Previous – Book1 Page319 – Next
“You can tell me as much or as little as you like. I won’t be shocked. I’ll treat it all in total confidence.”
“And if you want to tell me anything delicate it will never leave this room without your consent.”
HayWire is not accustomed to this. Somebody is devoting one hundred percent of their attention to him. As if he’s the most important thing in the world. He looks at her face. She must be in her late twenties or early thirties, she has lovely, long, flowing, light ash brown hair, no cosmetics nor jewellery, and she is naturally good looking. As always, she has a dignified, graceful expression on her face.
HayWire says nothing. He’s no longer crying, but he takes a deep breath, and sighs.
“We have all the time in the world,” she says softly. Pausing regularly, leaving plenty of gaps for HayWire to speak if he wants to.
“As long as you like. Or as short as you like. This whole place can run without me.”
AuntSylvie knows that a cautious rapport has already been established, that HayWire wants to say something, and that as long as she’s sympathetic and patient, somehow she can surely help.
HayWire finishes his tea. AuntSylvie politely widens her eyes and she looks him in the eye. She smiles a little and then looks at the empty tea cup. She seems to detect a brief nod of the head from HayWire. Yes, obviously he wants another tea. She fills the cup, then pushes the small plate of chocolate chip cookies nearer to him.
There’s another period of silence.
And finally HayWire speaks.
“They only hit until you cry.”
“Uh huh?”
There’s more silence, AuntSylvie can see that HayWire wants to tell the story. He’s probably just taking time to find the right words to tell it. After a measured pause, she volunteers a new question.
Previous – Book1 Page319 – Next