Chapter 6

Wayne felt the slow creep of nervous frustration as he drove
to Trisha’s house. She knew the answer to his problem and he knew that she was
deliberately not telling him. He wondered why. He got to the door and she
opened it, still talking on the phone.
‘Fine, fine, but I really have to go. I have a guest who is
standing at the door. Dad, please, tomorrow, okay?’
She switched off her phone.
 ‘Sorry about that. That
was my father. We are having one of our many fights. He almost sounds like your
brother. It is just so tiresome, sometimes.’
 ‘Is something wrong?’

 ‘No, not really. He
just gets so upset. He has never accepted my... talent, as you call it. So, he
gets mad at me and tells me to get help. Today, I saw that he was in danger.
There was a gunman at a bank that he was going into. Of course I phoned him and
told him not to go to the bank in the morning. He was angry with me, but he
didn’t go. So, this evening, he phones to shout at me, because there was a
robbery in his bank this morning and one person was injured. He is more furious
because I was right. So he says these terrible things.’ she sighed.
‘What terrible things?’
 ‘Oh, it is not
important. How are you?’
 ‘Look, my dear, I am
not Rod. What terrible things does your father say?’
She looked at him for a while. ‘You behave just like Rod.
You assume you have the right to know.’
He just stared at her.
‘Okay, you know, things like that I need to get the devil
out of me, that’s why I will never find a decent husband, that I must place
myself in a mental institution, that I only know evil things that are going to
happen, etc, etc.’
 ‘Oh Trisha, that is
the worst thing I have ever heard. He is a maniac. The next time he calls, I
will speak to him. That damn bully.’
She laughed now. ‘You sound exactly like your brother. And
that does nothing to help me. Is he alright?’
‘Yes, yes.’
‘Okay, now, come and have a drink, sit down and relax.
Hopefully, this time, there will no major catastrophe to distract me.’
‘Thanks.’
They sat on the floor and Trisha looked at him for a while.
‘If you are not happy in New York, why do you stay there?’
 ‘Why do you assume I
am not happy there?’
‘You are not yourself there. You get torn between who you
are and what you are. You don’t need a psychic to tell you that. Your
relationship with Lisa told me that. It worked there, but not here. So, I am
not Rod, answer the question.’
He laughed. ‘I am sometimes happy in New York. It is a
different life. There is no room in your life to think and feel, so you can get
through life very easily. I like that. There are no issues or emotions to cloud
your judgment. You act for money and status and if you are lucky, as I was, and
are good at it, you are revered by everyone. It is not a bad life.’
 ‘Hmm, I see. Why did
you come back now?’
 ‘Partly to see my
dear brother. I miss him when I am there. He has that way of making me feel
like I belong somewhere. We talk on the phone, but living in the same house,
discussing our problems, it is the greatest joy for me. He listens to my
problems and then, bang, he has a clear solution. He knows how to care, believe
it or not. But with all this stuff with you, I don’t know if I could stay
here.’
 ‘No, this is not
about Rod. It is about you.’
 ‘Fine, fine. Okay,
New York is getting tedious. I thought coming home would give me a new
perspective. Also, I really do miss Rod, when I am away.’
 ‘Okay, so what new
perspective were you looking for?’
 ‘Oh I don’t know.
Just a fresh view of the world. The life there is a giant routine. Work hard,
play hard. I suppose I was getting bored with it. I was not getting the
satisfaction, the thrill. I was going through the process of being this
wonderful guy with wonderful options. But each option looked the same. My
buildings are starting to look the same.’
 ‘Hmm, fine. Did you
get the new perspective?’
 ‘In a way. People
here are so alive! They feel things and there is a space to be different or the
same. Look at Gareth. He is a fun guy who is a dentist. He makes a lot of
money, but lives a moderate life. I mean, the man can even read the tarot. When
we talk, we talk about real things, about life, about love, you know. I miss
that. I like the vibrant emotions that run through everybody here. I had
forgotten that. Even you and Rod, through your fights, are fighting about real
issues, about real things. It is not about what car you should drive.’
 ‘But there are also people
there in New York who think like that.’
 ‘Yes, it is
different. I can’t explain. Their sense of identity is very largely tied to
what they are, not who they are, you know?’
 ‘Yes, yes. What do
you want from me, Wayne?’
 ‘I was hoping you
could tell me, upfront, what you see. That first time we met, you saw it all. I
know that. I felt it surge through your body. What did you see?’
 ‘If I tell you, then
I am deciding the issue for you. You need to work that out on your own.’
 ‘No, I can’t. I have
tried. Just tell me, please.’
She sighed. ‘Okay, I saw you chasing Kathryn in a park, you
were joking and laughing and teasing. She was very happy and so were you. There
was also a large building and you seemed to be working there, upstairs. Kathryn
came over to you and you were pleased. I saw you staying here and despite the
objective facts right now, you and Rod had a very good relationship. I know
that sounds odd now, because of all that has happened. But in the end, he is
your best friend.’
 ‘I know. We spoke
earlier and things are improving.’
 ‘So, that is what I
saw. I was very confused to see Kathryn there.’
 ‘I can imagine. You
kept looking at me as if you were surprised.’
 ‘Oh, I was. But you
need to understand. I have no time frames. So, you could go back and then
return later. I don’t want you to close off the option of New York because of
this. It could be that all this happens later.’
 ‘Yes, I see what you
mean. But you first asked me, no, told me I was not happy in New York.’
 ‘Yes, I picked that
up on that Sunday at Rod’s house. When you are next to him, I see you very
clearly. I don’t know why.’
 ‘Because we have
always been close, even as children.’
 ‘Oh. What are you
going to do?’
 ‘I am going to stay
here for a few more weeks. I will just do my work from here. I want to see if
my work gets any better in this environment. I think I had already decided that
I would do that. My partner, Greg, will send all the technical material and
with email now, I can do it. He once worked from Japan, can you believe it?’
 ‘Yes. I suppose that
is sensible. What about Kathryn?’
 ‘She is driving me
crazy right now. She is withdrawn and I can tell that she is as confused as I
am. But, when we just chat about other things, we get on perfectly well. Also,
the sex keeps us from shooting each other. I think I am in love with her. But I
don’t know whether I love her. I am still obsessed with her breasts. So most of
the relationship is lust right now.’
 ‘Hmm, I have never
heard a man admit that before. It is quite remarkable. You know who you are.’
 ‘Yes, but I never
seem to work out what I need.’
 ‘Where will you
live?’
 ‘With Rod of course.
That man needs someone to look after him all the time. I could live somewhere
else. He would be really hurt and despite it all, I don’t want to hurt him. So,
I think I will live with him until I decide what to do. If I stay, then I will
find a place. But for now, that brother of mine needs all the help he can get.’

