Rory Read online

  “Rory, what the hell have you done to me?”

  That day at work she tried to focus on her plans for her art—her one and only love, before she found Rory again—but it didn’t work either. Usually it helped her get through the day, planning what she’d work on next. And now, lying alone on her futon, it was driving her slowly insane. Being in love was a painful thing.

  Her phone finally bleeped into life.

  Sky leaped up and snatched the phone off the shelf.

  It was his name she saw on the screen.

  “Hey you,” she said, smiling as she answered his call. “No texts then a phone call, what have I done to deserve such a treat?”

  “There’s been a lot to deal with, but it doesn’t mean I stopped thinking about you.” His voice. It made her melt. “I didn’t wake you did I?”

  “Nope. I can’t sleep. Thinking about you.”

  He gave a soft growl. “Good.”

  “I’m going crazy without you.”

  “I’m sorry. I just got used to being alone, and when that happened to George I felt I had to handle it alone.”

  “But I’m the same, I’ve been alone for a while now and yet you helped me when I had to go to Wales with Nan, and after…” She took a deep breath, acknowledging what he’d done for her when she’d had flashbacks about the dark days with her mother. “You wouldn’t let me do the same for you and help you with some of the stuff you’ve had to deal with.”

  “I will, soon. …the truth is if you’d been here with me, I would’ve just wanted to be with you. I felt guilty, still do, about the physical attack on George.”

  “The woman from the tea bar opposite told me what happened and what you had to deal with.”

  “Yeah…” He fell silent for a moment. “I’m heading up to see Sean tomorrow, got a visitor’s pass.”

  “Is he okay? That’s twice you’ve been recently?”

  “Just making plans for when he comes out. I want him to feel he’s got something to come out to, you know, it’s been tough on him. The way we see it, he took the fall for all three of us.”

  “You’re a good brother, better than mine is to me.”

  “Draco really cares about you, otherwise he wouldn’t have kicked off the way he did.”

  “I suppose you’re right, but he’s got an odd way of showing it.”

  “We’re through the worst now. As soon as I get back from seeing Sean, I’ll be in touch, okay?”

  Relief hit her.

  “I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch. I couldn’t let George down. He put a lot of faith in me, and it’s been a huge wake up call.”

  “How do you mean?”

  “That someone valued me that much, cared about my future, and trusted me.”

  She wanted to bellow into the phone she valued him that much and more, but she held back, letting him get his thoughts out. Besides, he was revealing a side of himself she hadn’t seen before.

  “There were a lot of things to do, and I had his pets to look after.”

  “Tell me about them.”

  “Aside from Oscar, the wolfhound, three resident cats and a feral colony at the bottom of the garden. George lived on the edge of a park, so there are a few scavengers around. George fed them and kept a watch on them.”

  “Send me a photo, will you?”

  “Okay.” He sounded surprised. “I can do that. Oscar knew me, which was a mercy. I wouldn’t have fancied coming in here to feed them and have him thinking I was a burglar. George used to bring him to the workshop on the days his dog walker wasn’t available. We’d spent a lot of time together before.”

  He chatted on, then his tone altered. “Before I go, tell me what are you wearing?”

  The question took her by surprise. “One of your old T-shirts.”

  “Ah, yes I was going to confront you about it. I saw it under the futon the day we had to leave for Wales.”

  “You left it behind. Of course I was going to grab it.” She chuckled.

  “If you’d asked I’d have given it to you.”

  “The band was that bad?”

  He laughed. “No, but I’d have given you anything you wanted.”

  “I wanted you.”

  “Is that why you stared?”

  “Making eyes. My Mum used to tell me off every time she caught me looking at you. Stop making eyes at him, she’d say.”

  A deep sigh issued from the other end of the phone. “Al I wanted to do then—and now—is put my hands on you, to be inside you. To hold you.”

