Even Pretty Things Rot by Farah Ali

Author:Farah Ali [Ali, Farah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-09-02T04:00:00+00:00

***

Bert flipped the sign on the door from open to closed and peered at the empty street. His long shift was finally over, but even though his feet and wrist ached he wasn’t relieved. He would have to go home and tell Alma he still hadn’t found another girl. Each day after work she asked, and all he could do was shake his head and promise her he wouldn’t let her down.

It wasn’t his fault, it really wasn’t. It was the police’s fault. But Alma just turned her nose up and he had to sit through a silent dinner while she pretended not to notice his puppy dog eyes. Being ignored was an ordeal for Bert and Alma even refused to let him touch her in bed, turning over and sleeping at the very edge of the mattress. Being starved of her caresses and affection hurt his heart and last night he’d even gotten down on his knees and begged her not to be mad at him anymore.

Bert changed out of his white plimsolls in the cramped staffroom and put on his black sturdy boots. He tied the laces in a double knot, his meaty fingers struggling a little with the strings.

If only Alma would understand that everything he did was for her, his whole existence was for her. After the fire and Norma’s death, he’d made a vow to look after her for the rest of her life, giving up his own career, everything, just to ensure Alma was happy.

If only she could understand how careful they had to be otherwise they would get caught.

Bert groaned, slamming the locker shut and hoisting his rucksack onto a shoulder. The possibility of being caught and thrown into jail for the rest of his life had crossed his mind before. It filled him with an excruciating dread—not so much because he’d lose his freedom, but because his life wasn’t worth living if he couldn’t see Alma.

All this trouble, thought Bert. Maybe he should have said no to begin with. But it made her so happy and after everything she’d been through didn’t she deserve happiness? Didn’t she deserve pretty things?

As the idea grew in Alma’s mind she became easier to live with, pleasanter and less prone to bouts of rage. Bert had wondered why she was singing when she did the housework. Then one day she ran up behind him while he was digging a flower bed and covered his eyes with her hands, running her tongue up and down the back of his neck.

‘I want you to do something for me, Bert’

‘Anything. Anything, Alma. Just tell me.’

She removed her hands and a girlish giggle rasped out of her throat. Even her blind eye looked excited.

‘I want you to find me a girl. A beautiful girl. One I can admire. Let’s call it a little project to keep me busy while you’re at work.’

At first he’d thought Alma wanted a friend to keep her company. Then she elaborated. He listened and any doubts or concerns flew away when he realised how important it was to her.

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