Page 45 of Twin Flames
George’s eyes scanned the room for Cara.
Where had she gone?
He’d seen her leave the room a few minutes earlier; he’d almost lost his flow mid-sentence. It wasn’t like her; she was usually so attentive. Something must have happened; she hadn’t returned to her seat. He checked his phone and saw a message.
‘You were great! I’m so sorry. I had to dash. Terrible news from Daniel’s daughter. He’s had a heart attack.’
George called immediately, but her phone didn’t ring.
She must be in a poor signal zone.
‘Oh, no. Serious?’ he texted.
‘They’re not sure yet, but his daughter’s in a state.’
‘Where are you?’
‘I’m in a taxi on my way to the station.’
George wished he could be more sympathetic, but he was crushed by her sudden departure. The interview had been a success, and he was on a high. He wanted to discuss it with her and celebrate over dinner. Given the broken engagement, he couldn’t see why she needed to rush off to Daniel, but he restrained himself and replied, ‘Right, I see.’
He has his family. He isn’t alone.
‘I feel as though I must go to be with him,’ typed Cara. She sensed his disappointment and wanted him to understand.
‘No problem,’ he texted back, feeling like he’d been punched in the gut.
‘Your interview went brilliantly. I loved it. Well done! I’ll call you later. xx,’ she responded.
And she was gone. Again.
Right then, Cara.
George headed out to the car park, fired up the engine of his beloved 911 and drove back to Knightsbridge, alone with his conflicted thoughts.
CHAPTER 14
London to York, present day
Cara was only semi-conscious of the lush green fields rolling by as the train sped en route from King’s Cross to York. She stared out of the window in a daze, her thoughts had been hijacked.
She longed to stay with George, but her guilty conscience needled her to be at Daniel’s side. What if his heart attack was brought on by the stress of her leaving? He’d been in great shape at his last medical, or so he had let her believe.
Had he hidden the news of his poor health because he didn’t want her to worry? It seemed unlikely; he wasn’t typically the secretive type.
Who knows what’s really going on in people’s heads? They seem to so frequently say one thing but think another.
Cara nibbled her thumbnail, pondering the quirks of human nature, as the first-class carriage rumbled on through the open countryside. She should arrive in an hour. Daniel’s daughter had surprised her by offering to meet her at the station and take her to the hospital.
Cara disembarked from the train and scanned the platform. Sally appeared, waving and smiling.
‘Hi, how kind of you to pick me up. I’m so sorry about your father. You must have been through hell,’ said Cara.
‘It’s been awful.’ Sally’s cheerful facade crumpled and she leaned against her shoulder and began to sob. Tears streamed down her face and dripped onto the lapel of her navy-blue blazer. She made an obvious effort to stem the flow but only grew more agitated as she tried to contain her emotions. Usually cold and distant with Cara, today her composure disintegrated.
‘It’s okay—it’s okay,’ said Cara, wrapping her arms around Sally. ‘Your dad will be just fine. He’s a fighter and has everything to live for.’
Sally pulled away, wiped her damp, red eyes, and said, ‘I don’t know. Since you split up, he’s not been himself. I’ve never heard him sound so low. I’ve made an effort to call him more often, but it doesn’t seem to help. Your leaving hit him hard.’
