A Ceremony of Innocence by Edmund Gubbins

A Ceremony of Innocence by Edmund Gubbins

( Warning!!Contains explicit sex scenes)

The novel is set against the background of the Thatcher years in the UK. Some people are making a great deal of money, industries are closing putting workers out of a job and criticism of those out of work is rampant. 

Two brothers are at home on holiday much to the delight of their mother. It is the first time they have been at home together for several years.Their father is a union convener in the local shipyard and while the brothers are at home, he leads the shipyard workers out on strike against the redundancies proposed by the  groups' central management. Though on the surface both brothers support their father, underneath the surface there simmers the stew of disagreement. Mark, the older brother is home fresh from travelling the sea as a ships officer and refuses to compromise his upwardly mobile life for the sake of family harmony. He lives for the moment and grabs any opportunity for happiness. Jim is freshly graduated from university and supports his father passionately without question.

Can the brothers find a way to compromise their positions and fulfil  their mother's wish for a few happy weeks? Will their anger boil over into open conflict and a family break up?

As this extract shows, anger and resentment causes damaging rifts between the brothers much to the sadness of their mother. To Jim it is all about family loyalty, to Mark it is about living life to the full in his own fashion. 

' Jim came home shortly before dinner, sourly greeted Mark and his Dad before going out to the kitchen to speak to his mother. His attitude left Mark in no doubt as to how he felt about what had happened the night before. The family sat down to dinner all together as Joan had imagined when she thought of them all being home at the same time but silence reigned around the table as all her men were lost in their own thoughts. They were content to let her chatter away about Monday's ceremony, about what she should wear and who would be there as honoured guests. Her conversation then turned to the dinner at the school, as she began speculating that it must have been a grand occasion and wondering whether their pictures would be in the paper. By her innocent monologue, she inadvertently hit upon a subject that rubbed the raw nerves of Jim's passion. Jim rushed down the path she had opened for him like sheep seeing the open gate, quick to grasp his chance and oblivious to his mothers needs for a quiet dinner with all her family round her.

" I hope his won't anyway, “ Jim said bitterly.

Joan frowned at Jim across the table.  " Now, now, “ she said quietly. " I don't want any remarks like that at my table. We are having dinner together as a family and hopefully we can get through our meal without harsh words."

" It's not that easy mum, " Jim continued his voice angry and aggressive. " Do you want to know who Mark took to the dance last night? " Jim pointed his finger dramatically at Mark, who sat frowning watching Jim closely.

" That girl Sue wasn’t it Mark? " Joan asked innocently as though she was not aware of any tension between Mark and Jim.

" Yes, “ Mark replied, he sounded defencive in anticipation of what Jim was about to say. God, thought Mark, is Jim going to use Sue to try to get Mum and Dad against me?

" Are you going to tell them her surname or am I? " Jim demanded his tone heavy with sarcasm, his eyes boring fanatically into Mark's.

" Susan Maunder, " Mark replied, shrugging his shoulders as though to show that it was of no importance to his parents.

" Susan Maunder, " Jim breathed the words as though they were a blasphemy. Turning dramatically to Charlie, he almost shouted in triumph.  "Doesn't that name ring a bell with you Dad? A son of yours, at this of all times, walking round in public with the managing director of the yards daughter. It is laughable or would be if it were not so serious. Think of what the papers could make of this! "

Charlie deliberately put down his knife and fork, looking across at Mark with a puzzled expression. "  Is it true? "  he asked Mark quietly.

" Yes it is true, " Mark replied equally quietly. " As you know I have been going out with Sue on and off since before I left school and, by chance, we met again the other day when I was in town."

" Why didn't you tell me? "  Charlie asked.

" I didn't make any secret of the fact that I had met Sue again, “ Mark replied evenly.

" But you never explicitly told me, “ Charlie countered.

" This is absurd, " Mark said. " Why should I tell you explicitly as you say? Do I have to come home at my age and say please Dad can I go out with Sue Maunder? Come off it Dad. You have been so tied up with the strike, you would not have noticed who I was going out with. "

" You could have had some thought for my feelings. " Charlie was obviously confused and at a loss for how to handle his sons but he doggedly persisted with his argument.

" Regard for your feelings! "  Jim exploded with anger. " He has no regard for your feelings or anybody else for that matter.  Do you know what I think?  Mark takes what he can from life and does not care who he hurts in the process."

" What do you mean? " Mark was fighting to keep his temper under control, to keep his voice calm and to keep the atmosphere around the table low key.

" Just that you could steer clear of Sue Maunder while there is trouble at the yard. Anyway, I can not see what you see or find attractive in that stuck up little bitch. "  Jim was bitter, wanting to hit out at somebody to relieve his conscience over the trouble he had caused his father. By trying to genuinely raise the issue of Sue, he was trying to push the odium of being disloyal onto Mark. Deep down he knew it was untrue but in his heightened sense of anger, he did believe that Mark had deliberately gone out of his way to flaunt his friendship with Sue before Jim and his friends the night before.

