The Middle Child

The Middle Child Read Online Free PDF Page A

Book: The Middle Child Read Online Free PDF
Author: Angela Marsons
him in a low whisper as the music began to fade away.
         "Doctor Wilkinson," she clarified.
         "This is Doctor Wilkinson?" Catherine said, appraising the handsome, athletic stranger.
         "Doctor Wilkinson, Junior," Beth added, with a slight flush of the cheeks.
         "My father died five years ago and I took over then," he explained, turning to address them both.
         Alex found his gentle affectation and good manners irritating.  He was too nice and Alex always found herself suspicious of anyone who was too nice.  It was obvious to her that the young doctor was infatuated with Beth. 
         Alex spent most of the service observing their body language and interaction.  The kind doctor clutched Beth’s hand and glanced periodically at Beth’s pinched features.  He handed her a tissue when she cried and held the hymn book for her to sing.  Yes, but have you uncovered what lies beneath that high-necked jumper, Alex wondered viciously, and will you still be clutching her hand when you do?
         Alex tore her attention from the couple as the coffin began to move through the red velvet curtains towards what Alex hoped was a fiery hell.  She had the urge to run up to the casket and kick it through the curtains at a higher speed and then stand and watch her burn.  She wondered if Beth saw the irony.
         The coffin disappeared behind the curtain completely as the droll music once again filled the space.  Alex was struck by the thought that it was the most thoughtful thing her mother had ever done by being cremated.  It meant that less of the world was to be infected by her pure and undiluted acidic body.  Although Alex had quite liked the idea of insects and earth creatures feeding on her flesh within the dark, solid confines of the ground.
         "I’ve arranged for her ashes to be scattered near the rose bushes," Beth offered, addressing them both.
         "That’s fine," Catherine answered for both of them.
         Alex was amazed that Beth thought that either of them would care.
         The car pulled up outside the house and Alex once again felt the suffocation stifling her.
         "I’ll be putting the house up for sale next week once…"
         "No," Catherine protested.  "Keep the house for yourself, or sell it and move somewhere new but I want no part of it."
         Alex opened her mouth to protest.  Unlike Catherine she wasn’t rolling in money and could use all the extra cash.  She looked at the terraced house that still rose up to haunt her in her worst nightmares.
         "Me neither," she said.  "I want nothing from this place."
         Beth appeared confused but Catherine ushered her out of the car and into the house.
         Alex hung back to observe the onlookers up and down the narrow street.  Some poked their heads through a corner of the net curtain while others blatantly stared from their front doors.  Alex fixed them all with an icy stare before re-entering the house. 
         Most of the people she remembered and felt a hostility towards them that choked her.  They must have known what was going on in this very house and yet they did nothing.  They were beneath contempt, she thought as she closed the door behind her.
         Beth busied herself removing the foil and cling film jackets from an unappetising selection of banal sandwiches.  Catherine placed glasses on the sideboard beside a few bottles of sherry and some soft drinks.
         "I’ll make a pot of tea," Beth said.
         Alex reached for a glass and poured a generous measure of whisky from the half-full bottle hiding behind the granny bottles.
         "Can’t you give Beth a hand with the tea?" Catherine asked sidling up beside her.  "The neighbours will be here in a minute."
         "Am I supposed to give a fuck?" Alex spat as she slugged a mouthful of whisky down her throat.
         "Alex please…"
         "Leave me the hell alone," Alex
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