Chapter Seven
Ren
What the fuck was I thinking? The question looped in my head as we set off from the hotel carpark into the Peaks.
I’d followed her on to this trip like a dog, panting after her, surrendering what was left of my dignity, only for her to walk six feet ahead of me at all times.
All I could do was stare at her swinging blonde ponytail, knowing exactly how those silky strands felt between my fingers. This was pathetic.
Sandra and I were going to have serious words when I got back.
She had conveniently left out that this was a women-only hike.
Wild Women Walk. I’d wanted to groan and leg it back to my car the second I realised I was that guy.
I was the guy crashing their space. I’d been ready to pack my bags and vanish before Lydia even spotted me.
But Mandy had smiled and waved me over. She hadn’t seemed fazed when I turned up. If anything, she’d looked… expectant.
Like someone had tipped her off.
My eyes narrowed. Sandra. Meddling as usual.
Plus, I was a goner as soon as Lydia’s eyes met mine – God, she looked so riled. Gloriously furious. And I couldn’t help myself. I had to stay.
But it didn’t mean this wasn’t bloody awkward, though, as I trailed alongside the eight other women, wondering if I was the giant elephant on the hike.
The saving grace so far was Peggy. She was my icebreaker, as she wove between everyone, tail wagging. She stopped every few feet to sniff a tree stump or patch of grass as we left the gravel and hit the path, wide fields stretching out ahead.
At least someone was having fun.
The rest of the group was welcoming, thankfully.
Freya and Jade asked me what I did for a living, and commented on the weather.
Classic British chat, although Freya had a German lilt to her voice.
Amara trailed next to us, quiet but observing, her hand passing along the shrubs and bushes as we went.
Amy, Gen, and Claire kept their distance from me so far, and I couldn’t blame them. They probably hated me.
Mandy brought everyone to a stop in a clearing and clapped her hands. Her bright, encouraging smile could give Lydia a run for her money.
‘All right, everyone, listen up! Today’s a relatively easy start, but we’ve got some challenges ahead.
We’ll head through Edale Valley and up to Jacob’s Ladder.
It’s a rocky ascent, so please watch where you walk.
The climb up might get your legs burning, but the view from the top will make it worth it.
Remember, this is the first location and the easiest. It’s designed to warm you up and prepare you for more challenging hikes in Snowdonia and the Highlands. ’
She paused, making eye contact with a few of us.
‘But we’re not in a race. We’re in the peaks for another four days, so take it slow and enjoy the walk.
We’ll stop for a break at the top, have snacks, take pictures, and then continue along the ridge towards our campsite.
The terrain’s tricky in places, so watch your step.
All right, let’s get going. The sooner we hit the top, the sooner we can sit back and enjoy the view. ’
Excited conversation rippled through the group and I felt a stab of loneliness. Lydia laughed with her friends. God, I hoped I’d made the right bet coming on this trip.
Grand gesture, Liam had said.
‘So what’s your deal?’
The voice beside me was deep and smooth, cutting through the sound of boots on gravel as we wound through Edale. The trail was well-trodden, the path stretching ahead.
I turned to see Gen beside me. She’d appeared without a sound and, from the look on her face, she wasn’t here to make friends. Gen had light brown skin, long dark hair that was braided today, and an expression that said she was perpetually unimpressed with you. Or maybe that was just for me.
I cleared my throat. My palms were already sweating. ‘What do you mean?’
Gen levelled me a look. ‘Don’t play dumb, pretty boy.’
‘You think I’m pretty, huh?’
‘If you break her heart again, I will kill you,’ Gen said, low. ‘And I’m very good at making things look accidental. It’s amazing how many accidents happen on hikes, you know.’ She gave me a lazy smile. ‘And we’re headed to very remote places. Slippery rocks, a gust of wind…’
She held my gaze. My stomach dropped.
‘Jesus,’ I gulped, like a goofy cartoon character. This woman was effective. I felt oddly comforted, knowing Lydia had her in her corner.
‘Look, I’m not—’
Gen held up a hand. ‘Don’t care,’ she said flatly. ‘I came here to threaten you and leave.’
Gen was a few steps in front of me when I called, ‘Does she know about the tattoo?’
She turned, giving me a sharp look. ‘No. It would have been confusing for her, after you left that note. And I don’t chat shit about my clients, even ones I don’t particularly like.’