" You didn't say that when she came here before going to the States when I was on leave, " Mark said evenly. Turning to Charlie, he went on. " Dad I am not being disloyal. Sue is my friend, as you know. God you never said anything when she came her before. Though I have a lot of sympathy to your cause, my going out with Sue has nothing to do with your dispute. We don't work in the yard and have nothing to do with shipbuilding. She has only recently returned to the UK and it is only by chance that she is living with her parents. Lets face it, we are both well off enough to buy a place of our own but we choose to live at home because we both like living with our parents. You have to face the fact that I like Sue and there is nothing sinister in our relationship."

" All right son, I hear what you are saying," Charlie smiled at Mark. " All I can ask is that you stop seeing her while this trouble lasts so that the media cannot get to me through you. When it is all over you must bring her around here again. I must admit from what I remember, I liked her when she visited us before."

" No, “ Mark replied emphatically.  " She is a part of my life at the moment and I will not stop seeing her as you put it. I only have a few weeks more leave and then I have to go back to sea and I will not be able to see her for at least four months. I cannot bend my life to your instructions. This dispute has nothing to do with me and Sue."

Charlie regarded Mark for a moment, then shrugged his shoulders, picked up his knife and fork and continued with his meal as though the subject was closed. Joan looked from her son to her husband, a worried expression on her face but she chose to remain silent as she also continued her meal. As she ate, she recalled Sue so pretty in a summer dress, sitting at this table, so young and so bubbly, slowly relaxing as time went by until she appeared to belong. I remember thinking, as mothers do, what a lovely wife she would make for Mark.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a snort of anger from Jim. " Is that all you are going to say to Mark? " Jim snarled at Charlie. " Christ he is knocking off the bosses daughter, flaunting his association with her in front of our faces and all you can politely ask him is to be careful! "

Mark felt his grip on his temper slipping. " Watch it! "  he shot back at Jim.

" Watch it! " Jim shouted angrily causing Joan to wince inwardly. " God you have got as nerve. I would not mind if she was the only girl you have been screwing since you came home on leave.  What about Clare?  What about Jane waiting down there in Weymouth having given up her virginity to the alter of your ego?  Do they mean nothing? I bet Sue doesn't even know they exist! "

Mark deliberately pushed back his chair and stood up. Joan winced as she thought her son was about to walk out of the room but Mark planted his palms firmly on the table and lent forward until his face was thrust at Jim. He said, slowly and carefully with his very hard eyes boring into Jim's, ignoring his parents, isolating the two brothers. " One more word out of you, Jim and I will come round this table and shove your teeth down your throat. "

Jim recoiled back into his chair, aware in that instant that his brother of whom he had always thought was soft, was quite capable of carrying out his threat without another thought. Indeed, so confident did Mark appear of being able to carry out the threat, Jim knew that he had done this kind of thing before. God, Jim thought as he warily stared at Mark, I don't really know you at all. I thought you were so mild that any threat and you would try to calm things by talking. It is obvious that in the mysterious world in which he works, actions speak much louder than words. When did he change?  He has always appeared so shy and correct with women when we have been together when I was younger.  Now I find he beds anybody he can get his hands on. Not only that but he has the strength to threaten anybody who does not agree with him. This is not like at the university where harsh words during a discussion are soon forgotten. He has changed and I no longer know what he is thinking. Jim shook his head to clear his mind, smiled weakly at Mark but did not reply. Mark smiled cruelly.back, resumed his seat and continued eating.'

This novel contains some explicit sex scenes

Available from Amazon as a paperback and kindle and www.smashwords.com as an ebook.

Tales from the Sea by Eddie Gubbins

In my class studying novels this year we have been comparing novels written during the colonial period and post colonial. The novels have been Jane Ayre and Wide Sargasso Sea, The Outsider and The Meursault Investigation, Heart of Darkness and Trencherman. A more dismal set of novels I could not imagine but very interesting and though provoking. 

One thing that did jar with me was that in the Heart of Darkness Marlow says that the sea is boring and always the same. I could not agree.

In my novel Tales from the Sea, a fictionalised account of my time serving as a ships officer in the British Merchant Navy, I start the novel with this poem.

The Sailor’s Mistress

When the cargo is loaded and all falls quiet

The sea itself is calling, 

Beckoning the sailor out there beyond the dock. 

His mistress is waiting 

Where the river meets the sea. 

He has no real knowledge of what her reaction will be

When he sails out to meet her. 

She may greet him in a calm, balmy mood,

Like a gentle lover entwining him in her arms, 

Leaving him refreshed and happy when they part. 

It might be that she is angry 

And will meet him with unmatched violence 

A violence which beats upon the senses 

And leaves the lovers drained and exhausted, 

Ready to rush apart , 

Ready to find a place of peace and quiet 

Not the feeling of complete satisfaction. 

Like all lovers, the sea and the sailor

Will never quite know what moods will greet them when they meet

Or how the mood can change very quickly.  

This is the excitement of the sea.  

Every time a ship leaves port,

The sailor approaches that love 

With a mixture of exhilaration and apprehension. 

Will they together make beautiful love under a clear blue sky 

Or will they fight? 

It is not for the sailor to subdue the sea 

But to live with her moods 

In the hope that he can survive.

The sea is calling, always calling 

As a lover calls.

It is a novel which looks at the excitement of seafaring. Meeting in its pages the characters who man the ships, the changing, challenging weather and the exotic places visited. 

