John K Sutherland

Rebecca. John K Sutherland

Robert was encouraged to take refuge on the upper floors of the Deming house when his friend, George, recognized that his mother was still, unexpectedly, at home, and was on the warpath. That, was when he met Rebecca, George's sister, in the attic area of the house. He had taken some time to see her with her sitting in a wing-back chair with her feet raised onto the window ledge in front of her, taking advantage of the sun. She was sitting, carelessly, in the window space, facing the setting sun, with the last warm rays shining in upon her, bathing as much of her as was possible under her dress. She did not seem to realise how exposed she was, what he could see reflected in the window, or how intent he was upon seeing more of her. He was shocked to see her there, but he was captivated immediately. She was avoiding her mother; succeeding, where George hadn't. Robert would be stuck in her presence for quite some time. He was stuck for long enough to fall in love with her, and to learn so much more about her, and about this peculiarly dysfunctional family. Fate had directed his footsteps here. Rebecca needed to be rescued, and he was the man to do it.