“I’m sure you won’t. And if anything does happen, Dylan and I are here.”
“But what if she’s angry with me? I did stand her up all those years ago, after all.”
Libby couldn’t help smiling. “If it is her, do you really think she’s come all this way today to tell you off?”
“No, I suppose not.”
“She’s probably feeling nervous too.”
“I’m not sure about that. The girl I met sixty years ago wasn’t scared of anything.”
The traffic lights turned green and the bus pushed forward.
“Do you think I should go downstairs to greet her?” Frank said.
“No, you stay up here,” Dylan said, the first time he’d spoken in ages. “I can go downstairs and then help her up if she needs it.”
“Thank you,” Frank said, and Libby could tell he was relieved not to have to tackle the stairs again.
“I have to go. I have to get back to work,” Sunny said. “Good luck, Frank. I will be holding my breath for you.”
“Thank you, Sunny.”
“I’ll go down too, so you can meet her on your own,” Libby said. She gave his hand a squeeze. “Good luck, Frank. We’re downstairs if you need us.”
Frank nodded but he seemed to have lost his words. Libby gave him an encouraging smile, then turned toward the aisle to stand up. As she did, Dylan was also standing up in his seat, and for a moment their faces were inches from each other.
“Eh... you first,” Dylan said, looking away.
They reached the lower deck and said good-bye to Sunny as the bus pulled up at the stop and the doors opened. Libby waited by the bottom of the steps, watching as passengers boarded. The woman was the last to get on, looking around at the other passengers before beginning to make her way down the aisle toward the stairs.
“Mrs.Stokes?” Libby said.
She looked up, and Libby could immediately tell how nervous she was too. She was wearing too much makeup, the lipstick slightly smudged in the creases around her mouth.
“You Libby?”
“Yes, hi. It’s lovely to meet you.”
“Is Frank here?”
“He’s upstairs.”
“Would you like me to help you up?” Dylan said.
Libby saw the woman take in Dylan, but she didn’t bat an eyelid. “No, thanks, dear. I’ll be fine.”
“Okay. We’ll be down here if you need anything,” Libby said.
The woman nodded and turned toward the stairs, taking a deep breath before she started to climb. Libby watched her until she reached the top and disappeared out of view. Then she took a deep breath herself and turned to face Dylan.
CHAPTER
28
They stood awkwardly for a moment, neither looking at the other. Then the bus pulled away from the stop sharply, and Libby was caught off-balance. She wobbled forward, almost falling on top of Dylan, who reached out to steady her. Libby quickly righted herself and stepped away.
“Wanna sit down?” Dylan said, and she nodded, embarrassed.
