Echoes in the Woods by Georgina Scott (ebook reader web txt) 📕

“You are testing my patience, that’s what you are doing.”

“Maybe, it will be best to leave it for a while,” said Mitch

“Yes, I agree,” said Mary.

Both were feeling very uncomfortable. “Right, let me go and check on the meat,” said Mary, getting up from the table. “I’m coming with you,” said Mitch, picking up the bowl of peas and carrots whilst Mary took the potatoes and finished them off in the kitchen, leaving Mac and Faith scouring and arguing with each other. “I’m sorry this is my fault,” said Mitch.

“Why, what makes you say that?”

“I put the thought of Jake coming home with us.”

“Mitch, I have always liked you, ever since you were a boy, which is the reason why I am going to be blunt with you now. Where do you see this relationship going with Faith?”

“I see us together, all of us as a family including Jake. It’s been a long time coming.”

Mary took a deep breath. “Mitch, I love my daughter, very much, however, she is a drama queen and likes drama in her life, she always has, and no matter what shape it comes in. You, on the other hand, are a sensible guy, her father is a sensible guy also.”

“I understand what you are saying.”

“No, I don’t think you do.”

“You think I have rose tinted spectacles on, because I have always loved her.”

“What’s your earliest memory of Faith regarding the types of men she is attracted to, and those she used to date before she met John?”

“She said she used to date bad boys, violent men, then she met John and he changed everything.”

“And John isn’t a bad boy?”

“No, he is just a thug who beats women. You saying, Faith likes that?”

“I think John goes too far, however, he knows Faith, he knows who she is, what stimulates her, what she wants and needs, alien to the average normal person, I would even go as far to say, that normal people wouldn’t understand it.”

“You are telling me to leave her?”

“I’m telling you to be careful or you are in danger of completely losing yourself in a situation you can’t get out of, or control.”

“I am so in love with her Mary, I always have been. She is great, a brilliant mum, she is beautiful and I am nuts about her.”

“Do you think she is in love with you?”

“Yes, she is!”

“I have no doubt that she is fond of you Mitch, but you are her safety net. I am asking you for your own good to cut that net and move on with your life. She won’t bring you happiness.”

Mitch stood by the sink looking at the window; they could hear Mac and Faith still arguing. “They will be like this for hours, she drove us to distraction in her younger days. When John came on the scene and took her away, yes, we were sad, but then we got our lives back. I think it’s time we set the table,” Mitch nodded. “I am coming and thank you Mary for being honest.”

Mary just smiled but felt like a heel and knew she just broke the heart of a very nice, sensible man but knew it had to be done, for his own sake. They both went back into the dining room and set the table. “Will you two pack it in, I am fed up with it,” said Mary.

“I will go tell the boys to clean up,” said Mitch. Mary looked up at him as he went to the back door and went out to the boys.

That evening, they all sat playing twister and Pictionary until it was time for the boys to go to bed. Mac got out the red wine with four glasses and poured. They talked and drank till midnight.

Faith didn’t ask Jake if he wanted to come back with them. Instead, she hugged, squeezed and kissed him. She hugged her parents. “You have done the right thing, sweetheart,” said Mary. Faith tearful and nodding, walked to the car and got in. The boys said their goodbyes and got in the car.

Mitch was the last to say goodbye, he kissed Mary on the cheek. “Thank you, both of you,” and shook Mac’s hand. “I don’t think I will be seeing you both again, take care of yourselves.”

“Mitch, we really wish things could be different. Take care of yourself,” Mac and Mary watched them drive away whilst Jake said his goodbyes then went to see Ella.

Chapter 24

A week had passed and Mark and Henry were itching to see their dad, whilst Matthew wouldn’t see him and stayed with Mitch. Faith got the boys into the car, then drove to the farm.

Mark and Henry were excited as they approached the farm. They could see the guys working in the fields, waving as they went by but unsure if anyone actually saw them or not. Faith parked the car, “Mummy, Mummy, I can see George and Daddy in the top field. May we go to them?”

“Yes, but be careful. Tell your dad I will be in the kitchen.”

The boys jumped out of the car and ran towards their father and George. John waved back at them and then ran towards the boys and wrapped both of them up in his arms swinging them around in a circle, with both boys laughing hysterically, asking for more. He wrestled with them to the ground then both of them jumped on top of him.

George walked over and had a wrestle himself with the boys, placing Mark on his shoulders and Henry under one arm, taking them to the tractor and putting them in the cab. John dusted himself down and headed to the house, anxious to see Faith.

Faith was surprised at the cleanliness of the house although rather sparse. She put on the kettle and made two coffees. “You’re back then; how are your parents and how was Jake?”

“They are all fine. I see you cleaned the house or did you get someone