It is available from Amazon, www.createspace.com and the Kindle store.

😁

An Ordinary Life by Edmund Gubbins

An Ordinary Life by Edmund Gubbins

From his early childhood on the edge of a hard Council Estate to eminent Professor with a world wide reputation and great wealth, Tom Houseman has stayed loyal to his friend Derek. He finds opportunities through his friends and his brother to enhance both his wealth and standing in society. Like many people, all through his life he denies and ignores both the moral and legal implications of taking advantage of these opportunities. He sees his actions as both moral and legal acting out of the belief that he always avoids illegal activities. Many people feel this way and assume they are good people.
Eventually they have to face up to the consequences of their actions. Will Tom Houseman have eventually to face up to these implications or will he sail serenely through, what he calls, this ordinary life?

















Available from Amazon, www.createspace.com, Kindle

Where is God?

Where is God in all the strife and carnage in the world? Surely if there was a loving God, all these problems would be solved. It is a question any Christian has to wrestle with when asked by non believers. It is difficult to answer. 
Most if not all these happenings are caused by human activity or neglect not by God. Take Syria and what is happening there as an example. What takes place is caused by man's inhumanity to man. It is men and women who are dropping the bombs, shooting the guns and killing innocent children. It was men who gave the orders to bomb the relief supply lorries not God. People are killed in landslides but in many cases they have been warned of the danger. 
God is there among those people who risk their lives to help, those who give comfort and those who give warnings.  If only people would heed the message of love and helping their neighbours there would not be so much strife in the world. The world has enough resources to make sure nobody starves. It is a matter of logistics and fairness. The rich have to give uo a little of their wealth to help solve the worlds problems.

In my fantasy novel, Princess Daphne, Edward Eastland explains what is meant by free will.

" Carla burst out. “ If you are so powerful why cannot you stop the Tyrant killing our land?”

The Linta shook her head. “ It is not as simple as that. I was put here to help the lands flourish by what we call God. This the Linta has done for the lands around here for aeons. Your husband’s ancestors have looked after our needs and they have prospered from the fertility we bring to their estate. Our God does not interfere in the affairs of giants. The law has been laid down but giants are free to follow the law or ignore it.”

Carla was even more strident.” If the Tyrant is evil why does not our God kill it?”

Edward answered. “ We call the supreme being Our Maker. In our Book it sets out the way men should live their lives. Our Maker has given us what our book calls free will. It is written if we did not have free will we would be like so many puppets with the Maker pulling the strings. When considering any action to take, we have to make up our own minds. Again it is written in our Book “ When good men do nothing evil flourishes.” In every generations there are people who make sure that evil does not prevail."

Available from Amazon, Kindle, www.smashwords.com and www.createspace.com

Tales from the Sea by Eddie Gubbins

Tales from the Sea 
by Eddie Gubbins

The Sailor’s Mistress 

When the cargo is loaded and all falls quiet 
The sea itself is calling,
Beckoning the sailor out there beyond the dock.
His mistress is waiting
Where the river meets the sea.
He has no real knowledge of what her reaction will be When he sails out to meet her.
She may greet him in a calm, balmy mood,
Like a gentle lover entwining him in her arms,
Leaving him refreshed and happy when they part.
It might be that she is angry
And will meet him with unmatched violence
A violence that beats upon the senses
And leaves the lovers drained and exhausted,
Ready to rush apart,
Ready to find a place of peace and quiet
Not the feeling of complete satisfaction.
Like all lovers, the sea and the sailor
Will never quite know what moods will greet them when they meet
Or how the mood can change very quickly.
This is the excitement of the sea.
Every time a ship leaves port,
The sailor approaches that love
With a mixture of exhilaration and apprehension.
Will they together make beautiful love under a clear blue sky
Or will they fight?
It is not for the sailor to subdue the sea
But to live with her moods
In the hope that he can survive.
The sea is calling, always calling
As a lover calls.  




Tales From The Sea is a semi-autobiographical novel following my time at sea as a ships officer between 1957 and 1969. The reader will meet the characters with whom I sailed, the good, the bad, the comedians and the tough guys. There are the nights ashore and the visits to exotic places to which I voyaged. Sail with me on the ships old and new, tankers, cargo liners and ferries as they ploughed across the oceans carrying the products of the world. Weaving a spell over everything is the sea and its dangers. To most semen, the sea itself calls. No seaman ever knows what mood will greet them when they sail out of the port to greet the sea or how the mood can change very quickly. This is the excitement of sailing the seas and it still excites me when I board a ship and sail off as a passenger to some distant places.

THE OLD MAN BY THE SEA

The sound of the sea on the beach

The  swish, slap, swish of water 

Rushing in and rushing out

Like life, ever moving, never still

Elbow on knee, fist under chin 

A man sits lost in his thoughts

Hearing the sounds of the sea

Breeze stirring his grey hair

Thinking of life and liberty?

Of philosophy and beliefs?

Or daydreaming of times gone by.

Memories of things that got away.

He sits wondering at lost dreams

At meandering paths wandered 

And thinks deep in his soul

Life’s a bugger when we get old.

