Free TICK TOCK RUN (Romantic Mystery Suspense) by H Elliston

my door, with a clipboard and cheesy grin, claiming, as they all do, that their prices were the lowest. 
    After checking the safety chain was in place, I wrapped my fingers around the handle, pushed it down and inched the door open. 

CHAPTER 8
     
    A slice of a trouser leg stepped into view through the gap of the front door.  The stiletto remained wielded above my head.  Paul stood on the pavement, bleary-eyed and wet, holding his navy jacket as a makeshift umbrella in a wide triangle above him.  He peered at me through the gap. 
    I felt stupid, but that relieved I could have grabbed hold and kissed him.  “Crikey, Paul, it’s you.”  I unhooked the chain and opened the door.
    “Chelsea... you okay?”  He eyed my shoe.  “What’s that for?”
    I chucked the stiletto behind me, which landed on the laminate floor with a thump.  “Nothing.  Having a clear out.  Come in.  Did you enjoy your stag party?  I see you still have both eyebrows intact.” 
    “Yes.  A top night.”  He stepped inside out of the rain and draped his jacket over his arm.  “Well, I can’t remember much towards the end.”
    I laughed.  “Sore head?”
     “Listen.”  Paul’s narrowing blue eyes homed in on me.  “I want a private word away from Laura.”
    Curiosity piqued, I motioned for Paul to follow me through to the kitchen.  “Sure.  About what?”  I flicked the kettle on, then grabbed two mugs and the coffee jar from the cupboard above.
    “It’s about Mark.”
    “Your best man?” I said, digging a spoon into the jar.  “Thirsty?”
    Both his face and posture were unnerving in their stiffness.  What’s bugging him?
    “No, thanks,” Paul said.  “I’ll get to the point.  It may be my hangover talking, but, you don’t think I’ve got anything to worry about, do you?  It’s just, well, Mark seems to go all weird when I mention Laura’s name, lately.  And he stares at her.  A lot.  And winks.  I’m starting to think—”
    “What?” I giggled, spilling coffee granules on the worktop.  “That they’re having an affair?”
    “Well... yes.”
    My voice rose to a squeak.  “Are you serious?”
    Paul nodded.  “Laura’s not been herself, lately.  You must have noticed, too.  She’s been... distracted, irritated.  I can’t quite put my finger on it.  I’m worried about her.  All I know is, the pair of them have been acting strange for a while.  It got me thinking.”
    “Trust me.”  I thought it best not to laugh again.  “You’ve got nothing to worry about on that score.  Yes, I agree Mark’s got a thing for Laura, but it’s harmless.  As for Laura, she doesn’t even look at other men.  She’s just upset about her parents not being able to see her wedding.”
    “I know.  I wish I could wave a wand and bring them back.  It’s an awful thing to say, but I hoped you’d think it was something like that.”  He clamped a hand on the edge of the worktop and stared into my eyes.
    “Mind you,” he said.  “I expect you’d cover up for her.  Best friends ‘n’ all.”
    Digging my teeth into my bottom lip, I continued studying Paul.  “Why are you asking me this if you think I’ll cover for her?”  I paused, confused.  “Anyway, you’ve got nothing to worry about.  I swear on my life.  If anyone else likes her, then they’ve left it too late.  She said as much this morn...”  I stopped myself, didn’t want to mention the red roses from her secret admirer.  Could they have been from Mark?  “She’s marrying you.  She loves you.  So, chill out, will you?”
    Paul’s expression began to brighten.  The stress in his eyes dissolved.  “Sorry.  It was unfair of me to put you on the spot.”
    I followed Paul to the front door.  “Go home and give Laura a big kiss.” 
    “I intend to.”
    I waved him off to his car, wondering why Paul had risked Laura finding out that he was suspicious by talking to me.  Poor bloke.  To risk that, he