Stormfly Chapter Three (standard:adventure, 778 words) [3/3] show all parts
Author: Brian Cross	Added: Sep 29 2005	Views/Reads: 2766/2	Part vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
Growing up in 1960's Suffolk UK. Chapter three of my completed story Stormfly

CHAPTER THREE 

The cornfields gave way to green meadow as we crossed onto de Vere land,
supporting Tom between us. It seemed to me that the cedars flanking the 
house looked more like big watchtowers in the gathering gloom. Perhaps 
we should have taken him straight home but the rain was getting heavier 
and it seemed as if the heavens were going to pour down. 

The track to the stables cut across the meadow and now we were close
enough to see the entrance, ‘The gates are open, you've no need to get 
your climbing boots on,' I said, trying to sound wry but aware of the 
apprehension in my voice, and starting to buckle under Tom's weight, ‘I 
don't think this is a very good idea. How do we explain...' 

‘I've got eyes, thank you,' she cut in stiffly, adjusting herself to
take most of the burden, ‘got a better idea have you?' 

‘I guess not,' I wiped rain away from my face with my free hand,
‘besides my neck feels like it's on fire.' 

‘Weakling.' But this time that slow, sexy smile spread across her face,
she'd ducked forward so I could see it. 

‘Okay Tom,' she said, looking at him, ‘not far now, here goes.' 

‘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 hooves 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 use 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. 


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