In this story by H. E. Bates, a man sent to prison for killing a love rival in a jealous rage returns to the scene of the crime. His intent is to confront the woman they were fighting over, who was once his fiancé. As he knocks on her door he has a premonition that if she opened the door he might not be able to restrain himself but would rush straight at her and kill her. Fortunately for him, the person who opens it is a pleasant surprise. Themes: passion, jealousy and rage, choices and consequences, alienation and loneliness.
Original Text / PDF (6,050 words)