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The black ball of apprehension that still lurked, like a stalking predator.
Mary Garforth had finished her morning’s work and was just taking a short nap in her chair again when she heard the back gate latch click open and the squeal of hinges, thinking as she always did, 'I've told him time and time again about oiling them hinges, every day the same,' but knowing she would say nothing else about it.
Jack Garforth stumped in.
Even through the coal grime on his face, Mary could see that he was grey-faced and worn, ragged with exhaustion, but her relief at seeing him alive was like a dam of warm water breaking over her and she ran to embrace him, unmindful of the dirt on him. She needed to hug him to her. ‘Jack, Jack, I'm so glad to see you, I've been so worried.’
‘Worried? What’s t
