Lucy was grateful. 'Thanks, Kathleen.'

'Aw, don't you worry about a thing,' Kathleen a.s.sured her. 'Just take it easy. Try and clear all the bad things out of your mind. Just relax, and get strong in yourself, d'you know what I'm saying?'

'Yes, I do, and thanks.'

'What for?'

'For being the best friend I ever had.'

'Aw, go on with you. You'll have me bawling in a minute. So, go on! Get on that train, and don't look back. Have a lovely time, and call me every now and then; or I might start worrying. OK?'

Lucy's emotions were all over the place. She felt like going back to spend some time with Kathleen; and then she was so angry she wanted to face Martin and Paula and have it out with them once and for all. And yet she desperately needed to get as far away from here as she possibly could.

'Hey, Lucy!' Kathleen's voice broke her dark thoughts. 'Are you OK?'

'Oh, I'm sorry, Kathleen.' On thinking of Martin and the shameful thing he had done, Lucy had actually forgotten that Kathleen was still on the other end of the telephone. 'I'll call you as soon as I can ... I promise.'

'You'd better! And look after yourself. Don't do anything I wouldn't do.'

Lucy had to laugh. 'That leaves me clear to do whatever I like.'

As always, they laughed together, and then Kathleen told her, 'Go, Lucy, go! Or you'll miss your train.'

Lucy quickly replaced the receiver. The idea of missing the train was unthinkable, so she grabbed her belongings and hurried off to locate platform eight.

Her mind was now firmly set on travelling back in time, to the delights of that small seaside village. It was such a huge step for her, and the more she thought about it, the more excited she became.

There was no turning back.

There were no second thoughts and, so far, no regrets. Except that maybe she should have done it sooner.

When she made her way down the slope to platform eight, Lucy still found it hard to believe that she was actually leaving home to embark on an adventure that might yet turn out to be the worst thing she had ever done in her entire life.

She took a moment to think about what she had achieved in her lifetime, and came to the conclusion that, when compared to many others, she had in fact achieved very little.

So what had spurred her into believing that she could be brave enough to take this gigantic step away from home and family, and everything familiar? She was not a go-getter like Paula; or a madly impulsive soul like Kathleen.

Her suitcase was packed, her ticket was bought, and she was about to climb onto a train that, because of a childhood memory, would shortly deliver her into the unknown.

And what made her think that the delightful place she had loved as a child would still be the same now?

It was crazy that Lucy Lovejoy a housewife with no ambitions, no adventurous spirit, and no life to speak of apart from being the family keeper had deliberately planned and executed what could be a dangerous journey into uncharted territory.

Through recent unsettling events she had been forced to review her life. Over the years, she had naturally allowed many responsibilities to fall on her shoulders. She was a daughter, a sister, a wife and a mother. At times, she was also a counsellor, and recently she had been made a grandmother. She was the kingpin that held the family together, so how could she abandon the people who had always relied on her?

After some consideration, she realised it was not family responsibilities that she was escaping from, it was a life that was not her own and never would be if she carried on as before. In all truth, she did not even know who she was any more.

A surprising and dangerous thought entered her head. Once she was gone from here, would she ever want to come back?

For the moment at least, there was no turning back. Especially now, after she realised that she could actually travel alone, without the usual belittling experience of trailing like a little lapdog behind someone who told her what to do and how to do it.

Today, after a few uncomfortable learning curves, Lucy had come to realise that she had somehow become her own master. It was an amazing achievement, and it spurred her on to complete her journey.

Moreover, after the shock of recent events she desperately needed this precious time away to find the real Lucy Lovejoy; and to mend what was broken inside her. She had to take stock of her place in the world, before the person she had lost was never found again.

In that definitive moment the train was actually pulling into the platform, and very soon she would clamber aboard and be on her way.

Walking down the platform with her suitcase, she felt all alone with her thoughts and memories; oddly isolated in the midst of a thronging crowd. She was completely and utterly in charge, and for the first time ever she felt truly proud of herself. After all the heartaches of late, she desperately needed to mend, and grow strong. She had decisions to make, and truths to be tackled. One thing she did believe, however, was that everything happened for a reason, and that this unusual journey was meant to be.

Lucy was determined to leave the pain and heartache behind for now. After all, what was the alternative? She could not bring back her darling parents. Nor could she mend a marriage that was already in tatters. Whatever Fate had in store for her now, it could not be any more painful than what she was leaving behind.

Above all else, she must cling to that thought.

With her head held high she picked up her suitcase and boarded the train.

CHAPTER TWELVE.

'I RECKON I'VE cut it a bit fine!' Having collected his ticket, Dave Benson was now in a rush. 'You're right, Nancy, I should have left home earlier.' Grabbing her by the shoulders, he looked her in the eye. 'And don't you go worrying, because one way or another, I mean to swing this deal,' he promised.