Available from Amazon and createspace as a paperback, from kindle and smashwords as an ebook to download.

EddieGubbins: RUNNING AFTER MARIA by Eddie Gubbins

EddieGubbins: RUNNING AFTER MARIA by Eddie Gubbins: A tragic romance novel RUNNING AFTER MARIA by Eddie Gubbins Running After Maria  by Eddie Gubbins. A Tragic Romance Novel J...

RUNNING AFTER MARIA by Eddie Gubbins

A tragic romance novel RUNNING AFTER MARIA by Eddie Gubbins

Running After Maria 

by Eddie Gubbins.

A Tragic Romance Novel

James Ashleigh lives, to him, the perfect life. Plenty of money, sex with plenty of women and plentiful supply of alcoholic drink. As a ships officer, he sails the worlds oceans on oil tankers berthing in many exotic places. Carefree, he is not tied to one place or one woman. 
Wanting a change from oil tankers, he joins a small company whose ships sail keeping regular schedules from the British east coast to ports along the Baltic Sea coast. On one voyage when in Helsinki, he meets Maria and his life changes. He finds he is not carefree but tied to one place and one woman. The novel Running After Maria charts the progress of these changes to James's life, both good and bad. Through the twisting paths of  James' life, we follow his joy and his despair. Is there a chance that he will be truly happy? Can anybody be truly happy?

Available as a paperback from Amazon and www.createspace.com. For downloading as an ebook kindle store and www.smashwords.com.

EddieGubbins: A Ceremony of Innocence by Edmund Gubbins

EddieGubbins: A Ceremony of Innocence by Edmund Gubbins: The novel is set against the background of the Thatcher years in the UK. Some people are making a great deal of money, industries are closi...

A Ceremony of Innocence by Edmund Gubbins

The novel is set against the background of the Thatcher years in the UK. Some people are making a great deal of money, industries are closing putting workers out of a job and criticism of those out of work as work-shy is rampant. 

Two brothers are at home together on holiday much to the delight of their mother. It is the first time they have been at home together for several years. Their father is a union convener in the local shipyard and while the brothers are at home, he leads the shipyard workers out on strike against the redundancies proposed by the  groups' central management. Though on the surface both brothers support their father, underneath the surface there simmers the stew of disagreement. Mark, the older brother is home fresh from travelling the sea as a ships officer and refuses to compromise his upwardly mobile life for the sake of family harmony. He lives for the moment and grabs any opportunity for happiness. Jim is freshly graduated from university and supports his father passionately without question.

Can the brothers find a way to compromise their positions and fulfil  their mother's wish for a few happy weeks? Will their anger boil over into open conflict and a family break up?

As this extract shows, anger and resentment causes damaging rifts between the brothers much to the sadness of their mother. To Jim it is all about family loyalty, to Mark it is about living his life in his way not as his brother would dictate.

' Jim came home shortly before dinner, sourly greeted Mark and his Dad before going out to the kitchen to speak to his mother. His attitude left Mark in no doubt as to how he felt about what had happened the night before. The family sat down to dinner all together as Joan had imagined when she thought of them all being home at the same time but silence reigned around the table as all her men were lost in their own thoughts. They were content to let her chatter away about Monday's ceremony, about what she should wear and who would be there as honoured guests. Her conversation then turned to the dinner at the school, as she began speculating that it must have been a grand occasion and wondering whether their pictures would be in the paper. By her innocent monologue, she inadvertently hit upon a subject that rubbed the raw nerves of Jim's passion. Jim rushed down the path she had opened for him like sheep seeing the open gate, quick to grasp his chance and oblivious to his mothers needs for a quiet dinner with all her family round her.

" I hope his won't anyway, “ Jim said bitterly.

Joan frowned at Jim across the table.  " Now, now, “ she said quietly. " I don't want any remarks like that at my table. We are having dinner together as a family and hopefully we can get through our meal without harsh words."

" It's not that easy mum, " Jim continued his voice angry and aggressive. " Do you want to know who Mark took to the dance last night? " Jim pointed his finger dramatically at Mark, who sat frowning watching Jim closely.

" That girl Sue wasn’t it Mark? " Joan asked innocently as though she was not aware of any tension between Mark and Jim.

" Yes, “ Mark replied, he sounded defencive in anticipation of what Jim was about to say. God, thought Mark, is Jim going to use Sue to try to get Mum and Dad against me?

" Are you going to tell them her surname or am I? " Jim demanded his tone heavy with sarcasm, his eyes boring fanatically into Mark's.

" Susan Maunder, " Mark replied, shrugging his shoulders as though to show that it was of no importance to his parents.

" Susan Maunder, " Jim breathed the words as though they were a blasphemy. Turning dramatically to Charlie, he almost shouted in triumph.  "Doesn't that name ring a bell with you Dad? A son of yours, at this of all times, walking round in public with the managing director of the yards daughter. It is laughable or would be if it were not so serious. Think of what the papers could make of this! "

Charlie deliberately put down his knife and fork, looking across at Mark with a puzzled expression. "  Is it true? "  he asked Mark quietly.

" Yes it is true, " Mark replied equally quietly. " As you know I have been going out with Sue on and off since before I left school and, by chance, we met again the other day when I was in town."

