A little while later, looking discouraged but thoughtful, he returns, nodding the three of us across to a relatively quiet spot.
“He’s unconscious,” he begins, “suffering from smoke inhalation, but the medics say he should survive. It seems he was trapped in the chaos and didn’t get out with the others. I’m having him taken to a secure medical facility and there, as soon as he’s fit to speak, he’ll be interrogated. I’ll keep you informed.” He scans the three of us, caution in his eyes. “Did you get Charlotte and Beth away safely?”
“Yes,” says Richard, “And right now, I, and the pilot are the only ones who know where they are. I’ve had them taken out of the City and, no offence, Will, but I’m not telling you where to.”
Michael folds his arms, watching his feet as he taps a toe.
Will nods. “I understand. I’ll be in touch.” He turns and leaves. “Corby! I want to know the minute we hear from the hospital….”
*****
Richard watches him in the mirror as he drives. “Michael, calm down. I spoke with the pilot. They’re fine.”
“I know, but….”
“It’s not the same until you see them, I know.”
Michael has barely spoken for the entire journey. Instead, he sits staring out of the back windows, gnawing on his knuckles.
And I’ll feel better myself when I see her.
*****
The door clicks open.
They’re there, Beth sitting, Charlotte standing, looking very much as though she is in ‘pacing the room like a tiger’ mode. But as heads turn and they see us, both faces light up.
Richard pushes past, sweeping Beth into his arms then, without a word takes her to the next room.
gazes at me
My Jade….
You’re safe….
quietly, and her eyes, warm and soft, green as mist over
She almost vanishes
You’re okay.
I did. Please, whatever happens from now on, you
looks stricken. She looks across to me and I just give her a get-on-with-it flick of
I promised. You didn’t think I was going to hang around when
notice, continuing “I was quite sure you didn’t intend me to promise to stay and get
nods, but he’s not
Now what?
your fucking face out of your ass,
*****
Six Years Ago
serving a farming community spread over many miles. It sits in a grassy acre,
meadows and tied with bright ribbons, decorate the end of each pew. Everyone is wearing ‘Sunday Best’ and just outside the door
be cutting into his neck, stands close by. And
her first
handsome, blue-eyed
who defended her, then taught her to
her to marry
who waits inside
with her train and arranges the