Page 38 of The Runner
‘Whatever are you doing?’ said Caroline. ‘We must carry out our errand.’
The countess had tasked them to deliver a basket laden with Cook’s pies, bread, and pastries, to a sick tenant and their family in the village.
‘May I please be excused? I am simply dying to greet George upon his return.’ Olivia’s cheeks were flushed, and she found it difficult to sit still in the saddle. ‘Let us have Taylor deliver the basket with our blessings, and we may return to the house immediately. If we ride fast enough, we may even make it before George arrives and he will be delighted to see us waiting for him.’ Olivia relaxed the reins on the horse’s hot neck and clasped her hands together in a sign of a prayer. ‘Please, please, Caroline.’
‘Very well. I have an idea,’ said Caroline. ‘We must deliver the basket personally, but you turn back, and Taylor will accompany you, and I will continue on to the village. I will make haste and be back in no time.’
Olivia considered only for a second, for she was too distracted by the thought of her brother bearing news and fancy gifts from London to resist.
They parted ways and Caroline continued along the footpath alone, her emotions crashing through her as she contemplated seeing George again after so much time had passed.
Is it possible to have such vivid dreams of another life with him, whilst he has no such feelings for me at all?
As she approached the village, she noticed the bushes sway to the left side of the footpath, as though someone moved through the thickets. She stared at the spot, heart thudding and the blood racing through her veins. She knew who was there before he appeared.
Ralph stepped out from the bushes and moved to block her way.
CHAPTER17
Willow Manor, York - Present day
It was freezingin the priest hole and Cara shivered, as much from the cold as from her fear of the vortex claiming her while Kate was there.
‘Are you okay?’ said Kate, turning back to Cara, squinting to see her face. ‘I didn’t know you had panic attacks.’
‘I don’t usually,’ said Cara in a muffled voice. ‘It’s this confined space. You carry on if you like, although there’s not much more to see.’
‘No, it’s okay. Let’s get out of here. I could make out the wall, so I think we’ve just about reached the end, anyway. I’ll come back and explore some more another time.’
Cara exhaled, relief flooding through her. They had avoided reaching the wall by only a few seconds.
George jumped down into the library and, ever the perfect gentleman, turned to help Cara and then Kate to clamber slowly down onto the plush carpet.
Cara threw herself onto the nearest chesterfield and fanned her face with her hand. ‘I don’t think I’ll join you next time if that’s all right! I felt like I was losing it in there. I’ve never liked confined spaces, but today it really freaked me out.’
‘My poor darling,’ said George. ‘Come on, let’s skedaddle and take a walk to blow the cobwebs away. It’s bloody damp in that tunnel. I can only imagine how dreadful it was for the persecuted priest unable to move a muscle for fear of being caught.’
As they took a walk around the grounds, Kate stooped to pick up a fallen bunch of lance-shaped willow leaves and twirled them in her hands as they walked. ‘You know that strange feeling hasn’t left me. I kept expecting something significant to happen in that tunnel.’
‘And it did!’ said George. ‘Cara almost had a panic attack…’
Kate shook her head. ‘No, I mean something else. Never mind, I can’t explain it.’
They walked to their favourite riverside local pub for lunch and watched the boats drift by on the sparking water as they ate.
‘It really is an idyllic spot, isn’t it? No wonder our ancestors thought it was a good place to build the family home. I could get used to this,’ said Kate.
‘I’m so pleased you like it. You know, you are welcome to stay for as long as you fancy,’ Cara said.
‘Be careful. I might just take you up on that, what with Rick away on business for the foreseeable future. It’s lovely having your company and there is something comforting about Willow Manor. I know I keep saying it, but it really feels like home.’
‘That’s settled then,’ said George, pushing his plate aside and arranging his knife and fork to signify he had finished eating.
‘What’s settled?’ asked Kate, pausing over her cheese and onion quiche and crispy coleslaw.
‘You’re staying on for a while. We can certainly do with you help in the run up to the grand opening.’
They admired the cerulean blue sky and sipped their drinks and relaxed in the ambiance of the sun-drenched riverside terrace, surrounded by shrubbery and artistically arranged pots stuffed with bright summer flowers.
