraced as if they were never going to let go. The people surrounding them clapped and cheered and whooped.
“Darling, I love you” said Ling through her tears.
“I love you too.”
“I so happy you come back to me. I know you love me sure.”
“Jesus, Ling! I do. With all my heart, but I have so much to tell you about my life.”
Ling did not know anything about Danny, but she loved him like she had never loved anyone before and, as far as she was concerned, they had a lifetime to discover everything they needed to know about each other.
“Darling, I only need to know that you love me. I think our life start together from today. Now we have future.”
“Yes, you’re right. I do love you and I have never been so happy.”
“You want I make you happy more?”
“I don’t know if you can Ling.”
“Yes can.” Ling put Danny’s hand on her tummy and smiled at him.
“Darling, we have baby now grow inside me.”
“Jesus, really! I mean are you sure?”
“Sure. Sure. I do test today. Very sure 100%. You be Papa soon. Are you happy darling?”
Danny was not an emotional man. His heart, his feelings and his emotions had been battered out of him by life and drowned by alcohol. But somehow Thailand, Ling, Ying and Nok had given him his heart back. He had been kissed by the Thai Dragon and now his heart melted and tears of happiness filled his diamond blue eyes. He nodded and surrendered to his feelings.
“I am more than happy Ling. I don’t know what to say.”
“I make you even more happy. Come.”
Ling dragged him by the hand to the other side of her Mama’s house and Danny gazed in amazement. Ling had finished building their new house. It was beautiful.
THE END.
About the author
Guy Lilburne has been a Policeman for 30 years and a Detective for the last 27 years. He has worked in CID, Murder Squads, Drugs Squad, Vice Squad, Special Enquiries, and various Crime Squads. He has also worked in a specialist Covert Unit and more recently in a Cold Case Review Squad. He has been writing for over twenty years.
Author of the Best Selling books ‘My Thai Story’ (2010) and the Detective novels ‘The Thai Dragon’ (2010) ‘The Kiss of the Dragon’(July 2011)
Guy Lilburne lives in Thailand. His last blockbuster novel was ‘Cocktails & Dreams’(Oct 2011) another Murder/Detective story set in Thailand. It’s another outing for Ex D/Sgt Dan
ny O’Brien. Guy Lilburne really captures a taste of Thailand and whisks you along at a breath taking pace in the land of smiles.
The author’s latest offering is another Crime thriller with a twist. ‘The Flower Girl’ is the story a murder story but it is also a story about love and hope and finding what it is that makes us happy.
Guy is currently working on three future books;
Graham, Just one shade!. One man’s trials and tribulations in his attempt to find Miss Right.
My Thai story II, is the true story about the authors journey to find a new life in Thailand.
*(Untitled) The 4th Danny O’Brien Detective Story.
The Kiss of the Dragon Page 26
