Cursed money

Cursed money

Twists and Turns

By Docklands Writers
(Marjatta Rogers, Sue Wells, Nadita Chakraborty & Jane Hutchinson)

With the taxi speeding towards Tullamarine Airport, Kate uses the time to reflect. She thought to herself, why did I ever marry Tom, that loser? But, I must admit it was a dangerous game taking him away from Jenny. Tom and Jenny were engaged when she entered the scene, hips waving hips and an ample bust to lure any man. Kate smiles at the memory.
Anyway it’s over now. Soon they all will be out of my life. Tom, Simon, the lot of them. I only need to check in my luggage and go through to the bar at international and wait for my plane.

Suddenly Kate’s face drops.
“Oh driver, driver please turn back, I’ve forgotten my passport.”

Back in Docklands Tom stares at the shop window without seeing anything.

That scheming, lying and deceitful Kate. And Simon, Simon King – the sleek, dressed-to-impress upstart reeking like a perfume shop and thinking he is God’s gift. How could I have been so foolish yet again.

Tom lost in his thoughts, all the anger and rage he felt was running through his veins.

Focussing on an image, Tom sees a reflection in the shop window and he is filled with longing. His bitterness melts away for a moment, is that her?

“Hello Tom!”

Tom turns around to the voice and suddenly faces Jenny.  

The jolt shocks Tom to his core “Arh arh Jen – oh my goodness, what, what um what um brings you to this part of town?”

“Oh wow Jen, this is unbelievable wow, what a surprise,” Tom could hardly contain his words.

“I know, I know. How are you Tom? You look pretty shaken I know it’s been a while, but …”

“I’ve just had one amazing week, well months actually. It’s really great to see you. Have you got time for a coffee?”

They settle into the café.

“So Tom how’s Kate? How’s life been treating you?”

Tom feeling safe and comfortable for the first time in months. He starts telling Jenny all about his sorry-sad story – Kate running off with someone else, the cursed money and just what a fool he has been.

Jenny has a chuckle: “Cursed money, oh Tom!”

 “Ah yes the curse? How did you know about that though?” Tom asks, alarmed.

“Yes, they all talked about a curse, but your Grandmother told me that the curse was not real, your grandad just said so to make sure no one dared touch the money.”

“‘How about the Maltese Cross with the Egyptian ...”

Jenny laughs: “Oh Tom, that was just a concoction by your grandfather and his brothers.”

Tom’s face turns bright red while his outrage grows. He feels very foolish.

“Forget it, the money’s gone anyway,” Jenny states.

 They continue the conversation both feeling old affections stirring.

As the taxi pulls into the front of the tower, Kate hurries to the apartment. She is glad that Tom is not there and grabs her passport in one swift move.  

As she turns on her heels and is about to leave the sound of the key turning in the lock sends Kate’s heart rate soaring. Moving quickly, she drops her luggage and throws her handbag on the table,  moving as far away from it as she can.

“Oh, Tom, I’m so glad you are here. That money is cursed. I haven’t had a minute’s peace since I left and last night I hardly slept. I had awful nightmares and now I’m scared.”
Tom was frozen.  There are tears in her voice.

”Poor Kate, you are shaking. Sit down and I’ll make you a strong cup of coffee.”

She sits on the sofa in the lounge and he brings the coffee and a blanket.  He eases down next to her, draping the warm blanket around her.  Just like the faithful little puppy Kate expects, he watches as she drinks the coffee.

The coffee was so strong that Kate can barely swallow it.  Tom sits with her patiently and encourages her to keep drinking.

Laughing inside. That fool, fussing over me like a mother hen, despite all I have done to him.  

Feeling drowsy, Kate turns to Tom.

“I’m really quite tired; I think I’d better lay down for a bit.”

Tom waits for a while, turns on the TV. During an ad break he speaks to Kate.

“Kate, can you hear me?”

But Kate is fast asleep. The two sleeping pills that Tom has dropped into her coffee have done their work. Tom calls Jenny

“‘I have the money. Pack your bags, we are going.”

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