Flirting With Danger

by Jade Winters

  ‘What you gawping at?’ Callie asked more sharply than intended.

  ‘You’ve got a smudge of chocolate right here,’ Astrid said pointing to a spot on her own chin.

  ‘Urgh.’ Callie recoiled in horror. The shame of it. Trust her to be the one to notice. She rubbed her chin, gauging Astrid’s expression as to when it was gone.

  ‘Chocolate lover?’

  Callie looked at her dumbfounded. ‘Huh?’

  ‘You and chocolate. And there I was thinking you were some kind of health freak.’

  ‘Why? Because I do a lot of walking?’

  ‘That and because you look … well fit.’

  Callie’s face coloured immediately. The smile that spread across Astrid’s lips only served to stoke the burning in her cheeks. Why did this woman have such an effect on her?

  ‘You look quite … fit yourself.’ Callie said before she could stop herself. Not that it wasn’t true. From what she could see, Astrid’s legs were well toned. She could only imagine what the rest of her body looked like.

  Astrid picked up a tour leaflet from her desk and flicked through it. ‘Bike riding.’

  Callie took a sip of water from the glass on her desk and the heat receded.

  ‘Isn’t that a bit dangerous in the city? I thought everyone drove around like maniacs.’

  Astrid shrugged and looked thoughtful for a moment. ‘Yeah, but it’s a chance you take. It’s a bit like love if you think about it. You know the chances of getting hurt are high but most of the population would die for it.’

  Callie smiled. ‘Does that include you?’

  Astrid replaced the leaflet. ‘Er, no. I’m jaded, so that makes me an exception to the rule.’

  Callie was unbalanced by her directness. She studied her face but couldn’t translate what clouded her eyes. Was she joking or being serious? Callie couldn’t tell.

  ‘You don’t strike me as being jaded,’ she said unwilling to let Astrid’s statement go.

  ‘Looks can be deceiving, believe me. Even mine.’

  Callie saw a flash of pain in Astrid’s eyes. If she had blinked, she would have missed it. Almost instantly the sadness was replaced with mischief. But it was too late. Callie knew what she saw and for whatever reason it drew her to Astrid even more. Like a kindred spirit. She couldn’t help but wonder what the source of her troubles were. They hadn’t known each other long enough for Callie to enquire and she doubted very much if Astrid would just blurt it out. Her guard lowered somewhat, Callie’s attitude towards her changed slightly. She realised there was more to Astrid than her cocky attitude.

  ‘Do you fancy a drink?’ Callie heard herself asking.

  ‘Why not? Can’t have too much caffeine, can you?’ Astrid remained standing a few feet away. ‘So have you spoken to Lexi’s parents today?’

  ‘Yeah, I checked in with Roxy an hour ago for an update.’ She pushed herself to her feet and walked towards the kitchenette. Astrid followed. This time Callie didn’t try to stop her from entering the staff area. Instead she gestured for her to take a seat while she grabbed two mugs from the cupboard.

  Astrid dropped onto a chair by the door. The atmosphere surrounding them was relaxed. When Callie acknowledged the fact that it wasn’t Astrid’s fault that her pulse accelerated like the speed of lightening, she found herself enjoying her company without too much effort. Even with the scent of her perfume floating gently up her nostrils, causing the muscles in her stomach to knot, she concentrated on the task at hand.

  ‘Now that we’re friends …’ Astrid started.

  Callie raised her brows as she spooned a heap of coffee into each of the cups.

  ‘All right, sort of friends,’ Astrid conceded. ‘I thought you’d do me a favour and introduce me to Lexi’s parents.’

  Here we go. I was right about her after all.

  ‘And why would I do that?’ Callie poured hot water into the cups and stirred.

  ‘Because, not only are you kind and thoughtful, you desperately want to help find their daughter.’

  That part was true. However, securing Astrid an interview with them was another matter altogether. So far, neither Roxy nor Robert had given the slightest inclination that they wanted to be interviewed. Why, she didn’t know. But she was sure they had their reasons.

  Obviously, Astrid’s super over the top confidence made her think she was entitled to one. Sometimes you’ve got to be cruel to be kind. Callie had every intention of telling Astrid that she was one amongst many who wanted a face to face with the Palmers.