 ‘Yes, teach him to be
more civilized. He was absolutely rude to me on the phone.’
 ‘What will happen
with you and Rod?’
 ‘Nothing. It was
foolishness, really. He reminds me a bit of my father. He gets angry whatever I
do.’
 ‘Can you see in your
own life?’
 ‘Not usually. But sometimes
I get a small hint. About Rod, I must say, I have only seen when he was angry
or hurt. Nothing else.’
 ‘Such a pity. That
way you could figure him out.’
 ‘No, I suppose it
would just confuse things. But I am glad I ....knew him. He is a special man
and I am glad for having had that experience with him.’
 ‘Hmm, I see, so you
still want him?’
She laughed, ‘yes, and I know that I always will. He is
different. But, that does not mean we could have been together. He would have
fought me all the way. He would never have accepted this.’
 ‘You are wrong about
that. Rod is not as bad as you think. I know that he has been appalling lately,
but underneath all that, he’s fair. With you, he feels a little out of his
depth, so he tries to fight back. But it’s because he knows something and he is
not sure what. It frightens him.’
 ‘Yes, but he is not
alright today. I can feel it. Something is bothering him. You must phone him
tonight and check on him. He is not alright.’
 ‘Okay, damn that man
is so lucky. You always look out for him.’
 ‘I know. It is my
weakness, the cross I have to bear.’

