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Keeper of Secrets

by tusker 

Posted: 21 October 2009
Word Count: 666
Summary: For Nick's challenge. Sorry couldn't come up with horror


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He’d kept the secret well. He’d played the role with discretion. He’d done his duty. ‘Don’t let me down, Gerald, for the child’s sake,’ Jessica had begged him that autumn day back in 1961 just after her world fell apart.

Now Jessica’s husband, Sebastian, is dead. Comes to us all , he thinks, but to die in such an alien place without friends or family? He laughs a self-deprecating laugh. He’d no family or friends but, at least, he’s lived comfortably in a country he’s always served to the best of his ability. Over the last decade, dwelling on the past has filled his waking hours. His and Jessica’s secret expanded from the occasional thought, back in his professional days, into hours of daily musings since his retirement. Not healthy musings, he admits to himself, and sometimes, he questions his mental conjectures like a man questioning his own sanity.

Now on this warm and quiet afternoon, echoes from the outside world drift over the high fir hedge into his garden that has become a sanctuary. He’d cut himself off from his secretive past life. Declined many invitation to dinners and other social functions. No one knew or got the chance to know what he once did before he moved away from London down to countrified Herefordshire.

Gerald stirs from his thoughts. Gets up from his deckchair. Limps across the lawn, and through open patio doors into the kitchen. He looks at the clock. Simon, his godson, will be arriving soon. How well that lad has done despite lacking a father throughout his formative years.

He hears scrunching on gravel. He braces himself and whispers, ‘Forgive me Jessica,’ and he shivers as if his heart is being squeezed by her ghostly hand.

‘Gerald!’ Simon comes into the kitchen carrying his godfather’s favourite bottle of whiskey. They hug and Gerald makes a pot of tea. As he does so, Simon relates his latest success at the Old Bailey; a modest narration that understates his godson’s deft handling of a murder case involving a jealous wife, a male prostitute and an MP.

When they are sitting outside, Gerald says, ‘I’ve got something to tell you, Simon.’ Dread swamps him but he must continue. ‘Your late father, Sebastian Cole, died in Moscow, last month.’

Simon smiles an uncertain smile. Then frowns in puzzlement. ‘But my father died in a car crash when I was a year old,’ he states, now sounding like a frightened child Gerald had adored, and not the prosperous defence lawyer he has become.

‘That’s the official version,’ Gerald looks down at his gnarled fingers. ‘Your father, as you know, was an acclaimed nuclear scientist. Through her work as an intelligence officer your mother, Jessica, met and fell in love with Sebastian.’ He coughs a needless cough. ‘In 1960, we found out that Sebastian was passing on information to the Russians.’ Gerald doesn’t dare look at his godson. ‘During the fifties and early sixties, there’d been a few high profile traitors. We, the establishment, didn’t need another publicised spy in our ranks.’ Gerald sighs. ‘We allowed Sebastian to flee to Moscow. There he’s remained until his death on April the twentieth.’

Simon’s expression darkens into anger. ‘Why tell me now?’

‘Because, my dear boy, our intelligence agencies are about to release old documents to the public.’ Gerald reaches out a hand and clasps his godson’s arm. ‘Remember, Simon, it was especially hard on your mother.’ His placatory gesture was shrugged off and Gerald felt terrible and permanent rejection from the tall, distinguished man seated beside him. ‘Can you imagine learning that your husband was a traitor?’

‘Fuck you!’ The expletive surprises Gerald. Simon jumps to his feet.

Gerald shakes his head and as Simon strides away, ducking beneath the rose arbour, Gerald wants to call out, “I loved your mother. I love you, my son!” But this time, despite his desperate need to confess, he won’t break another promise he’d made to Jessica, forty nine years ago.









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Comments by other Members



V`yonne at 11:32 on 21 October 2009  Report this post
Well worked. You had me guessing all along, Jennifer. A bit sad he can't tell him he's his real father but I wondered why the original subterfuge in that case - I'm pretty thick when it comes to spy stories, mind...

tusker at 12:13 on 21 October 2009  Report this post

Thanks, Oonah.

Jessica was married to the traitor, Sebastian. Gerald was in Intelligence and Jessica's boss.

Jessica, a woman of her time during the 50/60's wouldn't admit to an affair and had to retain her marital status, and then supposed widowhood for her own reputation and for her child's sake.

Gerald, of course, remained unmarried but always loved Jessica and of course his secret son.

