Stories of Tie Up Games

Roy confirmed that the Pirates could use the canoe and displayed his booty from the camp shop. He had even prepared a food parcel for Jonah for his return journey. It did not contain much health food. Jonah and Stewart dumped the canoe far enough up the beach to ensure that it would not float away with the tide. The last evidence of Jonah’s success was then secured as he got Stewart’s mum to sign a pre-prepared postcard vouching for the fact that he had, with permission, spent two nights on what Jonah had insisted, at the time he wrote the card, upon calling Longholme Island. Mrs. MacGregor let that bit about ‘with permission’ pass. Jonah, Rob, and Stewart’s mum posed while Stewart took the last remaining photo on the cassette and Jonah posted it to the developers via the campsite pillar box. Having done so, Jonah gave a rather mournful sigh.

“Hey, what the . . . ?” Jonah turned and saw Stewart swinging his pack up onto his broad shoulders.

“Well, we thought we’d see you off.” Stewart loosened the straps on the pack and fastened the waist strap just above his hips.

“Yeah, make sure you don’t steal the hat-stand.”

“What about the worms?”

“Oh, Koff won’t mind looking after them until we get back.”

The three youths departed for Weston Station. The train soon arrived and Jonah climbed aboard and took his pack from Stewart. By the time he had pulled his t-shirt over his head and sat down, Jonah was already feeling nostalgic.




Nothing much changed for the Lennoxes and MacGregors over the ensuing days except that Stewart and Rob had to take their turns as victims in the tie-up games and there seemed to be more than the usual number of ‘accidental’ occurrences to the detriment of the comfort of the older brothers for some mysterious reason.

Koff had his birthday to look forward to, and a possible reunion with Trevor, before school resumed but he did have to wear a (rather loose) pair of shorts for about a week whenever he was on the mainland. He managed to stack up a bit of cash by working in his dad’s boat-hire business while his normal assistant was unwell.

What passed for normalcy returned to Jonah’s home over the next few days but, in spite of Jonah’s immaculate documentation, his dad refused to pay up until he had seen the photos. When they arrived, Jonah tore open the yellow envelope, located the viewer and previewed his collection. That was worth a smile or two. Once his dad returned, Jonah projected the slides and his dad had to admit that Jonah had, indeed, succeeded in his challenge (and had stayed out of his parents’ hair for a few days – but he didn’t mention that!) and willingly paid up. Even so, Jonah felt bereft. Until a postcard arrived. The picture on the front depicted Longholme and the postmark was Weston. On the reverse it said, “Mr. Kevin Koffin, invites Jonah, henceforth known as “Grockle Kid” to his birthday party on September 1st. It will take place on Longholme. Dress optional. K”

Jonah cheered up: he had the fiver his dad gave him (Remember what that was worth then.) and had spent hardly any of the money he had been given to see him through his expedition (although he didn’t bother to tell his mum as much), school didn’t start until the eighth and he had plenty of time to really work on his parents to let him go. With careful timing, he should be able to reach peak annoying status with several days to spare. He didn’t, however, realise that the postcard was not in Koff’s handwriting and was certainly not written in his normal ‘informal’ - alright, then: sloppy – style.

Interesting! And since Jonah is eager to go back, his veneer of protection is also gone if I understand right - he can't go snitching if he went back willingly... I wonder if he will be, to modify a phrase, hoisted by his own speedos.

An ending means a beginning... so let's not wait too long Xtc!!

THanks for that, [mention]Gino[/mention] and thanks for staying with it.

I’m all a-tingle. What better ending to a great story than a hint at glorious things to come?

OK, thanks. That's two votes.
This time, though, I finish any story before starting to post it.

Xtc wrote: 2 years ago OK, thanks. That's two votes.
This time, though, I finish any story before starting to post it.

Three, if you missed or misinterpreted my comment.

Thanks, [mention]blackbound[/mention], your vote was noted.
That should have read, Three Votes," I'm off counting since I retired.
Old Irish Proverb: vote early, vote often

Chapter 1. Is Cornish Energy the local Electric Power Supply Company?

Sorry, @WhereAmI, I can't even remember if the power supply was privatised in 1976!
On Longholm, however, there was no electric power.
Or have I missed the point?

However, thank you for posting on the story.

LONGHOLME ISLAND - Part 9.

At least the 3 Pirates knew that the last thing to do after resupplying and before heading back to the Island was to get plenty of ICECREAM, the true food of the Gods, to take back to the island. 🏝

Indeed, sensible eating is the basis of a good adventure.

Is it possible to make reservations for a summer vacation on LONGHOLME ISLAND? Hoping the Pirates will take into consideration my advanced age when they tie me up into little itsy-biltsy balls and feed me my old people's food?

No reservations needed. Just make a lot of noise when you arrive.
Don't forget: the lads from this story will now be in their sixties but I am sure their heirs will oblige you.

There is another tale in the offing and, perhaps, a more up-to-date one but they are not going to be ready soon.

Jonah's Journey: Jonah Hears the Verdict. I have grown to like Johah, he is telling the truth. I sure hope they don't make him walk the plank, hang him upside down from the Mizzen Mast, or (shudders) keel haul him under the canoe. These pirates seem vicious and are capable of doing anything to a stranger.

The Pirates have the same attitude to truth as journalists: they never let it get in the way of a good story (or, in thier case, torture).

@XTC I do believe a well managed "WORM HUNT" could become as popular as Paint Ball. I will have my Mouth Piece (Attorney) look into this and see what can be done. I'm sure he will be able to include Dave, Roy, and Koff (or their descendants) tied up 24 hours a day as examples in the show windows of the Worm Hole Emporium and to provide effective vocals to entice people to want to hunt . And of course we shall share all profits extorted in this endeavor.

Xtc wrote: 2 years ago

As the author of ths tale, I would like to apologise for being late up with this episode.
Several unfortunate things came to a head and have left me little time for writing particularly over the past moth.


Moral of the story:
Don't start posting a story that you haven't finished writing!


And now - the next part of the tale:

DiD THE PIRATES OF LONGHOLME ISLAND capture you and keep tied up as a prisoner for a month along with THE ?

I regret no. That would have involved a complicated set of arrangements with a tardis.

A birthday tie up is always fun especially if it's on LONGHOLME ISLAND. Tied Up Boys wiggling and squirming with a Grockle and a boatload or 2 of pirates that need Jonah's Tyeing Attenttion.

Great story ill give the Pirates a couple of Boxties, 4 very strict Hogties, 500 feet of new rope and 3 cases of brand new military grade tape. Just in case they have run out.

Thank you. By some miracle (and careful housekeeping) they never seem to run out of then necessary supplies.