I hope you enjoy this week's little sample from my current book "Innocent Tears".
“Flynn? Flynn!”
He
dipped his head and shook it regretfully. “Yes, Mum, I’m still here.” He paused
for a moment and then continued. ”Sarah’s parents came for a
visit.”
The
surprise was obvious by the moment of quiet. “Teresa and William?” she asked in
disbelief, her voice an octave higher than
usual.
His
hand was holding the bottle of beer next to him like his life depended on it.
“Mum, I’ve got a young daughter.”
Silence.
“Flynn, have you been
drinking?”
“Mum, I’m serious as serious could be. Remember
Sarah not wanting to live in Melbourne, and then saying she had someone else in
her life?”
He
heard her sigh. “How can I forget? I don’t think I’d ever seen you so upset and
depressed.”
“Well…” He took a deep breath. “That someone was a
baby. I’ve got a little girl, Mum.”
More
silence. His mouth curved into a grin when he heard his mother whisper to his
father, “Get me a stiff drink, Carl. We’ve just become
grandparents.”
She
lifted her hand off the receiver and rattled out questions. “How old is she?
What’s her name?”
The
grin disappeared and he rubbed his face. “Six, and Nadine,” he
murmured.
Jenny screamed into the phone.
“Si-i-i-ix?”
Flynn almost dropped the bottle. “Good grief, Mum.
Keep it down.”
He
heard her sipping her drink – whatever it was. “How am I supposed to keep it
down? Flynn, why on earth… why the… Teresa and William… and where’s
Sarah–“
“Mum!”
Silence.
“Jenny Rose
McCormack.”
She
sighed. “Yes?”
“Ask
Dad for a glass of water.”
“Oh
my goodness gracious, Flynn.” He heard her holding her hand over the phone.
“Carl, he says I need a glass of water.”
Flynn shook his head. Carl wanted to talk to his
son as well – of course, because so far he was just serving her with drinks and
listening to outbursts of disbelief and questions. “Not now… in a minute… It’s
my turn”
“Mum?”
“Your father is a bit of a pain
here.”
“Mum?” he said more
firmly.
“Yes?” she replied
flustered.
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This has happened to more than one couple that I know. It's really upsetting. Good job.
ReplyDeleteI can only imagine that it can turn one's life up-side-down. I hope the couple you know has come to terms with it and are ok now.
DeleteFantastic job conveying the emotions here. I definitely want to know more about this story!
ReplyDeleteThank you Ruth ... glad you liked it!
Deletewell done.
ReplyDeleteconveys the discomfort of Flynn and the shock of his Mum.
also reveals a bit about the dad.
Thank you Jeff. It would be quite of a shock, wouldn't it.
DeleteOh boy, you really cracked the emotions with this sample :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sherry. Means a lot coming from you :-)
DeleteI love the realistic dialogue and emotions of the scene. That can't be a very pleasant surprise so many years on.
ReplyDeleteThanks Carrie-Anne. A surprise indeed.
Delete