Page 6 of Mark

And I will definitely not think about being stuck on a cruise for twelve days with my ex-boyfriend.

CHAPTER TWO

Mark

I shove the last of my clothes into my case, wishing I had listened to my mum and dad and stayed at theirs last night. We leave for the hen and stag party-slash-honeymoon cruise today, and I’ve already missed the taxi pick up. Last night, I stupidly went out with the guys from work and had one too many. I overslept, and to make matters worse, I completely forgot to finish packing. I had to lie to my mum and tell her I was already on my way.

Which I would be if the taxi firm hadn’t just told me there is a thirty-minute wait. There is no way I’m taking their word for it when everyone knows they actually mean an hour. Thankfully, I live close to the train station, but if I don’t hurry, I’m going to miss that too.

I grab my sunglasses, case, and wallet and head out; keeping an eye out for that rat my neighbour calls a cat. Once I feel assured the little fucker isn’t trying to gain entry to make me look like a catnapper, I lock the door behind me. Then I trip over a fucking suitcase when I turn to leave.

I kick away the bright pink case that doesn’t belong to me. “Are you fucking serious?”

“Hey, that’s my case,” the bane of my existence snaps as she steps out into the corridor.

“And you just left it there for someone to trip over?” I growl as I get up and dust off my cargo shorts.

“Since I didn’t expect someone to come along and not see a big-arse case, the answer is no,” she argues.

I grab my case, heading towards the lift. I’m leaving. I don’t have time to argue with her, even if it is amusing at times.

“Have fun!” her friend calls.

“Don’t forget to bath Mellow. And clean his ears.”

“Go, before you are late.”

“Love you. And I’ll call you later.” The lift opens and I step inside. “Hold the lift!”

I force a grimace as I push the button. “Sorry. I’m in a rush.”

“Don’t you dare,” she yells, but the door is already closing. “I mean it.”

The lift door closes and I lean back against the cool metal. Twelve days without looking over my shoulder and worrying if she’s going to try and break into my home. Twelve peaceful days with sun, family, and sea.

Once the lift comes to a stop, I head to the main doors of my private rented accommodation and speed-walk towards the train station, which takes me five minutes. I pay for my ticket and don’t bother taking a seat since the train is just coming to a stop. I wait for the crowd to get off before getting on and taking a seat near the window.

I gaze outside, spotting my neighbour running towards the train. She’s flapping her arms about, yelling for the train not to leave, and for a split second, I worry she might have followed me. I lower myself into the seat before she can spot me, inwardly groaning at myself for not moving further up the train.

When she gets on, she blows out a breath and stands near the doors on the other side of the train. I watch her for a moment, wondering how she gets all that hair into a ponytail. I only ever see it perfectly curled during the week, which I’m assuming is for work. Any other time, it’s a frizzy mess that, I have to admit, makes her look kind of cute. Her clothing never changes though. Today she has on a pair of beige linen trousers, a cropped white T-shirt that shows off her tanned stomach, and a pair of sandy-coloured sandals.

I lean back in the seat, closing my eyes. I still have thirty minutes until I reach my destination and I’m going to use that time wisely. I’m not going to worry about my crazy neighbour,or think about how good she looks. I have other things to be concerned about. Like the flight. Out of everyone in my family, I’m the worst flyer, which is why I prefer keeping our holidays in the UK. But this is for my sister, and for her, I will do it.

*** *** ***

The next stop is the one I need to get off on before getting on to the air-rail link to the airport, which will take roughly two minutes. I should get to the airport with enough time to check in and meet the others in the departure lounge. After firing off a text to my mum to tell her I’m close, I put my phone away and lean back in the chair.

A young lad’s voice grabs my attention and I turn to the row of chairs across the aisle from me, seeing two young teenagers. “Go on, I dare you.”

I snort when I see them both wearing hoodies with black snoods in this weather. Sweat is trickling down my back and I’m only wearing a black T-shirt and cargo shorts. These two are wrapped up like they’re waiting for snow.

“Wait until the train comes to a stop. We can grab it and run,” the kid whispers back to his friend, and I glance to where they are staring. My neighbour has stupidly got her carry on and purse on her suitcase and her attention is on her phone.

“She looks loaded,” the first kid whispers.

Having two sisters—one of whom had all her belongings stolen a few years ago—I know I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I let this happen. But even if that hadn’t happened to Faith, I would still intervene.

Plus, my mum and dad would disown me if I didn’t.

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