Page 53 of The Wedding Cake Wish
‘Sure. When will you need me?’
I feel Hudson’s warm hand on my shoulder as he leans in withme. ‘I don’t think we’ll be long.’
The taxi driver shrugs. ‘Doubt I’ll get any more fares tonight.I could switch off the meter and wait a while, if you like.’ He points.‘There’s a passing place a few yards further on. I’ll be parked in there.’
‘That would be great. Thank you so much.’ I smile withrelief. The thought of walking all the way back in the dark is not an appealingthought.
Rory has left the gate open, so we walk right in and followthe road that leads round to the back of the café and the other buildings. It’sso dark I can hardly see my hand in front of me and I keep bumping into Hudsonand clutching his arm for support. In the end, he grabs my hand, enclosing itfirmly and we walk on in silence like that.
The physical contact gives me a floaty, breathless feeling,and yet I feel grounded and perfectly safe, with Hudson’s fingers wrappedaround mine.
Rounding a corner, sure enough, there’s Rory’s van parkedand there’s a light in one of the windows.
‘That must be the office, next to the café,’ I whisper.‘What do you think he’s doing in there?’
‘No idea. Maybe it’s legit. Something he’s agreed to do forStephanie?’
‘At this time of night?’
‘You’ve got a point.’ He drops my hand and I feel a funnypang of loss.
‘I’m going to take a look.’
‘Really?’ I glance at my partner in crime with alarm. ‘Buthe’ll hear you.’
‘I’m not going into the building. I’ll just look through thewindow.’
‘Oh. Well, be careful.’
‘Don’t worry, Rubes. I’ll be fine.’ I catch a flash of whiteteeth in the dark, so I know he’s smiling at me. Then he moves towards thelight in the window.
‘I want to look as well,’ I whisper, joining him there.
Together, we crouch below the window and then very slowly,rise up until we can just see into the room.
Rory is sitting at a desk with his back to the window, andhe’s staring at the screen of a laptop, his fingers tapping constantly at thekeys.
‘What’s he doing?’ I murmur.
‘Can’t see from here.’
‘Maybe he’s stealing money from the company’s online bankaccount. Perhaps that’s the revenge he’s taking on Stephanie?’
‘Or maybe he’s just doing something he forgot to do earlier.Admin. For the opening ceremony tomorrow?’
‘Shit! He’s getting up to go!’
Quick as a flash, Hudson takes my hand again and drags meinto the shadow of a group of trees, and we wait, holding our breath, as thelight clicks off and Rory emerges. He locks up, gets back in his van and setsoff towards the gate.
‘We won’t be able to get out. He’ll lock the gate again,’ Iwhisper in a panic.
Hudson chuckles. ‘Ah, but you’re getting really expert atclimbing over walls and gates, remember?’
I blow out my breath. ‘Hardly.’
Brake lights ahead warn us that the van has stopped.
‘He’s getting out!’ My heart is thumping. ‘Oh, God, do youthink he’s seen us?’