Due to the traitors within the intelligence service during the fifties and into 60's, including a real scientist, I've suggested, fictionally, that the establishment couldn't admit to yet one more viper within their nest.

Burgess and Mclean disappeared after they were discovered as spies then turned up in Russia a few years later.

Jennifer





librarygirl at 14:11 on 21 October 2009  Report this post
Wow Jennifer! William Boyd eat your heart out!

Great story. I love your opening paragraph it is a perfect hook.

I must confess I have benefited from your full explanation of the story in the above thread. There is an awful lot of info to fit into 666 words (By the way are the stories supposed to be exactly 666 words? – if they are I am in trouble!)

I think there is scope to expand this and turn it into a really good short story (I for one want to know more about Jessica).

Thanks for the read. I enjoyed it.


V`yonne at 14:44 on 21 October 2009  Report this post
The burgess and McLean bit I recognise It's good Jennifer. BwS would like it

Bunbry at 18:08 on 21 October 2009  Report this post
Hi Jennifer, more Avengers?!

I think this is really clever, but like the others say, you should make this bigger, give yourself chance to tell the story at leisure.

Really enjoyed!

Nick



tusker at 07:40 on 22 October 2009  Report this post
Thanks Liz, glad you liked it.

Jennifer

tusker at 07:41 on 22 October 2009  Report this post
Thanks Oonah.

Perhaps I'll give Bws a go.

Jennifer

tusker at 07:42 on 22 October 2009  Report this post
Thanks Nick.

I should, shouldn't I?

It's been ages since I've written a long short, but I might extend it. Maybe I should re-join the short story group.

Jennifer

Jubbly at 14:30 on 22 October 2009  Report this post
This feels like the start of film or mini series, very engaging. One line leapt out as a teeny bit awkward - ‘But my father died in a car crash when I was a year old,’ he states, now sounding like a frightened child Gerald had adored, and not the prosperous defence lawyer he has become.

Could it be 'the frightened child Gerald had once adored', might just be me but I did stumble over it.

Anyway well done.

J

tusker at 14:32 on 22 October 2009  Report this post
Thanks Julie.

I can see your pointer.

Jennifer

GaiusCoffey at 23:14 on 22 October 2009  Report this post
Hi,
A lot of story in there and scope for a lot more; I'd agree that there is a case for writing as a multiple of the word count.

Typing by phone so will keep this brief...

The first para was strong, but wonder if it would be stronger with the line of speech first?

Second para felt a bit clumsy on first two sentences. Not sure why, but it just felt like wrong tenses or something.

Otherwise, only other major crit is that it felt like there was a missing word in the not quite confession. I presume, as it's a comma, that you were gunning for the word count. If so, I'd have taken a different word!

But enjoyed that, thanks.

G

Laurence at 09:16 on 23 October 2009  Report this post
My kind of story - you left me wanting to know more and your explanation to Oonah left me wondering if this piece of writing is going to be developed into a full blown spy epic???

Great read.

Laurence

tusker at 09:35 on 23 October 2009  Report this post
Thanks Laurence, glad it appealed to you.

Yes, it could be developed. I must give it some thought.

Jennifer

Findy at 15:57 on 24 October 2009  Report this post
Great story Jennifer, had me guessing all along. Loved the ending.

findy

<Added>

Oops looks as though I have repeated Oonah's comments.

Just wanted to add, I really liked the opening lines, great choice of words there :)

crowspark at 23:56 on 24 October 2009  Report this post
Excellent story, Jennifer. Yes there does seem to be a longer story here, but might publish as is. BWS would be a good bet.

Good luck with this.

Bill

tusker at 08:51 on 25 October 2009  Report this post
Thanks Bill.

I sent it to Micro Horror and it's up now.

Jennifer

tusker at 08:52 on 25 October 2009  Report this post
OOOps. Sorry wrong story.

Blame the added hour.

Jennifer

choille at 13:18 on 25 October 2009  Report this post
Very engaging Jennifer.

It is a lot to cramb into the word count, but you've managed it splendidly.

How does one tell someone their Father had died when they presumed they'd died years ago.
I thought that bit was good.

Good you've sent it off.

All the best
caroline.

Forbes at 23:13 on 26 October 2009  Report this post
I definitely think this should be that long short you talk about. Do it justice. Nice premise.

Cheers

Avis :0

tusker at 08:47 on 27 October 2009  Report this post
Thanks Caroline and Avis.

Jennifer


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