About the author

An international marketer by profession, Tayo Akiwumi has a

particular love for Far-East Asia and has spent many years
traveling in that region. Raised in ondon, England he has since
traveled to over !" countries across the globe and has lived in
Africa, Europe, #iddle-East and Asia including $ubai and
%angkok.
&'arlene - A ove (tory& is Tayo Akiwumi&s first novel.
'arlene )omepage
http*++carlene.akiwumi.net+
All Original Content 2008-09 Tayo Akiwumi, All Rights
Reserved
For my father ,R.-.../, and mother, %ola0i and 1emisi
Akiwumi, for their sacrifices, love and firm guidance.
For the rest of my family* for their constant love.
$eep thanks to friends and colleagues like (onoyo, 2iang
1an and 3ayleigh 'hung who spent many hours helping to
comb through 4'arlene5 and giving feedback that helped shape
a better novel.
3
t was (unday and time for me to return to 'helmsford where -
was doing my apprenticeship and part-time study. - usually
came home to ondon every other weekend, when - could afford
it. - was 67 and had won a technical apprenticeship position with
#arconi 'ommunications (ystems, with my father and mother5s
encouragement. - left school and went to live away from home for
the first time. - was fairly self-supporting from that point but of
course, mum and dad were always there for when my bank account
nudged red.
-
#arconi owned 'helmsford. -t was said that when the workers
went home8 the town of 'helmsford shut down.
The bus ride to iverpool (treet railway station was uneventful
and as per normal. The bu99 and busyness surrounded me as -
entered the station, starkly contrasting the dull bus trip.
- stopped at a kiosk to get snacks for the fifty minutes train
0ourney. :n the way to my train5s platform, two Far-East Asian
girls standing to one side of the platform gate drew my attention.
They were perhaps ;-< years older than me, at a guess. The
slim, prettier one crossed eyes with me momentarily as - walked
past, close by.
- boarded the train and walked along its side corridors, looking
for an empty cabin. The train did not seem so full in fact and - was
spoilt for choice. - selected one in the carriage before the canteen
carriage. - made sure - would be in a carriage which did not get left
behind when the train shed some carriages several stations prior to
arriving at 'helmsford.
- entered, closed the sliding door dumped my sports bag and
guitar on the seat opposite and settled myself into my 4private5
cabin.
-t was a beautiful spring day and - was rela=ed and content
with life, not a care in the world and looking forward to the
0ourney back.
- usually preferred to take the train leaving 0ust after 6*<" in the
afternoon as it gave me time to settle back into semi-rural life in
'helmsford. - was happy to be returning yet - also looked forward
to going home to ondon whenever the time came.
- had many friends back at the dormitory in 'helmsford, the
first 4animal house5 - lived in. -n fact the whole mansion had been
rented by #arconi to house its apprentices and other staff. >e
always have a lot of fun mi=ed with rivalry of course. -t was a new
home offering new e=periences and friendships along with
challenges academically and socially.
%ack home in ondon, - had my friends from school days
whom - saw often when - did go home for weekends. >e would
play tennis, one of my favourite sports, watch a film, or 0ust lark
around town.
There were of course, my two brothers and sister. Two years
after - arrived in England, my brother Tun0i and sister $emi were
also sent for by our parents and 0ourneyed together to England.
$emi was ? years old, even younger than - when - first traveled on
a plane. There was appro=imately ; years difference between our
ages so we were pretty close. (hortly after Tun0i and $emi 0oined
me and $e0i, our cousin $otun, who grew up with us at granny5s
house also left @igeria, to be with his mother who lived in
(cotland at the time.
@ormal, sibling rivalry aside, we got on very well and spent a
lot of time together and with our friends.
The noise of people walking past the cabin door and along the
corridor outside stemmed my daydreaming. $ragging bulky
luggage, they bumped into the door which rattled back in protest. -
watched them march past my private haven, hoping - will be left
alone to continue my reflection during the trip.
- glanced at my watch, wondering if the train was going to
leave late as it tends to. ess than five minutes to the scheduled
departure time. - stared out of the window across the platforms
watching other trains come and go and tried to track the
mesmeri9ing flow of legs striding on the platforms.
- turned as the slide door was disturbed again, this time it was
opened. - instantly recogni9ed the pretty girl at the platform gate.
(he stood behind her slightly plump companion who was not
carrying luggage.
A>ould you mind if my cousin sits with you, she5s still new to
the countryB (he5s on her way to >hite @otley, are you going that
farBC The plump girl spoke in a typical but educated ondon
accent. The other girl smiled as her cousin, gave her a reproachful
side glance laced with embarrassment.
A1es, yes of courseC, - replied, stunned at lady uck5s gift to
me. A-5m getting off at 'helmsford, three stops before >hite
@otleyC
AFantasticDC she beamed. AAlright then, call me when you get
there won5t youBC she said, turning to her delicious cousin and
stepping aside to let her into the cabin. - hurriedly pulled my
luggage to the seat ne=t to me, making room for her to sit opposite
me. (he kissed her cousin on the cheek and they hugged. )er
cousin smiled an appreciative smile and - returned the smile, even
more appreciatively. AThank you, thank youDC - telepathi9ed with
her.
