A Walk in the Park by Jill Mansell Page B

Flynn would give up and leave?
    â€œLara? It’s me. I heard you just now. Open the door.”
    OK, so that answered that question. Now, if she were to ask him to leave, would he go? But what if he didn’t, what if he stayed and started arguing? He’d definitely see the sweat patches under her arms; she could feel them expanding practically by the second.
    â€œIf you don’t come to the door, I’m going to assume you’re either dead or unconscious. In which case I’d better call 911.”
    This was so typical of Flynn; he’d never been one to mess around. Still trying to formulate a plan, Lara attempted to wriggle backward on her hands and knees. The next moment there was a sharp knuckle-rap on the glass and she looked up to see him gazing down at her through the living-room window.
    Lara rose to her feet—ow, ow —and gingerly made her way through to the hall. She opened the front door and said, “This isn’t a good time.”
    â€œIt is for me.” Flynn was surveying her with interest. “Why didn’t you want to come to the door?”
    â€œBecause I look a mess.” It was as good an excuse as any. “How did you know I was here? Did you hire a private detective?”
    A fractional shake of the head. “I took the cheaper option, left my number with the woman next door.” He indicated which side. “I came round last Sunday to try and find out where you were. Janice didn’t want to help me. Then I got chatting with the neighbor and she told me your father had died. Sorry to hear that.”
    Lara shrugged; they were adults and it was the polite thing to say, even if they both knew it wasn’t true.
    â€œAnyway, she gave me a call a couple of hours ago, told me there was a rented van sitting on the drive and stuff being moved into the house.”
    Lara envisaged the helpful neighbor’s conversation: “There were three of them; a dark-haired one called Lara, a blonde one called Evie, and a younger girl who looked like a cross between the dark-haired one and… well, you actually!”
    Aloud she said, “So you didn’t know it was me.”
    â€œI didn’t. But I came anyway. And it is you.” A glimmer of a smile. “You’re here. Moving in.”
    Oh God, how long had Evie and Gigi been gone? Fifteen, twenty minutes? It was unlikely that they were about to reappear, but it could happen.
    â€œI am. But I really can’t talk now.”
    â€œDon’t be silly, you don’t look that bad. Can I come in?”
    Talk about a backhanded compliment . “No.”
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œI’m busy.”
    â€œI can help you. What happened just now, did you fall down the stairs?” He was glancing behind her at the saucepans scattered across the parquet.
    Lara shook her head. “I’m fine, everything just fell out of the box.”
    â€œYou’re not fine. Your foot’s bleeding.”
    â€œI’ll live. Sorry, this really isn’t a good time for me. You have to go.”
    He gave her a speculative look. “OK, I will. Just let me ask a couple of quick questions. Is Evie all right? Is she here too?”
    â€œYes.” Lara nodded. “And yes. But don’t tell Joel. She just needs a couple more days.”
    â€œNo problem.” Flynn dipped his head in agreement. “Now you. Are you married?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œPartner?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œWhy did you never contact me?”
    There it was, the killer question, delivered without so much as a flicker.
    â€œLook, we have to stop this now.” Her mouth was so dry she could barely get the words out.
    â€œI don’t want to stop. You might disappear again.”
    â€œI won’t. Are you free tomorrow? We can talk then, have a proper catch-up.” In contrast to her mouth, her palms were slippery with sweat; she had to get rid of him fast.
    Flynn looked skeptical.