Jealous Storm, Jack Stroke [best sci fi novels of all time .txt] 📗

to tell me.”

“And you’re okay with that?”

“What choice do I have?”

Silence crept over them. A comforting silence that relaxed Amber. She stroked his forearms, pressing his soft hair the wrong direction.

“I’m not Lion.”

“Clearly. He never complains when he’s being patted. You know I really tried to be Chill Amber.”

“There’s your problem right there.”

She looked at him.

“There’s no point trying to be something, especially something you’re not. I mean, you can do it, but it will only last so long. You just have to be.”

“So, kill Chill Amber?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“Maybe I could be WWVD instead.”

“WWVD?”

“What Would Vaughan Do?”

“Cool. Although that would involve, you know, listening to me. Taking on board what I have to say.”

She punched him in the ribs. Just lightly. What would she do without him?

63

A whole welcoming committee was waiting when the Tesla pulled up. Vaughan had wanted to leave so not to overwhelm the poor kid, but to both their surprise Amber asked him to stay.

Ellis was there, jockeying for position like a serious competitor at the start of a fun run. Megan and Joan were with him.

And even Grubby was hanging about, wanting another look at the Tesla and still holding out hope for it to run out of power.

Shake got out first. “Very nice of you all to come out and see me. Thank you.”

Not terribly well versed in sarcasm, Grubby spoke up. “No one’s here to see you, mate.” He rolled his eyes at anyone who would make eye contact. “So how far did ya get the other day?”

“I don’t understand,” Shake said.

“Before you broke down.”

“I didn’t break down.”

Grubby appeared heartbroken. “Didn’t you need a charge?”

“No. I’ve got no idea what gave you that idea.”

Ben’s door opened, drawing all the focus to him. He appeared tired, except more than that. Different somehow. Weary. Everyone pushed forward, overwhelming him.

Amber pulled Shake aside. “How’d our boy do?”

Shake gave her a sympathetic eyebrow raise, making it clear it’d been a tough few days for everyone. “Good as can be expected. He’s a good kid.”

“Ben. Look who’s here,” Megan said. “Your father.”

“I know, Mum. I can see him.”

“Hey, son.”

“Ben is fine. No need to call me son.”

“No worries, Ben. You got big.”

“Happens when you only show your face every five years or so.”

Ellis let out a forced laugh. “Could we have a quick word?”

Ben’s eyes found Amber, trying to communicate something.

“How about we just let Ben get home and settle first?” Amber said.

“You would say that,” Ellis said.

“He’s not your son, Amber,” Megan chimed in.

“I know that, but he can speak for himself.”

“Settling in sounds nice,” Ben said. “But I need to talk to Amber before I do anything else.”

“Ben, don’t be rude,” Megan said. “You can speak to Amber anytime. We don’t know how long your Dad will be here for.”

Ellis turned on Megan. “I thought you wanted me to hang around.”

“Yeah, I do. I dunno. Yeah.”

Vaughan gave Amber’s hand a little squeeze. A squeeze that reassured her. Told her it was okay and to let go. At least, that’s what Amber got out of it. He possibly just squeezed her hand. Time to be the bigger person.

“It’s okay, Ben. Maybe talk to Ellis first, if he really wants to.”

Triumphant, Ellis put his arm around Ben’s shoulder and led him towards cabin three. Amber knew instantly she had made a terrible mistake. Doing the right thing can be like that.

“What?” Grubby said, confused and aggressive. He and Shake had taken a few steps away.

“Oh, do try and keep up, bumpkin,” Shake said. “I said, would you like a go?”

“And I said, would I like a go in a Tesla? Hell yeah!”

“In that case all you have to do is save up enough to buy yourself one. Shouldn’t take it along to save enough for a Tesla, should it?”

This was all too much for Grubby, who looked to Amber and Vaughan, totally confused.

“Just ignore him, Grubby. Shake, don’t be mean.”

Joan clutched Amber’s arm. “Amber, did he look different to you?”

Clearly Amber wasn’t the only one who noticed.

“Different how?”

“I don’t know. Different. In the eyes.”

Vaughan nodded as well.

“How can you look different in the eyes? Honestly, Mum. He’s been gone three days.” Megan stomped away towards the owner’s cottage.

“Maybe I imagined it,” Joan said with a worried look before following her daughter.

“I’m just messing with you, bumpkin,” Shake said.

“Who’s this bumpkin? Me name’s Grubby.”

“Really? That’s even better.” Shake let out a booming laugh. “Well, Grubby, would you like to come for a ride?”

Grubby’s eyes lit up. “For reals?”

“For reals. And if you’re a good boy I might even let you drive some.”

He didn’t need to be asked twice. Grubby was practically in the Tesla before Shake finished his sentence.

“What about you, Amber’s boyfriend? Would you like to come for a drive with us?”

Amber didn’t care for his tone. Like Shake had a fresh weapon to use on her.

“Go,” she said to Vaughan.

“You sure?”

“Yes. Have fun. Just don’t listen to any of Shake’s garbage.”

“Come on then,” Grubby called from the car. “Don’t have all day.”

“Relax. It’ll be all right, okay?” Vaughan said. “Trust Ben.”

Amber agreed she needed to trust Ben. It was the ‘it’ll be all right’ part she wasn’t so sure about.

64

The forty-five-minute wait was one of the most agonising of Amber’s life. She wanted to do something to get her mind off it all but couldn’t bring herself to do anything except sit there and fret.

Finally there was a knock, and Ben appeared at her door. They headed across the road to the beach. Amber attempted to stay as calm as possible.

“Is it true?” Ben asked once they hit the sand. “What he said?”

“Ellis? I wasn’t there, so I have no idea what he said. I imagine there is some truth to it though.”

“Did you pull a gun on him in some hotel room?”

“Yes.”

“And you threatened to kill him? To kill my father?”

“I don’t remember…”

“Amber.”

“It was a long time ago. It’s quite possible though. I did pull the gun. I can’t recall exactly what I