The Wedding Reception

Aly Morgan took the microphone, Petros tapped his fork against a glass and called, "Quiet please!" Everyone stilled. "I would like ya'll to meet my uncle Saul and my cousin Goliath," she said with her Texan drawl. Several gasped, some tittered.

The announcement sent a ripple of astonishment like dropping a stone in a pool sending waves to the periphery. Aly and James left their seats. James shook the hand of Saul and reached to Goliath. Aly grabbed her Uncle Saul and kissed him on both cheeks. Goliath lifted Aly bodily to kiss her cheek. Her feet dangled two foot in the air, one of her wedding shoes falling off.

James and Aly and took their seats. Her adoptive parents showed every sign of disapproval with curled lips. Guests followed the top table's remaining speeches, sharing stories of the married pair's exploits at college, online or in the village. It was news to me that James had jumped into the Goostry village duck-pond to chase a duck, and had 'six-of-the-best' at school.

Any apprehension faded as we drank more wine. Rachel and I kept our eye on Sean who drank orange juice. Saul and Goliath made lots of new friends with more and more guests making their way to the celebratory table to shake their hands. Apart from the Wickhams everyone seemed delighted at the news.

Breaking the huddled talk a piercing scream echoed across the lawns invading the joy in the marquee. Quickly we rushed onto the grass to witness Becky obviously distraught; pointing to a man running towards the boating lake, carrying a little boy under his arm.

Sean commanded: "ATTACK" to Aunty, signalling to the fleeing figure.

"You too, Bourne," I shouted, and both dogs gave chase. Fearing that it was Wesley I ran as fast as I could. Sean and Josh overtook me after a few yards. A huge bulk bounded past us all with huge strides. The ground trembled with every step as Goliath charged like a raging bull.

We arrived to witness Aunty with paws on the top of the man, her panting breath and fangs in his face while he struggled on the floor. Bourne yapped as he nipped his ankles and pulled at his trousers. The boy was not Wesley but Alan, our gardener's son. We had all been afraid that we faced the possibility of losing our grandson for the second time.

The Albanian giant give the man a gentle thump on the top of his head, as the little boy squirmed away. I felt afraid to behold Goliath's anvil-size clubs fists : they could easily beat the man to death. Goliath lifted the man by his shirt collar and trouser belt and started walking him towards the lake, the man's legs thrashing.

"No!" I shouted to Goliath. Josh cupped his hands to his mouth, shouting, what I assumed were a few words in Albanian. The 360 pound man dropped the whimpering man onto the ground like a floundering fish.

While we interviewed the man, and waited for the police, Liz assured our guests that things were well. The EPIC disco would begin in three hours, giving all guests time to change into fancy dress. The group staying at the YMCA boarded the mini-bus and the transit van and sped off to Stockport, black smoke followed them.

The child abductor was the boyfriend of Maria, Tony's wife. Marriage problems had erupted volcanically, spilling malice and envy towards us and Tony. Hatching a desperate plot she had decided to take her child and run away, not informing Tony.

From that day we made plans to protect all who came within the circle of our family and friends.