“I’m not sure,” Laura answered honestly. “I need to know more about him before I can recommend anything. I only met him yesterday, you know.
“I’d need to know if he’s a person you can trust,” she added, voicing one of her concerns about him. “Parents certainly aren’t perfect, but it helps if you can depend on them doing what they say.”
“Oh, he does what he says, all right,” Catherine responded fervently, sweeping her hands into the air in an exaggerated gesture of horror. “Once, he said if I ever stayed out that late again without calling, he would ground me for three weeks. He did, too. It was brutal!” She made a face, but there was a note of pride in her voice. Laura wondered if it was for her resolute father or her own ability to tolerate so much suffering. Probably both, she decided. Experience had taught her that teenagers often did want a firm hand even if they got furious when it was applied.
“I’m sure it was,” she answered mildly, “but he may have had a point. I mean, why were you supposed to call?”
“So he wouldn’t worry about me,” Catherine replied promptly. “Yeah,” she added, her tone grudging, “I guess you’re right.”
Laura was encouraged. “So I expect he’s worried about you now,” she said in the same mild tone.
Catherine sighed. “Yeah. He’s a terrible worrier.” Again, Laura heard that note of pride. So it was for her resolute father. That was a good sign.
Laura decided the small victory was enough and changed the subject again. “How long have you known Nigel?” she asked.
Catherine smiled, and Laura realized it was the first smile she had seen. “Not long,” the girl answered. “I really like him, though. It’s as if I’d known him forever when we talk. Not like the other guys.”
“You don’t like them?”
Catherine shrugged. “The girl and most of the guys I came with have left,” she said, “and I don’t like the others as much. I’ll probably be getting out of here soon.”
Laura almost held her breath. “Well, let me know if you need any help doing it,” she said casually. “I’d be glad to help if I can.”
“Thanks,” Catherine mumbled. “Got to go now,” she added hurriedly. Jumping up, she ran like a colt into the trees. Laura stared after her in dismay. Had her causal offer of help spooked the girl that badly?
The truth was more prosaic. Catherine’s ears had heard the approaching footsteps that Laura only now discerned. Three young men sauntered toward her. They were not a prepossessing group. Laura had plenty of scruffy-looking kids in her classes and she gave them the benefit of the doubt until the largest youth spoke.
“What have we here?” he said in a taunting falsetto. “One of those lady walkers? Kind of cute even if she is pretty old, don’t you think, guys?” The two others nodded nervously and didn’t look at her.
Laura paid no attention to him. She rose without haste and walked toward the trees where Catherine had disappeared. There was no way she was going to leave the girl to deal with this trio alone.
The bully, however, hadn’t finished with her. He didn’t touch her but placed himself directly in her path, blocking her.
He appealed to his friends. “What shall we do with her, guys,” he sneered. “Shall we let her go?”
“Jeez, Buddy, leave her alone,” one of them said. “We’ve had enough trouble.”
Laura’s ears pricked up. Trouble? What kind of trouble? Probably with the local police. She would use that to threaten them if she had to.
“I’m leaving,” she said shortly, and walked around him. The youth called Buddy followed, mimicking her walk and staying right on her heels.
“Cute ass, don’t you think guys? A little baggy though.” Buddy snickered unpleasantly at his own wit.
Laura turned to face him. “I am leaving now,” she told him. “I am also warning you and your friends that if you persist in this obnoxious behavior I will inform the police that you are harassing walkers and that I have decided to press charges against you.”
The two youths looked horrified. “Cut it out, Buddy!” one of them said. “Morris would be furious if he heard.”
“Coward,” Buddy sneered, but Laura saw the flicker of fear in his eyes at the mention of Morris, whoever he was. “Besides, what am I doing except giving the dame some flak? Old ladies like her enjoy the atten-”
He got no further. A dynamo catapulted from a tree and landed on top of him, all fists and legs and chopping hands. Within seconds, Buddy was bent double, clutching his groin. Catherine stood over him, fists clenched.
