Masters And Lovers 1-4

Chapter 70

 

Forty-One Years Ago

The phone rings and Al stares at it listlessly. It could be the most uninteresting thing in the world.

Relentlessly, it rings, the sound echoing from the walls of the shabby apartment.

Taking a long breath, he stands, moving to the phone. He moves slowly, the clothes hanging from him.

“Al?”

“Eve?” He comes alive. “Eve? Oh, thank God. At last….”

Her voice is flat. “Al, I’ve not called to have a conversation with you. I’ve called about Shelley. This isn’t working. I can’t cope with it anymore. She misses you and the boys and her friends too much. She wants to come back to you….”

“Of course she can come back. Eve…. Are you going to.…?”

“No…. Will you take her?”

*****

“We’ll make it work, Dad. Don’t worry.” David claps his father on the shoulder, looking nervous but determined. “Stephen and I both want her here. We’ll do everything we can to help….” He turns to his brother. “…. Won’t we?”

Stephen nods decisively, a solid, comforting presence. “Absolutely. Between us, we’ll manage.”

Al’s voice wavers. “She thinks she’ll be coming home….”

“We’ll make it home for her. We’re here. That’s what matters.”

*****

the ugly brick tenement and throws herself into her father’s arms. His face is lined, turned down at the mouth, but he breaks into a smile as his little daughter wriggles into

too. Princess.” He looks down to where the taxi is

brothers, standing just inside the hallway. “Here, say hello to Stevie and Davey while I talk to Mummy.” Stephen takes her

the worn stone steps where they dip under the tread of a thousand pairs of feet. His mother’s eyes rise to him, but she

“Davey! Davey. Wanna hug….”

up his little sister and something like relief crosses

to the woman who stands, stony-faced, watching him from beside the taxi its motor still

you don’t have

the words. “I’m staying at the motel for

leave an address of course. I’ll bring her to see

not listening.

of us? You’re leaving Shelley? I thought

boys.” Her voice is weary. “Everyone’s entitled to their own choices, Al. I’ve put up with you and your mad schemes for too many years. The age I am now, if I don’t make a life of my

he rubs at an eye. “Where…. where are you

his brother’s shoulder. “I’m staying with Andrew and his wife while I get settled in. Don says he knows someone

“Australia…. It’s so far….”

of the family. I’ll take my joy with

from inside the taxi cab; “Hey, Lady. You coming

her voice sharp. “I’m coming. Give me

this is on

holding Shelley, bouncing her up and

going to give her a

“Best not.” She turns and gets into the cab, staring ahead. The engines revs

Al slumps….

of love

…. It’s indifference.

Shrieking and laughing, Shelley is hanging on her

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