Comatose by Graham Saunders
~o~
Suzanne and Alexander arrived at the cottage. There had been a frost overnight and in the shade under the trees, away from the watery sun, a frozen dusting of whiteness still held its grip on the garden. Opening the wrought iron gate with its glossy paint black brought a familiar squeal from its hinges. They crunched up the path and Suzanne held open the sturdy wooden door for her client.
"Go in and have a look around Mr Havers, I think it could be just what you're looking for, but remember, it is only available on a monthly lease and you may have to quit at short notice."
"Yes I know, I can accept that; it really won't be a problem. If you could see the run down place I'm living at the moment you might understand."
Suzanne smiled with feigned understanding but she did not understand. What she saw in Alexander was a handsome young man, blue eyes that seemed to draw her into them. He was clearly well educated and articulate, dressed casually but elegantly and she would have assumed, from his appearance, for him to be in a financially secure position.
Alexander crossed the threshold and felt a strange surge of emotion as he entered the cottage. It was uncannily like he had expected. Exactly what he wanted. He instantly felt at home as if this place was meant for him as if it had been waiting for him. The front door had opened from a small square of terracotta tiles which were edged green with a little invasive growth of moss. It revealed a home, not just a dwelling. The low ceilings giving a feeling of intimacy and every window held a view that might make you catch your breath. He wondered how long the cottage had stood here unmolested by the twenty first century.
"Since the mid 1800s I think, certainly well before the First World War. I think it was originally built as a farm worker's cottage. As you can see it has been lovingly maintained." Suzanne said to his question. The only problem Alexander could see was that if he did have to quit at short notice, it would prove to be another wrench which would be hard to take after his past year. The contrast with the dingy and shabby room he had been reduced to living in was profound. This was a home; it felt almost like a homecoming to a place once loved and half forgotten. This thought of coming home triggered an unwanted image of Jane and he was momentarily caught off guard. He sniffed hard and turned away from the agent.
Suzanne gently touched his arm. She sensed something but was not sure what it might be.
"Well, what do you think Mr Havers?"
"Call me Alexander" he said "Well... What can I say? It's perfect... And the rental is what we discussed? I hadn't realized it was fully furnished."
"Yes, it is for rent as you see it fully furnished, at the modest price I quoted, there is even crockery and linen, everything you need, just move in and enjoy. The owner has no need of the cottage at the moment but may return at any time without notice. The rent has been set to reflect that we... that is the owner, can attract someone who gives us confidence that the cottage will be treated with respect."
"There is no doubt of that, I would take the greatest care of this place Suzanne."
"I think I can see that." Suzanne replied. She was relieved that Alexander seemed to have fallen so easily under the cottage's spell, just as she had done all those years ago when Bill and Mary still lived there.
Alexander knew instantly that he would be moving in, it was as if he had no choice in the matter, it was a compulsion he could not resist. By the next evening he was gazing out at the view across to the dunes with the glimpse of the sea shining golden as the sun sank behind the low clouds. It was same view that Emily loved so much. Alexander's laptop, word processor open, was already on the table in front of him and the title of his book was already typed. The blank pages were hungry for the completion of The kiss of the Moon.