CHAPTER THIRTEEN
The muffled sound of a phone ringing woke Rory. Blinking in the gloom, he tried to figure out where he was. On Sky’s futon.
Once he’d assured himself it wasn’t his ring tone, and it wasn’t close by, he pulled the warm soft woman snuggled against him closer. It was only just past dawn, the crack of light between the curtains weak and pale.
Sky sighed.
He closed his eyes and gave her an approving squeeze on her backside.
She pulled free.
Opening one eye, he saw her roll away and reach down the side of the futon, mumbling to herself while she hunted through her abandoned clothes. The ring tone grew louder. She perched on the edge of the bed while she answered the call.
She acknowledged the caller briefly then listened.
The crack of dawn light from the window fell across her back. It made him open his eyes wider and study her. Her skin seemed luminescent, adorably soft and feminine. Her bottom against the rumpled bed clothes made the most perfect image. Unable to stop himself, he reached out one hand to touch the soft curve of her hip, needing to touch what he wanted.
She didn’t respond, and he realized she was concentrating on what was being said. At first he made no other move, but when she exclaimed loudly and rose from the bed, hurriedly grabbing a sweater as she left the room and darted into the bathroom, he began to take more notice of the call itself, not the recipient.
When he lifted his head from the pillows, he could just about hear her.
The tone of her voice was stressed, concerned even, and the fact she spoke in Welsh registered quickly. There was a problem at home. He understood the odd word, things he’d picked up while living in Cadogan. It impressed him when she and Rowan conversed in Welsh, so he’d listened. Some of the words were similar to Gaelic but he hadn’t kept his national language up. The Welsh people were better at keeping their ancient language alive.
It had to be Rowan, or a friend. Whoever it was had got her attention, and whatever they’d said had upset her. A boyfriend maybe? She hadn’t had a full relationship before, didn’t mean she hadn’t been seeing someone after he left.
The question set him in motion.
What’d really happened back in Wales to send her running off to London? She’d mentioned being chucked out of College. He rolled onto his front and reached for his phone, pulling it onto the pillow so that she wouldn’t be able to see what he was doing if she came back in.
He did a search on her name and the name of her college.
While he was waiting on the browser to refresh he glanced down and noticed a T-shirt sticking out from under the futon. Tugging on the soft grey fabric, he extracted it from under the wooden bed frame. Opening it up he stared at it, confused for a moment. It was one of his own, one he hadn’t seen for years.
It was some dodgy band who’d played locally. He’d thought them kind of interesting, well, interesting enough to buy a T shirt. He frowned, trying to place their sound. They hadn’t yet risen to fame. Perhaps it was the T-shirt he’d liked. Whatever it was, he knew the T-shirt was his. And Sky had it.
When she came back into the room, he quickly closed down his browser, making a mental note to take a look another time. She’d been dismissive about the fight at college, she’d laughed it off. Was that all there was to it?
“You okay?” He knew she wasn’t.
Instantly, he felt her distress, right inside, knotting in his chest.
Her eyes were damp and she paced about as if confused. “I have to leave, right away. Nan’s in hospital.” She began sorting through her clothing. “They think she’s had a minor stroke. I need to see her, got to get a train ticket and fast.”
Rory leapt up. Arresting her in his grasp, he put a stop to her wandering. “I’ll take you. We’ll go on the bike. It’ll be quicker.”
She stared up at him, eyes brimming with tears. “You’d really do that for me?”
“Of course.” He rested a kiss on her forehead. “We’ll have to swing by Halliday’s for the bike, I left it at work. I’ll phone George and let him know what we’re doing. You get your backpack.”
She frowned. “I’ll have to phone my supervisor.”
“Okay, pack your bag then phone work when you get it together. Tell them it’s a family emergency. You think you’ll be okay for the journey?”
She nodded. I’ve been on the back of your bike before, I still remember.”
“This will be a much longer journey.” He didn’t want to take any risks with her safety and she looked distracted.
She looked back at him steadily and he was reassured.
“I really appreciate this. I’d be a wreck going on the trains.”
“Hey, I’m here for you. Don’t worry.” He hugged her against him. It wasn’t something he was used to doing, caring and guiding someone else in life, but it felt right. His vision was clear and he wanted to do the right thing by her. “I could never just put you on a train.”
Within ten minutes they were on the tube.
Sky was quiet, really quiet. He sensed how troubled she was. He held her against him, soothing her with his hand stroking her back through her jacket. Her supervisor had only agreed to one day off. It annoyed the hell out of him. She needed a better job.
By the time they got to the workshop, George was already out front, wiping his hands on a rag as if he was expecting them to arrive at any moment.
Rory darted over to him. “Are you sure it’s okay for me to have the time off to take her home?”
“Rory, this is the first time you’ve asked me for a day off since you came here. Take whatever time you need. I’ve given your bike a quick service, changed the oil.”
“I appreciate it.” Rory was relieved. “I’ll make the time up.”
George looked at Sky. “Pretty as a picture.”
She was tying her hair into a plait as she waited.
“You’re a real couple now, huh?”
Rory nodded, not doubting it for a second.
“Worried about what your dad might think?”
“No way. I don’t care what he thinks.”
“That’ll change. You will care, one day. You’ll have to be ready.”
Rory wasn’t sure how he felt about it, so he shrugged.
George nodded over at Sky. “Has she got any gloves to wear?”
“I don’t think so.”
George headed inside, opened up the drawer and shuffled things around. He returned with a pair of gloves. “Samples,” he explained. “These will be a bit big for her but they’re new and she’ll get really cold on that ride.”
“Thanks, George.”
“Come on then, introduce us.”
Rory made the introductions.
“Pleased to meet you, Sky. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
She mustered a weak smile for George. “I’ve heard a lot about you too.” She nodded at the arch above. “I love your sign.”
Rory hadn’t looked closely for a long while, having got used to it. But he could see why it appealed to her. In tune with the classic biker vibe, George had commissioned the sign to look like an old fighter jet, with a pin-up stunner wrapped around the vintage style lettering for Halliday’s biker workshop.
George held out the gloves. “Put these on, sweetheart, that route to Wales will be harsh at this time of year and the forecast isn’t good.” Addressing Rory, he added. “Don’t be tempted to nudge the speed limit. You’ll lose more time if you’re stopped by the police.”
He went around Rory’s bike, checking it.
Sky watched while Rory threw some tools in his motorbike pack. He handed her a spare helmet. She pulled the helmet on, and he did the buckle up under her chin.
He smiled, and then closed her visor. When he climbed onto the bike she got into place behind him. He liked the way it felt, with her close against his back. He rested his hands over hers for a moment when she locked her arms around his chest.
“That’s it, stay close,” George said, nodding at her, “tuck your legs in behind his. He’ll freeze, but he’ll block out most of the chill factor for you.” George grinned.
Rory rolled his eyes.
George patted him on the shoulder. “Safe journey, son.”