“Jeez,” one of the others ejaculated. “Where did you learn to do that!”
“Shut up,” Catherine ordered. “Any more out of you and you’ll get the same. Get out, both of you! Now!”
Both young men turned and disappeared without another word, though Laura wasn’t sure how far they went.
“Thanks,” she said to Catherine. “I guess it’s time I learned to do that.”
“No problem,” Catherine answered nonchalantly, but her voice shook. She continued to watch Buddy closely.
Recovering a little, Buddy made a move to grab her. One of Catherine’s knees came up with a jerk. He screamed and fell to the ground, rolling over and over in agony.
“You’ll pay,” Laura heard him gasp when he got some breath back. “You’ll pay. I’ll get you one of these days.”
“You want more?” Catherine taunted him, but Buddy’s threat had frightened her. Laura grabbed a nearby stick, ready to bring it down on Buddy’s head if she had to.
“Well done, Catherine,” a deep voice said. “I see I’m not needed after all. You and your friend seem to have the matter well in hand.”
A man sauntered toward them, peeling an apple expertly with a long knife as he walked. Laura thought he was probably the best looking man she had ever seen. His hair was pale blond, his eyes a brilliant blue, and his features were perfect, so classic they could have come from a Greek statue. His clothes were classic too. A well-cut tweed jacket emphasized his broad shoulders, and his grey flannels were perfectly pleated. He was older than the others but not more than thirty, she guessed. She wondered how long he had been watching.
“Hello Morris,” Catherine said tonelessly.
Laura regarded him with interest. So this was the Morris Buddy’s pals had mentioned. She could see why he scared them. Morris was scary.
Morris’s eyes slid from Catherine and rested on her. “Want some?” he offered, holding out a chunk of apple.
“No, thank you,” Laura said. Morris turned to Catherine and held the chunk out again. She shook her head.
“Too bad,” he said, his tone mocking. “Best apple I’ve had in a long time. The nice woman at the vegetable stand gave it to me. Said she likes to see young people eating healthy food.”
Neither Laura nor Catherine answered. He eyed them thoughtfully; then he looked down at the writhing figure on the ground.
“So Buddy has been causing trouble, has he?” he asked, and deftly flipped a curl of apple skin into Buddy’s stomach. “I guess I should have known he would,” he said with feigned sadness. “Still, he was useful in his way. It will be a shame to have to get rid of him. But that’s the way it goes.”
Laura wondered what that meant. The tone had been gentle, but there was no doubt about the implied threat. She didn’t like Morris, though she couldn’t have said exactly why. He was just… just wrong.
“I’m glad I found you, Catherine,” Morris continued, his voice silky. “I‘ve come to take you to lunch. I think we had a date?”
Laura looked swiftly at Catherine. Her face was pale and she hadn’t looked up since Morris had appeared. Who was this man, and what did he mean to her? Surely Catherine wasn’t involved with him? More likely, he had an unhealthy interest in her. He would be harder to handle than Buddy. He was older and very confident. She felt a rush of pity for the girl. Imagine trying to handle the horrible Morris on top of Buddy and everything else!
Laura made up
her mind. “Catherine is having lunch with me. We’re old friends, you see,” she explained to Morris, astonished at how easily she could lie – and at how strong her impulse was to let this man know that Catherine wasn’t alone. “We haven’t seen each other for a long time and there’s a lot to catch up on, so Catherine will be staying with me for a while.”
Morris looked at her with raised eyebrows. Laura was sure he didn’t believe her but he didn’t let it show. “Best to do as the lady says,” he told Catherine after only a second’s hesitation. “But I intend to have you keep that date,” he added, and now there was no doubt of the threat in his voice. He gave Catherine a long look before he turned and walked slowly away.
A hand shot suddenly out of the trees and grabbed the back of his shirt, almost strangling him with his tie. Morris gagged.
Laura’s eyes widened in astonishment. Thomas!
“You will leave my daughter alone. Is that understood?” Thomas’s voice was steely. He shook Morris for emphasis and then shoved him hard into the trees. Morris stumbled. Pulling himself up again, he fired a look at Thomas so chilling that Laura gasped. Without a word, he walked away.
