Regret
A Story Every Day in 2024 Oct 4th 278/366
Dave
I never had a chance to say anything else to Laney. I should have dragged her back, had it out with her but I didn't want to cause a scene.
I never saw her again. The guilt of that will never leave. But what haunts me as much is the guilt of knowing that with her disappearance, I'd been given a reprieve. God, forgive me!
I never meant to live a double life, I swear. It just happened. I loved them both, Bethan and Christine, and I loved both my daughters, Laney and Katie. I got embedded in two lives and so, I just kept them both going. I thought I was doing the right thing. As long as the two worlds were separate, there was never going to be a problem. What would you have done? I had to be there for both. I felt the responsibility of it like a weight.
When Laney said that day that she had proof, I didn't know what she meant but it had to be something tangible, irrefutable...photos.
I was scared of discovery. I am a coward.
I told the police honestly about the boys being with her when I last saw her. I never mentioned the quarry. I don't think the boys did either because I found the camera there, sitting on a rock.
I took it, hid it. Never thought to throw the film. Idiot.
Now someone's got it. Christine?
I hope it's not history repeating itself. I don't know what I'd do if it was Katie.
*
Luke
Luke stands in the queue at the supermarket. He has a bottle of Scotch in his basket and he is eyeing it, his mind flitting between need and disgust as he waits to pay. He's in a world of his own when he feels a hand on his shoulder.
He jumps and turns to see a familiar face, one he hasn't seen for years.
*
Bethan
Dave's got until tomorrow to answer me. He may have moved on but I need closure.
The more I think, the more I wonder about him and what he knows.
I've got his address now. He can't hide from me.
***
366 words
Whose hand is on Luke's shoulder? And what will the meeting of Bethan and Dave be like?
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Dave's Story
Laney always was precocious. It was me that bought her the camera. Point and click! I never thought that she'd follow me with it. Why would I? To Laney and Bethan, I had a job that took me away part of the week, the life of a salesman. I never gave them any cause to be suspicious of me but thinking back now, there must have been something that I did or said to make Laney come after me.
By Rachel Deemingabout a year ago in Fiction
Comments (15)
Thank goodness he admits that he’s a coward. It’s helping me to have some… tiny sympathy for him. Wait, who is that touching Luke’s shoulder is it Mark… what is Mark doing there… A cliff hanger on his part Beth is going in for the kill 👀 ♥️👌🏽👏🏽
I read this one out of order in the beginning. It's so much better with the back story. But seriously, I don't like Dave.
Somehow this keeps getting more and more interesting. It’s weird, I want to know everything and yet I don’t want it to end!
It's interesting no one mentioned the quarry... I know Dave was hidden this secrets but why would he let that get in the of finding Laney, especially if he found the camera there. 🕵️♀️
My guess is Mark! Ready for the next one! 🍽️
If this was a tv show…. I’d be like, stuff it, I’m going to binge watch until 3am I don’t care! Great story Rachel. Im addicted.
Oh my gosh but this literally makes me feel sick. Such engaging writing, my friend.
I think it might be Mark's hand on Luke's shoulder. And what a mess Dave has created.
I look forward to this story. It's sooo good.
I’m with Dharrsheena… I think it’s Mark.
Twistier and twistier. Now I think it was an accident again.
Oh wow, maybe it's Mark who Luke saw!
Dave pays a heavy price for his actions. Very interesting! 😢
I think I might have missed some... I will try to catch up today 😁
Great Writing! love this one. keep up the good work.