Witch(21)

“They were chasing me and I fell down a well and couldn’t get out,” I explained, suddenly feeling cold. I wrapped my arms about me.

“A well?” Michael asked, sounding confused.

“Yes,” I said thoughtfully, staring out at the sea. “I guess it symbolises me falling into the massive hole I’ve dug for myself.”

“I guess,” he said.

“My father saved me, though, like he always does,” I said, not knowing if I was still talking to Michael or just talking out loud in an attempt to explain it all to myself. “Maybe my father’s right and all I need is some rest?”

“Look, if it would make you feel better, I could always stay with you tonight,” Michael said.

“Thanks,” I said, turning to smile at him. “But I’ll be okay. I just want a day or two to myself. Perhaps what we did today wasn’t such a good idea after all.”

“Do you regret it?” he asked, looking a little confused.

“I don’t know what I feel anymore,” I said.

Michael came towards me, and stroking the fringe off of my forehead, he said, “Why don’t you get some rest over the next couple of days and then give me a call – if you want to, that is.”

“Why did you really come looking for me today?” I asked him, looking up into his eyes.

“Like I said, I can’t get you out of my head, Officer Sydney Hart. I’ve never met anyone like you before – you’re kinda intense.”

“Is that a good thing?” I asked him.

“I’m not sure, but I’ll let you know,” he said, smiling. He kissed me gently on the forehead and headed for the door.

With his back to me, I said, “Where did you go?”

“Sorry?” he asked, looking over his shoulder at me.

“You said you left town ten years ago,” I reminded him. “Where did you go?”

“Into the Army. But I had enough of that life and thought it was time to come home.” Looking me up and down, Michael added, “And I’m so glad I did. Call me.”

Then he was gone. I looked back out of the window and watched him disappear up the road. It was only when he was out of sight I realised I didn’t have his number. Maybe that was for the best, I thought, and turned away.





Chapter Eleven



I spent the rest of the afternoon curled up on the sofa reading. It would have been nice to have some Adele playing in the background, but I was still unable to find my iPod anywhere and my mini iPad was too big for the dock in the corner of my room. I tried to clear my mind of the accident, my father, and Michael.

About 4 p.m., I received a call from my friend, Lisa. She didn’t live in town, but some miles away in Penzance, which I was glad of today. Breathlessly she told me she had read in a local paper that Officer Sydney Hart had been involved in a car accident which had resulted in four deaths.

“Why didn’t you call to let me know what had happened?” Lisa asked, sounding confused, hurt and worried on the other end of the phone. “I’ve been trying to get you on your mobile, but the thing is switched off.”

“I’m okay,” I tried to assure her.

“Are you hurt?” she gasped, ignoring my attempts to calm her.

“I’m okay,” I told her again. “Just a small cut on my forehead and that’s about it.

“You poor thing,” she sighed. “I’m going to come over.”

“No, don’t,” I put in. “I’m okay, honestly.”

“I’ll bring some wine and some...” she started.

“No,” I said again. “I just want to be on my own for a few days. I need to figure some things out.”

“Well, if you’re sure?” Lisa said, sounding hurt again.

“I’m sure,” I said softly. “I’m still a bit shook up about what happened. It’s nothing personal, Lisa. Just give me a few days and I’ll come over to Penzance for the day.”

“Well, you know where I am if you need me or want to chat about anything,” she said.

“I know,” I whispered, wondering if I was doing the right thing by shutting people out. I knew what would happen. Lisa would come over. We’d sink a couple of bottles of wine, I would get all upset about what had happened, then probably tell her everything. I couldn’t’ risk that – not yet – probably not ever. The secret of what my father had done – how he had covered for me – would have to stay our secret forever – and Michael’s. “I promise I’ll call you, just give me a few days.”

“Okay,” Lisa whispered, that note of concern still in her voice.