Beyond Life by Deb McEwan Read Free Book Online Page A

and I always keep some dry rations in the event of an emergency,’ he was talking to himself as much as to Val but she was nodding and thinking that it wouldn’t be that bad and it was, after all, only one night. They could get to know each other, but definitely not in a physical way.
    ‘Are you all right?’
    She answered yes and he suggested that they stay out of the vehicle until just before darkness fell. ‘It’s going to be cramped in there and once we’re in, it’s best that we stay there all night.’
    ‘But what if I need the loo?’
    ‘I’ll need to escort you, Val and bring the rifle. We’ll dig a small trench now at the other side of the tree so we don’t have to walk far from the Rover.’
    *****
    They were about to gather for dinner and Marion wanted a quick word with Daniel before they sat down. She also wanted to check on Mary.
    She popped her head around the office door. He was sitting at the old desk, flicking through a file and frowning. He didn’t notice her.
    ‘How’s Mary.’
    He jumped in the seat and looked to Marion as if he’d been caught with his hand in the sweetie jar.
    ‘You made me jump.’
    ‘Clearly. What are you doing?’
    ‘Working hard, obviously.’ He closed the file before she had a chance to see what he’d been looking at and put it in one of the desk drawers. Closing the drawer he locked it and put the key in his trouser pocket.
    ‘So, Mary?’ Marion repeated, her fingers tapping against the door.
    Daniel didn’t answer straight away and Marion wondered if he wound her up on purpose. He eventually shrugged his shoulders.
    ‘Marion, you may have noticed that I am very busy. Once I sent her to lie down I decided to ask the nurse to check on her after dinner. We’ll see if she eats. If she does we’ll know that she’s not ill and there will be no need to waste the nurse’s time.’
    Marion wondered what he was hiding, but let it go for the time being.
    ‘Who were the visitors?’
    Daniel put down the pen he’d been holding and sighed heavily. ‘What?’
    ‘The visitors in the white van. Who were they?’
    ‘Marion. I repeat. I’m very busy. One of the reasons I asked you to do the water detail was so that I could get this paperwork done. I’m going to be working late into the night as it is. I also...’
    ‘But you must have heard the van, even it you didn’t see it?’
    ‘I’ve been immersed in my work and haven’t seen or heard anything else,’ he stopped her next interruption by adding. ‘New volunteers are arriving the week after next, you and Val will be going home early,’ he smiled. ‘Now shall we go and eat or do you want to hear the rest of it?’
    Marion momentarily forgot about Mary as Daniel explained that the charity wanted her and Val to take the lead on a new orphanage being built in Romania. If they agreed, it would mean another course in London. If they were up for it the plan would be to handover to the two new volunteers, return to the UK, have some time off and then attend the course. It was a promotion and Marion was taken aback at the suddenness of the move. She knew before discussing it with Val that this is what she’d aspired to and she would take the job, whether Val wanted to or not. Probably another unkind thought but she was still annoyed that Val had allowed herself to be charmed by Gary.
    ‘You can tell them that I accept their offer. I’ll talk to Val when she returns which should be any time now.’
     
     

Chapter 5
     
    Ron was still feeling emotional following Libby’s wedding. ‘My little girl. I’m so glad that Carl was there to give her away. I know they’re going to be happy, Claire but Val’s going to be mad. I’m not sure she’ll ever forgive her. And as for your mother...’
    Claire wasn’t entirely sure. ‘If you’d said that to me a little while ago I would have agreed with you. But a woman I didn’t know when I was alive has taken over my mother’s mind and body so I’m never sure how