Nancy believed him. 'Don't let them squeeze more money out of you though.'

Dave smiled. 'I know how to play the game,' he said. 'What I'm offering them is a great deal, and they know it, otherwise they would not even be talking to me.'

On hearing the announcement that his train was about to leave he said goodbye. 'I must go, Nancy. I can't afford to miss this train. There are meetings this afternoon and I can't afford to be late.'

He gave her a swift kiss on the cheek, after which he took off at the run. 'I'll phone you tonight!' he called over his shoulder.

Nancy waved him off along platform eight. 'I know you won't let me down, Dave.' She had every confidence in his business skills.

Seated by the carriage window, Lucy saw the man running along the platform, the deep hem of his long, dark coat whipping the air as he quickened his steps. Carrying a large overnight bag and an official-looking briefcase tucked securely under his arm, he looked like a man on a mission. He'll never make it, Lucy thought.

At first she did not recognise him, but when he burst in through the door and turned slightly to wave at someone outside the train, Lucy thought she knew him. On that desolate night when she had hidden in the bus shelter, she had caught just the merest glimpse of the two strangers, but then she recalled when the same man caught sight of her yesterday, and seemed to linger outside the hotel. Yes, it was definitely one and the same man.

For some inexplicable reason, Lucy had kept his face in her mind ever since that first, shadowy meeting. She stole another discreet look at him. The same handsome, kindly face, the impressive build and that thick, dark hair yes, it was definitely him.

Moreover, as he called out of the window, 'Take care, Nancy. I'll call you tonight!' Lucy recognised his voice. On that miserable night when her whole world seemed to be falling apart, this gentle man had been there, so very kind, and obviously concerned for her.

She had not forgotten the kind stranger, and she never would.

Now, though, as his gaze scoured the carriage for an empty seat, Lucy feared he might recognise her and she began to panic. Realising there was nowhere to hide, she discreetly grabbed a crumpled newspaper that someone had left on the seat beside her. In an effort to deter him from sitting beside her, she quickly laid her handbag on the empty seat.

Opening the newspaper, she thrust it close to her face and pretended to read, desperately hoping he would not look in her direction.

Fortunately for Lucy's peace of mind, he headed towards a vacant seat some four rows ahead of her.

When he sat down and began reading his own newspaper, Lucy was greatly relieved. She thought it would not be difficult to get off the train before he did, especially as she was seated close to the door.

Now that it was too late to turn back, even if she had wanted to, Lucy's thoughts shifted to her destination. She grew curious as to what might greet her on arrival at Littleton. Was she in for a disappointment? Would the seaside village be just a worn shadow of its former self? Or was it every bit as delightful as she remembered?

Oh, and what about the picturesque little jetty was it still there? Oh, she did so hope it had not been replaced with concrete and steel like so many other beautiful old structures of late.

She felt oddly relaxed; almost as though she was going home to the most wonderful childhood, when she had both her darling parents. Back to a time when her only ambition was to build a sandcastle that might not crumble. Back to a time when she had no worries, no heartache, no regrets of any kind.

And the sun shone, every single day.

As the train ate up the miles, all the guilt fell away from her, and she realised that she had done the right thing in making this journey.

This was for her. It was not for the family, or anyone else. It was her special time. And she could hardly wait to leave the train to begin her adventure.

Now, more than ever, she truly believed that Fate would give a helping hand, and show her the way.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN.

DAVE BENSON WAS not a patient traveller. Once he was on his way, he was keen to arrive and get on with his errand, whatever it might be. The actual travelling was a mere necessity.

When approaching an important business deal, his first priority was to ready himself for the difficulties ahead. In this particular case, he was not the only one who had put a deal on the table, although he was determined to rise above the opposition, and persuade the big boys that they would never get a better deal than he was offering.

He knew it would not be easy, but he had years of negotiating skills, and a healthy appet.i.te for the fight.

Nevertheless, he was in no doubt that he was about to face tough opposition and he must be ready not only to show just how generous his offer was, but for the mighty tussle that would ensue once the business got underway.

He had bought a newspaper at the kiosk before boarding the train, but his mind was so alive with ideas about how to swing this deal that he found it difficult to concentrate on the items of news. Impatiently, he flipped the pages over, but he was not interested. Instead, all manner of more personal concerns began to creep into his thoughts.

Firstly, there was his daughter, Ca.s.sie, who had gone to stay with her aunt Ellie. Up to now, she had shown no signs of returning home, although thankfully, she called him every night. It was a difficult situation; and increasingly hard for Dave to accept. But for all that, he fully understood why she needed to be out of the house. It reminded her too much of her lately departed mother.

