| Chapter Three - continued ' I - I can't breathe.' I heard Tom wheeze short, forced breaths, and Annie said, 'Then just be quiet.' We were through the archway, its big wooden gates bolted open, and there were perhaps a half dozen stables housed into the far wall. One was plainly empty, this being in the centre directly opposite the gates with both compartments lying open. 'In here,' her voice carrying above the wind, she took his full weight and lifted him through. 'No -oh no - oh no...' he recoiled, fought against her so that she had to put him down quickly. He was gasping for air, his voice raw in his throat. 'What the - Christ I never thought,' slipping a hand over her mouth she looked as stunned as I'd ever seen her. 'It's the hay; it'll only make him worse. I can even feel it in my lungs.' She laid a hand on my shoulder, 'Look I'll run home for help - no, better still if you did it. I need to see he doesn't come to any harm.' Thunder crashed just as that spark of jealousy kindled into a flame, ignited simply by those words. I didn't like them being together, that was the gist of it, and how did I know Tom wasn't just a good actor, he'd always seemed to have it in him, and moreover, would she be as protective if it were me? It was me she was sending at least a mile into the rain, the thunder - the lightning - But my selfish thoughts weren't given a chance to ferment, nor did I even have a chance to reply as from outside came the sound of footsteps on gravel. Startled, I jerked my head to be confronted by a dismounting horseman and my cloudy mind slowly revealed the form of Nigel de Vere, son of Charles, and a right haughty bastard I'd been led to believe. 'What in heaven's name's going on?' de Vere, lean and tall, with a face pockmarked by acne, hurried into the stable, leading his horse by the reins, his expression matching the thunderclouds outside. 'Our friend is ill, he needed shelter - we saw your stable gates were open and...' 'And managed to see that from common land eh? Well, my girl, you must have the eyes of a hawk...' 'I have,' Annie squared her shoulders, ' and I'm not your girl, thank God, and Tom does need your help,' Annie wrapped an arm around Tom's sagging shoulders, her eyes fixed fiercely on de Vere. 'Jack,' she said, 'go and get help, it's plain we'll find none here.' de Vere's eyes widened like marbles, I'll thank you to keep a civil tongue in your head while you're trespassing on our property, ch...' I think he was going to you the word "child" but thought better of it, and with his eyes finally settling on Tom, he stooped beside them. 'He's got asthma,' Annie said, staccato fashion. 'I can see that,' de Vere examined Tom briefly, 'we'll get him to the manor, he glared at Annie, 'if that's alright with you.' I might have been nervous, but I had to clasp my face to stifle a giggle. Only Annie could have the audacity to front the wealthy de Vere heir in such a way and get a result. She of course, saw my action; her glance leaving me in no doubt I'd get my just desserts before long. Return to home page |
STORMFLY Opening Chapters, page 2