" Why didn't you tell me? "  Charlie asked.

" I didn't make any secret of the fact that I had met Sue again, “ Mark replied evenly.

" But you never explicitly told me, “ Charlie countered.

" This is absurd, " Mark said. " Why should I tell you explicitly as you say? Do I have to come home at my age and say please Dad can I go out with Sue Maunder? Come off it Dad. You have been so tied up with the strike, you would not have noticed who I was going out with. "

" You could have had some thought for my feelings. " Charlie was obviously confused and at a loss for how to handle his sons but he doggedly persisted with his argument.

" Regard for your feelings! "  Jim exploded with anger. " He has no regard for your feelings or anybody else for that matter.  Do you know what I think?  Mark takes what he can from life and does not care who he hurts in the process."

" What do you mean? " Mark was fighting to keep his temper under control, to keep his voice calm and to keep the atmosphere around the table low key.

" Just that you could steer clear of Sue Maunder while there is trouble at the yard. Anyway, I can not see what you see or find attractive in that stuck up little bitch. "  Jim was bitter, wanting to hit out at somebody to relieve his conscience over the trouble he had caused his father. By trying to genuinely raise the issue of Sue, he was trying to push the odium of being disloyal onto Mark. Deep down he knew it was untrue but in his heightened sense of anger, he did believe that Mark had deliberately gone out of his way to flaunt his friendship with Sue before Jim and his friends the night before.

" You didn't say that when she came here before going to the States when I was on leave, " Mark said evenly. Turning to Charlie, he went on. " Dad I am not being disloyal. Sue is my friend, as you know. God you never said anything when she came her before. Though I have a lot of sympathy to your cause, my going out with Sue has nothing to do with your dispute. We don't work in the yard and have nothing to do with shipbuilding. She has only recently returned to the UK and it is only by chance that she is living with her parents. Lets face it, we are both well off enough to buy a place of our own but we choose to live at home because we both like living with our parents. You have to face the fact that I like Sue and there is nothing sinister in our relationship."

" All right son, I hear what you are saying," Charlie smiled at Mark. " All I can ask is that you stop seeing her while this trouble lasts so that the media cannot get to me through you. When it is all over you must bring her around here again. I must admit from what I remember, I liked her when she visited us before."

" No, “ Mark replied emphatically.  " She is a part of my life at the moment and I will not stop seeing her as you put it. I only have a few weeks more leave and then I have to go back to sea and I will not be able to see her for at least four months. I cannot bend my life to your instructions. This dispute has nothing to do with me and Sue."

Charlie regarded Mark for a moment, then shrugged his shoulders, picked up his knife and fork and continued with his meal as though the subject was closed. Joan looked from her son to her husband, a worried expression on her face but she chose to remain silent as she also continued her meal. As she ate, she recalled Sue so pretty in a summer dress, sitting at this table, so young and so bubbly, slowly relaxing as time went by until she appeared to belong. I remember thinking, as mothers do, what a lovely wife she would make for Mark.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a snort of anger from Jim. " Is that all you are going to say to Mark? " Jim snarled at Charlie. " Christ he is knocking off the bosses daughter, flaunting his association with her in front of our faces and all you can politely ask him is to be careful! "

Mark felt his grip on his temper slipping. " Watch it! "  he shot back at Jim.

" Watch it! " Jim shouted angrily causing Joan to wince inwardly. " God you have got as nerve. I would not mind if she was the only girl you have been screwing since you came home on leave.  What about Clare?  What about Jane waiting down there in Weymouth having given up her virginity to the alter of your ego?  Do they mean nothing? I bet Sue doesn't even know they exist! "

Mark deliberately pushed back his chair and stood up. Joan winced as she thought her son was about to walk out of the room but Mark planted his palms firmly on the table and lent forward until his face was thrust at Jim. He said, slowly and carefully with his very hard eyes boring into Jim's, ignoring his parents, isolating the two brothers. " One more word out of you, Jim and I will come round this table and shove your teeth down your throat. "

Jim recoiled back into his chair, aware in that instant that his brother of whom he had always thought was soft, was quite capable of carrying out his threat without another thought. Indeed, so confident did Mark appear of being able to carry out the threat, Jim knew that he had done this kind of thing before. God, Jim thought as he warily stared at Mark, I don't really know you at all. I thought you were so mild that any threat and you would try to calm things by talking. It is obvious that in the mysterious world in which he works, actions speak much louder than words. When did he change?  He has always appeared so shy and correct with women when we have been together when I was younger.  Now I find he beds anybody he can get his hands on. Not only that but he has the strength to threaten anybody who does not agree with him. This is not like at the university where harsh words during a discussion are soon forgotten. He has changed and I no longer know what he is thinking. Jim shook his head to clear his mind, smiled weakly at Mark but did not reply. Mark smiled cruelly back, resumed his seat and continued eating.'

This novel contains some explicit sex scenes.

Available from Amazon as a paperback and kindle and www.smashwords.com as an ebook.

