‘And you were inside there, just now.’ Her talent for stating the obvious couldn’t fail to impress him she was sure.
‘Yes. Lucas Harrington.’ He held out his hand. She stared. He had a name; his mystery diminished.
Her gaze moved from his hand to his face. The brown eyes were the same as the dream eyes had been. His cheeks were flushed from the cold, his breath clouded his mouth. A mouth that had been formed into a slight smile, but it was now fading, she caught a falter in his outstretched hand.
‘Oh, I’m so sorry.’ Emily shot out her hand. ‘It’s just kind of strange, seeing you again.’
‘Strange good or strange bad?’ he asked.
She realised that she was still vigorously shaking his hand. Her brain tried to capture each detail, the warmth, the feel of his fingers, larger than hers, enclosing hers. She let go, but tried to keep the imprint there. She preserved it by shoving her hand deep into her pocket.
‘Strange good.’
What now? Emily wondered. How to converse with someone who could be totally different to the way he lived in her imagination. Was she making a mess of this? He was looking at her now as if trying to read her mind; Emily was glad he couldn’t. She had to do better – she hadn’t even introduced herself.
‘Emily Gregory. Sorry. I should have said that before.’
He seemed to take a deep breath and then said,
‘Well, Emily Gregory, do you fancy a drink somewhere?’
‘Now?’
His voice wavered. ‘If you can’t, that’s okay, don’t worry.’
‘No. It’s fine.’
‘It is? Excellent. Just excuse me one moment.’ He took his phone from the pocket of his coat.
‘If it’s a problem for you, then …’ Emily butted in, desperately hoping it wasn’t.
‘It’s nothing that can’t be done another time.’ He clicked to send a message and returned the phone to his pocket. ‘Okay, where shall we go?’
Emily shrugged and mentally begged him to make a decision – suppose she recommended somewhere he thought was awful?
‘We’re probably nearest, what? The south-eastern side of the Entertainment District,’ Lucas began. Emily raised her eyebrows. He laughed.
‘Architect.’ He offered as if that explained everything. ‘I get paid to know layouts and stuff.’
‘And there was I, about to be impressed with your general knowledge.’ Where had that come from? Emily swallowed her excitement down quick.
‘How about we head back to the tram stop and see where we end up from there?’ Lucas suggested.
‘Sounds like a good idea.’
‘You don’t need to let anyone know what you’re doing?’ Lucas asked as they headed down the steps.
His question halted her. She’d forgotten about Simon. She was glad the lighting in the streets wasn’t strong enough to show her guilt red flush. Her next sentence would commit her – one way or another. She wasn’t sure what it would be. A lie? No. A half-truth.
‘No. I’ve got no plans for this evening.’
‘Excellent.’
Thirty Six
The tram doors slid shut. Lucas had sat across the aisle from her. She was glad in a way. Seeing him now, being close enough to reach out and touch him again was unsettling. The fluorescent lights of the tram proved that her vision of him in the club had been perfect. Dark hair, dark eyes, tall. Older than her, she could see that now, but that was okay too.
‘So, Emily Gregory, what do you do all day?’
She smiled,
‘I work on the East North-East side of the Business District.’ Emily had no idea whether it was true or not but was rather pleased to see his eyes narrow slightly and then melt into a smile. ‘I sell advertising for the Entertainment Times.’
He nodded, as if her revealing that fact answered many questions.
‘Ever advertised any architect firms?’
‘Afraid not, strictly clubs, bars, that kind of thing. I can probably get you tickets for anywhere you want to go.’ Did that sound like boasting?
‘I’ll remember that.’
‘What about you? What kinds of things are you involved in? Designing some magnificent building or other?’
‘Perhaps it’s better I come clean here – magnificent buildings? Not really my field. My work is much more mundane – factories. In the Industrial District mainly.’
‘I’m sure they’re just as grand – but in a different way.’
‘Maybe. But …’ he hesitated.
‘Go on.’
