Historical Fiction and Alternate History. The first story in Alt Hist Issue 9 is “The Lords of Pontefract”. In the penultimate story from Jonathan’s Doering’s “Battalion 2. In “The Lords of Pontefract”, Jonathan Doering imagines the activities of “the other side”, a shadowy network of officials who would have acted as saboteurs and spies within the occupation administration. Jonathan Doering. Author’s note: previously, Battalion 2. West Yorkshire town of Pontefract, following a successful German invasion of Britain. Trying to snow. People all the way down the market place, watching. Two soldiers with me. Hanging platform, sickly yellow against the snow, down by the Butter Cross, where the Market Place turns right towards the Cenotaph. Pontefract, 1st November, 1. Reading might be fundamental, but that doesn’t mean we read as often as we should. Everyone has at least one stack of books they stare at sheepishly, knowing they. By the looks of it, however, Radiohead hid a computer program on the tape that comes with the. The X-Files is one of the most iconic television shows of all time, and it's now returning to our screens. This is everything you need to know before watching The X. The place for everything in Oprah's world. Get health, beauty, recipes, money, decorating and relationship advice to live your best life on Oprah.com. The Oprah Show. Pre-Code Hollywood refers to the brief era in the American film industry between the introduction of sound pictures in 1929 and the enforcement of the Motion Picture. The Hollywood Reporter is your source for breaking news about Hollywood and entertainment, including movies, TV, reviews and industry blogs. Christmas Embers. Chautona Havig. It’s a truth universally unacknowledged that sin will hunt you down and advertise its presence the moment you try to hide it. You’re going, then?”Ebeneezer Lewis looked at his wife standing in the doorway of his bedroom. Raising the ties he was comparing, he replied, “Which do you think, Queenie love, light or dark?”When she didn’t reply, he affected to study first the navy- blue and then his grammar school tie with stripes of light blue, black and gold. Queenie shifted forwards, taking both ties in her hands.“You don’t have to go in today, Eb.”Lewis smiled. Her hands twisted the ties, turning them into silk nooses. Stay home today. Please, Ebeneezer.”He sighed. I’m afraid.”He watched her. She was persistent in her anxieties to the point that he was becoming afraid as well. When he spoke he was as honest as possible: “But everyone’s afraid, Queenie.”Her face contorted and she threw the strips of material against him.“Yes, well, I’m not responsible for ? I’m just responsible for you and me.”She went on, the words bubbling out of her, like milk out of a hot pan.“Haven’t I always been there for you? This is featured post 2 title. You can easy customize the featured slides from the theme options page, on your Wordpress dashboard. You can also disable featured.Haven’t I always wanted the best for you?”“Yes, Queenie. I know that you have. Lord Mayor of Wakefield’s daughter, eh?” He smiled. Fixing her gaze on the carpet, she murmured, “I did have another dream. You were in it.”He went to her then, taking her in his arms; whether this was to comfort or silence her, he wasn’t sure. Superheroes, swimsuits, and special operatives await you in our Summer Movie Guide. Plan your season and take note of the hotly anticipated indie, foreign, and. The title of the documentary is Beyond Good and Evil. I did not interpret that as having to do with all his works and convictions, but only about that particular book. Say I’m not well.”He replied through another sigh. I’ll send a message. You shouldn’t really be left today, I suppose.”The question as to what would happen tomorrow, and the next day, and after that, hung over their bowed heads. Her fingers relaxed slightly. Certainly things could run acceptably for one day. He felt a surge of warmth push the cold hand off his chest, and realised that he still felt affection for this woman.“I’ve been spoiled,” she whispered into his chest. They both started, Lewis glancing at his watch. It’s half past seven in the morning.”Through the opaque glass in the front door, he could make out field grey. A clean- shaven NCO clicked his heels as the door opened.“Guten Morgen, Herr Lewis. I have been ordered to escort you to the Rathaus.”“. There isn’t anyone else to stay with her.”Despite his ability in English, the NCO appeared not to hear him, but continued staring expectantly. Then a floorboard creaked behind him. Queenie was standing in the hallway, navy- blue tie hanging from outstretched hand.“It’s alright, Ebeneezer. You’re needed.”Captain K. As Lewis stepped in, he turned, feigning surprise.“Herr Lewis, good morning! I am delighted that you were able to come in so early.”“Good morning, Captain K. Would you like tea perhaps?”“A weak black tea would be most welcome, with a little sugar . Our friends at the Town Hall deserve what we can spare.”“Most kind, Captain.”Turning back towards the door, he saw his secretary’s eager face. He understood that the Captain had already told her what he desired to drink, but also that he would wait for the Mayor’s arrival.“Did you hear all of that, Audrey? Please fetch what the Captain requested, and I’d like my usual tea, thank you.”“Yes, Mr Lewis.” She was staring at the charismatic man behind him with hot intensity.“As quickly as you can.”“Yes, Mr Lewis.” She stifled a giggle. You did not serve in uniform?”The raised intonation almost led Lewis into explaining about having been too old, even in 1. He caught himself just in time.