The Runaway Woman (32 page)

Like the receptionist, he was eager to bring the conversation to a close. ‘I think we’re almost finished here,’ he said. ‘I have only one complaint to speak of: that I was not informed earlier that I was being transferred here, to the Meridian’s sister hotel. It was not the best welcome I have ever experienced – to be
walking into what looked like a bomb site, only to be told that the hotel was undergoing a complete refurbishment, and that I, along with others, was being transferred to various sister hotels. I have no problem with that, but I would have expected a prior warning.’

‘I do understand that, Mr Benson, and I thank you for being most patient. I can assure you that notices were sent out, and I’m sorry
you seem to have been overlooked, probably because, as you say, it was a last-minute booking.’

With his mind on Lucy, he gave no answer, until she went on, ‘I really am sorry. But we do have a very nice room ready for you with a harbour view, and as compensation we’ve arranged free breakfasts throughout your stay with us.’

Dave was past being interested in what she had to say, but he thanked
her all the same. ‘That’s very kind. So we’ll let the matter rest there, shall we?’

‘Yes, thank you. I’ll call a porter to take your luggage up.’

But Dave was now in a hurry. ‘Is it possible I could leave my bag behind the desk? I need to go out just now. I’ll collect my belongings on the way back.’

‘Of course!’

Dave opened his overnight bag, slid the briefcase inside, snapped the lock shut
and swung the bag onto the desk. ‘Thank you.’

Then he gave the receptionist a smile to remember, before hurrying towards the main doors, his eyes peeled for a sight of the woman from the bus shelter. He did not want to let her out of his sight a second time.

Behind him, the receptionist reached under the desk for a small bottle. She drew it out and was about to take a sip when another guest
arrived. ‘Oh! Good afternoon, Mrs Armitage. What can I do for you?’ With sleight of hand, she discreetly returned the bottle to its hiding place.

Outside, Dave Benson went in search of Lucy, his heart beating rapidly.

He glanced along the jetty … no signs of her. He scoured the walkway and the far harbour-side, but while there were people milling about and children playing,
there was no sign of his woman.

He was just minutes behind her, so where could she have gone, so quickly?

He crossed the street and walked along by the row of little shops. He peeped into each one, and still there was no sign of her.

Disappointed, he turned to walk back, and there she was, seated on a bench alongside the beach. Even though she had her back to him, he knew he was not mistaken.
The wild, thick brown hair gave her away.

As he drew closer, she appeared to be so lost in her own little world that he was made to wonder if it was right to impose himself on her.

Disheartened, he actually turned and started to walk away, but the compulsion to speak with her was too powerful. Swinging back, he quickened his feet in case he might be tempted to change his mind.

The skirt of
shingle across the walkway made a crunching sound beneath his feet as he went on towards the sandy beach. His heart was warmed by the knowledge that at long last he was about to make contact with her again. Since their first hurried meeting, he had kept her in his mind; hoping and wishing that he might see her again. He had no idea why he had been so drawn to her on that cold, dark night, but the
experience had left its impact.

Maybe it was because he recognised a kindred spirit in her. Certainly, there was an air of loneliness about her … a certain vulnerability.

He knew only too well how easily the cruelty of life could bring a person down.

But there was something else about her. Something strong yet needy. Something immensely beautiful in her deeper nature, that allowed her to creep
into his mind and heart.

The nearer he got to her, the more nervous he felt.

Twice he paused, and twice he started off again. What’s wrong with you, man? he chastised himself.

He could not reasonably understand why he felt he must talk with her again. Unfinished business, that’s what it is, he thought. Once I know she’s all right, I’ll be able to get her out of my mind.

U
NAWARE THAT DAVE
was approaching, Lucy was in a world of her own. A warm, kindly world, of light and sunshine, with children’s innocent laughter carried to her on the wind.

Sitting here, in this lovely place, miles from home, it was a little easier for her to shut out all her sorrow and fears, and feel somehow at peace with the world.

Her gaze was drawn to the seagulls soaring
on the breeze. She smiled, thinking if she could only be as free as that … no responsibilities or regrets … just to open your wings and let the warm breeze take you where it would.

In this delightful, familiar place she was beginning to feel settled and more positive. Yet still she could not decide what to do.

There were so many questions running round in her head. Was her marriage over? Was
it her fault in some way? Did Martin truly want to spend the rest of his life with Paula? And did Paula want that? Or was she just toying with him, as was her nature?

No! Martin was a grown man, capable of making his own decisions. Like Paula, he was in the wrong. Both he and Paula should be made to answer for what they had done.

With all that in mind, Lucy asked herself how she might now deal
with the embarrassing and awkward position she had been put in. Whichever way she turned, she found herself in the most impossible situation. At least for now she was the only one who knew the sordid truth – apart from Kathleen, who would never reveal a confidence.

Unaware of Lucy’s torment, Dave Benson was moving ever closer, still agonising as to whether he was doing the right thing in making
contact with her. After all, she had refused his invitation that night they first met, so what made him believe she might want to talk with him now?

He deliberately gave a little cough, so as not to alarm her.

Lucy spun round, astonished to see him there. When he smiled at her, she was concerned that he was actually making a beeline for her.

‘Please … don’t leave on my account.’ He realised
she was making a move to get up from the bench. ‘I saw you in the hotel and I thought I might come and find you. I’m sorry if that sounds a bit forward and intrusive, but it’s not meant to be.’

He was now standing before her. ‘Please, may I sit down here, next to you?’ His smile was warm and friendly. ‘Only I’ve got a kind of corn on my little toe, and it’s begnning to aggravate me.’ He gave
a little-boy smile. ‘It really hurts,’ he lied lamely.

