The days flew by and turned into weeks. The people of Larouse had settled to their normal routine after the glum. The children had returned to school and the house was unusually quiet during the day. It gave Sean and Abigale the opportunity to spend some time together and put some extra time in the fields. Although he would not admit it, Sean missed Jerald. The boy had really grown on him over the past weeks. He now made it his duty to ask about him whenever he saw Richard. It looked like his sentiment was returned because bright and early Saturday morning, Jerald came looking for him saying that he would work with him on Saturdays since he had no school on that day. Clasping the boy on the shoulder Sean had handed him a cup of tea.

Abigale watched him crawl into bed and closed her eyes. She was so tired, tired of the guilt and the pain. She also knew that she was being unfair to Sean, but she did not want to continue to burden him with her past. Nothing bad happen to people based on a few nightmares. But she knew she was kidding herself, because for the two months her nightmares were more frequent and more alive. Maybe it was a sign that she needed to unburden herself. Making up her mind, she changed her clothes, sat down beside Sean, and shook him. Instantly he opened his eyes. ‘I think it is time that you know my full

‘Well it seems to me that you really did not have a choice. If you had stayed back your life might have been at stake and you would not have seen either of your babies. Who knows what this Pablo character is capable of, huh?’ Sean declared.‘Yes, I agree, but it broke my heart to leave my aunt and in particular under such circumstances. What would happen now to her the boys? Would they be safe? So many questions flooded into my mind at once. I felt overwhelmed and thought about staying, but then I remembered the baby by my side and that hardened my resolve. ‘

He ran all the way. There was no one out this early morning. It was around two or three o’clock if his judgment was correct. He did not pause to check on his surroundings. The earlier he got to Richard’s, the better. He hoped that the boy was alright. How did this slip him? He should have known. Reaching Richard’s doorstep, he pounded loudly on the front door. He waited. When he did not get a response, he went to one of the windows, trying to pry it open and shouted, ‘Richard, Jerald! Can you hear me?’Suddenly the door opened with Richard standing in his pajamas. &lsqu

Where was Richard, surely ten minutes had passed? ‘Now, now Peter. There is no need for that. Why don’t you and Fautina tell me what you want? We can reach a compromise; no-one has to be hurt.’Chuckling, Fautina went across to the far corner of the room where Lydia kept the wine, and poured generously into a wineglass.‘Hmm, sister, this is really good wine. Father must have spent a fortune on it.’