Pause
A Story Every Day in 2024 Dec 4th 348/366
There was a long pause. Christine looked at Bethan who was gazing at the horizon, her foot still firmly placed on Dave's back, rocking him, almost absentmindedly. Silence ruled across the quarry, only broken by small rocks being nudged and sent running and then a faint plop as they landed in the pool.
"Admit it, Dave," Bethan said, softly. "I know it but I need you to say it. Were you married to us at the same time?"
*
Dave
I don't know what to do. How have I got here? What do I say?
Do I really think that Bethan will push me into the quarry if I don't come clean? I don't think so but fuck! I'd never, NEVER, have thought that either of them were capable of this. Never.
Bethan
It's funny the situations you find yourself in. When I set out today, I never thought that I'd be here, now, holding my husband captive, having survived his murder attempt, his current wife by my side. I mean, it beggars belief. And yet, here we are.
I'm finding rocking him quite soothing, which is weird. There's something about the rhythm of it: predictable. And it's the control aspect too. For once, I hold the cards. I can decide. I've spent years wondering, my mind absorbed by theories and imaginings, thoughts about Laney and where she is and who has her and what's being done to her or if she's still with us...So much not knowing. I've been lost, just floating through a semblance of life in a world without light. It's been tiring and empty...uncertain...
I could push him off now. I have a choice: in a life that gave me nothing to grasp, I have this. Something certain that I can do. He doesn't deserve Christine. He never deserved me or Laney. And he definitely doesn't deserve Katie. Perhaps I should send him down there...
Do I need him to tell me he's a bigamist? Do I believe it when he says he didn't kill Laney? I don't know. I don't know.
What I do know is that I am not a killer.
Christine
I think the pause says it all.
***
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Confession
Christine and Bethan exchanged a look as Dave shouted again, "Laney! You'll never know!" Dave used the tactic that had got Bethan where he wanted her in the first place. He shouldn't be blamed for not thinking clearly. He was under duress. But trying to manipulate Bethan's "weakness" was his undoing.
By Rachel Deemingabout a year ago in Fiction
Feelings Never Die
It is Valentine's Day again, and it bought back memories that were over fifty years old. It bought me back to 1971, and I woke up and I knew my baby was due today. I was big and pregnant, and I felt like I was about to burst wide open. Imagine my surprise when the doctor told my I had a due date of February 14. I couldn't believe it, and since my baby was due today, I felt I could indulge myself a bit. I had gained a lot of weight, and chocolate was on the no-no list, but I had came to the end of this pregnancy, and I hoped it would be okay, after all I would deliver this baby today. So I walked across the street to the grocery story, and bought myself, a peppermint patty, covered in chocolate, my favorite. Me and my Valentine's baby would enjoy it together.
By Susan Paytonabout 17 hours ago in Fiction
Comments (12)
Loved Christine's closing line...
Love that final singular line from Christine’s perspective! Very well done, Rachel!
Bethan is no killer indeed. She just needs closure. Go meet Luke, Bethan!
Okay so Mark's comment made me think alot. So they need to get rid of evidence. Why don't they kill him and then cook and eat him? Evidence gone. Poof!
HA. Damn it Dave - never underestimate a woman. The end. Oh and FFS just lob him over. They must know its the right thing do at this point, no? 😁💜
I saw Mark's comment and I guess evidence would lead to conviction - damn. I'm still all for pushing him over the edge and hearing that satisfying splash as he plunges into the quarry!
leaving too much evidence behind to kill. Leave him alive and make his life miserable. T
Intense, absorbing and thought provoking. Really great series, Rachel!
Poor Bethan... excellent tale & suspense!
I like this look into her thoughts. I don't think she will kill him though. But, what do I know?
If they push him down, I think he will fall on his feet. It's that type of guy.
Yep, the old guilt pause give away. I say they roll him in a carpet beat on it for a while then roll him down a hill.