The Runaway Woman. Josephine Cox

and when he did speak it was not to supply an answer to her question. ‘We didn’t even introduce ourselves, did we?’

      ‘Hmm!’ Nancy shrugged. ‘No, we didn’t. But she didn’t introduce herself to us either, so that’s all right, isn’t it?’

      ‘I suppose.’

      Dave fell silent, speaking again only as they entered the pub. ‘Nance?’

      ‘What?’

      ‘I really feel for that poor woman.’

      ‘Me too. But you need to forget about her. After all, she’s gone now. And it was obvious she did not want our help.’

      ‘But did you see how she was?’ Dave persisted.

      ‘What do you mean? In what way?’

      ‘Well, she’d clearly been crying.’

      ‘Yes, and we don’t really know how long she’d been taking refuge in that damp shelter.’

      Something else crossed her mind. ‘I’d like to know why she was there, in that draughty, dirty old shelter, anyway. I mean, she obviously didn’t dodge in there to escape the rain, because she could have run into the pub, or caught a taxi or something, and she certainly wasn’t waiting for a bus.’

      ‘Why do you say that?’

      ‘Well, because it’s common knowledge that the bus stop went out of service long ago. Why was she really there, all huddled up in a cold, damp bus shelter? If we hadn’t seen her, she probably would have stayed there all night. I think she’s in hiding, running away from something. Or someone.’

      ‘Mmm, she has a really sad and lonely look about her.’

      Nancy persisted, ‘I’m certain she was hiding. Why didn’t she make herself known before you saw her huddled up in the corner? And why was she crying – that’s what I’d like to know!’

      Taking her by the elbow, Dave gently ushered Nancy through to the lounge bar. ‘You want to know too much. After all, even if she was in trouble of some kind, it’s obvious she didn’t want to talk about it.’

      Nancy chattered on. ‘And another thing! Do we really believe that her mother was ill? Or was that another excuse to rush away from us?’

      Dave was not about to discuss the matter any further. ‘Stop right there!’ He gestured to the far corner of the lounge. ‘You go and sit down. Usual, is it? Lemonade shandy?’

      ‘Please, and could you bring the bar menu while you’re at it? Thank you.’

      As she slid into the chair, Nancy’s curious gaze was drawn to the window. I don’t care what anyone says, she decided, that woman was in some kind of trouble. I just know it!

      A few minutes later, on seeing Dave approach, she settled back into the chair. ‘OK! Not another word,’ she promised. ‘Let’s just enjoy our meal, shall we? Oh, and you can advise me on this new project of mine. I want you to be brutally honest if you think my ideas are rubbish!’

      ‘Oh, I will, don’t worry!’

      Dave was thankful when they embarked on the subject of Nancy’s new venture into the hotel trade.

      Nancy prattled on excitedly. ‘With your generous loan, and the promise of financial backing from the bank, I’ve now put in my bid. It’s a little below the asking price, but I’ve got a good feeling they might well accept it. After all, as you so rightly pointed out, it’s difficult to secure finance just now, so there aren’t many buyers around.’ Leaning over, she gave him a kiss on the cheek. ‘I could not even have started on this venture without your help. You pointed me in the right direction, like I knew you would.’

      ‘I believe in you,’ he said simply. ‘I know my money will be safe. Honestly, though, Nance, I’m truly happy for you. I realise you were bitterly disappointed when your relationship with Joe broke up. But you came through it, and now here you are, about to embark on a great adventure, doing something you’ve always wanted to do. I just know your new life will be everything you want it to be.’

      Discreetly regarding his older sister, he saw a new, stronger woman, confident and ambitious. ‘Well done, Nance. I’m proud of you!’

      ‘Thank you, but I would feel so much happier if you could change your mind and come in as a partner.’

      Dave reminded her, ‘You do understand why I had to say no, don’t you?’

      ‘Yes, I do. It was thoughtless and selfish of me to ask … especially after what we’ve all been through this past year – you more than most.’

      When bad feelings now flooded back, Dave leaned forward, his sorry gaze on the table. ‘I still find it so hard, Nance. Some days I wonder if I can actually get through it, but then somehow I do. My main worry at the moment is Cassie. I know I have to be strong for her. I can’t and won’t desert her, even though she’s turned her back on me.’

      ‘She hasn’t turned her back on you – not altogether. When she decided to go to her aunt Ellie’s house for a time, she did leave you a note to explain, didn’t she?’

      ‘Yes, she did, but I would rather she had discussed it with me first.’

      ‘But she did leave most of her worldly belongings at home, didn’t she?’

      ‘Yes.’

      ‘And when you rang Ellie, didn’t Cassie come to the phone and talk with you?’

      Dave smiled. ‘Yes, but like I told you, when we talked it was too polite; too difficult. The thing is, she would not be drawn into talking about her mum, nor would she say when she might be coming home.’

      Nancy spelled it out for him. ‘Stop punishing yourself, and look on the positive side. Ellie said yes when Cassie asked to live with her for a time. Be glad of that, Dave, because if she had not gone to your sister-in-law, who knows where she might have ended up?’

      ‘She should have come home with me,’ Dave reminded her gently. ‘That’s where she belongs. That’s where her mum would want her to be.’

      Nancy made no comment. Instead, she continued, ‘Remember, when you got home, you found she had left you a note explaining how she felt, and that you should not worry about her. She also left behind a lot of her prized possessions, so that tells you she does mean to come home at some point. It also shows that she does love you.’

      ‘I understand all of that, but she won’t let me get close, Nance. She blames me, and she will never forgive me … but how can I blame her for that, when I can’t even forgive myself?’

      When the powerful memories flooded back to cripple him, he leaned forward, running his clenched fists through his thick, dark hair. ‘She’s my daughter, Nance. With her mother gone, Cassie is everything to me. I need her! And whether she realises it or not, she needs me.’

      Nancy laid her hand over his. ‘Cassie will eventually accept that the accident was not your fault. The driver was drunk out of his mind. Thankfully, he’s in prison now, where he belongs. Don’t take Cassie’s decision too much to heart. It has been just a year since Molly was killed, and neither you nor Cassie has been able to deal with it completely. I know it’s difficult, for both of you … for all of us! But you must pick up the pieces and live your lives. It’s what Molly would have wanted.’

      ‘I know that.’ He looked up, his face worn with grief. ‘It’s never easy, though. Losing Molly was the hardest, cruellest thing ever. Cassie is just nineteen, and she’s been left without her mum. It’s like her world has ended.’ He added softly, ‘Mine too. So, you can imagine, trying to live our lives without her is incredibly difficult.’

      ‘Do you think I don’t know that? But Cassie must realise the blame is not on your shoulders. That’s too cruel.’

      ‘She doesn’t blame me for the accident itself,’