Forever Scarred Read Online Free PDF

Patrick as he replied gruffly.
    “No, I can’t stay. You lot enjoy the trout. I just remembered some stuff I have to do. I’ll grab something later down at the cabin. The freezer is well stocked.” His voice had an odd tone to it and he hoped that Patrick wouldn’t notice.
    Patrick noticed immediately. He frowned and put the knife down on the table.
    “What stuff? Can’t you do it later or tomorrow? We have a few days off , remember.”
    Joe grunted glumly, unable to keep the misery out of his tone.
    “T his can’t wait. I need to set something up and check to see how it works before that new lot gets here. I may need time to make adjustments if it doesn’t work out.”
    Patrick looked at the set of Joe’s shoulders and knew that there was nothing to go and prepare, but he didn’t say anything on the subject. He picked up the knife again and sliced one side off the trout. He wrapped it quickly in some foil, walked up to Joe and slapped it into his hand, looking carefully into his eyes as he passed it over.
    “You had better take this then. It’ll be nicer fresh than anything from the freezer. Do you want something to go with it? I’ve prepared a load of veg already.”
    Joe shook his head as he kept his eyes on the floor.
    “I bought bread this morning, that’ll be good enough. I’ll bung it on the barbeque later. I don’t really fancy anything at the moment.” His tone still didn’t sound normal and Patrick was silent for a few seconds and then he gave a grim smile as he cuffed Joe on the shoulder.
    “Yeah, sure there’s nothing around here that you fancy.” He gave a small snort and turned back to the remainder of the trout as Joe opened the kitchen door and walked off into the forest.

Chapter Three
     
    Lucy stared down at the piece of fish sitting on the plate in front of her. It was a beautiful soft pink colour and perfectly cooked.
    Patrick had served it as a starter with some crusty homemade bread that was still hot from the oven and a delicious sauce that was obviously laden with butter filled calories, but her appetite had left her as soon as she realized that no one else was going to join them at the kitchen table.
    She met Geraldine and David soon after arriving. The delightful Robbie was with them and he immediately launched into a much embellished adventure of how he had caught the fish with Joe. She smiled and listened and gasped in all the right places until David gave him a gentle cuff over his head and told him not to tell their guest a load of rubbish. Joe had caught the fish and had then caught Robbie too.
    Geraldine laughed at the boy ’s angry pout at his father, but Robbie didn’t take long to return to his naturally cheerful mood. He caught Lucy’s hand and brought her to the big oak kitchen table where he pulled out a heavy chair with much grunting and puffing and then waited for her to sit down before he dropped into the chair beside her.
    It was only as Patrick served up the trout that she realized that one person was missing. Joe obviously wasn’t going to be eating with them. She tried to hide her disappointment behind the obvious question.
    “So where is our intrepid fisherman? Isn’t he joining us after all?”
    Patrick glanced at Ellen and then turned to Lucy.
    “He intended to but after he met you he remembered that he had to test some equipment out before the rest of your group arrive. He’s caught up with something that he must sort out or he won’t be happy using it. He didn’t want to leave it in case he has to make any adjustments. Joe is very dedicated to his work.” His tone was deep and meaningful.
    Lucy stared at the big man for a moment wondering if there was a hidden meaning in his words and then looked back down at the fish on her plate. A sudden lump lodged in her throat as she realized that Joe was probably avoiding her for some reason and it prevented her from asking anything else about him.
    Ellen looked knowingly over at Patrick and it seemed