The Grieving Stones Read Online Free Page B

straightened her back, smiled. “Sorry…I just phased out for a moment. Dead animals make such a depressing sight.”
    “Come on; let’s get back to the van. Nobody’s hurt. We’ll be fine.”
    “Except the animal, whatever it is.”
    “Yes, except that.” He took her by the arm and led her off the road to the verge, then halted. “Do you need to sit down? Or would you like a drink of water?”
    Alice glanced over at the van, where the other two men were fussing around Moira. She was dabbing at her eyes with a tissue, milking the moment for every ounce of sympathy she could drain from the situation. Alice didn’t hold it against her. Everyone had their own way of dealing with trauma, and Moira’s was to soak up the pity of others, to bathe in it and allow it to give her suffering some kind of shape and meaning. “No thanks. I’ll be fine. Really.” She smiled at Clive, trying to allay his worries, and in that moment she had the realisation that he wanted her. It was there in the way he was looking at her – so brazen, so nakedly desirous – and for a second or two she felt the full force of his need before it dissipated in the face of his concern.
    So that’s how it is, mister? She wasn’t quite sure how she felt about this turn of events, but she had to admit that it was flattering to be desired. She had not felt wanted for a long time, even by Tony when he was still alive and sharing her bed. All she’d ever got from him was the sense that he wanted to own her. There had been times during their marriage that all she felt was possessed, just another item that he owned – like the gadgets he liked to acquire, or the cars he changed every three years for a newer model.
    Moira had calmed down a little by the time they reached the van, but she looked flushed and on the verge of another outburst.
    “That poor creature,” said Alice.
    “I don’t think it suffered,” said Clive.
    Steve was back in the van, tip-tapping the screen of his iPad, probably updating his Facebook page with details of the accident.
    “There, there,” said Jake, putting his arm around Moira’s shoulders. “There’s no need to get worked up again. We’re all fine. Nobody’s hurt, just a little shaken. We’ll all feel a lot better once we’re back on the road.”
    “What about that thing…the animal.” Alice glanced back at the lump in the road. “Shouldn’t we at least drag it to the side of the road so no one else will hit it?”
    “That’s a good point. I’ll do it.” Clive set off back to the spot in the road where the carcass was lying.
    “I’ll help.” Jake trotted after him, catching up to speak quietly with the counsellor.
    “It’s horrible. Horrible…” Moira rubbed at her forehead, leaving a small red mark above the bridge of her nose.
    “Oh, behave. It was just an accident.” Alice hadn’t meant to snap at the woman, but she was losing patience with her performance.
    “Well, you don’t have to shout at me.” Moira was pouting. She looked like an overgrown child who’d been told off by a teacher.
    “Sorry.” Alice turned away and watched the two men as they dragged the dead animal to the side of the road. Clive was holding its front legs and pulling; Jake was at the rear, trying to push and slide the thing across the tarmac. It didn’t take them long. They were strong and determined, quick to take action in any given situation. The kind of men, thought Alice, you’d want to have around in a crisis.
    Once they’d cleared the road, they stood there for a few moments talking. Clive kept glancing over at the van.
    Alice turned back to Moira. “They’re done now. Why don’t we get back inside?”
    Moira shrugged. She was still pouting, but less so.
    Stupid bitch, thought Alice, and then felt guilty about it. Moira couldn’t help being emotional. She was carrying a burden, just like the rest of them. Nobody was the same as anyone else. Alice had to remember that and try to be more