Read Online 2042: The Great Cataclysm by Melisande Mason - Free Book Online
Authors: Melisande Mason
Tags: Science-Fiction, Sci-fi thriller
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drinks making small talk while other guests fluttered in and out. They made a handsome couple; a big handsome tanned man with rich brown hair streaked light by the sun and tied back in a ponytail, and a beautiful petite dark-haired woman in red.
She looked so inviting he forgave her politician’s prattle and decided he would like to get to know her better. ‘Let’s get out of here, nobody will miss us.’
‘What did you have in mind?’
‘Some place quieter. Some coffee?’
‘Sounds like a great idea, but what about your friend, Josh?’
‘Oh, he was having the time of his life last time I saw him. Doesn’t need me.’
‘Okay, I’m game if you are.’ She grinned.
‘Too easy.’ He said. He took her arm and discreetly guided her through the room to the exit, where they collected their coats. Nick w inked wickedly at the concierge as he ushered her through the big double doors, and they left like a pair of children sneaking out for some fun. A lone taxi squatted by the kerb in the deserted street, smoke trailing from the driver’s window. The circular moon cast icy jagged shadows on the pavement, broken into uneven shapes by the glow from low street lights. Small puddles of water glistened in luminous patches on the ground. Twisting his wrist over Nick glanced at his watch. ‘It’s only eleven thirty. Night’s still a pup. Let’s walk see if we can find that coffee.’
‘All right.’ She said, taking his arm as they set off. ‘Okay, Nick Torrens you know I’m a politician. What about you? Where did you get that tan?’
‘Comes from years at sea. I’m an oceanographer.’
‘An oceanographer eh? That’s interesting. I take it you’re not married?’ She said glancing at his ringless fingers.
‘No. It’s not the kind of life for a woman. I’m at sea more than I’m on land. I’m on a break right now, my ship’s in dry dock. How ‘bout you?’
‘Thirty-two, divorced no kids and I love my job.’ It rolled off her tongue as easily as if she had been ordering a hamburger with mustard and French fries.
Nick grinned.
Three blocks from the Lincoln they found a small cafe with dim lights concealing inexpensive furniture. A young bearded man huddled in a dingy corner softly strumming a guitar, droning a bluesy ballad, and an older couple snuggled at a corner table, engaged in earnest conversation oblivious to others in the room. Nick guided Laura into a vacant booth in the opposite corner and ordered bottomless black coffee. Time stopped, or so it seemed to them as they sat for hours sharing the details of their lives. Her controlled speech began to wane, revealing she wasn’t really as sophisticated as he first thought, and he was pleased.
Life as an oceanographer had always been all he needed, but now, suddenly at forty-five he began to see other possibilities. He and his brother Brian were raised by their father who had been so devastated by his wife’s death he turned to drink, and later as he grew older his career had precluded any deep relationships. Laura seemed different, there was something about her that stirred unexplained feelings, an intriguing sense of mischief.
***
During the days that followed Nick’s life changed. He spent every spare moment he could find with Laura. When she attended a debate in the Senate he insisted on watching from the gallery, fascinated. She was seated at a gleaming timber desk in a semicircular row among others facing the Chair. His eyes never left her, absorbed by her spell, so much so that the content of the debate that day completely eluded him.
She in turn loved his casualness, his sense of humour, the way he tossed his long hair, even the way he dressed, preferring his lived-in shorts, boating shoes with no socks and T-shirt that drew curious looks from her well dressed friends.
Her background of wealth was revealed by her large apartment in the city with its winter landscape of aquamarine, icy greens and crystal accessories. Enormous
She looked so inviting he forgave her politician’s prattle and decided he would like to get to know her better. ‘Let’s get out of here, nobody will miss us.’
‘What did you have in mind?’
‘Some place quieter. Some coffee?’
‘Sounds like a great idea, but what about your friend, Josh?’
‘Oh, he was having the time of his life last time I saw him. Doesn’t need me.’
‘Okay, I’m game if you are.’ She grinned.
‘Too easy.’ He said. He took her arm and discreetly guided her through the room to the exit, where they collected their coats. Nick w inked wickedly at the concierge as he ushered her through the big double doors, and they left like a pair of children sneaking out for some fun. A lone taxi squatted by the kerb in the deserted street, smoke trailing from the driver’s window. The circular moon cast icy jagged shadows on the pavement, broken into uneven shapes by the glow from low street lights. Small puddles of water glistened in luminous patches on the ground. Twisting his wrist over Nick glanced at his watch. ‘It’s only eleven thirty. Night’s still a pup. Let’s walk see if we can find that coffee.’
‘All right.’ She said, taking his arm as they set off. ‘Okay, Nick Torrens you know I’m a politician. What about you? Where did you get that tan?’
‘Comes from years at sea. I’m an oceanographer.’
‘An oceanographer eh? That’s interesting. I take it you’re not married?’ She said glancing at his ringless fingers.
‘No. It’s not the kind of life for a woman. I’m at sea more than I’m on land. I’m on a break right now, my ship’s in dry dock. How ‘bout you?’
‘Thirty-two, divorced no kids and I love my job.’ It rolled off her tongue as easily as if she had been ordering a hamburger with mustard and French fries.
Nick grinned.
Three blocks from the Lincoln they found a small cafe with dim lights concealing inexpensive furniture. A young bearded man huddled in a dingy corner softly strumming a guitar, droning a bluesy ballad, and an older couple snuggled at a corner table, engaged in earnest conversation oblivious to others in the room. Nick guided Laura into a vacant booth in the opposite corner and ordered bottomless black coffee. Time stopped, or so it seemed to them as they sat for hours sharing the details of their lives. Her controlled speech began to wane, revealing she wasn’t really as sophisticated as he first thought, and he was pleased.
Life as an oceanographer had always been all he needed, but now, suddenly at forty-five he began to see other possibilities. He and his brother Brian were raised by their father who had been so devastated by his wife’s death he turned to drink, and later as he grew older his career had precluded any deep relationships. Laura seemed different, there was something about her that stirred unexplained feelings, an intriguing sense of mischief.
***
During the days that followed Nick’s life changed. He spent every spare moment he could find with Laura. When she attended a debate in the Senate he insisted on watching from the gallery, fascinated. She was seated at a gleaming timber desk in a semicircular row among others facing the Chair. His eyes never left her, absorbed by her spell, so much so that the content of the debate that day completely eluded him.
She in turn loved his casualness, his sense of humour, the way he tossed his long hair, even the way he dressed, preferring his lived-in shorts, boating shoes with no socks and T-shirt that drew curious looks from her well dressed friends.
Her background of wealth was revealed by her large apartment in the city with its winter landscape of aquamarine, icy greens and crystal accessories. Enormous
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