Page 34 of Caught in the Middle

'- No, it's fine. Yeah, I try and go back over to see my mother and brothers when I can. I love them so much. I've never felt a greater sense of happiness then when I was able to pay off my mother's debts. Buy my brothers their cars, houses. Whatever they never had when we were growing up.'

'And your dad...?'

'He died the year after I moved to London,' he said matter-of-fact.

'Oh.'

'Cancer.'

'I'm so sorry, Oliver.'

'It's not your fault, there's no need to be sorry. I just wish I was there to say goodbye, that's all. But I was caught up in myself, doing business, making a name for myself. And I'd met a girl...'

His voice trailed off, as if he was embarrassed to finish his sentence. Lucy couldn't help but feel jealous, that another woman has clearly had such an effect on him.

'And well, you know how it is.' he finished.

Lucy did. But she wanted to know more.

'No, I don't. What do you mean?'

'You do know. When you fall in love, and everything around you no longer matters.' He laughs, bitterly. 'And then they're gone, and you're left, picking up the pieces. We've all been there, I guess.'

Lucy didn't respond, the air was thick with tension and wandering thoughts.

'Live and learn, I guess!' Oliver said eventually, as if he was trying to brighten the mood.

'Indeed, you do. Like I've learned never to trust an Irish man when he tells me to get in his car and be quiet.' Lucy teased, although she still had so many questions about this girl who affected him so much.

'Ha, better than then dead, no?' he queried.

'Hmmm. I'd rather be dead than camping.'

'I don't believe that for a second,' he ran a finger softy down her face, just like he did last night, 'you know, I think you quite like being on the run with me.'

'Do you now?'

'I do.' His touch snaked from her cheek down to the nape of her neck, giving her goose bumps. 'I think you find the danger exciting.'

She realised that he was right. Despite the lack of sleep, always been cold, and the fear of getting killed at any moment, she enjoyed being in his company, even when he had one of his fits of anger.

'I think,' he ran a fingers through her hair like a comb, 'that you like me.'

Lucy held her breath, her heart felt like it was going to burst out of her mouth.

'I think you might be right.' she whispered.

Before she knew it, she felt the grip on the back on her head tighten, as he pulled her in, his soft lips meeting hers.

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