BOOKS IN PROGRESS

     Destiny: In Fate's Footsteps is a story of betrayal and broken dreams, set against the social mores and customs that existed in the western world in 1940s and 1950s. The story begins when the troopship Otranto arrives in Southampton on November 10, 1946. As the returning veterans assemble on the decks, waiting their turn to disembark. Lost in a deep reverie, Gordon recalls how he and Anni parted in Hong Kong.
When he walks down the steep wooden steps, he suddenly finds Joan in his arms. Joan and his mother have come to meet him.

Excerpt:

     It was not until the train was halfway to London that my mother announces casually, "The marriage bans have been read twice, Gordon. They’ll be read in church again next Sunday." Having delivered her bombshell, Mother smiles complacently and settles back in her seat.
     This is the first time that I have heard wedding plans mentioned, and it takes a moment for me to realize that she is actually talking about Joan and me! My thoughts are in complete disarray. "Wh..., when is it?"
     "Sunday, November twenty-third at the Parish Church in Chingford. All the family will be there."
    "That’s less than two weeks away!"
    "It’s the only date we could get before Christmas," Mother replies, "and you’ll want some time for a honeymoon before you go back off leave." Then she adds, "After all, you and Joan have been engaged for some time now."
     Afraid to look at Joan, I stared at Mother and mutter, "That’s true."
     With a sinking feeling, I realize that I should have expected this. The letter that I had received from Joan in Singapore should have warned me. I feel anger and resentment. It's not at Joan, however, but at my mother.
     Mother is now doing all the talking. She’s thrown herself into the wedding plans and rattles on about all the arrangements. Joan is sitting quietly looking out of the window, her head turned partially away, as if afraid to look at me.
     Stunned by the turn of events, I am hurt and annoyed because no one has asked for my views or opinion about this marriage. For God’s sake, I want to shout, I’ve been away almost two years. I’m not the same man that I was when I left England. I feel trapped in an impossible situation.
     Why has Joan allowed this to happen? She should have at least waited until I got home.