Shape of Snakes

Family correspondence-dated 1999

CURRAN HOUSE

Whitehay Road

Torquay

Devon

Wednesday, July 28 1999

Dearest M,

If I can give you any advice at all-and of course there's no reason why you should take it-it's that you talk things through with Sam before your mother and I come for our visit on Saturday. She's still very unhappy about your move to Dorchester and will, I fear, put pressure on the boys to supply answers if she can't get them from you. Sam has told her the farmhouse was the only property you could find at short notice-which is clearly what he believes-and she's now convinced "something's going on" as she says her tame real estate agent faxed you a list of suitable lets in Devon at the beginning of June.

Sorry to he a nuisance but the old adage-"of two evils choose the lesser"-is a good one, I find. You know what your mother's like when she gets the bit between her teeth, and I fear Sam would be very hurt to learn the truth from his children after a quizzing from their grandmother! It won't be easy "coming clean"-secrecy isfrighteningly addictive, as I've discovered myself since I realized how much closer you and I have become through our shared crusade, my dear, and how jealously I want to guard that closeness-but I think the time has come for honesty. I know you would never hurt Sam unnecessarily.

Love,

Dad

X X X