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Lot's of my short stories begin with the same scenario.

 

Wherever in the world my ship docked during WW2, I would head for the nearest cafe/fast food. Sitting by myself someone would approach for a chat that often terminated with an invite back to their home.

 

This story has all the elements of what good people do, but, in this instance, ends up with a question " What would you have done."  I direct the question to all the male readers.

 

Two young ladies approached me whilst I was enjoying my first cup of coffee, with the usual questions, "What ship are you from, what part of the world do you live etc. etc."

"We live locally, instead of going back to your ship, come back with us for a family meal."

I didn't object because it had happened to me many times before.

 

The house was empty and only 10 minutes drive away.

"Where are your parents?'

"They will be back later" and they started to cook a really appetizing meal.

 

Afterwards I sat in the lounge reading whilst the two young ladies washed the dishes. One girl appeared in the doorway. " I'm off now"

 

I thought she was part of the family, but no just a friend, so I continued to read. The noise from the kitchen eventually stopped, and then only silence for quite a while. I went into the kitchen and called out.

 

" I'm doing something in the bedroom you can come in"

 

I stepped into the doorway and there she was standing next to the bed completely naked.

 

I was thinking to myself " what a unique way of saying thank you for the hospitality and meal, but before I had the chance to say a word, the loud noise of a car pulling into the driveway broke the silence.

 

" My parents are back; they were supposed to be away for the weekend."

 

There was no way  I could  leave via the front door, so I ran past her, hesitating for one last quick look before climbing through the window to escape into the back garden, and back to my ship.

 

It was the following day or the day after during my duties on board, I was told someone wanted to see me on the quayside. Yes, it was the girl.

 

"Why haven't you been to see me"

" I think you should know the reason why"

" If you don't come to see me, I'll see your ship's captain and tell him that you raped me"

 

My anger reached boiling point in seconds, and I slapped her hard across the face. As soon as I connected, I said to myself "that's it, I'll be in the ships prison before the day is out."

 

her eyes were bulging out of their sockets. " I'm sorry, she said" "No I should not have hit you" She turned and walked away saying over and over again "I'm sorry"

 

I can still see that look on her face to this very day.

So, to all male readers. "What would you have done?"

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