Thread of Life - Chapter One

I have the start of a new novel. It's early days so there is a very long way and lots of editing to do but the idea is taking some shape. The current working title is Thread of Life. This is chapter one - what do you think?

Chapter One

Evie watched them clump around her house. She wanted them to leave, could hear the scream rattle round her head but she couldn't force the sounds out. Who they hell did they think they were? She needed Nick to come home. Tell them they were idiots, throw them out and make them swear never to scare his wife again.

'Mrs Wright, can I make you a cup of sweet tea? Call someone to come over?'

Evie stared past her, looked out the window, and wished Nick would hurry up. He promised her he would be home early.

Left alone, Evie could hear the woman opening and closing cupboard doors in her kitchen, the sounds of water running. Every day noises in a world of chaos.

Beeping noises sounded in her hallway; they'd given up on getting through to her. Evie wondered which lucky person would get the call. She was surprised when she heard him speak. 'I'm calling on behalf of Mrs Wright. My name is PC Griffin. Am I speaking to Mrs Wright's mother?' His voice was high-pitched. Somehow she expected it to be deep and sombre. It made it all seem even more ridiculous. 'I'm afraid we've delivered some bad news to your daughter. Her husband was killed in a road traffic accident this morning.'

Evie could guess how her mother is fussing, asking how her daughter is and promising to get there straight away.

He didn't look at her when he came back into the lounge. Kept his head high and his eyes straight ahead as he walked past her into the kitchen.

Evie could hear hushed voices, whispering. Bet he's complaining about having to wait with me. The voices stop and she's the first to return. Stupid woman. Doesn't she know that's Nick's cup and he hates tea. He's a black coffee man and nothing else will do. She tried to force the mug into Evie's hand. He hovered near the door and Evie noticed how soft and unblemished his skin was. It occurred to her she might be his first. First road death, first time to comfort the widow, first time to screw up and identify the wrong person because there was no way Nick would leave her, especially not now.

'Here's a nice cup of sweet tea, you need to take a drink. We've called your mum and she'll be here soon.'

Evie didn't reply but inside her head the voice still screamed, GET OUT.

*

 

Watching the dust motes float through a chink of light, Evie lay curled on her bed, arms wrapped around her stomach, recalling the moment when she had told Nick the news. Had that really only been the night before? It seemed impossible that her life could have changed so much in such a short space of time. She remembered the stillness as he digested the news, the moment reality hit and he ran towards her, scooping her into his arms before setting her down and placing a hand on her stomach. How he questioned her over and over. Was she really sure? She'd had to retrieve all three of the little, plastic sticks from the bathroom, each one proclaiming PREGNANT, to convince him they had succeeded at last. He wanted to tell everyone straight away but she begged him not to. Just in case. It could be their secret, at least until the twelve week scan. All they had to do was hide it for six weeks.

A quiet rap on the bedroom door broke her thoughts. She pulled the duvet up to her neck and hugged it to her, as her mother came into the room.

'Evie, I've brought you a wee cup of tea.'

Evie rolled over, turning away from the proffered cup.

'C'mon now dear. I know this is hard but a cup of tea and a piece of toast won't do you any harm and...well, there are arrangements to make. Things we can't decide without you.'

The sound of heels clacked on the wooden staircase and Evie pulled the duvet over her head.

The door squeaked, like it always did when it was pushed open too far. Nick kept saying he'd take a look at that hinge, but he never did find the time to sort it.

'Mum, leave it on the bedside table. She'll have it when she's ready,' Zoe said, sitting on the edge of the bed. 'I've left some tea and cake out on the coffee table for you and dad.'

Evie heard the exhale, the plate and cup being set on the table. Another squeak as the door was closed. Then a hand on her shoulder, the mattress shifting as her sister climbed onto the bed behind her and lay down behind her. Zoe pulled the duvet down, tucked strands of hair behind Evie's ear and rubbed her shoulder. 'I'm sorry Sis. Wish I could say something that would make it better but I don't even know where to start.'

What could anyone say?