Page 24 of The Runner
‘I wish I knew… As always, you bring me the most complex of puzzles in all my yearsin the business.’ Sylvia peered at Cara over her reading glasses, which hovered on her nose. She continued to shuffle the cards and then lay them down on the desk.
‘I’m not up on quantum physics, but by wormhole, I’m guessing the good professor means it’s like a portal or, or… what are those stones called that the lead female character goes through inOutlander?’
‘Standing stones,’ replied Cara, with no hesitation. ‘I read it recently. I only wish my experience was fictional!’
Sylvia smiled. ‘I read it years ago but didn’t expect to have a real time traveller in my office.’
‘I didn’t read the next book in the series yet because, although it’s brilliant, it completely spooked me. I just wanted to forget all about it,’ said Cara.
‘Yes, I can understand why you’d feel that way. And it would be helpful it if were up to you to decide your future, but as you already know—it doesn’t work that way.’
Cara nodded.
‘It’ll all be okay, don’t look so glum, my dear. Now, what do you want to ask the cards today?’ said Sylvia, becoming business like.
‘Two things,’ said Cara, gently tapping the desk. ‘I want to know whether I should enter the wormhole again and see if I time travel on demand. And, also, are the dreams just of me time travelling in my sleep, or are they merely karmic memories? I think if I can get some guidance, it will help me feel clearer on what to do about Eddie’s request.’
Sylvia held the cards gently in her hands, almost like a loving caress, and her pink nails sparkled as she swayed. The room grew warmer, and Sylvia slipped into a light trance. Cara watched and waited, nervous that the reading wouldn’t answer her two questions, but equally nervous that it would.
Willow Manor,York - Georgiana
Caroline openedher eyes to the sound of horses’ hooves clattering beneath her window, so she threw the warm blanket off her body and set her feet down firmly next to the bed in the crisp morning chill. The unmistakable velvet tone of George’s voice floated into the room. She rose quickly and crossed the short distance to peer cautiously out the window, standing to one side so he wouldn’t glimpse her watching him.
Her heart jerked, and her pulse raced. Where was he going? She had heard no word of his plans, but judging by the carriage and his luggage standing ready, and his formal dress and fashionable wig, he was going further than York.
What if he was leaving indefinitely, and she had somehow missed the signs? No one would think to tell her. Why would they? After all, she was only the paid help, and George didn’t know she was in love with him—not that her tender feelings would be of any consequence to a titled man like him. He no doubt had girls flocking to him and falling at his feet wherever he went.
Caroline drew back further behind the drapes, anxious not to be seen spying on the family, as Olivia and the countess stepped forward into the bright early morning sunshine and George embraced and kissed the cheeks of first one, then the other.
The scene beneath her window seemed to be a formal farewell, and she concluded it must be as she feared. He was going away for at least some length of time.
She stood, transfixed to the spot, watching him, unable to leave the window and race down to see him and throw her arms around him as she longed to do with every fibre of her being. Never had she felt her lowly station in life so greatly as in this bitter moment. She would have to watch her dearest love leave without being able to even bid him farewell, never mind kiss his lips like she did in her dreams.
So fierce were her feelings of shock and loss, she thought she might wretch. Caroline clutched her sides as she looked on, an icy dread strangling her heart as he stepped into the carriage and settled back, looking out at his mother and sister.
And then his dark eyes moved upwards towards her window, and she imagined he sought her out. He stared for a few seconds longer as she shrunk further into the shadows and continued to spy on him, her senses thudding guiltily.
Was he disappointed to have missed her? She shook her head and chastised herself for being fanciful. Then the carriage lurched forward and from her hidden position, she watched him go. Once he was further away, she moved back into full view of the window and stared after the carriage until it was a just tiny speck on the horizon. The countess and Olivia had long since re-entered the house, and she stood alone, her heart splintered into a million pieces.
One thought terrified her above all others.
How will I bear living in his house without him?
It was a bitter thought that hadn’t crossed her mind until she realised he had gone.
CHAPTER11
Sylvia’s office, York - Present day
Cara shruggedher arms out of her jacket, a wave of unbearable heat creeping over her as she watched Sylvia settle down for the card reading in her trance-like state.
Cara stared as the cards hit the desk, knowing it wasn’t time yet. The glossy, colourful reverse side of the Tarot and Angel cards intermingled like a mystical tapestry and blurred in front of her eyes as the seconds passed. ‘Now,’ she said, her voice clear and firm. There was no hesitation—she just knew when it was the right card.
‘Repeat your first question, please,’ prompted Sylvia, her eyes still closed.
Cara drew herself up and rested her elbows on the edge of the desk. ‘I want to know whether I should enter the wormhole again and attempt to time travel on demand.’
Sylvia flipped the card onto the top of the thick pile. Her head drooped forward slightly as she focused on the card, and then she raised her eyes to Cara. ‘What do you know of this card?’