When Wayne was leaving, he hugged her and thanked her
furiously.  ‘I wish you and Rod can work
things out. You would be the best sister-in-law. My own personal psychic,’ and
he laughed.
As he was walking down the stairs, Trisha called to
him.  ‘Wayne, I hope you really like
kids,’ as she closed the door. She laughed at the shock on his face.
Wayne drove off and laughed out loud. Trisha really liked to
play with him. So, he was going to have kids? He was very pleased. He phoned
Kathryn and he went over for a nice quiet evening with the woman he was hoping
to spend the rest of his life with.
When he got there, Kathryn was cooking for him. He smiled
and enjoyed the image of her large breasts teasing him from her apron. He went
to phone Rod.
 ‘Rod, so, what’s the
matter?’
‘Ur, hi. What makes you think something is wrong?’
‘Are you okay?’
‘No, no. I just come from Joss and she is as crazy as they
come.’
Rod felt a shiver down his spine as he recalled the scene.
He had agreed to have dinner with her, because she pleaded with him, saying she
was so miserable tonight. He went over and knew that this night would be
different. She had greeted him and she seemed a little hostile.
He had hugged her. ‘How are you, Joss?’
‘Oh, I suppose I am alive, that’s all I can say at this
stage.’
‘What happened?’
‘Nothing, that’s the problem, nothing happened.’
 ‘Oh Joss, you are too
impatient. Really, you need to relax a bit. Before you know it, he will be
right in your arms.’
‘Damn, Rod, don’t play with me. Let’s go and have something
to eat.’
 ‘Fine, where would
you like to go?’
‘Whatever is close by. It’s Friday night and I am a little
tired.’
‘Okay, let’s go.’
They had dinner at a quiet restaurant near her house. It was
dark and gloomy and had few patrons. But Rod enjoyed the warm country food and
drank lots of wine. He had not been so relaxed in the last two weeks, since he
had seen Patricia sitting on his floor with his brother. He was feeling better,
because he had established a link with Wayne again.
 ‘So, why are you so
upset today Joss?’
‘Because you won’t get the picture back from her.’
‘Hmm, I thought we discussed that. I bought it for her, only
for her. It is hers and will always belong with her. What exactly is the
problem?’
‘It was so insensitive of you.’
‘Why, Joss?’
‘Because you should have kept it. You should have treasured
it.’
‘Maybe I gave it to her because I treasure it.’
 ‘Why? Because you
treasure her?’
‘Yes. Joss. Whatever happens in my life, she will always
have a place in my heart. That is the hardest part. She will stay there,
forever.’
 ‘Why? Rod, why?’
 ‘You are getting
upset. Let’s go and we can discuss this later.’

