Page 10 of Twisted Paths

“I did warn you,” I say, barely suppressing a smirk.

He exhales sharply, rubbing a hand across his jaw before looking at me properly. “So, this is your walking group, then?”

I nod. “Yes. Or, at least, it will be if more than two people turn up.”

He studies me for a second, then shifts his attention to Mrs Higgins.

I gesture between them. “Luke, this is Mrs Higgins. Mrs Higgins, Luke. He lives in the big house on the outskirts.”

"Luke Evans." He holds out his hand to Mrs Higgins in a way that's far too formal way for jolly hike through the countryside.

"Pleasure!" Mrs Higgins beams, delighted. “So you’re the man from London.”

Luke’s expression flickers. “That’s… one way of putting it.”

“Oh, we all know about you, love,” she says breezily. “Mysterious man. Keeps to himself. No one’s quite sure if he’s brooding or just socially incompetent.”

I press my lips together, doing my best not to laugh.

Luke, to his credit, just sighs. “Good to know I’m a local attraction.”

“Oh, don’t worry,” she continues, eyes twinkling. “The verdict’s still out on whether you’re just a grump or hiding a dark secret.”

His jaw ticks slightly. “And which side are you on?”

Mrs Higgins squints at him. “Too early to say. Ask me after the walk.”

Luke lets out a short, tired breath. “Brilliant.”

I watch their exchange, fighting back a smile. This feels a lot less like cheerful ramblers and more like a group of misfits. The grump, the lonely woman, the nosy pensioner and a farting dog. I don’t think we will make it intoThe Guardian.

Chapter 3

Luke

Ihaven’teventakena step yet, and I already regret this decision.Damn Philip and his sodding ideas.I only joined because he insisted on me getting out more, and there was some logic to it.

Mrs Higgins is watching me closely, eyes sharp with something I can’t quite put my finger on. There’s no real harm in it, no outright nosiness—just an air of someone gathering information.

“So then, Luke,” she says, adjusting her rucksack like she’s settling in for a long discussion, “do you walk much… with your wife… or girlfriend?”

“I’m single,” I clarify and shove my hands in my pockets. “And I’m not really a walker.”

Nancy snorts. “Not really, or not at all?”

I glance at her. “I work out in my home gym. And I walk to the café almost every day.”

She gives me a knowing look. “Of course you do.”

Mrs Higgins nods. “Well, it’s lovely that you’re giving it a go. Nice to have a bit of company on a walk, isn’t it?”

I hesitate for half a second. Something about the way she says it makes my instincts flicker to life.

Nancy clears her throat. “Shall we—”

“Oh, I just think it’s wonderful when people make the effort,” Mrs Higgins carries on, completely ignoring her. “It’s all too easy to get into a routine, isn’t it? Work, home, bit of telly… before you know it, weeks have passed and you’ve hardly seen another soul.”

Nancy exhales sharply. “Right, well, walking! That’s what we’re here for, isn’t it? Walking!”

---