An Ordinary Life by Edmund Gubbins

From his early childhood on the edge of a hard Council Estate to eminent Professor with a world wide reputation and great wealth, Tom Houseman has stayed loyal to his friend Derek. He finds opportunities through his friends and his brother to enhance both his wealth and standing in society. Like many people, all through his life he denies and ignores both the moral and legal implications of taking advantage of these opportunities. He sees his actions as both moral and legal acting out of the belief that he always avoids illegal activities. Many people feel this way and assume they are good people.
Eventually they have to face up to the consequences of their actions. Will Tom Houseman have eventually to face up to these implications or will he sail serenely through, what he calls, this ordinary life?

1st edition published by You Write On

2nd Edition published by Createspace

Available from Amazon and www.createspace.com as a paperback and as an ebook for downloading to e-readers from the Kindle store or www.smashwords.com

EddieGubbins: A tragic romance novel RUNNING AFTER MARIA by Eddi...

EddieGubbins: A tragic romance novel RUNNING AFTER MARIA by Eddi...: Running After Maria  by Eddie Gubbins. A Tragic Romance Novel James Ashleigh lives, to him, the perfect life. Plenty of money, ...

A tragic romance novel RUNNING AFTER MARIA by Eddie Gubbins

Running After Maria 

by Eddie Gubbins.

A Tragic Romance Novel

James Ashleigh lives, to him, the perfect life. Plenty of money, sex with plenty of women and plentiful supply of alcoholic drink. As a ships officer, he sails the worlds oceans on oil tankers berthing in many exotic places. Carefree, he is not tied to one place or one woman. 
Wanting a change from oil tankers, he joins a small company whose ships sail keeping regular schedules from the British east coast to ports along the Baltic Sea coast. On one voyage when in Helsinki, he meets Maria and his life changes. He finds he is not carefree but tied to one place and one woman. The novel Running After Maria charts the progress of these changes to James's life, both good and bad. Through the twisting paths of  James' life, we follow his joy and his despair. Is there a chance that he will be truly happy? Can anybody be truly happy?

Available as a paperback from Amazon and www.createspace.com. For downloading as an ebook kindle store and www.smashwords.com.

Segregation in Schools in the UK

Do they never learn? The UK government is proposing that faith based schools should be able to pick all their pupils from their religious background.Under these proposals state funded schools will be able to become exclusively one religion. This is a policy of division in society which goes against the government's stated policy of trying to get more integration.
I can recall before I retired as a university lecturer having students from Northern Ireland where the catholics and protestants had never spoken to somebody from the other side. Over time they realised that they were all human and did not have horns and could be spoken to without some kind of contamination. There was a case on an M Sc course where there were South Africans who had never spoken to black people. They were very agitated about having to share the lecture room with black students let alone share a table over lunch. In the end they all got along.
If this is what the government wants, I despair. The idea of segregating children is wrong. The only hope for the world is for children to mix at an early age.
This idea is explored in my fantasy series The Rombuli Sagas Book 1 The Teacher of the Rombuli, Book 2 The Return of the Exiles and Book 3 The Prisoner of Parison.
Available from Kindle, Amazon and Smashwords.

 

Innocence Exploded by Edmund Gubbins

Innocence Exploded is the sequel to A Ceremony of Innocence by Edmund Gubbins continuing the conflict between the two brothers Mark and James.  Having left the sea for a career in the City of London, Mark still lives for the chance to have pleasure with disregard to any consequences.
Having broken off his relationship with his long term girlfriend Sue Maunder, Mark Brookes sets out to begin  a relationship with Jane who he had met in Nottingham. Her father offers him a job in his company in the City of London and a chance to attend college to gain further qualifications. If he agrees it will result in him leaving his life at sea. It also opens up the question of whether he has been offered the job because of his relationship to Jane or on merit.
He is reminded of why he split with Sue when he gets the chance to make love to Jane's sister. He realises that it is a part of his nature to grasp any opportunities of making love which come his way. He tells himself that if Jane does not know, there is no chance of her being hurt.
His innocence is exploded on one fateful day.
When tragedy strikes will Mark accept James' help?

Extract of the moment when Mark knows he is going to make love to his girlfriend's sister Sarah even though he knows it is not right.

' They were sparing now, Sarah not wanting to say what she really wanted, Mark unable to read her mood or follow her thoughts. Their conversation continued like this for a while, not saying anything important or alighting for long on any specific topic.

Sarah got up from the arm of the chair and took Mark’s glass. She was humming to herself as she refilled it. While placing the glass on the table next to Mark, she lent over such her breasts were plainly visible to him where the cross over top fell away from her body. She stayed bent over staring into his eyes. It was a clear invitation. He smiled back then kissed her inviting lips quickly before taking his drink from her hand. He reached round her back and squeezed her bottom in answer to the look she was giving him. All the while he was smiling sweetly.

Sarah smiled back conspiratorially and resumed her seat on the arm of the chair. Leaning back as though to watch the television, she let her arm slip around his shoulders. Before long her head was resting against his and he moved to place his arm around her waist. At the pressure of his arm, Sarah sighed happily.

