Because of Lucy (1) by Lisa Swallow

Author:Lisa Swallow [Lisa Swallow]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, Contemporary, Adult
ISBN: 1492223182
Goodreads: 18217862
Publisher: Limitless Publishing
Published: 2013-08-27T22:00:00+00:00

****

NESS

The patchwork Pennines in the distance make a welcome change from the brick and concrete views of the city. The move from Cheltenham to Leeds was jarring, swapping my green countryside life for urban sprawl, and I took a while to readjust. Getting out of Leeds feels like taking a lungful of fresh air.

Evan drives away from the city, the suburbs growing smaller until we hit the motorway. I eye the road signs as we pass.

“You’re not taking me to Lancaster, I hope?”

His hands grip the wheel a little tighter. “Definitely not.”

“I get the feeling you really hate the place.”

“Yeah.”

A muscle twitches in his cheek. I want to ask why he went back but understand he’s closed the book on his old life as much as he can. Even after the mysterious visit. Same as me. My parents wanted to come to see me and I refused. Despite leaving on okay terms, I don’t want them entering into my new life. Interfering.

And I don’t want to break the news to Mum I’ll be leaving the country for a few months. On my own.

“So, where are we going?” I ask.

“There’s a town I like. A world away from Leeds, but only a short drive.”

His car isn’t comfortable, springs begin to surface under the fabric and after an hour I shift around uncomfortably. Our conversation dries up after half an hour, acknowledging we barely know each other. I bite the inside of my mouth as the realization I slept with a guy I hardly know hits again. Some of my grabs at independence aren’t well thought out. Besides, I don’t know how to talk to him without getting snarky. The words just come out that way. I’m a little less pissed off with him now, but I don’t trust his motives.

Gradually the road begins to wind through the hilly countryside, lined by winter trees. We stop in a beautiful mill town, parking by a park near the canal which cuts through the center of the stone built houses.

“It’s so quiet,” I say as he pulls a rucksack from the car boot. “Amazing views.”

The hills are closer now, the town cutting a path through the valley, stone walls crisscrossing the fields above us.

Evan hitches the rucksack over his shoulder and grabs my hand. His cool fingers encircle mine and my stomach lurches. I look down at his large hand around mine, arm stiffening.

“Can I hold your hand?” he asks, grip loosening.

After what we did in my bedroom, I think the hand holding stage has been skipped, so it’s odd for him to ask me. I don’t reply and I don’t pull my hand away.

We wander silently along the towpath, where a long barge is wedged in the lock, water gushing in to move the vessel down. We lean over the gate and watch, waving at the excited children on their boat trip. As the barge settles onto the canal below, we continue along the path.

“We’re a world away,” I say.

“I thought you’d like it here.

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