Amber sat next to Joe in the wings of the YTV studio. Joe knew all the most important TV show hosts and directors. After forty-five minutes of the live show, John Rushforth announced a commercial break and Amber was told to go on set.
Welcome back. Yesterday a fascinating story broke about Danny Constance, our best footballer. According to reports, he is illiterate. After a little research, we have discovered that as many as one in five UK citizens cannot read or write, or both. This evening I'm pleased to welcome Amber Sullivan a personal friend of Danny Constance and the Chair of the Adult Literacy Foundation, Margo Cummings. First Amber, perhaps you can tell us about Danny's case?
Amber cleared her throat and as Joe had told her looked into the camera. I became a friend of Danny's a few weeks ago. He asked me to help him because he was desperate. He was so ashamed of the fact that he can't read or write that it was destroying his life.
How did he manage to get through school? John asked.
He had nobody at home to supervise what he was doing. Nobody really cared about his education. Luckily he is a great footballer and can make a very decent living, but what about those less fortunate than him?
Sure. It's an enormous problem. Margo can you tell us more.
As you correctly mentioned about one in five, in this country, have this problem. And it's usually due to what Amber explained. Lack of parental support.
Isn't that what teachers are for? John asked.
Teachers can only do so much. They have hundreds of children to look after. The role of the child's parents or guardian plays a hugely significant role.
And how is Danny now Amber?
Devastated that he is being made a fool of in the press, and on a personal level very upset with me. Danny, if you're watching, I'd like to say sorry.
I have seen some of the press reports, and it makes me sick to be a journalist, John said. I want to say here and now, and we have upward of ten million viewers, that their treatment of Danny has been a disgrace.
That's right John, and it's typical of people's attitude to illiteracy, Margo said. They think these people are dumb or lazy, but they aren't. They just didn't get a great start in life. In fact, I want to invite Danny to be an Ambassador for our cause. He's hugely popular with our children, and I would love it if he could do some school tours to tell parents of the importance of helping their children, especially in the early stages.
After the show, Amber was in a taxi on the way back to her apartment when her phone rang.
Get over here now, Danny said.
What's up?
'Nothing, just get yourself over here, now.
Amber asked the taxi driver to turn around and take her to Danny's apartment. When she arrived, a group of press was gathered outside his house. Amber pushed her way through them and went inside.
Danny what's going on?
Come with me, he said. He took hold of her hand and went outside. Cameras clicked, and there were flashes.
Thank you for coming, Danny began. I have a statement to make. I can confirm press reports that I can neither read or write. I haven't got a clue what this says, but I'm told it's an apology from the Press Association about the way I have been treated since the news leaked. Danny held up a fax that Miguel had brought round to him. Being illiterate isn't funny, and people who are illiterate shouldn't be the butt end of jokes. Racism and sexism, are illegal, so why not illiterate-ism. If you will excuse my made up word. The press laughed. This is Amber, and she's my girlfriend, and she's going to help me to read and write, and in a year I'll be reading all your spelling mistakes. Thank you.
Ignoring all the follow-up questions Danny put his arm around Amber and went back into the house. He closed the front door and threw her against the wall. She struggled for breath as he kissed her and felt for her zipper. He slid her pants down until they reached her ankles, her panties followed. He picked her up and held her against the wall. She kicked her legs free of the garments and hooked herself around him.
Oh God I want this, she moaned.
He freed his penis and in one fluid movement thrust up and into her, making her cry out. She held him tightly as he took her. He pulled her blouse open and took out her breasts. He was wild, demanding her, and taking exactly what he wanted.
I'm coming,' Amber shrieked. She began to shake as she held onto him, his trusts so strong her whole body shuddered violently under the force. He cried out and held onto her as they enjoyed their first mutual orgasm.
They collapsed in a heap on the hallway floor, both totally out of breath, Danny still deep inside her.
Hi babe, Danny said. How's college?
Great. Almost done. Two more months, Amber replied from her student apartment at Yale.
Then you'll be a WAG.
A what?
Wives and Girlfriends, WAG.
Oh yes, how stupid of me.