What You Wish For by Mark Edwards Read Free Book Online Page A

sniffed. ‘Are you all right to go on?’ Marie asked. Sally nodded. ‘Yes. I’m sorry, it’s just . . .’
    ‘We understand,’ Marie said.
    Sally blew her nose again and continued her tale. ‘The creatures, the aliens, stood around me and then a larger creature came into the room. He had the same head but he was taller. His uniform was blue and he was obviously in charge. He came up and looked down at me and said something to the others. Well, I assume he did because they started to scuttle about, but I didn’t actually hear him. Then he looked at me and I heard his voice in my head. It was a nice voice – soft and deep.’
    Andrew nodded enthusiastically.
    She took a deep breath before continuing. ‘He said, “It’s time to take back the gift.” I didn’t know what he was talking about but then I realised. He was talking about my baby.’ Sally knotted her fingers together. ‘I started to get panicky. I found I could talk back to him, using my mind. Like, telepathy? I said, “No, it’s mine. You can’t take it away.” The creature said, “It’s only half yours. Really, it belongs to us. Thank you for lending us your body, but this baby must be taken back to our planet.” I shouted, “No!” and he shook his head like he was sad, and then I blacked out.
    ‘When I woke up I was back in my bed and there was blood all over my thighs where they hadn’t cleaned me up properly. My baby was gone.’
    She sobbed now, deep, anguished sobs that were distressing to listen to. Marie held her and Andrew patted her arm. I got up and left the room. I sat in the kitchen with the cat. I could hear Marie and Andrew talking to Sally, and then, about thirty minutes later, she left. Andrew drove her home.
    Marie came into the kitchen, her eyes moist but with a little smile on her face.
    ‘What are you smiling about?’ I asked, unable to hide my anger.
    ‘She’s so lucky,’ Marie said. ‘She was chosen by a representative of the Chorus to have his child. One day they’ll be reunited and then they’ll be able to live together in happiness. Oh Richard, it’s so exciting.’
    I was horrified. ‘What the fuck are you talking about? She’s had a miscarriage and to deal with it she’s dreamt up some fantasy about aliens stealing her baby. She needs psychiatric help. And you and Andrew do nothing but encourage her. You’re going to damage her even more than she’s damaged already. Can’t you see that?’
    Marie’s eyes widened with shock. ‘I should have known,’ she said.
    She turned and stomped through the hall and out of the front door, slamming it hard, making the glass rattle. I ran to the door and pulled it open. I looked up and down the road but couldn’t see her.
    I went into the living room, followed closely by Calico, who jumped onto my lap when I sat down. I regretted my outburst. I should have been calmer, shouldn’t have shouted. But that didn’t mean I wasn’t angry. What right did Marie and Andrew have to encourage Sally’s delusions? Couldn’t they see how much harm they might cause? I grappled with myself – my love for Marie and my distaste for this aspect of her beliefs. All the time she was UFO-watching and surfing the internet, it was all harmless. But this was different. I would have to talk to her about it when she came home.

    At eleven, as I sat with a sleeping Calico heavy on my lap, the front door opened and I heard Marie come in and go straight upstairs. I pushed the cat aside and jogged up the stairs. Marie sat on the bed. She smelled of alcohol and cigarettes.
    ‘Where have you been?’ I spoke softly.
    ‘I went to see Kathy.’
    Kathy was one of her college friends who lived on the other side of town. ‘How is she?’
    ‘She’s fine. She was nice to me.’
    I tried to take her hand but she pulled it away. ‘Marie—’
    ‘You don’t understand. You think I’m a fucking lunatic.’
    ‘I don’t.’ I knelt on the bed and put my arms around her and kissed the