Unforgettable (Gloria Cook) - By Gloria Cook Page 0,76

at me and imagine knowing me intimately, to want to take me away from my beloved Charlie. How could you think I could want you in that way, you’re just a brat, a spoiled brat who doesn’t acknowledge what his place is. You’re evil, a demon. Want to wreck my life, do you, Finn Templeton? Destroy my happy family, to cast Charlie and Sam into hell? Well, I hate you for that. I could kill you.’

Twenty-Four

While Belle was fuming in her front room and thinking murderous thoughts, Finn was outside in the darkness pacing up and down the bank of the stream, trampling down the grass and moss and kicking at it.

Greg Barnicoat’s confidential chat (‘A word to the wise, Finn’) kept thumping into his mind. Thank God his neighbour had taken him aside, to this very spot, at the end of the christening party and delivered his speech – delivered Finn from making a complete and utter ass of himself. ‘I’ll come straight to the point, Finn, and you must listen to me and take note. I’m speaking to you as a friend and as I would have done as an officer to the men under my command. Not for a moment must you sweep aside what I’m about to say, it’s very serious.’

At first Finn had been puzzled and worried the secret meeting was something about his mother. Or that he had done something dreadfully wrong. Greg had continued like a judge peering down over his glasses. ‘Verity and Dorrie have noticed that you’ve taken more than a shine to Belle Lawry. No, don’t argue with me. They wouldn’t have got the notion if it weren’t so. Unfortunately, Charlie has noticed it too. You must end this infatuation immediately, Finn. Dorrie and I know the Lawrys very well. They are devoted to each other and will both be deeply offended by your interest in Belle. They will see it as a betrayal to their hand of friendship. If you persist it will cause an unholy rumpus. Belle would shun you, Sam too, but Charlie would come after you with his fists. He’s done so before. He’s utterly jealous where Belle is concerned. He once nearly beat a chap to within an inch of his life. I witnessed it and Charlie’s rage was so great I couldn’t drag him off the man. If the man hadn’t wanted to keep the true reason for his severe injuries a secret, because he was married and didn’t want to lose his job, Charlie would have gone to prison for a long stretch.’

‘Don’t go on, Mr Barnicoat,’ Finn had muttered forcefully, feeling smaller and sicker by the second. ‘I understand what you’re saying, really. Thanks for telling me. I won’t deny my feelings . . . for . . . her. Now would you mind leaving me alone?’

‘Of course, whatever you do now you must – I stress must – hide your feelings for Belle Lawry.’ Greg had put a fatherly hand on his shoulder. ‘If you need someone to talk to I’m readily available.’

Finn nodded, miserably, desolately, his guts heaving and his head threatening to implode and plunge him into a well of dark despair. Alone, he bent over double and clutched his middle. He sank to his knees and hit the ground with his head. He banged his head into the dirt of the stream bank again and again. Fool! Stupid, stupid fool! You showed yourself, left yourself wide open. They know and after what Mr Barnicoat said they must hate you for it.

He was desperate to break off his anguished thoughts but peace refused to rescue him. He loved Belle but now she must loathe him. He couldn’t bear it. Where once there had been kindness and interest in her eyes for him there would now be contempt. To her he was a green odious child. He couldn’t stand it, how he had made such a crass idiot of himself. For one terrible minute he wanted to die, throw himself into the stream, keep his face under those few inches of trickling water and let himself drown.

Then from the cottage he heard Eloise cry and he shot crazily to his feet. My treasure! Eloise was his everything, how the hell could he think of wanting his life to end when he had his baby sister to care for? His mother was better in her health but it wasn’t written in stone that she wouldn’t have a relapse. Her mind might