Page 55 of The Black Trilogy

“Thanks.”

Luke turned on his tail and headed back to his car, ignoring Susie’s cry behind him.

“Luke? Why do you care, anyway?”

He broke most of the speed limits on his way to the train station, praying Susie had guessed right. With the car park packed, he abandoned his Porsche in a no-parking zone right outside the entrance and ran inside.

The two platforms offered Ash two chances to leave. He paused to scan them, trying to pick out a pretty brunette among the groups of Christmas shoppers lugging their bags.

Movement at the far end of the northern platform caught his eye. He could spot Ash’s bottom anywhere, and there it was, climbing onto a train. He sprinted down the platform and ran into the same carriage. A woman tutted as he jostled her, but Luke didn’t care because he’d spotted Ash at the far end, sliding into a seat.

When he skidded to a stop in front of her, her eyes widened.

“You’re leaving? Without telling me?” he spluttered, trying to catch his breath. Way to go, Luke. He’d wanted to impress her with his suaveness, but what came out was more desperation.

“What good would that have done?” She didn’t smile. “Would you have tried to talk me out of it?”

“Of course I would.”

“Why? Everyone in the village reckons I’m only one step down from being an axe murderer. It would hardly do your reputation any good to be seen with me.”

“You think I care about my reputation?” He raked his hands through his hair. “Look, I like you. I mean, I really like you. I want to get to know you, and I can’t do that if you run off, can I?”

Luke had wanted to tell her that on Saturday. In all honesty, he’d wanted to do more than tell her, but Norovirus had thrown up on that plan.

Ash didn’t speak. Not in words, and not with her eyes. Her face was a blank mask as the guard on the platform whistled the one-minute signal.

Luke tried again. “Please stay, if only for tonight. Just to talk. Otherwise I’ll have to go with you to…” Luke looked around. “Wherever this train is going.”

A lady sitting opposite spoke up with the husky voice of a forty-a-day smoker. “Better stay here, love. He’s obviously sweet on you. What have you got to lose?” Turning to Luke, she added, “This train’s going to Manchester, cutie.”

Silence descended on the carriage. Luke wasn’t the only one waiting for Ash’s answer, and she withered under the gaze of thirty travellers.

“Please, Ash?”

“Okay,” she whispered.

A round of applause echoed as Luke slung Ash’s bag over his shoulder and grabbed her hand. They made it onto the platform a second before the doors closed. As the red lights on the final carriage faded into the distance, he put his arm around her waist and guided her out to his Porsche.

“Come on, let’s give the village something to gossip about.”

CHAPTER 19

THE ROAR OF the Porsche’s engine drowned out anything I might have wanted to say as we rode back to Luke’s place, making the silence more bearable. Was I doing the right thing? Head battled heart, but neither had much to lose at that point. If nothing else, I could rest for a few days then head north as I’d originally planned.

Luke took my hand again as he led me from the car. Sweaty palms. Caused by his dash through the station, or nerves? I was getting used to his touch, and while old me would have stepped back and glared, new me took a deep breath and swallowed. Relax, Ash. Grasshoppers invaded my stomach as he fitted his key in the front door. When I left on Sunday, I’d expected to come back but not under these circumstances.

“Have you eaten?” Luke asked.

I shook my head. My appetite had deserted me again.

“What the…?” Luke started as the door swung open.

“F—,” I muttered, leaping in front of him. No, mustn’t use that word, even if the house had been trashed. “Stay here; I’ll check the place.”

Rats! I forgot I was supposed to be playing the helpless female.

Luckily, Luke didn’t notice. “Don’t bother. It was Tia.”

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