Deep down something suggested to Mark what they were doing was wrong. He knew he should resist the temptation Sarah presented. The truth was he could not resist taking advantage of any opportunity that occurred. Since he had overcome his shyness when in the company of women which had often prevented him from progressing even when his instincts told him there was a clear invitation, he had never been able to pass up any chance of sex. He  caught a vision of Jane working away in her digs and not going out so that she would have the time free to come down to London and be with him. It was the way Jane came willingly and made love which should have left him completely satisfied. In fact in many ways making love to Jane at the weekends did leave him satisfied. Since she had arranged to see him every other weekend, he felt none of the compunction to chase after women which he had when going to sea. 

His life had slipped into a pattern over the last months.  During the week he went to college to attend lectures, made time to go to the office to help with the research and spent the rest of the time at the flat doing coursework when not socialising. At times Mr Willis would be there, others Mrs Willis but at others her would be alone. Many evenings he did not arrive back at the flat until quite late when he had been socialising with friends. It was a way of life he was starting to enjoy.

Every other weekend things were different. On Friday evening he would meet the train at St Pancras to see Jane arriving from Nottingham. When alone in the flat, they had made love in the afternoon and evening. During the days they explored London and gone to the theatre. All the time they were happy and content just to be in each others company. Sunday evening she would go back to Nottingham but the knowledge that in two weeks time they would be together again meant their parting was never sad. It is a good life, Mark thought squeezing Sarah’s waist. It is something I should not jeopardise. If I am serious, I should treat her like a brother and tell her I am off to bed by myself.

As though anticipating what Mark was thinking and what he was about to say, Sarah raised her head from his  and swung her legs across the chair. Cuddling down, she let her arm slip from his shoulder to the back of the chair. From this position she could look into his eyes and when she did, he knew he was lost. 

Cupping her chin in his free hand, he kissed her properly, gently moving his tongue against hers. His hand left her chin and caressed her breast through the fabric of her top. Easing his arm out from around her waist, he found the buttons and unwrapped her top. Her small round breasts were still hidden by her bra but they appeared to spring towards his fingers. He squeezed the nipples before slipping off her bra. Now the top part of her body was free.'

Available from Amazon and www.createspace.com as a paperback, Kindle and www.smashwords.com as an ebook for downloading to most ereaders.

A Ceremony of Innocence by Eddie Gubbins

The novel is set against the background of the Thatcher years in the UK. Some people are making a great deal of money, industries are closing putting workers out of a job and criticism of those out of work is rampant. 

Two brothers are at home on holiday much to the delight of their mother. It is the first time they have been at home together for several years.Their father is a union convener in the local shipyard and while the brothers are at home, he leads the shipyard workers out on strike against the redundancies proposed by the  groups' central management. Though on the surface both brothers support their father, underneath the surface there simmers the stew of disagreement. Mark, the older brother is home fresh from travelling the sea as a ships officer and refuses to compromise his upwardly mobile life for the sake of family harmony. He lives for the moment and grabs any opportunity for happiness. Jim is freshly graduated from university and supports his father passionately without question.

Can the brothers find a way to compromise their positions and fulfil  their mother's wish for a few happy weeks? Will their anger boil over into open conflict and a family break up?

As this extract shows, anger and resentment causes damaging rifts between the brothers much to the sadness of their mother. To Jim it is all about family loyalty 

' Jim came home shortly before dinner, sourly greeted Mark and his Dad before going out to the kitchen to speak to his mother. His attitude left Mark in no doubt as to how he felt about what had happened the night before. The family sat down to dinner all together as Joan had imagined when she thought of them all being home at the same time but silence reigned around the table as all her men were lost in their own thoughts. They were content to let her chatter away about Monday's ceremony, about what she should wear and who would be there as honoured guests. Her conversation then turned to the dinner at the school, as she began speculating that it must have been a grand occasion and wondering whether their pictures would be in the paper. By her innocent monologue, she inadvertently hit upon a subject that rubbed the raw nerves of Jim's passion. Jim rushed down the path she had opened for him like sheep seeing the open gate, quick to grasp his chance and oblivious to his mothers needs for a quiet dinner with all her family round her.

" I hope his won't anyway, “ Jim said bitterly.

Joan frowned at Jim across the table.  " Now, now, “ she said quietly. " I don't want any remarks like that at my table. We are having dinner together as a family and hopefully we can get through our meal without harsh words."

" It's not that easy mum, " Jim continued his voice angry and aggressive. " Do you want to know who Mark took to the dance last night? " Jim pointed his finger dramatically at Mark, who sat frowning watching Jim closely.

" That girl Sue wasn’t it Mark? " Joan asked innocently as though she was not aware of any tension between Mark and Jim.

" Yes, “ Mark replied, he sounded defencive in anticipation of what Jim was about to say. God, thought Mark, is Jim going to use Sue to try to get Mum and Dad against me?

" Are you going to tell them her surname or am I? " Jim demanded his tone heavy with sarcasm, his eyes boring fanatically into Mark's.

" Susan Maunder, " Mark replied, shrugging his shoulders as though to show that it was of no importance to his parents.

" Susan Maunder, " Jim breathed the words as though they were a blasphemy. Turning dramatically to Charlie, he almost shouted in triumph.  "Doesn't that name ring a bell with you Dad? A son of yours, at this of all times, walking round in public with the managing director of the yards daughter. It is laughable or would be if it were not so serious. Think of what the papers could make of this! "

Charlie deliberately put down his knife and fork, looking across at Mark with a puzzled expression. "  Is it true? "  he asked Mark quietly.

