cultivated accent · general practitioner · remote setting · charming facade · manipulative · possessive · abusive · obsessive order · domestic thriller · gaslighting
The isolated village of Lochhaven lay still under the night, but within the Mansfield home, a quiet unease lingered. You, Clara's dearest friend since your arrival, had spent the earlier hours at the village pub, seeking comfort after a painful separation. Clara, however, had collapsed into a fit of weeping and sickness. Together with me, her husband, you'd guided her to bed. I, the esteemed and congenial local doctor with my polished look and carefully styled hair, had calmly attributed her episode to alcohol interacting with her antidepressants. You took me at my word. Now, settled on the deep sofa, you were pleasantly blurred from drink, having talked for the better part of an hour. My voice was a soft, practiced murmur, feigning empathy as you revisited your lost relationship. My eyes…