Chapter 28

"This road goes only one way, so I must be going on the right direction for you. Can I give you a lift?" The man in the executive car had a cultured voice, more home counties than West Country.

"I don't k-know," said Amelia-Rose, her teeth chattering as she shivered besides his car.

He got out and I opened the passenger door for her. He was built slightly and didn't look menacing in his gray trousers and sports jacket. His tie made him look very respectable.

Amelia-Rose got in and soon the car was roaring down the narrow road again. It was sheer bliss to sit relaxed in the warm and comfortable seat.

"Not the best day to go walking the countryside," the man said. He seemed at ease with her in the car, obviously somebody who was used to meeting people and getting on with them.

"The countryside is beautiful when the sun shines but it can quickly turn into something else when the weather turns against you." Amelia-Rose sighed and then asked if she could turn the heater up. "I feel rather cold," she said. "Do you mind?"

"Not at all," he said easily, and the warm air soon enveloping her.

"I was going to stop at a pub and get something to eat," he said. "If you're hungry, you could join me."

"Nothing would be nicer than a hot a bowl of steaming soup just now," said Amelia-Rose. "But I haven't got much cash with me. I could wait in the car while you go in to eat if you like."

"I wouldn't even think of it," said the young man. "I can buy you a bowl of soup, probably even put it on my expenses."

"You're too kind," said Amelia-Rose. "But I really am not used to accepting offers from strangers."

"There's always a first time for everything. And, anyway, how do I know that you won't run away with my car if I leave you alone with it." He smiled at her as if he had no doubt whatsoever that it would be completely safe in her hands.

She gave in gracefully.

"The offer of a bowl of soup sounds very nice indeed, thank you. By the way my name is Amelia-Rose."

"And mine is Terence," he shook her hand.

They drove along in silence and eventually a bar appeared on the right-hand side. Its bright lights shining like a warm haven amidst the dark trees. Terence parked the car as close as he could to the entrance. Amelia-Rose found that reassuring. It meant he wasn't afraid to show her in his car.

The bar was as warm inside as it had looked with a huge log fire and had a separate restaurant, which was lit with candles and low lighting. Most of the diners seem to be pensioners and there were special low price for them on the menu.

"I must go and fix myself up a little bit," said Amelia-Rose. "I'm happy to eat whatever you choose."

In the ladies' rest room, Amelia-Rose patched her face up and brushed her hair. Her trousers were nearly dry now and her pullover was no longer sticking to her skin. She decided she could look worse. She decided that the young man was quite good looking and wondered if he'd correctly guessed her age.