Pinprick by Matthew Cash Read Free Book Online Page A

Do you think it’s something to do with you hitting your head?” Catherine asked, showing genuine concern.
    “No, you remember after my accident I had something like tinnitus, that the doctors put down to my head injury as they couldn’t find anything on any of their tests?” he said, his face returning to a more normal colour.
    Catherine nodded.
    “Well,” Shane continued, “over the years I’ve hardly ever noticed, unless I have to concentrate extremely hard, but as soon as I got off the train at Colchester it got a little bit worse. And then, just now, it got so loud it felt as though it was going to split my head open!”
    “It beats me,” said Catherine, perplexed, “Maybe you should go and see Doctor Marshall whilst you’re here? Even if it’s just to get that cut checked out. I’m sure he’d fit you in.”
    Shane appreciated Catherine’s concern, but there was no way he was going to see the ancient village doctor who would simply tell him to take painkillers.
    “I’ll be fine; I’ll go and see my consultant when I go back Monday. It’s probably nothing and besides, hopefully these few days will be all the medicine I need.”
    Catherine smiled slightly at that.
    “I hope so, it’s just a shame it’s taken you so long, and the circumstances aren’t better.”
    “I know,” Shane said, ashamed. “It’s hard to find the time for breaks, no matter how short. I know I missed Dad’s funeral, but you know I would have been there if I could.”
    That was the problem, Catherine thought, she didn’t.
    “If it’s any consolation I do feel guilty about not visiting you or Mum, but ever since that night, you know the people here have shunned our family. My absence must have had an effect on that.”
    “Yes, it did, but people don’t forget and I’m sure your appearance will raise a few eyebrows.”
    “It’s my mother’s funeral for Christ’s sake, people should be prepared for the fact I may show up!” Shane said through gritted teeth. He was trying his best not to raise his voice as he didn’t want the taxi driver to hear their conversation.
    Catherine fiddled with the straps of her handbag.
    “Oh, they’re prepared alright.”
    “What?” Shane laughed out loud, “Have they prepared some giant wicker man in Hammond’s field or something?”
    Catherine laughed dryly.
    “Not quite,” Catherine laughed dryly, “But the reporters have been doing the circuits again, trying to find out if you’re coming back or not and dredging up bad feelings.”
    Before Shane knew it Catherine told the taxi driver to take the next left and they were at her house.
     
    *
     
    A car door slammed. Jack and Vic looked at each other and then made towards the door.
    “He’s here dad,” called Vic’s daughter.
    “Thank god – don’t come in here love. Stay by the door,” said Vic. He finished wiping his hands clean and thrust the old towel at Jack.
    Jack forced himself to stop gagging and followed as he rubbed his hands the towel. Vic’s wife and daughter were standing by the cattle shed door, where the air was clean. They looked anxiously out at the farm yard.
    The vet strode into the shed. Immediately, he slapped a hand over his mouth and nose. The smell was awful.
    “What the– What’s going on?” he said.
    Jack looked dishevelled as he hastily pulled up his filthy coveralls. His hair was plastered to his face with sweat.
    “It’s another Aberdeen,” Vic threw up his hands in despair. “The third bloody one this year!”
    The Aberdeen’s were beautiful Scottish highland cows with long ginger coats. They were the pride and joy of the farm and the biggest money makers.
    Jack’s stomach churned nauseatingly when he looked in the cow’s stall. The huge animal lay on its side breathing rapidly; its golden hair was matted to its body like it had been through a carwash. Its stomach bulged unnaturally. The rear end of the cow was a mangled mess; covered in dark blood and excrement. A foul