Page 13 of The Runner
Caroline was accustomed to eating meals in the cosy village cottage with her father and occasionally they might have a friend join them for dinner, but she had experienced nothing so grand as dining at a house such as Willow Manor. Since she’d arrived, she’d been enjoying meals with the servants in the kitchen. It was wonderful to be part of a team with a common purpose and, following Cook’s lead, the members of the household had welcomed her like she was one of their own. The servants were one big family and Caroline loved the camaraderie, which was an unexpected benefit she hadn’t even considered would be part of a life in service. The cheerful banter in the kitchen was soothing, and she was not inclined to dine upstairs. Her heart fluttered at the thought of eating with the family.
Caroline brought herself back to the present. She couldn’t refuse without seeming rude and so she forced herself to smile. ‘Thank you, my lady. I’d be honoured, indeed.’
She slipped out of the drawing room after she was excused and went to find Olivia in the stables. Anxious thoughts spiralled around her mind and gnawed at her as she wondered how she would get through dinner with George that afternoon.
York - Present day
Eddie calledthat afternoon to say he couldn’t come the same day, after all. Something had come up at the university, so he would take the train the following morning.
That night, Cara had another dream. This time it was more vivid—and she knew for sure it wasn’t merely a dream.
It was an update from another timeline.
She saw herself as the nineteen-year-old girl, Caroline—the former version of herself in the early eighteenth century.
Cara woke in a panic, knowing without a doubt that the Twin Flame mission was back on in full force.
Well, that lovely peaceful period is over.
She thought she should be used to it by now, but she had once again dared to believe her time travelling might be over for good, and then was shocked when it resumed. This time was particularly jarring, as it was a new timeline and made her stomach gurgle with nerves.
Cara told George, and he comforted her in his usual stoic manner. ‘It’ll be okay, darling. We’ll figure it out like we always do.’
She knew she was fortunate to be loved by a man who was so grounded and strong. He always knew what to say to calm her fears and make her feel safe.
After breakfast in the kitchen and a quick catch up with the builders, they drove to pick up Eddie from the station.
‘It’s this very kitchen I saw in my dream,’ said Cara. ‘The layout is almost the same. I take my meals in here with the servants and there’s this wonderful cook who has taken me under her wing and I think must be trying to fatten me up!’
George covered her hand with his while he drove. ‘What year is it there? Do you know yet?’
‘Yes, it’s 1729, which confirmed my fears.’
‘What’s significant about that?’
‘It’s when I… well, Caroline left Willow Wick and went to work as governess to Olivia, your sister. The earl’s sister, that is. Gosh, this is even more confusing than usual, with you having a sister in both timelines and me having a different name back then. Anyway, it’s the exact period that Ralph wanted to rewrite to keep us from falling in love.’
‘Ah,’ said George.
When they arrived at the station, there was nowhere to park, so George waited in the car while Cara dashed in to look for Eddie. When she saw his dear beloved face, her eyes welled up, and she had to get a grip on her emotions.
Eddie hugged her tightly. ‘Hello dear Lady Cara. I have missed you. But why the sad face?’
‘Sorry, I’m so pleased to see you—just a bit overwhelmed, that’s all. And why do you insist on calling me by that ridiculous name?’ Cara rolled her eyes at the fancy title.
‘To me you will always be Lady or Countess Cavendish, talking of which I can’t wait to see you and the earl living at Willow Manor again. I’ve been dying to come ever since you moved in.’
‘I wish you had come sooner. We certainly have enough room and can do with another pair of hands.’
They left the platform and jumped into the car. Eddie’s long legs curled against the back seat. As they purred through the traffic, he regaled them with stories of his quirky students and told them about his quantum physics experiments at the university. He hadn’t had any significant breakthroughs since they last met.
George guided the car steadily through the thick mid-morning traffic around the city, and then darted onto the quiet country road which led to Willow Wick and away from the magnificent city walls.
As they drove through the gates and up the willow tree-lined driveway towards the majestic manor house, Cara spotted Eddie staring out of the car window like an excited child.
‘It’s amazing to be back, isn’t it?’ she said.
George parked the car round the back of the house and grabbed Eddie’s bag. They headed inside through the kitchen door and Eddie stood looking around, shaking his head, bemused. ‘I can barely believe we’re here,’ he said.