Thomas turned to face Catherine. “I’ve come to take you home,” he announced flatly. “Now.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Laura winced. Why did fathers have to be so heavy-handed? That authoritarian tone wasn’t going to work. Donald had used it all the time and it invariably made the situation worse.
She glanced at Catherine and saw that she was right. A mix of emotions crossed the girl’s volatile face. Astonishment was followed by a flash of relief, and then tears threatened. A stubbornly set jaw and fiery eyes followed.
Thomas’s face looked just as conflicted. Laura suspected that part of him wanted to hug his errant daughter, another part needed to vent his pent-up worry. Unfortunately, that part got the best of him again.
“Well?” he questioned, glaring at Catherine.
Catherine responded as Laura had predicted. “I was doing fine on my own until you had to come and mess things up!” she shrieked. “Why can’t you just leave me alone?”
Thomas opened his mouth, no doubt to remind her that she’d messed things up quite well all on her own. Laura coughed loudly to get his attention. He turned, as if noticing her for the first time.
“Catherine has undoubtedly demonstrated an excellent ability to take care of herself in difficult circumstances,” she told him in her best pedantic tone. “However, I believe she might be amenable to a change of scene if you were amenable to moderating your strategy. The one you have chosen isn’t wise at all. In fact, it is guaranteed to fail.”
Thomas stared at her, nonplussed, and Catherine giggled. Good. She had at least diverted them. Her professorial tone had that effect on people who were overwrought, she had noticed.
“What do you suggest?” Thomas said finally. He had a large purple bruise on his cheek and looked ghastly.
“I suggest that Catherine is hungry and ready to drop with exhaustion. Shall we walk into town and feed her before further conversation takes place about her future?”
Catherine seized on this suggestion. “Let’s go! That’s a great idea.”
“Am I permitted to come?” Thomas asked, his insouciance returning.
“That is up to Catherine,” Laura replied frostily.
“I guess it’ll be okay,” Catherine conceded. “As long as you don’t tell me what to do!” she added vigorously.
“I shall try to moderate my tone in accordance with the professor’s wishes,” Thomas agreed, barely managing to avoid sarcasm. “But I am your father,” he added, unable to resist the last word.
Laura glared at him. “We all know that. Now, for goodness sake, try greeting your his long-lost daughter with pleasure, not orders.”
Thomas swallowed hard. “I’m glad to see you again, Catherine,” he said, and hugged her stiffly, as if uncertain of his welcome.
“Great to see you, too, Dad,” Catherine agreed. And then miraculously, they all began to laugh. Catherine’s laughter held a note of hysteria, and Laura wasn’t surprised. Too many conflicting emotions were thrashing around in the poor girl’s head. Food was the remedy, and a safe place to sleep. She hoped the B&B she had for tonight had two beds.
Laura led them back through the woods and its bluebells to Withrington. She decided to go to one of the pubs instead of the tea shop. Maude would be too curious and she had the feeling that a nice dark pub would enclose itself around them and help both Catherine and Thomas to relax.
“We’ll go in here,” she said firmly before Thomas could come up with a possibly unwelcome suggestion of his own. “Pubs are wonderful for hot drinks and nourishing hot meals.”
The pub was all she had hoped for. Its dimness was welcoming, as were the dark wooden benches covered by ancient cushions and the low, beamed ceilings. Three men at the bar nodded at them politely as they entered, then went back to their pints. Otherwise, the place was almost empty, and Laura was relieved. Despite the season, a gas fire burned in the grate at one end of the room, and she headed for it. Perfect, she thought, as they settled themselves at a table facing the fire.
“What would everyone like?” Thomas rose to go to the bar and give their order. Laura ordered a pot of tea; Catherine decided on hot chocolate.
“I’ll go look at the menu and then we can decide what we want to go with it,” Laura told Catherine. “It’s written out on the boards beside the bar.”