They left the restaurant and Jocelyn did not want to talk.
When they got to her house, Rod sat down. ‘We need to talk. Now sit down, stop
pacing and stop looking like somebody has hit you.’
She sat down next to him and folded her hands demurely on
her lap.
‘Now, first thing. Why does Patricia bother you so much?’
‘Because she is a slut. She played with you and then tried
to destroy you with your brother. I hate her, because she just used you.’
 ‘You are mistaken.
She never did all that. It was a mistake.’
‘Really, even now, with all the evidence, you still want to
believe in her? You see, that is why I hate her. She has got your brain
confused.’
Rod sighed. ‘Jocelyn, it is very sweet of you to try and
protect me this way. But Patricia is not like that at all. In fact, I have been
a terrible person to her and to Wayne. Now, tell me, how did you know where Wayne
was all those days?’
‘I told you, I was driving pass...’
‘Joss, I think I had better go. You are lying. So this is a
complete waste of time.’
‘Rod, no, please, don’t go. I was just looking out for your
interests. I wanted to be sure that nobody hurts you. Okay, I saw the way they
behaved when they met. It was there, the lust. So I thought, let’s see what
happens.’
‘How did you know that he would go there?’
 ‘I did it for us. I
really did. I did not trust her, or him. So I had Wayne followed. When he was
at your house with her, this guy phoned me and then I phoned you.’
 ‘I see. So you
employed someone to follow Wayne around? What about his privacy, Joss?’
 ‘I figured it was a
question of time before they did it. There was a strong bond between them. I
was sure he would do it. He kept watching her, that night at your house. I knew
he would contact her. So, I thought, if he hurts you, then you need to know. If
he doesn’t, then he will never know. Anyway, that creep broke my heart. Why
should I concern myself with his privacy? So that’s what happened.’
 ‘I see. That is how
you knew where he was staying?’
‘Yes, I thought he would go and stay in her house. But I
guess he is good at this, so he went to a hotel. No matter what you say, he
spent every afternoon there, and then at night she would come to you. Damn,
Rod, she is evil.’
 ‘Did you ever
consider the possibility that he was seeing someone else?’
 ‘Don’t be silly. They
went to your house, remember? That’s where you found them! Rod, darling, don’t
let them fool you this way!’
 ‘Joss, you are so
mistaken. Nothing is going on between them. I know my brother. He would never
do that to me.’
 ‘That’s where you are
so wrong. Let me tell you something. The only reason he dated me was to get at
you. He knew that we had something special, so he charmed me, fooled me, just
so you could not have me.’
‘But Joss, you are confused. I only met you after the two of
you had been on a number of dates, remember?’
 ‘Come on, Rod, you
had seen me before. It was at the cafeteria. You smiled at me and asked me if I
had a pen. That was the magical moment. Don’t lie to me. You know it was the
moment.’
 ‘I have no idea what
you are talking about. I always lost my pen. I asked so many people for a pen.
Joss, you are mistaken. I never met you until Wayne brought you to our house. I
remember it because you kept giggling at everything he said.’
‘Okay, suit yourself. If it makes you feel better. That
makes it easier for you to deny your brother wanted to cheat you. Fine! But he
used me to get to you.’
 ‘Fine whatever. But
why didn’t you just tell me, then, or now? Why did you have to go to such
lengths to prove that he was evil?’
 ‘Because you would
not have believed me. You had to see it yourself. Rod. All this doesn’t matter
anymore. Now, we have each other, like always.’
 ‘We have never been
together! What is going on, Joss?’
She was silent for a long time. ‘Is Wayne still being
followed?’
 ‘Yes, tonight he was
at her house again. So you see, it is still going on. Also, he has changed his
flight. He is going to stay. So you had better get used to it. I wish that
bastard would just go back where he came from. I wish he could just take her
with him.’
 ‘Joss, please, you
are talking crazy. We have never been together. You were always my brother’s
girlfriend. I never thought of you in that way.’
 ‘Really, is that why
you always tell me that the right man is arriving soon?’
 ‘Oh Joss, I mean, an
unknown man.’
 ‘But Rod, don’t you
feel it, the magic between us? I love you, from that day you asked me for a
pen. I have always loved you.’
Rod got off the couch. ‘Shit, Joss! Don’t say that. I
....no. No. Don’t say that.’
 ‘Why not? I love you!
You are mine, that’s it. I have said it and I will say it again and again. Why
do you fight it Rod? Because of that Patricia?’
 ‘No, no, look try to
think clearly now. I know that you are feeling a little lonely. But Patricia
has nothing to do with this. I only met her recently, remember? Why did nothing
happen between us before I met her? Think about that. She has nothing to do
with it.’
 ‘But if she was not
around, at least you would not deny what is between us.’
‘I don’t know how else to say this. There is nothing between
us. There never will be. You and I. There is nothing! Nothing! Also, leave my
brother alone. Stop following him. He is not going to change the fact that
nothing is ever going to happen between us. Do you understand? Joss, please,
you need to understand this. I.... it will never happen. You are my brother’s
ex-lover, for God’s sake. It will never happen. Leave him alone.’
 ‘What are you saying?
That I have been waiting for you, all those years for nothing?’
 ‘Oh Joss, yes. I wish
you had told me. We could have sorted this out a long time ago. I ....don’t
want to see you hurt, really, but, I don’t know what to say to make it better.’

