The Runaway Woman by Josephine Cox

Author:Josephine Cox [Cox, Josephine]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Tags: General, Fiction
ISBN: 9780008112448
Google: FqzNoAEACAAJ
Amazon: 0008112444
Publisher: Harper
Published: 2014-10-08T23:00:00+00:00

Kathleen called for a taxi to take Lucy to Bedford station.

‘He’ll be here in ten minutes,’ she told Lucy. ‘I found his number on a card in a shop window a few weeks back. I thought it might come in handy. Apparently, he’s local, and he never overcharges. He also has a reputation for being a safe driver.’

In a surprisingly short time the taxi arrived. Nervous and excited, Lucy said goodbye. ‘I can never thank you enough, Kathleen.’ She wrapped her arms about this wonderful, caring friend, and held her as though she would never let go.

‘Ring me as soon as you get there, will you, Lucy?’ Kathleen discreetly brushed away her tears. ‘I’ll be waiting for your call.’

‘I’ll ring you the minute I arrive,’ Lucy promised, ‘and, please, Kathleen, don’t forget the story we decided on, in case Anne should come round. I don’t like deceiving her, but I think it’s a necessary evil. For a multitude of reasons, I do not want the chldren finding out where I’ve gone, and why.’

‘I understand. If she does ask, I will simply tell her that you really needed to get away and be on your own for a while. I’ll explain that you’ve gone to stay with my old aunt, and that she is not on the telephone.’

‘Thank you.’ Lucy explained, ‘I don’t want her telling Martin or Paula any different. The less anyone knows where I am, the better … for now, anyway.’

‘So, do you think you will eventually tell them about Martin and Paula, and that it was the main reason you had to get away?’

‘I have no idea how it will all end.’ Lucy was deeply ashamed that this was the second time in as many days that she had not been altogether honest with her daughter. But it had to be done because the last thing she needed was Anne, or anyone else, coming after her and upsetting her plans. ‘I can’t let anyone know where I am, Kathleen, because I know they would chase after me, and just now I must be on my own … to think, and plan, and hopefully sort out my life one way or another.’

‘Don’t fret about it, Lucy,’ Kathleen advised.

Lucy appreciated her understanding. ‘For your information only, Kathleen, I expect to book into a hotel at the seaside, and I’ll call you from there. I’ll just have to make up some story about where I’m phoning from if I talk to Anne. Remember, won’t you? Any calls I make to you or the family … will be from there.’

The tearful goodbyes over, Lucy climbed into the taxi.

‘Morning, miss!’ The driver was a burly, jolly sort. ‘Railway station, is it?’

‘Yes, please, but could you make two quick detours first?’

‘Don’t see why not, my lovely. Especially as you asked so nicely.’ He gave her a wide, toothy smile. ‘Off on a holiday, are you?’

‘Sort of.’ Lucy was careful to give nothing away.

‘Right then … let’s be off.’ He dropped the engine into low gear and began easing the car away from the pavement.

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