  ‘I don’t know if you noticed but there are a bunch of journalists out there who want the same thing,’ Callie said. ‘They’ve already turned down a press conference. So why would they want to speak to you?’

  ‘That’s a fair enough question. But tell me this. Why hasn’t one single journalist dropped by to see you?’

  Callie didn’t see the relevance but she decided to play along to see where Astrid was headed with this. ‘How do you know they haven’t?’

  ‘Well, have they?’

  ‘Erm, no but does it matter?’

  ‘Of course it does.’ Astrid said this as if it should be obvious to Callie why such a simple action should matter. ‘Don’t you get it? Those guys don’t see the bigger picture. They’re looking for a soundbite. But not me. I know I’ve not been here five minutes but I’ve seen what a tight knit community you all are. You look out for each other.’

  At that moment, Elaine stepped through the doorway stopping the conversation dead.

  ‘Oh, you’re here,’ Elaine said glancing at Astrid.

  ‘Right at the epicentre of the action.’ Astrid kept her attention on Callie. ‘Come on, put in a good word for me. Do you want me to beg because I will?’ She started to lower herself onto her knees.

  Callie shook her head, suppressing a smile. ‘Don’t be silly. As if that’s going to work.’

  ‘Okay, so if personal humiliation isn’t going to swing it …’ Astrid pondered for a moment. ‘Aha! I’ve got it. How about I throw in a dinner with yours truly?’

  It was one thing to be alone with Astrid on her own turf. Being alone with her over dinner, seemed to be a little too intimate. Even if they would be surrounded by people. Besides, they didn’t have anything in common apart from wanting to know the whereabouts of Lexi. No. It was time to revert back to her old ways and give Astrid the cold shoulder. She’s just using me. Callie knew if she gave in to Astrid, there’d be no stopping her from getting whatever she wanted. That included Callie herself.

  ‘You rate yourself, don’t you?’

  ‘Is that a thing to say to a woman whose only aim is to win you over?’

  ‘With food?

  ‘With whatever your heart desires,’ Astrid persisted.

  Astrid’s flirtatious hints were hardly subtle and they both scared and excited Callie.

  Elaine looked from one woman to the next as she took a step back towards the door. ‘Shall I leave?’

  ‘That depends on Callie.’

  ‘Don’t you dare leave, Laney. Stay where you are.’

  ‘As much as I’d love to I can’t. I only dropped in to say I’m not going to be around this morning. Got a guest checking in today. Have fun you two.’

  ‘Laney!’ Callie said to the closing door. Just great.

  Callie picked up both coffees and handed one to Astrid. She needed to do something to make her go away, even if it was against her better judgement.

  ‘If it means you’ll stop turning up here unannounced, I’ll ask Roxy if they’ll talk to you.’

  Astrid couldn’t conceal her excitement, as she swivelled from side to side on her chair. ‘Elaine was bang on with you, wasn’t she? You really are one hell of a friend to have.’

  ‘As long as you don’t get on the wrong side of me.’

  ‘That is one thing I’d never do, and you can quote me on that!’

  Chapter Ten

  Keri’s whole morning had been spent travelling. The two-hour t
rain journey to Windermere had been hell. Kids screamed and ran riot up and down the carriages while their parents had their eyes glued to their phones. Normally she would have been in first class, but the tickets were sold out. Looking around her she could only guess why. If she had to do it again, she would rather walk the whole distance.

  Things didn’t fare any better when Keri finally arrived at her destination, seemingly with the rest of the world. Windermere had a very limited taxi service. A long line of people stood at the taxi rank. If she wasn’t such a controlled person, she would have screamed while jumping up and down on the same spot, demanding to be taken back to civilisation. She cursed her father for putting her through this hell.

  As she stood at the end of the queue a new thought occurred to Keri—she needed to tell her mother that she would be away for a few days. A week at the most. Keri would text her and let her know she was covering a missing person’s case. She didn’t want to speak to her on the phone. She felt bad for lying. Guilty even. But was she to blame? Keri’s mother had always been prone to hysterics. A feisty woman who always got her way. If she heard that Keri was helping her father cover up his corruption, she would most definitely lose her cool.

