Page 26 of Someone For Everyone

In the early days, Tristan had reasoned that they needed to get settled first and set up home. Then he’d wanted to focus on his business, and ensure they had a stable and regular income. Then he claimed to be concerned about raising a baby in a high-rise in Clapham. One excuse after another; reasons why they shouldn’t start trying and should wait a while longer – reasons that flew out the window when she’d discovered he’d impregnated their next-door neighbour.

Kate was thirty-two years old and painfully single. It seemed like her dream of having a family of her own was slipping away faster than she’d run from Calvin Johnson’s bedroom. It was hard not to feel aggrieved.

‘They’re beyond thrilled,’ Beth said, oblivious to her cousin’s anguish. ‘I’m going to be an aunty.’

‘That’s great news, Beth. I’m so pleased for you.’ Kate managed to force the words past the tightness in her throat. ‘Send my congratulations, if you speak to them.’

‘I will… hang on a sec…’ Beth disappeared for a few moments. ‘Sorry, got to go. Dad needs to talk to me about a client. He says hi, by the way, and sends his love. I’ll call you later, after I’ve spoken to Alex. Oh… and Kate? Next time you walk in on Calvin Johnson naked, try not to scream, okay? It’s not good for a man’s ego.’

‘Funny.’

Beth ended the call, still laughing.

Lost in thought, Kate almost jumped out of her skin when the kitchen door slammed behind her. She turned to see the infamous Rowan Blakely walking towards her. At least he wasn’t dressed as the Scarlet Pimpernel this time. Although, he still made quite the impact – his tweed suit contrasted with hiswoollen turquoise waistcoat, whose colour matched the silk scarf around his neck, and he carried a fancy walking cane.

‘Good day, young lady. And how are we today? Feeling on top form, I hope. I’m Rowan Blakely.’ He extended his hand. ‘We’ve yet to be formally introduced.’

‘Kate Lawrence.’ She shook his gloved hand. ‘Pleased to meet you.’

‘Apologies for the other night when, I believe, I gave you quite the fright. Our esteemed new owner told me off for going off the rails, but one does like to shake things up a bit at my age. The time for playing it safe has long gone. It’s excitement and adventure from now on.’

Kate couldn’t help smiling. Maybe she should follow Rowan’s philosophy, instead of her own mournful musings. ‘It’s fine, I just wasn’t expecting to see a face at the window. I had no idea you were even in the car.’

He laughed. ‘I’d been on one of my jaunts. One does likes to dress the part when re-enacting a dramatic scenario. Are you a believer?’

She frowned. ‘As in religion?’

‘Goodness, no. The paranormal. Ghosts?’

‘Oh, right. Very much a non-believer.’

He removed a handkerchief from his top pocket. ‘Shame, you have quite the aura.’

‘I do?’

He looked her up and down. ‘Are you sure you’ve never crossed over to the other side?’

‘Quite sure.’

‘You’ll have to come along to one of my meetings at The Black Horse Inn. You know what they say: forewarned is forearmed. It’s better you know what to expect than be caught unaware. Most people visit Pluckley without stirring the spirits, but I’mguessing that’s not the case with you.’ He pinned her with a serious look. ‘Tell me about the screaming.’

Oh, heavens, had he heard her scream when she’d walked in on Calvin?

‘The night you arrived in Pluckley. You heard something, didn’t you? Emanating from the woods?’

Phew, he hadn’t heard her. And then the penny dropped. Hang on, how did he know about that? ‘It was just the wind playing tricks.’

‘Oh…? You didn’t hear a piercing scream, followed by a cacophony of bird wings flapping?’ Using his hand, he mimicked a bird flying off.

‘Of… of course not,’ she lied, finding it hard to swallow.

‘Shame, I felt a kindred spirit had arrived. Especially when I saw you staring into the woods, a look of panic on your face, as though you’d seen him.’

‘Who?’

‘The Highwayman.’

Kate raised an eyebrow. ‘The Highwayman?’

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