Action and Reaction: Book Three of The Desolate Tree
Once again, ‘blurb’ first –
1991. Recovering from the traumatic events of the past eighteen months, Michael and Jennifer Radcliffe are gradually adjusting to their new life in their new home. Then a violent summer storm sets in motion a series of events destined to wreak havoc on their newly-settled existence, while a tragic accident brings further changes to all their lives.
To read a preview of this book in the Kindle store, follow the link below:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00P688MHO
. . . followed by some choice morsels from the third volume –
Then she felt it, a faint tingling through Michael’s fingers, the same sensation she had felt through Jen’s hand. She put her head against the bark as he had done and tried to concentrate on the feeling, but when he took his hands away from the tree the feeling died in her fingers.
“I was on the other side before, I remember that now, and I remember it felt wrong. I mean – I know it was wrong, just being here was definitely wrong, but even being on the wrong side of the bed felt bad.”
“What on earth did you tell her?” “Oh, I just spun her a yarn about him – and luckily she believed me, she feels much less guilty now.” “What? Wasn’t it true then?” She laughed. “No of course not! A total fabrication. But it worked a treat though.” She smiled sweetly at her husband and tucked her arm in his. “I say, I’m a rather good liar, aren’t I?”
“So within the space of one month I will have lost both my daughters, my two own daughters. But I suppose you’re right, living here now just would not work.”
“Please, can I stay here, just for tonight? I didn’t – I don’t have any clothes with me, nothing. I just went to the airport and got on the last plane of the day, I couldn’t stay there another minute.” “Of course. You can stay as long as you want, you know that.”
“I bin praying for her, Dad. I did, honest – I prayed a whole lot, every day. I prayed to God to spare her, not to take her from me.”
“Oh by the way, Jennifer phoned earlier today. There’s no news, but they are halfway through their holiday so she thought she’d ring to speak to you – but she was a day adrift, she thought it was Saturday today.” She smiled. “Yes, I spoke to Jen as well this morning when she phoned – she was so embarrassed, you know, that she got the day wrong!”
“You’re putting on a little weight at last, young lady – but all to the good, you were much too skinny before and now you’re – just nice.”
“And today – to tell me today – oh, how could you?” “I didn’t mean to, I was going to wait till tomorrow, but – oh, I’m sorry. Listen, I –” He tried to put his arm round her but she pushed him away. “No! Don’t you touch me!” She ran indoors.
“OK, are you ready?” She nodded, and as he closed his eyes to focus his thoughts on her he heard her gasp, feeling her grip on his fingers tighten. Opening his eyes he saw her blink away some tears as she closed her eyes again and relaxed.
“When they were younger you know, Jane and Patrick, they had each told us separately that they were both gay. Well, after that Stanley and I had given up any idea of weddings and grandchildren.”
She sniffed, then blew her nose and rubbed her eyes again. “Oh Lord, I must look a real sight.” “Mmm, let me see.” He took her face in his hands and with a frown he studied it closely, then nodded in sad agreement. “Yes, I’m afraid you do. You look absolutely dreadful.” She put her arms round his neck and kissed him. “You always say the nicest things – and I promise, I will try to do as you say.”
“He seems very keen on me – but I don’t love him. You see it’s – it’s you that I love, and have done ever since that first time, probably ever since I first kissed you four years ago at New Year.” As she took his hand a tear rolled down one cheek. “So marks out of ten for you, my love? Nothing less than a perfect ten.”
For the past year or two she had hardly worn her kimono, preferring her plain English clothes – ‘the middle-aged frumpy look’ Daisy had told her once and she smiled at the memory. She loved her new family, all of them, but Daisy had always been her favourite.
“My sister? My God – after everything else, now I find out that you slept with my own sister, you bastard?” When Libby walked in Jen turned on her sister. “You Jezebel! How could you, Libby? How could you do this to me, while I was so ill, and after everything else that’s happened?”
“Hello? Please, can you look after Lorna for a few minutes? She’s that boy’s sister, and I’ve got to go in there to find his father.”
“I know you have never really taken to me. I can feel it in your hand even now. That animosity, it’s the wariness which ‘normal’ women have for ‘queer’ people like me, and I suppose it is natural.”
“Oh goodness – she doesn’t know ! I never gave it a thought – I don’t think anyone has told her! Oh no, she doesn’t even know her sister’s been hurt.”
“How much do you know about the stars?” She looked at him strangely. “Well, let me see, I know there are a lot of them, and they’re all a long way away – what else? Oh yes, and that where we live is in a part of the Milky Way.” “Ah, but do you know any of their names, do you know which star is which?” She smiled as he continued. “Fancy a walk outside for a bit? Come on, it’s a lovely clear night, we can wrap up warm, and look up at all the constellations, all those lovely stars.” She just stared at him for a few moments, and he was quite surprised when she stood up. “Oh yes all right, why not? I expect you’re an expert, so come on, tell me all about the constellations.”
“But now we’re over a hundred miles away from home, so there’d be no-one to find out. I mean – hypothetically, of course – if we were to do anything sort of remotely naughty, well – nobody could catch us this time, could they?” Slowly she raised her head, her eyes innocently wide and enquiring, and she smiled at him as their eyes met. And in that instant they both knew.
“Michael – you read it, read it out for me! I started to, but I can’t believe it – no, it’s just not possible!” She wiped her eyes on her apron. “Jen, get her a drink – a brandy, Scotch, anything.”
“So I have decided. I shall stay with you tonight, to keep you company.” Michael laughed out loud. “You? Good God, don’t you think I’m in enough trouble already? What will everyone think if they know you’re in here with me?”
“Thanks for listening, it’s helped me to talk about it. I’m sorry it’s been so long, you should come over more often. And about the past, I mean our past – well, in a way I still have good memories of our time together.”
“Please tell her from me that I want her to take good care of Masako when she gets there, just like I looked after her when she first arrived, when she too was alone and frightened in a foreign country. Tell her that in those exact words please, and tell her she still owes me one.”
He was surprised when she spoke without turning round. “Are you going to stare at my bum all day, you pervert?” She turned and smiled at him, pointing to the bench. “I could see your reflection in that piece of silver.” Michael smiled. “Caught in the act again. Story of my life.”
“Do you know what today is? It’s my birthday – I’m fifty-seven today, and for the first time in nearly fifty years I have got something to celebrate.”
Feeling her resistance he stopped. “Just relax, just lie back.” She giggled. “Lie back and think of England.” She giggled again as his knee slipped in between hers. “That’s what they used to say to the Colonial wives, isn’t it? Lie back, and think of England.”
She giggled and he smiled at her. “Excuse my French young lady, but this could be the important first step.” “That weren’t no French, Dr Mac – you said a very naughty word!”
It was dark when Michael woke. She was trembling, and when he felt her head she was burning. He switched on the bedside light and saw it was nearly two o’clock. He could see at once she’d been sweating so much she was wet through, and her breathing was shallow and raspy.
She ran in and jumped into bed with him, the usual morning ritual which had developed into a regular habit over the past few weeks. She could at least enjoy a few minutes’ cuddle at the start of the day, and so she made sure she was always the first one to get up in the morning. “Hi Dad, and Happy Christmas.” Michael kissed her forehead as she snuggled up against him. Her feet were cold so he pulled his legs away.
“Of course, if there’s ever a time when I have rather too much wine, and just happen to be in the same cupboard . . .” “No way! Those days are gone. Go on, back upstairs with you, you harlot.” He watched as she left the room and called after her. “By the way, did I ever tell you, you have a lovely little bum?” She laughed and wiggled it as she walked away.
The Desolate Tree 