Fast Forward: The Bonnard Family Series, #3

By Gwen Enquist

"Fast Forward" is the third novel in the Bonnard family story following "Phone Calls After" and "Beginnings". Familiar characters reappear as Anna, the family anchor, is tested in ways she never imagined.
Sylvie, Anna’s sister, has always walked a tightrope of emotional instability. When she returns to her home town to assist Anna with their sick father she is confronted by a pivotal man from her past. Shocked and confused by strong memories and Reed Buchanan’s magnetism, she succumbs to pressure and puts her marriage and her family’s future at risk.
Angus has only been a footnote in his daughter Lauren’s life until he comes looking for a temporary place to stay bringing all his character flaws with him. Angus’ needy presence leaves Marta, his ex-wife, vulnerable to his seductive charms all the while dragging his family into a world of danger where debts have to be paid.
Readers of the Bonnard series will savour the dramatic events of "Fast Forward" as family members face escalating dangers that climax late one night, changing the family forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gwen Enquist
• Release date: Oct 8, 2017
• ISBN: 9780978352134

Gwen Enquist

Gwen Enquist discovered the fun and satisfaction of writing fiction in retirement. Enquist holds a Bachelor's degree in Nursing and a Masters' in Adult Education and has drawn on her 35-years of nursing experience to create believable characters who could be your relatives, your neighbours or yourself. She lives on Canada's west coast.

Book preview

Chapter 1

ANGUS

When he raised his head, Angus Dempsey knew he didn’t quite look like himself. But was it good enough? Would the changes he’d made fool anybody? He stared at his reflection in the mirror and sucked deeply on the burning cigarette balanced on the edge of the sink. At medium height he’d blend in. The hairpiece was good. It covered his thinning hair, the thicker brown mat giving him a more youthful look. The buttoned-down shirt he’d worn to work had been replaced by a striped sport shirt and denim jacket. His hands trembled slightly as he picked up the cosmetic foundation and patted it over his face to mute his florid complexion. The wire-framed glasses and new moustache broke up the planes of his face and suggested an intelligence that was missing when he engaged in serious conversation.

These last few days Angus had been finding it hard to breathe and had to remind himself to loosen his shoulders and inhale slowly. He took a deep calming breath and extinguished the cigarette under the tap. He walked into the living room and, looking around the space, decided that nothing left here would suggest where he was going. The minimalist IKEA furniture was frayed and scuffed from hard use these last twelve years. The cleared table tops left no paper trails.

He had already taken too long. If he didn’t leave the apartment now, the two enforcers might show up again and then he wouldn’t stand a chance. He had to travel light so he’d packed his duffel bag and backpack with only a few clothes and his laptop. Besides, if he showed up at Marta’s door with his closet in tow she would be suspicious.

Angus opened the door looking both ways down the empty hallway. It would be safe to take the stairs to the lobby. The stairwell was dark and musty like a closed room in summer. Angus cringed as the echo of his steps reverberated down four floors. At ground level the old lady with the scraped-back bun from number thirty-five was checking her mailbox. They didn’t speak. The rest of the entrance foyer was empty as Angus exited and scanned the streets walking east to the bus stop. Although it was late in the day, the Kelowna early summer sun beat down on him and made the wig itchy. He scratched and hoped he’d straightened it correctly.

At the corner he caught the next bus and rode to the downtown core. Not liking confined spaces, he was sweating when he leapt off at the main stop. He entered a huge department store, walked swiftly and furtively across its length and out the opposite door. Frequently turning to look over his shoulder, he found that he was still alone. The store had few evening shoppers and no sign of the two huge men who had visited him last week. He boarded a second bus and rode across town to the end of the line. Walking quickly through a residential area, he didn’t pause to admire well-kept lawns or swept driveways, the pansies in border gardens. He stopped in front of a two-story vinyl-sided house where lights shone against the gathering dusk. He mounted the stairs slowly, trying for a relaxed demeanor while fixing his story in his head. He suddenly remembered the wig and whipped it off and stuffed it into the duffel bag. His finger trembled as he touched the doorbell. This had to work. He had no options.

A tall woman in jeans and un-tucked shirt threw open the door. She was backlit and her frizzed hair glowed around her head. Her features were in shadow.

Hello, Marta.

Angus? Marta leaned forward and peered at her ex-husband. Angus! What the hell are you doing here? And what are you doing with that ridiculous moustache?

ANNA

Wow. Did we downsize or not? I didn’t think there would be this much stuff left. Anna Bonnard eyed with dismay the boxes piled in the hallway and on the porch. At least the furniture will fit. I’m glad Eric and Cass wanted some of it for their rec room.

This isn’t so bad, Jim said, although, I have collected a lot since coming to Kelowna. The La-Z-Boy doesn’t look so bad with your things, do you think?

