The Runaway Woman. Josephine Cox

stop, he excused himself and rushed to welcome the passengers on board.

      Deep in thought, Lucy absent-mindedly followed his progress to the door. Then, momentarily closing her eyes, she allowed her thoughts to drift back to when she was a wide-eyed and innocent schoolgirl; until Martin came along and took her innocence. Although to be fair, she had been a willing partner.

      Life was so unpredictable, she mused. It could be kind, or it could be incredibly cruel. From the minute you were born, you found yourself on a fast-moving roller-coaster. However much you wanted to get off or change direction, you were swept along, sometimes unwillingly.

      It was a sad truth that you were never in charge of your own destiny, because circumstances constantly changed and spiralled out of your control. Strangers intervened along the way, and people you knew and loved could also change your life for good or bad. Somehow, and without you realising it, strangers and others often led you down a path you might never otherwise have followed. In the end, you could lose sight of your chosen destination and, try as you might, never find your own way back.

      ‘Hey!’ Johnny was gently touching her on the shoulder. ‘If you want to sleep on my bus, that’ll be an extra shilling,’ he chuckled.

      ‘I wasn’t sleeping,’ Lucy promised, her weary spirits lifted. ‘I was just thinking.’

      ‘Oh, really? Well, in my experience it’s never a good idea to think too much. It could bend your brain, and apart from that, you’ll give yourself a headache.’ Giving a wink that made Lucy smile, he moved on.

      Lucy sat up and casually looked out as the bus route passed her sister’s house. She glanced at her watch, thinking it odd that the bedroom curtains were still closed …

      She was startled when Johnny spoke in her ear. ‘Didn’t you mention that was where your sister lives? Paula, isn’t it?’

      ‘You’ve got a good memory!’ Lucy replied. ‘I’m sure she was due to start her new job at the petrol station today … early shift, she said. But just now I noticed the bedroom curtains are still closed. She’s either had a late night out with her pals, and is still sleeping it off, or she’s changed her mind about the job.’

      ‘Or maybe she just forgot to open the curtains,’ Johnny suggested.

      Lucy nodded. ‘I hope you’re right. Yes, maybe that’s what she’s done. She’s a good sort, really, and we get on well, but there are times when she’s her own worst enemy. Her late nights and devil-may-care attitude have already lost her two jobs. How she is ever going to sort out her life, I don’t know.’

      She made a mental note to pop in and see her sister soon. She would feel much better once she knew Paula was all right.

      ‘Hey, Paula!’ Martin was lazing in bed when Paula went across to the window to peek out.

      ‘You’ll never guess who I just saw,’ Paula teased him, turning with a wicked little smile on her face.

      ‘I don’t care who you saw,’ he replied, ‘because whoever it is, they’re spoiling my fun. Come back here, wench. I’m not done with you yet.’ His hungry gaze swept her slim, naked body. He loved her firm, toned figure and pert little breasts. When he took her in his arms, nothing else mattered; especially not Lucy who, compared to her sister, seemed old and shapeless before her time.

      He did hold a measure of affection for Lucy. After all, the two of them had been together a long time … maybe too long, he mused.

      Paula laughed as she hurried to the wardrobe. ‘Sorry, lover, but your time’s up. You’ve had your fun, and now it’s time to go!’ She rolled her eyes. ‘I should have started work half an hour ago, so now I need to get there. I’ll have to drum up some sort of apology and smile nicely at the manager.’ Her manner grew serious. ‘Honestly, Martin, I really can’t afford to lose another job.’

      Seeing that his fun was definitely over for today, Martin reluctantly slithered out of bed and began to pull on his trousers. ‘OK, you win. But you will make it up to me some other time … won’t you?’

      ‘Of course.’ Keeping her distance, she flirted with him as he dressed. ‘You know very well that goes without saying,’ she told him softly.

      Martin picked up on what she had said earlier. ‘So, who did you see just now through the window?’

      ‘I saw your wife … my dear sister, Lucy,’ she answered mockingly.

      ‘What! You saw Lucy? Oh my God! Was she at the door?’ Shocked, he quickly buckled up his trouser-belt and yanked his shirt on. ‘Is she downstairs?’ His voice shook. ‘Quick! Get rid of her!’

      Paula enjoyed seeing him panic. ‘Calm down,’ she giggled. ‘She was on the bus. Just as I looked out, she was already turning away. So don’t worry, our sordid little secret is still safe.’

      Shaken by the possibility that Lucy might discover what he and Paula were up to, Martin slumped onto the bed. ‘What the hell is she doing on the bus? She should be at work, not gallivanting about on the damned bus.’

      Paula shrugged. ‘Don’t ask me, because I’m sure I don’t know.’ She decided to wind him up further. ‘I suppose she could be coming to see me even yet. Maybe she’s got off at the bottom of the street and she’s on her way here right now!’

      ‘For pity’s sake, head her off. I’ll sneak out the back.’

      Paula laughed. ‘Relax! Lucy wouldn’t be coming round here now – she knows I’m starting a new job today – and even if she did find out we were carrying on behind her back, she’d probably forgive us.’

      ‘Huh! You wish!’ Martin was now hurrying to the door. ‘She might be soft-hearted, but there is no way she would forgive us. Lucy might not have much going for her but, as you well know, she would be devastated if she found out we’d betrayed her.’

      A teeny bit jealous, Paula was suddenly curious. ‘If you had to choose between me and her, who would you choose?’

      But Martin wasn’t listening. ‘I don’t understand. Why isn’t she at work? You know what a stickler she is for keeping time. So, what’s going on? Are you sure it was Lucy on the bus?’

      Just then the telephone rang and he almost leaped out of his skin.

      ‘Stay there!’ Paula threw on her dressing gown, and ran down the stairs.

      Nervously, Martin crept to the door to listen, greatly relieved when he realised that the caller was Paula’s new boss, asking why she was not yet at work.

      ‘I’m sorry, sir, but I had a burst pipe in the kitchen. I’ve managed to get the plumber here, and I’ve asked a neighbour to come and stay until he’s finished. I should be with you in about fifteen minutes.’ She put on her sweetest little-girl voice. ‘I know I should have called you, but it’s been frantic. I’ve been so worried, I just didn’t have time to call and explain.’

      There was a pause, while Paula was listening, and then Martin heard her promising, ‘Half an hour at the outside, yes, and I’ll work the extra time if you want me to. Yes, all right, thank you.’

      Before she could replace the receiver, Martin was downstairs and grabbing her. ‘Got to go.’ He kissed her full on the mouth before reluctantly releasing her. ‘You and me … we’re all right together, aren’t we?’

      Her answer was to wrap her arms round his neck and draw him in to her. ‘Can I ask you something?’

      ‘Ask away.’

      ‘Do you really want me? Would you leave Lucy to be with me?’

      ‘Are you serious?’ Martin was nervous. ‘I mean … after your divorce and all the nastiness, I thought the last thing you might want is to shack up with another man … least of all your sister’s husband.’