 ‘Fine, you don’t love
me. That is fine. But will you give it a chance? With time, you will realize....’

 ‘No, Joss. Okay,
maybe I have been stupid to believe that we could be friends. I suppose I felt
guilty that Wayne just ran off like that. That is why I started hanging around.
I was feeling guilty. But that was all. And I suppose, I got used to having you
around. But I never imagined anything else. Honestly.’
She started crying now and Rod went to her and held her. ‘I
am sorry, Joss, I really am.’
And she stayed there, holding onto him, as if it was the end
of the world. He finally released himself from her.
‘I have to go. Joss, are you going to be alright?’
‘No, first your brother, now you. Both of you have ripped my
heart to pieces. I will never be okay.’
 ‘Oh Joss, come, go to
bed and get some sleep. Tomorrow, all this will look a little better, okay?’
She looked defeated and lost and Rod could not decide
whether to stay with her, or to leave. But at the back of his mind, he reminded
himself that she was tough and had the tenacity to have his brother followed.
So he put her down on her bed, covered her and let himself out. It was only
when he got to his house that he realized how absolutely stupid he had been. He
could not bear it, as he remembered the way Jocelyn had manipulated him over
the years, how she had been so needy every time he dated someone, or tried to
move away from her. Shit, I am the
biggest fool. But the real pain that shot through his heart was how he had
treated his sweet Patricia. God, she must
be so hurt. And Wayne. How could he even think about Wayne in that way?
What on earth had gotten into him? He had sitting there thinking about it when Wayne
had phoned.
‘Anyway, I left her there and I hope she finally got the
message.’
 ‘Yes, I am sure she
has got it. She is a survivor. She will move on to the next victim. Are you
alright, Rod?’
‘I will never be okay. I will never forgive myself for
treating you and Trisha that way. I would give anything to take it back. Did I
tell you that I was truly, truly, sorry?’
 ‘Not in those words,
but it is wonderful, sweet music to my ears. The perfect Rod has apologized.’
‘Shit, Wayne, don’t tease me now. I feel so ashamed. What
can I possibly say to Patricia? I have no excuse or explanation.’
 ‘I don’t know.’
‘Is she alright?’
‘Yes, I suppose. But she has other problems. Your little
stunt did nothing to help her, I can tell you that.’
`What is the problem?’
‘Her father is a total pig. He is so horrible to her. Shit,
she was on the phone to him when I arrived and she was upset. She tried to be
casual, but I could see that she was shaken. She has nobody to protect her,
only accuse her.’
 ‘God, Wayne, don’t
say that. I feel even worse now.’
‘And you should. But perhaps you should at least apologize
to her. At least she won’t keep feeling that she has done something wrong.’
‘Yes, I will do that if she is willing to speak to me. Now
tell me, what is happening with you?’
 ‘Let’s say I am going
to need a place to stay and I am hoping you will take me in.’
Rod laughed. ‘Are you serious? You are going to stay?’
 ‘Hmm, now is not a
good time. I will come over tomorrow morning and we will discuss it.’
 ‘Okay. Kathryn is
close by and you haven’t told her?’
 ‘Yep. Tomorrow. Now
try to get some sleep.’

Rod went to lie down on his bed and tried to reconcile the
emotions that ravished his body. The feelings of regret and shame were so
strong, that he wished he could die tonight and never have to face another day.
He could not bear the cold, hard fact that he had hurt Patricia.
~ ~ ~ ~