- watched her arrange her luggage and sit down in the opposite
seat. (omehow, - sensed this train 0ourney was taking both of us to
a destination neither had planned.
>e smiled at each other as the train obeyed the departure
whistle and chugged effortlessly away from the platform and out of
the station.
A-5m Tobi Eaughan and may - ask your nameBC - looked at her,
she had a cute nose and a great, easy smile with even, white teeth
proudly displayed. There was mischief to her eyes too and smooth
lightly tanned comple=ion all wrapped in a slim frame of about
F5GC was so alluring that - almost did not hear her reply.
A)ello, my name is 'arlene, 'arlene >angC. 'lose up like
this, - thought we might be the same age or she may be a year to
two years older ma=.
- wanted to know everything about this girl and - would be an
open book for her, what ever she wanted to know about me, -
would oblige.
>e talked, - asked her about her cousin and what she had been
doing in ondon and we Huickly drifted into easy conversation.
#y first and only puppy love had been at primary school when
- was around 6" to 66 years old. )er name was 3ay .hilips. - still
think about her to this day but it was puppy love. >hat - was
starting to feel for the girl sitting in front of me was something
much more mature and une=pected, certainly not from the dull way
my day started on the bus to the train station.
AI- came to spend my weekend with my uncle and aunty in
ondon. They had insisted - come to celebrate my birthday with
themDC she said.
A:h, nice and how was itBC - prompted A)appy belated
birthdayDC
AThank youC, she gave me that easy smile that - liked so much.
A- had a wonderful time, they are really lovely and it was good
to be with family againC
(he spoke with a pleasant, lilting accent that seemed all at once
familiar yet distant.
A- can5t Huite place your accent, but it is Far-East Asian isn5t
itBC - asked.
A1es, you5ve got itC8 A-5m actually from 3uantan, on the east
coast of #alaysiaC
AAlrightDC, A>ell - knew it wasn5t Huite 2apanese, that5s for
sureDC - laughed.
A'ome to think of it, you look 'hinese, yet you could also pass
for a 3orean or 2apanese too, from certain angles that isDC
AJood thing you didn5t say am 2apanese, we don5t like them
much you knowC, not easy for the 'hinese race to forget what they
did to us in the pastC
- nodded sympathetically.
-t was then - remembered. - had heard the same accent once in
a movie called Tanamera. :ne of my favourite stories based in ;nd
>orld->ar (ingapore and #alaysia. -t was inspired by a book of
the same title written by @oel %arber.
A(o, do you consider yourself 'hinese or #alaysianC - asked,
genuinely seeking clarification.
A- am a #alaysian 'hinese of courseC. A logical answer to an
unnecessary Huestion maybe. A-5m what you might refer to as a
third generation #alaysian 'hineseC she said this with an
emphasi9ed lilt to the words. (he beamed her cute smile.
>e chuckled and both looked out of the window at the scenery
unfolding sideways from urban to suburban to rural. The spring
tree blossoms were out in force as if it was their first time ever and
birds darted through the trees and over shrubs busily disputing
nesting spots or collecting nesting material. (ome still had to fight
for the right to a mate. There - was hoping mine had been 0ust
simply handed to me as - had sat Huietly in a train cabin,
anticipating another standard 0ourney.
-t seemed perfect. -t was perfect.
A.lease Jod, let her not have a boyfriend or other distractionC -
prayed silently.
:ur train slowed as it approached the ne=t stop and the
(henfield station sign sneaked up on us, gliding past the window as
we screeched to a halt at the station. >e were now a little over
half-way towards my stop and - was still grappling with how to get
'arlene5s number or some contact information of any sort. >e had
conversed easily after the first awkward moments and yet, the
simple Huestion lodged itself in the throat of my mind and 0ust
would not come out.
A-f you don5t mind, can - ask how old you areBC (he enHuired.
- panicked a little, if - gave the right answer, it might put her
off as - would probably be younger than her.
A)appy to tell you if you let me know which birthday you 0ust
celebratedDC - Huipped, helped out by a shot of bravado.
A1ou want to play mind games then TEDC (he used my
nickname with such familiarity - felt bravery re-entering my veins.
AActually, -5ll be ;" this yearC, -t sounded better than telling
her am 67 years oldD
A- 0ust turned ;6 a few days backC, she told me and went on to
say that her birthday was on 67th April. - immediately filed that
safely in my memory. (he showed no concern over the fact that -
was a little short of ; years younger than her. Relief crept over me.
- was besotted with this girl and didn5t want to risk losing her. -
wondered if she felt for me even close to what - was starting to feel
about her.
- don5t know why - had not seen it earlier but she had these
rather pretty dimples on her cheeks when she smiled. (he had long,
stubbornly straight brown-reddish hair all the way down to her
hips. )er sweet cotton summer dress paired with a (wiss style
waist-coat was set off by stylish ankle boots. The effect was
e=tremely pleasing.