He and Ca.s.sie had suffered a crippling blow, but while he was fortunate that the cut and thrust of business gave him something of a respite, Ca.s.sie was finding it harder to feel her way back. He knew that Ca.s.sie's aunt would not let her down, and he was making an extra effort to be patient, and wait for her to come home in her own good time.

The sooner she was back under his roof, the better, however, because then he would know she was beginning to heal.

He folded the newspaper and laid it on the floor by his briefcase. As the train wound through the wild and wonderful countryside, he looked out and saw it all but, his thoughts focused elsewhere, he could not altogether appreciate the beauty of the landscape.

As the train sped nearer to its destination, his thoughts grew busier, shifting between the imminent business meeting, his family, the wonderful life he had been fortunate enough to experience, and then the cruel manner in which his happiness had been brought to an end.

His personal thoughts centred around Ca.s.sie, and the fact that she was now struggling to find a kind of peace in her young life. And his darling sister, Nancy, who kept a close eye on Ca.s.sie, constantly comforting and encouraging. Indeed, it was Nancy who supported Ellie's suggestion that Ca.s.sie should stay for a while; especially now that Ellie had left home and was feeling somewhat lonely in the small two-bed house she was renting.

The arrangement seemed to be working out fine, especially as they were of similar age, with Ellie in her mid-twenties and Ca.s.sie just turned nineteen.

Moreover, Ellie had a funny, warm and kindly nature, and the two of them got on really well. They had the same outlook on life; they shared clothes and ideas, and occasionally, when they could afford it, they went out on the town together.

More importantly, being that bit older, Ellie was mature enough to understand Ca.s.sie's deeper needs right now.

Dave thought he could never thank Nancy enough for seeing what he had failed to see ... that Ca.s.sie needed someone nearer her own age just now; someone she could talk to, without feeling guilty. She needed to smile again, to be a part of life again, and most of all, to learn how to forgive.

During the last two conversations with Ca.s.sie, Dave had been greatly encouraged. He had noticed a change in her.

She seemed more confident in herself somehow. She even remembered what he had told her about his business trip, and she duly ordered him to stay safe on his travels, and said she was looking forward to seeing him when he came home.

Just now, with good thoughts lifting his spirits, and with the train chugging out a musical rhythm, he felt he could close his eyes and s.n.a.t.c.h a few winks.

Unfortunately, he had copious notes to make, and a few ideas to set out. He leaned down to dig into his briefcase, and as he glanced up, he noticed the woman who was seated by the door. For some reason, she caught his attention.

He had a feeling that he knew her from somewhere the naturally unkempt, brown hair in particular seemed familiar to him but she was reading a newspaper so he could not see the whole of her face. If only she would just look up, he might remember.

Turning his attention to the doc.u.ments in his briefcase, he decided he must be wrong about knowing the woman; he must just have simply caught a fleeting glimpse of her on the platform.

He was soon deep in figures and calculations, although he could not resist stealing another glance at the woman before finally concentrating wholly on his work.

For the umpteenth time he scrutinised the terms he had outlined in the offer. To his mind, both the offer and the terms were fair, especially considering the amount of money that was needed to rescue the dilapidated building.

Having considered all that, he reminded himself that he must not be too rigid in his terms. A good businessman should always leave room to wheel and deal if necessary. He did not want to leave that meeting without having secured Nancy's long-held dream of owning her own hotel on the coast; even if it meant spending money and long hours bringing a derelict building back to life.

Nancy had considered three other possible buildings, but the first time she and Dave had visited this once grand place, she instantly fell in love with it.

'This is the one,' she had declared, and nothing and no one could change her mind.

For the two-hour journey, Lucy decided to remain in her seat.

She noticed with interest that the stranger also remained seated; although on the two occasions when she stretched her neck to look at him, he appeared to be busy working.

Lucy was intrigued as to what his business might be. Something about his demeanour and constant attendance to his briefcase made her curious as to whether he might have his own business. Certainly he had the air of an ambitious and capable man.

As she shifted in her seat, she groaned at the twinge in her lower back. She so wanted to get up and walk about, but her every instinct warned her not to draw the man's attention to herself. So in order to relieve her aching bones she found a semblance of comfort in slipping off her shoes and wiggling her feet.

When the train slowed and finally swept into the station, Lucy gave a huge sigh of relief. She knew she had arrived at the correct place when she noticed the big sign outside: 'LITTLETON'.

'You've done it, Lucy girl!' she whispered excitedly. 'You've actually done it!' And her glad heart gave the tiniest little lurch. She felt quite emotional.

A curt announcement over the tannoy reminded pa.s.sengers that they had arrived at their destination, and requested that they disembark with care and remember to collect their luggage and belongings on leaving.

Determined to get off the train before the stranger might catch sight of her, Lucy was quickly at the door and in front of the queue as the train drew to a halt.

She deliberately kept her back to where the stranger had been sitting, even though she suspected he might be getting off at the door further up.