Part 19 (1/2)

Lucy was grateful. 'Thanks, Kathleen.'

'Aw, don't you worry about a thing,' Kathleen a.s.sured her. 'Just take it easy. Try and clear all the bad things out of your mind. Just relax, and get strong in yourself, d'you know what I'm saying?'

'Yes, I do, and thanks.'

'What for?'

'For being the best friend I ever had.'

'Aw, go on with you. You'll have me bawling in a minute. So, go on! Get on that train, and don't look back. Have a lovely time, and call me every now and then; or I might start worrying. OK?'

Lucy's emotions were all over the place. She felt like going back to spend some time with Kathleen; and then she was so angry she wanted to face Martin and Paula and have it out with them once and for all. And yet she desperately needed to get as far away from here as she possibly could.

'Hey, Lucy!' Kathleen's voice broke her dark thoughts. 'Are you OK?'

'Oh, I'm sorry, Kathleen.' On thinking of Martin and the shameful thing he had done, Lucy had actually forgotten that Kathleen was still on the other end of the telephone. 'I'll call you as soon as I can ... I promise.'

'You'd better! And look after yourself. Don't do anything I wouldn't do.'

Lucy had to laugh. 'That leaves me clear to do whatever I like.'

As always, they laughed together, and then Kathleen told her, 'Go, Lucy, go! Or you'll miss your train.'

Lucy quickly replaced the receiver. The idea of missing the train was unthinkable, so she grabbed her belongings and hurried off to locate platform eight.

Her mind was now firmly set on travelling back in time, to the delights of that small seaside village. It was such a huge step for her, and the more she thought about it, the more excited she became.

There was no turning back.

There were no second thoughts and, so far, no regrets. Except that maybe she should have done it sooner.

When she made her way down the slope to platform eight, Lucy still found it hard to believe that she was actually leaving home to embark on an adventure that might yet turn out to be the worst thing she had ever done in her entire life.

She took a moment to think about what she had achieved in her lifetime, and came to the conclusion that, when compared to many others, she had in fact achieved very little.

So what had spurred her into believing that she could be brave enough to take this gigantic step away from home and family, and everything familiar? She was not a go-getter like Paula; or a madly impulsive soul like Kathleen.

Her suitcase was packed, her ticket was bought, and she was about to climb onto a train that, because of a childhood memory, would shortly deliver her into the unknown.

And what made her think that the delightful place she had loved as a child would still be the same now?

It was crazy that Lucy Lovejoy a housewife with no ambitions, no adventurous spirit, and no life to speak of apart from being the family keeper had deliberately planned and executed what could be a dangerous journey into uncharted territory.

Through recent unsettling events she had been forced to review her life. Over the years, she had naturally allowed many responsibilities to fall on her shoulders. She was a daughter, a sister, a wife and a mother. At times, she was also a counsellor, and recently she had been made a grandmother. She was the kingpin that held the family together, so how could she abandon the people who had always relied on her?

After some consideration, she realised it was not family responsibilities that she was escaping from, it was a life that was not her own and never would be if she carried on as before. In all truth, she did not even know who she was any more.

A surprising and dangerous thought entered her head. Once she was gone from here, would she ever want to come back?

For the moment at least, there was no turning back. Especially now, after she realised that she could actually travel alone, without the usual belittling experience of trailing like a little lapdog behind someone who told her what to do and how to do it.

Today, after a few uncomfortable learning curves, Lucy had come to realise that she had somehow become her own master. It was an amazing achievement, and it spurred her on to complete her journey.

Moreover, after the shock of recent events she desperately needed this precious time away to find the real Lucy Lovejoy; and to mend what was broken inside her. She had to take stock of her place in the world, before the person she had lost was never found again.

In that definitive moment the train was actually pulling into the platform, and very soon she would clamber aboard and be on her way.

Walking down the platform with her suitcase, she felt all alone with her thoughts and memories; oddly isolated in the midst of a thronging crowd. She was completely and utterly in charge, and for the first time ever she felt truly proud of herself. After all the heartaches of late, she desperately needed to mend, and grow strong. She had decisions to make, and truths to be tackled. One thing she did believe, however, was that everything happened for a reason, and that this unusual journey was meant to be.

Lucy was determined to leave the pain and heartache behind for now. After all, what was the alternative? She could not bring back her darling parents. Nor could she mend a marriage that was already in tatters. Whatever Fate had in store for her now, it could not be any more painful than what she was leaving behind.

Above all else, she must cling to that thought.

With her head held high she picked up her suitcase and boarded the train.

CHAPTER TWELVE.

'I RECKON I'VE cut it a bit fine!' Having collected his ticket, Dave Benson was now in a rush. 'You're right, Nancy, I should have left home earlier.' Grabbing her by the shoulders, he looked her in the eye. 'And don't you go worrying, because one way or another, I mean to swing this deal,' he promised.

Nancy believed him. 'Don't let them squeeze more money out of you though.'

Dave smiled. 'I know how to play the game,' he said. 'What I'm offering them is a great deal, and they know it, otherwise they would not even be talking to me.'

On hearing the announcement that his train was about to leave he said goodbye. 'I must go, Nancy. I can't afford to miss this train. There are meetings this afternoon and I can't afford to be late.'

He gave her a swift kiss on the cheek, after which he took off at the run. 'I'll phone you tonight!' he called over his shoulder.

Nancy waved him off along platform eight. 'I know you won't let me down, Dave.' She had every confidence in his business skills.

Seated by the carriage window, Lucy saw the man running along the platform, the deep hem of his long, dark coat whipping the air as he quickened his steps. Carrying a large overnight bag and an official-looking briefcase tucked securely under his arm, he looked like a man on a mission. He'll never make it, Lucy thought.

At first she did not recognise him, but when he burst in through the door and turned slightly to wave at someone outside the train, Lucy thought she knew him. On that desolate night when she had hidden in the bus shelter, she had caught just the merest glimpse of the two strangers, but then she recalled when the same man caught sight of her yesterday, and seemed to linger outside the hotel. Yes, it was definitely one and the same man.

For some inexplicable reason, Lucy had kept his face in her mind ever since that first, shadowy meeting. She stole another discreet look at him. The same handsome, kindly face, the impressive build and that thick, dark hair yes, it was definitely him.

Moreover, as he called out of the window, 'Take care, Nancy. I'll call you tonight!' Lucy recognised his voice. On that miserable night when her whole world seemed to be falling apart, this gentle man had been there, so very kind, and obviously concerned for her.

She had not forgotten the kind stranger, and she never would.

Now, though, as his gaze scoured the carriage for an empty seat, Lucy feared he might recognise her and she began to panic. Realising there was nowhere to hide, she discreetly grabbed a crumpled newspaper that someone had left on the seat beside her. In an effort to deter him from sitting beside her, she quickly laid her handbag on the empty seat.

Opening the newspaper, she thrust it close to her face and pretended to read, desperately hoping he would not look in her direction.