Chapter 7
GEORGE
G eorge fumbled for his lunchbox on the passenger seat and nearly sent it flying. His hands were still shaking, and a quick glance in the rearview mirror confirmed that he looked like he’d seen a ghost.
That had been close. Too close. A split second’s difference in timings, and he had a horrible feeling that the SUV would have ploughed straight into the side of the van – and that would have been a big fat GAME OVER for both him and the other driver.
Putting the lunchbox down without even opening it, he rubbed his face and took a deep breath in an attempt to calm his racing heart. He’d already been sitting in this little layby overlooking the town for a good fifteen minutes, but it had done nothing to ease the flood of adrenaline.
The shock was making him feel decidedly funny.
George shook his head and let out another long, slow breath.
It wasn’t just fear coursing through his system, there was a good dollop of anger in there, too.
He’d let out a string of curses and hammered on his horn as he’d driven away from the lunatic.
She might not have a problem with dangerous driving, but he certainly did.
He hadn’t wasted any time before pulling off the road. One thing was for sure—he wasn’t in any state to carry on with his round until he’d calmed down. A lot.
‘What I really need now is a sugar hit,’ he muttered with a shaky laugh, eyeballing his disappointing lunchbox.
It was all well and good being saintly when it came to his lunch, but pasta salad followed by a couple of pieces of fruit wasn’t going to be any help in getting over his near-death experience!
George leaned back against the headrest and closed his eyes, doing his best to focus on making his breath calm and even.
If it wasn’t for the fact that he was only halfway through his round, he’d head home and take the rest of the day off sick.
But there was no way he was going to let a little scare stop him from doing his job. He had mail to deliver!
Even so, perhaps a proper break before he finished off his deliveries might be a good idea. He definitely needed a cup of something hot and sweet… and maybe a little chat with a friend to help him balance out a bit before he was safe to navigate the narrow lanes again.
For a moment, he was tempted to head back down to The Sardine… but he didn’t trust himself to drive that far while he was feeling so shaky. Besides, it didn’t take much for the little café to get busy, and the last thing he needed right now was a crowd.
‘What about Seabury House?’ he muttered.
The turning was just back down the road, and from what Connie had said earlier, it sounded like both Matt and Ewan would be at home. Maybe he could drop in on them for a bit of moral support… and beg a sweet cup of tea while he was at it.
Besides, he had Ewan’s wool delivery in the back. He could drop that off and give them a heads-up about their unexpected visitor—especially considering she was speeding around the lanes like a woman possessed, probably hunting for them as she went.
For a brief moment, George wished that baby Melody would be there too.
He could do with another cuddle from the giggling little lump.
Her sweet face and clear, innocent eyes had done something strange to him earlier.
George loved his life in Seabury, but for just a moment while he’d been holding her, he’d felt a pang of longing he hadn’t understood. A deep desire for something… more…
Suddenly, it felt like a hot, heavy hand had landed on his throat. George coughed, doing his best to swallow the lump of emotion. His eyes heated up, and he blinked hard.
For heaven’s sakes, what was wrong with him?!
‘It’s just the shock,’ he muttered on a little sob, blinking faster.
Clearing his throat again, George fumbled with his seatbelt, clipping it back in place before starting the engine. With one last shake of his head, he checked and double-checked the mirrors before pulling out in a wide arc and heading back in the direction of Seabury House.
Right now, he needed his friends. He needed a hug. And if it had to come from a hairy ex-arctic-explorer rather than his sweet little angel of a baby daughter, then so be it!
It didn’t take George long before the entrance to the driveway that led down to Seabury House came into view. Unfortunately, the massive SUV was there, indicating to come out of it.
George hit the brakes and slowed to a crawl… just in case the woman was about to make a second attempt on his life.
Not this time, it seemed. She pulled out carefully, gave him a sheepish little wave while angling her face away from him, and trundled forwards at about five miles an hour.
Just as she was passing, the woman turned and locked eyes with him.
Wait… what?!
It couldn’t be… could it?!
No… surely not?
The woman currently terrorising Seabury with her bad attitude and even worse driving looked worryingly familiar. Less than a second later, the SUV disappeared off down the road, leaving George to wonder if he was just imagining things.
He really needed that sugar hit.
‘You’re definitely in shock, my boy!’ he huffed, then jumped as someone behind him gave a friendly little toot toot on their horn, reminding him that he was sitting stationary in the middle of the road.
George made sure that he was indicating, and then swung the van carefully onto the lane before bumping his way towards the double gates that led to Seabury House.
‘George, my good man!’
George stepped shakily out of the van onto the neat gravel outside of Seabury House. His knees promptly gave out from underneath him. Thankfully, Ewan Pepper was right there at his side in a matter of half a second and caught him by the elbow.
