The First Betrayal Read Online Free PDF Page A

to confess something, well unload really,’ his head low on his chest, ashamed or embarrassed, he wasn’t sure which.
    ‘As tempted as I am to state the obvious, Ill refrain, I can see your discomfort. Go on, spill.’          
    Mike recounted his encounter with the beautiful creature called Evelyn. He did his best not to over enthuse too much about her attributes but he found it impossible to keep the longing and want out of his voice. An inflection he didn’t know he possessed. A vocabulary new to his ears fell from his mouth that would make a mills and boon novelist jealous. Not until he was finished did he raise his head and look Stephen in the eye.  When he did, if he hadn’t been so twisted up inside, he would have laughed aloud. Stephen’s face was a picture, literally a comic representation of a befuddled and bewildered, yet captivated spectator. Mouth agape in utter disbelief and eyes widened to such an extent that one good jolt would pop them out. ‘Well say something man, anything, I’m in torture over here.’ he begged his friend.
    ‘Wow. Of all the things I could have thought of, that was most definitely not one of them. Bloody hell Mike, what gives?’
    ‘I don’t know Stephen, I just don’t know. I have never felt this before, felt this - this desire for anyone. This is abhorrent to me, a God awful curse.’
    ‘Careful there Father Mike, that’s blasphemy you know.’
    ‘Please, Stephen this is not easy for me. I know you don’t believe, but this is life-changing, faith changing. If I am having thoughts and feelings like this then how can I carry on with my vow of chastity to God? How can I carry on as a priest?
    ‘Wooh back there, let’s not get carried away. I know you, and this is not you. So you had a moment of weakness, and that is all it is. You have not done anything and you will not. If god is all you crack him out to be, he will not take it personally. He must make allowances for the odd misdemeanour.’
    Mike hung his head again and mumbled ’what if it isn’t?’
    ‘Look, you’ve only met her once, right? Mike nodded his still bowed head, ‘and she’s only visiting’? So just avoid her, stay clear of her and bide your time until she leaves.’   
    ‘I know your right, I know everything I believe in is more powerful than lust fuelled thoughts, but even through this terrible day and the atrocious things we’ve seen, my one overwhelming thought was her.’
    ‘Jesus Christ Mike, what has this gal done to you?’ Through this bloody awful day my only thought has been for this, several large scotches and a drunken oblivion.’ An unspoken consensus followed, and they veered away from that subject and settled on less controversial issues, like death and misery.
    They sat together, refilling their drinks and chatting about the day, which now didn’t seem quite so overwhelming. Talking and laughing, they put behind them the significant events that earlier loomed so threatening. They passed out on the deck, under the stars that glistened with frosty promise and blissfully alcoholic stupor prevented and denied unwelcome nightmares.
     
    Chapter Sixteen
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    ‘Welcome to Island Haven, rest home and sanctuary. Good morning sir, how can I help you?’
    ‘Good morning, my name is Adam Gardener and I’m looking for an uncle of mine. His name is Albert Gardener, and my mother said he is living here. I’m just here for a few days visiting and my mother would never forgive me if I didn’t look up uncle Albie.’
    ‘Well Mr Gardener, I know each guest here personally, and I can assure you that there is no Albert Gardener, or any Gardener residing at Island Haven. Your mother must be mistaken. Is it possible that your uncle moved to the mainland?’
    ‘It certainly is possible Mrs- oh I’m sorry I didn’t get your name.’
    ‘It’s Miss Lake, but everyone here calls me Vera, we are a family and only use first names.’
    ‘That’s a beautiful name, Vera;