Too Late, Richard

ic was

s were to

dation gala. Another n

years, I

r, died. Eight years I'd lived in t

That's what Ri

ed it

n. A companion for himself, though he r

nger sister. That w

ment was almost ov

s. My mother had sent it.

raud among the

ow, no longer the small boy I'd first met

were

towards me, a stran

at my feet.

went flying. It splashed ont

through the

s voice, high and sharp

e! Look at her dress! She

, fat tears rolli

trying to re

e. All eyes were on m

as a mask of polite apology to Mrs. Van

his voice low and sharp.

comforting him. "It's alrigh

en they flicked

were thinning, I foun

rait of Eleanor. She looked be

rd," I

"What is it, Sar

steady. My v

nt ends next Tuesday.

urned, an ey

if the word was foreign

, Richard. The contract i

where? Back to that

said. "Ba

ouldn't name crossed his f

this later. E

to discuss," I sa