- Hueried her on life in #alaysia and why she had chosen %lack
@otley )ospital, of all the hospitals in the world, to come and do
her (tate Registered @urse or (R@ trainingD - could probably count
the population of the villages of %lack @otley and >hite @otley
combined on my fingers with a little help from my toes.
%ut of course, 0ust below the surface, - was happy she had done
so. >e had already dropped off and collected passengers at
-ngatestone station and were now speeding to the ne=t stop, my
stop, 'helmsford and - still hadn5t plucked up courage to ask what
- needed to ask.
AAnd how about you, what do you do in 'helmsfordBC8 A#y
guess is you5re a student there. Am - closeBC she continued.
A>ell yes and moreC8 - teased. AActually - study and - work.
-5m a trainee for communications engineering on a 4block-release5
basis which means the company pays me an allowance, provides
accommodation and pays for my courseC
AThat is a nice dealDC8 A-n fact it sounds a lot like my (R@
program but all our tuition gets done within the hospital. -t sounds
like yours is in a separate institutionC
A)aha, 4institution5 makes it sound like my parents sent me to
'helmsford and told them to lock me up and throw the key awayDC
>e both grinned then laughed out aloud at the thought.
The passing view through the train windows slowly began to
crystalli9e as the blurring of the scenery reduced. - was Huickly
reminded of my mission impossible.
- didn5t even want to leave her and then - had itD
A'arlene, -5d like to see you at least as far as your station, okBC
AReallyBC she asked, needlessly because little did she know -
would see her off to the proverbial moon if that was her stop.
AJreat, but - don5t want to inconvenience youDC
A@ot a problem at all. %elieve meC - assured. - had bought
myself more time to get the vital contact number that - cravedD
A- was born and raised in 3uantan, in fact even my parents
were also born and raised thereC (he said, continuing from my
earlier Huestion about her life in her home country.
A>e moved to 3 later but - always like going back to
3uantan with my parents on the special occasions. -t5s a peaceful
coastal town and most of my family and friends are all there of
courseC
A3, what does that meanBC - asked.
A:h, 3uala umpur, -t5s the capital of #alaysia. %oth my
parents are academicians. #um teaches mathematics and $ad was
a science professor.C
That would e=plain the well-raised and educated air she had
about her, - thought.
A1ou said 4was5 A, - enHuired with interest. A1es, about your
dadC
A:h, dad is not able to work anymore. )e hasn5t worked for
Huite a few years now. #um struggled hard to raise my two
brothers and myself. (he still does. After - graduated from
secretarial college last year - decided to work abroad and help her
financially. #y dad5s brother in ondon helped me to get a trainee
position at the hospital.C
- listened intently to her story and sensed sadness interlaced
with e=citement. $ue perhaps to the loss of her father5s lively-
hood and the new life she was anticipating in a new country.
AAre you able to tell me what happenedBC
AThey were in a car accident. $ad suffered paralysis from the
waist downwards. #om had been driving. (he5s never driven since
although she was not at fault.C
A>hat happenedBC
AThey had been hit by an oncoming lorry. The driver had lost
control because of failed brakes.C
(he paused reflectively.
A#om blames herself for dad5s in0ury and is inconsolable to
this day, almost F years laterC (he continued.
- wanted to reach out and hug her, tell her it will be ok. - was
also conscious that the e=tra ;" minutes - would gain between my
stop and hers had whittled to a mere ;-< minutes as we neared
>hite @otley station.
A- would love to show you around 'helmsford or maybe we
can play tennis sometimeBC - blurted out, awkwardly and out of
synchroni9ation with the topic. - could only hope the desperation
in my voice was evident only to me. 4>hat a fool, - am58 - thought,
wondering if she considered me insensitive, having 0ust shared an
inner concern with me and all - could utter was an offer of a dateD
A:k, why notD %ut - warn you, am not a good player at allC (he
saved my embarrassment. A- can barely get the ball over the net,
anyway, if you get bored with my game maybe you can show me
the sights of 'helmsfordC (he was charming to the point of
angelic.
A- can5t wait for the game, at last a chance to beat someone at
tennisDC - said, modestly. The labouring of the steel wheels finally
slowed to a dead stop as 4>hite @otleyD5 was announced over the
train5s public addressing system.
- helped her with her luggage on to the platform and waved to
her as she walked towards the station e=it. (he was about to
disappear down the stairs off the platform when she turned around
and walked briskly towards me with a grin.
A)ey, how can we contact each other to meet ne=t (aturdayBC
-n my haste -5d forgotten to get her number and she must have
wondered how serious - was when - didn5t even ask.
- reali9ed - could not remember the Animal )ouse phone
number.
A'an - call youBC - asked, finally getting the Huestion out of my
head and out there, where it belonged. (he gave me her number.
A(ee you at eleven (aturday morning thenDC - said happily.
- had even forgotten - had to change to the platform on the
other side of the tracks. - walked with her to the e=it then turned to
get the return train to 'helmsford which rolled up shortly after.
'arlene )omepage
http*++carlene.akiwumi.net+
All Original Content 2008-09 Tayo Akiwumi, All Rights
Reserved