My Little Brother by Diane Saxon

Author:Diane Saxon [Saxon, Diane]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Published: 2022-07-10T16:00:00+00:00

40

Caryn rammed the last of her clothes into her suitcase with the certain knowledge that breakfast wouldn’t be on the menu that morning, especially as no one had answered the landline she’d rang several times.

She’d not even been able to heat the water in the kettle for a cup of coffee. Even worse, although there was cold running water, that’s all there was. No hot water for a shower, none to wash her face.

She glanced at her phone. Dead as a dodo.

She placed her laptop inside the second case and slammed the lid as she gave a cursory glance around to check she had all her belongings. The chance of them forwarding anything she’d forgotten was slim to none.

The zip slid easily around the case, and she yanked it off the bed to stand it by the side of the second one. She needed to do the trip in one go.

Despite the cold light of day, the finger of fear tickled its way down her back again. It wasn’t melodramatic. It was serious. There was a viciousness to those men.

She dragged the cases behind her, not bothering to close the bedroom door as she trotted along the hallway and through the outer door.

The cold wind blasted its way through her buttoned-up jacket and past the scarf wrapped around her neck as she tucked her nose down into the soft material.

Caryn pulled her suitcases inside to the blast of hot air.

She made her way through the dimly lit corridor into the silence of the early-morning, empty bar.

The stench of stale beer and humans lingered together with the scent of woodsmoke from the open fire that still pumped heat from the smouldering ashes.

She rubbed her hands together as she waited for a moment without anyone appearing. Barbara evidently was otherwise occupied.

Caryn reached forward and placed her room key on the bar and then tapped the heel of her hand onto the bell. A sharp ping reverberated its way around the quiet room as Caryn edged back.

With no response, Caryn hoisted the strap of her handbag higher onto her shoulder and snagged the handles on both her suitcases.

She circled towards the door.

‘I hope you’re not planning on buggering off without paying your bill. I’ll have the cops on you.’

She wheeled around to face the man.

From behind the bar, Emrys glowered at her, his dark anger reaching out like a physical force.

Caryn pushed aside the fear and exhaustion and raised her chin. ‘I gave Barbara my credit card.’

‘I’ll need it to put the extra charges against it.’ Emrys reached out and wiggled chubby fingers at her, his small eyes narrowed to almost disappear into the overhang of his puffy eyelids.

Less intimidated than the night before, Caryn raised one eyebrow at him. ‘There should be no extras. As well as the absence of electricity, the not answering the phone when I called to report it, I think you'll find I’ve done without my breakfast today, too, so you’re quids in.’ Tension tightened her jaw, so the words came out strained.

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