‘What on earth… are you okay?’ gasped Ewan, taking his weight and peering intently at his face.
‘I’m fine,’ said George, feeling his face flush with embarrassment. What a numpty! ‘Sorry about that, must have tripped.’
‘That doesn’t explain why you’re all pale and clammy, though,’ said Ewan with a little frown. ‘Maybe you should come inside for a minute and sit down?’
Suddenly, George didn’t have the energy to argue. In fact, it was just what he’d been hoping for when he’d decided to visit Matt and Ewan anyway… though, he had planned to go about it in a slightly less humiliating manner!
‘Sounds good,’ he muttered, not quite meeting Ewan’s eye.
Ewan frowned and nodded, and without letting go of George’s arm, he led him into Seabury House.
‘Matt?’ he yelled as they made their way along the broad hallway in the direction of the kitchen.
George winced at the shout.
‘Sorry, man,’ chuckled Ewan. ‘MATT?’ he yelled again.
‘What?’ said Matt, frowning as he stuck his head around the kitchen door. ‘She’s not back, is she?!’
Ewan shook his head. ‘Nope. I’ve got a patient for you.’
‘Don’t exaggerate,’ tutted George.
‘Dude, I’m not the one who practically collapsed on the driveway,’ said Ewan with a shrug.
‘Collapsed?’ said Matt, taking George’s free arm and leading him into the kitchen.
‘I did nothing of the sort,’ said George.
‘What was it then?’ said Ewan, looking mildly belligerent as Matt gently pushed George down into an armchair near the fireplace and peered at him intently.
‘You’re very pale… and a bit sweaty,’ said Matt, holding his hand against George’s forehead.
‘It’s just shock,’ said George.
‘You and us both after our recent visitor,’ huffed Ewan, sitting at the kitchen table and watching his brother fuss around George.
‘Hush, don’t bother him with that now,’ tutted Matt.
‘Actually, she’s the reason I’m like this,’ said George. ‘I mean… if you’re talking about the SUV?’
Ewan nodded emphatically.
‘What happened?’ said Matt in surprise.
‘She shot out of the town junction without even slowing down. Nearly had me!’ said George.
‘Ah. You really are in shock, then?’
‘If shock means hot, cold, shaky, sweating and wanting to cry?’ said George on a little laugh that sounded very sorry for itself, ‘then yeah, I’m in shock.’
‘Ewan? Kettle on, stat!’ said Matt. Then he headed for the kitchen table and grabbed the biscuit tin. ‘Double chocolate cookie for you. No arguments or any of that my body is my temple nonsense either!’
‘Yeah, be a good boy and listen to Dr Pepper!’ chuckled Ewan.
George gave them both a wobbly grin and grabbed a cookie. He still felt a bit like he was fighting tears, but their friendly nonsense was exactly what he needed right now. He nibbled the edge of the cookie and closed his eyes as sweet, chocolatey goodness filled his mouth.
‘Just… take a beat,’ said Matt. ‘Ewan will make you a cup of tea. Three sugars.’
‘Thanks guys,’ said George. ‘Man, I feel like such a wuss.’
‘Hardly! That woman was terrifying enough on her own… I can only imagine how scary she was, wielding an SUV in your direction!’ laughed Ewan, pouring hot water over a teabag and then shovelling three heaped teaspoons of sugar on top.
George winced slightly at the sight, but right now, he didn’t really care that it was probably more calories than he’d had all day. Not if it helped him feel a bit more human again.
‘I was going to warn you she might be on her way,’ he said at last. ‘Seems I was too late.’
‘All good. Connie messaged me earlier,’ said Ewan. ‘Though I have to say her warning didn’t quite cover the reality we just had to face!’
‘Bit of a nightmare, our Claudia Weatherley-Harcus?’ tutted George.
‘She’s… terrifying!’ laughed Ewan.
Matt nodded. ‘I’d say that’s one deeply unhappy human right there. I can’t believe we’ll be related to her soon!’
‘So… the rumours are true then?’ said George with interest. Clearly, the biscuit was already starting to work its sugary magic on him. ‘Is she Rory’s fiancé’s sister?’
‘Seems so,’ said Ewan.
‘But… what is she doing here?’ said George. ‘From what I’ve heard so far, she’s not on some kind of pleasant little jolly!’
‘Far from it, I’d say,’ said Matt, as Ewan carried the giant mug of tea over towards George and set it on a little table next to him. ‘I think she was here to vet us, truth be told.’
‘Vet you?’
Ewan nodded. ‘Wanted to check we’re the right sort of material to be linked to her precious sister.’
‘To be fair… Freya is precious,’ laughed Matt.
