Stories 3: "The Oracle at Delphi"

A short story for a lazy Sunday

“The Oracle at Delphi”

He sat there collapsed like Guy Fawkes into the ruby-coloured leather wingback, his mother opposite him, her eyes closed, as she spoke slowly, softly, her words drip drip dripping from her mouth, stories of shopping lists and the war against junk mail campaigns, and of recent medical complaints and procedures of other women down the bowling club who he had never met and perhaps, maybe, never even heard of before. It was the most relaxed he had been in weeks. Her words, treacle rather than water, had the fair hairs standing up on his forearms. Keep still and nothing would interfere with this connecting moment. And all the while he was resplendent in the knowledge she would ask no questions, there would be no test, just the silence of the room and the slow soft treacle of the stories.

Gary Raymond is a novelist, author, playwright, critic, and broadcaster. In 2012, he co-founded Wales Arts Review, was its editor for ten years. His latest book, Abandon All Hope: A Personal Journey Through the History of Welsh Literature is out now with Calon Books.