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Brother's Love.This story may contain adult content. |
| Written by Richard Davies | |
| Saturday, 15 September 2007 | |
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Share it:      Brother's love by Richard Davies.
Farnborough village. Kent. A Summer evening.
“So, I followed her.” Paul poured another large scotch. “'Ere, steady on mate. Ain't you forgetting someone?” Ray smiled as he held out his glass. “Er...Sorry. Anyway, as I was saying. I was walking a ways behind her, but she must of spotted me because the next thing I know she went into Lipscomb's.” Ray laughed loudly. “Der! She probably needed a pack of fags. You're so suspicious!” Paul emptied his glass. “You don't understand. She's my wife; not some old tart I met at the pub...I always trusted my Sue, until just lately.” “Why don't you confront her then?..'Ere, give me that bleeding bottle before you drink it all!” “So you think it's possible, then? Could she be cheating on me?” Ray poured the last of the whiskey into their glasses. “ 'Course it's possible. Sue is a good looking bird, not my sort you understand, but a handsome woman nevertheless. Cheers!” “Cheers!” Paul felt sad and drunk. “Look, if you think she's having it off with another geezer,” Ray continued, “then kick her out. I would.” “That's easy for you to say. The ladies love you, don't they? Me? I only love Sue.” He was passionate. “I'd never leave her; No matter what!” “All right, steady on! 'Ere, It's late. I'd better get you home.” Ray stood. “I'll get me coat.” “Thanks mate.” Paul stumbled to the front door. “Well, that's what big brothers are for ain't it?”
It was a balmy night, and they decided to walk the short distance to Paul's house. England was having an unusual hot spell of weather, an Indian summer. The sky was cloudless, and the moon almost full. They strolled past the Change of Horses, their local pub. It had been built in the seventeenth century as a coach stop on the old London to Kent road. One of many roadside inns where coachmen could rest overnight in a warm, safe bed while the horses were tended. But the stables and courtyard had long since been converted into a car park, and now just the owner and his family dwelt in this popular village public house. Ray watched his brother slowly negotiate the short pathway to his terraced house, and when he was safely inside, walked home. The brothers were born in a run-down part of London, south of the River Thames.And their parents had moved to the little village of Farnborough, when they were still young. They had often visited the area on Sunday excursions and knew it would be a perfect place to raise a family. A picturesque community in the garden of England, as the county of Kent is often called, yet within thirty miles of central London.
The next morning. “What time did you get in last night?” Sue slipped into her skirt. “Were you with that Ray, again?” “My head is killing me.” Paul mumbled from bed. “Where you going?” “Work, of course.” “But I thought you were off today, babes?” “Well, you thought wrong didn't you, babes? You'd better get up, or you'll be late.” She buttoned her jacket. Paul slowly sat up in bed. “I'm up. 'Ere, I had way too much to drink.” “Serves you right. Ray's a bad influence.” “I thought you liked him?” “Not as much as you do. I'm off.” Sue started to leave. “Ain't you forgetting something?” She gave him a kiss on the check and hurried out of the house.
Later that morning. Paul watched the bumper to bumper traffic slowly pass by outside his office.Ironically, the company that he worked for was located in the very neighborhood where he had been born. However, the grim Georgian tenement houses had long ago been demolished, and high rise office buildings and apartment blocks now inhabited the borough. He checked his watch. It was 11 am and he still felt hungover. “Mr Johnson?”... “It's Paul.”... “Paul Monger.”... “No. As it happens I'm not feeling that great.”... “Thanks, Mr Johnson. I'll just finish up with the Jenkins file and then I'll leave for the day.”... “I will. Thank you very much, Sir.” He dialed Sue's office... “Hello, Anne? Can I speak to Sue, please. It's Paul.”... “Oh... Is she in a meeting, then?” .... “No. That's all right. I'll call back later. Bye.” He sat in an empty railway carriage, and thought about the absolute chaos of the morning rush-hour commute just a few hours earlier. He always enjoyed train rides, and in his youth, spent many a day train-spotting at his local station. Paul felt relaxed as he watched the world go by his window, and listened to the reassuring sound of metal on metal. Within fifteen minutes the dreary buildings were replaced with green fields and he knew he would soon reach his destination.
Afternoon. She lay in his arms. “You'll have to leave, soon.” “There's loads of time. Give us a kiss.” They passionately embraced. “This is no good. I'm going to have to tell him. We can't go on like this. It's not right.” “I know, but come here, first”... “Don't you ever get tired?” Sue giggled. “Me? No. I'm Superman, ain't I?”