  His tone had a low intensity about it that melted her. His words set loose a yearning like she’d never felt before. She bit her lip, her head dropping back. “Are you winding me up?”

  “No! I’m being straight with you, you crazy girl.” Again he sighed. “I wish I was there.”

  She laughed breathlessly. “So do I, believe me. I’m going to dream of you tonight.”

  After the end of the phone call, Sky found it much easier to snuggle down in bed, having spoken to him. She lay on her side and imagined Rory was at her back, holding her. The things he’d said on the phone ran through her mind, making her smile. The treasured intimacy was back again. In fact it seemed stronger, as if they didn’t have to be cautious and on guard with each other. Relieved and hopeful, she closed her eyes. She was drifting into a doze when her phone bleeped.

  Lifting up onto one elbow, she reached for it and opened up the message.

  There was a picture of a big shaggy wolfhound looking at her, a real close up, and he had a red ball in his mouth, as if he’d brought it to her and wanted to play.

  Tears prickled at the back of her eyes.

  A moment later the phone bleeped again.

  She swiped to the next message. The photograph she saw there featured a bookshelf stacked with ornaments and books, and what looked like bike parts and bits of old radio. It was taken from quite a distance away, around ten feet or so, she supposed, and she wondered what she was looking at.

  Then she saw it, and gasped aloud.

  In various places amongst all the paraphernalia on the shelves she caught sight of a black moggy peering out from between a clock and a radio, hidden at the back of the shelf, safe and secure. She touched its nose with her fingertip. “Hello cutie pie.”

  Scanning the rest of the shelves she found a fluffy ginger and white, and a wide-eyed tabby, hidden in various places. The tabby even seemed to be sitting on a cushion, which made her chuckle. George must have put it back there for the cat to sit on.

  No wonder Rory had felt the need to go and be with them, they would be missing George terribly, just as she was missing Rory. And he was missing his boss and friend. It struck her then, how much Rory would be missing George. Like a network of grief, it was eventually followed by love and consolation from those left behind, to heal the gaps.

  I’m part of that.

  For the first time, she knew how much she wanted it. To really be part of something, to be needed. Reassured, and filled with love, she knew then Rory wouldn’t break from her. She would see him again, and as soon as he could.

  She wanted to pour her heart out in response to the lovely photos, to tell him how happy it made her feel. She would tell him when they were together. She sent him a heart emoji, and took a selfie showing his T-shirt and sent it as well.

  Then she snuggled down in bed, clutching her phone to her heart.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  With a glance at her phone, Sky reminded herself he wasn’t calling because he was visiting Sean. She simply had to do as he asked and prove she was woman enough to wait, be patient, not bombard him with texts, and to trust him. Kiddo wouldn’t have waited. Kiddo would have been texting him like crazy and hanging around outside his house all the time. Kiddo had to be halted in her tracks. Nevertheless, she ached for him.

  A customer approached and ordered two lattes with an extra shot each. On auto pilot she made the coffees and snapped the plastic lids on. Dropping them into a holder, she passed it
over to the customer.

  That’s when she though she saw Rory in the shifting crowd. Just a flash of black leather and a stubbled chin that seemed familiar.

  Imagined it.

  She looked away He would have texted, had he been on his way.

  “Espresso please.”

  Her head snapped up.

  Rory was standing there right in front of her.

  She covered her mouth with her hand, afraid she would cry if she didn’t.

  “Hey?” Concern marked his expression.

  “I thought you were visiting Sean.”

  “I did first thing. You’re next on my hit list.” He grinned.

  Giddy, she set about brewing the espresso. When she returned with the cup he leaned as close as he could.

  “Are you finishing soon? I have a proposition for you.”

  She nodded, glancing at the clock. “I’ll be done here in about twenty minutes. I can’t leave any earlier today. I’m on a final warning.” She rolled her eyes to let him know how she felt about that.

  Rory laughed, lifted his cup to her and sauntered off.

