Love and trouble.

Hearts, havoc and peril.

Nigel was a man in his mid-forties who had always been a bit of a wanderer. He had spent most of his life traveling the world, never staying in one place for too long. But when he arrived in Pattaya, something about the place just felt right to him. The vibrant nightlife, the warm weather, and the beautiful beaches all seemed to call out to him.

It was on one of his first nights in Pattaya that he met Toy. She was working as a bar girl in one of the many bars that lined the streets of Soi 7, and Nigel was immediately captivated by her. She had a beautiful smile, a charming personality, and a way of making him feel like he was the only person in the world.

Nigel and Toy quickly became inseparable. He would visit her at the bar every night, buying her drinks and talking for hours on end. He would take her out to dinner at local restaurants and they would spend lazy afternoons lounging on the beach together. For the first time in his life, Nigel felt like he had found someone he could really connect with.

But as time went on, Nigel began to realize that Toy's life was far from perfect. She was an alcoholic, and he would often find her passed out in her apartment, surrounded by empty bottles of cheap liquor. He also discovered that she was a drug addict, using methamphetamine to stay awake and alert during her long shifts at the bar. And worst of all, he learned that she was working for her Thai boyfriend, a man who Nigel had never met but who he knew was involved in some shady business dealings.

Despite these problems, Nigel couldn't bring himself to leave Toy. He was in love with her, and he believed that he could help her turn her life around. He tried to convince her to quit drinking and using drugs, but she always had an excuse for why she couldn't. And whenever he tried to talk to her about her boyfriend, she would shut down completely, refusing to discuss the topic any further.

One night, Nigel and Toy were walking along the beach when they were approached by a group of Thai men. Nigel didn't understand what they were saying, but he could tell from their aggressive postures that they were angry about something. Suddenly, one of the men punched Nigel in the face, sending him reeling backwards. He tried to fight back, but he was quickly overwhelmed by the group.

It was only later that Nigel learned that the men were associated with Toy's boyfriend, and that they had attacked him in retaliation for spending time with her. They had warned him to stay away from her, and had threatened to hurt him if he didn't comply. Nigel was terrified, but he still couldn't bring himself to leave Toy.

Over the next few weeks, Nigel continued to see Toy, but he became increasingly paranoid. He was afraid that he was being followed, and he started to notice strange men watching him whenever he was out in public. He knew it was as good as over, but he still couldn't let go of his love for Toy.

One night, Nigel and Toy were in her apartment when there was a knock at the door. Toy went to answer it, and when she opened it, she was confronted by two Thai police officers. They demanded to search the apartment, claiming that they were looking for drugs. Nigel was terrified, but he knew that he had nothing to hide.

The police found a small amount of methamphetamine in Toy's apartment, and they immediately arrested her. He knew that he couldn't do anything to help her. He was a foreigner in a foreign land.

Nigel was devastated by Toy's arrest. He was afraid that he would never see her again and that she would be thrown into a Thai prison for a crime she didn't commit. He tried to contact the embassy and find a lawyer to help her, but he quickly realized that his options were limited.

Several days after Toy's arrest, Nigel was visited by two Thai police officers. They told him that he was being arrested for his involvement in Toy's drug use and that he would be deported back to England. Nigel tried to explain that he had nothing to do with Toy's drug use, but the police didn't listen.

Nigel was taken to a Thai prison and held there for several days before he was deported back to England. He was devastated by what had happened, and he couldn't help but feel that he had let Toy down. He knew that he had made mistakes, but he also knew that he had truly loved her.

After he returned to England, Nigel tried to move on with his life. He found a job and tried to forget about Toy, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he had left something important behind in Pattaya. He started to drink heavily and became increasingly depressed.

What happened with Nigel in England.

Months passed, and Nigel's life didn't seem to improve. He struggled to find meaning in his work, and his relationships with family and friends became strained. The memory of Toy's arrest and his deportation haunted him day and night.

One day, Nigel stumbled upon a support group for individuals who had experienced traumatic events while traveling abroad. He decided to attend one of their meetings and found a sense of relief in sharing his story with others who had gone through similar experiences. The group provided a safe space for him to express his emotions and work through his trauma.

With the help of therapy and the support of his newfound community, Nigel slowly started to make progress. He cut back on his drinking and began to take better care of himself. He started to see a future where he could be happy again.

Years went by, and Nigel never forgot about Toy, but he learned to forgive himself for his mistakes. He realized that he couldn't change the past, but he could control his future. Eventually, he found love again and started a family of his own.

Nigel's experience taught him that life can be unpredictable and sometimes unfair, but it also taught him the value of resilience and the importance of seeking help when needed. He never forgot about Toy and the lessons she taught him about love and loss, but he also knew that it was time to move forward and embrace the future.

Go back to; short stories