Gen picked up the pace, returning to Amy and Lydia. Lydia turned, a curious look on her face as she scanned me like she was worried Gen had left scratch marks.
I gave her a tentative smile, but she turned away fast, her blonde ponytail swinging.
‘This isn’t going to be an easy trip, Peggy,’ I said, but even she left me to sniff a tree stump.
The sun broke through the clouds in bursts, lighting up the wet grass and woolly sheep as we crossed Edale Valley.
I kept my distance, as Lydia had asked. Still, there was something grounding about being near her again – watching her attentive expression as Amara explained the birds of the Peak District or her face tilting to the sky like she was savouring the sun on her face.
But then some things began to grate on me.
As Jade began to snap photos, Lydia offered to help carry some of her equipment, even though she had the biggest backpack of everyone here.
Then she began walking on the grass verge or at the edges of puddles, her boots squelching through mud, just so everyone else could stay dry.
She offered Claire the last of her water when Claire upturned her flask, bemoaning that she’d run dry.
Classic Lydia. Always making herself uncomfortable so others didn’t have to.
Two hours in, as we reached Jacob’s Ladder, I noticed her slowing, her smile fading.
‘Tired?’ I murmured, as the others pushed on ahead of us.
‘No,’ she said quickly. ‘Just warm.’
She adjusted her pack, sweat glinting on her brow. She was a little pink, still carrying Jade’s kit bag, because of course she was.
‘Give me your pack,’ I said.
‘It’s fine.’
‘Lydia.’
She looked at me then – defiant, exhausted, and, of course, beautiful. There was an ache in my throat. Would she ever let me in again?
‘Let me help,’ I said, more quietly now. ‘Just this once.’
She handed me her pack. I misjudged the weight and it dropped straight to the ground. Lydia gave me that smug, little smile she wore whenever she beat me at anything – Wii tennis, downing pints, life. She was a born competitor, and I was happy to be her favourite rival.
‘Too heavy for you, huh?’
‘Take off your top.’
The smile vanished. Colour bloomed in her cheeks and crept down her neck. Her eyes softened, hazy, and I knew exactly where her mind had gone. Same place mine had.
‘You’re warm,’ I added quickly, voice a little rough. ‘Take off a layer.’
‘Oh, right. Yeah.’
She peeled off her long-sleeved top, revealing a bright pink tank that made her flushed skin glow. Her biceps flexed, collarbones catching the light. She ran a hand through her ponytail, and I forced myself to look away as she pulled the pack back on to her shoulders.
‘Wait. Take it off again.’
She narrowed her eyes. ‘What is your obsession with telling me to take things off?’
I swallowed a grin.
‘Let me put this under your shoulders. So your pack doesn’t rub.’
‘Oh.’
She turned, letting me step in close. I picked up the pack and eased it over her shoulders, fingers brushing her skin, sun-warmed and soft, and I had to grit my teeth not to linger.
‘What the hell do you have in this pack, Lydia?’ I muttered. ‘A dead body?’
She shrugged, ‘Just the essentials.’
‘Ten-step skincare routine?’
She bit her lip. It was cute. ‘Maybe.’
I held back a smile, not wanting to scare her off. We turned to join the group. I was unsurprised to see Gen staring, her eyes like pointed daggers, and Amy next to her, with a softer, curious look on her face.
I coughed. ‘We have an audience.’
Lydia glanced up to see her friends’ stare.
‘Do they know? About… that night?’
Lydia’s shoulders tensed.
I ran a hand through my hair. ‘I’m just curious. Gen was particularly vicious earlier. Threatened to throw me off a cliff.’
‘They know,’ she said, staring at the gravel path.
I hesitated. ‘I’m surprised you didn’t tell more people. Get them on your side. Everyone would hate me.’
She stopped mid-step and swivelled, her expression thunderous.
Her voice dropped. ‘Let’s get something straight.
I’m not talking to you about that night.
Not here. Not now. Not ever.’ She took a step closer.
‘You lost the right to ask me questions the second you walked out of my life that night like—’ She slammed her mouth closed.
‘Like I meant nothing. So don’t you dare try and play the victim. ’
I opened my mouth but she was already turning away, striding back to the others as if she hadn’t just gutted me with a single look.
Some dark, arrogant part of me felt almost relieved. Because for the second time today, what I’d seen wasn’t indifference. It was fury, sharp and unfiltered. And fury, at least, meant she’d cared once.
And maybe she still did.