" Yes it is true, " Mark replied equally quietly. " As you know I have been going out with Sue on and off since before I left school and, by chance, we met again the other day when I was in town."

" Why didn't you tell me? "  Charlie asked.

" I didn't make any secret of the fact that I had met Sue again, “ Mark replied evenly.

" But you never explicitly told me, “ Charlie countered.

" This is absurd, " Mark said. " Why should I tell you explicitly as you say? Do I have to come home at my age and say please Dad can I go out with Sue Maunder? Come off it Dad. You have been so tied up with the strike, you would not have noticed who I was going out with. "

" You could have had some thought for my feelings. " Charlie was obviously confused and at a loss for how to handle his sons but he doggedly persisted with his argument.

" Regard for your feelings! "  Jim exploded with anger. " He has no regard for your feelings or anybody else for that matter.  Do you know what I think?  Mark takes what he can from life and does not care who he hurts in the process."

" What do you mean? " Mark was fighting to keep his temper under control, to keep his voice calm and to keep the atmosphere around the table low key.

" Just that you could steer clear of Sue Maunder while there is trouble at the yard. Anyway, I can not see what you see or find attractive in that stuck up little bitch. "  Jim was bitter, wanting to hit out at somebody to relieve his conscience over the trouble he had caused his father. By trying to genuinely raise the issue of Sue, he was trying to push the odium of being disloyal onto Mark. Deep down he knew it was untrue but in his heightened sense of anger, he did believe that Mark had deliberately gone out of his way to flaunt his friendship with Sue before Jim and his friends the night before.

" You didn't say that when she came here before going to the States when I was on leave, " Mark said evenly. Turning to Charlie, he went on. " Dad I am not being disloyal. Sue is my friend, as you know. God you never said anything when she came her before. Though I have a lot of sympathy to your cause, my going out with Sue has nothing to do with your dispute. We don't work in the yard and have nothing to do with shipbuilding. She has only recently returned to the UK and it is only by chance that she is living with her parents. Lets face it, we are both well off enough to buy a place of our own but we choose to live at home because we both like living with our parents. You have to face the fact that I like Sue and there is nothing sinister in our relationship."

" All right son, I hear what you are saying," Charlie smiled at Mark. " All I can ask is that you stop seeing her while this trouble lasts so that the media cannot get to me through you. When it is all over you must bring her around here again. I must admit from what I remember, I liked her when she visited us before."

" No, “ Mark replied emphatically.  " She is a part of my life at the moment and I will not stop seeing her as you put it. I only have a few weeks more leave and then I have to go back to sea and I will not be able to see her for at least four months. I cannot bend my life to your instructions. This dispute has nothing to do with me and Sue."

Charlie regarded Mark for a moment, then shrugged his shoulders, picked up his knife and fork and continued with his meal as though the subject was closed. Joan looked from her son to her husband, a worried expression on her face but she chose to remain silent as she also continued her meal. As she ate, she recalled Sue so pretty in a summer dress, sitting at this table, so young and so bubbly, slowly relaxing as time went by until she appeared to belong. I remember thinking, as mothers do, what a lovely wife she would make for Mark.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a snort of anger from Jim. " Is that all you are going to say to Mark? " Jim snarled at Charlie. " Christ he is knocking off the bosses daughter, flaunting his association with her in front of our faces and all you can politely ask him is to be careful! "

Mark felt his grip on his temper slipping. " Watch it! "  he shot back at Jim.

" Watch it! " Jim shouted angrily causing Joan to wince inwardly. " God you have got as nerve. I would not mind if she was the only girl you have been screwing since you came home on leave.  What about Clare?  What about Jane waiting down there in Weymouth having given up her virginity to the alter of your ego?  Do they mean nothing? I bet Sue doesn't even know they exist! "

Mark deliberately pushed back his chair and stood up. Joan winced as she thought her son was about to walk out of the room but Mark planted his palms firmly on the table and lent forward until his face was thrust at Jim. He said, slowly and carefully with his very hard eyes boring into Jim's, ignoring his parents, isolating the two brothers. " One more word out of you, Jim and I will come round this table and shove your teeth down your throat. "

Jim recoiled back into his chair, aware in that instant that his brother of whom he had always thought was soft, was quite capable of carrying out his threat without another thought. Indeed, so confident did Mark appear of being able to carry out the threat, Jim knew that he had done this kind of thing before. God, Jim thought as he warily stared at Mark, I don't really know you at all. I thought you were so mild that any threat and you would try to calm things by talking. It is obvious that in the mysterious world in which he works, actions speak much louder than words. When did he change?  He has always appeared so shy and correct with women when we have been together when I was younger.  Now I find he beds anybody he can get his hands on. Not only that but he has the strength to threaten anybody who does not agree with him. This is not like at the university where harsh words during a discussion are soon forgotten. He has changed and I no longer know what he is thinking. Jim shook his head to clear his mind, smiled weakly at Mark but did not reply. Mark smiled cruelly back, resumed his seat and continued eating.'

This novel contains some explicit sex scenes.

Available from Amazon as a paperback and kindle and www.smashwords.com as an ebook.