The Past Comes Forward
A Story Every Day in 2024 Sept 26th 270/366
Luke
It's been years since I've seen Matt. Things were never the same after that day. How could it be? Ah, we still hung around together, connected by a shared secret and sorrow but the strings connecting us were never as tight. We were sworn but we were scared, suspicious of the hold we each had over the other. Who would break first? It was like a high stakes poker game, all the time. Believe me, there were times I wanted to tell, when the nightmares struck and my mum asked "What is it, Luke?" but whenever I was tempted, I remembered the bruises on Mark's arm.
"Nothing," I'd say.
It wasn't nothing.
It was loss, Laney gone. Guilt. About her mum. Sometimes, it's hard to keep its lid on.
Getting that message has made me feel weird. Part of me is excited to see him again; part of me is dreading it. Fuck. Who's doing this? Why bring this all up again?
She appears to me now, all the time. Laney. At night. Glimpses of her, sun through her hair; her laugh; the warmth of her gaze. This is fucking me up. I need to keep it together, meeting Matt.
The Red Lion. 8pm. Tonight.
*
Bethan
I hold the photo in my hand. Three boys.
I focus in on them but there's not a lot to go on. It's taken from behind. My head is fuzzy with grief and my thoughts are coming to me like they're pushing through marshmallows. Has this been posted through the wrong door? I turn the envelope over, looking for clues. Nothing.
Three boys...wait.
There were three. Back then. What were their names? I can't think. Come on, brain.
I wonder if Dave remembers? He won't like me calling him but who else is there? I'll have to pick a time when the new wife's not around.
Somebody's trying to tell me something. I asked for a sign, Laney love. Is this you giving me one?
*
Matt
I get myself a pint, steady my nerves. I don't know why I'm nervous about seeing Luke. Bringing back the past, I suppose.
"Hi Matt."
And there, I am, right back in it.
***
366 words
More suspense.
The first story from which it all branches:
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Comments (16)
Meeting Matt at the red lion, I wonder how that is going to go. Oh gosh no, it’s the mother again. I need to take a breath before I read her bit. * My heart. She thinks it’s laney giving her a sign 😭😭😭 Now Dave is coming into the picture, what drama am I in for…👏🏽♥️👌🏽
Who is Bethan again? I have goldfish memory. 😅
ooooooh chum, Im back on this! more intrigue and suspense and tangled ends and pathways are converging! so well done!
I love how you crawled inside the head of your different characters so well to help us understand them better.
I love the three different perspectives in this one... still so invested in where this is going!!!
Just catching up, on to the next one!
Very curious to see how the interaction with Matt and Luke goes! And wondering why Mark isn’t included yet?
I agree with Caroline, Bethan needs closure, that poor woman 🥺
This continues to be stellar writing, Rachel, and heartbreaking. Nothing quite like a really big lie to break everything!
Gosh, I really felt sorry for her mum in this one. How awful that she's lost everything. I don't blame the boys - they were kids - but oof, she needs some closure. Great storytelling Rachel.
They might need a few more pints to allay those fears and anxiousness. Looking forward to the next one......
Can't wait!! Thrilling at every turn :)
It's amazing how you can keep ending with so much suspense. What a talent!
They seem sucked back together.
This is going to be an awkward meeting. Next.
I’m up to date now… very suspenseful.