Jim and Anna stood there looking at each other over the boxes with silly grins. They came together in a practiced way, Jim bending to enclose a much shorter Anna, arms around each other’s neck and kissed lightly. Anna reached up and ran her hand over Jim’s sandy curls.

Any butterflies? Anna asked.

Living with you couldn’t possibly give me butterflies, he smiled, rubbing his hands up and down her back.

Maybe you’ll have regrets when it’s your turn to vacuum or do dishes.

I’ve been doing them all on my own for years. Having you do them half time is a bonus. Maybe I’m moving in with you cuz I need a dishwasher. He raised his eyebrows in a tease.

We’ll see who does them the most. With our shift work they could sit there for days, Anna remarked. Anna’s work as an RN in the emergency department at Kelowna General Hospital and Jim’s rotations as an RCMP officer meant staggered hours and only brief time together.

I predict that someone will do the dishes, Jim concluded. But clean dishes are not what I’m looking forward to the most. By now they had moved indoors and stood in the hallway. Jim spoke softly. I look forward to having you beside me whenever we are here together. I want you close where I can touch you whenever I want. Besides, he grinned, I need a garage for the old Chevy. See, nothing but benefits to my move here.

Anna grinned, too, at his teasing. They kissed for a while, Jim bending from a height to nuzzle Anna’s neck. His hair brushing against her cheeks was like feathers dancing in a soft breeze. As much as I like this, I think we should move those boxes indoors before dark, Anna murmured.

You’re right. I’ll cave … for now. Jim smiled and gave Anna one final kiss before picking up a box and heading upstairs with it. Anna selected a box marked kitchen and carried it to the table. She was putting away pots and dishes, stretching her slim frame to reach the high cupboards, when the phone rang.

Mom! You caught me by surprise. Anna’s mother, Eleanor Wallace, rarely phoned. Eleanor and Anna’s father, Ethan, kept to themselves and to the close church community that made up their social circle. Living in Merritt, a two hour drive from Anna’s house, was just enough distance to make duty visits infrequent, especially since Ethan and Eleanor’s narrow and rigorous viewpoints on living a good Christian life had caused Anna and her sister, Sylvie, to leave home as soon as possible when they were teenagers. Dances, boyfriends and make-up had not been allowed and were only enjoyed in secret.

Twenty-four years had passed since Anna went to university to become a nurse and the memories of her childhood came only with a sense of relief that it was over. Now, she was about to embark on a sinful lifestyle living with Jim and she hadn’t yet told her parents. Eleanor knew Jim but only as a friend who had helped Anna through her period of grieving after Mathew had died. Eleanor believed that a widow should honour her deceased husband until the day she herself died no matter how long the widowhood. Anna’s new living situation was going to shock her parents and, no doubt, bring down recriminations and declarations of punishment from God.

There was silence on the end of the line.

Mom? Are you alright?

I’m fine, fine. It’s … your father. Ethan had been diagnosed with emphysema years ago and was getting progressively worse. He had been on oxygen for two years now.

What’s happened? Is he in hospital?

Yes. His breathing is so bad and … oh, he’s grey-looking. They took him by ambulance a few minutes ago. I’m just on my way to the hospital.

Maybe he has pneumonia like the last time.

That’s likely, but I can’t see him recovering from this. I’m wondering if you can come. And Sylvie.

Sylvie will have to do some arranging … for Connor. I’m off the next two days so I can come tonight if you need me. Or first thing in the morning, whatever is best.

I’ll go to the hospital and see what’s happening. Then I’ll call you back.

That sounds good. I’ll be waiting. She paused. Mom, she said tentatively, we knew this day was coming, but ….

I know. It’s just that we’ve been together for fifty years. Eleanor voice became husky with emotion. I can’t imagine him not being with me. I can’t imagine ….

You take it one day at a time, Mom. That’s how you get through.

Yes. You’ve managed. And with God’s help I’ll manage, too.

This is when your faith will really help. There’s comfort there.

God has blessed me with many years with a good man. Maybe it’s time for him to rest. Her voice caught. I’ll call you as soon as the doctors decide what to do. Will you call Sylvie?

As soon as we hang up.

Was that bad news? Jim stood in the doorway to the kitchen, a worried frown on his face.

It’s Dad. He’s in bad shape.

I imagine she needs you?

I may have to go tonight. She moved towards him. Not quite the celebratory night I’d imagined.

His arms went around her. Do what you have to do. I’m not going away.

I’d better call Sylvie. She needs to make some plans too. They kissed lightly then Anna picked up the phone to call her sister.

