Well... Whatever..
Everyone has their own opinion - for or against and there will always be battles....
I cannot tell you to read my stories, and if you don't want to post here anymore.. That's up to the individual and to be honest - it doesn't bother me... Several people read and do not post.... That's their choice - I do not hold it against them.
If you read and post.... Be prepared to be shot down for your opinion, no-one is the same, which is rather refreshing, it would be so boring if everyone agreed with everyone else...
I LIKE to see people posting, because then it gives me ideas on how to improve my writing - not because it influences how I write my story.... That is done and will not be changed.... and if you don't like the way I portray my characters - good or bad.... fine.... Don't read...
I am just showing how I think they would be in a real situation... If you don't like it - go write your own story....
Anyway...
What's said is done and as far as I'm concerned... OVER...
Today's chap... Hmmmm.... Things are going to get interesting....
In more ways than one..
Lucy
& Chris
Chapter 4 Part 4
Sanders pulled a face, for the past few weeks, he had methodically gone through the files he had been given collecting information. Of the women that had been checked out so far, none of them had been Sarah. His team had started in London, before moving out into the rest of the UK, moving methodically from South to North…
They found nothing.
Sanders had reported to his boss on the search on a regular basis, not afraid to admit that she had not yet been found. Phillip had been angry, but knew that the Yard would do all they could to keep Sarah safe, it was only a matter of time.
“So, any luck?”
Sanders shook his head, “yes and no… I can now confirm that she is not in the UK, we have checked out every single one of the women on the list and she’s not any of them. I have five files left, two in Europe, one in Australia and two in the US.”
Phillip grunted and was about to say something when there was a knock on the door and one of Sanders men was shown in. “We just received a call. Scotland Yard have just had a message that one of their witnesses may have been compromised.” He gave Sanders a piece of paper with a file number.
“Will you excuse me boss…? This matches one of the US files and I know someone who might be able to help us.” Phillip waved him away with an order to report back as soon as possible.
&&&
Frances sighed, John had said that he would come over with the painting at 6.00 pm, but it was now nearly seven and there was still no sign of him. Accepting that he had probably got held up, she began to prepare some dinner for herself, slicing and stir-frying the meat and vegetables together while the noodles cooked slowly in the water.
Just as she started, there was a knock on the door and she groaned. Opening the door confirmed her suspicion when she saw John standing outside. The apologetic look on his face made her smile softly, especially when he realized she was cooking dinner, “God I’m sorry Frances, I got held up, I can come back later if you like.”
Frances shook her head, “It’s ok, I thought you’d got stuck… Did you eat yet…?” John shook his head and she chuckled, “I thought not… You look a bit rushed. If you’re hungry, I don’t mind sharing…”
John hesitated, “I don’t want to put you out…”
She laughed, “You won’t put me out – I generally end up cooking for two anyway – an old habit hard to break.” Her face fell for a moment, and John saw the pain in her eyes, but chose not to ask.
“Well… if you’re sure…”
Opening the door wider, she gave him an amused look and invited him inside. Dinner was ready inside the next few minutes and John realized his mouth was watering at the smell coming from the kitchen. Within a moment or two, he could confirm that Frances was a d**n good cook.
While they were eating they spoke quietly about their work, Frances opening up about the girls at school, though John noticed that she still hesitated slightly if the talk became a little more personal, but he found out more about her. A discussion about the girls led to her talking about family and what she had studied at school, but aspects of her life after university remained firmly out of the picture.
After dinner, Frances carefully unpacked the painting which was indeed quite dirty, the colours hidden by years of dust and grime. John became a little embarrassed as Frances scrutinized it carefully, “It’s in a bad state isn’t it?”
Frances smiled softly, “Maybe, maybe not… Would you mind if I tried something?”
John shook his head, and watched entranced as Frances collected a small cup of hot water, washing up liquid and Q-tips together. “Is this a water colour?”
John shook his head, “I don’t think so… Acrylic maybe or oils…”
“Good, I don’t want to cause any damage.” She carefully put some water on a Q-tip and a spot of washing up liquid, gently touching the very corner of the painting with soft dabs, using another Q-tip to dry the area immediately. Slowly she worked outwards over a small area and John could see that it did look brighter and cleaner.
“Well?”
Frances sighed, “I only took off the surface dirt, but I can see it’s quite bad. I’ll take it to the gallery tomorrow, perhaps Daniel can have a look at it for you. He’ll know what to do.”
“Thanks, I appreciate it,” thanking her also for dinner, John made his excuses to leave, but paused at the door. “Look, how about I return dinner… I’m not a great cook, but I can offer pizza and a video… Sometime next week?”
Frances hesitated, she was about to decline when Father Downey’s words came to her mind. She did need some friends, and the Father knew John well – add to that he was asking as a friend – nothing more… “Ok… I’m free on Wednesday, if that’s ok?”
John grinned, “That’ll be fine… See you then, if not before.”