  ‘Cheer up, love. It might never happen,’ a man said.

  Jamming her fists into her pockets, Keri turned to give whoever had the gall to say that a piece of her mind. Her mouth fell open and she quickly clamped it shut again. The man who had spoken to her was elderly and sitting in a wheelchair. On his face was the brightest, happiest smile she had ever seen. His kind eyes twinkled.

  ‘I’m just having a bad day,’ she said, totally ashamed of herself for acting like a spoilt brat. The man in front of her had every reason to be bitter about the cards that life had dealt him, yet he looked more alive than any able bodied person she’d ever seen.

  ‘A problem shared is a problem halved. What’s been so bad?’

  ‘Have you seen this queue?’

  ‘Is that it?’

  She could have gone on to tell him about her father, but why depress him as well. ‘Isn’t that bad enough?’

  ‘Where’re you headed?’

  ‘Bloody Grasmere. I feel like my day is never going to end.’

  The man slapped his lap. ‘Put that case up here.’

  ‘No, it’s fine.’

  ‘Are you arguing with an old man in a wheelchair?’ he asked, grinning. His eyes daring her to refuse his help.

  ‘That’s not fair.’

  ‘Nothing in life is. You’ve just got to roll with the punches and get through it best you can. Now come on, put that case on my lap and follow me.’

  ‘Where to?’ Keri asked cautiously. Stop being so paranoid. What harm can a man in a wheel chair do to me? Her shoulders relaxed.

  ‘I take it you have an address.’

  She dug the paper with the address on it out of her pocket and handed it to him. ‘Oh yes, of course.’

  ‘Ah, I know Glenview. I stayed there years ago. It’s a lovely B&B.’

  Keri nodded politely but said nothing as she followed him towards the car park.

  ‘Dad, over here.’

  Keri followed the direction of the voice and saw a woman dressed casually in jeans and a woollen jumper standing beside a running car, waving her hand in the air.

  ‘There’s my girl. Fine lass she is,’ he said proudly with a big grin on his face.

  As they neared, the woman hurried over to help with her case.

  ‘What you been up to? You little rascal, picking up strangers on the train again,’ she joked good naturedly, as she bent over and planted a kiss on his forehead.

  ‘And a very pretty lass at that,’ he said giving his daughter a quick wink.

  ‘I’ll say.’ The woman straightened and held out her hand. ‘Helen.’

  Keri smiled. Maybe this place isn’t so bad after all. ‘Keri,’ she said placing her hand in Helen’s firm grip.

  ‘And don’t forget the man responsible for introducing you both is Arnold.’

  The women both laughed in unison.

  ‘Hello, Arnold,’ Keri said, reluctantly withdrawing her hand.

  ‘Right. Enough of you two gawping at each other. Let’s get into the car and get this lass to where she needs to be.’

  Keri stood by and waited while her case was loaded, after Helen refused to let her help. Not that she minded. It was nice to stand back and witness the easy-going banter between father and daughter. It was the way a father and child relationship should be. Looking at Arnold, she couldn’t imagine him ever treating Helen the way Lloyd treated her. He wouldn’t ask her to lie for him. To spy. Not to mention betray.

  It was because of times like this Keri realised why she only hung out with other damaged people. Being amongst healthy emotional people, like Helen and Arnold, only served to shine a very bright light on her own dysfunctional family. It wasn’t something she needed to be reminded of.

  The Lake District’s air was a far cry from Manchester’s and it most definitely agreed with her. Keri wound down her window and let the wind play with her loose hair. For once she didn’t care about it being tangled. It felt nice. Helen hadn’t said much to her since she started driving and Keri, who was usually never so tongue-tied, fumbled with what to say; her mind seemed all muddled up and after a point she gave up trying. Keri, however, now had a golden opportunity to have an up close look at Helen. Her profile was sharp. An aquiline nose stood out prominently on Helen’s attractive face and Keri noticed grey roots growing at her temples. Strong hands gripped the steering wheel, and eased the car around sharp bends. At first glance, Helen was the epitome of casual sexy to Keri.

