The Turncoats (The Thirteenth Series #2) by G.L. Twynham Page B

We are one now, it’s our secret. I’m genuinely sorry you lost your guard. We have been connected for only a few hours so I can’t begin to imagine what it must feel like to lose someone you have been with for that long.” Val patted Zac’s hand and they sat, just for a moment, in united silence.
    “Ok buddy, enough information for one day. Let’s go see how the others are doing.” Val stood to the sound of her mobile phone breaking into song.
    “Here.” Zac passed it to her.
    It was Sam. “Oh Sam, I’m so sorry about earlier. Zac came for me and I had to work; you know how it is.” Val had forgotten all about her quick departure from her lunch date. “Oh, you tracked me. You’ll be telling me I’m on ‘Google View’ next. Yes I know it’s for my safety, but,” Val pushed Zac as she chatted. They went downstairs where the others were clearing up. “Yes Sam, your gadgets did come in handy. Ok, I’ll see you there.” Val flipped her phone shut.
    “Everything ok?” Fran enquired.
    Val nodded.
    “What about those women, will they be ok?” It was as if Fran’s mind was on the same wavelength as Val’s.
    Val nodded and hoped that would be the end of the questions. It would take far too long to explain, and she knew that they would be no better off knowing about the returners or the extractors.
    “You’re extremely muddy.” Wendy pointed at Val’s soiled clothes. “We need to open; you go get cleaned up. I’m sure we’ll be fine without you for another couple of minutes.” Wendy pushed Val back towards the flat as Fran opened the door once again.
    “Are you guys sure. Because we don’t have to open?” Val looked for support as she looked down at her now brown jeans. How annoying. Now she would have to find the washing machine.
    “And let that evil man Excariot and his minions win? Never!” Wendy replied with determination in her voice. “Anyway, you have bills to pay, and wages.”
    “Fine. I’ll be back in ten.” Zac started to follow. “NO.” Val put her hand out to stop him. “This is alone time again, just like earlier. Stay.” She closed the private door behind her.
    “Come on, Zac, let us men hide in the cleaning cupboard,” Jason said heading down the aisle.
    Fran busied herself around the shop, placing things back on shelves while Wendy found a safe place for the dellatrax under the counter. It would be easier to keep the volumes there; at least they wouldn’t get sold by mistake. She was the first to hear the doorbell. Standing up from behind the counter it must have looked as if she had appeared by magic to the young man who entered.
    “Hello, I was wondering if you could help me please?” He smiled at Wendy. She thought how odd looking he was. He was different; something wasn’t making sense to her. She couldn’t take her eyes off him. Was it his messy blonde hair or his emerald green eyes? Could it be that lovely scent he was giving off? Maybe she should speak but nothing was coming into her head just yet.
    “Are you alright?” he asked politely.
    Wendy was still staring. Then her brain joined the rest of her body. “Welcome to the bookshop,” she mumbled.
    He responded to her much slower than was normal, exaggerating each syllable as if Wendy was foreign or something. “I-need-a-book,” he said, making open and closed signs with his hands as a visual aid.
    Wendy was now blatantly aware of the fool she was making of herself. “Sorry, it’s been a long day, what were you looking for?”
    He gave a relieved grin. “Oh, ok. I was looking for something by Umberto Eco,”
    “ The Name of the Rose , a classic. Good choice and I do know that we have a signed first edition. I wanted it myself but you can’t have everything.” Wendy took a breath in her babbling and found herself blushing uncontrollably.
    “Very impressive. My name is Daniel,” the young man said.
    “I’m Wendy.” She circled the counter as Fran came into view.
    “Hello.” Fran moved in.