Free 24 Hours: An intense, suspenseful psychological thriller by Claire Seeber Page A

lady. She won’t bite you, I promise.’
    Leonard took my hand limply, but refused to meet my eye, staring steadfastly at his shoes instead.
    ‘Well, look out for Polly,’ I gestured at my daughter’s disappearing back. ‘If they find you a place, you might be in Mrs Evans’ class with her. Polly’s got long curly black hair and a red coat, and she talks a lot. Girls, eh, Leonard?’
    Still no smile. Leonard wasn’t giving in that easily.
    ‘I was hoping we could have met her,’ Mal gave me a tentative smile. ‘I did leave my number at the café. I thought it might have smoothed the transition a little …’
    ‘Maybe.’ I tried to smile but I felt inordinately relieved that Polly had already gone inside. ‘I think Robin lost your number. Anyway, don’t let me keep you.’ I pointed up at the office. ‘You probably need to stop off there. They’ll sort you out.’
    ‘Oh right. Okay.’ Mal looked disappointed. ‘Well, maybe we could—’
    My friend Roz wandered up, all pert and taut in her running gear, intrigued by a stranger.
    ‘Hi,’ she was overly bright. ‘I’m putting off the trot round the park.’
    ‘I’m so sorry, Mal, but I’m really late for work.’ I began to back away. ‘Good luck, Leonard. Hope to see you in the playground soon.’
    Leonard just glowered at the floor.
    ‘Laurie,’ Mal tried to catch my arm, but I sidestepped just in time. I was acting like a jumpy teenager, I knew, but I couldn’t help it. I was too busy fighting my inclination to be his friend. It was tempting – but I also knew it was unwise, given the origins of our meeting.
    ‘God, is that the time?’ I made a show of checking my watch. ‘I’d better get going. Maybe Roz can show you where to go.’
    ‘I know where to—’ Mal began.
    ‘Sure,’ Roz loved to get involved. ‘No worries. Roz Craft,’ she offered Mal her hand. ‘Come on. I’ll take you to our leader.’
    But however fast I’d beat my retreat, it was too late to have missed the hurt in the big man’s eyes.
----
    I was muttering aloud as I walked across the car park. Frankly, I was relieved that Leonard was real and even more so that Mal’s ex-wife hadn’t been there too, but it had felt uncomfortable in the extreme.
    ‘Bloody, bloody stupid,’ I walked faster. ‘Bloody ridiculous situation to get yourself into, Laurie Smith.’
    What exactly that situation was though, I wasn’t quite ready to admit. Still muttering, I arrived at my old Ford and found that someone had boxed me in, parking across me even though there were empty spaces further down the row. Slamming the door behind me very hard, I derived huge satisfaction from putting my hand on the horn for at least thirty seconds. The noise suited my mood entirely. No one came. After about five minutes, during which my blood pressure rose continuously, I got out again and walked to the parade of shops. I stuck my head round the newsagents’ door.
    ‘Has anyone parked a red Audi across my Fiesta?’
    No one even bothered to answer. At this rate I was going to miss my first client. Muttering again, I went into the butcher’s and repeated the question.
    ‘Sorry, love. I can do you a pound of sausages though, if you like. Best pork?’
    Coming out of the shop, I saw the door of the Audi shutting. I rushed towards it, ready to give the driver a piece of my mind.
    A red-haired woman was putting huge sunglasses on. She saw me approaching, I could tell from her body language – but she was determined not to look at me. As I neared she revved the engine and pulled out. I felt a nasty burst of adrenaline as I realised that I recognised her.
    ‘Sorry,’ she mouthed at me at the last minute, and zoomed off down the road.
    There was no sign of him, but it was without a doubt the woman I’d met with Mal all those years ago during their marriage counselling. The woman driving the car that I’d just sidestepped was Mal’s wife, Susie.

16

NOW: HOUR 7
    3.00 PM

    T he waitress drives