Wayne was smiling at Kathryn.
 ‘Sorry, my sweet.
Just needed to talk to my dear brother. He feels like shit, so ...’
 ‘It’s fine. I like
the way you care about him. Are you ready to eat?’
 ‘Yes, yes. I am
starving. I have had a long day.’
 ‘What have you so
busy with?’
 ‘Oh, this and that.
How were the pets?’
‘The usual. We had a small drama though. There is this Great
Dane. He is absolutely huge. His name is Daniel. He came in with a skin
condition. He has a path of fur that seems to fall off every few months. Trisha
treats it, but we can never figure out what causes it. When he arrived today,
he was edgy and irritable. He would not sit quietly and then suddenly, he heard
a whistle outside. He went berserk. He jumped and barked and just caused
mayhem. I was tempted to open the door and let him out into the street. The
cats were screaming and the other dogs started barking. It was the most awful
noise.’
‘Shit, that must have been scary, too.’
 ‘Yes, a little. I was
on the phone. I could do nothing. I tried to calm him down, but he just barked
and scratched. He wanted to go out, no matter what. His owner, Mr. Peterson,
just stood there. The bloody cheek! He brings this huge animal and then waits
for someone to sort it out.’
‘What did you do?’
 ‘Trisha came through.
She just stood there and then she softly called his name. He stopped moving
around and turned to her. She leaned down and looked into his eyes. I swear she
was talking to him. Suddenly, he just stopped and sat quietly. I tried to get
her to see him first, but she just look at him, and said “he will be fine, he
just got a fright”. And he was fine. He just sat calmly the rest of the time.’
 ‘And she wasn’t
scared?’
 ‘No, she seemed to
almost understand him. It was very strange. I think Mr. Peterson was hoping she
would offer to take him home. He was very grateful. I tell you, Wayne, she has
a special relationship with the animals. She understands them.’
 ‘She does.’
 ‘What do you mean?’
 ‘She understands a
lot of things, Kathryn. Animals and humans. She has special powers. She will
kill me if she knows I told you.’
 ‘Like psychic
powers?’
 ‘Yes, she knows
things and can predict the future, or rather, she predicts the choices. She is
very good.’
 ‘My Trisha?’
 ‘Yes. But she would
die if she thought you knew.’
 ‘Why?’
 ‘Rod doesn’t know.’
‘What, you are kidding!’
‘Yes and he probably will never know. But it is a long
story. Don’t ever tell her you know.’
‘But why? That is wonderful.’
‘I suppose people treat her differently, and ask her all
sorts of questions. It is an easy way to avoid making hard decisions. I went to
her today.’
‘Oh Wayne! This is too much. I need to think. Okay, so the
day you came over and she said I would be gone a while... yes, it was odd. Why
would she see that?’
 ‘She thinks we will
be together.’
‘Really, she told you that?’
‘Yes and other things. But the point is, I went there,
because it was easier than making my own choices. But Trisha is very clever.
She didn’t tell me. We talked and she asked me all sorts of questions. She
would not tell me and forced me to deal with the issue. She knew how to make me
decide on my own. Kathryn, I want to stay for a few weeks. I will work from
here.’
Kathryn stared at him. ‘Really, really?’
She hugged him. ‘I am very pleased.’
‘Hmm, later you can demonstrate your pleasure. But, now, let
us talk a bit, okay?’
‘Okay, so what else did she say?’
Wayne laughed. ‘You sound like me. I nagged her so much. It
seems that…..you and I will have a good relationship.’
 ‘Oh, I could have
told you that,’ and he laughed.
 ‘What are you not
telling me?’
 ‘Nothing, I promise.
She told me that. Now, I don’t want you to feel pressurized. Trisha is right. I
came back home because New York was starting to bore me to tears. So I want to
try being home. I want to spend more time with Rod, or he will just fuck up
everything.’
 ‘Oh he is not too
bad.’
 ‘Oh he is very bad.
Do you know why they broke up? Because he accused me of having an affair with
Trisha.’
Kathryn stared at Wayne as if he was crazy.  ‘It seems a friend saw me parked at your
offices for a number of afternoons and assumed that I was seeing her.’
 ‘Oh that is terrible.
But didn’t he just ask you?’
 ‘Because he is a fool
and he is so in love with Trisha, he can’t tell the difference between left and
right. He really has lost his footing in the path. I tried to reason with him,
but he wouldn’t hear it. I was so pissed off with him, for thinking that of me.
That’s why I moved out.’
‘Oh, you must help him. Poor thing. Imagine the pain of
thinking you have been betrayed by your brother and the woman you love. That is
so awful.’
 ‘Oh no, that is not
good enough. I hope he has suffered enough, because he should have known
better.’
 ‘Oh Wayne, don’t be
so hard on him. Imagine that. Imagine what he must have felt.’
 ‘But he did not need
to feel that way. He brought it onto himself. Don’t look at me like that. I
have long forgiven him. I won’t tell him that, though.’
 ‘Wayne! You should be
supporting him, not making it more difficult.’
 ‘Oh, but I have to.
He is going to go bananas when he discovers that we all have cheated on him. He
must be the only person in the universe who doesn’t know that Trisha is
psychic.’
 ‘But why?’
 ‘Because Trisha feels
he will not approve. But can you see his face, when he realizes that I knew?
That she didn’t tell him? He is going to explode. So, you see, if he feels bad
enough, he will be grateful that we are telling him.’
Kathryn laughed. 
‘That is down-right wicked. Don’t ever try that on me. I will kill you.’

