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The Well
by Mike Briley
a novel set in south West France

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Custom was slow and when Peter's glass was empty the landlord wandered over with a replacement and said "What's up lad, lost a pound and found a euro! Here, have another one on the house".

"Thanks a lot, Bill. They made me redundant today. I'll be working as a freelance from now on."

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"Reasonable enough to feel a bit down, I suppose. Mind you, if you're good, freelancing can be a good bet. My daughter, Sally, she's engaged to a freelance - a journalist - and he seems to do alright - works a bit for everyone. You should see the car he's got. One of those Japanese sports cars - bright red. Sally said that's what turned her on. Women!"

"I'm sure you're right Bill but I would have preferred to take the decision myself."

"Yeh. But do you remember what your mother used to say? God bless her. She used to say 'Peter is like an old car. You need to push him to get him started but once he's going - there are no brakes - you can't stop him."

Peter smiled, his mother was famous for her sayings when she was alive but now she was dead she had become a local legend and every wise or amusing phrase was rightly or wrongly attributed to her. Peter was proud of his mother. He had had only one parent but she had been better than any mother and father couple he had ever known. Now after her death her reputation was still growing. He should have known that a detail like death would not stop Mary Bennett. Peter felt his eyes becoming moist thinking about her. Looking at Bill he saw his eyes were shining as well.

"Great woman, your mother, Peter. I miss her."

"Me too, Bill. Me too," echoed Peter getting up. "I'm off to France in a few days, Bill. I need a break."

"Following in your mother's footsteps, eh?"

"No, Bill, this time I'm going where my mother has never been" he had meant this literally but having said it he felt it had a deeper significance which Bill had sensed.

"That's the spirit. Like mother, like son. Best of luck, Peter!

"Cheers, Bill."

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