Free Dark Confluence by Rosemary Fryth, Frankie Sutton

“I can see the fingerprints of EHGAG on this.”
     
    “EHGAG” Jen asked in some confusion.
     
    “The local greenie group,” replied Tom acidly. “Look, I’m all for proper conservation and land management, most decent farmers are, but that particular outfit is a bunch of lunatics. EHGAG have had the most idiotic proposals approved by Government. The only thing I can think of is that they must have a politician deep in their pockets. Try to speak against them and before you can say ‘placard’ you’ll have a demonstration at your farm gate and the media baying for your blood.”
     
    Tom sat back in his chair, his face furious.
     
    “Normally I’m all for civic improvements,” Matt said quietly, moderately. “However, the council has admitted it’s financially in a very poor position, and given the expense to repair infrastructure after the storm, well it’s a stupid project to be taking on now.” He sighed, “Sure as anything, rates will be going up, as well as electricity charges, since it will be the only way they’ll have to fund it.”
     
    “No Government grants?” asked Catherine, her voice quiet.
     
    “Doubt it, love,” said Matt. “The Government is in debt too, and if they do give the council money, then there will be a gap. There always is, and the taxpayers will be the ones to fill it.”
     
    “So why is the need, if it’s going to be so expensive?” Jen questioned at last.
     
    Tom turned to her, “Your guess is as good as mine. I’ve given up trying to reason out the workings of EHGAG.”
     
    After that, the conversation drifted onto other matters, and by eight pm, Jen, noticing the yawns around the table, said her goodbyes, pleading tiredness herself. Before she left, Tom stopped her at the front door.
     
    “Jen, about what I said before. If you get truly frightened by what is going on, then there is a spare bedroom here to bunk down in until it all passes over.”
     
    Jen squeezed his lined and work roughened hand. “I appreciate the offer, Tom, but now that I know what I’m dealing with, well, let me do this my own way.”
     
    Tom nodded, “I understand, however the offer still stands.” He suddenly laughed, “Fiona has been congratulating me about my new, young girlfriend, but you and I know the truth.”
     
    Then he fell quiet for a moment, as if remembering. “I’d not be telling others what you have been seeing. Anna told a few and she was virtually ostracised by the town after that. It took years before they accepted her again. Small towns are like that. If word gets out, then the gossips will pass it on and it will spread like wildfire. It will take ages for you to live it down, and people simply won’t or can’t accept the truth.”
     
    Jen agreed to keep ‘mum’ and waving goodbye, walked down to her little car. Driving back along the dark wet country roads, Jen was a little apprehensive about what she might find at home. However, all seemed quiet and normal when she drove in, parked, and then opened the door. The only thing that was out of place was the phone wall socket. She went to push it back into the wall, and then hesitated, the cable dangling in her hands. What she really craved was a good night’s sleep and a disconnected phone would stop any unwelcome calls. She would deal with the phone, and whoever or whatever was whispering into it, in the morning.
     
    *
     

 
    Chapter 8
     
    By the time, Jen awoke the next morning the last of the rain had cleared. Opening the door to the garden, a brilliant blue sky greeted her, marred only by a few clouds driven by a fresh and cool southerly breeze, dispelling the high humidity of the last few days. Outside, the greenness of the hills and paddocks was bright enough to hurt the eyes and lilting birdsong banished any residue anxiety. Faced with such a glorious day, it was hard to believe any imperfection could be present in the world. Jen immediately decided that such a day did not warrant time spent