  When the car suddenly came into a small village with rocky hills rising up on either side, Keri felt ecstatic. This was a different world, different surroundings.

  ‘I can’t thank you both enough,’ she said once her case was on the narrow pavement.

  Helen slipped her a piece of paper. ‘Here’s my number. Just in case you need a lift again.’

  Keri looked down at the paper before placing it in her pocket. Unexpected excitement coursed through her at the prospect of meeting up with Helen again. Maybe it was her open manner that she found so appealing. The down to earth way she interacted with her dad. Or maybe it was the fact that Helen was just normal. What you saw was what you got. It was something Keri liked. Very much.

  ‘Thanks.’

  Helen’s gaze stayed on Keri a while longer, before she finally returned to the car.

  ‘Thanks again,’ Keri called after them as they drove off.

  If everyone in this village is like those two, I might move here. Buoyed by meeting such nice people she almost forgot her reason for being there. That was until her phone rang.

  ‘Yes, Dad?’ Keri said trying to keep her irritation at bay. Though her chance meeting with Helen had lightened her mood, tension still lingered.

  Lloyd’s tone took on a scolding edge. ‘I thought you were going to call me?’

  ‘I just arrived.’ Keri looked up towards the door that had just opened. A freckled-faced woman came down the path, a warm smile on her face.

  ‘I’ve gotta go. Speak later.’ Keri ended the call and waited for the woman to reach her.

  ‘Keri?’

  Keri offered her hand for a quick shake. ‘Hi, you must be Elaine.’

  ‘That’s me. Here, let me help you with your case,’ Elaine said taking the case by the handle.

  ‘Thanks.’

  ‘So did you get here okay?’ Elaine asked.

  ‘No, well yes.’ Keri went on to tell her about Arnold and Helen as they made their way up to the stone clad house.

  ‘I’m glad to hear it. So are you here for hiking? Or just to relax?’ Elaine asked as she led her to her room.

  Keri glanced around her surroundings. Though nothing fancy it was clean and comfortable. She spoke as she walked into the en-suite, ‘Neither. I’m covering the disappearance of Lexi Palmer.’

  ‘Oh, you’re a r
eporter as well?’

  Keri feigned ignorance. ‘As well? Is there another reporter staying here?’

  ‘Yes, she writes for The Daily News.’

  ‘Is that a fact?’

  ‘Yes. You’ll meet her at dinner. She’s out at the moment doing what you reporters do. I’m sure she’ll be eager to meet you.’

  Not as eager as I am to meet her again.

  After Elaine left, Keri looked around her room. There was a double window a few yards from the bed, giving her a panoramic view of the surrounding fells. A wooden rocking chair, double wardrobe and a small writing table in one corner, leaving barely any space in the room. Keri walked over to one of the windows and stared at the imposing fells. They looked so dark. The ragged edges dangerous. The sheer size of them suddenly made her feel very small and exposed.

  As enticing as hiking was to some people, it wasn’t for her. She liked to keep her feet firmly at sea level. She turned around to look at the room and wondered whether Astrid had a room next door.

  Eyeing the double bed, Keri envisaged getting a lot of use out of it. She just hoped the walls weren’t as paper thin as they looked.

  Chapter Eleven

  ‘Do you want to do it now?’ Callie said.

  ‘Whenever you’re ready?’ Astrid replied, wriggling her eyebrows. She loved the way Callie blushed. She was doing it that very second, just by Astrid holding her gaze. Well she’d better get used to my presence. Astrid wouldn’t be going anywhere until she got what she wanted.

  ‘You’re like an annoying mosquito, do you know that?’ Callie took out her phone. ‘Go outside while I make the call. I don’t want you eavesdropping. God knows what will appear in the paper.’

  Astrid feigned disbelief. ‘Don’t believe everything you hear about reporters. We’re not all bloodsuckers. We actually do things for the good of humanity.’

  ‘Ha! I believe you, though plenty wouldn’t.’

  ‘Before I leave you’ll have a completely different view on reporters.’

  Callie held her phone in the air. ‘Do you want me to make this call or not?’