Gertie Harris was somewhat of a bully, she always made us girls give up our sweets that was still on ration to her, or woe betide anyone who refused as I did myself one day. It was a gob stopper,a round hard ball of a sweet that changed colour at every suck, they would last for ages and for once I resolved Gertie Harris wasn`t getting this one. I ran hell for leather darting in and out to avoid her with the girls cheering me on and singing 'Run rabbit run rabb run, run, run' The gob stopper was getting smaller and small
To late Gertie Harris caught up with me and shook me, and to late I had swallowed the gob stopper.
Everyone cheered me except Gertie Harris who was livid with rage; Her horrible bulging eyes had peered into mine
'One day' she said between teeth clenched with rage 'I am going to kill you.' The woman's eyes had become vacant as if she was in another time and place. Her skirt had developed a concertina effect. I could see pink fleecy knickers reaching down below her knees; 'passion killers us girls used to call them. My eyes lingered for a while upwards, our eyes met, I lowered mine hastily, but as one hypnotised my eyes were drawn again to the woman struggling to discard her anorak'. One arm was partly freed waving about in the air. I could see a sweaty patch wet and dark against the pink cashmere jumper.
She half turned to me as the offending arm freed itself; her breathing was heavy and laboured The narrow slit eyes with yellow flecks are full of hatred and loathing as she gasped 'So we meet again' then like a rattle snake spitting its venom she leaned forward as if ready to strike, the lips curled above the buck teeth 'You are Meg Brent, am I right?'
I nodded, bewildered and frightened, my voice shook 'Who are you?' I whispered, as if I didn't know gaining time, hoping for I knew not what.
'Run rabbit run rabbit, run, run, run' I said I would kill you one day remember?'
Twenty five years to this very day, was the day when us sixth formers went our different ways.
Gertie Harris the bully had grown strong and fatter than ever, I was small compared to her and she was going to kill me I was sure.
The tunnel.....yes....thats what she was waiting for, she was watching my every move with gloating amusement. I closed my eyes and prayed.
I caught a glimpse of the fat legs coming to-wards me, I felt the fat podgy hands squeezing my throat. In desperation I screamed holy murder and clawed the air in an endeavour to free myself; my legs flayed wildly this way and thataway; I could feel myself suffocating, I gave one last almighty scream that echoed through the tunnel, the train screamed an encore.
'Wake up' shouted my husband, 'Its your school reunion today remember, twenty five years isn't it?' He looked at the bed clothes tumbled on the floor. 'What was you dreaming about? any body would think you was being murdered the way you screamed and threw yourself ~
I gave an audible sigh of relief 'I`ve been on a train journey'
'Where to' he asked.
'To hell and back' I replied.
The End