He looked at her a moment too long, then said slowly, with a shrug,
‘You know the Fire Pit?’
‘At the theatre? You didn’t design that?’
‘I helped. Was part of the team.’
‘Wow. I’m impressed.’
The tram stopped. A few people got on. Emily hardly noticed.
‘Do you ever read our paper?’ she asked. It was ridiculous to hope so fervently that he did.
‘Everyone does’
‘I suppose so. It is the only one,’ she admitted, disappointed.
‘It’s good though. Been the only way to find out what’s being done about that poor girl last week …’ His words tailed off. ‘Sorry. I shouldn’t have brought it up.’
‘No. No. It’s okay.’
Emily looked out of the window. She was determined not to cry in front of him. He was a stranger after all. Not in her head, but here, back in reality, she knew nothing of him. It was black outside, but she could see the glow of the Entertainment District getting nearer.
Taking a deep breath, Emily turned back to Lucas.
‘It’s funny. Us both being there at the same time.’
‘I guess so,’ Lucas said slowly. ‘Was your interview alright?’
Emily shrugged, bit the inside of her lip.
‘And again, with the apology,’ Lucas said. Now it was his turn to look away. ‘It’s just… it connects us.’ His voice was low. His eyes did not meet hers.
‘That’s what I think too.’ Emily forced her tone to be normal. She couldn’t tell him yet that he’d saved her. Not yet, not yet. Lucas did look at her then. Not with a smile, but with something lighting his eyes.
The tram slid into the Entertainment District and the moment was broken. But, it had been there. Emily wrapped herself tight in that thought as they stepped out into the night.
The bar they settled on was the first one they came to, deciding that ‘Bar One’ was a more than appropriate name. As Lucas held open the door for her, Emily realised that this was a far more sophisticated establishment than she normally came to. She was sure she should appreciate the ambience – the bar was along the back wall, tall stools of polished steel waited in anticipation in front of it. The rest of the room was given over to high square tables, chrome frames supporting some sort of hammered metal rectangles. The lighting was provided by a small glowing cube at the centre of each table. The intimacy of this place was almost intimidating.
There was music too, although nothing she recognised. Again, too sophisticated for her. It was definitely music of a style that could be studied, in depth, a style that one could develop an expert knowledge of, should one wish. Emily didn’t.
‘Why don’t you grab a table? What can I get you to drink?’
‘White wine, if that’s okay.’
‘It certainly is.’
Emily chose a table quickly in order to hoist herself into the impossibly high chair while Lucas’s back was still turned. She wriggled herself comfortable. She would worry about descending with elegance and dignity when the time arose. Maybe the wine would help.
There were three or four other couples in the bar and a group of five huddled around a table in the corner. The chat was low.
‘There you go.’ He placed the glass in front of her and took a sip of his red before expertly sliding into his seat. Emily was about to say that it would be great to enjoy a glass of wine without a running commentary about its natu
re, but corked it up inside. Not appropriate, she warned herself. She didn’t want him to know about Simon.
‘Not my normal kind of haunt,’ Lucas said looking across at her.
‘Me neither. I have to confess I usually go to less artistic, more comfortable places.’
‘Like where?’
Should she pick her answer carefully, or just be honest – let him think what he liked? She reeled off a few names, he nodded at some, admitted frequenting a number of them too. Emily relaxed a little.
‘I used to love Moonshine too,’ she began, not sure where the comment was going, and finding the answer was nowhere, she let her words hang, unable to finish. She dropped her eyes to her drink, but knew his were on her.
‘I knew her. Rachel. The girl.’
‘Emily. No. That makes it even worse.’
‘Didn’t know her well. We were out together, in a group. I think …’ She took a mouthful of wine. False courage and confidence, but preferable to none at all. ‘I guess that’s why they kept me there, that night. That’s why I… lost you.’
‘The Security Forces got everyone out pretty quickly.’
‘It felt like we were there forever.’
