Page 67 of Finding Love in Micklewick Bay

More sniggers from Zara, earning her another reprimanding look and a frustrated huff.

‘I know that now, and I…’ Her words tailed off, her eyes growing wide as her gaze was drawn to a tall figure with a now-familiar swagger who was making his way to the ticket office behind.

‘What’s the matter?’ Alex asked, turning and following her line of sight.

‘It’s Johan de Groote. I need to stop him,’ she said urgently. ‘I think he’s stolen my mum’s purse.’

‘He’swhat?’

‘Sorry, I have to go, but I still need to speak to you, Alex,’ Stella called over her shoulder as she ran towards the ticket office.

Inside, she looked around frantically, but there was no sign of her father.

‘Arghh!’ Frustrated, Stella pushed her fingers into her saturated hair. A second later, gripped by a feeling of urgency, she rushed out of the ticket office and checked the waiting room. Finding no trace of him there, she headed out onto the platform which was empty but for a handful of youths on bikes apparently oblivious to the weather. Turning on her heel, she sprinted to thesubway that led to the second platform, her feet echoing around her as she raced on, calling out apologies as she barged her way through.

She’d just alighted on the platform when she heard the low rumble of a train as it snaked its way down the track towards the station. Glancing through the crowd of people, her attention was taken by raised voices over by the small waiting room. Her eyes widened in surprise as she saw Alex and Zara blocking the doorway to an enraged Johan de Groote.

THIRTY-NINE

‘Get out of my way!’ Johan’s voiced boomed around the old station, bouncing off the cast iron rafters, turning heads and sending pigeons scattering. ‘I need to get my train!’

Stella rushed over to them, her heart still racing, the acrid smell of diesel fumes permeating the air. Behind her came the screech of brakes as the train ground slowly to a halt.

‘Stella needs to talk to you. Until she’s done, I won’t be moving an inch.’ Alex squared up to Johan, his shoulders appearing broader than ever.

‘Same here.’ Zara’s smile had been replaced by a surprisingly fierce expression.

‘That’s my train, I need to get it.’ Johan looked distinctly agitated, his eyes shifty.

‘You’re not going anywhere until you hand over my mother’s purse. We know you took it,’ said Stella, her voice confident and strong.

‘I have no idea what you’re talking about. Now move, I need to board my train. I have a ferry to catch.’ He went to push through them but Alex stood firm.

‘Move,’ said Johan, baring his teeth.

‘If I were you, I’d hand over the purse before I call for that rather surly police officer who was standing by the entrance to come and give us some assistance.’ Alex locked eyes with Johan, his gaze unwavering. ‘I doubt very much you’d like to explain to him what it’s doing in your possession,’ said Alex. Johan wasn’t to know he was bluffing, that there was no police officer.

Maintaining eye contact, Johan didn’t budge. ‘If you don’t let me through I’ll tell the police officer you’ve been harassing me.’

‘Fair enough,’ said Zara, ‘I’ll go and get him now; he can decide who’s in the wrong here.’ She turned to walk away.

‘Wait!’ Johan dropped his holdall to the floor, where he unzipped it and began rummaging around its contents, cursing under his breath. The flash of a shiny, dark object caught Stella’s eye, sending a spike of recognition through her, but the item was hurriedly nudged out of view as Johan delved deeper into his bag.

Standing upright, he said, ‘Here. Have it.’ He pushed the purse roughly at her before scooping up his holdall and barging through them. ‘Now get out of my way.’

They watched as he ran across the platform and jumped onto the train just before it started to pull away, its whistle tooting shrilly as it went.

‘Wow! Is it always like this in Micklewick Bay?’ asked Zara.

‘No.’ Stella shook her head, her mind reeling. ‘It’s usually a quiet little seaside town where nothing much happens.’

‘You okay, Stella?’ Pulling her gaze away from the disappearing train, she turned to see Alex looking at her, his eyes loaded with concern.

‘Yeah, I’m fine, thanks, especially now I’ve got my mum’s purse back. Thanks for your help, both of you. I wouldn’t have caught him if it wasn’t for you.’ She gave a weak smile.

‘You look drained.’ Alex rested his hand on her shoulder, warmth from his touch radiating through her, igniting the sparkthat had been slumbering in his absence. ‘I can imagine you’re keen to get your mum’s purse back to her, but why don’t we meet back at my apartment in, say, an hour from now, then we can continue the conversation we were having before the drama kicked in?’ He smiled at her, a hint of mischief in his eyes.

That Alex was open to talking about their misunderstanding – or rather,hermisunderstanding – with the underwear filled Stella’s heart with hope. ‘I’d like that, thanks.’ Despite the situation, she couldn’t help but smile back at him. ‘I’ll give my mum a call, tell her we’ve got it and that Johan de Groote has left town; not sure which she’ll be pleased to hear most.’

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