Fears and Derision

Bethan

I don't want to ring him because I know what I'll hear: derision, impatience, irritation.

Dave. Laney's dad. My husband. Ex-husband.

But who else is there?

This photo is significant. I know it. Otherwise, why send it? My memory is retrieving nothing except images of her. He has to help me.

*

Matt and Luke

"You told me she went into the water," Luke states after thinking about Matt's open ended statement. Luke watches Matt like a hawk. Luke was the only one out of them who didn't see what actually happened. Matt and Mark did...

Matt relaxes visibly. "Yes, you're right." Matt pales. "Oh God. Poor Laney."

They both stay silent for a moment, transported once again back there.

The door of the pub opens and a group of girls burst in, the cold along with their laughter breaking the spell. Matt and Luke are both grateful for it.

Matt gulps his drink and then says, "What about Mark?'

Luke says, "What?"

"Do you think he's had anything?"

Luke thinks. "I don't know. Are you in touch at all?" Luke is dreading hearing that they are. He'll have been left out of the loop if they have.

"No, I don't know where he is. Haven't for years," Matt replies, and Luke is relieved and ashamed of feeling this way after all this time about a friendship from years ago. "I know he was...well, we all were...but him in particular...you know, was...affected...by it all."

Luke nods. Mark was always the most volatile of them: he had an edge that felt dangerous, sharp, like he was on the brink of badness, but Laney softened him. He'd become withdrawn after, when they hung out. He never had the same jokes or joy. Laney lifted them all but with her...going, their friendship became a deflated balloon, flat, withered and discarded.

"I wouldn't know where to find him. He doesn't live close anymore."

Luke could understand that, sometimes wished he'd moved himself.

They sat again, quietly, drinking and thinking.

"So, what do we do?" Matt asks.

Luke stays silent.

"Someone knows, Luke." Matt taps the table.

Luke looks startled.

"I don't like it," Matt adds. "They could destroy us."

***

366 words

The story started here:

And then there's been an instalment every day since.

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