With a heavy sigh he sank lower into his seat, regret pulsing through him. Arse. Arse. Arse.
‘Let’s move,’ said Bill jumping into the car, a small bag on his lap.
‘Any idea which terminal?’
‘Three.’
Bill’s expression was grim and neither of them said anything as he concentrated on navigating through the village roads until they hit the bypass to take them up to the M4.
Once they hit seventy, he saw Bill’s grip on his travel bag relax slightly.
‘So... Kate?’ he ventured the question. ‘When did that... er, happen? Not that you have to tell me if you don’t want to. I had no idea, the two of... you...’ His voice petered out.
Bill groaned. ‘It’s always been Kate. Bet you never thought I stood a chance. Let’s face it. No one did, least of all me. Stupid thing was, we got on so well. She just wouldn’t give it a go.’
‘So how did it happen?’
Bill laughed. ‘You mean you don’t know?’
‘Well, I wasn’t thinking it was the Immaculate Conception.’
‘When I went to Oz on tour. Looked Kate up. Bloody fool that I am. Couldn’t stay away from her. Except this time, she actually seemed pleased to see me. We had a great time. Met up for dinner... and,’ Bill groaned again, ‘things went from there.’
Bill shook his head vehemently before he spoke again.
‘Fuck, I should have realised it was too good to be true. The next morning she made it quite clear it had been a mistake and I buggered off sharpish.’
He absorbed all this wondering if he should voice his thoughts and then decided to risk it. ‘So why the knight-to-the-rescue act now?’
Bill thrust his hand out and hit the dashboard. ‘Because I can’t believe that night didn’t mean anything to her. I won’t believe it.’ Bill turned his face toward him, misery etching twin furrows on either side of his mouth. ‘And what have I got to lose? I love her. Always have done. Besides she’s alone out there. She needs someone. I can’t stand the thought that she’s lying in some hospital ward without anyone.’ Bill’s voice cracked, making him think of how he’d feel if that were Olivia.
Instinctively he pressed the accelerator. If Bill was suffering as much as he was, he needed to help the poor sod get to the airport as quickly as he could.
Chapter Sixteen
Thank goodness I had an excuse to get out of the house the next morning. There was only so much time I could spend in my room. I was terrified of giving something away to Mum or Dad by constantly checking for messages on my mobile.
The last contact I’d had with Bill was a hasty text from Heathrow the previous evening, which was nothing more than11.10 flight 2 Sydney. Text when u hr frm K.
I still hadn’t heard from her. I’d tried her mobile a couple of times but nothing. Was she in hospital? Was she OK? As well as the worry, I was consumed with guilt. Mum would kill me if she found out. I tried to tell myself it was better this way. No point in worrying her until there was any real news. As if! That was rubbish. As far as she was concerned, worry was part of her job spec.
Slipping my mobile into my pocket I headed downstairs where I found Mum and Dad absorbed in their Sunday papers. Dad was very chipper. He didn’t seem too upset by yesterday’s defeat.
‘There’s always next year,’ he said, wincing as he turned the pages.
Mum tutted unsympathetically. ‘If you will go diving about thinking you’re still twenty, no wonder your shoulder hurts. You should let me put some Arnica on that bruise.’
‘Yes, dear,’ he murmured, winking at me.
Pursing her mouth she shook her head. ‘Men,’ she huffed. ‘What time are you going to Daniel’s this morning? Will you be back for lunch?’
‘Not sure,’ I said, putting down my mug of tea, forcing myself to take another bite of toast as I surreptitiously slipped my phone onto my lap.
‘Not to worry. Only soup and sandwiches. What time’s your train this afternoon? Are you staying for dinner? I could do it early.’
I hesitated. ‘Thought I might go for a four o’clock train. Don’t worry I’ll eat when I get in.’ My eyes slid down to my mobile.
‘You’ve got to eat something. You’ve barely touched that toast.’
