Salmagundi

By Sue Read

Salmagundi what it says? A mishmash
of stories conjured up by a brilliant
mind.

These stories were found two years
ago, when Sue Read died. They were
just writings from her college days and
all her tutors found them to be very
good for a first time fiction writer.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Aug 9, 2013
• ISBN: 9781491801321

Sue Read

Only for a Fortnight is Sue Read's own account of her life. Written with directness and great force, it vividly portrays her childhood; her taciturn father; her loving but puzzled mother; her horrifying years in the mental hospital; her gradual, but eventually total, release from institutional life; her marriage; the births of two children; and the traumatic effect that the death of her second child had on her. It was the aftermath of this tragedy that Sue Read wrote this powerful book, to which, more recently, she has added a moving and uplifting epilogue.

Book preview

SALMAGUNDI

WRITTEN BY

Sue Read

TYPED BY

Sheryl Murphy

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AuthorHouse™ UK Ltd.

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403 USA

www.authorhouse.co.uk

Phone: [phone]

© 2013 by Sue Read. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 08/01/2013

ISBN: 978-1-4918-0131-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4918-0132-1 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

CONTENTS

What has happened to Emma?

Chapter 1

New Chapter

De Ja Vue

A Tower Block

Community Care

Inspiration

Nurse Linda’s Discovery

‘Femme Maison’

Describe a sunset to a

blind person!

"How was I to Know?"

Salmagundi of short stories

In memory of Sue Read

What has happened to Emma?

The large calloused hand fondled Jeans breast. The mouth breathed expectantly in to her ear.

No Bob. Not now, we’ve got to talk first. Bob withdrew his hand, feeling stung.

All the talking in the world won’t change anything. You know it Jean. I know it & life goes on. At least mine does. Bob turned his back, to sulk.

Jean pondered. Maybe she should… . Why? What did he ever do for her?

No!!

Jean cast her mind back to last night. Emma, their daughter had come in from college late. There was nothing unusual in that. Emma had entered the house, the front door slamming behind her.

That you Emmy? Jean called from the kitchen.

No answer. Jean could hear Emma racing up the stars & rummaging about in her room. Draws being pulled out & banged shut. Coat hangers rattling, then the inevitable burst of pounding music. Boom. Boom. Boom.

Now then Jean, she’s only 16. You’re lucky really. Things could be a lot worse. A bit of loud music won’t kill you, will it? Jean told the darkened window pane above the sink. She was preparing chilli-con-carnie, or, chine-gone-charlie as Emma had called it when she was younger. Jean threw herself in to the task. Once it was ready & simmering on the stove Jean went to the stairs & called to Emma, I’m making a coffee Emmy. Would you like one?

There was no response. Jean went back to the kitchen. She flicked on the electric kettle. Standing gazing at her distorted reflection she giggled like a young girl. Suddenly she became aware of a loud bumping sound. Jean frowned, her subconscious saying, Do I ever get any peace?

The bumping stopped abruptly. Jean went in to the spacious hallway. Horror & confusion took root in her brain.

Emmy, where are you going? What is the suitcase for? Jean asked.

My name is not Emmy, it’s Emma & I’m leaving. Emma snapped at her bewildered mother.

Leaving? Leaving? You can’t. You’re only 16. Where will you go?

Do you have to repeat everything you say mother. I know how old I am, so kindly stop reminding me. Emma lifted the suitcase, Jean stepped forward, her hand supplicating.

Jean tried a sterner approach. Now listen here Em… . ma. You can’t just go leaving home at… . Jean decided to leave it unsaid, At least, not without letting me & Dad know where you are going.

Just watch me. Emma dropped the suitcase & barged past Jean in the kitchen. Jean followed to see Emma stacking her smarties mug, the dishes, cups & utensils from her infant years, plus a few treasured ornaments on to the draining board. Jean realised that her only daughter meant business. The front door opened, then