  She thought he might get restless, but no, he stood nearby, watching her with a half smile on his face. Dressed in his biker leathers, he looked incredibly hot and sexy. The fact he’d come straight to see her made her heart race. Jittery and excited, she had to stop looking at him in case she dropped a cup or tripped over a cable.

  He’d mentioned a proposition. What was it?

  It was the slowest twenty minutes of her life.

  Eventually, it was time. When she waved at him, he nodded and sauntered away from the spot where he’d waited. She threw off her apron and darted out the door at the back of the Coffee Hut. She knew where he’d be. In exactly the same place he’d waited the day he’d come with her bag, under the electronic announcements board.

  As she approached her heart raced, her body aching to run to him and hold him. He threw his backpack over his shoulder, weaving through the oncoming crowd toward her at top speed. Relief flooded through her, and it morphed into a dizzy rush as she watched him jog toward her.

  Capturing her in his arms, he lifted her from her feet.

  She kissed him, hugging him gratefully.

  He laughed. “People are staring.”

  “I don’t care,” she replied.

  “You crazy, rebel hearted woman.” His eyes glinted.

  “No, it’s you.” She clutched at his shoulders gratefully, adoring the way he felt under her hands, hard and strong and alive. “You make me this way. I can’t help myself when it comes to you.”

  He stared down at her for a silent moment, then put one finger to her lips. “Come on, we need to get out of here. Kristaps is waiting outside with my bike.”

  “Kristaps?”

  He laughed at her reaction. “Yes. He’s doing me a favor so I could come by and collect you.” He winked, grabbed her hand and set off at a pace.

  Collect me for what? Filled with wonder, willing to go anywhere as long as it was with him, she darted alongside him, breathless with laughter. His mood was infectious, and it was so good to see him happy, without the shadows he’d had in his eyes when they’d met at the funeral.

  Outside, on the crowded forecourt, taxis and mini buses were lined up to collect and offload. Rory quickly navigated the chaos of passengers and baggage. Passing along the concourse he turned down the side of the station into a side street.

  Sky caught sight of Kristaps sitting astride Rory’s Triumph with two helmets over his arm. Kristaps was looking about anxiously. A traffic warden loomed on the other side of the street.

  “Just in time,” Kristaps announced, and climbed off the bike.

  He handed over both helmets, one directly to Sky.

  “Thanks buddy.” Rory gave him a fist bump. “I owe you.”

  “No worries. Get going before this traffic warden comes over.”

  Rory mounted the bike.

  Sky wriggled her tight uniform skirt up a bit to enable her to climb on behind him. Kristaps stared at her, eyebrows lifted, a smile on his face.

  Rory was just about to pull his helmet on when he caught sight of what she was doing. “Oh, crap. I forgot that you’d be wearing a skirt.”

  “It’s my only spare, but it won’t stop me!” Grabbing the hem of her barista uniform skirt she tore a slit up from the hem, the length of her thigh. “See!”

  As she pulled on her helmet she heard the guys laugh.

  “She’s a crazy, sexy lady,” Kristaps said, “no wonder you love her.”

  Rory had pulled on his helmet and was starting the bike, so she couldn’t see his expression. He gestured at her and she climbed on.

  Kristaps waved them off.

  The traffic warden shook his head as they shot by.

  Elated, Sky settled in behind Rory. She didn’t even know where they were going. It didn’t matter. She clung to his back, grateful to be there against him, grateful to be with him again. Everything else melted away into nothing.

  Rory handled the bike masterfully, despite the heavy rush hour traffic. He weaved through the traffic, revving the engine at traffic lights, making her blood rush. The joy of being with him and the thrilling ride was a double hit of excitement. It made her emotional and when they reached the destination about twenty minutes later, she was giddy.

  Once he switched the engine off she climbed off and quickly pulled off the helmet. She’d assumed he was taking her to his place, but when she looked around she didn’t recognize the place. By the looks of it, he’d pulled up at the entrance to a park.