They were silent for a moment. Lucas swirled his wine. Emily watched it leave a pale pink wave on the glass. She didn’t want it to be like this. For that horrific night to be all they had. She forced her mind to think of something else, anything else.
‘Hey, were you at the Donation Centre in the Entertainment District on Tuesday?’ she asked.
‘About six?’ he replied.
‘I thought I saw you, that’s all.’ Why had she brought that up? She was amazed to see him nod.
‘I thought you were there too.’
‘Oh. Did you see me?’
‘Not exactly. I wasn’t sure anyway.’
‘You were leaving as I arrived. It was a miserable night. I’d forgotten to donate, which isn’t like me at all.’ She slammed her mouth shut, aware that she was starting to jabber.
‘You should have said hello,’ Lucas said, not raising his eyes from his drink.
‘I wouldn’t have done that – I wasn’t sure if …’ She paused. What was it that was making her so unsure? The fact that she hadn’t believed that it could have been him? No. She’d known that in her heart. The uncertainty of whether he’d want to meet her? Of whether she actually wanted to meet him? ‘I guess I wasn’t sure if you’d want to know me, after the way we met.’
Now it was her turn to stare into the pale sun of her wine. Her emotions betrayed her finally and she felt a tear skid down her cheek and was powerless to stop it.
His hands covered, enveloped hers. Electric heat crackled up her arms. Forced her eyes to meet his.
‘I keep waiting for it to get easier.’ Her voice was a whisper, but he caught it, held it, despite the noise of the bar.
‘It doesn’t.’ He said. ‘Get easier. Some days it will, but there’ll always be stuff, reminders that will trip you up. It’s part of you now.’
The surprise of his honesty halted her tears.
‘You sound like someone who knows.’
He paused, then said,
‘I was there on that Friday.’
‘It’s more than that.’
Flash flood quick, he withdrew his hands, took his touch back into himself. She felt cold.
She’d messed it up now. She cursed herself, then cursed out loud as she heard the ringing of her mobile in her coat pocket.
‘Damn.’ She reached down and withdrew the phone so that she could see who it was. Simon. It would have to be wouldn’t it? She switched the phone to silent.
‘I suppose you have to go?’ Lucas said.
‘No. Yes. I suppose so.’
‘Okay.’ He finished the final swallow of wine. She did likewise. Did he feel as hollow as she did?
They paused outside the door to the bar.
‘Can I walk you to your tram stop?’ he asked.
‘You’re not coming that way?’
‘No. Er, I’ve got some people I need to see.’ He shuffled his feet, shrugged his shoulders.
‘I’ll be fine. It’s not far anyway.’
‘It won’t take a minute. Come on.’
Their physical movement towards the tram stop helped to narrow whatever gulf Emily felt she’d opened. She could hear the distant clatter of the tram, not yet visible. She turned to him and said,
‘It was good, meeting you properly, I mean.’
He smiled.
‘Yes.’ He fumbled into the inside of his coat. ‘Look – here’s my card. It’s got my work and personal mobile number. Use my mobile. If you want, that is.’
‘Thank you. I’m honoured,’ Emily said.
‘You should be. I can’t actually remember the last time I gave one of those to someone who wasn’t a client.’
‘Then I shall treasure it.’
The tram was in sight now.
‘Can I have another one?’ The tram’s presence was driving her words on. ‘Please.’
‘If you really want one.’
He gave her another. Emily grabbed a pen from her bag. Scrawled her own number on the back and offered it back to him.
‘I don’t have my own cards. Too lowly.’
He laughed, and took it.
‘That’ll do me.’
It was nearly too late. The tram was slowing to a stop. Was it enough? Would he call? Would she call him? The shuddering stop of the tram forced more from her.
‘Can we meet again? At the weekend? Saturday?’ Emily wasn’t sure she was breathing.
‘Yes. Yes. Definitely.’ Lucas paused briefly. ‘I can’t do Saturday morning though,’ he said. ‘I have to work. But I can do later, say about half two, maybe three?’