Lucy knew it was a ploy, but she had to smile. ‘Well, in that case, you’d best sit down.’

As he sat down next to her, he realised that Lucy was making another move to leave. ‘No, don’t go, please stay … just for a while.’ He held out his hand in friendship. ‘I’m Dave Benson, and I’m glad I found you again, especially after that night at
the bus shelter. I know, it was rude and thoughtless of me to ask you if you would like to join myself and Nancy at the pub. I promise you, I do not make a habit of asking strangers to join me for a drink.’

‘So, why did you ask me, Mr Benson?’

‘Well, first, the name is Dave, and the thing is, I could see that you’d been crying, and I really did want to make sure you were all right. Also, you
might have caught pneumonia in that damp bus shelter.’

Lucy shook her head. ‘I had no intention of staying there for too long, and besides, I was wearing a warm coat.’

He put his arms out in despair. ‘I am sorry … really I am. And I do realise now that I was too forward, for which I sincerely apologise. You obviously needed time to yourself, and I do regret intruding.’ He dared to lean forward.
‘So … am I forgiven?’ He again put on that little-boy-lost face. ‘Please?’

Lucy thought he was so very charming that it would be churlish of her to walk away now. After all, what harm could he do her, out here, in the open?

Also, she had not forgotten how kind and concerned he had been on that particular unhappy night.

Dave was careful to maintain a fair distance between them. He did not want
to scare her off now that he was making headway. At least they were talking and, more importantly, she was not running away this time.

Settling back into the seat, Lucy accepted his apology, and thinking he might leave now, she continued to look out to sea.

Her quiet gaze followed the colourful speedboats as they shot across the water. There were so many boats out there. She could see any number
of speedboats; also a smattering of colourful fishing boats, and even a man in a racing boat towing a skier behind him.

Reaching her gaze right out to the horizon, she noticed a big, white cruise ship travelling along slowly, large and lazy against the blue skies.

‘It’s very impressive, don’t you think?’ Dave had been watching her; how lost in everything she appeared to be … like a child, overwhelmed
when seeing the big, wide world for the first time ever.

‘Oh, yes.’ Lucy was surprised to realise he must be watching her, but somehow it didn’t seem to matter. ‘I know it must sound ridiculous,’ she confessed, ‘but I’ve never seen a cruise-ship before, at least not as close as this.’ In truth, she felt as though she could reach out and touch it. ‘They really are huge, aren’t they?’

‘In comparison
to some, that one is of medium size.’ Dave felt he had broken the ice with her. ‘Some of them can carry over a thousand passengers and, on board, the corridors are so long it can take you twenty minutes or more to get from one end to the other.’

‘Really?’ Lucy was amazed. ‘I bet they’re beautiful inside, though?’

‘Oh, yes! And there is so much going on, you can be entertained from morning to
night.’

‘Goodness!’ Lucy was amazed. ‘I had no idea.’

‘I don’t know about the smaller ones,’ he admitted. ‘The larger cruise liners contain any number of swimming pools, amusement arcades, restaurants and bars, and there are extravagant musical shows in full-size theatres … even shopping arcades. Oh, and much more!’

‘I never realised,’ Lucy gasped. ‘It’s a wonder they don’t sink, with all that
weight.’

‘Oh, but they can, and do. You must have heard of the
Titanic
, one of the biggest shipping disasters ever?’

‘Oh, yes, of course!’ In truth, Lucy tended not to dwell on disasters of any kind. ‘You’re right, of course.’ Somehow, she had not identified the
Titanic
with the beautful white cruise liner, now gently crossing the horizon.

‘The
Titanic
was the forerunner of these magnificent
monsters.’ Dave gestured to the white ship. ‘That one there is far more intricate a vessel, more sophisticated, and fitted with every device known to man, in order to be sure that such a disaster as happened to the
Titanic
might never occur again.’

Lucy understood. He seemed so knowledgeable, it made her curious. ‘Have you ever travelled on one?’

‘Yes … only the once, though,’ he explained.
‘About two years back I travelled to New York on such a cruise liner as you see out there. It was quite an experience, but I will confess I’m not the happiest sailor in the world. I tend to get seasick. Sounds petty, doesn’t it? But I can assure you, it’s no small thing … not to me, anyway, because I hardly went outside my cabin, I was that ill.’

‘Aw, that’s such a shame.’

‘Yes, I suppose it
was, but fortunately the entire journey did not cost me one single penny. You see, at the time, I worked for a firm of international lawyers and, thank goodness, my boss paid the bill, right down to the sickness pills.’ He smiled at the memory. ‘Lucky for me that he did, because financially I was not in his league and never will be.’

Lucy was curious. ‘Do you mind me asking, are you a lawyer?’

‘No. I was a kind of high-class courier then, toing and froing and bringing all the tag ends together. When the British arm of the company moved to America, I was offered redundancy, and I took it.’

‘And did you miss the travelling?’ Lucy asked.

‘No. Not in the slightest. In fact, it all turned out to be a lucky break for me. With the redundancy payout I was able to start up my own business,
as a consultant and a deal-maker. I had a lot of experience, and I used it to my advantage. I love the work, so, in a modest way, I am a happy man.’

For a while, Lucy digested all that information, and her mind went back to the night she first met this charming, interesting man.

‘Can I just say something?’ she asked thoughfully.

‘Of course. Ask away.’

‘Well, that night at the bus shelter,
you must have thought I was ungrateful when I refused your offer of joining you and your wife at the pub.’

‘Oh, no! As Nancy pointed out later, it was a wrong thing for me to do. Looking back, I realise she was right, I should not have put you in that situation, so I apologise.’

‘Apology accepted.’

‘Thank you. And secondly, Nancy is not my wife. She’s my sister.’