 ‘I would never dare.’

 ‘Really, like what do
you think I am going to do to you when you eventually tell me what Trisha saw
for us?’
 ‘Hmm, let’s go to
bed. Come, woman,’ and she giggled as he grabbed her. So there is more, she thought.
~ ~ ~ ~

Trisha sat down and drank a glass of wine. She looked at the
painting. She wondered why she did not just throw it out. All her problems
started when she saw that painting. She wanted to just press rewind, start
again and never go to the studio that day, never meet him and life would have
been normal. She was enjoying this fantasy when Gareth phoned.
‘Hello, Trish, what are you doing?’
 ‘Oh nothing, just
pondering my life. You?’
 ‘I am with Janine. We
want to come and visit you. Is that okay?’
 ‘Ur, fine. Is
everything alright?’
 ‘Yes, of course. I
just wanted to see you and for her to meet my dearest friends.’
 ‘Fine, come over. I
am drinking some wine.’
When Gareth arrived, Trisha was not surprised to see Janine.
She was exactly as she had seen her. She greeted the beautiful woman and
smiled. But as she touched Janine’s hand, she felt her insecurity. Ah, she is afraid that Gareth will run off
with someone else. Hmm, interesting.
 ‘I am pleased to meet
you. Gareth has said wonderful things about you.’
‘Yes, you too. He talks about you all the time, when he is
not on the phone to you. But I must confess, I would not have been so generous
if I knew you were quite so beautiful.’
Gareth laughed and Trisha smiled. ‘Thank you, you are very
kind. But you can relax. Gareth and I have managed to behave in all these years.’

They drank wine and talked and she felt Janine’s tension
slowly falling away.
‘So, how are things with the Rodster?’
‘Ugh.... none the better. I could kill him, that silly man.’

‘Who’s Rodster?’
‘Oh, her man. They fight so much, it is unbelievable. They
have not talked now, for about what, three weeks?’
‘No, not that long, about two weeks. He was mean to me and I
doubt things are going to improve.’
‘I don’t know. When we spoke, he seemed to realize that he
is wrong.’
Trisha laughed, ‘Rod is never wrong. That is completely
outside his brain. I am always wrong.’
‘Sounds just like Gareth.’ Janine touched his hand.
‘At least I admit my mistakes. I admit immediately.’
‘Yes, because you just want to get into my bed.’
‘That is a most honorable motive, don’t you think?’ and they
all laughed.
‘Anyway, dear Wayne and Kathryn are doing very nicely.’
‘Yes, we saw them last night. He was a little tense and she
simply lets it go over her head. Was he better today?’
‘Yes, very much so. Anyway, he is staying for a few weeks.
Six weeks. He wants to see if he likes being back.’
‘He is back for good?’
‘Yes, but he thinks he is trying this out. I am glad for
him. Kathryn will be a wonderful wife for him.’
 ‘Oh, that is really
interesting.’
 ‘Yes, especially
since she will take good care of Rod. She has a strong link to him, as if they
knew each other before.’
‘Really, and you, what will happen to you?’
‘I have no idea.’