The West Winford Incident Read Online Free

The West Winford Incident
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home after this first day or, indeed, for the next several days, were not made public, but Dave and Sue took comfort from the absence of any negative feedback. They assumed it would be unlikely that Jo would suffer in silence.
    As the days went by Dave felt confident enough about the girls to surprise Sue with the suggestion of a few days away. He had arranged for her parents to come down and look after things whilst they took a short break. His assumption that this was just what Sue needed seemed justified judging from her excited reaction.
    â€œAll you have to do is put your best frock and some outdoor things into a suitcase and be ready to go first thing on Saturday.”
    As they passed through Minehead, Sue recalled their last visit to Lynton. Fifteen years, almost to the day.
    â€œWhat a lovely surprise,” she exclaimed, as they drove over Lyn Bridge and up Church Hill, before turning right into North Walk. This was where they had stayed during their honeymoon. Sue jumped out and began to open the car boot.
    â€œWhat on earth are you doing?” asked Dave, with some amusement. Sue stopped, looking rather hesitantly at her husband. “I just thought you’d like the view from here. They’re probably fully booked anyway.” As he said this he led her a little way back along the lane to the bridge over the Cliff Railway and pointed across the valley. The view, yes she remembered. When they had last been to Chough’s Nest they had admired the view eastwards across to the wooded hill with the imposing Tors Hotel nestling amongst the trees.
    â€œCome on then,” chivvied Dave, “let’s get on.”
    â€œYou mean to say that we’re not stopping after you brought me all the way up here?” Sue found difficulty in keeping the disappointment from her voice.
    â€œYou never listen to what I say, do you? I just knew you’d forget. What a memory.”
    Sue looked abashed. “What are you talking about? What have I forgotten?”
    â€œThe last time we were here, in 1954, I distinctly remember, as we were taking our last look across to the Tors, I said that the next time we came that’s where we’d be staying.”
    Sue was flabbergasted but overjoyed. They unpacked in a leisurely fashion and later took a short stroll along the paths surrounding the hotel. Looking down upon the lower village of Lynmouth, at the toy-town cottages leading along to the small harbour, Sue recalled that, at the time of their honeymoon, the newly built road and the village itself had only just been reopened following the terrible flood damage two years earlier.

    *
    He stopped abruptly; began shaking uncontrollably as he relived the terrible moment. Just an ordinary day unfolding in the way so many had over the past four years. The early lunch – he was on afternoons that week. The two mile cycle ride, familiar faces and predictable banter with his workmates – just an ordinary day. The familiar routine, taken for granted, transformed in a split second. Not uncommon, it happened all the time, life changing in an instant, ordinariness twisted and disfigured into chaos – but always to other people. He could never return.
    â€œPlease accept our condolences and don’t hurry, we’ve plenty of time,” soothed the dark-suited chairman. Someone placed a glass of water at his elbow. Even sitting in the calm surroundings of the ‘Raleigh Suite’ of the Forest Lodge Hotel he felt overwhelmed. Beads of perspiration broke out on his forehead. He sat facing the panel of four with a younger man to his right taking notes, all exuding sympathy. It had been three days ago, but recalling the events faithfully – he was obliged to be accurate – was an effort of will. His pulse raced, it was impossible not to react, recalling the events meant reliving them and this was too distressing.
    â€œPerhaps it would be easier to answer questions to begin with before
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