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WRONG WAY - GO BACK   By Tessa Harvey Eden was astonished, looking from one face to the other.      Eden and Blanche face up to "Ahmed." He pulls out a few dirty bills and plonks them roughly in Eden's hands. Blanche looks a query at the other woman, who shakes her head. The policewoman stares at the angry boss, dark eyes drilling into slightly grey ones. Reluctantly he hauls out a few more tattered folds of money, shoots them both a hostile glare and goes growling off to the rest of the staff who quickly become very busy at various chores as though they have nothing else in the whole world to think of or do.     James asks quietly when the women return: "Is there anyone else worthy of rescuing?" Eden thinks.... of Lopez, who bothers her daily with nasty talk, of Marla who pinches and pushes, of Jacques who is always angry and bitter. She closes her eyes. "No," she finally says, No-one."     The police escort her back to her lodgings. James waits...
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WRONG WAY - GO BACK   By Tessa Harvey Eden was rhythmically chopping carrots. She often prayed for the blessing of God on the food she helped prepare. Today though, images crowded her mind, her tiny lost son, so perfect in death. Then her kind, beautiful husband's face twisted in pain, looking at her with such love.         She saw again her little girl, so full of sweetness and promise, torn from her by the cruel storm. She knew they were with Jesus, but she felt so alone.     There was a shadow over her. Glancing up, she saw the heavy shape of her boss. He glared at her. "Yes, Mr. Ahmed," she spoke hesitantly. "Yes, Mr. Ahmed," he echoed mockingly. "You brought the police here, woman," he accused. "You send them away again or...." He drew his finger across his throat. Eden almost rolled her eyes at his dramatic threat, but stifled the action just in time.     She knew 'Ahmed' was not his real name. "Real names is trouble,...
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WRONG WAY - GO BACK   By Tessa Harvey James Roberts shuffled some papers on his desk. He had a job to do he didn't much like. He switched off the computer, fiddled with a pen, rubbed at some dust. Finally he pushed his chair back and left the room.     On his way out he paused to congratulate Blanche Isaacs. It had been clever of her to follow the little refugee boy and the big man.     She beamed at his praise. "Are you going to see the lady who called us?" she asked. He looked at her dark smooth skin and warm brown eyes. "Yes," he said, heavily, and sighed.     "Could I come?" The older man considered and nodded. Blanche was ready almost at once, pausing only for her cap and to turn off her iPad.  She liked the big imposing man. He had a conscience, which was rare.
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WRONG WAY - GO BACK   By Tessa Harvey Eden was clutching the phone. It had taken all her courage and much prayer to call. Finally she was put through to someone in authority.     He heard her hesitant story, prompting her at intervals, asking questions softly as though sensing her nervousness. The inspector was very good at assessing character and was seldom wrong.     Finally he decided to share with the woman. "Eden," he began, "I believe you are telling the truth. We are aware that few refugee boats actually make it to that harbour, and a few children disappear for want of a better word. "However,"  as he heard her quick intake of breath, "even one is one too many."     "I believe you yourself are a refugee - no, I have no intention of reporting you, but you must get proper authorisation to stay here." "There is a little boy," Eden ventured. "The old man says he is 'Uncle' but he is not." Tears choked her, but...
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WRONG WAY - GO BACK   By Tessa Harvey Uncle came back. Taking a deep breath, Eden told him her story and the story of Jesus.  "But, how can you believe in this....this God, after all He has made you suffer? It don't make sense." "God did not do it," Eden replied. "Evil men and women are responsible." She looked straight at him. "He will help and accept you if you turn from your bad ways and ask Jesus to help you."     She forestalled his next objection. "It's never too late to change. Now I must go." She took care not to be followed.     Over the next few months the woman did her best for the little boy and also she looked for Alice,  asking at the school. All they would tell Eden was that she had been placed in care. So Eden reassured the small Eddie she would look also for his sister.     When Eddie could slip away, he also looked at different schools, wishing he could go to school also. By now he was nearly four.     Once he...
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WRONG WAY - GO BACK   By Tessa Harvey After a week she felt strong enough to see the boy.  He wasn't there.      "We passed him on," Uncle said, avoiding her gaze! "Sold him," she answered bitterly, "you sold him?" "So," the man said gruffly, "you pay more, I can keep him here - you didn't come back, after all!"     Eden sat down on a broken chair. She felt sick and weak. "Uncle" leaned out of the door which hung at a slight angle, causing people to stumble when they unexpectedly came in and down a steep step.     "Hooker!" he yelled. "Get the boy. Lady here made a better offer!"  "I want my share," growled the tough-looking man of around thirty. He wore flashy rings, but his clothes were shabby. "I'm not getting him back without some more..."     Uncle glanced at the slim woman, slumped on the dilapidated chair, and felt an unusual twinge of compassion. "She ain't g...
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WRONG WAY - GO BACK By Tessa Harvey A few months later she woke up from a bright dream. Her baby boy was smiling up at her, clutching her finger. Little Susi was leaning over her lap, trying to get the tiny boy to notice her.     He did, and chuckled, grasping her thumb. Susi gasped in surprise and happiness. The baby couldn't hurt, but held her so tightly. Then Dali came, so proud to see the three of them together. He swept his arms around them, wordlessly, face alight with happiness     But then the dream faded. Eden shivered so hard, her teeth rattled, then she was so hot she tried to throw off the ragged blankets, but couldn't. There was a knock at the door and her landlady came in.     "Thought you wasn't up," she said roughly. "What's wrong. 'Ere you ain't got Covid, 'ave yer?" Her voice rose, belligerent and sharp. Her eyes searched the room and saw money. Through blurred vision, Eden saw her take some "for the doctor." ...
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