‘That’s true,’ said Ewan. ‘Connie and Rosie both adore her.’
‘Freya?’
‘George man, I know you’re having a bit of a moment right now, but try to keep up,’ Matt said, with a grin and a fake tut. ‘Freya is Rory’s fiancée. Sister of the battleaxe who tried to run you over with a tank.’
George swallowed a mouthful of sugary tea and stared hard at his lap. Freya? Hadn’t his Claudia from all those years ago had a little sister called Freya? It couldn’t be the same person… could it?
‘Dude, you look like you’ve seen a ghost!’ said Ewan, looking horrified. ‘Are you sure there’s nothing really wrong with him?’ he demanded, turning to Matt.
‘I’m… fine,’ laughed George. ‘This is just turning into the weirdest day.’
‘Tell me about it!’ said Ewan. ‘It’s not every day some harridan with a hair helmet turns up and demands your family history.’
‘I don’t get it,’ said George, rubbing his face. ‘It’s Rory this girl is marrying, not you lot. Shouldn’t it be him she’s hunting down and giving the third degree?’
‘Have you ever tried to pin our little brother down?’ said Matt.
George shook his head. He didn’t know Rory well at all, other than to say a quick hello in passing one of the few times he’d been back in town.
‘Let me tell you this—it’s practically impossible. The boy’s all over the world… kinda comes with the territory when you’re a pilot,’ said Matt. ‘That’s why it’s so cool that he’s marrying Freya. She’s his co-pilot, so at least they do most of their gallivanting together.’
George blinked. Okay… that was too weird to be a coincidence. Memories flooded back of his Claudia’s aeroplane-obsessed little sister, with her long brown plaits, dungarees and braces.
Freya .
‘Dude, you’ve gone all grey and interesting-looking again,’ said Ewan, cocking his head. ‘He looks like he’s going to puke!’
‘Are you?’ said Matt, taking a surreptitious step backwards.
George shook his head distractedly. Surely, surely that couldn’t be his Claudia .
‘Earth to George?’ said Matt. ‘You sure you didn’t hit your head on the windscreen?’
George shook his head again. ‘No… definitely not.’
If he didn’t snap out of his weird funk soon, Matt was going to drag him into his office at the hospital for a full checkup, and that really would be a drama-queen move on his part.
‘Sorry,’ he said, this time on a laugh. ‘It’s just that I knew a Claudia once… and I’m pretty sure she had a little sister called Freya, too.’
‘When you say “knew”?’ said Ewan, wiggling his eyebrows.
‘We were both eighteen… and I was in love.’
‘Aw!’ said Ewan with a grin.
George smiled back, though it still felt a bit wobbly. He wasn’t about to admit to these two that he’d never actually fallen out of love with her. He’d always wondered if he was one of those strange people who met their soulmate when they were young, and that was that.
‘So… what happened?’ said Matt.
George shrugged. ‘She dumped me. My ambitions were too small for her. She was amazing, a real firebrand. She wanted to travel the world. She had all this adventure in her soul… and I just… didn’t.’
‘Ah, first heartbreak!’ said Matt with a sigh.
‘You don’t get to say anything,’ said Ewan. ‘You ended up back with your childhood sweetheart!’
‘True,’ said Matt. ‘Though that’s a bit different. Rosie somehow managed to become more awesome over the years, but your girl…?’ he paused and cleared his throat. ‘Let’s just say if this really is your Claudia, I have a feeling you might be in for a bit of a rude awakening.’
‘Trust me, nearly being rammed was all the awakening I needed!’ said George, sipping his tea. ‘Back in the day, Claudia had rainbow streaks in her hair. She couldn’t wait to explore Paris at midnight before interrailing as far as her overdraft would take her.’
‘That… doesn’t sound like the same person,’ said Ewan, with a little shake of his head. ‘Besides, even if it is, she nearly did you in!’
‘That was an accident… it’s not like she knew I was driving the van,’ said George with a laugh.
‘Or did she?!’ said Ewan, widening his eyes and wriggling his eyebrows again.
‘Don’t mind him,’ sighed Matt. ‘He’s been listening to far too many thriller audiobooks while he’s been working on this knitting commission!’
‘That explains a lot,’ chuckled George. ‘So, what did she want from you guys, anyway?’
‘I don’t think she really knew, if I’m honest,’ said Matt. ‘She kind of barged in, demanded to talk to us… and then kind of… ran out of steam.’
‘Weird,’ said George.
Ewan nodded. ‘If you ask me, your girl is about to have a bit of a meltdown.’
‘Please, for the love of all things holy, don’t start calling her “my girl”,’ said George. ‘For one thing, we don’t know for sure, and for another… I’m not sure the Seabury grapevine could handle the excitement!’