This story was first published on the public fiction section of Square Pegs (squarepegs.overspillers.net) by Jiminy

Bill Hartman lay alone in a side ward at Bradford Infirmary. The sides of his bed had been raised to prevent a fall, and palliative treatment meant he suffered no pain. But he could see from the expression on the nurse’s face that he hadn’t much longer to live. Ah well he thought, my life has had its ups and downs but on the whole it hasn’t been too bad, so I suppose I should be grateful for seeing my sixtieth birthday. As Bill lay calmly in the last bed he would occupy on Earth memories came crowding back into his mind.

Although my parents were poor they contrived to keep me well fed and clothed. At primary school I was top of the class, but on moving to secondary school my pass marks became fewer until eventually I left school at sixteen with no qualifications. However, feeling that any job was better than no job at all I found a place as a gopher in a wholesale grocery warehouse: sweeping the floor, stacking crates of potatoes, anything that was needed. Sadly though, I was dismissed for dropping a crate of vinegar bottles and found myself queuing at the local job-centre

After this set-back I decided to pull myself together and make a new start in my life. So after some thought I decided I would like to become a TV repair man. So with this thought foremost in mind I applied for a skillcentre course. Then, after a successful interview, I joined my fellow students at Leeds skillcentre. And although I knew the course would be demanding I resolved to do my utmost to succeed. My fellow-students came from many walks of life, including a failed undergraduate and a Ugandan shop-keeper. But most importantly, our tutor’s excellent teaching methods ensured that most of his students would be successful

Following a high pass-rate it was time for an interview with the careers official who told me that although there were no TV technician posts available he could recommend a career as a TV and radio components salesman which would involve some technical expertise. So, feeling my future was secure I duly arrived at Hi-Tek Components Limited, and after a brief interview I was given a position as technical representative for Yorkshire and Lancashire

It was at a wedding party that I first met Pandora. Her brother had married into a moneyed family and the wine was flowing freely. While dancing a slow foxtrot I felt her bosom pressing close and sensed her vibrant sexuality. After this meeting we soon found ourselves a snug little apartment in Rawdon where we held wild parties with Pandora’s university friends. But after a while the glamour began to fade and I felt I was dreaming the impossible dream. There was no rancour when we parted, just a feeling of je ne sais quoi

My job took me to many places, including the Metropole Hotel in Leeds where I met Tony Marchment in the saloon bar. He had recently arrived from overseas where he made a living doing whatever came his way. But after a while it became obvious that he was a Jack the lad who seized any opportunity to make a living by fair means or foul. So when he offered to make me his accomplice of course I refused. However, when business became slack due to fierce competition from a well-established company I agreed to join him in his dodgy enterprises.

Tony specialised in what he called distraction techniques. In other words I would engage the shopkeeper in conversation while he made off with the goods. This might be a TV, radio or whatever could be sold on the underground market. This worked well for a while until one day we messed up, leaving me to face the music while Tony did a runner. I was hauled before the magistrate who committed me to Leeds Assizes where the judge sent me down for a three year stretch in Armley jail. But eventually when my sentence was commuted to two years for good behaviour I breathed a sigh of relief and resolved to make a new start in life. There’s not much more to tell except to say that I gave up all thoughts of marriage and having kids, but I suppose I’m happy in my own way.

Bill groaned as the nurse came to change his bedpan. His life hadn’t been much to shout about but at least he’d had his dignity. Then later, during the night, he had a strange feeling of floating in the air, then gradually he lost all sense of being as his life ended peacefully. Almost immediately there came a sensation of being enclosed in a dark damp place. Then suddenly there came a feeling of passing through a narrow tunnel into a blaze of light. It was the beginning of a whole new life with all its possibilities for joy or sorrow. Eileen smiled contentedly as her new baby snuggled close to her breast.