Defence

James continued
Desiree’s father had denied
Any suggestion of impropriety
He categorically stated
That their family had been completely cleared
Of anything other than parental fondling
Even after the unfortunate episode with his wife

But the Dean was even more resolute
Behind his staff to the hilt
Frankly he was amazed
That Tom Smithson
Was letting his daughter
Write such pervasive muck

The Dean wanted Desiree to leave
Her father threatened to withdraw his funds
A peacemaker was needed
Joe had a quiet, unheard, sigh of relief...

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Intrusions

Joe heard the knock on the door
It was unusual for anyone to call at this time
He opened the door with a little apprehension
Surely no one knew yet of his planned surveillance

Desiree and James stood there together
Under the glare of the sodium streetlight
The tension was obvious
Briskly Joe brought them inside

Are you with us Joe
Asked James
Are you ready for some action

Joe looked towards Desiree
He saw that same sparkle in her eyes...

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Renovate

Joe stood by the simple door
A door made
From thin planks
Of cheap softwood
Planks laid in line
Then braced
With two diagonal planks
Finished off, with a lime white stain

This door
With a single finger hole
To a lift up latch
Was the entrance to the cold stone steps
Steps that led down from the old parlour
To the cold, cold cellar below...

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Observation

The village boys had played in the old cotton mill
They had swum in its dams
Climbed on the derelict machinery
Even when the developers moved in
They could not keep these crafty kids
Outside of their security fences

Joe knew
That the guy who had brought the University
To town, had created and lived in
This seriously upmarket development
The whole town had seen Tom Smithson’s
Presence grow; he was certainly no stranger
To publicity, or to the local media

For the first few days it was planned...

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Against The Flow

The students were sat in the bar
Some wanted to go downtown
Joe wanted to find Desiree
James wanted to talk more about music
Academia was at one an amusement
Yet also a distraction

Joe could hold his own here
His quick wit more than compensation
For lack of certification
Or attendance at secondary school
But Joe had no depth of concentration
He sought instant gratification
He could still smell the musk of love
As he spoke out...

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