“No, Captain, unfortunately. May I ask to what I owe the pleasure of your visit?”K. We have need of accommodation for special purposes and–”There was a tap at the door, and there was Audrey, her face electric bright, mouth slightly open, wet, looking full whilst only holding its own tongue, tea things on a tray. K. Herr Lewis, shall I pour and explain my situation? I very much hope you can assist us.”It had been completely simple, completely breath- taking. Owing to expanding administrative responsibilities, Captain K. Lewis had, in his heart, been expecting such a demand. In that sense it came as no shock whatsoever. Still, he was troubled at how the invaders so calmly and inexorably tightened their grip on power. He nodded slowly, pouring another cup of tea, dropping a sugar cube in, feeling K. As he stirred the tea he asked, “Have you located a suitable site, Captain?”K. Again, a torrent of anger flared in Lewis’ chest, followed almost instantly by a sense of his own age, leaving him cold and empty. He sighed and sipped the tea, savouring the warmth on his lips. Let him take what he wanted. He would have it, whether Lewis co- operated or not. They had already helped themselves to Nostell Priory, the local estate just beyond Featherstone.“Perhaps you could give me some indication of what the building will be used for? If I have more detail about your requirements, I might be able to judge which property would be most suitable.”K. The German made a sweeping gesture with one hand and his mouth smiled. We need a point of contact between ourselves and the local population. There are also some . We have witnessed unfortunate civil disturbances since our arrival. We obviously need to organise as harmonious an Occupation as possible, so require further offices in order to do this.”Lewis drained his cup and fought back the desire to pour a third. Clasping his hands before him, he was about to reply, when there was a tapping on the door. In fact, he was hard put to know who it was. A teenage boy, scrawny, with a pale moon face and unkempt hair, was twisting a cloth cap in his hands.“Yes, lad, what is it?”The boy knew that he now had to speak, but that did not lend him enough courage to do so. He twisted the cap more violently, turning it so tightly that Lewis wondered if it might tear. Now the cold sensation sitting inside of his body froze, burning. Perhaps this boy was a neighbour’s son? That was it. He was some sort of a simple boy. His parents kept him out of sight most of the time, but he ran occasional errands.“Fletcher, isn’t it?”“Yes, Martin Fletcher, sir.”“Well, boy? Spit it out, I’m in a meeting here.” He didn’t dare look back, but he could feel K. Fletcher gave his cap a final twist, turned his waist one way, shoulders the other, then finally spoke.“I’m sorry, sir, but Mrs Lewis gave me a penny to come to ask if you were alright.”There was a stifled snigger from behind him, and the heat rushed back within him. He wasn’t a dead volcano quite yet. Standing, he walked towards the boy who had returned to twisting his cap, unsure as to whether he would shout, speak, or knock him backwards into the corridor. Delving into his pocket, he fished out a tuppenny piece.“My wife gave you a penny, did she?”“Yes sir.”“Here’s tuppence.”“Thank you, sir.”“Now go home and don’t you come here again if you don’t want your head knocking against a wall.”The boy’s eyes clouded. Have you seen me?”“Yes sir.”“Do I look ill?”“No sir.”“So you know what to tell my wife, don’t you? Don’t you dare come again, boy. Do you understand?”“Yes sir.”He closed the door with a thump. What the hell was she thinking? How would that make him look in front of this brute? What did she think she was playing at, putting a boy like that in the way of a German? Turning back, he was gratified to note that the German was looking at him with something approaching approval. As he sat, K. Does he visit often?”“A neighbour’s child. I’ve never spoken more than three words to him. Now, Captain—your office accommodation.”“Quite so, Herr Lewis. I was wondering if we might request the use of your fine Library?”When he had finished arranging for the books to be removed from the Library to alternative accommodation provided by church halls and school libraries, Lewis had met with his Cabinet to discuss the day’s business. New identity cards. The roads around the town weren’t too badly damaged during the Invasion, but still needed maintenance, with so many military vehicles using them. Bread was running low and ingredients were hard to come by; supplies were sluggish following the previous hard fighting. Lewis kept his news until the end of the meeting. There was a silence and then someone asked, “You mean everything?”“No, not everything. They’ve said that the archives and records can be left there. But all the books need to be moved.”“What the bloody hell do they want with our archives?” Gerald Hopkirk, who held the Education portfolio, asked the question but his voice died away. They all understood why local records might be of use, and Lewis didn’t bother to answer.“Isn’t it about time that someone said something, Ebeneezer?” Brian Lofthouse, who handled Health, turned in his seat to stare at Lewis, holding his pen like a gavel. That’s where the title comes from, doesn’t it? We need you to be bigger, Eb.”Lewis stared at the table. He didn’t hear anyone else speak, either to challenge or support Lofthouse. He replied, “I’m doing my best, Brian.”Lofthouse chuckled gently. Lewis’s next words fell hot and sharp.“In that case, perhaps you’d like to take over and show us what . So until you’re willing to take over from me, you’ll have to accept my best efforts.”Lofthouse said no more, but Lewis could see his eyes slide about, seeking contact with other cabinet members around the table. The irony of the situation was that Lewis would have gladly handed the mayor’s chains over to him, if he thought that Lofthouse would accept them. Greenleaf. Greenleaf. Go inside the world of the Greenleaf family and their sprawling Memphis megachurch, where secrets, lies and scandal abound.
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