Page 22 of The Runner
‘Are you well, Ralph? I must apologise for not looking in on you. Miss Olivia and I have been preoccupied with her studies.’
‘I’m sure,’ he said, his tone cold but polite. ‘I don’t expect you have time for the likes of us in the village now you’re otherwise occupied at the manor.’
She guessed that if they were alone, he would sneer and mock her, but was keeping himself in check for the sake of impressing Olivia.
‘Well, it’s been a pleasure meeting you, Ralph, but we really must be on our way now,’ said George. ‘We have business in the village.’ He clicked his heels against his horse’s flanks and signalled to Olivia to follow him.
‘Yes, excuse us. We are in rather a hurry,’ said Caroline, dying to get away from him before he started chastising her for not seeking him out.
‘You are excused,’ he said, with mock gallantry, but she recognised the bitter edge to his words as he moved next to her after George and Olivia rode slightly ahead, leaving them to say goodbye. ‘I will be seeing you,’ he whispered, his height bringing him almost level with her shoulder. ‘You haven’t heard the last of me, so don’t get too comfortable at the great house, my dear Caroline.’
Now they were alone, she heard the full force of his anger and saw his blue eyes flash. He reached upwards and whispered, ‘I’m coming for you.’
Caroline twitched her reins and rode on towards the others without looking back.
George said, ‘Well, he seemed like a thoroughly disagreeable fellow.A good friend of yours, is he?’ His eyes narrowed as he assessed Caroline, who shifted uncomfortably in the saddle. ‘And Olivia, how on earth are you acquainted with such a reprobate?’
Caroline didn’t reply, and Olivia followed her example, so George was left without answers as the ladies rode on ahead.
Caroline was too embarrassed to try and explain her relationship with Ralph and would talk to Olivia when they were alone.
CHAPTER10
Sylvia’s office, York - Present day
Cara droveinto a short stay spot near Sylvia’s office in the city. She headed towards the usually plain door and noticed a bold new sign proclaimingSylvia’s Psychic Services.
The door chimed, and she entered the familiar cosy waiting room and was relieved to see it empty. Sylvia was probably in a client session, which was why she hadn’t responded to her last-minute text. Cara paced around for a while, flicking through various women’s lifestyle and spiritual magazines, too anxious to sit still for more than a minute at a time. After about ten minutes of trying to be patient, she heard sudden movement from Sylvia’s office. She popped the magazine back onto the table and waited expectantly, her eyes on the office door.
Sylvia emerged with her client and waved at Cara, mouthing she’d be with her in a minute, as she saw the woman to the door.
‘Hello, my lovely,’she said, closing the door, putting the latch on and turning round to face her.‘So sorry I couldn’t get back to you earlier. It’s been hectic. This is the first lull in clients since I arrived.’
Cara crossed the room towards Sylvia, and they embraced warmly, and Sylvia kissed both of Cara’s cheeks. ‘I hope you don’t mind—I took a chance I might catch you in-between clients.’
‘No problem at all. I’m always happy to see you and I have a break now, so your timing is impeccable. Let’s go into my office, and we can catch up.’
Sylvia’s room where she did her Tarot readings and psychic consultations exuded a calming energy which enveloped Cara immediately, and she settled into one of the shabby green chairs, her nerves melting away in Sylvia’s soothing presence.
‘Latte?’ asked the psychic.
‘Yes, please. I’m flagging a bit,’ said Cara. ‘I took a nap after a writing session, and then I had this weird dream and awoke in a panic and just knew I had to come and find you right away.’
‘That sounds intriguing. What’s going on?’
Sylvia brought the steaming cups of coffee over, placed them on her desk, and sat opposite Cara.
‘Gosh, where do I start?’ said Cara, grimacing. ‘As usual, it’s a confusing scenario.’
‘Just start where you start and let’s see if we can make some sense of it.’
‘Okay, but don’t say I didn’t warn you!’ said Cara, rolling her eyes.
‘How are George and Eddie keeping, by the way?’ asked Sylvia, coaxing Cara gently into her revelations.
‘They are well. Eddie’s staying with us, and he thinks I discovered some kind of quantum wormhole in the Willow Manor library.’
Sylvia’s green and gold-flecked cat-likeeyes widened as she sipped her coffee. ‘Tell me more…’
