Her Silence

Chapter Seventeen

"There are no secrets that time does not reveal." Jean Racine

It had been over a week since James and I had become a... thing. Not being sure as to whether we wanted to put an official label on what we had, but not being too bothered about it, we had been living in complete harmony and it was beginning to feel like I was getting some sort of life back. I had met with Joan and Harry at a small café and had the most delightful afternoon tea. I told them a very, very vague adaption of my life story and how I became mute, and learnt that my prediction was right, and Joan's hearing had diminished due to old age. Her husband had passed away four years ago, and she looked after Harry most days when his parents went to work outside of town and emphasised what a clever little boy he was. I had no doubt. He spoke with an unnatural eloquence, and it was so peculiar to me that I wasn't surprised if I sat looking as though I was in shock throughout the whole time I spent with them. They were both planning to visit Tidy within the next week, and I made them aware that James would be coming with us. I know he wouldn't be keen on me going alone with two people as vulnerable as myself. Joan had said that though she frequently visits the bookstore she has never set foot in the bar – I told her that they do glorious lunches during the weekdays, so it was decided that this would be our next meet up, and Harry seemed willing to come along. He had asked whether James was my husband, to which I laughed at and told him he is someone special. To be asked whether I thought Harry was someone special by Harry himself made me laugh even harder, and I told him he is very unique. He seemed content with my answer. Baffled as to why Harry wasn't in school and was able to come along with Joan to our outings, he retorted that he attended a private school and had a lengthened school holiday compared to those who attended the schools in our town. It then made complete sense to me how Harry was so ahead of his time.

James seemed willing to meet Joan and Harry, and to my surprise, the idea of going to Tidy's sat well with him. He said it would be a good chance to catch up with Jacob about the stolen money and try to progress the case. I could tell it was beginning to chip away at him that he had no lead on both the thief and my Mother's next actions. It had been oddly quiet in terms her whereabouts which was doing nothing but good to my mental state. James said he hasn't seen me so relaxed since I'd met him, but we both know it can't last forever. In the meantime, we were filling the days with absolutely anything. This varied from some horrific attempts at baking, to random days out. He had taken me to his office on Thursday and introduced me formally to his team. Max was there and sincerely apologised for his behaviour at the beach, to which I told him if I was in his position I would most likely have acted the same way. He is at no fault, and honestly, I couldn't blame him. I had looked around in awe at the boards covered in screen-captured CCTV footage of both Tidy and my Mother. James had told me I didn't have to look if it was going to upset me, but if anything, it fascinated me and only made me more appreciative. James's team who barely even knew me were going above and beyond to try and put an end to what was going on. They said they were only doing their job, but it truly meant the world to me, and to Jacob I am sure.

"Penny for your thoughts?" I heard someone say. I blinked and realised I had zoned out for a good twenty minutes whilst watching an episode of Peaky Blinders with James. Though he was quite the hypocrite, as he had been sat reading To Kill A Mockingbird since the episode had started, the book now bent open on his lap so he doesn't lose his page. I picked it up in a hurry and put the remote between the two pages before shutting it.

"James! I will not allow you to borrow my books if you're going to break their backs. We shall go to the bookstore before meeting Joanne and Harry and buy you a bookmark."

"Rosie, truthfully, I have never taken such care of an object in my life. Mostly because I know you'll beat me if any harm comes its way." He teases sincerely.

"It's not an object, it is a whole new world. Isn't the story wonderful?" He nods.

"You certainly chose well. What's next on my reading list?" He asks, turning his body to face me. I debate whether or not I should find him another one.

"How about we go to mine in a few days, once you have finished that one," I point at the book, "and you can go through the process of elimination with the books I own. You can choose a book the way I do."

"How so?"

"I read the blurb, the first page, and the last page. You can then gage how well a book is written."

"How so?"

"Well, nothing is given away – you have to wait until you have completely finished the book to get the final answer as to whether it was good or not. The last page is always too ambiguous to give the plot away completely, so you never ruin it for yourself." James nods, and then jumps when his phone begins to ring. He looks at the screen and stands up, walking out of the living room and into the hallway. He begins to whisper which is odd of him to do, so I quietly move to the other end of the sofa to get closer to the door.

"I'm with her now actually... yes you just interrupted us watching the television... of course I will but- no listen, I'll decide when the time is right to tell her... she can't know now, I've only just gotten her to trust me... fine, well I've got to go now... yeah, in a bit." I hurriedly move back to where I was sitting before, feeling quite confused. My stomach begins to hurt, something that happens when I feel uneasy, and right now, that phone call has left me in that exact state. James walks in with a brief "alright?" He sits down and opens the book again, looking so nonchalant that it makes me feel sick. I begin to ponder: do I confront him, or do I let the truth arise naturally? I decide things could nasty, so I stand up and go to my room, leaving James looking anything but concerned.

*****

The plot thickens...

Who else has seen Peaky Blinders? It's one of the best TV shows ever!

James is up to something and you do NOT know what I have in store for these two... read on to find out!

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