The Lazarus Secrets by Beryl Coverdale Page A

when Grannie Barbara died, people die and go to heaven and babies take their place.”
    Before Clive could answer Alexander gently touched her head, “That’s true, Julia your daddy is absolutely right. I was only joking. It is wonderful that we’re to have new children in the family.” She smiled thankfully and giggled when he added, “I’m just a silly old man and I worry about Christmas and birthdays and all the money I have to spend on so many gifts.” He shuddered with mock horror and everyone joined in with relieved laughter.
    Clarissa went to make more coffee. Max followed and found her weeping in the kitchen, “I don’t know how I shall bear it Max. He’s been at my side since your father died, since before your father died and life without him seems inconceivable.” She looked up and spoke urgently, “There are things that bind us together, the three of us, things no-one else knows about, things we can’t …” She suddenly stopped and looked almost frightened, but when she didn’t continue Max folded his large arms around her, he could offer nothing other than his love.
    When the Longfields left, Max begged a lift and found himself squashed into their large station wagon, the youngest child Susie on his lap and the other children plus a large Old English sheepdog occupying every square inch of space.
    â€œYou’re back early. How were they all at Top Cottage?” Sarah sat at the dining-room table and gave him a fleeting smile.
    â€œVery well really, we had coffee out in the garden and it was beautiful up there. Alexander was exactly the same, grumpy and amusing, Mother was a bit upset but that’s to be expected. Clive and Carol and the children called in so they gave me a lift home.” Sarah nodded then looked down at her hands that were spread flat on the table concealing something. “What’s that?” Max asked.
    â€œNothing,” she said quickly and then looking embarrassed lifted her fingers. “It’s a photograph of Claudine. I was doing a clean out while you were in hospital and I found it in a box in the safe. I’d never seen it before. I didn’t realise how very beautiful she was.”
    â€œWhy have you got it out now?”
    â€œWhy did you keep it?”
    â€œI kept it for Jules. He never knew her and I thought one day he might ask what she was like, but so far he hasn’t shown the slightest curiosity about Claudine. To be honest, I’d forgotten all about it. I put that part of my life behind me, too many bad memories. Alexander collected a box of my belongings from the navy when I left and when we moved in here I dumped it in the safe.”
    â€œShe looks very like Jules, or should I say Jules looks like her.”
    â€œYes, well that’s what I mean. I never saw my father or my grandfather but as a child I always wondered what they looked like and wanted to see photographs of them and just because Jules doesn’t show an interest doesn’t mean his children won’t.”
    Sarah kept her eyes on the photograph. They had become awkward with one another and Max hated it. Their marriage had always been one of open good humour regardless of what was happening but lately they picked their words carefully watching for each other’s reactions.
    â€œSarah, what’s this all about?” Max asked sharply.
    â€œIt’s the dreams Max, nearly every night I have to wake you, you scream and shout and wake up terrified and you always call out for Claudine. Why is that? You must have loved her very much. I suppose I’m being silly, but it’s making me very insecure especially when I see how very beautiful she was.”
    Max sat down beside her and spoke softly, “When I married Claudine I’d only known her a few months, she was pregnant, there was a war on and we gave no thought whatever about tomorrow because we didn’t know if there would be