“I’ll come.” Catherine jumped up, showing a resurgence of energy at even the thought of food. “Oh, cottage pie,” she said immediately, seeing it on the board. Laura and Thomas chose the soup of the day, leek and potato, which came with a hunk of crusty homemade bread. Thomas stayed to give the order at the bar while she and Catherine went back to their corner.
For a time they were silent, a silence that felt companionable to Laura, and she was glad. When she did speak, she purposely chose a neutral subject so she wouldn’t destroy that fragile sense of companionship.
“You were fantastic back there,” she told Catherine. “I’ve been meaning to take self-defense classes but haven’t got around to it yet. I worry that I’m too old, too, that I’d do myself more harm than good.”
Catherine shook her head. “You can do it at any age,” she said with confidence. “It’s tae kwon do, and lots of older people do it very well.”
“How long have you been taking lessons?” Laura asked, wondering if she really looked that old or if anyone over thirty qualified as “older.”
“About three years,” Catherine answered. “It’s the thing I miss most about not being at home,” she added. “You have to work really hard at it.”
“I bet you do,” Laura said. “That feels good sometimes, though.”
“I love it,” Catherine said fervently. “I mean, it’s not that I like hurting people,” she amended, making sure Laura understood. “I don’t like hurting anyone, even someone like Buddy, but it makes me feel good to be able to take care of myself.
“You have to, these days,” she added darkly.
“I imagine it hasn’t been easy for you,” Laura agreed, “having to be always on guard. Buddy and his pals are horrible. Morris is even worse.”
Catherine’s face twisted, and she looked ready to cry. Laura looked down at her teacup while the girl got herself back under control.
“I think Morris scares me even more than Buddy,” Catherine said when her voice was steady again. “Buddy’s a nuisance, but Morris is creepy.”
Laura nodded. “I’m not surprised he scares you. He scares me, too. But how do you know him? I can’t imagine Morris living in the woods.”
“Oh, he doesn’t,” Catherine answered. “I’m not sure where he lives but I bet it’s a lot fancier than the woods. He’s only been coming around for the last week or so. That’s when I decided to leave as soon as I could. You’ve got to have money to leave, though, and I’d run out.”
Laura was shocked. �
��Doesn’t your mother send money? Or your father? Surely, if he’s worried about you, he must.”
Catherine shrugged. “My mom is supposed to, but she doesn’t always remember. She’s always had plenty of money, and I don’t think she knows what things cost every day. I mean, you don’t when you’ve always been paid for, do you? My dad would help, I think, but he’s already paying my mom for what I need, so…”
“Well, I know what things cost,” Laura interrupted hotly, abandoning the effort to give Catherine’s mother the benefit of the doubt, “and I’m going to see to it that you have enough to go home if that’s what you want to do. I will not see you stranded here.”
Thomas, showing an admirable sense of timing, set down a tray. “Hot chocolate for the champ, tea for the professor,” he announced.
“Did Catherine tell you she won second place in the international tae kwon do championships?” he asked Laura as he handed her the tea. “That’s why she’s the champ.”
“That’s fantastic, Catherine.” Laura smiled at her.
“Thanks.” Catherine managed a smile before applying herself diligently to her hot chocolate. Laura heard her foot tapping nervously under the table.
Thomas sat down across from Catherine and looked at her anxiously from time to time, as if struggling to come up with a good way to approach her.
Catherine rose abruptly. “Going to the WC… ladies’,” she mumbled. “Back in a minute.” Grabbing her pack, she fled.
Laura sighed. Something had to be done to get Catherine out of here, but so far she and her father seemed barely able to talk to each other.
Thomas’s bruised face was grim. “We’ve really made a mess of it, haven’t we?” he said. “Her mother and me, I mean.”
Laura saw no point in prevaricating. “I think she’s too young to be here on her own. And she has to have at least one parent she can trust.”
“Damn the woman,” Thomas said fiercely. “She couldn’t even remember to send Catherine’s money.” He must have overheard at least some of the conversation, Laura realized. It was probably just as well.
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