Free I Trust You by Katherine Pathak Page A

local hotels afterwards, or even a restaurant further up the coast which was currently in fashion and therefore worth the drive.
                  It was a beautiful morning, with only a few soft, white clouds to interrupt the blue sky and enough of a breeze to make it great sailing weather. Marisa had taken a pot of tea into the garden and placed it on the patio table. She still had her pyjamas on. They were a light cotton set with a strappy top, actually perfect for such a warm morning. Eliot wasn’t there to tell her to get dressed. She could do as she pleased. Even so, she still felt a stab of guilt at being such a slob.
                  The newspaper kept fluttering in her hands, making it impossible to read. Marisa got up and strolled down the garden, examining the bountiful blooms of the peonies as she passed. They were bowing under the weight of their opulent flowers, such lovely pinks and creams – like a curvaceous bride and her bridesmaids.
                  As she proceeded down the gentle slope towards the bank of tall pine trees, Marisa thought she saw a movement amongst the lower branches. Her heart sank. She refused to allow her imagination to create any more strange visions. It was first thing in the morning and she was fully rested.
                  The movement came again. She froze to the spot. It wasn’t a child she’d seen, that was for sure. This person was tall and broad. ‘Is somebody there? This is private property!’
                  A figure stepped out of the shadow of a tree. He stood quite still at the boundary of the woods. It was Lee Powell.
                  Marisa automatically crossed her arms over her chest, aware of how semi-naked and vulnerable she was. ‘Lee, what are you doing here?’
                  ‘You shouldn’t be wandering about half-dressed. The world isn’t always a friendly place, you know.’
                  ‘I’m in my own garden.’
                  ‘Makes no difference.’ He took a step forward, scanning the garden up to the house. ‘Are you alone?’
                  Marisa knew she’d be a fool to tell him that she was. ‘Eliot is in the kitchen having breakfast. He might see you at any minute.’
                  Lee retreated back into the shadows. ‘Shit. I hoped he’d be off playing golf or something. I’ve got something to tell you. It’s important.’
                  ‘What about?’
                  ‘Our past.’
                  She blinked vigorously, assessing the situation carefully. ‘Eliot isn’t here. He’s out on one of the boats with a client.’
                  Lee remained where he was. ‘How about you go inside and get some clothes on. I’ll wait for you at the patio table.’
                  Marisa nodded. ‘There’s some tea left in the pot. It might still be warm.’
     
    *
     
    Lee Powell poured himself a cup of lukewarm tea. He gazed up at the white-washed monolith that constituted the Coleman residence. He thought the garden was lovely, but the house itself was cold and unhomely.
    He watched Marisa enter the kitchen. She’d put on a shirt and figure-hugging jeans. He smiled to put her at ease. The intention wasn’t to frighten her.
    She stepped out onto the patio. ‘Look, it was great to meet you the other day and I really do want us to keep in touch. But you can’t turn up at the house like this. Eliot really wouldn’t like it. He might even call the police. I don’t want you to get into trouble.’
    Lee swept his hand dismissively. ‘Don’t worry, I’m not some psycho stalker. You left me a lot to think about when you dropped in on me last week. It got me digging about into the past. I wanted to tell you what I found out but I sensed you wouldn’t be able to get over to Southampton again anytime soon.’
    Marisa felt her