‘A Conspiracy of Ravens’

Part Four

A Conspiracy of Ravens

My morning walk with the dogs: there is a figure jogging towards me on the beach, a small dog trotting at his heels. I turn to walk the other way.

“Kirstie!” Ben’s voice carries on the breeze. “Kirstie....”

I ignore him and keep walking.

After a minute or so, there is panting and Ben appears at my side, breathing heavily.

“Kirstie, please….”

Perhaps I should find another place to walk….

“…. We need to talk,” he says.

“I don’t think so. I saw your idea of talking.” I keep moving, stepping up my pace a little, doing everything I can to discourage the conversation.

“Please, Kirstie. Do you want me to apologise? Alright, I apologise. Is that good enough for you?”

I stop, turning to face him. “What exactly are you apologising for?”

His face falls. “I’m apologising for losing my temper as I did. It came as a bit of a shock, everything that you said, that Michael said.”

“And for threatening Charlotte?”

Now he reddens. “I wasn’t threatening her.”

me, jittery and nervous. Meg shows

She tried to get away from you, but you shoved her. I saw it. You temper looked pretty much out

wouldn’t have hit her.”

away if you want me to believe

he backs away. “You don’t really think that

wave around me, indicating the dogs. “What do I make of you, Ben? Even the dogs are reading you, your body language. They’re not happy. I barely know you, but

snaps. “You screw around, and

was coerced and everyone enjoyed themselves. And the same applies to Michael’s arrangements with James and

the sand. “You didn’t have to call

it. You heard James. He asked Francis to call them. If he thinks you’re a threat to Charlotte, on another occasion I’m not sure he’d bother with the

toe, then, “Do

apologised to me, but I don’t think it’s me you

in the eye, instead staring out to sea. He nods, a sharp down-thrust of his

*****

me, sitting in

his face lights up as he sees me. “Have you been

was passing, so I

Coming

coffee is all I’m

cue, my

putting water

behind me, his hands resting on my waist, his face close

where he has placed his mark on me,

are we?”

“Oh, yes, and so are you. Don’t think I

in his arms, I curve into

“I have a

“Ideas?”

and light a couple of candles,

he makes his

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