The Mystic Stone: A Novelette by Nick Hawkes

Author:Nick Hawkes [Hawkes, Nick]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HawkesFlight Media
Published: 2023-01-25T22:00:00+00:00

Barnaby was surprised he didn’t feel more guilty at the deception he’d engaged in with Isabel and Finlay. In truth, he never intended deception. The situation just presented itself, and he’d simply gone along with it.

He could see that there was a great deal going on in the hearts of both Bel and Finlay, and neither seemed able to express it—except to an anonymous friend. As such, Barnaby had no qualms about encouraging them to write and be honest about their feelings.

He was currently in the kitchen waiting for Bel to descend the stairs in her lift. Isabel’s mother was in the pantry, unearthing something she could offer him to eat with his cup of tea.

Barnaby picked up the book he’d placed on the kitchen table and began reading one of the comments Bel had written in the margin.

I want to be loved—but I’m not sure what to hope for. We seem to be living in a world of disposable love—which, of course, is not love at all.

Finlay had replied:

Some loves are out of reach for me. I’ve sometimes wondered whether you have to be worthy to be loved, or whether it is love that makes you worthy.

Bel’s neat handwriting followed on:

The ancient Greeks had different words for different loves. I confess to needing all of them. I need to be loved as a friend, as a daughter, and as a lover. But fundamentally, I need to be loved because of who I am. Perhaps God is the only one capable of this love, or can I hope for it from a husband?

Barnaby permitted himself a smile. He’d been the one who had told Bel of the different Greek words for love.

Finlay wrote underneath:

That’s a very special love. I’d like to think I could love like that some day—simply to love the presence of someone—regardless of the circumstances.

The two of them had shared the cries of their hearts—and that was good.

Barnaby closed the book as Isabel wheeled herself into the kitchen.

She saw the book. “Is that what I think it is?” she asked.

He nodded. “I took the liberty of checking if anyone had scribbled any more comments, and they have.” He handed her the book. “You’ve got something very special going between you and your pen pal.”

Isabel took the book and flicked through the pages. She then shut it and held it against her chest. “He understands me better than anyone…” she smiled, “except perhaps you.”

Isabel’s mother emerged from the pantry with an almond cake. “I’ve got an appointment with the dentist for a check-up. Can I leave you to pour your own tea?”

Barnaby smiled, “Of course.”

Her mother had barely gone when Isabel turned to Barnaby. “Barnaby, I’m troubled by the legal case against Finlay. You’ve been a barrister and know about these things; can I talk to you about it?”

“Yes,” he said guardedly.

“Three things concern me. Finlay was allegedly going fast enough to kill someone, but he didn’t so much as have a bruise from his seat belt.”

“You don’t have to be going very fast to kill someone if you hit them side-on in a car.

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