The Secret: An absolutely gripping psychological thriller by K.L. Slater

Author:K.L. Slater [Slater, K.L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781786815750
Publisher: Bookouture
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

We’ve only seen each other from a distance until the tram ride earlier in the week, and now here. Maybe he thought I looked different, more attractive, when I sat in the window of my apartment.

Maybe he’s trying to let me down gently by pretending he doesn’t know who I am.

I feel sick. I should never have come in here.

He glances sideways at me and I sit up a little straighter when I feel my own face glowing. I’m staring and he’s noticed. I can’t just sit here like an idiot.

I pick up the empty coffee cup and raise it to my mouth, pretending to sip through the plastic lid. I don’t actually allow it to touch my lips; the thought of someone else’s saliva on it makes me feel sick.

I sit like that for a few moments, and then put the cup down and look around. James is absorbed in his phone, the couple opposite in each other, and the surrounding tables are filled with people talking and laughing.

This is what it must feel like to be invisible.

I chew the inside of my cheek and watch my foot dancing at the end of my leg. Jiggling around in time with the thoughts that are coming thick and fast now.

I never asked for James to look up at my window. I wasn’t the one who smiled and waved first. I asked for none of it.

So now, sitting right next to him, why should I be too afraid to make contact? He can’t do all that and then expect me to accept the fact that he is blanking me.

‘It’s quite cold out there,’ I hear myself say, but he doesn’t reply.

The girl opposite unsticks herself from her boyfriend’s lips and stares over at me.

I turn in my chair, away from her and towards James. He looks up.

‘Sorry! I didn’t realise you were speaking to me.’

‘I said it’s cold outside.’ I give him a little smile.

‘Yes, it is. Freezing for the time of year, in fact.’

There! His gaze settles on me just a second too long. I think he’s made the connection.

Part of me squirms with embarrassment, but another part, a part that’s been ignored for a very long time, is taking over.

‘I wasn’t going to say hello, but… well, it sort of feels as if we know each other.’

‘Do we… know each other?’ he says.

I press my lips together and he seems to catch himself.

‘I mean, you look familiar, but…’

I feel my face dropping. Why is he playing this stupid game?

‘I live in Carlton Court, the apartment block next to the tram stop. I see you every morning.’

I feel like the girl opposite is listening in to our conversation. I glance over, but she is resting her head on her boyfriend’s shoulder and she has her eyes closed. I’m being paranoid again.

I turn back to James and his face has paled. ‘I’m sorry, you must have the wrong person.’

And there it is… Now that he’s seen me close up, he’s not interested.

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