THE RIVER

By Tessa Harvey


    Police and hospital doctors had confirmed Noddy (Charlie) had a form of narcolepsy. There was believed to be no cure. Charlie, heard as usual, a blur of words. He realised dimly that he and James were free to go and was again happy. The memory of the wonderful ruby-red necklace lit up his mind. 
    Charlie wanted to keep it. He kept wondering where it was. He knew better than to ask.
    James took his younger brother to a special home. It was set in pretty grounds with a far off green lawn, a riot of roses, even now in autumn and a distant blue glimpse of the sea between buildings.
    Charlie was hugged. "I have to go away for a bit, mate. Business, I will come back."
    Charlie heard the deception in his voice, tired though he was. The men in his mother's life had hit him over the head just too often. "Dozy, lazy, stupid, useless, waste of space." Harsh words echoed in the small man's head. His dream had been a real nice mum and dad like in the picture books.
    Two nurses, male and female, came out smiling, treating him with grace and warmth.
    "I want my brother," he whispered, then lay down in his neat, clean handsome room. It seemed a safe place to sleep. His dreams were of family drifting away, leaving him alone, even the red necklace, colours of fire, faded into darkness.
    James felt sad, tears came, but he wiped them away as he drove. He would get revenge on that so-called aunt and her two brats. Oh yes, no one stopped him, dobbed him into prison. He was free, an avenger.
    They had taken away Lizzie's hedge of protection. No Charlie to bungle business.
    He would fix the boy properly first, then the others......

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