The Bamboo Mirror (11 page)

‘No. Thanks.’ Brushing away a tear, she sniffed, inwardly cursing herself. If Will caught her crying he’d make a right meal of all this. Telling her she was pathetic and didn’t deserve him anyway. He’d done nothing for her self-esteem over the years they’d been together, she realised.

‘Would you like another cappuccino as you’ve only had half a cup?’ Chris smiled.

‘No. I really am fine. I’m sorry; it’s not the skirt. I didn’t sleep well last night and…’ She waved a hand at him wishing she didn’t sound quite so harsh. He was only trying to be helpful and kind. Kind? Will never was. ‘I’ll finish this and then I must get to work.’

‘Where do you work?’

‘In an office in the town.’

‘Aha.’ He leaned back in his chair studying Alex. ‘And can I ask just why you’re so tired, why you didn’t sleep last night? Talking to a stranger might seem strange but we’re hardly likely to run into each other again. It might help to talk and put things into perspective.’

Alex shivered in spite of the warm summer’s morning sun. He spoke a lot of sense. She’d recently seen an old film where two strangers met and built up a relationship over the years…she frowned. She didn’t know him and yet…

‘I’ve just told my partner of eight years to leave.’ Alex whispered.

‘Ah! Now I understand. No wonder you couldn’t sleep. It must have been very upsetting,’ he paused.’ Can I ask why?’ His face looked very kind and caring as he looked at Alex.

‘Things have been under a strain for some time. Will was - is a bully and hated sharing me with my friends. He was extremely possessive and jealous, even to the point of choosing which clothes to buy and what I should wear when we went out together.’

‘I see. But if you put up with that for eight years, why the sudden change of heart now?’

‘It’s just become too much. I couldn’t take all that anymore.’

‘Why didn’t you just ask him to back down? Thank him but you’d prefer to do your own choosing in future?’

‘It wasn’t just that. Not entirely. Will believes in belittling me too. You know the sort of thing. I was just a woman, my work wasn’t important and I only got where I was because I fluttered my eyelashes at the boss blah, blah. It’s totally untrue. I really worked hard to get where I am. I went to night school and then took a degree with the Open University’

‘Good for you. My elder sister did that. Took a science degree when she really wanted to take an English one, but the course was full. Anyway she stuck it out, passed with a tremendous 2:1 and now writes books. You may have heard of her, Diana Rivers. She writes mystery thrillers, and dramatic adventure novels.’

‘Not
the
Diana Rivers? I love her books. Gosh, I’m talking to a real live author’s brother.’ She gave a chuckle.

‘That’s better. You have a lovely smile.’

Again the velvet curtain of silence hung between them.

‘And then last night I was absolutely shocked.’ She paused and looked stricken, remembering.

‘Go on.’

‘I found out that for all his holier than thou, hypocritical views, bullying and possessiveness, the rotter was having an affair.’

Chris looked momentarily stunned at her outburst, and then incredulity covered his face.

‘And you’re worried about throwing him out?’

‘Well eight years is a long time and…’

‘Alex you can’t be serious. You trusted him. Living together is the same as being married without the ceremonial ties. Both partners have to live by the rules surely?’

Alex looked away, embarrassed and contrite. ‘I am sorry. Perhaps Will’s right. I am weak.’

‘No you’re not. You said you worked your way up in the company, and took a degree to help get there. That’s not easy when you’re working in a full time job. I know my sister worked really hard to get hers.’

He looked and sounded like he really cared, if only Will had been as supportive.

‘Look. Let him go. Start anew. I know it’s difficult looking into the future but you’ll get over him. And he doesn’t deserve you by the way. You’re far too pretty for him.’ He gave her a rakish grin, which made her smile.

Alex sat back and thought about what he’d said. She knew in her heart he
was
right. Will was a louse, a parasite that she needed to be rid of. Throwing him out was the best thing she’d done in a long time. Suddenly the world looked rosier.

‘Alex. What on earth are you doing here? Why aren’t you at work and just who is this?’ A deep angry voice made her jump.

‘Will.’

Chris stood up, and suddenly he didn’t look quite so average height, or average anything.

‘It doesn’t matter who I am. Suffice to know I am a good friend of Alex.’

‘Oi! This is my girlfriend you’re chatting up, buster. Bugger off! Now. ’Will said poking Chris with a finger at his chest.

‘Kindly remove your finger or you’ll find it shoved where you might not like it. And Alex is NOT your girlfriend.’

‘I’m going to thump you, mate.’ Will drew back his fists to make the first blow. Chris blocked him with a fast Karate move and Will lay spread-eagled on the ground.

