The Power of Forgetting by A M Russell Read Free Book Online Page B

joked as Marcia joined us.
    ‘No. about your
personal habits… don’t take that the wrong way. I think you could
do to be a little less conspicuous.’
    ‘What’s wrong
with purple?’ I asked him.
    ‘Nothing,’ Sam
started off round the corner, ‘It goes with your eyes. But we are
trying to be discrete here.’
    I looked at
Marcia’s pink dress. Sam nodded to Marcia; ‘but you are just fine.’
He said.
    ‘What?’ I was
wishing I hadn’t had that tequila last night now.
    ‘Now you sound
like Davey!’ said Sam as we got near the car. Marcia just smiled
sweetly and got into the passenger seat as Sam opened the door for
her.
     
    We were bowling
along with the windows open. I sat in the back. I absently scraped
at the nail on my right thumb. Drawing ink. At least everything
matched. Marcia was looking at the map and Sam drove with one hand
on the wheel. I think she was initiating him into the strangeness
of the roads “Up North”. He was not from our part of the world. In
fact, I wasn’t sure where he was from. There was something to be
said for being inconspicuous. I sank back and let the miles take
me. By the time we stopped for a break it had clouded over, and
started to quietly drizzle. Sam got out frowning.
    ‘Are we to
expect more of the same?’ he shouted as we ran into the service
station.
     
    We arrived at
my house at four. Sam was dropping us off and staying in a local
inn. Janey and Davey were arriving on the train the following day.
As for the rest of the “team” some couldn’t make it this time. And
it was decided that Sam would be our link person if help was
needed. I guess I was excited by the news. There were strange
readings popping up around the place. And it might have something
to do with… well everything. I guessed that Mr Rimmington wasn’t
done with us lot yet, but this might be enough to tempt him out
into the open. We had to work out who was doing it, before they
did. Research, Janey says, is the noblest cause after saving lives.
I think that research is useful… but inspiration can also be
equally valuable. I find myself in the lounge of our house…well, my
parent’s house. I came for two days at Christmas but I had not
thought to come up so soon…. not until the summer. Sam and Marcia
have gone to find the others. I felt suddenly very confused, and
sat down in the nearest chair thinking… Why am I here?
     
    I heard her
voice before I saw her. That light step in the hall; light but
firm. She is looking so lovely…. Dark hair framing her face and
snaking down her back. She is in pale primrose yellow, one of her
favourite colours.
    I stood up,
Marcia was just behind her. She came towards me and hugged me
tightly; she is my mother…and I had forgotten how much I missed
her.
    ‘Jared…. I’m so
glad you’re here.’ She drew back and looked at me. She has a very
expressive face, and can speak with her eyes. She’s saying
something now…. it’s that enquiring look What has happened Jared? I
know something is different about you.
    ‘Mum…. I really
missed you. I hugged her again and lifted her off the floor
spinning her round.
    ‘Oh! Let me
down. Your sister is here.’ Mother raised an eyebrow. A warning
perhaps Behave yourself Jared!
    ‘Karis?’ I said
with a squeak of surprize.
    ‘Come now… you
be good to your sister Jared, please.’
    ‘Mum…I’m fine.
I want to see her. I really do!’
    She spun round
and looked into my eyes. She was very still, looking at me. It
reminded me of Heelio in Summerland. There was a patient
watchfulness in her face. I realised I had seen it before; many
times.
    ‘Well Jared…. I
believe you do.’ She said at last. We’ll talk more later; her eyes
were saying.
    ‘Is Dad here?’
I asked.
    ‘He’s with
Karis.’ She said. She looked at Marcia, ‘Come into the kitchen.
Both of you… I have been doing some uncharacteristic baking…. Karis
has been muckying pots and pans all afternoon. It’s a good job her
friend is