Free Plain Jane in the Spotlight by Lucy Gordon Page B

don’t be tempted to pull open the curtains. You’re not there. You’re not here. You’re not anywhere. And don’t answer the phone.’
    He gave her a stunned look. ‘Remind me never to get on your wrong side.’
    ‘That’s a promise.’
    The doorbell rang again. She felt Travis tense, and tightened her grip in case he yielded to temptation. But he stayed completely still, seemingly turned to stone while the bell rang and rang.
    Then the knocking began. Fists thundered against the door, growing louder when they received no response.
    ‘Let’s leave them to it,’ Charlene said softly, drawing him away.
    ‘Will they never stop?’
    ‘Probably not. So what? Let them go on all night. If you don’t go to the door they’ll gain nothing.’
    ‘You think they really would keep that up all night?’
    ‘Unless your neighbours lose patience and threaten them with the police.’
    ‘Think what a story that would make,’ Travis mused, beginning to laugh.
    ‘Oh, yes.’ She laughed with him and they stood together in the dim hallway, shaking, holding on to each other.
    ‘Hey!’ From outside the door came an angry yell. ‘Stop that noise. Some of us want to get some sleep.’
    Mumbles, arguments, exasperation. Finally silence.
    But then came the sound of Travis’s cellphone.
    ‘Don’t answer it,’ Charlene said quickly.
    ‘Don’t worry, I’m not going to. I can see it’s a number I don’t recognise. Take no chances.’
    ‘And you won’t answer it if it rings again later?’
    ‘I promise you can safely let me out of your sight. Play it cool. I’m learning a lot from you.’
    Another noise from below.
    ‘That sounded like the front door being slammed.’ Travis went to the tiny window and peered through the crack. ‘Yes, they’re going. It’s over.’
    ‘Yippee! We beat them.’
    ‘You beat them. I’d have walked right into the trap.’ He regarded her with a touch of awe. ‘What was that remark about my usual brilliance? Someone was brilliant, but it wasn’t me.’
    He hugged her, not briefly or lightly, but with both arms folded around her, holding her tight.
    ‘Goodnight,’ he said softly. ‘Thanks for everything.’
    He saw her to her door before going to his own room. There he lay awake for a while, enjoying a feeling of contentment. It was strange to feel that way, he thought, given how recently his nerves had been jangling, but all was well. Instinct, stronger than words, told him that.
    Just once he got up and went out into the hall, lingering outside her door, wondering if by chance Lee was calling her. But there was only silence, and after a while he went back to bed. Smiling, he snuggled down and slept the sleep of the innocent.
    * * *
    When they met in the kitchen next morning Travis eyed her with an air of caution.
    ‘Is everything OK?’ she asked.
    ‘I’m not sure. I’m becoming nervous of you.’ He rubbed his shoulder where it had rammed against the wall in their tussle. ‘Women are supposed to be the weaker sex, but I guess that’s just a myth.’
    ‘Just beware us when we’re really determined.’ She laughed.
    ‘I learned that last night.’ He rubbed his shoulder again. ‘I’m getting used to you beating me up.’
    Suddenly he dropped his joking manner.
    ‘But I’m glad you did. You really saved me from disaster. Why I was crazy enough to argue with you—if I’d opened the door—’
    ‘It did seem strange. I thought you were being cautious.’
    ‘I was, but I lost my temper. It doesn’t happen often, so when it does I don’t tend to think straight.’ He touched her face. ‘Thank you. Thank you more than I can say.’
    She placed her hand over his and held it against her cheek, moved by an emotion for which there were no words.
    ‘I told you about my doctor friend,’ he said. ‘I’m going to send her to see you. She’s a nice lady. She’ll do that test, then you’ll know and you can make decisions.’
    Charlene nodded. ‘Yes, that’s the best way.