The Broken by A.L. Frances

Author:A.L. Frances [Frances, A.L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ruby Rose Publishing
Published: 2020-09-05T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Suspicious or Paranoid?

“Table for two, usual spot, please.”

Matthew is standing next to the island in the kitchen on the phone to his favourite Italian restaurant.

“Time? Eight thirty. Brilliant, thanks Daniela, see you then.” He ends the call and straightaway makes another.

“Hi, Jess. Yes, it’s all booked. So, I’ll meet you out front. Shall we say twenty past eight?” He continues, “Great, I look forward to it. See you later, alligator.”

Putting the phone down, Matthew says, “Alligator, what the f—”

Shaking his head and laughing to himself, he places the phone into his pocket, turns and makes his way towards the day room. Now home from school, Matthew sees Eve sitting on the couch with her feet tucked up. The television is blaring. She’s laughing away at her favourite American TV show, Friends. Walking over to the couch, he sits right beside his daughter.

“Oh, is this the one where Monica has a cold?”

“Yeah, I’m in the pribe ob libe. Ha-ha. Classic.”

Laughing, Matthew pulls Eve in tight. Kissing her on the head he whispers, “I love you, darling.”

Eve smiles as she looks up at her dad.

“Love you too, Dad.”

“You will always be my priority. My number one and my right-hand lady, no matter what, I will always take care of you.”

“I know, Dad.”

Eve begins to snuggle her dad tight. The silence says it all, and both father and daughter enjoy the moment together and settle in to watch the TV. Eve is in a world of her own, giggling away. Matthew looks at his watch. He has four hours before his date with Jess. Glancing out of the huge window he sees the sun’s shinning and the tide is still out. Turning to Eve, he says, “Fancy a walk along the beach with me, kidda?”

“Sure, but why… Hang on, what’s going on?”

“You’re always suspicious, Evelyn Jade.” Laughing, he continues, “Honestly, it’s nothing, I promise.”

“Hmm…”

“Look – I cross my heart. I just thought it would be nice to go for a walk along the beach together. Clear mind’s a healthy mind.”

“Okay, then, lemme just get my jacket.”

Matthew and Eve walk hand in hand along the beach front, quietly enjoying each other’s company. The huge grey and white seagulls are on top form this evening as they circle above them. Once of these magnificent but greedy birds realise Matthew and Eve serve them no purpose, as they have no food in their hands, they quickly fly off looking for anyone who might be able to feed them.

The waves slowly break, one after the other. The sound of this is calming. Not too far out in the distance you can see the outlines of the boats as they gently float on the water. Matthew stops walking and stretches out his arms. He takes in the biggest deep breath, filling his lungs.

“You feel that, darling?”

“Huh…”

“This is what being alive feels like in one single moment. Try it.”

Eve laughs as she copies her dad’s actions.

Matthew smells the fresh salty sea water. It feels as if it is cleansing his lungs, enhancing his sense of true inner happiness.

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