Free Sand Glass by A M Russell Page A

Janey got
up and left the room. I put my hands over my face. I didn’t stand a
chance. I had one thing that was stronger than this desire for this
double-existing woman; to save Jared from that other place. What
the hell! I really wished at this moment that I’d never gone on the
expedition. One letter. That was all it took. I heaved myself
upright, just as she came back in. ‘It’s time to go back to yours.’
she said. She had her coat on and her micro rucksack and car key in
one hand. I got up and followed her out.
     
    We arrived back
at my place to find Alex rummaging in the Land rover.
    ‘Hi kids! I’m
just getting the indoor camping kit inside before it gets any
later.’
    We helped Alex
lug a couple of camp beds inside. Five minutes later I was hugging
a much needed tea and sitting in the debris of the popcorn and
nibble fest from earlier. The two girls had vanished upstairs to
talk while taking over the bathroom.
    ‘Where’s the
other john?’ Alex was smirking.
    ‘What’s the
gag?’ I asked a very relaxed Jules.
    ‘Oh? Yeah. You
look like you’ve got carpet burn on your face. I mean you a flushed
and flustered looking. A bit like the cat that’s been in the
whiskey cream on New Year’s eve.’
    ‘Cat’s like
whiskey? I mean, you what?’
    ‘I know..’
Jules stretched, ‘Alex was telling us stories. Violette is great.
And I’m loving it. Being here. You’re a great friend. Thanks for
the…. hospitality.’
    ‘You’ve been
imbibing the beer haven’t you?’
    ‘Yeah. Alex
reckons it will help the time go past slower.’
    ‘And does
it?’
    ‘No idea. I’m
having too good a time to notice.’ He squinted at me, ‘You really
have been got at haven’t you?’
    ‘Yes.’ I
admitted.
    ‘Tough.’ Jules
sat up then, ‘Tomorrow is going to be on call time for the Doc
then. Comforting the lovelorn; soothing the frail mind.’ he seemed
perplexed, and then said: ‘Honestly I’m am a bit concerned… you and
Marcia doing all this.’
    I saw the way
it was going and hoped Violette would be back soon from the outer
limits of the bathroom and my spare bedroom. She wasn’t long in
coming back.
    ‘Janey’s in
your second bedroom. I hope that’s ok.’
    ‘Yes it is. I
said you and err… you both could take my room.’
    ‘Let’s go
Flower.’ said Jules taking Violette’s hand. She looked down at him.
‘Are you sure you are comfortable there?’ she said.
    Jules got up
suddenly and stumbled out of the room with Violette. I heard them
giggling as they went upstairs.
    ‘Don’t worry.’
said Alex, who had just come back in with another beer each for him
and me, ‘they’re too intoxicated for that.’
    ‘I wasn’t
thinking about Jules and Violette.’
    ‘Ah! The
unfathomable Janey. I would love to dip my wick in that pond of
deliciousness.’
    ‘If I wasn’t
your friend I’d take offence.’
    ‘I was joking!
My… have you got it bad. I see that I will have all on comforting
the poor little thing. Don’t worry,’ he said, seeing the look I
gave him, ‘if she is that into you, I’m surprised you haven’t
smuggled her along on the trip.’
    ‘What did you
say?’
    ‘About
what?’
    ‘Janey.’
    ‘Take her with
you?’
    ‘She has
already taken the job.’ I said.
    ‘Really?’ Alex
gave me a calculating look, ‘Not to want to dent your bright shiny
thing; but that is really going to muck it up. A lot.
Probably.’
    I shrugged,
‘It’s her choice.’
    ‘Got her eye on
the prize has she?’
    ‘It’s not going
to be in the public realm, if that’s what you’re driving at.’
    Suddenly I felt
a surge of illumination. A bright light inside something I could
grasp in my mind. She could help us. Perhaps the people who ran
this were susceptible to some sort of distraction, or persuasion.
Janey at base with full access could really swing things in our
favour. But then I didn’t know how she had started out. This was
that moment fast approaching. I had to wait.
    ‘She wants