Title: The Gift
Author: Tudy
Disclaimer: All are Sheds. This is for fun, not profit… as if…


-A plain manila envelope on my desk. No postage...odd that…

H. Stewart
H.M.P. Larkhall

-Inside a type written note…

My Dear Miss Stewart,

As the Holidays approach, I find myself thinking of you, and remembering fondly, some of the interesting times we’ve shared. I wonder if you recall that spirited discussion in your office? One might even call it electric; charged as it was…from where I sat, at least. Turn it over in your mind. I know you’ll find it rewarding.

Your Obedient Servant,

N. Quay


What on earth…? N. Quay?…Nikki !!…Obedient Servant?! Go on, pull the other one!! Oh sweetheart, what are you up to now!? And how in the hell do you manage it!? Surprising the crap out of me, when this is a Maximum – bloody – Security - sodding - Prison !!…Subtle, you are not! Yeah, here it is…Gad! What did you use to fasten it?



"Happy Christmas Gorgeous!! Got your full attention have I? I calculate it took you two minutes to find this….Ten seconds to flip over the chair. And one minute plus, indulging in futile recriminations, as in … “Why do we even bother?! POs, locks, bars…when they’re obviously free to go swanning about as they please!
Your Christmas gift? There are'nt many shops in here. ..so I’ll have to be creative.
A challenge then! You know you love ‘em!! Fox and Hounds…guess who’s the Fox? I’ve scattered a paper trail.Don't worry,...a discreet one…Ready...steady…off you go !"

“Methinks thou dost protest too much…”
So I handed you the answer…”




All right Nikki , you’re on! A trip down memory lane it is! I recall every word we’ve shared…most to my chagrin…might have missed a few though …My heart was pounding that hard...Ignore, deny, run…you’ll not dwell on those…too kind. A positive moment then … a friendly exchange. Shakespeare…? And you hand me…?...Gotcha Wade !!

Middle shelf…halfway along…Jeanette Winterson…yes!


“Every good girl deserves an – “Orange” - for Christmas.
Savour this one.”


It took most of the night sweetheart, but I got your message. Two in fact! A deeply religious parent…cold and distant…Love yourself… Live an authentic life…and keep track of every…sodding…circled word!!

Pg. 1 Your
Pg. 37 Hand
Pg. 102 My
Pg. 129 Breast
Pg. 151 Dig


[I]
Six inches down - a tobacco tin: Wade you owe me a manicure!



“ I do hope you’re not wearing that blue skirt…cream top number…so very creamy…that top.
The bus ride I took…unsure of my welcome. Take it to the end of the line. This key…a locker…at elf height.”



As it happens Wade ...no skirt to-day….pants ! Heaven alone knew how deep you’d plant this...not very, as it happens …You are a wild woman, and I love that so! I felt your nipple…rock hard under my palm! I couldn’t shake that feeling. I still can’t. You shook me…right off my heterosexual perch. Thank God! Just now…when I passed you in the hall…cheeky bugger, dusting off your jeans. Forcing my eyes down to my own dirty knee… I’ll be on that bus tonight… for my sins.


Nikki, I’m crying. I know you wouldn’t want me to, but darling. In this box is a piece of you, not touched by prison. I’m almost afraid to open it. I’ll wait ‘til morning… My mum insisted … church ...breakfast, then presents…only then! I’d forgotten…That’s what I’ll do, and that’s what I feel Nikki…a great big kid, mad with anticipation …close to my mum again. That’s gift enough sweetheart !!

Breathtaking !! An antique silver frame…but the photograph !! Your hair…a bit longer...face tanned…red jacket against a blue, blue sky…A snowy mountain range. You’re leaning on an ice axe, beaming …one hand gesturing…Just look! Can you believe it?!

“ Helen…The most beautiful place on earth…You’ve given me a gift…The kind of freedom I felt on that day. I’ll love, only you… Nikki. "


Freedom? Nikki…from behind bars sweetheart , your spirit sets me free…

Wow. That was brilliant.

That was a great.

:clap :clap :clap :clap :clap

great story :clap

That was wonderful! :clap Great job, sweetie.

Fantastic! :clap Tudy, I'm keeping my eye on you ... your stories, that is.

not real sure how i missed this one. it's great... but then so are all of your stories. fantastic dialog... even in form or hints and notes.

Cheers JT...and right back at you...I 've just started a new one . Let me know what you think...I'm maybe pushing the envelope a tetch...2D

Loved it.

This was awesome! Made me concentrate! You're very creative and gifted!