TouchStone for ever (The Story of Us Trilogy) by Sydney Jamesson Read Free Book Online Page A

me.” I smile
and continue my visual inspection, a little unsettled by the fact he is looking
at himself in the mirror. There’s nothing strange about that, except for the
intensity of his look and the time elapsing; it smacks of narcissism. Perhaps
it has something to do with the cut to his cheekbone and the likelihood of a
scar. But that wouldn’t have bothered him before. He’s not a vain man; he has
simply been blessed with good looks and a generous helping of charm. Yet, I
look at him now and I wonder …
    For a minute longer
he practises his movie star smile and turns this way and that, playing with his
fringe …
    “There, all done.
Everything is perfectly normal, Elizabeth but, if you take my advice, you’ll
try and calm yourself down and resist any … urges for the next couple of days.”
She tips her head in Ayden’s direction and smiles shrewdly.
    All I can do is smile
innocently in response to her observation. She’s right of course. I still have
to recuperate from my stomach operation. That’s just one of my battle scars I
have yet to inspect.
    “All done?” Ayden
asks, returning to my side.
    “Yes. All your wife
needs now is rest and lots of attention, Mr. Stone.”
    “Oh, I think I can
arrange that,” he states humorously. “I’ll call Lester and have him bring the
car around.”
    “Please wait until I
can arrange for a wheelchair.” She turns to me. “Would you like me to help you
get dressed?”
    I shake my head. “No
thanks. I think I can manage.” Once again, I slide my legs out of bed and
cautiously place my feet on the floor, mentally counting the number of steps it
will take to reach the bathroom.
    “Here, take my arm.”
    I hold onto Ayden’s
right arm, leaning into him as I move gingerly towards the illuminated mirror
and my big reveal.
    “What do you want to
do?” he asks, unsure of my intentions.
    “I want to freshen up
and get dressed.” I straighten my back and try to balance myself unaided.
    “Here, sit down. I’ll
get your clothes.”
    He leaves me to sit
and catch my breath, but the pale and bruised woman I see reflected back at me
steals the breath from my lungs.
    On returning he stops
dead. “Don’t worry about the bruises. They’ll heal quicker than you think.”
    His words seem hollow
and lacking in compassion. “I know the bruises will heal, Ayden.” I look up at
him. “I’m more concerned about you …”
    He tips his head to
the right. “Me? I’m perfectly fine.”
    “Are you? You seem a
little … distant; as if you’re scared to touch me.” I wait to be reassured.
    “I’m sorry. Seeing
you like this … it’s ...” He looks about the room for an answer. “It’s
distressing. I’m afraid to touch you in case I hurt you. You’ve been through
such a lot and your body is still healing.”
    “This is true,” I
answer almost as a reflex action but he doesn’t react. I can’t help but wrinkle
my nose. What’s happened to him? Where’s my playful Ayden? I need him to raise
my spirits before I fall backwards again into that dark abyss.
    “Leave my clothes.
I’ll dress myself.” Feeling just the right amount of tenacity to stand, I reach
for my underwear.
    “If you’re sure?”
    “I am.”
    He exits quietly,
leaving me to struggle with my clothing and face my hideous twin. I dress as
quickly as I can, running my fingers over fading bruises on my arms and my
face. I remove the padding from my stomach and I’m pleasantly surprised to see
a small discreet scar just below my belly button. It’s not as bad as I had
imagined, but it’s the invisible damage concealed in the cavity beneath it that
causes tears to prick my eyes.
    I reposition the
padding and cover myself with a plain black dress; somewhat fitting under the
circumstances. I clip back my hair and splash my face with cold water in the
hope of encouraging cream coloured cheeks to blush. My tinted moisturiser helps
but does little to conceal the tinge of blue beneath my left