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"Saying Nothing", by turquoisemoon
Marennes, FR

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"Saying Nothing"

She remembered her father as a big gentle man. He was good and kind and adored his only child. He worked hard for the poor of their country and, in Limas university the oldest University in south America, founded in 1533 he had made a significant contribution to antique books and maps, a passion of his. He believed in education and had been made an active supporter of President Beluandes efforts to eradicate illiteracy and teach the peasant farmers how to use their land. He had been against military rule and the obligatory partition of landed estates like his own.

Making everybody poor does not solve the problem, he said.

He was very proud of Perus rich architectural history and spent many an hour showing Marie-Carmen around the ancient places like Macchu-Picchu. Peruvian folklore was rich in pre-Hispanic tradition and Miguel Robles was fascinated and entranced with it. Marie-Carmen attended school at Santa Monica de Dama, set at the northern end of the plaza, behind the Cathedral.

The Cathedral is the oldest colonial building in Peru, her father told her.

He gripped his daughters hand as he showed her around, sparking off an interest in art and architecture that was to remain with her.

People have lived in our country since 8000 years before the birth of Christ, he continued, and when the Europeans were just savages, we Peruvians had several advanced cultures, with our own traditions and art.

But now it has changed, Papa?

Yes, now our country is poor.

Why?

Because a Spaniard called Francisco Pizzaro came and he killed the great Inca king, Atahualpa. The Inca Empire died and the Spanish empire began.

It seemed a sad story to the child and she admired her knowledgeable father who cared so much about it.

Ignorance and poverty go hand in hand, he Father said, and Peru will never recover its lost wealth and majesty while our government keeps the people poor and ill-educated. It is up to us, those of us who know and understand, to put the right wrong.

She was never quite certain what her father did for a living. He was in business, that was all she knew, and he owned vast areas of farmland over in the Selva.

What is your job, Papa? she asked suddenly.

I am in business, he replied evenly, as she knew he would. Then he added, Does anybody at school ever ask you about my work?

Only once, replied the child, a man asked me.

And?

He asked me what crops you grow, that is all.

Ah! And what did you say, nina?

I said patatas, Papa.

Marie-Carmen smiled to herself as she remembered how that made her father laugh. Hed said it was an excellent answer. Patatas.

Ignacio broke into her thoughts, waving the plumbers estimate.

Well, if thats his price, thats his price, he said. He didnt really care.

I want us to move in straight away, said Marie-Carmen enthusiastically. She looked up at him, her beautiful smile lightening her face, her eyes full of excitement and anticipation.

What? While the builders are there?

Catherine Broughton is a novelist. Her books are available on Amazon and Kindle, or can be ordered from most big book stores and libraries. Catherine Broughton is also an artist and a poet. More about her and her work, to include her entertaining blogs and stories from around the world, on her web site http://www.turquoisemoon.co.uk

Description: This is an extract from my book "Saying Nothing". The blurb on the back reads:

How would you cope if you were kidnapped ? You are not rich, you are not famous and you are not powerful. Furthermore, you know nobody who is. "Saying Nothing" is the story of an English woman who is kidnapped while she is on holiday in Spain and of her husband's traumatic search for her.

Photo Posted: Mar 16,2013 Photo Viewed: 370

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