‘Ow! Sod it.’ A dazed Will sat up and shook his head to clear it. Alex looked on in amazement. Her birder was an expert in Karate. What a mixture. This man was definitely different!

‘Now you clear off.’ Chris said.

As Will stood up a waiter came hurrying over to see what all the fuss was about.

‘It’s all right, no damage done, just a misunderstanding. He’s leaving now.’ Chris explained.

~~~~~

Later in her office, Alex still couldn’t believe how fast it had all happened. What an amazing man and she’d left as soon as he’d got rid of Will. Alex became flustered remembering she had an important meeting and was fifteen minutes late. It was a major move in her office and her reputation was at stake…she had suggested the meeting with her boss and the prospective new company they wanted to work with and now she was looking decidedly irresponsible. Taking a deep breath, she tried to calm herself down. She reapplied fresh lipstick and smoothing down her skirt, walked the short corridor to her boss’ office. Before entering she heard voices. Too late, the managing director had started without her.

Putting her hand upon the door knob she gave a quick knock and entered. Alex couldn’t help staring: dark blonde hair, medium height, quite slim, not handsome but pleasant looking.

‘Alex! How lovely to see you again. I was just asking Bob where he’d go to entertain a beautiful lady tonight. Do you like Thai food?’

July 2011   Summer Visitors by Faith Mortimer

If you enjoyed
“The Bamboo Mirror”
, you might like to read: Faith’s full length novels:

“The Crossing”
,
“The Assassins’ Village” & “Children of the Plantation”.

Available in eBook and Paperback from Amazon.

Read on for Excerpts from these books and Faith’s NEW novel
“The Surgeon’s Blade”
:-

Excerpt from “The Crossing” by Faith Mortimer

THE CROSSING

Dedication

To the gallant men of the British Royal Navy Coastal Forces who served with such bravery and distinction during the Second World War.

Prologue

Germany 1945

Billy collected his ‘treasures’ together and laid them at the end of his ramshackle bunk in hut nineteen. There wasn’t a lot to account for three years’ incarceration at the hands of the sometimes-brutal Germans, but his treasures represented his life and more importantly his soul. He thought about the refugees who had filed past the gates of his camp. Old people: women with children, babes in arms, the injured, burned, terrified, and the deranged. All were fleeing from the horrors. The Christians among them struggling to believe and reconcile their religious beliefs with Nazi cold-blooded excesses and mass murder.

He considered his pitiful little pile: Christmas cards from Penny, her heavily censored letters and her simple but evocative poetry, the hand-made playing cards, two cigarettes, the German soldier’s – Dieter’s – belt buckle and Nathaniel’s penny whistle. Nathaniel. Billy shook his head in regret and fought back the familiar choking feeling that arose in his throat whenever his memory arose. He thrust his dark thoughts aside and continued picking over his possessions. He would take as many clothes as he could carry. He had nothing heavy; he’d given his Bible away, hopefully to someone who would put it to better use than he. Gathering up his things, he tied them into a bundle with his faded and much darned pullover, and slung it over his shoulder. He straightened his back, lifted his head and stood as erect as his gammy leg allowed. I’ll march out of here
proudly
he thought. Together with his comrades they formed into ranks and marched smartly up to the gates. The weak and sick were supported by their stronger colleagues, their spirits rising. They didn’t know where they were going, but it had to be a better place than this.

Book 1

Chapter 1

The Atlantic 2005

Richard knew he had no choice. It had to be now. He’d never get another chance. Taking a deep breath he pushed off the heaving wet deck of his yacht and with sheer determination dived for the rescue-net. He hit the water, his lower torso disappearing into the black froth that fiercely clawed and clutched at him. Somehow, he managed to stretch out and grab the harsh net with one arm, feeling it tangle around him. The ship lurched and this time he was fully immersed in deep water. What seemed like minutes later he broke the surface, coughing and choking, the salt stinging his eyes. He clamped his other hand to the netting and clung to it like a limpet. The water roared and hissed around his ears, terrifyingly black. He knew he must climb the rescue-net fast as his energy was rapidly ebbing away and conditions were not going to get any better.

Moving one arm higher, he found a rung and hauled himself slowly up, grunting with exertion as he did so. His hands were bleeding from fresh cuts where he had smashed against the rough barnacles on the ship’s hull. Fatigue was fast overcoming him. The past few days of untold stress and lack of sleep were taking their toll. Gritting his teeth, he managed to move up another foot of net and then slowly, by willpower alone, pulled himself up rung by rung. Faintly he heard the encouraging cries of the crew far above him. He paused and looked up and saw a line of faces peering down at him; his adrenalin surged and with renewed vigour he at last collapsed thankfully on the ship’s deck.