Paul entered his home, and climbed the stairs to his bedroom. He would feel better after a few hours sleep. He opened the bedroom door and found the naked couple writhing on his bed, oblivious to him. “'Ere, what the hell is going on!” “Oh my God?” Sue quickly covered herself with a sheet as he saw her lover. “You bastard! How could you?” Paul angrily attacked Ray and tried to grasp him about the neck, but was no match for the stronger man. Ray overpowered him and he threw him to the floor. “Calm down, mate, let's talk it over.” Ray said, but Paul was beside himself with rage and suddenly lunged at Sue. “You tart. I'll kill you!” She side-stepped his grasp and left the bedroom with Paul in pursuit. “That's enough!” Ray grabbed his brother and spun him around on the landing. Paul swung wildly at his brother and lost his footing on the top step. Ray desperately reached out for his outstretched hands, but he could not hold him and watched helplessly as Paul tumbled backwards down the staircase.
“He's dead.” Ray knelt by his brother. “Oh Christ, what have I done?” Sue sat on the bottom step of the stairs. He held Paul in his arms and wept....“I'll have to call the Police.” “No. Wait...They'll put you away.” “But it was an accident.” Ray was devastated. “They won't believe you. Let me think for a minute....... All right, what if we tell them that he slipped?” “Then, what?” “Well...” She continued. “He came home from work early...He said that he was feeling poorly...We were sitting in the living room, having a cup pa, and...” “All of a sudden we 'eard a crash!” Ray interrupted... “And we found him laying there.” “Yeah. That's it; But we must stick to our stories, no matter what, and we can't see each other for awhile.” “Won't that look suspicious?” He suggested. “You know what I mean?” Sue forced a smile.
Two Weeks Later. The funeral service for Paul Monger was held at St Giles parish church in the center of the village. A church had stood on that same ground for over fifteen hundred years. After the service, friends and relatives gathered at Sue's home to give their condolences to the young widow and her brother- in-law. “I'm so sorry Sue. I know how much you loved Paul. He was so young; such a freak accident.” “Thanks for comin'.” Ray and Sue stood together as a distant cousin paid his respects. At last, they had a moment alone. “How you holding up?” Sue asked. “You look tired.” “I can't sleep. I keep having bad dreams.” He said quietly. “What sort of dreams?” ... “I keep seeing...Him...Paul... Every time I close me eyes.” His body shuddered. “It will soon be over and we can be together.” Sue squeezed his hand. “I hope so?”
That Night. Ray lay in bed, afraid to sleep. He listened to light rain fall on the slate roof above him. The constant rhythm comforted him. Suddenly, icy fingers gripped his neck and he opened his eyes. Paul was throttling him. Ray kicked and struggled to break free from the death-grip. “You bastard! How could you?” Paul screamed. Ray gasped for breath. “I told you I'd never leave her. No matter what!” Ray woke up. His heart pounded, his body covered with cold sweat.
Three Months Later. “Come in. Don't be shy.” Sue took Ray's coat. “Want a drink? I'm having one.” “Do you think we should?” He replied. “Sit down. Make yourself at home. Now, what's wrong with a brother-in-law visiting his recently widowed sister-in-law? It's only natural.” She wore a revealing dressing-gown. “Nothin'. I'm just a bit nervous, that's all.” “You? Since when?” Sue handed him a large glass of whiskey. “Cheers! To us!” “Yeah, down the hatch!” Ray quickly emptied his glass. “You're right. We're home and dry, ain't we? The old bill believed our story, hook, line and sinker! Want another?” He felt more relaxed. “Let's go to bed. Bring the drinks with you.” Ray hesitated... “What? Up there... in his bed?” “It never stopped us before, did it? Besides, it's our bed, now.” Sue slipped off the dressing-gown and stood before him. “You're beautiful.” “Am I?” They embraced, and then he swept her in his arms and carried her upstairs...
“It's alright.” She lay by his side. “It happens to all of us.” “Not me...I just feel so bushed, these days. I can't seem to rest.” Sue kissed him. “Sleep now, my love. Relax. There's nothing to worry about.” “Yeah. I think I will take a nap.”
Later that Evening. The Sun was setting in the cloudy sky, and flickers of light danced about the bedroom. Ray suddenly awakened to find Paul standing over him, a terrible look in his eyes. “You bastard! How could you?” Paul lunged at him and they wrestled on the bed. They struggled and Ray was able to get on top of his brother and grasped him about the neck. “Leave me alone! It was an accident.” Ray pleaded. But Paul grinned up at him; a horrible, twisted grimace. Ray closed his eyes, unable to look at his brother, and squeezed with all his strength. Paul writhed for what seemed an eternity, suddenly gasped out loudly, and was still... Ray opened his eyes. Paul stood by his side, smiling. “I told you I'd never leave her. No matter what.” Ray looked down. His hands were gripped tightly around Sue's neck... She was quite dead.
Copyright 2008 Richard Davies |
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| Last Updated ( Friday, 02 May 2008 ) |
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