THOSE AWAKE...

THOSE AWAKE  By Tessa Harvey He flung the old battered Bible he was still clutching against the characterless chrome and solid steel appliances as soon as he entered his spotless, modernist home. For the first time since childhood and early adolescence, Gray felt unsettled and uneasy.     Pouring himself a stiff gin and tonic, the young man tried settling himself into a very up-market uncomfortable chair. He tried to evaluate his, to him, wasteful day.     What had he really achieved? Nothing, so just get on with living, he thought dismally. But he still tried to think why he was so distressed.     Did he need his dad's money? No, not really. Did he need more property? No, his property portfolio was very healthy - perhaps over healthy, he thought ruefully, if that were possible.     Did he care about his dad dying? Actually, he admitted to himself that he did.  He had known the old man was frail, had even felt some dislike and disgust. D...

THOSE AWAKE...  By Tessa Harvey Rosie looked up as the tall, handsome, dark-haired man walked haughtily into her office. His eyes were a stormy grey and his potentially striking good looks were marred by a sullenness he did not attempt to disguise.     She was on guard.     "Pierson sent me," he stated abruptly, staring at her in such a derogatory fashion she immediately rose and faced him, flashing fire.     "I beg your pardon." Her words were cultured and her tone cool and dismissive. Immediately, Grayson realised his mistake. He had assumed wrongly that she was some inferior lackey.       "Just because I am of a proud South American heritage does not mean that I am your slave!" Her voice was like cut crystal. "Wow," Gray thought, somewhat inanely, she could almost have been the Queen herself. He felt himself flush, that she had so accurately and astutely guessed his racist thoughts.     Unused to not being idolised - by...

THOSE AWAKE...  By Tessa Harvey "What?" he almost shouted. Unperturbed, Oswald waited for silence, then continued. "To my beloved son, Grayson Holmes, I donate my entire fortune." Again he paused, enjoying the moment, which wasn't ethical, but 'so what', he thought, "my entire fortune."     Grayson's hands had clenched, he noted..."the most valuable possession I have ever owned, my Bible."     There was an immense silence. It seemed as though even the dreary green-grey walls leaned closer to listen. At first Gray seemed not to have heard. Then the man's face turned white, so white that for a moment Oswald wondered somewhat anxiously if his client was going to faint. He half stood, alarmed despite his usual flawless composure.     Gray whispered "What about the rest? What happened to all his possessions, his money, his properties?" He had been embarrassed by his father since he had been ten years old. Dad had played b...

THOSE AWAKE...  By Tessa Harvey "Finally," intoned the elderly lawyer, "to my precious and only son, I bequeath..." Here the lawyer poised, slyly. The balding, learned man had witnessed many such scenes. Families struggling to be polite to known and unknown relatives, fighting to remain calm, but almost inevitably there would soon be scandalous outcries. "All Mum's money gone to a Cats' Home!" "All Dad's money spent on gambling etc., etc. Well, I am not taking any responsibility for debts, lawyer's fees." Here he became the recipient of hostile glances, glares, once even threats.     Oswald Pierson had, over long decades become almost inured to such reactions. Occasionally there would be surprises. Some relatives had been scrupulously impartial. Not many, though! The sole beneficiary seated before him forgot his calm, controlled demeanor.     "What?!" he almost shouted. Unperturbed, Oswald waited for silence.

THOSE AWAKE...  By Tessa Harvey Imelda leaned towards the darkened window of the train. She saw her face reflected there as they sped through a long tunnel.     She saw a tired middle-aged face and knew her beauty was fading rapidly. Almost overnight the slim young woman seemed to have become one of the almost unnoticed people. She no longer drew glances from seemingly interested people but no longer minded.     Time had robbed her of many illusions, but for years she had turned her mind from bitterness. The past was just that. Passed. Sure, she carried scars. Who didn't have hurts and regrets?     Now Imelda prayed to God for people. The young man she saw loved to time his leap onto the train, the chance of danger however slight obviously appealed to him. Why today had he almost missed his step?     The cleaning lady wondered what had then made him frown. His face appeared softer, sadder for a few moments and he almost seemed to see the othe...

THOSE AWAKE...   By Tessa Harvey 'Those awake shall soon be silenced.' Gray frowned at the cryptic text. He hovered over a reply, blew out his breath, deleted the message, almost blocked the sender, but the Team Leader was glaring his way. "Time was money," he mocked in his head, but kept his face controlled, interested, intelligent. The team leader droned on and on about profits, inventories....a couple of the women management team surreptitiously rolled their eyes at each other, make-up perfect. Finally, time for new ideas!     Gray leapt into action! This was where he excelled. His ideas were almost always ground-breaking and innovative. Gray, face animated, forgot all about that last link with his father.     Hurrying to the tube station the next morning, impeccably attired as always, Gray leapt for the train's closing doors,  just making it before they shut. Today, his phone rang. Annoyed, almost mistiming his step, he pushed among the other strap-hang...