For part 1 click here part 2 click here and part 3 click here and part 4 here.
The taxi weaved through Castleton’s suburban streets,
splashing through the rain.
“Are you okay?” It was the fifth time Lulu had asked Barry that
question since they’d left the awards ceremony and the fifth time he’d assured her was ‘just fine’. But Lulu knew her Barry, and knew
he wasn’t just fine tonight. She tried
to hold his hand, but he drew it away and looked out of the window like a sulky
child on a long journey. Prefab Sprout were playing on the radio, When Loves Breaks Down, Lulu knew how
they felt.
As the car pulled up outside the house, Barry handed the
driver a note and got out. Now Lulu knew for sure that something was wrong. Barry Corby never ever
got out of a cab without reminding the driver just who had left the generous
tip, but this time he’d left the money in silence.
“Want another drink love?” she said, as she closed the front
door and slipped out of her high heels, shrinking a few inches in the process.
“No, I think I’ll go on up.” Barry said, and started to climb the stairs.
“No, I think I’ll go on up.” Barry said, and started to climb the stairs.
“What’s wrong love?” Lulu pleaded with her husband.
“I just think that salmon disagreed with me,” Barry said
without looking back.
Lulu shrugged. She knew he was lying, but if he wasn’t going
to tell her, what could she do? She put the milk bottles out, fed the cat and
followed her husband upstairs.
By the time she had taken her make up off and climbed into
bed, Barry was already curled up like a ball. She knocked off the bedside light
and stroked his back.
“Can I get you anything?” she whispered. “A glass of water,
a pill?” He ignored her. She continued to touch him; her hands caressing his
back and chest and moving down his body until she touched him down there. Even
when he was poorly he liked having little Barry stroked, but tonight he moved
her hand away and rolled onto his front.
Lulu stared at the ceiling through the dark.
“I love you Barry Corby,” Lulu could hear the tears in her
voice. She waited for her husband to respond, but tonight for the first time in
their married life, he didn’t reply.
For part 6 click here
For part 6 click here
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