SHADOW OF A RECLUSE

By Tessa Harvey


    There was a slamming, a banging of car doors, a harsh revving of engines and a last squeal of tyres and they were gone. Just like that.
    Stunned, unable to process all he had just heard, Tarrant slumped down at the kitchen table. There were used dishes everywhere......then he saw Johan had left his precious Teddy. It was needing its blue trousers mended. I can do that, he thought, and placed it near him on the messy table.
    There was a knock at the door. A voice called softly, "Can I come in?" It was old Mrs. Sykes from next door.
    Tarrant struggled to his feet. Ada came in, wearing a butterfly dress. It was blue and the butterflies were realistic depictions of Monarch butterflies, Tortoiseshells, Red Admiral. She looked tired, her brown face wrinkled. "Cup a tea, dearie?" she asked and put the jug on.
    "Why did my wife say she was going back to Hunter?"

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