Page 11 of Your Carriage Awaits in Crumbleton
‘It was fine. A bit wet, but you know… nothing I couldn’t handle.’
She took a sip of coffee, keeping her eyes firmly on the tabletop. She was a terrible liar. Always had been. Even as a kid, she’d never been able to get away with anything. Her face was basically a neon sign that flashed “GUILTY” the moment she tried to be economical with the truth.
‘Where did you stash all your boxes?’ said her dad, glancing around the kitchen as if he expected them to materialise out of thin air.
‘Oh,’ said Michelle, her mind racing. ‘I… er… I left them in the car. I didn’t want to drag them through the rain. They can stay there until everything dries up a bit.’
‘Sensible,’ her mum nodded approvingly. ‘No point getting everything soaked.’
Michelle felt a wave of relief—and guilt—wash over her. That had been close. Too close. She needed to get out of there before her parents started asking more questions.
‘Right then,’ she said, draining her coffee in record time and scorching her mouth and throat in the process. ‘I’d better get going.’
‘Hang on a minute,’ said her dad, reaching across the table and catching her hand. ‘Are yousureyou’re alright, love? You seem a bit… I don’t know… jumpy?’
Michelle forced a smile. ‘I’m fine, Dad. Honestly. Just keen to get some exercise in before the weather gets worse.’
‘Where are you planning to go?’ said her mum. ‘The marsh paths are probably pretty waterlogged after all that rain.’
Wasn’t that the truth!
‘Just… around,’ said Michelle vaguely. ‘See how I feel.’
Her parents exchanged a look.
‘Are you working this morning, Dad?’ she asked, crossing her fingers behind her back.
The question was more than just a diversionary tactic. Michelle wanted to know if her dad would be out on the roads in his taxi… because if there was any chance he’d be driving in the direction of the Dalton Garage, she needed to stay well away!
‘Nope, I’ve got a blessed morning off,’ he said with a broad smile. ‘Hey, if you’re planning on a nice, steady walk, perhaps I could come with you?’
‘Oh… I…’
Shit!
‘Brian, don’t you dare!’ her mum growled. ‘You promised to help me shift that wardrobe in our bedroom.’
‘I… forgot,’ said her dad, looking sheepish. ‘Sorry love, looks like I’m spoken for.’
‘No worries,’ said Michelle, forcing a smile and doing her best to keep the relief out of her voice. ‘I’ll be off then.’
‘Make sure you take your phone,’ said her mum. ‘And wrap up warm. It’s chilly out there.’
‘Will do,’ said Michelle.
‘And don’t be too long!’ her dad called just as she made her escape from the kitchen. ‘We thought the three of us could video-call Lawrence later. See if we can’t help sort this whole thing out between you.’
Michelle froze.What?!
‘What?’ That one slipped out, and she u-turned straight back into the kitchen.
‘Well, we just think—’ her mum started.
‘No,’ said Michelle. ‘Absolutely not. I’ve told you, it’s over. Finished. Done. I don’t want you calling him. In fact, I don’t want you getting involved at all.’
‘But love—’ her dad began.
‘No buts,’ said Michelle, surprised by the steel in her own voice. ‘Promise me you won’t phone him. Promise me you’ll leave it alone.’