‘Really?’ Emily asked. He nodded. Smiled. ‘Excellent.’
‘What do you want to do?’ he asked.
‘I don’t know. Don’t mind. Surprise me.’
With that, Emily practically sprinted onto the tram; she had no follow up for that one. She spun into the nearest seat. She glanced down at his card, still seeming to give a glow to the fingers that clutched it. Risking a look out of the window, she saw Lucas was doing the same with the card she’d given back to him.
He raised his eyes, waved, and then disappeared into the darkness as the tram pulled away.
Thirty Seven
Emily pulled her phone out of her pocket as soon as the tram picked up speed. She’d missed two more calls, both from Simon. Just as she was debating what to do, her phone flashed into silent life once more; she had to answer it.
‘Hi Simon.’
‘At last. I’ve been really worried. You’ve been ages.’
‘My, er, interview was late, then it ran over.’
‘That’s unusual for the Security Forces. Normally they run exactly to time, never anyone waiting, that kind of thing.’
‘I didn’t know you’d even been there,’ she returned, hoping to divert him.
‘Being an investigative journalist takes you to a whole variety of places.’
‘Indeed. Today, they were definitely late.’ Was she going to compound the lie further? ‘I’ve only just got on the tram,’ she continued. Not really a lie, her brain argued.
‘Can you see the Security Forces guard? Is he in your carriage?’
Emily cast a glance around her. Her carriage was about half full. She twisted her head.
‘No. He’s in the carriage behind me.’
‘I think you should move.’
‘What? No. I’m not moving.’ She sat firmly back in her seat, even though her defiance was invisible.
‘I’ll meet you at yours if you like,’ Simon offered. ‘It’d be good to see you.’
‘You saw me all day at work.’
‘You know what I mean.’
‘No. No thanks.’
She was surprised at the harshness of her tone. Simon hadn’t been to hers since the night he’d crashed out on her sofa and someth
ing inside her was determined to keep it that way.
‘I’ll come to yours. I’m on the tram already. It’s stupid for you to come out too. It’s cold out.’ She almost shuddered at giving that as a reason.
‘If you’re sure.’
‘I’m sure,’ said Emily, grateful he hadn’t pushed it further.
‘I’ll come and meet you from the tram stop then.’
‘Simon. It’s early. I’m sure I can manage the five minutes to your flat.’
‘Early? Do you know what time it is?’
‘About seven?’
‘Emily – it’s nearly nine.’
‘Really?’ How had that happened? Her time with Lucas had seemed so short. Just saying his name once more in her head caused her heart to judder. She had to stop this. As if proof of that was needed, Simon asked,
‘Are you okay? You seem kind of off.’
‘Sorry, I’m sorry. It was just going through it all again. And at Security Forces House too.’ It seemed she was to be a liar.
‘I thought, I was worried, you know, that, well, something might have happened to you. Something bad.’
The tone of his voice was so genuine that it powered a hammer through the glass of her lies. How could she do this? Simon really had been concerned. And what had she been doing? Enjoying being with a total stranger.
‘I’m sorry. I’ll be at yours in a couple of stops. Don’t worry about meeting me. Honestly. Get some food on or something. I’ve not eaten.’
‘No. I’ll come down.’
‘I’ll call you when I get off the tram and talk to you all the way. How’s that?’
He was silent a moment.
‘Okay, I suppose. As long as you know I would have come down.’
‘I do. Open some wine or something. Find us a film to watch.’
‘See you in a bit.’
‘I’ll be speaking to you again in about five minutes anyway.’
Emily managed to fill the walk from the tram to Simon’s with inane and very neutral chat about work, the tram and even the weather. She rang off when she entered the building. Knowing she only had the lift ride to get herself in check, she tried to work out how she felt.
The lift doors slid open and delivered her straight to Simon.
‘The wine’s open, there’s pasta cooking and the film’s all ready to go.’ He announced as he leaned forward to kiss her.
Symbiosis: A Vampire Psycho-Thriller Page 17