Fraser's Line by Monica Carly Page A

she’s 85 and getting forgetful and very frail.’
    ‘Can I ask you something?’ said Angela. ‘Do you think people are always what they seem?’
‘I don’t know,’ he replied. ‘I suppose so – well, I think people generally are. I’m pretty sure I am. I’m an uncomplicated sot of person. With me, what you see is what you get.’
    ‘Yes, I imagine that’s true, but I’m wondering if it’s always the case with other people. Perhaps, sometimes, you get what you don’t see?’
    ‘I don’t know how to answer that. This sort of talk isn’t my forte. How can I know if I don’t see something?’
    ‘Sometimes what you’ve missed may be brought forcibly to your attention, and then it can be rather a shock. Do you think your daughters have picked up the same sort of approach to life that you have? Do they have your values?’
    ‘I don’t really know what my approach is, except that I like to do the right thing by people, and make as much of a success of my life as I can. How can I put it? Life, to me is like a kitchen. I look for a design that will be a good arrangement, provide everything that’s needed in an efficient way, then I go about sorting out the parts, and then I install it, to the best of my ability, and there you are – home, wife, family, and a reasonable income – and that’s it.’
    ‘And then you live happily ever after?’
    ‘Yes, for the most part, I have done. And I think Edie did too. I know she was moody, but that was just her temperament. When she was happy she was exhilarated – delighted with herself and with life – and I always believed that things were good for her, on the whole.’
    ‘I like your kitchen analogy. Just suppose, there happened to be a weak point in the basic fabric of the room which you didn’t realise when you put all your nice new shiny surfaces in place, and for a long time everything’s fine. But gradually the fault begins to make itself felt – perhaps a leak happens, and slowly the new fitments get contaminated, and become warped and twisted. What then? How would you deal with it?’
    ‘Are you saying that I’m just papering over the cracks?’
    ‘It’s worth thinking about, in light of what you are now learning about your daughters. It could be that there has been some stuff going on under the surface that you weren’t aware of, and this has now resulted in problems for your girls.’
    ‘This is all a bit deep for me,’ sighed Fraser. I’m not used to analysing things like this. I’ve always just taken them as they are.’
    ‘As I see it you can do one of two things,’ said Angela. ‘You can set out on a voyage of discovery, which will involve some unfamiliar sights and experiences. Because the territory will be new you may be get worried, and there could well be some pain along the way, but in the end you will arrive at a place where you understand your daughters far better, are able to communicate with them on a deeper level, and perhaps even be a support in helping them through some of their difficulties. In the end you will feel better about yourself.’
    ‘And the other option?’
    ‘Bury your head in the sand and forget any of these things were said. Go on exactly as before, keeping the image of everyone that you have held up to now, and stand back while events move on to their logical conclusions. These may be negative for everyone concerned, perhaps even disastrous.’
    ‘I don’t know. I’ve always been a bit of a stick-in-the-mud.’
    ‘It’s your decision,’ she said, ‘but will you think about it? I know it’s new and rather daunting, but I promise you one thing – I’ll help where I can. I have had some experience in sharing people’s problems.’
    ‘Why should you do that for me? Until recently I was a stranger. And I know so little about you. Won’t you tell me more about your situation? This all feels rather one-sided.’
    ‘I will tell you in detail soon,’ she said. ‘As I’ve said my affairs are in a