  “Where are we?” In one corner of the park, adjacent the entrance gates stood a vast thicket of hedge.

  Rory nodded at the hedges. “The park house.”

  Sky craned her neck. “There’s a house in there?”

  “Yes, the lodge, it used to be called. Years ago the park caretaker used to live there, but the council sold it. No one wanted to be in a park at the time, but George bought it, and he grew the hedges so it’s really private.”

  “This is George’s place?”

  “Come on, let’s go inside.”

  “How?”

  Rory laughed. “Follow the hedge until you find a gate.”

  “You’re enjoying this!”

  “Yup.”

  God that smile looked good on him. “Do I get a prize?” She winked as she set off, following the perimeter.

  “Of course.”

  Sky trailed one hand along the foliage as she went. After thirty feet or so the hedge turned a corner, which meant they were out of the view of the park entrance. Another twenty feet or so brought her to an indent. A green wrought iron gate was barely visible amongst the trailing branches. “It’s like a secret garden.”

  “In you go.”

  She lifted the latch on the gate and went in. Ahead stood a funny little grey stone house. It had a steep roof and a turret with a small window looking across the park. Rory pushed the bike up the pathway toward a long shed at the side of the house. It had clematis growing all over it to make it look pretty. Sky watched as he opened up the padlock and chain and pushed his bike inside.

  “It’s like being in the countryside,” she said when he rejoined her, amazed at how different it was inside the hedges. The distant sound of dogs barking and an ice cream van where all that pulled her attention away from Rory and the quaint house with its odd little turret.

  “That’s what George said. He said he loved London, but this was his sanctuary.” He nodded at the door and she saw an old piece of driftwood pinned over the door. Carved into the wood was one word, Sanctuary.

  She snuck her hand into his, feeling overwhelmed, feeling a little lost.

  He led her around the side of the house. A glass extension was surrounded by tall meadow flowers. He pointed through the window. She saw an easel set up there. Next to it was a tall stool, upon which sat a tabby cat. The cat appeared to be staring at the easel expectantly, which made her chuckle. The cat turned th
eir way.

  “Do you think you could paint in there?”

  She nodded. “Where did the easel come from?”

  “It’s a treat, from me.”

  Sky could do no more than squeeze his hand. He’d bought her an easel. It meant so much.

  Barking sounded from inside the house. In a flash of grey fur, a massive Irish Wolfhound stood up against the window ledge, tail wagging vigorously.

  “Oh my, he’s huge.”

  “He a good lad.” Rory went closer to the window. “Sit!”

  The dog sat down but was still large enough to be able to peep over the window ledge at them. Rory gestured at a wrought iron bench in the garden, in the midst of the meadow flowers. “Before we go inside, I’d like to talk about my proposal. While I have your full attention.”

  “You always have my full attention.”

  “I won’t once you meet the dog and the cats.”

  Sky laughed softly. “Ah yes, that might be an issue.”

  She took a seat. When Rory sat beside her, he took her hand in his and studied her rings and nails thoughtfully.

  “So, what’s this proposal?”

  His expression turned serious. “I want you to get into Art College, to live your dream. I talked to Draco about it.”

  She frowned. “Draco?”

  “Yes, I wanted to be sure he’s on board with my plan, and he is.”

  “I’m not sure I like the sound of this, especially if Draco approves.” She rolled her eyes. “Besides, I’ve got my application in.”

  “Yes, but I don’t want you to be doing barista shifts any more. I worry about you having to save in advance and how you’ll cope when you start. I want to help you.”

  “That’s kind and I appreciate it but you can’t Rory.”

  “I can and I will. Do you remember when you wanted to help me and you were upset that I wouldn’t let you?”

  “Yes, I was hurt because you helped me.”

  “Well, I do want you to help me, and if you like this proposal I think we can make it work for us both.” His eyes were bright, but there was tension in him, as if he wasn’t sure how she would react.