Try as he might to ignore it, it was there. Even if he concentrated determinedly on the view, the solid stone house across the yard with its pretty but neglected garden, the dwindling pile of rubble at his feet, it was still there, seared into his imagination like a brand. Every piece of damaged, broken timber pointing accusations through the grey-skied hole. He wished he’d insisted on patching it up. As soon as she’d gone he’d even got the ladder back out and checked the rest of the roof in random places. It seemed fine. Those builders were deceiving her, suggesting work that didn’t need doing, for extra money. He wouldn’t deceive her. Not about that. Not about… He forced himself to concentrate. A few more shovelfuls and he’d be ready to take the barrow with another load of debris to the pile. Past the gap in the barn wall with its glimpse of the hole in the roof. He kept shovelling. Soil was overflowing. Go. More shovelling. You weren’t going to think about it. He picked up the handles and the creaky wheel was part comforting, part menace.
What do You think about Someone Else's Conflict (2014)?
