“There’s no need—I’m perfectly capable of getting home on my own.” He turned and started walking toward the bus stop.
June rushed to catch up with him. “I can’t believe you did that at the library. You’re Mrs.Bransworth’s new hero,” June said, but he didn’t respond. “Are you all right, Stanley?”
“I’m fine, my dear. Just a little tired.”
The bus pulled up and they got on. Stanley slumped down in a seat next to the window and closed his eyes. He’d seemed so buoyant throughout the occupation, but June could see now the toll it had taken on him. They didn’t talk the whole journey back to Chalcot, and as they started down the hill toward the village, June wondered if Stanley had fallen asleep. She didn’t know where he lived and she didn’t want him to miss his stop, but at the same time shedidn’t want to disturb him. As she was about to touch his arm to wake him up, Stanley’s eyes snapped open and he stood up.
“This is my stop,” he said, leaning forward to ring the bell.
“You live out here?” They were still a good mile out of the village, surrounded by open fields.
The bus slowed down and Stanley stood up to get off.
“Would you like me to come back with you?” June asked.
“I’m fine, thank you.”
“But you don’t look great. Why don’t I walk you home?”
“I said I’m fine.” June had never heard Stanley use such a curt tone. “Thank you for your concern, but I really am all right. Now, go home and we shall regroup at the library next week.”
He disembarked and June turned in her seat to watch him as the bus drew away. He took a few steps forward and paused to lean on a fence post before setting off along a footpath that led into a field. June turned back to face the front. She’d never known Stanley to be so abrupt with her, but maybe he was simply tired after the occupation and being arrested. Besides, he wouldn’t appreciate her following him home like some kind of stalker, and it was really none of her business where he—
“Stop the bus!”
The driver slammed on the brake. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m sorry but I need to check if my friend is okay. Please can I get off here?”
“I can only let you down at a designated stop.”
“Please, it’s an emergency.”
The driver shook her head, but the bus doors swung open and June jumped down. She hurried back up the road toward the bus stop. When she got there, she could see Stanley striding across the field toward some woods on the far side. June set off after him, buthe was walking fast, and by the time she got to the woods, she was panting. The footpath carried on along the edge of the field, but June had seen Stanley head into the trees. What was he doing all the way out here? June had assumed there was nothing but farmland around here; she had no idea there were any houses.
As she entered the woods, the trees closed in around her, cutting out the late-afternoon light. There wasn’t any kind of path and June found herself tripping over roots and low branches. Birds shrieked in the canopy above her, and more than once she had to grab hold of a branch to stop herself from falling over.
“Stanley!”
There was a squawk as some birds flew up in alarm, and her voice echoed through the trees. In the distance, June could make out some shafts of sunlight through the gloom, so she made her way toward them. At one point her foot slipped on some damp soil and June fell on her side, landing in some stinging nettles and swearing. She limped to the end of the woods and emerged into a clearing, brushing herself down.
The first thing that struck June was how beautiful it was. She was standing on the edge of a small meadow, with long grass and wildflowers soaked in the August sunlight. She could hear water to her left and turned to see a small stream running along the edge of the woods, carrying tiny silver fish in its current. June’s eyes followed the stream’s path, and that’s when she saw it. Parked about thirty meters away, under the shade of a large oak tree, was a small, decrepit trailer. There were tangled vines growing up one side and a washing line strung between the trailer and the tree, on which hung a shirt and one pair of socks, swaying in the breeze.
“Oh my god,” June said under her breath.
The trailer door opened, and Stanley stepped out, pausing on thefront step to take a long stretch. June’s instinct was to drop to the ground, but at that moment Stanley turned to look at her. His expression remained blank, and then he walked back inside.
June’s stomach fell. What had she been thinking, following Stanley like some second-rate Nancy Drew? He’d made it very clear he didn’t want her to come to his home, and now she could see why. Poor, poor Stanley. She started back toward the trees, mortified, when she heard his voice call out after her.
“I suppose you had better come in.”
June headed back toward the trailer. When she got to the door, she hovered outside, unsure, then pushed it open and stepped in. The trailer was dimly lit, and it took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the gloom. To her left was a narrow single bed, neatly made with a sheet and blanket. Against the far wall was what looked like a cooker and a small sink, on the side of which sat a single plate and mug. On the right was a small table covered in papers, at which Stanley was now sitting, watching her survey the trailer.
“Stanley, I—”
“You don’t have to say it,” he interrupted. “The look on your face is the very reason I never invite people to come here.”
June tried to compose her features. “It’s lovely. Very... cozy.”
