Read Online Dark Waters by Cathy MacPhail - Free Book Online Page A

door of the McCanns’ house. Dominic was in tow of course. He had refused to stay at home.
    She hoped the notorious Mungo would not be there, but to her dismay it was Mungo himself who opened the door.
    He spread himself in the doorway, his whole body language barring their way.
    ‘What do you want?’
    Before Mrs Sampson could answer, Dominic, whocouldn’t read body language too well, had caught sight of Col and darted under Mungo’s arm.
    ‘Hey, Col,’ he shouted. ‘It’s me!’
    ‘I’d never have guessed,’ Col said, coming towards him.
    ‘Dominic!’ Mrs Sampson tried to call him back but it was no use, he was in now. ‘Sorry,’ she said to Mungo.
    It was only when Mam hurried from the kitchen that Mungo moved aside sullenly.
    ‘Oh, Mrs Sampson, it’s yourself. Come on in, would you like a wee cup of tea?’
    Col was glad his mother greeted them so warmly. He wanted the Sampsons to know that his family was special too. In spite of all they had heard.
    ‘I’ve just made some pancakes,’ Mam said.
    ‘My Mam makes the best pancakes,’ Col said proudly.
    ‘I’m sure she does, Col,’ Mrs Sampson smiled. ‘I’ve never mastered the art of making them myself.’
    Mam ushered them into her living room, and switched off the television.
    Mungo stood leaning against the doorway, silently, just watching. His face giving nothing away.
    ‘If you’ve come to try to persuade me to go, I’m not going,’ Col glanced at his brother as if to reassure him.
    ‘Well, if you’re not going, I’m not going.’ Dominicflopped on to the sofa in a huff. ‘There’s no point if you don’t go.’
    Mrs Sampson sat beside him and patted his knee. She looked at Col. ‘You know what he’s like, Col. This is all he goes on about. He’s driving the whole family potty. I promised I’d come and ask you just one more time. But he is right. There is no point if you don’t go.’
    Col looked at her. She was a really pretty woman, in a pale sort of a way, but in the light from the fire she had a golden glow. Her golden hair, her gold earrings, the gold necklet she wore, her gold watch, all gleamed in the firelight and seemed to make her come alive. Mungo was watching her too. Probably thinking exactly what Col was thinking. Mrs Sampson was pretty, beautiful even, but she wasn’t a patch on his Mam. His Mam, with her beautiful eyes and her rich, warm laughter. She was laughing now, smiling at Dominic.
    ‘Yes, I’ve heard some tales about you, Dominic,’ she said.
    ‘Please let him go, Mrs McCann.’
    ‘I’m not stoppin’ him, darlin’.’ She turned to Col. ‘Am I, son?’
    Her glance took in Mungo. As if she was waiting for him to say something. Mungo didn’t. He remained stonily silent and sombre by the doorway. Mrs Sampsondidn’t wait for Col’s answer. ‘We all want Col with us. We’ll be flown down and put up in a lovely hotel, and you, and … .’ She glanced up. ‘Mungo, of course, I’m sure you’d both enjoy it.’
    ‘No’ me,’ Mungo declared coldly.
    Dominic shot forward. ‘It would be great. It would be brilliant. It would be a laugh a minute.’
    Col tried to say he didn’t want to go. But he couldn’t find the words. He did want to go. He’d never wanted to go anywhere so much.
    His mother hesitated, too. And with that ever so slight hesitation, Col knew his mother wanted him to be there. But she knew it would cause friction between her boys and that was what she wanted to avoid more than anything.
    To Col’s astonishment it was Mungo who spoke up. ‘You know, Col, maybe you should go. It would be a great experience for you and I wouldn’t want to hold you back from that.’
    Col swallowed. Was he hearing right? ‘Do you really mean that?’
    Dominic leapt to his feet shouting, ‘Col’s coming to London!’
    His mother pulled him back down, but she was beaming with pleasure.
    They do really want me there, Col thought. It isn’t just Dominic, it’s Mrs Sampson too.
    Mungo was