A Patchwork Family by Cathy Bramley
Author:Cathy Bramley [Bramley, Cathy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781409186748
Publisher: Orion Publishing Group
Published: 2020-03-19T07:00:00+00:00
Chapter Twenty-two
My feet churned up clouds of copper leaves as I headed out of the village, practically leaping over the stile onto the footpath. I ducked my head through the low-hanging branches of the hawthorn copse, and kept up my pace, hoping that his twenty-minute head start wouldnât prove too much for me to catch up with. Maybe he hadnât gone far at all, maybe he was meditating, like the first time Iâd met him. My heart thundered against my chest as I cleared the trees; I ran into the open and incredibly there he was. Right in front of me.
âDexter!â I skidded to a halt, only just avoiding a collision and staggered backwards, gasping for breath.
âWhoah!â He grabbed my arms to steady me. âGina?â
âThank goodness!â Relief washed over me like a tidal wave. Before my brain caught up with my body, I launched myself at him.
âOof!â said Dexter as I crushed him to me in a tight hug. He pulled his headphones out from his ears and pocketed his phone. âAre you all right?â
âMore than all right!â I leaned back so I could see him, still catching my breath. âI found you! I didnât think I would. I thought Iâd missed you, I thought I was too late. And I havenât and Iâm so glad.â
A wave of emotion brought tears so close to the surface that my voice had gone wobbly.
âYou were looking for me?â He raised his eyebrows.
I nodded, relinquishing him from my grasp. âI read the note you left in the kitchen and Paige said she saw you head this way and I wanted to say goodbye properly.â
âAh, I see.â A muscle in his cheek twitched. âI thought it was better to just leave and get out of everyoneâs way. Iâve got a taxi picking me up from the village green in fifteen minutes, I was on my way back there now to wait for it.â
I thanked my lucky stars; I could have so easily missed this chance to talk. If I hadnât gone for a run, if I hadnât bumped into Paige. And now he was here in touching distance. Iâd get my opportunity to explain and I was determined to make the most of it.
âBefore you go, can we talk?â I held my breath waiting for a reply.
He shrugged. âSure. But I really donât have long, Iâm afraid.â
I gave him a swift smile. âIâll make it quick.â
We began to walk, side by side, the sleeve of my sweatshirt brushing against his jacket. On his back was a large rucksack. I smiled to myself, remembering that first glimpse Iâd had of him; Iâd thought he was homeless. And possibly unconscious.
We passed a couple of narrowboats and exchanged greetings with a lady who was sitting on the steps clasping a mug. Faded bunting fluttered in the breeze; on the deck there were pots of herbs, a woodpile and a short washing line hung with two pairs of knickers and four socks.
âDo you sometimes wish your life was as simple as that?â I said once we were out of earshot.
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