A TANGLE OF LIGHT 

By Tessa Harvey


    Damien knocked quietly on the large imposing front door. Jack himself opened the door, looking tired and ill-kempt. He ushered them quietly inside, indicated a three-seater couch and sank wearily down near Belle. Ava was surprised they were together. Annabelle's eyes were swollen and red. The normally immaculate lounge looked dusty and untidy with books and magazines piled on teetering surfaces. Brown rings stained the beautiful polished wood of the coffee table. Ava longed to tidy and erase the coffee stains with a cloth and polish. She longed more to ease the hearts of her child and spouse.
    Jack had been watching her, a sardonic glint in her eye. She flushed slightly, aware he had observed her reaction, knowing her thoughts.
 The stale air seemed frowsty, the blinds drawn.
    "Well the A's have it this time!" Jack remarked, bitingly. "You can see the mess Annabelle is in. You, Ava are not much better by all accounts and now Adrienne has stolen centre stage!"
    Damien was both perplexed and irritated. "We have little idea what you are talking about. We merely came to visit to be kind!"
"Kind! Your precious granddaughter has gone, left home, absconded. Surely you know?"
    Unwanted tears ran down his face. Jack tried angrily to wipe them away with his shirt sleeve.
    Belle was plucking at a soggy tissue. She still looked somewhat dazed, but unwelcome reality had intruded. She finally had to face her fallen world.

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