Read Online The Well by Peter Labrow - Free Book Online Page A

been friends for five years; lovers for not much less. Only their equally independent natures (and, of course, the small minds of a small town) stopped them from living together. Abby had slept with only one man – and that was for the sole purpose of having a child. It had been her foretold destiny; something she’d never questioned. Until they’d met, Helen had only ever had relationships with men – and had not once been attracted to women. Both believed that their meeting and subsequent love was, if not fate, then not chance either; they enjoyed an intense closeness to which few relationships could even aspire.
    Helen taught history at the local school, but since she taught the older children, her relationship with Abby shouldn’t be an issue for Sammy until she moved up to year seven. (Not that the school could officially say anything: Abby was more worried about the inevitable teasing of other children. Helen wasn’t even worried about that – and had once joked that more people would raise their eyebrows because Abby’s partner was black than because she was a woman.)
    Helen sat down beside Abby and offered her a steaming mug. “You OK, Ab?”
    Abby nodded. “I think so. But knowing about something, expecting something, it’s different. Different from when it happens. You can only prepare so much. I don’t know how strong I can be.”
    Helen pushed Abby’s blonde hair back behind her ears and kissed her. “Strong enough,” she said. Her voice was confident and knowing.
    Abby smiled. “Easy for you to say,” she said, without malice.
    “All we can do is wait,” said Helen. “We might find out today who’s missing, though we might not. But we will on Monday, once I’m in school. Until then, we’ll just have to listen out. Other than that, what can we do? Carry on as normal.”
    Abby nodded.
    “It won’t be easy. But I’m here for you,” said Helen. “I should move in for a bit.” It wasn’t a question and Abby didn’t offer any resistance. It made sense.
    “This will be hard for Sammy,” said Abby. “She won’t understand; she’s not ready to understand. The dreams will probably get worse.” Abby held back a tear.
    “Hey, we don’t know that.” Helen put down her coffee on the table and wrapped her arm around Abby. “And we don’t know how long this will last. It could be over tomorrow.”
    “It might, but I don’t think so,” said Abby, shaking her head. “That’s not what it – what it – felt like. It’s going to be agony working in the shop today, just waiting.”
    “Look Ab,” said Helen firmly. “This is your moment. You have to be strong. You know what depends on it. And you have to pull through, for Sammy. You can’t change any of those things – but you can change what could happen. You. Only you. But I’ll help as much as I can.”
    Abby was grateful for Helen’s strength and clear thinking; she drew upon it and calmed herself. “We need to be sure,” she said. “I’m going up there.”
    “Oh, no.” Helen smiled. “Think about it. It’s Saturday. Summer. Odds are there will be people at the quarry pool. You’d be seen – and that won’t look great later, will it?”
    Abby nodded. “Fair enough. I’ll go tonight. Late.”
    “Engage brain, Ab. You need to be here tonight. You have to be here for Sammy. I’ll go .”
    Abby started to object, but Helen silenced her. “I know what you’re going to say, but this is something I can do. Just a quick look, that’s all we need. I’ll go well after midnight. I’ll take my phone. I’ll call you once I’m done and then come straight back here.” She squeezed Abby’s shoulders.
    Abby felt both unnerved and unhappy. “I think I might be safe there, Helen. But I’m sure you’re not.”
    “I’m not sure anyone’s safe there, but I’ll be safe enough.” Helen’s voice was, as always, calm and confident but in truth, Helen was worried. Something that had been told to her as a story, as little