Cormorant, The by Gregory Stephen

Author:Gregory, Stephen [Gregory, Stephen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Horror, Fiction, Novel
Publisher: Valancourt Books
Published: 2013-08-03T03:00:00+00:00

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There dawned one of those crisp December mornings in the mountains, when the air is full of the scent of the fir trees, so cold that it scalds the nostrils, humming with sunlight under a sky of unblemished blue. Christmas was just three days away. When I stepped into the garden, I breathed deeply and looked up to see a pair of buzzards wheeling and diving far above me. Their plaintive cries floated like thistledown. I squinted into the sunshine, lost the buzzards in the brightness. A raven croaked from the hillside. The sheep were steaming in the warmth of the direct rays, basking in the heat after a bitter night. It was strange: I could stand in the yard and enjoy the glow of the sun on the back of my dressing-gown, yet plumes of cold blew from my mouth and nose. What a day . . . a good day not to be driving into the car park of a big comprehensive school, a good day not to be taking a double period of drama with thirty-five cynical adolescents, a perfect day not to be on duty in the cacophony of the school cafeteria. I inhaled fiercely and felt the hairs on the insides of my nostrils burning with cold, loved myself for being supernaturally lucky, went inside to the smell of frying bacon. Ann was in the kitchen, warm and sleepy in her dressing-gown. I wrapped my arms around her from behind and kissed her hair.

‘That’s enough of that,’ she said in her teaching voice. ‘Keep an eye on Harry, will you, he’s in the living-room.’

The boy came tottering into the kitchen at that moment, holding two trophies of his early morning exploration: a pair of underpants and a bra.

We all laughed.

‘Oh, thank you, Harry, what splendid presents!’

Ann was not expected in the pub that day, indeed until after the New Year. I proudly displayed the shopping I had already done for Christmas and earned myself a kiss for my efforts. The cottage was tidy and clean once more, the family was reunited. My suggestion that we should all go out was greeted with instant approval.

‘All of us,’ I said. ‘All four of us.’

A momentary pursing of the lips, then, ‘Yes, alright,’ she said. ‘I’ll make some sandwiches and things for a picnic, you get Harry organised. And the bird, of course . . .’

I washed and dressed and did the same for Harry while Ann was busy in the kitchen. Then the child was occupied in the living-room with some of his noisy toys, Ann was in the bath, and I went out to the van. I sponged down the seats and the matting and made sure that the barrier which separated the back compartment from the passengers was quite secure. Fragments of fish, seaweed and feathers were all swept out into a plastic bag. I wiped the windows and sprayed a cloud of disinfectant into the van before slamming the doors closed. I went to fetch Archie.

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