Cruel as the Grave
Page 21
‘I won’t have you taking it all on yourself. She started it — ’
‘No, Liz, my father started it. As your Mr Hunter said, all those years ago. Oh, my dear, don't cry. You can only see what I've lost. I've had so much happiness, Reggie, you... Now, darling, there’s a price to pay… ’
*
Liz found herself alone in a corridor. She leaned back against the wall, closed her eyes. She felt sad and confused, sick and angry.
A firm step. She opened her eyes.
‘All right?’ Hunter said.
She nodded.
‘It meant so much to her, seeing you, knowing you hadn’t — ’
‘I’ve really done it this time, haven’t I? The wrong thing for the right reasons.’
‘Liz, you had no control over any of this. You were caught up in it, and moved along, you’ll begin to see that, when you’ve sorted it out in your mind.’
‘Oh... don’t you see... she did it for me.’
‘She did it because of everything she is. Her past, her will to survive, her instinct for life. She wasn’t herself, dear, dear girl.’ How could he explain Helen to her, when she was so lost, so hurt — that he thought of Helen as the finest china — stand next to it, and the reality of his presence shattered it. ‘Now, if you’ll give me a few minutes, I’ll take you home.’
‘Woodside, please. I need to go to Woodside, there are things to do.’
She didn’t hear his patient, ‘Yes.’ She was thinking of Woodside, its rooms full of light, the subtle harmony of its colours, its echoing emptiness.
His strong, cool hand was holding hers. There was no comfort there. She looked at him and saw on his face that he understood this. ‘Give it time, Liz, give it time.’
She could think of nothing to say, only attempt an uncertain smile, and hold his hand a little more tightly.
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Author’s Notes
To Roger Forsdyke in memory of Ms Grace Notes, R.I.P.
For love is strong as death; jealousy cruel as the grave — Song of Solomon