SYLVIE

With Connor in bed, Sylvie surveyed the living room and sighed. This should be the quiet time of the day but it always involved some work. She would love to sit down like Bill, her husband, and read for a while. There was Bill, in his easy chair, deep into a biography of Alexander Haig─whoever he was. Not that Sylvie resented Bill his relaxation, she told herself. He worked hard for it, especially when he had to travel. But there he was with his feet up and she still had to tidy the kitchen and family room and Adrienne would be coming in from work wanting something to eat and …. She bit down on her tongue and held back her exasperation.

Things had changed a lot in their lives since Connor came to stay as a foster child three years previously. He was well and truly a part of their home now and Sylvie and Bill loved him. But the energy level of a seven-year-old took its toll. And now Adrienne was with them for the summer. She felt like their household had exploded. Such youthful energy.

Sylvie picked up books and Lego and put them away. Connor resisted this chore even when Sylvie offered to help. He was stubborn about what he would and wouldn’t do. He would set the table but wouldn’t clear the dirty dishes. He would put his clean socks in a drawer but wouldn’t pick up the dirty ones off the floor. He was an enigma. The psychologist had said it was a matter of gaining some control in his life. His background of living with a young welfare mom, part of it on the streets after a house fire, had left him with psychological issues. No one could say how deeply the traumatic loss of his mother at age four would affect his life long-term.

When the phone rang Sylvie was feeling frazzled by life and was glad to see her sister’s number on the call display. She’d wanted to phone to see how Jim’s move was going but figured this was a special time for Anna and Jim and didn’t want to intrude.

Hi, Anna, she said cheerily. Is the move done?

Hi, Sylvie. Lots of boxes in the hallway but the big things are done.

I didn’t expect to hear from you tonight. Run out of champagne already?

Not quite. Haven’t even had a glass of wine yet.

Well, the time has come. Leave the rest of cleaning up for tomorrow.

Maybe not, Sylvie. Mom phoned. Dad’s in bad shape, on his way to the hospital.

Oh, no. How does it sound?

She’s asked if we’d go down. Can you see yourself able to get away?

I could go tomorrow. I’ll take Connor out of school. There’re only three days left anyway.

You probably should pack for a few days. I have two more days off and I’ll stay too.

Call me back when you hear from her tonight. Bill and Adrienne will be alright on their own. She paused a moment. I’m sorry this is happening right now. You and Jim should be together.

Jim understands. We’ll have a lifetime together. Mom and Dad take priority right now.

Sure. Sure. Call me back when you hear more. They ended the call. She shivered. She’d much prefer not to go. But it was family and she knew she had to do it.

She walked slowly into the living room where Bill was still deeply engrossed in his book.

Bill, that call was from Anna.

Oh … yeah? He looked up.

Mom called and Dad is poor again. Mom wants Anna and me to come to be with her.

Sure. Of course. What about Connor?

I’ll take him. School’s almost done. We’ll probably stay a few days and see how things go. You and Adrienne can fend for yourselves?

We’ll manage fine. And we have Ruth’s help during the day. Tell your father … get well soon so we can have a visit. Bill stood and put his arms around her. Tell your mother I’m thinking about her. He kissed the top of Sylvie’s head. They stood like that for a few moments and thought about Ethan and Eleanor, Bill with fondness and Sylvie with trepidation.

LAUREN

Kalamalka Resort, a new development on Kalamalka Lake, had been open only one month. It sat on a steep slope to the lake front and many stairs led to the docks and fishing boats and water toys used by guests. Travellers were from many parts of the globe and the languages of France, Germany and Eastern Europe could be heard every day.

The staff was all new and gradually settling into their jobs. Lauren Dempsey loved the pay cheque that working in the dining room brought. She loved the tips even more. At eighteen and newly graduated from high school, this was her first real job that didn’t involve looking after someone’s children. She waited tables in the dining room and helped in the lobby before bedtime when hot chocolate and cookies were served free to guests around the fireplace. In blue walking shorts and white golf shirt that was the resort uniform, Lauren’s slim good looks and bright smile helped bring in the tips. She was saving for a computer and for tuition to college in September. Lauren got a little thrill every time she thought about working with animals and a diploma as a veterinary assistant would get her there.

She collected empty cups and used napkins and took them to the kitchen. Her shift would be done in half an hour. Adrienne would finish too at 10 o’clock. Lauren loved that Adrienne was here this summer. She liked already knowing someone when she started the job.

At 20-years-old Adrienne was more at ease in the work place even though she was speaking English instead of her first language, French. It was Adrienne’s proficiency with languages that got her the desk job at the resort which hosted international visitors. Finished two years of language courses at the University of Paris, she had two more years to complete a degree in languages, German, English and Italian. Spending summers in Canada with her birth mother, Sylvie, had broadened her skills in language arts.

Adrienne was checking in late-arriving guests when Lauren came out of the kitchen. She waited by the desk and smiled at the two small children who were drooping beside their mother. They’d obviously had a long day of