Page 1 of Escape

Chapter 1

The Incident

Mel

The office is quietexcept for the faint hum of the generator outside. I should be paying attention to the email in front of me—something about a budget review—but my mind’s already drifted to the one from Owen that popped up earlier.

I can’t help but grin as I open again the attached image. Owen, with that ridiculous grin of his, wearing what can only be described as a monstrosity of a hat. It’s a patchwork messof clashing colours, like someone raided a fancy dress shop blindfolded. His message reads,“Mel, this is the new me. Thoughts?”

I laugh out loud, shaking my head. Typical Owen. Even with the thousands of miles between us, he’s still managing to make me laugh at just the right moment.

I hover over the reply button, trying to think of something witty to send back, but then I change my mind and pick up my phone instead.

The phone rings once before Owen answers.

"Hope you’re calling to tell me how hot I look wearing that hat."

"You look like the dork you are," I giggle. Just hearing his voice makes me happy.

"Hang on, Mel—" I hear muffled voices and then a door closing. "Sorry, told my secretary to hold all my calls because I’m in an important meeting with my contacts in Tajikistan," he chuckles.

"Mr Big Shot! Trying to go global already," I laugh.

Owen set up a small start-up company. He worked bloody hard to get there, investing most of his own savings, but it seems to be paying off. I love that his company isn’t just about profit—their mission is to help communities set up and manage local renewable energy projects. I keep teasing him by calling himthe entrepreneur that cares.

"Nah, plenty to do here in England. So, are you going to comment on my hat?"

"It’s… fetching," I reply, leaning back in my chair. I picture him in his office chair—in jeans and T-Shirt because he doesn’t believe in suits—looking like the cheeky chap he is. I wish I were with him right now. How he is still single, beats me.

"Trying to pull in the ladies?" I joke, but as always, the thought doesn’t sit well with me. I’m a terrible best friend. I want him all to myself, and the idea of some girlfriend coming along and breaking up what we have? I hate it.

I know that makes me a bitch, and I’d never tell him this, but it is what it is.

"Fat chance. Women don’t like nerds, with or without a hat!" he laughs. I need to get that man a mirror.

"Maybe you’re right." For once, I don’t have a witty retort.

"Everything okay, Mel? You sound… not like you."

That right there is why I called him. Nobody knows me as well as he does.

"I’m a tad homesick. I don’t know… I’m not feeling it this time. I’m… tired," I confess, admitting to him what I haven’t even admitted to myself.

"It’s just two more weeks. After that, maybe talk to your boss and take a longer break. You’ve got loads of annual leave saved up. Let me take you somewhere."

"You don’t need to take me anywhere. I can pay for myself," I protest with a laugh, "but you canjoinme—if your company can spare you."

"Hey, I’ve got a brilliant team, and I’m only ever a call away. Where do you want to go?"

"Don’t know, maybe back to that cabin on the Norfolk coast?"

After Owen’s mum died six years ago, I took him there for a break, and it’s become our refuge when life gets too much.

"I’ll check if it’s free when—"

There’s a knock, and my door creaks open.

"Owen, hang on a second," I say, placing a hand over my phone.

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