Billy Thomas sat red-faced, eyes lowered, as the new preacher ranted about the demons the devil placed in all of us, then glared at poor Billy; sins of the flesh sent to tempt us into evil doings.
Friends of Billy’s persuaded everyone to go skinny dipping in the river. Old Mrs.Pugh had come across them, screaming at them that the Lord would strike them down for their sins. Personally, Billy thought Mrs Pugh had a demon, as she had stood watching them for ages according to Huw Parry. Off she went to tell the preacher and our parents, hence we all had to attend chapel to renounce our sins.
At ten years old Billy remembered other occasions over the years when he had been called a little demon. Borrowing flowers from Mr.Davies’ garden for his mam: she loved flowers. With so many flowers Billy didn’t think he would miss them. Mam loved them for all of ten minutes, Mr.Davies spluttering and shouting at how I was a little demon and needed a firm hand. Mam not best pleased grabbed me by the ear and pushed me upstairs, no tea that night.
Talking to Gwyn Griffiths in the village, he told me that girls didn’t have willies. Scoffing at the idea, he said he had had seen his sister when she a baby and she definitely didn’t have one. Gladys Morgan came over not long after so I asked her if it was true. Lifting her dress, she told me to show her mine. Stunned I did as she said. At that moment Mam came round the bush. Gladys shrieked, running off hitching her knickers up, Mam bright red grabbed me dragging me in to the house shouting that privates were private and wait till my Da came home. Knowing that meant the slipper I cowered in my bedroom dreading the moment.
Shooting Mrs. Evans in the behind was a genuine accident. I thought it was Maisie. It was only an acorn in my sling so it couldn’t have hurt that much. Listening to her howl you’d think I was killing her, mind you she never did find out it was me.
As the years past Billy would use the demon as his excuse. When he got drunk and threw up all over Mam’s kitchen sink, she found him next morning fast asleep on the floor. No fun cleaning that I tell you. As for the fornication, well I’d rather be a demon any day!!!
