THE RESTLESS SHADOW 

By Tessa Harvey

    Clarence snarled as he drove past the modest dwelling. Weak-looking man and winy brats. The woman would have done better with him. She was attractive and with his guidance, could have dressed well and been a useful asset in time. He caught sight of his reflection in the rearview mirror and quickly rearranged his features.
    He was on his way to pick up Cynthia. Perhaps she would do. But it rankled that a woman had chosen to walk away from him....
    Wendy was finally settling her sons for bed. The evening had not been easy. At last Chris spoke. "Will you leave us?" he stammered, "please don't mummy. We n-need you."
    "Yes, mum, please," begged Izak, "don't go with the green car man." He was unaware his father was standing in the doorway. "What's this?" he asked, trying not to let his anger show. He felt ashamed, seeing the boys almost frozen with fear.
    "He works where I do," Wendy spoke softly. "Twice we had coffee together at lunch. No more fights, James. I want to be a good wife and mother."
    They settled the boys and went downstairs to the lounge. James told his wife about the man in the green car following them home.'    
    Wendy went very pale. "James," she admitted, "he pestered me just asking for a coffee in the local cafe where we all go for lunch.
    "And," her husband queried, trying to keep his voice low and calm, "what happened?"
    "Nothing really. He just came on really strong one minute, saying I looked nice then the next frowning at the clothes I wore. I told him no, not interested. He made me so on edge and anxious. Then he gripped my arm so hard there are bad bruises, See!"
    "I have been so absorbed in my own life I have been remiss," James acknowledged. He winced at his wife's bruises.
    "Actually," Wendy said, looking at him, "I resigned today. I know we need the money but Clarence scares me."
    While his wife was getting ready for bed, James rang the police.

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